Tennessee Valley Authority
Land Management
TVA
is responsible for the management of 293,000 acres of public land and
11,000 miles of public shoreline in the Tennessee Valley. In carrying
out its land-management responsibilities, the corporation is guided by
its mandate to consider the effects of its activities in such areas as
land reclamation, public recreational use, economic development, and wildlife
preservation.
TVA Land Policy
TVA’s Land Policy was approved by the TVA Board of Directors on November 30, 2006. This policy governs how land is planned, including whether it is disposed of or retained. When the Board approved the new policy, they also directed staff to review TVA-managed land designated for recreation and economic development purposes to verify the suitability of the properties for this use. That review is now complete and comprehensive information is available.
Wildlife Habitat
More than 181,000 acres of TVA land have been set aside for natural resource management, including the enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Reclamation
Land reclamation has been a part of TVA’s activities since the agency’s founding in the 1930s, when the Tennessee Valley suffered severe soil erosion caused by unwise farming practices. TVA’s reclamation efforts, particularly in the Copper Basin, have earned national and international recognition.
Shorelines
In 1999, after extensive environmental review and public comment, TVA inaugurated its Shoreline Management Policy to improve the protection of shoreline and aquatic resources while continuing to allow reasonable public access to both.
Land Use
TVA encourages citizens to comment on proposals that involve any change in the use of the public lands under its management. When such a change is requested, whether by a governmental body or private citizen, TVA issues a land-use action notice seeking comments on the proposal.
For information on using TVA shoreline property or public land, or to get involved in TVA stewardship activities, contact a TVA Watershed Team member.