Bellefonte Site Preparation Environmental Assessment

Jackson County, Alabama

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has published the draft environmental assessment (EA) for proposed site preparation and investigatory activities and gravel access road construction on an undeveloped 73-acre portion of the Bellefonte Reservation (site previously evaluated for BLN Units 3 and 4) in the evaluation of potential future development of an energy-generating facility.

Site preparation would include tree clearing, grubbing, and minor grading to ensure appropriate site drainage. Investigatory activities would include soil and core borings, monitoring wells, and test pits. Graveled access roads, parking lots, and/or laydown areas could also be developed. These activities would occur intermittently over approximately a five-year timeframe and together comprise the Proposed Action. These activities would provide information to help inform potential site suitability for future energy generation.

TVA is evaluating two alternatives, the No Action Alternative and Site Preparation and Investigation.

TVA will use this EA to support the decision-making process and to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared or whether a Finding of No Significant Impact may be issued.

Public Involvement

August 2026 – TVA published the draft EA. The public comment period was open from July 29, 2026, through August 14, 2026.

TVA will consider all comments received on the draft EA and incorporate them into the final EA, scheduled for release in autumn 2026.

Supporting Documents

Draft Environmental Assessment

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