Defoor Section 26a Approval for Fill Placement on Nickajack Reservoir

Hamilton County, Tennessee

On March 29, 2024, TVA issued a revised finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for a Section 26a application request from Ken Defoor on behalf of 600 River Street LLC to place 6,500 cubic yards of fill in the 100-year floodplain to develop a residential condominium community on approximately 2.4 acres in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Nickajack Reservoir.

The proposed fill placement would bring the first-floor elevation of the condominium community to one foot above the 100-year floodplain. The planned project is located on privately-owned property within TVA’s Section 26a jurisdiction. TVA’s action includes the approval under Section 26a of the TVA Act for the placement of fill and point repairs to an existing sea wall.

In 2008, TVA completed an environmental assessment, issued a FONSI and issued Section 26a approval to the applicant for the placement of approximately 3,800 cubic yards of fill within the 100-year floodplain. The applicant was unable to complete the project and the Section 26a permit expired. The applicant’s plans for the property has changed to increase in the quantity of fill from 3,800 cubic yards to 6,500 cubic yards within the same project footprint. TVA has performed additional analysis of potential impacts that could result due to the project modifications and is issuing this revised FONSI.

The project area is located along the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga on the north bank of the river at river mile 464.5. The project area is adjacent to Riviera Villas Apartments to the west and the Veterans Memorial bridge and Girls Preparatory School campus are to the east. The planned project is on land previously occupied by Fehn’s Restaurant.