The SMP Update presents the results of the shoreline classification and mapping, shallow water fish habitat survey, terrestrial species habitat assessment, recreation use and needs assessment, and cultural resources assessment. The following subsections describe the methodology for the various studies and assessments conducted for the SMP Update.

For the SMP Update, Duke Power reclassified the reservoir shorelines within the Catawba-Wateree system to more accurately reflect current development of the shoreline and to include the results of the shoreline habitat survey and lake use restrictions associated with the protection of critical and sensitive habitats. The following section describes the shoreline reclassifications and associated lake use restrictions, the SWFHS, the Woody Debris Study, the Riparian Zone Management Informational brochure, and the SSTSP.

The Report Regarding Strategy and Schedule for Implementation of the Shoreline Management Plan submitted on February 3, 1997, stated that Duke Power and the state wildlife agencies would develop a classification system of significant shallow water fisheries habitats. Duke Power would also conduct a survey of all undeveloped shorelines to identify areas of key importance for fish spawning and rearing and would establish appropriate lake use restrictions for those areas.

Duke Power enlisted the services of an environmental consultant familiar with this type of mapping project to conduct the field identification of the undeveloped shoreline based on the cooperatively developed classification system. The consultant completed the survey in 1997 as scheduled, utilizing a boat on lakes James and Fishing Creek, and a helicopter on the remaining Catawba-Wateree lakes. The field data collection was completed by the consultant in accordance with the schedule set forth in the report. The data was ground-truthed by Duke Power fisheries scientists, and the accuracy was found to be deficient, possibly attributed to the use of the helicopter. Duke Power notified the Commission and requested an extension of time (to September 30, 1998) to complete the project, and the Commission approved the time extension on July 17, 1998. Duke Power enlisted the services of its own fisheries scientists and lake management personnel to resurvey the shoreline by boat and complete the Shallow Water Fisheries Habitat field data collection.

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To comply with the 1996 Order approving/modifying the SMP, Duke Power is required to file any proposed shoreline reclassifications for Commission approval. The fish habitat survey results, the need to obtain Commission approval, and the opportunity to more accurately define the various developed portions of the shoreline, were considerations that led Duke Power to file revised SMP maps in conjunction with the habitat mapping. The SWFHS habitat maps and the lake use restrictions associated with protecting the environmentally valuable aquatic habitats were the primary basis for the SMP map revisions.

Duke Power and the state and federal wildlife agencies cooperatively developed the habitat classifications (see Section 2.2.1): Vegetated Areas/Coves With Stream Confluence, Stable Sand/Gravel/Cobble, Woody Debris, etc. Due to the problems associated with the initial data collection, final discussions with the state and federal wildlife agencies concerning the lake use restrictions were delayed until accurate maps could be produced. Final negotiations were not completed until August 31 and September 5 with the North Carolina and South Carolina wildlife resource agencies, respectively. A total of six meetings were held with these agencies to finalize the lake use restrictions. Considerable discussion took place in those consultation meetings concerning the value of woody debris as fish habitat. Duke Power, as a result, chose to not require mandatory protection or mitigation for woody debris because:

Duke Power did, however, agree with the wildlife resource agencies in both North Carolina and South Carolina to cooperatively sponsor a two-year study, to be completed in 2000, to determine the importance of woody debris as fish habitat.

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The SWFHS maps focused on the undeveloped portions of the shoreline. Development of the SWFHS maps, therefore required a departure from the methodology utilized in the 1994 SMP to determine the existing and future uses of the shoreline. The shoreline was classified as Developed only if there was some type of lakeward construction or structure (e.g., stabilization, pier). During development of the 1994 SMP maps, lakeward construction was not a prerequisite to identifying a portion of the shoreline as having an existing use. Often, designation was based on activities outside the project boundary (e.g., proposed residential subdivision development) and the lakeward construction activities were anticipated. Duke Power, to ensure full compliance with the 1996 Order, was compelled to evaluate all the shoreline under the SWFHS classification criteria that did not have some type of lakeward construction or structure.

