OCONEE COUNTY — Duke Energy expects to spend between $5 million and $6 million upgrading recreation at the company’s lakes in Oconee County by December 2015.

That’s part of the recreation management plan, according to Duke officials, devised after months of study of the present and future recreational needs of Lakes Keowee and Jocassee. The plan was unveiled at a forum at The World of Energy sponsored by the Friends of Lake Keowee Society.

Bill Ambrose, with Heron Cove Partners LLC, consultants hired by Duke Energy, said the plan has been submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees the lake project, but it is not known when or how the agency will act on it. The timetable for the projects at all the existing lake access points and the planned Warpath Landing project is set for December 2015, Ambrose said.

Duke was required to submit the recreation management plan as part of its relicensing procedure, with the current license due to expire in 2016. Submission of the plan was required before Jan. 1 this year.

The bulk of the planned improvements at such parks as Devil’s Fork, South Cove and Keowee-Toxaway Natural Area include areas such as parking, extended boat ramps, courtesy docks as well as more restroom facilities and picnic areas.

Phil Shirley, Oconee County parks and recreation director, said the plan addressed the needs that had been targeted in the initial study, which involved a survey of those using the lake. “This shows (the planners) listened to what the users wanted,” Shirley said.