Money out there for the asking, and lake group will apply

In the re-licensing of Duke’s Keowee-Toxaway project, there’s a pool of available funds to enhance and protect fish and wildlife habitats in lakes Keowee and Jocassee and the watersheds. And “FOLKS”—Friends of Lake Keowee—is one non-profit that takes advantage. It’s part of an effort by “FOLKS” and Duke and others to be good stewards of the waterways. Available funds this year amount to more than $1.4 million. Projects eligible for funding include planting native shoreline vegetation, constructing osprey platforms and wood duck boxes, and installing fish attractors. Dave Goeckel has a double interest in this. He’s a “FOLKS” director and an avid angler. The money accrues from a fee charged to individuals and developers seeking lake use permits for projects on the lakes, as well as by Duke Energy contributions. The Foothills Community Foundation administers the funds.