TVA Land Policy To Be Discussed at Public Meeting in Knoxville
August 8, 2006
The TVA Board of Directors’ Community Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing Aug. 16 in Knoxville, Tenn., to hear viewpoints on TVA land policy from a variety of stakeholders.
The hearing will be held in conjunction with the Regional Resource Stewardship Council meeting. The council, created to advise TVA on its natural resources stewardship responsibilities, is scheduled to meet Aug.16-17 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The council will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16; and from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17.
The Community Relations Committee will convene three panels of stakeholders for the hearing, which is scheduled to begin shortly after the council convenes Aug. 16. Panel members will be pre-selected and will represent a broad range of viewpoints -- ranging from development to conservation -- on appropriate uses for TVA’s public land. One panel will consist of representatives from federal and state agencies and will provide information on their land-management policies.
“The Community Relations Committee wants to hear our stakeholders’ viewpoints on TVA’s responsibilities for the stewardship of public land before making any recommendations to the full TVA Board,” said TVA Executive Vice President Kate Jackson. “The hearing and council meeting provide an opportunity for Board members on the committee to hear comments from the public and to interact with members of the council on issues regarding TVA-managed land. The council has previously worked through some land policy issues, and the Board wants to take advantage of those deliberations.”
The hearing and council meeting are open to the public, and a public comment period will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, following testimony by the panelists. Anyone who wants to make comments at the meeting should register at the door by 1:30 p.m.
Speaking opportunities will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Comments should be brief to allow as many people to speak as possible. Written comments also may be submitted to the council. For those who wish to make comments but not speak publicly, a court reporter will be available at the meeting.
Additional comments on land policy issues may be submitted until Aug. 23. Comments may also be submitted in writing the day of the meeting or until Aug. 23 by email to landpolicyhearing@tva.gov, by mail to the TVA Board Community Relations Committee, Land Policy Hearing, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902-1499, by phone to 1-888-882-7675 or by fax to (865) 632-3146. For more information, call the council records officer at (865) 632-2333.
On Thursday, Aug. 17, the council will review its previous advice to TVA on land policy, confirm or revise that advice and hear updates on stewardship issues.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed with revenues of $7.8 billion in 2005. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
