Opponents of the development of 740 acres of land in Marion County near the Nickajack Reservoir for commercial recreation and residential uses had previously identified Hines, an international firm based in this country in Houston, as the company TVA was negotiating with.
Mike Crowson, project manager, said in a visit to the Free Press Friday that some critics have seen a "sinister' motive behind TVA's refusal to identify Hines before now.
But Ruben Hernandez, TVA's vice president for land management, said, "Our reluctance really has been that we don't have a final agreement with Hines. This could all be for naught here. There may not be a project if we cannot come to mutually agreeable terms.'
Mr. Hernandez said Hines was chosen from among three companies who expressed interest because they are "very environmentally sensitive."
Hines will work with Roy Ashley & Associates, a national firm known for its "environmentally sensitive design,' Mr. Crowson said.
At issue are the possible introduction of a resort conference center, lodge, rental cabins, tennis facility, golf course, marina and residential development on the lands.
Trails, picnic facilities, campgrounds and hotel/retail entities would also be included.
Long-term leases would be used, Mr. Hernandez said, noting, "We have to by law get a fair return on the use of any of these lands.'
Because of declining federal dollars, the TVA goal is to "leverage' private investment to develop the project, Mr. Hernandez said, adding, "We're not going to spend any money.'
In fact, TVA anticipates that an annual revenue stream of $500,000 could be generated for the agency, with those funds possibly used for shoreline management or stabilization activities.
The Little Cedar Mountain itself, about 320 acres, will be preserved as a wildlife and habitat protection area.
Mr. Crowson said of the total project site of 1,060 acres, "We're anticipating approximately 30 percent of that may be allocated for private residential uses, leaving 70 percent for public access.'
Opponents such as the Chattanooga Inter-Tribal Association say they want to stop TVA from giving federal public land to private developers. They also say they want to protect the land, which they say includes Indian burial grounds and other artifacts, because of its cultural heritage.
Supporters say the development could lead to increased funds from taxes that could be used to benefit the region's schools.
Mr. Hernandez said, "There has been a lot of conflicting information back and forth. We felt that it was time to try to communicate whatever information we have.
"What we're trying to do with the project is continue the TVA mission as it relates to the development of the resources of the valley.
"I think some folks look at TVA as a preservation organization, and that is part of the mission _ conservation _ but it's not the whole mission.
"What we're trying to do is balance that and try to keep economic development and recreation and the rest of that mission in the forefront.'
Mr. Hernandez said TVA has received clearances from the state of Tennessee's Historic Preservation Office for the project, and the University of Alabama found that the site is not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
He said, "There's a lot of information that has scared folks. I read about all of the archaeologically significant areas. We don't know of any on that site.'
Mr. Crowson said 11 potential sites have been evaluated and "determined to be not significant in that they're not burial sites. There are no burial sites that we're aware of.'
Mr. Hernandez said, "We'll be doing monitoring during construction and if anything is discovered then we'll protect it.'
He said, "This is one model that we're trying to walk through and learn and have the private sector participate with us and see how it comes out.
"There's no sure thing. We're still in the process of looking at the preferred developer.'
Mr. Hernandez said another round of public meetings will be held, probably during the first months of 1998, to inform the public of the project's status.
T he item is expected to be presented to the TVA board of directors in the spring, he said.
Mr. Crowson said previous responses from the public show about 70 percent support the development efforts.
He said the development would enhance the Fall Color Cruise, not end it, as some
opponents have claimed, with the possibility for an improved public
amphitheater.