McGuire Lake Warning

McGuire Nuclear Power Station Emergency Response Plan

ANNEX G - WARNING AND NOTIFICATION OF BOATERS

June 2001

WARNING AND NOTIFICATION OF BOATERS

ON LAKE NORMAN AND THE CATAWBA RIVER

INDEX

Purpose and Scope	Coordinating Instructions
Organization	Alert and Notification
Concept of Operations	Initiating Procedures for Zone Patrolling
Command and Control	Notice to Boaters (Attachment 1)
Responsibilities	Existing Lake Notification Signs (Attachment 2)
Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office	Patrol Zone Identification (Attachment 3)
Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police, Airborne Division
Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Lakes Enforcement Section
MEDIC Communication Center (County Warning Point)
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
Catawba County Sheriffs Department
Lincoln County Sheriffs Department
Iredell County Sheriffs Department
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

I.	PURPOSE AND SCOPE
	Annex G established the organizational responsibilities and procedures for warning and notification of boaters on Lake Norman and the Catawba River within a ten‑mile radius of the McGuire Nuclear Station. These procedures ensure that boaters will be warned that an accident has occurred, that it is necessary to evacuate the lake, and that radio, television and weather should be monitored for further instructions.
II.	ORGANIZATION
	The organizations involved in notification and warning of boaters are:
	A.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office
	B.	MEDIC Communications Center (County Warning Point)
	C.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department, Lakes Enforcement Section
	D.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department, Airborne Division
	E.	Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation
	F.	North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Enforcement Division (NC WRC)
	G.	Catawba County Sheriffs Department.
	H.	Catawba County Parks and Recreation.
	I.	Lincoln County Sheriffs Department.
	J.	Iredell County Sheriffs Department
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	The fixed siren system will be the primary means of warning and notification of boaters on Lake Norman and the Catawba River.
	B.	The back-up method of warning and notification of the boaters on Lake Norman and the Catawba River within a ten‑mile radius of the McGuire Site will be accomplished using both a fixed and a rotary wing aircraft and boats displaying airborne red flares and using sirens and public address systems.
	C.	When ordered to do so, the boats will cover pre-assigned areas of the lake at approximately 15‑20 mph while displaying airborne red flares.
	D.	Signs informing boaters of the meaning of the red flares and siren signals are to be placed in advance at boat access points on the lake. See Attachments 1 and 2 for content of the sign and locations.
	E.	The Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department helicopter and the fixed wing aircraft of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NC WRC) will act as observers for lake operations. Both aircraft will report to command and control any problems they observe. In addition, both aircraft can communicate with each other via air‑to‑air communication.
	F.	This Annex is to be activated when a decision is made to institute notification and warning procedures for Mecklenburg County EPZ areas.
IV.	COMMAND AND CONTROL
	A.	The command and control function for Annex G, Lake Norman and the Catawba River Warning and Notification, will consist of five different organizations as follows: (1) Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police, (2) North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NC WRC), (3) Catawba County Sheriff's Department, (4) Lincoln County Sheriff's Department and (5) Iredell County Sheriff’s Department. The Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department representative will act as team leader. The primary functions and mission of the command and control team are as follows:
		1.	To direct and control warning and notification on Lake Norman and the Catawba River and to ensure timely evacuation or restrict access to the area, should conditions warrant.
		2.	The command and control team will operate from land based on locations as follows:
			a.	Primary - Davidson College
			b.	Secondary - Hwy. 150 Bridge / Pinnacle Landing / Copperhead Landing / Lake Norman Marina / North Mecklenburg High School
			c.	Conformation of the secondary command and control site may be identified at the time of execution of this Annex.
		3.	Radio communication for lake warning and notification is as follows:
			a.	All Catawba, Lincoln, Iredell, Mecklenburg County Boats and NC WRC boats will report via radio to appropriate representatives at command and control location on NC WRC/Concord Tower Frequency 151.460 Transmit/159.315 Receive/Tone 186.2.
			b.	Any problems or any request for assistance will be via the command and control function.
		4.	The command and control team will communicate with the Mecklenburg County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and will advise EOC concerning the status of lake operations.
V.	RESPONSIBILITIES
	A.	Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (EMO)
		1.	Develop and maintain procedures for lake warning and notification.
		2.	Ensure resources and manpower is available and trained for lake operation annually.
		3.	If the EOC is fully activated the EMO will initiate Annex G for lake and river operations.
	B.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department ‑ Lakes Enforcement Section
		1.	Act as command & control team leader for on‑site operations regarding lake and river warning and notification.
		2.	Act as coordinating department for lake operations within the ten‑mile EPZ.
		3.	Provide primary communication link with the county warning point and with EOC operations.
		4.	Ensure County Police personnel are trained for lake operations and radiological exposure control annually.
	C.	MEDIC Communication Center (County Warning Point)
		1.	Receive messages from the McGuire Nuclear Site concerning emergency conditions.
		2.	Transmit information to the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (EMO) concerning emergency conditions or impending emergency conditions.
		3.	Activate lake warning and notification procedures in the absence of EOC representative or based on need for immediate response action.
	D.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department, Airborne Division
		1.	Dispatch helicopter to Lake Norman and make radio contact with fixed wing aircraft from Wildlife Resources Commission in the area.
		2.	Using public address system, assist county and Wildlife Resources Commission boats in the area.
		3.	Maintain radio contact with the Mecklenburg County Warning Point, the command and control function.
		4.	Maintain radio communication with command and control team leader.
		5.	Observe lake operations and make reports to command and control location.
	E.	Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
		1.	Develop procedures to evacuate parks area within Mecklenburg County along the lake effected by McGuire Nuclear Station.
		2.	Assist boaters with orderly evacuations from lake access areas within park areas.
		3.	Assist with warning and notification and evacuation within park boundaries.
		4.	Secure park areas after evacuations are complete.
	F.	Catawba County Sheriffs Department
