Ameren Missouri announced today it is requesting input from resource agencies and the public regarding proposed boundary changes to help resolve Project Boundary (an elevation-based, strip of land surrounding the Lake’s shoreline) issues facing affected property owners at Lake of the Ozarks.
“We recognize the Project Boundary issue is of great concern to the Lake community and, as promised, we have worked to quickly identify solutions that we believe meet federal requirements and address the concerns of property owners,” says Jeff Green, supervisor, Shoreline Management. “We will review and carefully consider the comments we receive before a Project Boundary amendment proposal is finalized and submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval.”
Ameren Missouri proposes to establish the Project Boundary to 662 feet elevation for most lakefront properties. Additional revisions below 662 elevation are proposed for existing dwellings to achieve the goal of resolving as many dwelling encroachments as possible. In other locations, the proposed boundary will not change so that it continues to include project facilities, public recreation sites, historic sites, sensitive resource areas such as wetlands and state parks.
Ameren Missouri is hosting public workshops to provide opportunities for comments and questions regarding the proposal:
• January 3, 2012 – Osage Beach; Inn at the Grand Glaize – 6 to 8pm
5142 Hwy 54 - Osage Beach, MO 65065
• January 5, 2012 – Sunrise Beach; Lake West Christian Academy – 6 to 8pm
17178 N State Hwy 5 - Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
Comments may also be submitted, via email, lake@ameren.com; by calling 573.365.9203; or by U.S. Postal Mail: Project Boundary Comments, Ameren Missouri Shoreline Management, P. O. Box 993, Lake Ozark, MO 65049. Deadline for submitting comments is January 15, 2012.
Ameren Missouri’s proposal is described fully in the draft proposed boundary amendment application which can be accessed at AmerenMissouri.com/Lake. Online visitors will also find a form for submitting their comments electronically.
Green notes, “It is important to understand that the proposed project boundary changes do not affect existing land ownership or property rights. This proposal is to revise the boundary with the intent of removing excess land not needed for the Osage Project and therefore eliminate the risk that these properties would have to be removed under the provisions of the Federal Power Act."
Background: FERC has regulatory authority over specific hydroelectric projects including Ameren Missouri's Osage Project in central Missouri. By law, FERC is charged with balancing power generation and non-power generation values when issuing hydropower licenses. FERC accomplishes this balancing by giving “equal consideration” to the wide range of public benefits provided by hydroelectric projects.
On July 26, 2011, FERC issued an order to Ameren Missouri approving and modifying our proposed Shoreline Management Plan for Lake of the Ozarks. In that order, FERC raised concerns about encroachments to the Project Boundary. Ameren Missouri reviewed the order and on August 26, 2011, filed a rehearing request on certain provisions related to nonconforming structures and encroachments. FERC responded on November 10, 2011, with a second order. The November order clarified FERC’s previous position and clearly provides a framework for Ameren Missouri to propose a Project Boundary change to be submitted for FERC approval.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 126,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
Contacts: Media Hotline, 1.314.554.2182, MissouriCommunications@Ameren.com