TVA
Rejects Proposals to Develop Public Lake Property
TVA will no longer
pursue the development of the Little Cedar Mountain project on Nickajack
Lake and has ceased considering a proposal to use TVA land on Tellico
Lake as part of a new residential development.
"After a lengthy
review by the staff, it is clear that these large tracts of undeveloped
land on two East Tennessee lakes should remain available to the public
and not be converted to residential and private uses," TVA Chairman
Craven Crowell said.
"TVA's public
shoreline property has become increasingly important as the region's
economy and population have grown," Crowell added. "This policy
direction reflects a renewed commitment by the TVA Board to preserve
public lands for the maximum benefit of the people who use them."
TVA Director Bill
Kennoy said, "The TVA Board has examined these land proposals,
and we believe it is important for TVA to continue to maintain these
public lands for use by everyone."
The decision to
terminate the Little Cedar Mountain project follows a process that began
in 1996 and included public meetings and negotiations with a developer.
The proposal called for developing about 660 acres of TVA land in Marion
County adjacent to the Nickajack reservation for a combination of public
and private use. Another 400 acres of the Little Cedar Mountain property
would have continued to be used for public recreation and wildlife protection.
A proposal by Tellico
Landing Inc. to acquire approximately 850 acres of TVA property in Loudon
County involved combining the TVA land with other property for a planned
residential community. After examining the potential impacts to the
lake and current land uses in the area, the TVA staff recommended ending
further consideration of the TLI proposal.
Crowell said TVA
will continue to evaluate requests for use of TVA lands, but proposals
must be compatible with TVA's objective of managing public assets to
benefit future generations and the environment.
"The TVA Board
is committed to maintaining the high standards of resource protection
that has defined TVA's integrated resource management for more than
60 years," said Crowell.
Media Contact:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (423) 632-8632 or 632-6000
TVA Home Page:
www.tva.gov
(Mailed/faxed March
15, 1999)
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