As a condition of its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (effective March 1, 2005), APGI has agreed to provide biological disturbance high flow releases into the Cheoah River. APGI has also leased land to the United States Forest Service (USFS) for the construction of a raft/kayak put-in facility located on project lands approximately 500 feet downstream of Santeetlah Dam. The USFS is also constructing, operating and maintaining a take-out facility on the Little Tennessee River under the same lease.
Due to increased recreational use around Cheoah Dam, APGI has developed a plan to help protect the safety of the general public and to maintain the safety and security of Dam operations. Known as a safety boom, this device provides a safety barrier to the perimeter of the dam facility. Other safety devices such as buoys, warning signs, sirens, and horns will be installed in the near future at Santeetlah Dam.
About APGI
The Tapoco Division of Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) owns and operates the Tapoco Project. The Tapoco Project is a four-development hydroelectric project located in the western portion of the Little Tennessee Watershed on the Little Tennessee and Cheoah Rivers in Graham, Swain, Blount, and Monroe Counties in North Carolina and Tennessee.
The Tapoco Project is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as Project No. 2169. The Tapoco Division operates the Project to provide power for Alcoa’s aluminum smelting and rolling operations in Alcoa, Tenn.
About Tennessee Operations
Alcoa’s Tennessee Operations is the world's largest producer of rolled aluminum can sheet for beverage cans and is based in Blount County, Tenn. Tennessee Operations employs approximately 1,850 at its smelting and fabrication plant in Blount County, its hydropower facilities, and its downtown Knoxville office.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoaâ wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The company has 116,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
