Lake Wylie tree sinking issue resolved

What began as residents concerned about unusual activity on Lake Wylie could lead to better communication on environmental issues along the lake.

Residents reported seeing trees dumped into the lake in the fall. They took pictures and video. One resident approached the marine contractor involved. They contacted Duke Energy, the company that manages the lake, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which handles environmental violations.

Jonathan Edwards with Edwards Grading Service said he didn’t violate the rules, and provided the Lake Wylie Pilot notification showing his right to sink debris in certain situations.

Duke looked into the matter and says the issue was one of miscommunication, not ill-intent.

“What we thought might have occurred is some of the emails or documents Mr. Edwards might have referenced came from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, where someone at Duke was copied,” said Jennifer Jabon, Duke spokesperson. “I think that created some confusion.”

Duke contacts copied on the message from the wildlife agency created a “false sense that cooperation was given,” she said. Duke and NCWRC officials have since met to clear up differing rules on Lake Wylie. Duke has final say.

“They’re actually going to change some of the terminology, and take some of that language out so there’s not that confusion,” Jabon said.

There won’t be financial or other penalties assessed due to the incident.

Kelly Edwards said she, her husband and son all met with Duke lake services officials. The group outlined specific rules for what is allowed.

“We had a great meeting, went over the emails and the information that we had,” she said. “Kind of just went over what they want moving forward.”

With two states and three counties on the lake, plus city and county regulations along with wildlife and other groups, Edwards said keeping up with varying rules can be tricky.

“It’s tough to manage all of that,” she said. “Moving forward with (Duke), they have the final say of what goes and what doesn’t go.”

The main takeaway is any uncertainty should begin with a call to Duke’s lake services department.

“They’re a phone call away if there’s an issue,” Edwards said.

Duke and Edwards Grading also are working together to get the contractor back on a list Duke provides for people looking for work along the water. The list isn’t a company endorsement, but Duke’s statement that these companies are familiar with shoreline management guidelines.

Most of the work done by Edwards Grading is seawall installation and shoreline stabilization.

Edwards said she and her family want to put the issue behind them. Edward Grading has three decades of experience on Lake Wylie and hasn’t had an issue like the recent one before, she said. The company is known locally for its help with Riversweep, an annual fall event to clean up the lake.

“You work so hard to establish your reputation, and my husband works hard,” Edwards said. “He’s grown up on this lake. He loves this lake.”

Both Edwards and Jabon agree residents need to notice what’s happening along the water and contact Duke. The company needs “strong evidence,” Jabon said, including dated photos or video of incidents, location and any other details that can be provided.

Whether a wastewater spill, pollution or similar incident, residents and boaters often can be the quickest to notify others of a problem.

“We really do rely on residents’ diligence,” Jabon said.

The recent incident could be a “beneficial situation,” she said, if it clarifies confusion. Duke sent out emails to its list of contractors reinforcing specifics from the shoreline management guidelines following the meeting with Edwards Grading.

If residents see questionable activity on the water, Duke recommends calling lake services at 1-800-443-5193 or emailing lakeservices@dukeenergy.com.

“We all need to be very vigilant and help protect our resources,” Jabon said. “We just need to know how to do it.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Lake Wylie tree sinking issue resolved."