|
SOUTH TOLEDO BEND CIVIC ASSOCIATION
William B. Lewis, President
Louis E. Holder, Treas.
Roy Beasley, Vice-Pres.
John B. Koele, Secy.
P.O. BOX 873
MANY, LA. 71449
June 4, 1998
TO: Mr. Gregory L, Nesbitt
President & Chief Executive Officer
Central Louisiana Electric Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 5000
Pineville, LA, 71361
Mr. Robert Luft Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Entergy Corporation
P.O. Box 6100
New Orleans, LA. 7016
Subject: Minimum Water Level - Toledo Bend Reservoir
Dear Messrs, Nesbitt and Luft:
We are again requesting that your companies reach a public agreement with the Sabine River Authorities of Louisiana and Texas to cease routine power generation when the water level of Toledo Bend Reservoir reaches 168' msl.
Last year we sent letters to both CLECo and Entergy requesting that routine power generation cease at Toledo Bend when the water level reaches 168' msl. We listed three reasons / conditions which we feel would require power generation when the water level is at or below 168' msl. Those are:
· To meet the minimum down river flow requirements.
· To prevent the possibility of a brown out. (Note, if routine power generation is stopped at 168' msl, several feet of water remains in the event emergency power would be required.)
· When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires the level of the reservoir lowered to inspect the dam.
Included in our Last letter was a petition, signed by over 6000 citizens, requesting 168' msl be established and maintained as the minimum operating level for routine power generation (with the three exceptions) at Toledo Bend Reservoir.
We believe to solve this problem, CLECo and Entergy can simply agree to defer power production when the water level in Toledo Bend reaches 168' msl (with the three exceptions).
Page 2. June 4, 1998
The Toledo Bend Project Joint Operations Board commissioned Brown & Root to conduct a study of the reservoir level. We understand the preliminary results of this study indicates that maintaining 168' msl as the minimum level for routine power generation on Toledo Bend is possible, without significant change in revenue production. This, of course, translates to no significant change in power production.
Due to lack of rain again this year, we believe it is imperative for you to immediately make the decision to stop routine power generation when the reservoir reaches 168' msl. Without significant water inflow, power generation in accordance with the present Guide Rule Curve, will reduce the reservoir below 168' msl by the end of July, at the latest.
As we have previously stated, when the water level of Toledo Bend is taken below 168' msl the recreational use of the reservoir suffers significant adverse effects. Marinas begin to lose the use of their boat ramps, residents along the shoreline begin to lose the use of the lake (the water is the reason most retired to or live at the lake), and other area businesses suffer from the loss of tourism. This results in a lower tax collection which reduces the tax revenue for local as well as state government in both Louisiana and Texas.
Your immediate public agreement with the SRAs to cease routine power generation on Toledo Bend when the minimum level of 168' msl is reached (again, three exceptions noted) is essential to the recreational health of the reservoir, to those who make their living, live or recreate on Toledo Bend, as well as the communities who benefit from tourism generated by the reservoir.
Your positive response to this request will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
William B. (Bill) Lewis
President
(318) 586-3825
Copies: See Attached sheet.
Copies:
Governor Foster of Louisiana
Governor Bush of Texas
Lt. Gov. K. B. Blanco of Louisiana
Board of Commissioners, Sabine River Authority of Louisiana
Board of Directors, Sabine River Authority of Texas
Sen. James David Cain
Sen. Kenneth M. (Mike) Smith
Sen. Drew Nixon
Rep. Joe Salter
Rep. John Smith
Rep. Wayne Christian
Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
|
