20120900 Ver 2_SMP_Sec 4_Rev_6-20-2018_20180717

4.0 RECREATION RESOURCES
4.1 Existing Recreation Sites
The Yadkin Project reservoirs are an outstanding recreation resource. The reservoirs are heavily used by the
public and shoreline residents for boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, and other water-based recreational
activities. Recreation use is particularly high at High Rock and Narrows reservoirs, where shoreline
residents make up a significant portion of the total recreational users.
As a FERC licensee, Cube Yadkin is responsible for providing reasonable access to the Project reservoirs for
recreation use by the public. Under the current license, Cube Yadkin operates and maintains, or provides for
the operation and maintenance of, recreation facilities at the Project recreation sites as described in detail in
its Yadkin Project Recreation Plan.' Project recreation sites are located at each of the four developments and
provide the public with a variety of recreation opportunities and amenities, including boat ramps, boat docks,
shoreline fishing access, canoe portage trails, picnic areas, restrooms, and parking. The existing Project
recreation sites are located in areas classified as Public Recreation in the land use maps (Appendix A).
There are also commercial recreation facilities located around the Project reservoirs that provide
opportunities to the public for boat launching, fishing, camping, and picnicking. As commercial areas, these
are generally available to the public for a fee.
Numerous privately owned and operated recreation facilities are also located around the Project reservoirs.
These privately owned recreation facilities include private boat clubs, campgrounds, day use areas,
facilities for private organizations, and private facilities that are maintained by homeowner associations.
There are also numerous private individual and shared recreation facilities on High Rock and Narrows
reservoirs, composed primarily of individual piers. While private individual boat houses and boat ramps
are no longer allowed under the Yadkin Project SMP, some of the older shoreline properties have such
facilities which were previously grandfathered.
4.2 Future Recreation Needs
The Yadkin Project Recreation Plan describes proposed recreation enhancements at the four Project
reservoirs. Additionally, the Recreation Plan outlines a process whereby Cube Yadkin will meet annually
with Project stakeholders to site and plan new recreation facilities. In accordance with the Recreation Plan,
Cube Yadkin will consult every 12 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), and NCWRC to determine whether an update to the Plan
is needed and file proposed new measures or modifications to the Project recreation sites.
Cube Yadkin will review and permit proposals for new or modified commercial recreation facilities, privately
owned and operated recreation facilities, and private individual and shared recreation facilities in accordance
with this SMP.
The Recreation Plan describes several new recreation sites that will be constructed at the Project. These
include the High Rock Reservoir Beach and Swim Access Area, High Rock Reservoir Fishing Pier,
Tuckertown Reservoir Fishing Pier, and "hardened" (or platform) campsites dispersed through the Project.
All the lands necessary to accommodate the forseeable public recreation needs have been accounted for, and
are identified in the land use maps (Appendix A) as Public Recreation and are not located in Conservation
Zone areas.
' The current version of the Recreation Management Plan dated September 2017 was filed with FERC on September 19, 2017.
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