Tuesday, November 30, 2004

By Sean McCombs and Dave Flessner Staff Writers

JASPER, Tenn. - TVA is considering selling 637 acres of land in the Shellmound area of Marion County that eventually could be developed into lakefront homes, an expanded marina and a golf course.

A public hearing will be held Dec. 13 at South Pittsburg High School to receive input on the project. A similar project in the Shellmound area was denied by Tennessee Valley Authority officials in 1999. The proposal to buy the land has come from Thunder Enterprises, owned by Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton.

Company President Brandon Born said the company is willing to give TVA 832 acres of land it owns, including Cedar Mountain and Burns Island, and to purchase the 637 acres from the federal utility.

"The properties we're proposing to swap with TVA are significant from archaeological and environmental standpoints," Mr. Born said. "It will be a win, win, win proposal for TVA, the general public and Thunder Enterprises."

TVA acquired the land before building the nearby Nickajack Dam in 1967. The agency will review the proposal and must approve any land sale. If TVA decides to dispose of any property, the agency will conduct a public auction, probably in 2005. "One of the missions of TVA is to promote economic development and, if this is a feasible option, we certainly want to explore it," TVA spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said.

Swapping land for the new development site would preserve a comparable amount of land for wildlife and natural habitat in the area, Mr. Born said. But the leader of one environmental group is still wary about the new development.

"It is a great concern any time that TVA is looking to sell off public lands for private development," said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "Little Cedar Mountain has tremendous cultural and environmental significance, and we are skeptical about turning over this great public treasure for private development."

Marion County Mayor Howell Moss said the project could be a boon for the economy.

"It would be a tremendous asset to Marion County," Mr. Moss said. "We've always felt that way. We'd encourage it very deeply."

In 1999, TVA blocked a proposal from Hines Interest LP, a Houston development firm, to buy 740 acres. Hines wanted to build a $100 million resort complex alongside Interstate 24 in Marion County, including 500 homes and cabins, a 120-room resort lodge, a 300-slip marina and an 18-hole golf course.

TVA nixed those plans after studying them for almost two years and following vocal opposition from hunters, environ- mentalists and American Indian groups. TVA also rejected development proposals at Tellico and in Meigs County.
   Earlier this year, TVA heard development proposals from Rhea and Meigs counties. Those proposals included turning 1,400 acres of land over to local governments for a mixed-use plan. Two years ago, TVA directors voted 2-1 to open up a portion of the Tellico Reservoir for a residential project.

Mr. Moss said the development would generate sales and property tax revenue for the county, but he could not say how much.

"I've seen some figures but nothing that I could quote," he said. "The main thing it would do for Marion County is bring very much needed jobs and recreation opportunities, because quite frankly we're not allowed access to the lakes."

TVA will be adding comments about the development's impact on the environment to the 1996 impact study. The comment period will be open until Dec. 31.

E-mail Sean McCombs at smccombs@timesfreepress.com

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
615 homes
18-hole golf course
Swimming center
Trophy bass lake
Walking trails
Expanded marina
Expanded camping areas
Hotel
Source: Thunder Enterprises

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