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Funds available for lake enhancement projects

Staff Report //May 1, 2018//

Funds available for lake enhancement projects

Staff Report //May 1, 2018//

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Duke Energy has made $1.45 million available for fish and wildlife enhancement projects along Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee through the Keowee-Toxaway Habitat Enhancement Program, which is now accepting applications from qualifying government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Projects eligible for funding include planting native shoreline vegetation, constructing osprey platforms and wood duck boxes, and installing fish attractors. Projects can also include purchasing property and conservation easements that permanently preserve rare and unique habitats, according to a news release.

The Keowee-Toxaway Habitat Enhancement Program was formed as a result of the Keowee-Toxaway Relicensing Agreement Duke Energy entered into with 16 other stakeholder organizations during the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing process, the release said. The program is funded annually from a fee charged to individuals and developers seeking lake use permits for projects on lakes, as well as by contributions from Duke Energy. The Foothills Community Foundation administers the funds.

Applications can be found online.

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