The SWFHS maps depict the various habitat and management classifications- Vegetated areas/coves with stream confluence, Natural, Stable Sand, Gravel/Cobble and Woody Debris. All other areas are shown as Developed without any specific differentiation between development types or as Undeveloped-No Critical habitat. Therefore, Duke Power had to determine the classification of the developed portions of the shoreline for the revision of the SMP maps by utilizing aerial photographs, transmission line data, state and county road maps, FERC Exhibit K maps, Lake Management permitting databases and on-site surveillance. Prior to making alterations to the original 1994 SMP maps, Duke Power revised its Existing Use and Future Use classifications to better define the various types of development along the shoreline. The need to have accurate GIS-based SWFHS base maps before revising the SMP maps and the approaching September 30th filing deadline, resulted in only having draft black and white copies of the revised SMP maps that could be submitted to the various resource agencies for comments.

The classification system designations for the SWFHS were revised slightly to more appropriately mimic the designations used in the 1994 SMP (e.g., the Vegetated with Stream Confluence designation was assigned the Environmental designation). Although these designation changes were deemed necessary to provide a degree of consistency for those accustomed to using the 1994 SMP, the actual habitats identified and the criteria utilized to determine these habitats remained the same in the revised SMP as in the SWFHS. The revised SMP maps included not only the important habitat area data from the SWFHS (e.g., Vegetated area/cove with stream confluence, Stable Sand, and Gravel/cobble) but the other lake management classifications (Natural and Downstream Clear Zones [DCZ]) and the various revised Existing Uses (Commercial/Non-Residential, Commercial/Residential, Residential, Business/Industrial, Project Operations, Public Recreation, and Public Infrastructure) and Future Use (Future Comm./Non-Res., Future Comm./Res., Future Residential, Future Public Recreation) classifications.

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The entire Catawba-Wateree project shoreline is included on 42 individual maps at a scale of 1 inch equal to 1000 feet as compared to the original 1994 SMP maps, which consisted of only 15 maps at a smaller scale. The greater accuracy of the revised maps, the revised classification system, and the revised lake use restrictions helped to ensure the valuable aquatic environmental habitats are protected while providing the means to improve permitting consistency. A tabular comparison/justification of the SWFHS and SMP shoreline classification mileage was included in the September 29, 1998, submittal to the Commission. In addition to improved map accuracy, each revised SMP map included a classification key which shows a tabular summary of each classification based on shoreline miles and as a percentage of the shoreline for that particular reservoir. Each reservoir's maps were numbered and a location key of map numbers and their coverage was provided to assist in map orientation on a specific reservoir.

Duke Power communicated its intent to begin utilizing the revised SMP maps and Lake Use Restrictions on October 1, 1998, in its September 29, 1998, submittal to the Commission. Complete lake use permit applications that were mailed to Duke Power and post-marked before October 1, 1998, were processed under the SMP maps and Lake Use Restrictions approved by the Commission on February 2, 1996. This action was necessary to ensure that the existing environmentally valuable aquatic habitats were and remain protected by the agreed upon Lake Use Restrictions.

The Commission issued a Notice of Amendment of License on November 17, 1998, requesting comments, protests and motions to intervene by December 26, 1998, regarding the revision of the SMP Maps, the SWFHS Mapping Project, and the Proposed Methodology and Survey Instruments for the Recreation Use and Needs Survey.

On November 18, 1998, Duke Power filed with the Commission a Supplement to the SWFHS Mapping Project and revision of the SMP Maps. The supplement provided information that was either inadvertently omitted from the original filing or that was received from the agencies subsequent to the filing on September 29, 1998, including:

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Transmittal letters, and the supporting information regarding the SMP map revisions, were not submitted to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Public Water Supply Section and the North Carolina Clearinghouse for the 30-day review and comment period, even though these agencies were consulted as part of the 1994 SMP. In addition, transmittal letters and supporting information regarding the SMP map revisions were provided to the cities of Davidson, Mooresville, Cornelius, Cramerton, Belmont and Mt. Holly. Although these municipalities were not consulted during development of the 1994 SMP, Duke Power believed it was appropriate to include them in the revised SMP consultation because their city or town limits or extra-territorial jurisdictions coincided with the project boundary.

