Lake Lynn Generation has responded to allegations of poor park maintenance submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the citizens group Save Cheat Lake.
Save Cheat Lake had asked FERC on Feb. 22 to fine Lake Lynn’s parent company Eagle Creek Renewable Energy $85,384 per day for three violations of its federal requirements at the recreational facilities at its hydroelectric project.
Lake Lynn’s response follows FERC on Feb. 27 notifying the company that it is generally complying with its license requirements regarding recreation stemming from prior allegations submitted in June 2024 and in April and August 2025.
In its response to Save Cheat Lake that it filed on Thursday, Lake Lynn says none of the allegations reflect any license violations and it is taking corrective steps where needed.
Lake Lynn first addressed damage to the kayak launch dock.
Lake Lynn tells FERC that the dock was in place Feb. 21-22 but, based on a Feb. 22 inspection, had indeed broken loose. “This type of displacement is not uncommon during winter conditions.”
The company says it is working to recover and secure the dock. It emphasizes that the dock is a permitted third-party structure and not part of its license requirements.
Lake Lynn also comments on a day-use dock that allegedly was not removed and suffered damage. It says its recreation plan calls for eight day-use docks. Seven were removed in mid-September.
The company allows a nonprofit organization to use the eighth dock for free, it says. The nonprofit removed its pontoon in October. When Lake Lynn tried to remove the dock in November, the lake level was too low for safe removal.
Lake Lynn says it will address the dock conditions and make any needed repairs by April 15.
It says, “The Recreation Plan does not contain a requirement mandating seasonal dock removal by a date certain, nor does it establish winter removal as a compliance obligation.” Nonetheless, it acknowledges the operational challenge and is taking corrective action.
Regarding lack of portable toilets, Lake Lynn says there is one in the upper parking lot near the park/playground area. “The complaint’s assertion that no toilet was available is factually incorrect.”
The upper parking lot is about 75 yards up the gravel drive, uphill from the playground area where the locked restrooms are located. Parking for vehicles with disability parking permits is in the area in front of the restrooms.
On the topic of overflowing trash cans, Lake Lynn says they are supposed to be serviced twice weekly, but a communication error with the trash removal contractor led to the cans being serviced less frequently for a limited period.
Lake Lynn says it “acknowledges this lapse and has taken corrective action to prevent recurrence. There is no evidence that the temporary reduction in servicing resulted in environmental harm.”
Lake Lynn adds near the end of its letter to FERC that it maintains “active and transparent stakeholder engagement,” with monthly stakeholder coordination meetings.
It has, it says, “consistently encouraged collaborative problem-solving and open communication.” None of the allegations was raised at recent meetings, Lake Lynn “remains willing to engage constructively with all interested parties and views ongoing dialogue as the most effective means of addressing operational concerns.”
It concludes that the allegations do not: identify a specific violated license article; demonstrate environmental harm; demonstrate a pattern of noncompliance; or establish willful misconduct.
