Request by Knox County for Deed Modification
Draft Environmental Assessment

Request for deed modification affecting 37.8 acres on Tennessee Valley Authority Tract numbers XTFL-79, XTFL-80, and XTFL-86 (Wright and Keller Bluffs)

TVA proposes to modify the deed on three tracts of Knox County-owned property. These three properties are identified by TVA as Tract Numbers XTFL-79, XTFL-80, and XTFL-86 and are located in Knox County, Tennessee, on the north shore of Fort Loudoun Reservoir.

The three tracts of land totaling 37.8 acres are on the Tennessee River between Tennessee River miles 623 and 634 on the northern shore. They were among five tracts purchased by TVA as part of the original project to establish Fort Loudoun Reservoir in the early 1940s. They were originally designated as protection areas for principal scenic features of this reservoir and public access.

TVA transferred the properties above the 820 mean sea level (msl) contour elevation in 1952 under Section 4(k)(a) of the TVA Act. Consistent with Section 4(k)(a), the Deed of Transfer specifies that Knox County must use the property for public recreation purposes for the benefit of all members of the public.

Knox County proposes to sell the three tracts of public recreation land and use the proceeds to offset acquisition costs on 58 acres purchased by the county in November 2001 for the Seven Islands Nature Preserve project on the French Broad River in Knox County. Potential buyers desire to use the three tracts for residential use, which would require a deed modification from TVA.

Knox County has requested that TVA modify the deeds of the Fort Loudoun tracts to remove the public recreation use restrictions. A deed modification would allow Knox County to sell the tracts above the 820-msl contour elevation to private individuals. Knox County has evaluated the public impacts and benefits of this proposed action and determined that it would have substantial benefits for the public.

Two action alternatives have been developed that provide for deed modification of the three tracts. The two alternatives differ mainly in the amount of scenic protection they provide for the two undisturbed bluff sites.

Documents

The entire draft environmental assessment can be viewed here:

Knox County Deed Modification (PDF file, 1.4 mb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader):

For further information, or if you would like to receive a printed copy, please contact:

Helen Rucker
TVA, 400 West Summit Hill Dr. WT 8C
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-632-6506
E-mail: hgrucker@tva.gov