Duke Power continued, as a result of other SMP reviewing agency comments, to meet with the wildlife resource agencies to evaluate the lake use restrictions. On December 16, 1998, a meeting between Duke Power and representatives from the state and federal wildlife agencies including; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS (NC), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), and SCDNR, was held to further discuss the Lake Use Restrictions associated with the IMZ (Stable Sand and Gravel/Cobble) classification, particularly shoreline stabilization allowances. The wildlife resource agencies agreed to consider further Duke Power's proposal to allow certain stabilization techniques in IMZ's based upon continued efforts to: (1) develop a set of engineering criteria- later simplified to include a selection process (i.e., SSTSP) that could be more easily interpreted and applied in the field- that could be used in evaluating stabilization projects; (2) allow the wildlife resource agencies the flexibility to review and provide comments/recommendations regarding stabilization applications within IMZ's; (3) develop a reference pamphlet or guide (see Appendix E) as an educational component that would be distributed to lake use permit applicants, real estate agencies, developers, etc.; (4) utilize existing publications (e.g., Catawba Currents, Catawba Magazine, Lake Use Permit application materials) to promote the use of less hardening stabilization techniques; (5) continue to offer incentives for utilization of bio-engineering and rip-rap in the form of reduced application filing fees; and (6) implement the Riparian Zone Management Initiative activities over the period 1999-2000.

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In addition to the discussion of stabilization in IMZ's, Duke Power proposed to clarify the activities associated with Public Recreation, namely, the modification of the Lake Use Restrictions to clearly indicate that boat ramps required for Public Recreation are allowable in IMZ's. At the agencies request, Duke Power also proposed to delete the reference to public recreational values as part of the IMZ definition since allowance for Public Recreation was covered as a separate classification type with its own Lake Use Restrictions.

Duke Power requested in its submittal letter of December 22, 1998, that the Commission allow an additional 90 days after the expiration of the comment date for the public notice period before it rendered an order relative to this filing. During that extra time, Duke Power agreed to continue to develop, in consultation with the wildlife resource agencies, more specific criteria, processes, and implementation timeframes for the recommendations listed above. Additionally, Duke Power notified the Commission that it would make a second supplemental filing to address specific agreements that may be reached that allow stabilization within IMZ's.

On March 18, 1999, staff with Duke Power's Lake Management Office contacted Commission staff to request an extension of time for filing the modifications to the SMP maps for the Catawba-Wateree Project and for submitting the selection criteria for stabilization. Commission staff approved the extension until April 17, 1999. On April 7, 1999, Lake Management staff again contacted Commission staff to request an additional extension of time until June 1, 1999, to ensure there was adequate time to: (1) have the SMP map modifications incorporated by Duke Power's GIS contractor and have maps plotted for filing; (2) notify the SMP reviewing agencies regarding the map modifications; and (3) allow the resource agencies adequate time to comment on the proposed selection criteria.

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The final SSTSP included the following important changes:

	Proposals for stabilization where the bank height is less than 1 foot may utilize bioengineering techniques and rip-rap, only.
	Stabilization in areas classified as IMZ's may not occur during the months of March-June to limit impacts to fish spawning areas.
	State wildlife agency review is required for all shoreline stabilization in areas classified as an IMZ.
	Reasonable mitigation requirements are determined through consultation with the state wildlife agency.
	Seawalls are not allowed in shallow-water areas classified as Natural.

On May 27, 1999, Duke Power submitted to the Commission the SSTSP and an updated version of the Classification and Lake Use Restrictions for the 1998 Catawba-Wateree SMP Map Revisions, which referenced the SSTSP. In addition to the selection process, and revised classification and Lake Use Restrictions, the filing included information regarding modifications to the revised SMP maps. The map modifications were included in a table that identified each modification by item number, lake, SMP map sheet number, current shoreline classification and corresponding modification, and justification for change. These changes primarily included: (1) adjustments to county boundaries; (2) consistent identification of public and private causeways crossing the project boundary; (3) clarification of shoreline classifications in future recreation areas; (4) consistent identification of existing commercial facilities; and (5) minor classification and shoreline changes that correspond with existing conditions.

Duke Power made additional SMP map modifications not listed in the information enclosed in the May 1999 filing. The purpose of those modifications was to ensure the public recreational area property boundaries were delineated accurately. These property modifications primarily affected property outside the project boundary; but in the few instances, where the modifications impacted the shoreline classifications, they were listed in the table enclosed with the May filing.

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The Commission issued a Notice of Amendment to License regarding the revised SMP on July 23, 1999, with a deadline for filing motions to intervene, protest and comments by September 7, 1999. On June 19, 2000, the Commission issued a draft Environmental Assessment regarding the SWFHS and revision to the SMP maps. On December 1, 2000, the Commission issued the Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) and the Order Modifying and Approving Revised Shoreline Classification Maps Project No. 2232-393.

