Appendix C, Impact Minimization Zone Guidelines Lake Tillery

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Impact Minimization Zone Guidelines

Impact Minimization Zones (IMZs) are areas of special concern to Progress Energy. Certain areas are worthy of an additional level of protection that is not afforded to all of the lands covered by the Guidelines for the Use of Leased Properties at Lake Tillery. IMZ's offer an increased level of protection to these areas. Within the individual IMZ's, there may be certain aquatic or terrestrial resources or habitat characteristics that need complete protection to avoid environmental degradation of the area. Development within the IMZs will be carefully reviewed by Progress Energy staff, and, in some instances, permits denied or modified so as not to severely impact environmental resources.

Disturbance, including shoreline clearing and modification, impacts to aquatic vegetation beds including the removal of submerged woody debris, construction of piers, etc., in areas within Impact Minimization Zones (IMZ's) requires the approval of the Progress Energy staff. Any proposed disturbance must include an impact minimization plan that contains measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to important environmental features within the IMZ. There may be special considerations in an area that is contained in an Impact Minimization Zone that would preclude disturbance of any type. Approval of disturbance activities and the plan to minimize the impact of the proposed disturbance will be decided on a case by case basis. Activities in the IMZ are subject to the following restrictions:

	Disturbance of an area within an IMZ may be prohibited.
	Construction of boathouses and docks will not be allowed in the shallow upper ends of coves or lake arms where water depths are considered to be not navigable in normal operating ranges of the reservoir.
	Removal of woody debris will not be allowed without the express written permission of the Lake Manager. Submerged trunks 10 inches or greater in diameter are considered high quality fish habitat. Removal of woody debris may require mitigation by lessees, unless the debris constitutes a navigational or safety hazard.
	Construction of new docks will require the design considerations for a fish-friendly pier.
	Construction activities are not allowed, except with the express written permission of Progress Energy, and must be completed by a specified date.
	Land disturbing activities are not allowed, except with the express written permission of Progress Energy, and must be completed by a specified date.
	No types of dredging are allowed in IMZ's,
	Boathouses are not desirable within IMZ's,
	Facilities that are built are restricted to no more than 800 square feet of surface area.
	Only shoreline stabilization through the use of native plant species is allowed in IMZ's.
	Piers may not exceed 75 feet in total length or one-third of the total width of a cove at full pond elevation, whichever is less, and should not extend waterward any further than necessary to access a water depth of 6 feet. Progress Energy may disallow all facilities if the cove is less than 45 feet wide.

All leased properties are subject to the Guidelines for the Use of Leased Properties at Lake Tillery.

The following practices are encouraged in the IMZ's and will be given special consideration by Progress Energy staff:

	If structures are permitted, they should incorporate additional structure complexity under piers to create additional fish habitat and use fish-friendly pier design considerations.
	Walkways must be 3 feet above the normal full pool elevation and no more than 5 feet wide to minimize disturbance to existing vegetation. Placement of such structures should also consider orientation of the sun and the potential shading of an existing aquatic vegetation bed.
	The design of all structures should be developed such that they avoid sensitive areas within the IMZ. Sensitive areas include the shallow end of coves or lake arms, known spawning areas for bedding fish, areas where tributaries enter the lake, and habitat that has been documented to be utilized by any rare, threatened, or endangered species.