		1.	Provide boats for the timely warning and notification operation on Lake Norman and the Catawba River.
		2.	Area of responsibility for lake operations will be detailed in Section VIII - Initiating Procedures.
		3.	Ensure personnel are trained for lake operations and radiological exposure control annually.
	G.	Catawba County Parks and Recreation
		1.	Develop procedures to evacuate parks area within Catawba County along the lake effected by McGuire Nuclear Station.
		2.	Assist boaters with orderly evacuations from lake access areas within park areas.
		3.	Assist with warning and notification and evacuation within park boundaries.
		4.	Secure park areas after evacuations are complete.
	H.	Lincoln County Sheriffs Department
		1.	Provide boats for the timely warning and notification operation on Lake Norman and the Catawba River.
		2.	Area of responsibility for lake operations will be detailed in Section VIII - Initiating Procedures.
		3.	Ensure personnel are trained for lake operations and radiological exposure control annually.
	I.	Iredell County Sheriffs Department
		1.	Provide boats for the timely warning and notification operation on Lake Norman and the Catawba River.
		2.	Area of responsibility for lake operations will be detailed in Section VIII - Initiating Procedures.
		3.	Ensure personnel are trained for lake operations and radiological exposure control annually.
	J.	North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NC WRC)
		1.	Provide boats for the timely warning and notification operation on Lake Norman and the Catawba River.
		2.	Area of responsibility for lake operations will be detailed in Section VIII - Initiating Procedures.
		3.	Ensure personnel are trained for lake operations and radiological exposure control annually.
		4.	Provide fixed-wing aircraft.
VI.	COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS
	A.	In the event that inclement weather prevents the use of aircraft in the notification and warning procedures on Lake Norman and the Catawba River, boats only will be used to conduct warning.
	B.	If the weather prohibits the use of boats or aircraft, warning and notification procedures will be conducted if and when the weather permits timely action.
	C.	The senior law enforcement representative from the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police, Lakes Enforcement Section will act as team leader for command and control of all on‑site operations for Annex G.
	D.	Mecklenburg County will notify Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, and Catawba Counties when the warning and notification procedures are initiated on the lake.
VII.	ALERT AND NOTIFICATION
	The Mecklenburg County warning point will make the following initial calls to ensure a timely response to lake warning and notification. The department/agency called will be in order shown and will be contacted via telephone or radio using the most rapid means available based on conditions at the station site.
	A.	If the situation at the McGuire Nuclear Station (MNS) is a slow escalating condition and if the EOC is fully or partially activated, the EMO staff in the EOC will make, or will cause to be made, all necessary alert and notification calls for activation of Annex G.
	B.	If the situation at the MNS is one that requires immediate action the Mecklenburg County warning point representative will initiate the following calls in the most rapid manner possible.
		1.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department ‑ Lakes Enforcement Division.
		2.	Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department ‑ Airborne Division
		3.	Catawba County Sheriff's Department.
		4.	Lincoln County Sheriff's Department.
		5	Iredell County Sheriff's Department.
		6.	North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh Wildlife Communication Center.
		7.	Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office
VIII.	INITIATING PROCEDURES FOR ZONE PATROLLING OF LAKE NORMAN, MOUNTAIN ISLAND, AND THE CATAWBA RIVER WITHIN THE TEN‑MILE EPZ FOR MCGUIRE NUCLEAR STATION (MNS)
	A.	The primary concern is to initiate an immediate course of action that starts at the MNS site and works outward. In addition all boating traffic will be stopped at the northern and southern ten‑mile EPZ boundary.
	B.	Boats from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Catawba, Lincoln, and Iredell County Sheriffs Departments and Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department will conduct the Alert and Notification in pairs or as individual units to complete mission objective.
	C.	The zone description and the method of coverage or patrolling the lake area allows for double coverage and/or follow‑up coverage of about all zones. This method will also ensure the quickest, most extensive coverage of the Lake/River area from the 0‑2 mile and 2‑5 mile areas from the plant site.
	D.	The Mecklenburg County Police boat will act as the control craft on the lake area and will communicate to the command and control function regarding problems or request for information or assistance.
	E.	All assigned boats will patrol the assigned areas covering all navigable creeks, coves, and river areas at a speed of 15‑20 mph.
	F.	All boats not assigned a specific patrol zone will report by radio to the command and control center for instructions and/or assignment.
	G.	See Attachments 1 and 2 for additional information on lake and Attachment 3 for Zone Patrol Areas.
	H.	While patrolling the assigned area all boats will sound sirens and will display red flares. In addition all boats with a PA system will broadcast the following message when appropriate: ATTENTION BOATERS! AN EMERGENCY CONDITION HAS OCCURRED THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR SAFETY. PLEASE EVACUATE THE LAKE AREA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ATTACHMENT 1 TO ANNEX G NOTICE TO BOATERS
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY INVOLVING McGUIRE NUCLEAR STATION, SEVERE WEATHER, OR OTHER CONDITIONS REQUIRING EVACUATION OF THE LAKE, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY SIRENS OR RED FLARES. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE OBSERVED, PLEASE:
	1.				LEAVE THE LAKE IMMEDIATELY
	2.				TURN ON RADIO OR TELEVISION TO AN EMERGENCY BROADCAST STATION FOR INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS. STATIONS SERVING THIS AREA INCLUDE:
					WWSN‑FM‑107.9 RADIO
					WBT ‑ 1110 AM RADIO
					WBTV ‑ CH. 3 TV
					WSOC - CH. 9 TV
EMERGENCY PLANNING BROCHURES FOR THE NEARBY McGUIRE NUCLEAR SITE ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA AT THE FOLLOWING:
					PUBLIC MARINAS
					MOTELS AND HOTELS
					POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS
					PUBLIC LIBRARIES
					POST OFFICES
					DUKE POWER COMPANY OFFICES
ATTACHMENT 2 TO ANNEX G EXISTING LAKE NOTIFICATION SIGNS
					Lake Norman	Mountain Island Lake
					Wher-Rena Marina	Riverbend Access Area
					Ramsey Creek Access Area	Neck Road Access Area
					All Seasons Marina
					Stutts Bait and Tackle
					Hager Creek Access Area
					McCray Creek Access Area
					Pinnacle Access Area
					Stumpy Creek Access Area
					Skipper's Landing
					Long Island Access
					Midway Marina
					Drum's Family Campground
					Wildlife Woods Campground
					Little Creek Access Area
					Beatties Ford Access Area
					Lake Norman State Park
					Cowans Ford Overlook
					Lake Norman Marina
					Country Corner Marine Center
					Outrigger Harbor
					Inland Sea Marina
					Cross-Country Campground
					Little's Campground
					Mountain Creek Marina
					Blythe Landing
					Jetton Park
ATTACHMENT 3 TO ANNEX G PATROL ZONE IDENTIFICATION

