[TN-Bird] your chance to help birds
- From: Charlie <cmmbirds@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN-Bird <TN-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 16:26:00 -0800 (PST)
Dear Tennessee (and Alabama)birders,
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has begun consideration of a
proposal by a private individual to develop a very large tract of TVA
land at Shellmound on the north side of Nickajack Dam as a commercial
recreation/private homes/golf, etc. development. This is one of
several such large mega-developments underway, under formal review,
or in the early planning states on TVA public lands across the
valley. Several of these developments are in the Watts Bar/Tellico
Lake areas. We are asking concerned TOS member to write letters and
attend the public meeting on December 13, 5:00 ? 8:00 p.m., (CST),
South Pittsburg, Tennessee - South Pittsburg High School (details at
the end of this message.)
It appears that the present TVA board is receptive to this type of
development, and to the increased privatization of public lands -
much more so than the previous board. Obviously we have no way of
knowing whether the restructured TVA board that will be in place late
next year will be as receptive. Sadly, this sort of approach to
public lands is one of the cornerstones of the "ownership society"
that the Bush administration supports.
Please understand what is at stake with the proposed
commercialization of TVA land: riparian habitats are generally much
more important to birds and other wildlife than lands further from
water. Obviously, that would include most lands controlled by TVA.
It is also unclear whether the land that could potentially be
?traded? is even suitable for development. Clearly, it would not be
to the advantage of the public, or wildlife, if land that is
unacceptable for development were traded for land that could be
developed. The result would be a net loss of habitat, benefiting
only the developer. Additionally, this would set a precedent of
developing islands, which TVA has generally avoided.
It is very important that TOS express its concern over this
Shellmound development. The TOS Conservation Policy Committee is
currently drafting a letter which, when accepted, will go out under
the president?s signature. But this one letter will not be enough.
We need lots of people to put their own ideas and thoughts on paper
and let TVA know how they feel ? not only about this specific threat
to wildlife, but also about the general concept of giving up public
lands for personal gain.
Please Ask that TVA conduct a full Environmental Impact Study for the
proposal. TVA is strongly considering not doing any additional
environmental review, because TVA approved a different development
proposal in the same area a few years ago. TVA later turned down
this previous proposal after it got a lot of public opposition
(probably more from Native Americans than those concerned with
wildlife, endangered species, public lands, etc. issues). TVA claims
the previous review was adequate, even though it was for a smaller
development with different mitigation. It appears that professionals
within TVA do not agree that the previous review was adequate.
The developer, John Thornton, is very well connected, and is already
planning a leading role in Corker's upcoming bid for Frist's US
Senate seat. He has given millions to the UT athletic department
over the years. He has also begun construction on a large similar
development on Watts Bar near Loudon (which involves very little
public lands).
Send your comments to: Chellye Campbell, TVA, P. O. Box 1010, Muscle
Shoals, AL 35661. 256-386-3518 or ccampbell@xxxxxxx
More information can also be found at:
http://www.tva.gov/news/releases/octdec04/littlecedar.htm
The letter that the Conservation Policy Committee will be writing on
behalf of TOS will be posted on this website once approved.
Following is the text of a recent article in a Chattanooga newspaper
about the development, as well as TVA's announcement of an upcoming
meeting (DECEMBER 13) on the proposal.
Charlie Muise,
TOS Conservation Policy Committee
TVA revisits sale of Shellmound site
11/30/2004
Chattanooga Times & Free Press, The
Flessner, Dave
JASPER, Tenn. ? TVA is considering selling 637 acres of land in the
Shellmound area of Marion County that eventually could be developed
into lakefront homes, an expanded marina and a golf course.
A public hearing will be held Dec. 13 at South Pittsburg High School
to receive input on the project. Tennessee Valley Authority officials
denied a similar project in the Shellmound area in 1999.
The proposal to buy the land has come from Thunder Enterprises, owned
by Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton.
Company President Brandon Born said the company is willing to give
TVA 832 acres of land it owns, including Cedar Mountain and Burns
Island, and to purchase the 637 acres from the federal utility.
"The properties we?re proposing to swap with TVA are significant from
archaeological and environmental standpoints," Mr. Born said. "It
will be a win, win, win proposal for TVA, the general public and
Thunder Enterprises." TVA acquired the land before building the
nearby Nickajack Dam in 1967. The agency will review the proposal and
must approve any land sale. If TVA decides to dispose of any
property, the agency will conduct a public auction, probably in 2005.
"One of the missions of TVA is to promote economic development and,
if this is a feasible option, we certainly want to explore it," TVA
spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said.
Swapping land for the new development site would preserve a
comparable amount of land for wildlife and natural habitat in the
area, Mr. Born said. But the leader of one environmental group is
still wary about the new development. "It is a great concern any time
that TVA is looking to sell off public lands for private
development," said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern
Alliance for Clean Energy. "Little Cedar Mountain has tremendous
cultural and environmental significance, and we are skeptical about
turning over this great public treasure for private development."
Marion County Mayor Howell Moss said the project could be a boon for
the economy. "It would be a tremendous asset to Marion County," Mr.
Moss said. "We?ve always felt that way. We?d encourage it very
deeply." In 1999, TVA blocked a proposal from Hines Interest LP, a
Houston development firm, to buy 740 acres. Hines wanted to build a
$100 million resort complex alongside Interstate 24 in Marion County,
including 500 homes and cabins, a 120-room resort lodge, a 300-slip
marina and an 18-hole golf course.
TVA nixed those plans after studying them for almost two years and
following vocal opposition from hunters, environ- mentalists and
American Indian groups. TVA also rejected development proposals at
Tellico and in Meigs County.
Earlier this year, TVA heard development proposals from Rhea and
Meigs counties. Those proposals included turning 1,400 acres of land
over to local governments for a mixed-use plan. Two years ago, TVA
directors voted 2-1 to open up a portion of the Tellico Reservoir for
a residential project.
Mr. Moss said the development would generate sales and property tax
revenue for the county, but he could not say how much. "I?ve seen
some figures but nothing that I could quote," he said. "The main
thing it would do for Marion County is bring very much needed jobs
and recreation opportunities, because quite frankly we?re not allowed
access to the lakes."
TVA will be adding comments about the development?s impact on the
environment to the 1996 impact study. The comment period will be open
until Dec. 31.
TVA Public Meeting
December 13, 5:00 ? 8:00 p.m., (CST)
South Pittsburg, Tennessee - South Pittsburg High School
TVA will hold an open house to receive public input on a request for
TVA to sell approximately 700 acres of TVA-managed land for a
mixed-use development, including public recreation, commercial
recreation, and residential development. Little Cedar, L.L.C. is
requesting TVA sell 700 acres of land and approve the mixed-use
development on Nickajack Reservoir off of Shellmound Road between
Interstate 24 and Nickajack Dam, in Marion County, Tennessee. TVA is
interested in receiving comments on the potential of the proposed
action (to sell the property and approve a mixed-use development) to
affect the environment and historic properties and in identifying any
other issues associated with this proposal. These comments will be
used in reaching a decision concerning the proposed action. All
written comments on this proposed action must be received on or
before December 31, 2004.
Contact: Chellye Campbell (256) 386-3518
=====
**************************************************
Charlie Muise, Naturalist near
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of cancer." -Edward Abbey
**************************************************
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