Feds say OK to new Walhalla raw water intake

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is announcing approval of a request to allow Walhalla to build and operate a raw water intake facility within the Keowee-Toxaway Hydro-electric Project. The proposed facility is designed to with withdraw a maximum rate of 6.75 million gallons a day from Lake Keowee and consist of a 130-foot, dual 20-inch diameter raw water intake line and 4-inch air burst line. The action comes on a request by Duke Energy and amounts to an easement to use project lands and water, meaning Lake Keowee. According to the document of approval from Thomas LoVullo, chief of Aquatic Resources Branch, Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance, “This order constitutes final agency action.” However, any party may file a request for a re-hearing within 30 days of the issuance. The director’s marching orders to Walhalla include: “(1) Walhalla’s use of project lands and waters covered by the permit must not endanger health, create a nuisance, or otherwise be incompatible with overall project recreational use; (2) Walhalla must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that that the construction, operation, and maintenance of the permitted raw water intake facility and improvements will occur in a manner that protects the scenic, recreational, and other environmental values of the project; and (3) Walhalla must not unduly restrict public access to project lands and waters.”