RECENT NEWS
Lake Wylie: Lake Clearing Exercise
As part of the bi-annual evaluation of emergency plans and procedures for the Catawba Nuclear Station public safety officials will conduct a full scale lake clearing exercise on May 13.
Federal regulations require officials to have a plan for clearing boaters from the lake in the event of an emergency at the nuclear station. This year will differ from the evaluation in past years, by a test of the entire lake clearing plan. 50 or more Law Enforcement and Emergency Management officials from York, Gaston and Charlotte/Mecklenburg Counties as well as Department of Natural Resources Officers and Emergency Management from both states will participate.
Most activities taking place on Tuesday May 13 will be at Camp Thunderbird for morning pre-exercise briefings and equipment checks. In the afternoon officers will be dispatched because of a "simulated" accident at the nuclear station. Patrol boats and aircraft will cover designated zones altering boaters and providing safety information.
COMPLETE INFORMATION ON BOATING LAWS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA:
North Carolina Boating Laws and Regulations
South Carolina: Handbook of South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities
CONCORD KANNAPOLIS INTERBASIN TRANSFER (IBT) UPDATE
Despite resounding opposition from thousands of residents in the Catawba River Basin, the State of South Carolina, the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, many cities and most counties in the Catawba River Basin, the N.C. Environmental Management Commission approved a modified version of the Concord Kannapolis interbasin transfer request in January.
The Lake Wylie Pilot regularly reports the legal actions being taken in both states to stop the transfer of “Not One Drop” from the Catawba River and the legislative actions proposed in both states to change the laws governing the transfer of water. Follow the story at http://www.lakewyliepilot.com. Search for IBT or interbasin transfer.
Contact the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation to support the Foundation’s leadership in protecting the Catawba River or to be added to the email list for updates from Executive Director, Donna Lisenby.
HYDRILLA FOUND IN LAKE WYLIE
Hydrilla, an invasive water plant considered to be the most problematic aquatic plant in the United States, has been found in Lake Wylie.
- Learn more about Hydrilla and other invasive plants and species, how they can impact Lake Wylie and how you can protect the lake.
SCDNR Aquatic Species Nuisance Program
NC State University – Aquatic Weed Web Page
- Report a suspected sighting of invasive plants or wildlife to:
Bo Ibach, 704-365-5508, chasi3@aol.com
North Carolina
Duke Energy Aquatic Weed Program
Ken Manuel, 704-875-5424, klmanuel@duke-energy.com
South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources
Chris Page, 803-755-2836, pagec@dnr.sc.gov