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Home My WebLink About20030179 Ver 6_Public Comments_20071018Steve Tedder c/o John Dorney NC DWQ 401/Wetlands Unit Park View Building Raleigh NC 27604 Dear Mr Dorney and Mr. Tedder, September 29, 2007 UCT l €: LJtJr 1NETf.AND, �.,up ;; irq .,aTFR'�RANdCi1 I attended the Tuesday September 25, 2005 meeting to discuss the 401 certification for the 404 permit to allow Duke Energy to remove the Dillsboro Dam and Powerhouse on the Tuckaseegee River in Jackson County North Carolina. I presented some remarks at that meeting and I want to follow up on those remarks with this written statement. The focus of my remarks was the fate of the powerhouse adjacent to the dam located near the Town of Dillsboro. This powerhouse is scheduled for removal in January of 2008. I teach at Southwestern Community College and have previously taught at Western Carolina University for nearly 18 years. I have a doctorate in Aquatic Ecology from the Institute of Ecology at the University of Georgia. I created and directed the Upward Bound Math & Science Regional Center at Western Carolina University and was its first director for 10 years. I have taught science and mentored student research for nearly two decades. I see a tremendous opportunity for using the Dillsboro Dam's Powerhouse as a Watershed Science Education Center for the local community, western North Carolina counties and the many tourists who travel through this area. This facility would be an educational benefit for public school students and an economic boon for the Town of Dillsboro and surrounding communities. This facility would also reflect well on Duke Energy and establish greater goodwill between residents and the company. The location of the Powerhouse in the geographic center of the Tuckaseegee River Watershed (Fig. 1) and its placement on the river (Fig. 2) recommend it strongly as a site for a Watershed Science Education Center. Its construction to serve as a run -of -the -river dam powerhouse bodes well for its suitability as a riverside learning center. Its visual proximity and accessibility to traffic driving up from Georgia and points south make it ideal for capturing some of the substantial tourist flow to Cherokee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Fig. 3). Its internal structure with cathedral -like Post and Beam halls, multilevel floors and unique access to flowing water are excellent for a Watershed Science Education Center (Fig. 4). This potential educational center could house experiental-learning exhibits and activities. These displays could include • Generalized watershed models that allow visualization and manipulation of river flow that would provide a hands-on, minds -on experience useful for teaching hydrology and geology (Fig. 5). • Models specific to the Tuckaseegee River watershed would permit local students, and travelers alike, to "find their place" in the watershed ecologically as well as geographically (Fig. 6). • Displays of river fish and other aquatic vertebrates would allow all visitors to see the variety of biota in the Tuckaseegee River and better appreciate the unique biodiversity of this area. (Note: This region holds some of the highest freshwater fish diversity in the temperate zone and the seasonal displays of breeding colors of local fish rival those of tropical fish [Fig. 7]) • Artificial display streams containing aquatic invertebrates from our creeks and rivers would permit handling and examination of this fascinating fauna and give students a better appreciation of the diversity and role in of these "bugs" in aquatic systems • The engineering principles of dam -construction and the conversion of water flow to electricity could tie-in to either display -only or operational equipment already in the powerhouse (Note: if the dam were to be removed a display of the techniques of its removal is also an opportunity to present engineering and principles) • A small scale manipulative model of a Native American fishing weir would present some of the earliest human use of the Tuckaseegee River in this watershed. This would emphasize the importance of rivers to pre -European Native American communities in our region. These exhibits would direct visitors to nearby existing weirs in the Tuckaseegee River (Fig. 8). • A display of the Tuckaseegee River's influence on nearby towns would highlight the impact of rivers and creeks on Southern Appalachian culture. This would emphasize the recreational, religious, economic and aesthetic importance of the Tuckaseegee River to our community. • The provision of a viewing deck on the powerhouse would allow visitors to relax, watch activity in and on the river and appreciate what they've experienced in the center (Fig. 9). These are but a few of the ideas for exhibits, displays, and activities that might be hosted in a Watershed Science Education Center at the Dillsboro Dam Powerhouse. The existing parking area less than a tenth of a mile away on North River Road is well situated for visiting school groups or private vehicles. A short walkway from this area to the Powerhouse is an excellent opportunity for visitors to see the river and stop at specially - design information kiosks that orient and prepare the public for their experience at the education center. The possibility of a watershed science educational facility is a unique opportunity and the active support by Duke Energy in the development of such a learning center would establish a significant and lasting testimonial to the company's interest in our community. I would be interested in developing the concept of a Duke Energy - sponsored Watershed Science Education Center with you and I look forward to your response to this idea. Sincerely, Dr. Daniel Perlmutter Dperl a sotithxycstcmcc.cdu 828-226-5745 -- Tuckasegee Watershed , VA Dillsboro Dam Powerhouse A ib LL"1 .... .. ..4 Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 33 m' to (ImArr md C-Orm'SmAivMworm m, Na 6cmi Park ftA— t 2 X 13 02 4.1 ymwp,*"T.y FAI yjtw Figure 4 InrrcssT V;ra 4 Difilitcol p,mmlimm- Powerhouse cut bank— Figure 5. Examples of stream table manipulatives Figure 6 Examples of Watershed Models Ikosyslue LJUCU Tennessee Shiner Figure 7. Some "colorful" members of the biota of Appalachian Rivers Photograph of weir on the Tuckaseegee River fig Figure 8 Skt!tclb of -" ex done by mu&zm M Contact Information Dr. Daniel Perlmutter 454 South Country Club Drive Cullowhee, NC 28723 telephone (home) 828-293-5923 (cell) 828-226-5745 email Iffier y south�yestemcc_edu