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<br />ATTACHMENT 3A <br /> <br />Recreational Facilities and Usage Evaluation <br /> <br />Any recreational facility provided in conjunction with an electric power pI'oject <br />will potentially have both a direct and indirect impact upon local residents. The <br />direct impact will result from the use of these facilities by the residents thenlselves. <br />The indirect impact will result from the use of these facilities by visitors who may <br />spend money locally and contribute to the economy of the area. The value of recrea- <br />tional lake facilities in an area depends upon the availability of similar facilities. <br />With the close proximity of the Philpott/Fairystone Lake and the Smith Mountain Dam <br />and Reservoir facilities, it can be stated that the recreational impact would not <br />be as great given those facilities did not exist. <br /> <br />Of course the utilization of the reservoir for recreation facilities would <br />involve some expenditure of monies for the development of such facilities as boat <br />launching docks, picnic and camping areas, and visitors' center. Listed below are <br />some estimated cost figures for development of the facilities.1 <br /> <br />Facil ity <br /> <br />Cost <br /> <br />Visitor's Center <br />Access for Fishing <br />Picnic and Camping Facilities <br /> <br />$200,000 <br />5,000 <br />80,000 <br /> <br />In addition to the original cost, upkeep and operational costs would have to be <br />added. The number of each facility needed would also have to be calculated. Some <br />decisions would have to be made in regard as to who would provide these facilities. <br />Basically there would be two alternatives, either the City could provide it or the <br />property could be leased to private developers. If the City would decide to provide <br />the facilities, grant monies through state and federal recreational offices may be <br />available. If grants were not available, a user's fee would probably be instigated <br />to cover the cost and upkeep of each. At minimum, at least two access facilities <br />and two camping sites would seem reasonable. <br /> <br />Based upon the size of the proposed facility, it could be expected that from <br />200,000 to 500,0002visitors might use such facilities each year. Current estimates <br />reveal that at least $6.00 per day per visitor would be spent on such things as <br />food, gasoline, and/or recreational supplies.3 This would mean a positive economic <br />impact for the area from $1,200,000 to $3,000,000, and this possibly would not include <br />charges for use of the facilities. <br /> <br />Boat registrations and fishing licenses would possibly also increase though not <br />as much as if the facility wasn't in such close proximity to Philpott and Smith <br />Mountain. Lakeshore type housing might also take place and further increase the <br />value of the land and its related taxes. <br /> <br />What effect a gasoline shortage would have would be anyone's guess. It would <br />probably spur the local residents to utilize such a facility more and discourage <br />its use by those who live outside the area. <br /> <br />Our area is known to have many fishing and boating enthusiasts, and utilization <br />of the reservoir if developed for such seems certain. The economic impact for the <br />area would appear to be positive, and the extra costs involved in provision of these <br />recreational facilities would appear to be recapturable by an access fee. <br />