TVA
Public Workshops
on Reservoir Operations Alternatives
June 25, 2003
TVA will hold 12 community workshops during July and August to obtain public comments on eight policy alternatives developed as part of a comprehensive two-year study of operating policies for managing the Tennessee River system.
A draft Environmental Impact Statement containing the alternatives was developed with guidance from the public and federal, state, and local agencies. After obtaining comments on the alternatives, TVA will develop a final Environmental Impact Statement that identifies a preferred alternative.
The Reservoir Operations Study is being conducted to determine if changes in river system operating polices would produce greater overall public value. The current operating policies provide year-round navigation and flood-risk reduction; supply affordable and reliable electricity, recreation opportunities, an adequate supply of water, and improved water quality; and support sustainable economic growth.
“We have been working for more than a year defining the scope of the study, developing alternatives for operating the reservoir system, and analyzing data,” said David Nye, TVA’s project manager of the study. “We want to get comments from people on what they think of these alternatives and their implications to the many benefits the river system provides.”
The alternatives include a “base case” alternative and seven others with proposed operational changes that would alter the balance of benefits provided by the river system. Examples include holding summer levels longer to enhance recreation and providing greater depths in the river for commercial navigation.
The
draft Environmental Impact Statement is available
here and in local
libraries
across the Tennessee Valley.
Workshops are scheduled as follows:
- July 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Garden Plaza, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- July 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Knoxville, Tenn.
- July 24, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - The Centre, Bristol, Tenn.
- July 28, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Morristown Hamblen High School West, Morristown, Tenn.
- July 29, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Murphy, N.C.
- July 31, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. - North Georgia Technical College, Blairsville, Ga.
- Aug. 5, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Marriott Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Aug. 7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Decatur, Ala.
- Aug. 12, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m - Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville, Ky.
- Aug. 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Pickwick Landing State Park, Pickwick Dam, Tenn.
- Aug.19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Florence Conference Center, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
- Aug. 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - James M. Trotter Convention Center, Columbus, Miss.
People may submit comments on the study by filling out the comment form on the environmental impact statement page, using the computers available at a community workshop, talking with a court reporter at a workshop, or writing comments on a card and returning it to TVA. Comments also may be submitted by fax to TVA at 865-632-3146 or by writing to: ROS Project Manager David Nye, TVA, c/o WT 11A, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902.
TVA is the nation’s
largest public power producer, providing power to large industries
and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 million
consumers
in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River
and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood control,
navigation, water quality, and recreation. Its power system and natural
resource stewardship programs are self-financed.
Media Contacts:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