1998-1999 Classification of Shoreline

The first step in the 1998-1999 SMP map revision was to utilize the SWFHS shoreline data to identify the environmentally valuable shallow water fish habitat.

The set of symbols and colors for identifying the Existing Use classifications in the 1994 SMP maps was modified and expanded to include the 10 Existing Use classifications developed for the 1998-1999 SMP. The SWFHS classification definitions were incorporated into the nomenclature previously utilized in the 1994 SMP to ensure a consistent classification system for those familiar with utilizing the SMP maps for permitting activity review. The same numbering system from the 1994 SMP was also used for the 4 Future Use classifications in the 1998-1999 SMP.

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The following criteria outlines the thought process Duke Power used to complete the draft classification of each lake's shoreline in the 1998-1999 SMP revision:

	The SWFHS maps were used as the base maps for developing the revision for the 1998-1999 SMP maps. All shoreline, including all island shoreline, was surveyed to delineate the environmentally valuable shallow water fish habitats, areas with significant characteristics that limit the ability to allow access, undeveloped shoreline with no critical habitat and shoreline with existing development. The environmentally valuable shallow water fish habitat areas were designated as Environmental or IMZ and the areas with characteristics that make most types of development inside the project boundary undesirable from an overall lake management standpoint were classified as Natural Areas in the 1998-1999 SMP map revision.
	Existing uses (identified previously as Developed-No Critical Habitat in the SWFHS) were labeled after the habitat data had been included. These areas of the shoreline were only considered for the Existing Use classification in the 1998-1999 SMP mapping revision if there was some type of lakeward construction or structure (e.g., shoreline stabilization, pier). The only exception was areas with significant land-based manufacturing development adjacent to the project boundary where there was little to no impact on boating uses. These areas were designated as Business/Industrial in the 1998-1999 SMP maps.
	All Duke Power-owned islands falling within the project envelope were then classified for Future Recreation, except for those shoreline areas designated in one of the shallow water fish habitat classifications, that house a project structure (e.g., dam, powerhouse), or that had other unique features worthy of protection. Those islands with a project structure were classified as Project Operations and/or Natural.

Adequate Duke Power-owned and non-Duke Power-owned, non-project land acreage to provide for future public recreational opportunities throughout the planning horizon was then classified as Future Recreation. In siting and sizing these areas, emphasis was placed on:

	Expanding existing access areas
	Long range usability of boat launching facilities
	Distribution of opportunities around the lake
	Physical characteristics (e.g., topography, vehicle access, shoreline)
	Proposed public access to privately-owned and publicly-owned land

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Note: At the completion of this step, the property boundaries for the privately and publicly owned non-project recreational land were delineated from a variety of sources including park boundary surveys, site plan maps, access area boundary surveys, etc. The non-project land was identified based on land ownership and was delineated on the 1998-1999 SMP maps by various color shading. The remaining unclassified shoreline was not needed to ensure that future public recreational needs were satisfied and was therefore considered for other future uses.

Shoreline Management policies and specific lake constraints were then applied to the remaining unclassified shoreline to ensure that future development could occur without destruction of the natural resources or infringement on the aesthetic or recreational values of the project or power production operational flexibility. Specific considerations included:

	No new Commercial/Non-residential marinas allowed within a ½-mile radius of existing Commercial/Non-residential marinas nor shoreline areas where more than 50% of the shoreline within a ½-mile radius was residentially developed.
	Shoreline cove areas that widened from the head toward the mouth, but then reduced down to a width of less than 200' had the shoreline from the head of the cove through the point of constriction classified to preclude future Commercial/Non-Residential and Commercial/Residential development.
	Areas subject to quickly changing and significant flow rates below operating hydro stations were classified as Project Operations and more specifically designated as Downstream Clear Zones limiting development to maintenance and rebuilds of existing structures.
	Shoreline areas that were cut off from direct boating access to the majority of the Project were delineated as Natural or Environmental unless there was significant shoreline and surface acreage to support development (e.g., piers) and recreational boating within the cutoff area (e.g., Cornelius Lake, Lake Davidson, and Davidson Pond).

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Table 2.1-1            Cutoff Areas for Project Lakes

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*  17.3 acres (upper part); 7.5 acres (lower part)
**  11.5 acres if taken from Windy Gap Rd.

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