ZONE ID	BOAT NO. AND ORGANIZATION		ZONE DESCRIPTION AND PATROL AREA
AA	No. 1	Lincoln County Sheriffs Dept.	Stationed at Highway 150 Bridge. Stop all boats moving south on River.
BB	No. 2	NC WRC	NC Highway 27 bridge, north to Mountain Island Lake Dam.
CC	No. 3	NC WRC	Launch from best location to patrol from Mountain Island Lake Dam north to Cowans Ford Dam.
DD	No. 4 & No. 5	Lincoln County Sheriffs Dept. NC WRC	From Cowans Ford Dam North on West (Lincoln Co) side of Lake/River to Channel Marker No. 3. on East side of Lake/River to Channel Marker No. 3.
EE	No. 6 & No. 7	NC WRC Boats (2)	From Cowans Ford Dam North& Northeast on east side of Lake/River to cover/patrol the Ramsey Creek area.
NOTE: Boats No. 6 and No. 7 will do double coverage of area in Zone EE and will also provide some follow-up coverage for Zone DD.
FF	No.8 & No. 9	NC WRC Boats (2)	Proceed North from Channel Marker No.3 to cover West & East side of Main Channel to Marker 12A.
GG	No. 5,6 & 7	NC WRC Boats (3)	Proceed North from areas assigned in Zone EE to Marker No.3 and D2.Proceed to cover Davidson Creek, Reeds Creek and Work Creek East of Main Channel.
	No. 10	NC WRC Boat	Lincoln County/Mecklenburg County Line, North on Reeds Creek.
NOTE: Four boats have been assigned to cover Zone GG due to size of area. This will allow double coverage of area and will also provide assistance and follow-up for Zone FF.
HH	No. 11	Catawba County Sheriffs Dept.	Launch from best location to cover Lake/River area North of Marker 12A to include Little Creek, Mountain Creek, and Beaver Dam Creek.
II	No. 12	Iredell County Sheriffs Dept.	Launch from best location to cover/patrol Lake/River area North of Marker 12A to include Hager Creek area to NC Highway 150 Bridge.