Shoreline FAQs

A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a regulatory framework that helps balance the various uses and interests along a lake’s shoreline. It ensures that shoreline structures and activities comply with applicable regulations while protecting environmental, recreational, scenic and public resources.

FERC stands for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It is a U.S. federal agency that regulates the transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil, and oversees hydroelectric projects.

Appalachian Power operates the Smith Mountain Project under a license issued by FERC, which includes Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake. Under this license, Appalachian Power must manage the use and occupancy of project lands, including shoreline development such as docks, piers and erosion control structures.

The SMP was developed to guide this management by:

• Providing for both public and private access.
• Protecting environmental, scenic and recreational resources.
• Supporting hydroelectric power generation.

Under the Federal Power Act, FERC has authority over all lands and activities within the Project boundary. This includes ensuring shoreline uses serve the public interest and protect environmental, recreational, scenic and cultural resources.

The Project boundary defines the area regulated by Appalachian Power:

• Smith Mountain Lake: the area within the 800-foot elevation contour National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29).
• Leesville Lake: the area within the 620-foot elevation contour NGVD 29.

The base elevation defines the area regulated by Appalachian Power:

• Smith Mountain Lake: the 795-foot elevation contour National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29).
• Leesville Lake: the 600-foot elevation contour NGVD 29.

As the FERC license holder, Appalachian Power is responsible for managing all uses of project lands. This includes overseeing shoreline development, on both public and private properties, to protect environmental, recreational, cultural, scenic and power production resources.

The Shoreline Management Plan was developed collaboratively with input from:

• Local governments (Bedford, Campbell, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties)
• Virginia state agencies
• Lake associations and business groups
• Industry stakeholders (contractors, surveyors, marina operators, etc.)

Public meetings and stakeholder consultations were also conducted to ensure broad community input.

Shoreline classification categorizes areas within the Project boundary based on their intended use. Categories include:

• Commercial
• Multi-use
• Public use
• Residential (single-family)
• Resource protection
• Island protection

Each classification has specific guidelines outlined in the Shoreline Management Plan.

Parameters are the criteria used to define each shoreline classification and determine how specific shoreline areas are designated.

Regulations can be found within the Shoreline Management Plan.

Occupancy and Use Permits issued on or after August 31, 2003, require white reflectors to improve boater safety. Reflectors must be installed on the outer edges and spaced every 20 feet. Final approval is not granted until reflectors are installed.

Sinks, showers and other sanitation facilities are not permissible structures on docks or within the Project boundary.

Yes, in lieu of a pitched roof, sundecks are permissible on the second/upper level of a dock. No additional roofs or roofed areas shall be allowed above second- or upper-level party decks/sundecks to create a covered second story.

“Bolt on” PWC lifts/floating ramps are not counted as boat slips if they cannot reasonably accommodate or be modified to store a boat/are not configured in a manner to create a boat slip. However, they are included in the total square footage of the structure. Lift areas which are integral to the dock structure (such as a single or double PWC slip) are counted as a boat slip.

The legacy program applies to docks built before August 31, 2003, which have not been modified since the implementation of the Shoreline Management Plan and/or for which an Occupancy and Use Permit was not issued. Certain conditions apply, including construction and permit timelines. See Section 2.6 of the Shoreline Management Plan for details.

No, applications are accepted at any time but must be complete to be processed.

Occupancy and Use and Non-Commercial Permits must be formally assigned to the new property owner(s) through an application process. Failure to assign permits may result in revocation of permits. Permits must also be assigned when ownership is transferred to a Trust, Limited Liability Company, etc.

A permit is required only if the cover extends beyond the dock structure (including roof overhangs).

Yes, any new structure or modification which expands a structure requires approval from Appalachian Power.

No, the Occupancy and Use Permit is not a building permit. The Occupancy and Use Permit issued to the property owner is permission from Appalachian Power, the licensee of the Smith Mountain Project, to occupy and use Project lands and waters. The appropriate county should be contacted following the issuance of an Occupancy and Use Permit to obtain a building permit.

Non-Commercial Boat Dock/Pier/Landing Permits are permits that were issued by Appalachian Power’s Real Estate group in the early 2000s (2001-early 2003) prior to the implementation of the Shoreline Management Plan – these permits were issued by Appalachian based on County building/zoning permits. Assigning one of these permits creates an Occupancy and Use Permit for a legacy dock.

Occupancy and Use Permits are the “current era” permits which Appalachian started issuing in September 2003. Assigning these permits does not require a survey.

Yes, mooring whips can be added to an existing dock without approval from Appalachian Power.

Furniture is allowed on dock structures. The furniture must not be permanently installed and must be movable in the event of a flood. No permanent structures are allowed to be installed above the dock flooring except approved enclosures.

Yes, though a permit is required. Property owners are encouraged first to consider the installation of vegetation to control erosion, then bioengineering techniques (involving both plants and structure), and lastly hard armoring (i.e., riprap).

