On December 15, 2003, in addition to the Duke Power Pier Permit Fee to build, rebuild or expand an individual private pier or for each commercial or residentail facility slip, Duke Power instituted a $500 fee to be applied to the Habitat Enhancement Fund.  The Cornelius Planning Department has no control over these fees, nor does the Town receive any funds from the program.  The information below explains what the Habitat Fund program entails.

What is the Habitat Enhancement Fund?
The Habitat Enhancement Fund is a fund jointly created by the North Carolina and South Carolina resource agencies, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Duke Power to comply with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) request for a specific program to protect, create and enhance fish and wildlife resources, namely, the riparian habitat.  Duke Power must comply with this request in order to maintain its license to operate a hydroelectric station.  The fund is managed by the Foundation for the Carolinas, an independent non-governmental organization. To learn more about the Foundation for the Carolinas log on to www.fftc.org.  Funds collected in North Carolina will be spent on enhancement activities in North Carolina.  Respectively, funds collected in South Carolina will be used in South Carolina.  Proposals to receive this funding can be submitted by any agency, organization or individual, and will then be reviewed by the Habitat Enhancement Review Committee for approval.  For information on submitting a proposal contact Duke Power at 1-800-443-5193. 

What is the Riparian Zone?
The riparian zone is the vegetated strip of land where the lake meets the land.  It provides food and habitat for various plants and wildlife including fish, songbirds, eagles, foxes, turtles and amphibians.  The shallow water habitat of the riparian zone is one of the more important animal habitats, providing structures (rocks, vegetation, woody debris and man-made structures, such as piers) that animals are attracted to for food and breeding.  These structures are generally limited naturally in most reservoirs.  This area has been altered over the past decades by various means including clearing, mowing and shoreline stabilization, changing the availability and diversity of habitat for wildlife.  The Habitat Enhancement Program funds efforts to preserve this area in and adjacent to Duke Power operated reservoirs. 

If you have any questions regarding the Habitat Enhancement Program you can contact the Duke Power Lake Management office at 704-382-8086 or 1-800-443-5193.