NASHVILLE - The state House today unanimously approved legislation proponents aimed at transforming outdoor sports tourism and economic development for America's most popular whitewater venue, the Ocoee River in Southeast Tennessee.
Representatives passed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown, 92-0. The Senate companion bill, handled by Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, is expected to pass.
The bill creates the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Fund to support recreational water releases on the Ocoee river with management by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
It's part of a comprehensive approach worked out with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the federal utility which controls the river and has a hydroelectric plant situated on it. Under a 35-year that expires in 2019, TVA stops diverting the river into a flume that fees the power plant during the spring, summer and early fall so whitewater activities can take place.
Rafting companies' customers currently pay a $1 fee to reimburse TVA for lost power revenues. But with the decades-old agreement ending, TVA officials said they needed additional funds.
That ultimately generated a discussion with local, state and federal officials to find a workable solution. As part of that, Gov. Bill Haslam this week added an $11.8 million grant to what will be the new water authority which will be used to reimburse TVA for 20 years into the future.
At the same time, the new entity will receive agreed upon fees from the rafting companies which employ some 600 workers on the river. Those monies will go to fund the increased state presence. A planned nonprofit group would be able to solicit additional funds from private foundations for other activities.