The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a new Shoreline Management Plan for Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. The plan provides comprehensive guidelines for managing the lake’s environmental, recreational, cultural and historic assets. Developing the plan was a key requirement of Ameren Missouri’s new 40-year federal license for the operation of Bagnell Dam and the Osage Renewable Energy Center, which FERC approved on March 30, 2007. Ameren Missouri submitted the plan to FERC in March 2008, and it has been under review since that time.
“We are very pleased that the new Shoreline Management Plan has been approved,” says Jeff Green, shoreline management supervisor for Ameren Missouri. “We will be focusing on dealing with action items outlined in the order and moving forward with implementing the provisions of the plan in our daily operations.”
Green said a copy of the FERC order is available by visiting AmerenMissouri.com/lake, and clicking on “Shoreline Management Plan.”
Approval of the plan is the culmination of a process that began in 2001 when Ameren Missouri formed a shoreline management team to help the company devise a plan that would meet relicensing requirements and be acceptable to the lake-area community. The team included representatives from area chambers of commerce, the business community, public officials, the Missouri State Water Patrol, resource agencies, private property owners, and other lake interests.
In 2005, Ameren Missouri presented an initial plan for public comment, and held several workshops around the lake area to gather input. Based on comments, suggestions and recommendations received, two more draft plans were circulated for additional comments, prior to filing the final version for FERC review and approval.
Ameren Missouri is responsible for a range of shoreline management activities at the Lake of the Ozarks—including regulation of docks, seawalls and other shoreline structures—under terms of its federal license for Bagnell Dam and the Osage Renewable Energy Center, which created the lake in 1931. Details on these activities and services can be found at AmerenMissouri.com/lake.
# # #
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 more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
Contact: Ameren Missouri Media Hotline, 1.314.554.2182, MissouriCommunications@ameren.com