According to the Shoreline Management Plan, riprap may be allowed pursuant to a permit from Appalachian Power and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Rip rap may be permissible along the shoreline in areas experiencing active erosion. Active erosion is defined as areas that are:

1. Bare and void of vegetation or other stabilizing material
2. Areas that are experiencing undercuts and/or sloughing off the parent material
3. Areas directly adjacent to the shoreline that have the potential to deposit sediment or soil material into the lake

Please visit the USACE Regulatory Request System to submit a request submit a permit to the USACE, for all questions related to USACE permitting, please contact the USACE directly by visiting https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Branch/Regulatory-Contacts/.

Vegetation may be removed from within the Project boundary for the purpose of installing erosion control structures pursuant to appropriate permit(s). Mitigation for vegetation removed in the form of fish habitat structures, or replanting of native vegetation in accordance with Table 2.5-2 of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is required. All vegetation removed for access to the bank (above where stabilization is/will be located), and within the Project boundary, shall be replaced with plantings in accordance with Table 2.5-2 of the SMP.

Bulkheads are prohibited unless a FERC variance is obtained pursuant to section 3.4.1 of the Shoreline Management Plan and are only approved in limited situations that are not suitable for other stabilization techniques.

Yes, routine maintenance of existing rip rap is allowed without a permit. Rearrangement of existing rip rap within its original boundaries of length, width, and height is deemed to qualify as routine maintenance. If additional rip rap is added, a permit is required from Appalachian Power and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Please visit the USACE Regulatory Request System to submit a request submit a permit to the USACE. For all questions related to USACE permitting, please contact the USACE directly.

The Shoreline Management Plan requires a minimum size of VDOT Class I stone. VDOT Class I stone is defined as clean, solid stones weighing between 50-150 pounds each. At least 60% of the stones shall weigh more than 100 pounds, and approximately 10% may weigh 50 pounds or less.

According to the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), dredging may be permissible, pursuant to approved permits from Appalachian Power and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), under specific conditions:

• Only accumulated sediment shall be removed.
• Dredging in wetland areas is prohibited.
• Dredging during fish spawning season (Feb. 15 – June 15) is prohibited.
• Dredging is prohibited within ten (10) feet (measured horizontally) from the 795-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 on Smith Mountain Lake and the 613-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 on Leesville Lake.
• Dredging is prohibited between the 793-foot elevation contour and the 795-foot elevation contour at Smith Mountain Lake.
• Additional federal and state requirements apply.
• Please see section 2.5.10 of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for more information.
• Please visit the USACE Regulatory Request System to submit a request submit a permit to the USACE. For all questions related to USACE permitting, please contact the USACE directly by visiting https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Branch/Regulatory-Contacts/.

Vegetation along the shoreline creates a buffer which improves water quality, prevents erosion and supports wildlife habitat while preserving the lake’s natural beauty.

• Removal of vegetation under ½ inch diameter from within the Project boundary.
• Pruning, not topping, of trees or shrubs located within the Project boundary. Thinning or limbing of trees up to 20% of the canopy or 14 feet (whichever is less), provided the health of the vegetation is maintained.
• Mowing of existing lawns located within the Project boundary.

According to the Shoreline Management Plan, if the area within the Project boundary was cleared prior to August 31, 2003, and no vegetation other than grass is present, the property owner(s) may continue to maintain the lawn. However, Appalachian Power encourages the property owner(s) to keep and maintain vegetative buffers between an existing lawn and the shoreline to protect water quality and assist with erosion control. For additional resources on buffer landscaping, Appalachian Power suggests contacting the Smith Mountain Lake Association’s Buffer Landscape Advisory Service Team (BLAST). For more information, please visit https://smlassociation.org/buffer-landscaping/.

According to the Shoreline Management Plan, structures located between the Project boundary and base elevation shall be limited to a structure that provides access to a dock (which must meet regulatory requirements) or pilings and cables installed for purposes of enhancing stability of a floating structure. If pilings or cables are installed, they must be installed in a manner that does not exceed the width of the dock. No other structures may be installed within the Project boundary.

New beaches are prohibited except along areas of shoreline classified as Public Use where a FERC variance has been obtained. Existing beaches (pre-August 31, 2003) may be maintained but not expanded. Sand shall not be added to natural beaches. Sand may be added to human-made beaches that existed prior to the implementation of the Shoreline Management Plan (pre-August 31, 2003); however, no placement of sand is permitted below the 795-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 on Smith Mountain Lake and 613-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 on Leesville Lake.

Woody debris consists of trees and vegetation that extends from the shoreline into the lake. The most common type of woody debris is fallen trees where the roots of the trees are still attached to, or are resting upon, the shoreline. Woody debris provides important habitat for fish and wildlife and should be protected. The removal of existing submerged woody debris from the lake is discouraged, unless such debris is a hazard to navigation/safety. If woody debris is removed without approval from Appalachian Power through a Vegetation Removal Permit, the property owner may be required to obtain a retroactive permit and replant vegetation or install fish habitat as mitigation. Please contact us prior to removing any woody debris.

