Two lawmakers from Southeast Tennessee have floated bills in their respective chambers seeking to negotiate with the Tennessee Valley Authority for more water release days on the famed Ocoee River and designate Polk County’s sparkling whitewater mecca an “Olympic river.”
In January, Rep. Dan Howell, R-Ocoee, and Sen. Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, introduced bills seeking to boost rafting and tourism on the Ocoee River by adding more days of rafting. Neither Howell, who represents Meigs, Polk and part of Bradley counties, nor Lowe, who represents Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Rhea counties, responded to messages left at their offices in Nashville, on their cellphones or through email inquiries. State offices were closed Good Friday.
The House bill sponsored by Howell — who chairs the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Fund Board — and by Lowe in the Senate, will allow the board to work with the deputy commissioner of state parks to negotiate with TVA for additional water release days during the rafting season, according to a statement issued by Howell. The expansion could draw more tourists and rafting enthusiasts to the area.
“The Ocoee River is a magnificent natural resource that boasts some of the best whitewater rafting in the world,” Howell said in the statement. “This bill will allow for additional water releases for Tennesseans and tourists to enjoy being on the water, drawing more people to the region and further boosting our economy. The Volunteer State is blessed with immense natural beauty, and it’s important to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors.”