Progress Energy has developed a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for Lake Tillery, N.C., in response to an order from to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The SMP will enhance the company's ability to manage the project shoreline.

• Executive Summary
  Draft shoreline management plan for the Tillery hydroelectric project(FERC No. 2206)
  
  
• Lake Tillery 2008 Newsletter
  Lake Tillery is the storage reservoir for the Tillery Hydroelectric Plant, part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project.
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• Lake Tillery - real time lake levels
  You may view daily graphs or download lake level data. Historical data are available from 36th prior to present day.

Project Background

The Lake Tillery Project contains approximately 118 miles of shoreline. Progress Energy continues to manage the shoreline to accommodate the variety of uses that take place within the Lake Tillery Project boundary. Through its leasing program, dock permitting program and "Guidelines," Progress Energy has managed shoreline activities at Lake Tillery. The SMP is a tool specifically designed for shoreline management planning. Progress Energy filed the SMP with the FERC on Dec. 31, 2001.

To best manage the lands within the project boundary, Progress Energy has undertaken a number of activities in regard to the Lake Tillery project shoreline. Progress Energy documented and mapped the current uses of the shoreline through aerial photography and on-site observations. The shoreline of the Lake Tillery Project was classified into current land-use categories. Currently, about two miles of the shoreline is classified as commercial; a total of 64 miles is residential; a total of five miles is agricultural; one mile is designated as project operations; one mile is public infrastructure; a total of 12 miles is public recreation; and 33 miles of shoreline is deemed undeveloped.

To base its shoreline management decisions on the best available biological and ecological data, Progress Energy undertook a habitat mapping study to identify and map locations for various shoreline aquatic habitat types within the Lake Tillery Project boundary. Progress Energy met with resource agencies during spring 2000 to discuss our study plan. Fieldwork was conducted during the summer of 2000. Progress Energy mapped the following six habitat types:

1. Emergent/submerged aquatic vegetation areas               
2. water willow beds                                   
3. water willow and submerged timber/woody debris                                   
4. submerged timber                                   
5. fringed wetlands area                                   
6. scrub-shrub habitat

This information was used to develop future land-use designations for the shoreline of Lake Tillery. More than 17 miles of shoreline is to remain undisturbed (natural areas). About 14 miles of shoreline is subject to very restricted access (Impact Minimization Zones). About nine miles of currently undeveloped shoreline is to be allowed access under the existing guidelines (subject to revisions).

The SMP contains (in Appendix B) the Guidelines for the Use of Leased Properties at Lake Tillery dated October 1, 2001. It is important to note that the guidelines are subject to periodic revisions as deemed necessary by Progress Energy. In terms of protection of the shoreline, the guidelines represent minimum standards to be applied to all shoreline properties. Additional standards or restrictions apply to certain areas. As indicated above, any activities within Impact Minimization Zones (IMZs) require adherence to the IMZ Guidelines, which are also included in the SMP (Appendix C). No disturbance of the shoreline and no construction of piers or boathouses are allowed in Environmental/Natural Areas.

In preparation for the Shoreline Management Plan, Progress Energy also contacted the N.C. Natural Heritage Program to determine the locations of any state and federally listed rare species, high-quality natural communities, and significant natural heritage areas that have been identified in the vicinity of the Lake Tillery Project. In addition, Progress Energy has documented opportunities for recreation and access that are located throughout the Lake Tillery Project, including marinas, boat ramps, designated bank and pier fishing facilities, private recreation facilities, national forest lands and a state park.

Progress Energy contacted the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to determine the locations of known cultural sites within the one-quarter mile of the Lake Tillery Project boundary. Progress Energy will keep the information about the locations of all of the sites on file. Progress Energy will direct any individuals or groups who propose development affecting these sites to the SHPO.

Progress Energy's lake manager monitors the Lake Tillery Project. Included in this monitoring is a separate shoreline cruise for the spring, summer and fall seasons of each year. This is performed to ensure compliance by all leaseholders with all of the permits that have been issued and the Guidelines for the Use of Leased Properties at Lake Tillery, and to prevent any encroachments within the Lake Tillery Project boundary. Progress Energy has a permitting program in place for the reasonable and responsible development of project lands. To supplement our monitoring program, Progress Energy has conducted aerial photography of the entire lake shoreline. Additional aerial photography in the future can be used to identify and confirm changes to the shoreline.

Progress Energy keeps leaseholders around Lake Tillery informed regarding matters related to lake activities, including the SMP, through the publication and distribution of an annual newsletter. Information for the newsletter is solicited from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and others. The newsletter and other means, including this Web site, will continue to be used to keep the public informed about the Lake Tillery Shoreline Management Plan.