The Tennessee Valley Authority is launching an 18-month process to review and update how it manages 138,222 acres of public land under its stewardship. TVA said today it is seeking public comment on how it manages the land around eight of its biggest reservoirs – Chickamauga, Fort Loudoun, Great Falls, Kentucky, Nickajack, Normandy, Wheeler and Wilson. Initially, TVA is scoping out its review and inviting comments about what issues should be addressed.
The study will help determine what TVA should do about half of all of the 293,000 acres it controls across its 7-state region At its biggest lake, the Kentucky Reservoir, TVA has not updated its land management plan since 1985 and the Chickamauga Reservoir management plan has not been updated since 1989, TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said.
Public lands around each reservoir are zoned for various uses designed to optimize benefits and minimize conflicts for all stakeholders. Updates made to individual Reservoir Land Management Plans will also be used to revise the Comprehensive Valley-Wide Land Plan.
“As part of TVA’s mission of service, we must properly manage the biological, cultural, recreational and water resources entrusted to us throughout the Valley,” Heather Montgomery, program manager for TVA’s land use, said in a statement today. “Land use needs and requirements have changed over time, so we want to make sure we have the best possible plan for allocating these valuable public resources for the future.”
Maps and additional information about the plans can be found at www.tva.gov/landplanreview.
Public comments on the EIS scoping period will be accepted through Monday, April 4, and all input will be considered during the creation of the plans. Comments can be submitted online, via email to mshigdon@tva.gov, or in writing to Matthew Higdon, TVA, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tenn., 37902.