New swim beach and amenities at Lake Glenville add to region’s growing list of recreational resources

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CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Duke Energy representatives, community leaders, officials from government agencies and environmental organizations and other guests gathered today to recognize the opening of the new swim beach and recreation amenities on Lake Glenville. The eagerly-awaited Pines Recreation Area provides new outdoor resources for residents and visitors in time for the summer season.

Amenities at the Pines Recreation Area include a swim beach, fishing pier, picnic tables, vault toilets, informational signage and parking lot improvements. The amenities are fully handicap accessible. The site also features a life jacket loaner board which allows visitors to check out a life jacket at no charge and then return it to the board when done. “

"The Pines Recreation Area will be a tremendous asset to the region. It adds to the growing list of sites where residents and visitors can enjoy our region’'s natural resources,"” said Chuck Wooten, Jackson County manager. “"We appreciate Duke Energy’'s commitment to providing great recreation facilities and enhancing our community.”"

The Pines Recreation Area is an outcome of recommendations from the Tuckasegee Cooperative Stakeholder team to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for Duke Energy’s Nantahala Area Hydro Project License Applications submitted in 2003.

"Access to high quality recreation is a key economic driver for local tourism efforts. The vision for a mix of new outdoor recreation opportunities was part of stakeholder negotiations that started 15 years ago,”" said Mark Singleton, American Whitewater executive director. "“Scheduled releases and new access points create additional paddling opportunities on the Tuckasegee River. The Pines Recreation Area and the remarkable hiking trail to High Falls are other great outcomes."”

Other Duke Energy recreation resources in the area include the trail head to the High Falls kayak launch across the road from the Pines Recreation Area which has become popular for scenic day hikes. The nearby Powerhouse Access Area and Pine Creek Access Area provide ramps for boating access to Lake Glenville. “

"We share the community'’s excitement about the completion of the Pines Recreation Area. We continue to fulfill our hydro relicensing commitments to provide recreational facilities and amenities for the community,"” said John Crutchfield, director of Duke Energy’s public safety and recreation strategy planning services. "“Safety is always a top priority, and we remind visitors to observe the posted rules when visiting and enjoying the new site."”

Located at 1965 Pine Creek Road, the Pines Recreation Area officially opened on May 22. The hours of operation are sunrise to sunset. There is no lifeguard on duty and pets are not allowed. For the safety of visitors, alcoholic beverages and glass containers are not permitted. Parking is available at the site and across the road in the High Falls trail head lot.

For details about lakes and recreation sites managed by Duke Energy, visit www.duke-energy.com/lakes.

Continuous support of the Tuckasegee River Basin region

Duke Energy continues to fulfill the commitments made in its 2003 license agreements, including adding a total of nine Tuckasegee River access areas and a canoe portage around Cullowhee Dam.

The company is providing 150 acres of land upstream of Wolf Creek Dam to the U.S. Forest Service to enhance public recreation and protect native brook trout habitat.

From April through October each year, Duke Energy schedules hydro station generation flow releases for several hours each day in the Tuckasegee River to create outstanding public paddling, rafting and fishing opportunities.

Seven days each year, regularly scheduled water releases from Lake Glenville into the old riverbed of the West Fork Tuckasegee River provide high-skill whitewater paddling opportunities.

Continuous minimum flows enhance stream habitat in the popular Delayed-Harvest trout waters.

About Duke Energy Carolinas

Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 20,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to about 2.5 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.