Tennessee Valley Authority
Section 26a of the TVA Act
How to Apply
This page outlines the steps you need to take to apply for a construction permit for projects on TVA land, on the shoreline of TVA reservoirs, or in the Tennessee river or its tributaries.
1. Check the construction standards
View information on construction standards applicable to your project.
2. Determine the type of project you’re undertaking.
You’ll need to make a drawing of your project to be submitted with the application form. View lists of sample drawings at one of the following pages:
Minor Construction Projects. These include boat docks, piers, boathouses, fences, steps, shoreline-based shelters, and others.
Major Construction Projects. These include commercial marinas, community docks, barge terminals and mooring cells, utility crossings, bridges, culverts, roads, wastewater discharges, water intakes and sewage outfalls, dredging, placement of fill, and others.
You may copy any of these sample designs and add your specific project dimensions, develop you own drawings, or use professional engineered drawings for more complex projects.
3. Fill out the application form
This is a two-page form. You may fill out either the Microsoft Word electronic version or the PDF version.
• For the electronic version, type in the information online, then print out the completed form, and sign and date it.
Electronic form (.doc, 100 kb, requires Microsoft Word)
• For the PDF version, first print the form, then fill it out in ink, and sign and date it.
PDF form (.pdf, 28 kb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
The application should include a project description that indicates what is to be built, removed, or modified, and the sequence of the work.
4. Identify the geographic location of your project
Provide a map that clearly shows the location of the proposed facility. An 8.5- by 11-inch copy of one of the following is ideal: a TVA land map (D Stage land map available from TVA), a subdivision map, or a portion of a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map. Be sure to include your subdivision name and lot number if applicable. Also include the map number or name, if available. Recent photos of the location are also helpful. See a list of TVA reservoirs and a Tennessee Valley map providing information on which Watershed Team serves your reservoir or watershed area. Contact the appropriate Watershed Team for more assistance or if you have questions about the location of your project.
5. Include the correct fee
See the table of fees below.
6. Submit the applicant’s package
The applicant’s package includes the project description and drawing, two-page application form, and fee. Applications must be sent to the appropriate Watershed Team office.
What happens after you submit your application?
Once your application is received, we will review it to make sure it is complete and that the correct fee is included. You will be contacted if additional information is needed. TVA staff will visit the project site as part of the review process. On most minor projects that meet construction guidelines, approval will be received within 45 days. On major projects where modifications are not required, approvals will be received within 90 days. Some projects that are complex or involve substantial environmental or engineering issues may require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. On these projects, TVA will meet with applicants to determine schedule and costs of project review.
TVA Permitting Fees
Standard Applications
The fee schedule for standard applications is based on an analysis of TVA’s costs for processing applications. These costs include site investigations, record searches, analysis for conformance to TVA requirements, environmental review, permit preparation, and related activities. Paying the fee does not guarantee approval of the permit, and the fee will not be refunded if the application is not approved.
| For activities on TVA reservoirs or regulated streams |
Initial Fee |
|---|---|
Applications for transfer of ownership of existing permitted facility |
$200 |
Applications from property owners for docks, boathouses, bank stabilization, or other related minor shoreline alterations |
$200 |
Applications from local, state, or federal agencies for permits to construct, change, or operate major public facilities. |
$500 |
Applications from property owners, commercial businesses, or industries for permits to construct or operate marinas, barge terminals, community facilities, or bridges, or for other major shoreline alterations. |
$1,000 |
For activities not on TVA reservoirs or regulated streams |
Initial Fee |
All applications for construction activities on the Tennessee River or its tributaries not located on a reservoir. |
$100 |
A single permit application may include more than one request for alterations, modifications, or changes at the same location for a single fee. If another application is made for additional activities or to modify previous permits, a separate fee will be charged for each new application.
