Documents - Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance

MANY -- The dual use of Toledo Bend for recreation and power generation continues to plague the Sabine River Authority, the public group that oversees the lake created by blocking the flow of the Sabine River.

Recreation-use advocates want the water level kept high and have repeatedly asked the SRA to stop selling power to electric companies when the water level is low.

SRA members who have tried to oblige learned Wednesday there's no legal way to accommodate recreation users now, but things could change when the utility's contract with them expires in 2013 - and until then, the best thing to do is work informally with the utility companies.

New Orleans attorney Lawrence A. Mann, hired by SRA to address the issue, said a l0-year amended contract signed eight years ago requires the authority to generate power until water levels drop to 162 feet msl.
The normal lake level is around 172 feet msl.
If the SRA triesto change the agreement, it might face legal action and rate reductions, Mann said.

SRA members estimated revenue losses of $2 million if rates drop.
When the contract expires, SRA can change water-level stipulations without fear of rate reductions. It could, however, still be found in breach of contract, Mann warned.
A lake resident opposing Mann's understanding of the contract said the SRA has the authority to bring the minimum water level up.

Larry E. Kelly, chairman of the Bi-State Alliance, said the contract, as he understands it, would allow the minimum level to be increased to 168 feet msl.

He bases part of his argument on a Brown and Root Corp. study the SRA commissioned.
It found, in part, "halting routine power production when the lake reaches 168 feet msl would not significantly change the revenue produced from power generation."
He said that when water levels are lower than 168 feet msl, residents and business owners are the ones who lose revenue generated by recreation.

Kelly and other lake residents want state legislators to pass laws to stop routine generation when the lake level falls below 168 feet msl.

The effort must be "opposed" by the SRA, Mann said. Mann said he understands Kelly's argument, but SRA made a 10 year agreement not to "mess" with the utility contracts. SRA Chairman Aubrey Temple said he will set up a meeting with Gov. Mike Foster to talk about the problem.

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Reprinted from the Lake Charles (Louisiana) American Press
Sabine River Authority locked in to water level BY KIM VAN OOSTEN BEAUREGARD/VERNON BUREAU MANY -- The dual use of Toledo Bend for recreation and power generation continues to plague the Sabine River Authority, the public group that oversees the lake created by blocking the flow of the Sabine River. Recreation-use advocates want the water level kept high and have repeatedly asked the SRA to stop selling power to electric companies when the water level is low. SRA members who have tried to oblige learned Wednesday there's no legal way to accommodate recreation users now, but things could change when the utility's contract with them expires in 2013 - and until then, the best thing to do is work informally with the utility companies. New Orleans attorney Lawrence A. Mann, hired by SRA to address the issue, said a l0-year amended contract signed eight years ago requires the authority to generate power until water levels drop to 162 feet msl. The normal lake level is around 172 feet msl. If the SRA triesto change the agreement, it might face legal action and rate reductions, Mann said. SRA members estimated revenue losses of $2 million if rates drop. When the contract expires, SRA can change water-level stipulations without fear of rate reductions. It could, however, still be found in breach of contract, Mann warned. A lake resident opposing Mann's understanding of the contract said the SRA has the authority to bring the minimum water level up. Larry E. Kelly, chairman of the Bi-State Alliance, said the contract, as he understands it, would allow the minimum level to be increased to 168 feet msl. He bases part of his argument on a Brown and Root Corp. study the SRA commissioned. It found, in part, "halting routine power production when the lake reaches 168 feet msl would not significantly change the revenue produced from power generation." He said that when water levels are lower than 168 feet msl, residents and business owners are the ones who lose revenue generated by recreation. Kelly and other lake residents want state legislators to pass laws to stop routine generation when the lake level falls below 168 feet msl. Kelly also seeks relief from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The effort must be "opposed" by the SRA, Mann said. Mann said he understands Kelly's argument, but SRA made a 10 year agreement not to "mess" with the utility contracts. SRA Chairman Aubrey Temple said he will set up a meeting with Gov. Mike Foster to talk about the problem.
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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance

Reprinted from the Lake Charles (Louisiana) American Press

Toledo Bend
Bi-State
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