Changes proposed to Smith Mountain shoreline plan

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — Changes are being proposed in how the shoreline is managed at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission received a proposal Thursday from Appalachian Power; the counties of Bedford, Campbell, Pittsylvania and Franklin; the Tri-County AEP Relicensing Committee, and a local resident.

Appalachian Power President Charles Patton says the parties worked on the plan for the past 14 months.

Since 2003, the land closest to the water at the reservoirs has been under a shoreline management plan approved by the federal commission, which has regulatory authority.

The plan's goal is to protect the lakes and address issues that include marinas, boat slips, and the installation of erosion controls and guidelines on constructing and maintaining docks, among other things.