[TN-Bird] Tell TVA, Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

All-
I am forwarding this at Melinda Welton's request, but I second her request and 
plan to do what she recommends.  You all should too.
--
Chris Sloan
chris.sloan@xxxxxxxxxxx
Nashville, TN

Dear all
There is an important issue at hand: - whether TVA public land stays public or 
is eligible for sale to lake shore developers.

Please call or write TVA with the message to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands 
before NOVEMBER 3rd!

TVA Boardâ??s Community Relations Committee has drafted an excellent Land 
Policy to be presented to the full Board for approval in late November. The 
Committee obviously took into consideration the vast majority of comments 
submitted during the public comment period that were in opposition to the sale 
of TVA lands for residential development.

Now that the draft is public, TVA is being flooded with letters from developers 
wanting a less restrictive policy!!

We need numbers on our side. You calls and letters are important.

BACKGROUND: Last spring the TVA Board enacted a moratorium on land sales, after 
controversy about some TVA sales of reservoir lands for private residential 
development. There was a public hearing on land policy in August, and public 
comments were invited. TOS was among the many organizations and individuals 
that urged TVA to keep public lands in public hands. Now TVA has drafted a new 
policy on management of its land holdings, with the guiding principle being "to 
preserve the lands remaining under its control in public ownership except in 
those rare instances where the benefits to the public will be so significant 
that transferring lands from TVA control to private ownership or another public 
entity is justified."

This proposed policy is a good one, but development interests are working 
overtime to induce TVA to return to the business-as-usual practices that 
transferred reservoir lands to the highest (or best-connected) bidders. The TVA 
Board needs to hear that TVA ratepayers want to keep public land in public 
hands. Please make an effort to raise your voice on this issue before NOVEMBER 
3.  Contact information for submitting comments is at the end of this message.

Read the details of the proposed policy at 
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/land_policy.htm .  Key points that can be 
made in your comments include:

* Development removes access to public lands from public use while access to 
natural lands is shrinking throughout the valley.  This affects hunters, 
fishermen, hikers, as well as birders who benefit from being in the outdoors.

* Development removes habitat from Tennesseeâ??s breeding a migratory birds. As 
the human population expands in the Tennessee Valley, TVAs public lands will 
increase in their value to wildlife. Therefore, the highest priority for TVA 
lands should be the conservation, and, where appropriate, preservation of the 
natural resources they support.

* Numerous surveys show that there is an overwhelming preference among valley 
residents/ratepayers to have access to public lands and waters.

* Land originally obtained by or under threat of eminent domain should remain a 
public resource.  Resort and upscale housing development, financially benefits 
a privileged few.  

* Public use and recreation stimulate sustainable economic growth.  Our natural 
resources, necessary for sustained economic health, should be given priority 
protection in every decision and by proactive planning.

* The natural beauty and resources of our area will continue to be a huge 
selling point to residents and employers.  Preserving our lands and waters 
enhances the value of our area.

* The final policy that the TVA Board adopts will have a big impact on public 
lands and bird habitats across the Tennessee Valley. 

How to comment:
E-mail:  landpolicyhearing@xxxxxxx
Mail:  TVA Board Community Relations, Land Policy, 400 W. Summit Hill 
Drive, Knoxville, TN  37902-1499
Phone:  888.882-7675 (toll-free)
Fax:  865.632-3146


Send or call TVA with your comments on this policy before November 3rd! 

Thank you,

Melinda Welton
TOS Conservation Policy Chair
615-799-8095

 

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