Non-Standard Applications
If processing costs are expected to exceed the standard fees identified above, TVA will notify the applicant in writing that full-cost recovery will be required. The applicant will be required to sign an agreement before work begins. Work will cease if TVA invoices are not promptly paid.
Fees will cover the cost of detailed analyses such as special biological studies, archeological surveys, environmental assessments (EA), or environmental impact statements (EIS), which may be required in special circumstances such as when wetlands, cultural resources, or endangered species might be impacted by the proposal.
Additional fees may be assessed for processing after-the-fact permits for activities already conducted without a permit in violation of Federal regulations.
The following is general guidance for TVA full cost recovery fees and project duration. These figures are not exact or binding, but are provided to generally describe what may be encountered. Costs and schedule will be determined by the specific circumstances of each location and action. As with any project concerning unknowns, the fees and duration could escalate significantly depending on what is discovered during the review.
Non Standard Applications - Full Cost Recovery |
|
|
Typical Cost and |
|---|---|
Modifications to existing projects, new projects requiring limited additional special studies, or actions not covered by a U.S Army Corps of Engineers general permit, typically exceed the standard fee. |
$1000 to $3000 |
Projects requiring in-depth or additional review of at least one environmental or programmatic issue. Issues can include, but are not limited to: identification of historic or archeological resources, presence of wetlands, threatened or endangered species impacts requiring involvement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, TVA programmatic interests (for example transmission rights-of-way, navigation, and municipal water supply), or actions not covered by a U.S Army Corps of Engineers general permit. |
$5,000 to $10,000 |
Projects which require in-depth or additional review of multiple environmental or programmatic issues. An Environmental Assessment may be required. Issues can include, but are not limited to: investigation and documentation of historic or archeological resources, wetland impact mitigation studies, issues requiring seasonal field review (low water level, foliage emergence), formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service on threatened or endangered species, controversial actions, significant TVA programmatic interests, or actions not covered by a U.S Army Corps of Engineers general permit. |
Up to $15,000 |
Projects which require in-depth, detailed studies for multiple or significant environmental or programmatic issues. An Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Study may be required. Issues can include, but are not limited to: mitigation of impacts caused by the proposed action, impacts to historic or archeological resources, significant wetlands impacts, formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on significant threatened or endangered species impacts, significant TVA programmatic interests, or actions not covered by a U.S Army Corps of Engineers general permit. If proposed action is controversial, public meetings are likely and the applicant would be responsible for costs incurred. |
$25,000 or significantly more (12 to 36 months, potentially more) |
These figures reflect TVA’s review costs only. Fees from other service providers and state and federal agencies may also be required.
On/off reservoir definitions
On-reservoir activities include 26a permit requests in, across, or along TVA reservoirs and regulated rivers and streams in the Tennessee Valley. Regulated rivers and streams are rivers and streams located downstream of TVA dams and which are directly impacted by the operating of TVA dams. Off-reservoir activities include 26a permit requests on all other perennial rivers and streams in the Tennessee Valley watershed.
Additional fee information
Fees are based on an analysis of TVA’s costs for processing applications. These costs include site investigations, record searches, analysis for conformance to TVA requirements, environmental review, permit preparation, and related activities. Paying the fee does not guarantee approval of the permit. The fee will not be refunded if the application is not approved.
A single permit application may include more than one request for alterations, modifications, or changes at the same location for a single fee. If another application is made for additional activities or to modify previous permits, a separate fee will be charged for each new application.
TVA will recover the cost of detailed analyses such as special studies, cultural surveys, environmental assessments (EA), or environmental impact statements (EIS), which may be required in special circumstances (for example, when wetlands, cultural resources, or endangered species might be impacted by the proposal). If an EA or EIS is needed, TVA will provide a cost estimate to prepare the necessary documents. Additional costs may also be assessed for processing after-the-fact permits for activities in violation of Section 26a alterations.
Note: All applications are subject to site specific guidelines. Applying does not guarantee approval. Contact your local watershed team for further information and clarification.