Modify Appalachian Power’s proposed Habitat Management Plan to include:

·      the 1st sentence on page 5, section 2.1.4, of the Habitat Management Plan should be revised to read, “A property owner may apply for a permit to modify existing vegetation for the following reasons, as defined in the SMP: …;”

·      a stipulation whereby areas adjacent to some homeowner developments and commercial areas be considered favored areas for potential habitat projects, but that projects should not be limited to those areas;

·      a stipulation that monitoring of project sites include photographs that can be downloaded into a GIS database;

·      a provision that all large habitat projects constructed specifically as structures to attract fish for angling purposes, be marked by buoys as “fish attractors;” and

·      the development of education material.

1.  DEIS P-271 -- "The provisions included in Appalachian Power's proposed Habitat Management Plan, would protect and enhance littoral zone habitats, as well as habitat along the shorelines of Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes. The plan would help protect existing (fishery) habitat, as well as provide additional habitat, in terms of in-water structure and overhanging cover that is expected to be used by many of the common fish species found in the lake. These enhancement measures would provide additional spawning and rearing habitat compared to existing conditions."

TCRC agrees that with FERC Staff recommendations included, the Habitat Management Plan will provide additional spawning and rearing habitats.  The Habitat Technical Review Committee should help ensure safety and aesthetics are considered in the design and location of these "structures."

*** IF you wish to comment to assist the TCRC in forming its final position; you can email your comments to Relicensing@Gmail.com ***