The property owner(s) of record is/are responsible for maintaining compliance with all shoreline management regulations/permits. If the property is sold with compliance issues that are not resolved, the buyer(s) inherit(s) responsibility for any existing compliance issues. These responsibilities may include the removal or modification of non-compliant structure(s), and/or retroactive permitting and mitigation, depending on the nature of the violation(s). No additional permit(s) will be issued and no permit can be assigned until all compliance issues have been resolved. Failure to resolve compliance issues may result in revocation of an existing permit and the associated rights to occupy and use Project lands and waters.

Certain activities are considered maintenance and do not require a permit from Appalachian Power. If you are unsure if activities are considered maintenance and do not require a permit, please contact Appalachian before performing activities. Examples of maintenance activities that do not require a permit from Appalachian Power include:

• Removal of vegetation under ½ inch diameter.
• Pruning (not topping) of trees or shrubs. Thinning or limbing of trees up to 20% of the canopy or 14 feet (whichever is less), provided the health of the vegetation is maintained.
• Mowing of existing lawns.
• Rearrangement of existing riprap within its original boundaries of length, width, and height. If additional rip rap is added, a permit is required from Appalachian Power and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Replacement of surface materials, siding, roof shingles and sheathing where no changes are made to the dimensions, configuration, or location of dock structure(s) or access structure(s).
• Painting and staining of surfaces on docks.

Yes. View all applications or answer questions to figure out the right forms for you.

Currently, Appalachian Power does not charge a fee for obtaining a permit. However, Occupancy and Use Permits, and Assignment of Permits, are recorded with the county’s Clerk of Circuit Court which charges a fee to have the permits recorded. As a result, a check made out to the appropriate county’s Clerk of Circuit Court is required with Occupancy and Use/Assignment applications. Please refer to our applications for the current recordation fee for each county.

Yes, single-family homes are allowed to withdraw water from the lake for landscaping and other uses, and a yard hydrant that utilizes lake water is permitted. However, discharging water into the Project boundary from non-lake sources is prohibited.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to:

Hydro Plant Manager
Appalachian Power Company
P.O. Box 2021
Roanoke, VA 24022

Appeals may also be filed with FERC.

No, buoys can only be placed within the Project following approval by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

Applications for “No Wake” zones can be made through the Tri County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC). Please visit the TLAC website for more information.

Structures intended for access to the lake may be installed through the issuance of an Occupancy and Use Permit.

You are allowed to build access structures (like stairs down to the water) along the shoreline, but only if the following rules are met:

1. Distance from other structures
   • The stairs must be at least 30 feet away from any nearby structure, including docks.
2. Width limits
   • The structure must not be wider than six (6) feet.
3. Property line setbacks
   • The structure must also stay a required distance (15 feet) away from your extended property lines/dock delineation lines.

Improved access structures may be constructed within the Project boundary leading to your dock; however, an Occupancy and Use Permit is required for portions of the access structure located within the Project boundary. All portions of access structures located within the Project boundary must meet the following requirements:

• The width of the path must not exceed six (6) feet between the Project boundary and the base elevation (unless otherwise noted in the Shoreline Management Plan).
• The access structure must be perpendicular to the shoreline to the greatest extent possible.
• Access structures should fit into the character of the land; the path should avoid existing vegetation and wind around existing large trees and shrubs.
• Access structures can be constructed of permeable or non-permeable materials.
• Access structures cannot encroach closer to the property line/extended property line/dock delineation line than the minimum setback distance listed in the Shoreline Management Plan.

Appalachian Power prohibits the installation of structures that directly discharge stormwater (or any other direct discharge other than lake water) within the Project boundary. Contaminants (e.g., sediments, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, petroleum, and other chemicals) may travel through stormwater structures and may negatively affect the health of the lake. Channelization and discharge of stormwater within the Project boundary is considered potential non-point source(s) of pollution.

Any stormwater structures shall be placed outside of the Project boundary (i.e., above the 800-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 at Smith Mountain Lake and the 620-foot elevation contour NGVD 29 at Leesville Lake) and such structures should be installed in a manner that does not affect or erode areas located within the Project boundary.

Appalachian Power advises consulting with a stormwater engineer to discuss stormwater management methods of ensuring that stormwater structures are installed in a manner that allows stormwater to attain sheet flow prior to entering the Project boundary. Areas within the Project boundary below the stormwater structure should be adequately vegetated to ensure no erosion occurs.

Appalachian Power encourages the installation of vegetative buffers within the Project boundary to combat stormwater issues. The Smith Mountain Lake Association’s Buffer Landscape Advisory Service (BLAST) team may be able to address methods of vegetating the Project boundary to ensure proper erosion control. You can visit the SMLA’s Buffer Landscaping webpage at https://smlassociation.org/buffer-landscaping/.