Debris Removal

                     TLAC has received several inquiries about debris during the past few weeks.        The most frequently asked questions and the responses are:

 

Question:  Who is responsible for debris removal?

Answer:  Appalachian Power Company’s new license, which became effective April 1, 2010, gives them  principal responsibilities for debris removal at Smith Mountain Lake.  Article 411 of the License addresses debris and includes the following language:

“APCO shall implement sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Debris Management Plan filed July 15, 2008, with the following modifications:  APCO shall remove, and properly dispose of debris from the project reservoirs that:

• Creates safety hazards
• Interferes with public access to public recreation facilities, or
• Results in adverse aesthetic impacts

Throughout the year, APCO must address:

Recreational hazards created by floating debris resulting from high flow events, including:

• not only the removal of floating debris immediately after the high flow event,
• but also removal of floating hazards created by dislodged debris on an ongoing basis after the event has occurred.”

Additional information regarding APCO’s debris responsibilities can be found in their Debris Management Plan (www.smithmtn.com) and the remainder of Article 411 (contact us for a copy) of the License.

 

Question:  How can residents report debris on the lake?

Answer:  TLAC encourages residents to call us at 1-540-721-4400.  As a service to the community, our staff will then call APCO on your behalf and we will track APCO’s responsiveness to the report.  Residents can call APCO’s Customer Service Center directly, but we will then be unable to follow-up on your report.

Exception:  Please note that if it is after business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 4:30) and the debris poses an immediate navigation hazard, residents should call APCO directly at      1-800-956-4237. 

 

Question:  What if APCO doesn’t remove the debris?

Answer:  If, after a reasonable amount of time, the debris has not been removed, the residents may contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (the agency which permits APCO’s use of the lake) Enforcement Hotline at 1-888-889-8030 to share their concerns.

 

Question:  What else can residents do?

Answer:  We are all stakeholders of the lake and should act responsibly.  Here are some suggestions:

•  Don’t create debris situations
• Dispose of all trash properly – remember that trash left along the roadside could eventually becomes debris in the lake
• Clear and properly dispose of loose woody debris from your property regularly
• Oftentimes, small amounts of debris wash up against the shoreline which can easily be removed by residents
• Participate in the annual Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake cleanup event which is held the first Saturday in May every year.  This event brings hundreds of volunteers together to clean the lake.  See additional information on this website.