Why is American Electric Power developing a Shoreline Management Plan?
AEP is licensed to operate the Smith Mountain Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.) The Smith Mountain Project includes both Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes. AEP has an obligation under its license from the FERC to manage the different occupancy and uses of project lands. This includes the construction of boat docks, piers and erosion control structures. The FERC license for the project includes the requirement that AEP manage the lands within the project boundary in such a way as to protect the resources of the project. These resources include the environmental, public recreation, cultural, scenic, and power production resources. AEP is developing the SMP to assist with the management of the area within the project boundary. The goal of the SMP is to provide public and private access, protect and enhance the non-power resources (scenic, recreational, and environmental) and the projects primary function, the production of electricity. Currently commercial facil
