The removal of the Dillsboro Dam is the major component of a cooperative agreement by and between Duke Energy and some 40 "stakeholders". This cooperative agreement is backed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the United States Forest Service and the Division of Water Quality . The Town of Sylva, Town of Dillsboro , Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, as well as, NC Wildlife Federation, America Whitewater and the Carolina Canoe Club have all signed the agreement. Jackson County did not sign the agreement and have spent approximately $166,000.00 in opposition of the dam removal.
This past Monday night, January 7th, commissioners voted 4-1 to study the possiblity of condemning the dam. Paul Nolan, an energy attorney from Virginia, stated that this could be the quickest route to a resolution of this matter. The county would condemn the property, through normal condemnation proceedings, then would pay Duke Energy, fair market value for the asset and then the county would lease the operations to a company or entity to produce power.
Commissioner Brian McMahan was quite in favor of studying this action further, he stated,"the stakes are too high to give up now." Commissioner Tom Massie was the lone opponent of studying condemnation of the dam, he said that he did not feel comfortable spending more taxpayer money on a "losing battle".
Personally, I hate to even guess the outcome of this great debate. But, if the county petitions the Federal Energy Regulation Commission to operate the dam, the condmenation proceeding could become a reality. The FERC is in the business of generating power from renewable resources and might the best source to operate and lease the dam from Jackson County.
Resource:
http://www.thesylvaherald.com/html/county_leaders_to_look_at_cond.html
Justin Goble, The Sylva Herald
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