The Chattanooga Times: Wednesday, 10 September 1997 p A8

---

TVA stirred controversy earlier this year when it decided to sell the pristine Little Cedar Mountain on Nickajack Lake for private development. For good reason, that controversy continues. TVA was wrong to convert an important public asset to a private, for-profit venture without wide public consensus. And agency officials are wrong now to ignore public interest in the terms they seek from the potential developer.

Environmentalists and members of the Chattanooga Inter-Tribal Association camped and marched at the site over the weekend to demonstrate their continued discontent They are angry, of course, that TVA has refused to rescind its decision to sell the land.

CITA members are equally disturbed, and properly so, that TVA officials are breaking promises to keep them informed and involved regarding terms of the sale and protection of Indian heritage sites. TVA declines even to identify the development company with which it is negotiating, much less the tentative terms.

The agency's arrogance in this position is not unusual, but it suggests that TVA's commanding hierarchy continues, despite other recent controversies, to function with seeming indifference to public expectations.

Marion County officials, to be sure, supported the TVA board's decision to sell off the 700-acre Little Cedar Mountain for development TVA officials have held out the promise of condominiums, a marina and possibly a golf course. So many Marion residents view the commanding lakefront hill as an untapped lode of property taxes, new residents and, possibly, jobs. TVA's larger responsibility, however, lies with its stewardship duties for lands taken in the public interest from earlier owners.

TVA's vast shoreline holdings totaling some 11,000 miles, have become over the years crucial elements of the region's ecological heritage. Parcels should not be sold simply for occasional cash infusions or to satisfy urges for commercial development They should be sold only under a publicly negotiated plan that protects significant Native American historical sites, forest and wildlife preserves, wildlife habitat and public recreation areas.

In that context, TVA owes the public a continuing accounting of what it is doing with our land trust It should not dispose of our holdings without meaningful public participation -- a test it failed for Little Cedar Mountain. And when it does convey land, it should keep the public informed as to how it will protect the public interest, through covenants and contract agreements.

If it insists on pursuing development of Little Cedar Mountain, TVA should at least be sensitive to CITA members' concerns about spoiling of Native American heritage sites and to environmental issues. It should not willfully freeze out preservationists, wait until a development contract is completed; and reveal a fait accompli.

TVA's board already is in conflict with various members of Congress over continued funding for nonpower programs and restructuring for deregulation. To remain viable, the agency needs its customers and constituents on its side. Ignoring accountability and doing a deal in the dark on Little Cedar Mountain serves neither TVA nor its constituents.