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

TVA Document Page: http://www.tva.gov/news/newsrls/ltlcdrtl.htm

(Mailed/faxed March 15, 1999)