Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Based on comments received from the Recreation Use and Needs Survey conducted for Duke Power in 1999, the respondents indicated a need for camping, picnicking, swimming, jogging/bicycling trails, mooring sites, gas pumps and restroom facilities on Lake James. Through the AAII and existing agency leases, additional camping, picnicking, hiking/bicycling trails and restroom facilities will be constructed by the agencies in the next 5 years to meet the identified needs.
Additional mooring sites, gas pumps and other facilities may also be installed as Duke Power begins accepting access area lease requests by non-agency groups for the access areas not leased to the agencies. The non-agency groups had to wait until after June 1, 2000 (the deadline for agencies to submit an application, plan and schedule) before Duke Power would consider accepting their applications.
Based on the projected population projections and facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class, approximately 36 usable acres will be needed through 2050 to meet future recreational facility demand. Currently, 404 acres of mainland and 70 acres of islands have been reserved for recreational use. The land has areas of good topography and will be able to support the facilities identified by the survey respondents in the Recreation Use and Needs Study. There is also one North Carolina State Park located on the lake.
Survey respondents indicated they would like to see the shoreline development controlled and slowed. On Lake James, development of the shoreline is regulated by the counties. The amount of shoreline where Duke Power will allow construction within the project boundary has been reduced from the 1994 SMP. Another survey item mentioned was the need to see more controls on jet skiing and speed controls. Additional safety items concerning safe use of jet skis and controlling boat speed will be included in the Duke Power's lake map publication.
The known proposed recreational changes for Lake James follow:
Duke Power Access
Bridgewater Fishing Area, Burke County, North Carolina
The entrance road and parking lot will be paved within the next 5 years.
Black Bear Access Area
The changes proposed by McDowell County for this site during Fiscal Year 2000-2001, contingent on successful signing of a lease for the site:
- Develop 8 primitive campsites with fire rings.
- Develop 1.5 miles of hiking and bicycling trails with approximately .3 miles being paved.
- Provide a handicapped compliant restroom facility along the paved trail. A panic phone would be installed at the restroom facility.
- Construct a handicapped accessible fishing pier near the paved trail.v
Duke Power Islands
The NCWRC has expressed an interest in managing the islands on Lake James. A management plan is being developed and may be completed for the SMP filing in 2001.
