Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP) is a cooperative initiative by Duke Energy, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. HEP was developed during the relicensing of the Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project to provide an effective means of allowing continued private recreational access while providing meaningful habitat creation, enhancement and protection activities for fish and wildlife adjacent to the Catawba-Wateree River and its reservoirs.

As part of the habitat management strategy, a Habitat Enhancement Fund has been set up to provide for habitat enhancement activities. This fund is supported through fees charged to property owners and developers applying for lake use permits to build private or multiple slip piers in Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project reservoirs, and from contributions by Duke Energy. These funds are awarded to successful applicants through a competitive proposal process. Any government agency or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization or any individual working through a tax-exempt organization may apply for funding. HEP will consider funding any type of project that meets the above objectives.

For 2019, over $1.9 million is available for enhancement projects located in North Carolina. Funds totaling over $1.5 million are available for projects located in South Carolina. Individual project awards typically range from $10,000 to $50,000.

Since 2007, the program has provided over $1.5 million in awards in the Carolinas for habitat enhancement projects.

How to Apply

HEP only accepts proposals for funding that are submitted from May 1 through July 31 of each year. Applicants must provide all requested information or their proposals will be returned without consideration. All properly completed and submitted proposals will be reviewed first by the Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC) in the applicable state. LAC's recommendations will then be considered by that state's Technical Review Committee (TRC) during their review and scoring process. All applicants will be notified of the TRC's decision, and successful applicants will be issued instructions regarding the dispersal of funds and reporting requirements.

To submit an application for project funding:

1. Download and complete the Catawba-Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program Funding Application Form.
2. Save the document to your computer.
3. Send an email to Michael.Abney@Duke-Energy.com and include your proposal as an attachment. Photos can be submitted along with your proposal as separate attachments to the same email. Please send photos in JPEG format.

If you have any questions on the application process contact Michael Abney at Michael.Abney@duke-energy.com or 980.373.0435.

Evaluation Criteria

Each proposal will be given a fair and equitable consideration for funding. Standard criteria have been established to guide the Lakes Advisory Committee and the Technical Review Committee in this effort. Before implementing any activities on Duke Energy’s lake property or within the FERC Project Boundary at Duke Energy lakes, you must apply for and receive a lake use permit. Although not required, the Applicant is encouraged to consult with Duke Energy Lake Services prior to application submission.

Lakes Advisory Committee Application

The Lakes Advisory Committee will consist of up to seven members in North Carolina and up to five members in South Carolina, with members potentially representing each of the Catawba-Wateree reservoirs. Persons wishing to serve on the Lakes Advisory Committee in their state have to apply for this position through a competitive process with the successful participants selected by Duke Energy and either the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission or the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Follow these steps to submit an application:

1. Read the Habitat Enhancement Program Charter.
2. Open the Lakes Advisory Committee Application document and complete the application.
3. Print the completed application. 
4. Sign and date the completed application and either email (Michael.Abney@duke-energy.com) or send to:

Michael Abney
Duke Energy
Habitat Enhancement Program
526 S. Church St. (EC-12Y)
Charlotte, NC 28202

Recent North Carolina Awards

Catawba Lands Conservancy; Belmont, NC
An award was granted to continue native plant restoration and increase biodiversity on 8 acres of the Seven Oaks Preserve property located along Lake Wylie adjoining the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Nebo, NC
Awards were granted to support the restoration and protection of native mussel habitat in the Catawba River below Lake James via debris removal, stream stabilization and river realignment, and population augmentation.

North Carolina Wildlife Federation; Charlotte, NC
Awards were granted to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitats via shoreline restoration and installation of native plants, rock reefs and spawning benches for fish, bat nesting boxes, osprey nesting platforms, chimney swift towers and a great blue heron rookery webcam on Lake Norman. 

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina; Morganton, NC
Awards were granted to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitats via shoreline restoration and installation of native plants, and to assist in the acquisition of undeveloped land on Lake James and its tributaries. The acquisition will provide for protection of riparian buffers, water quality, and instream aquatic habitat protection and enhancement.

Friends of Lake James State Park; Nebo, NC
An award was granted to ameliorate for runoff and erosion at an access area on Lake James. Areas will be seeded with a native pollinator mix to improve insect and wildlife habitat.

Lake Norman Delta Waterfowl; Huntersville, NC
An award was granted to assist in the installation and maintenance of wood duck nesting boxes on Lake Norman.

Gaston County Piedmont Area Wildlife Stewards (NC Wildlife Federation); Gastonia, NC
An award was granted to assist in the installation of artificial fish attractors, wood duck nesting boxes, and osprey nesting platforms on Lake Wylie (NC and SC).

Recent South Carolina Awards

Katawba Valley Land Trust; Lancaster, SC
Awards were granted to assist in the acquisition of the Great Falls Natural Areas Project, which consists of 192 acres of unique habitat bordering Cedar Creek and Great Falls reservoirs, and 161 acres of conservation easements on Rocky Creek and Fishing Creek.

South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Columbia, SC
An award was granted to construct and build osprey nesting platforms and wood duck nesting boxes on Lake Wylie, Lake Wateree and the Fishing Creek, Great Falls/Dearborn and Rocky Creek/Cedar Creek reservoirs.