For over a year now American Whitewater has been representing river recreationalists on the Public Review Group, whose task it was to help shape the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) massive Reservoir Operation Study (ROS) into a strong public study and final document. The ROS is attempting to determine the management of nearly 50 TVA dams in a study period of about 2 years. American Whitewater, and many of our members, filed scoping comments on the ROS process in October requesting, among other things, that the issue of recreational releases on the Upper Ocoee be settled through the ROS.
It is time once again to file comments on the ROS, this time on the Draft Environmental Assessment. This is the last time the public will be able to comment on the ROS, so now is the time to tell TVA what we want. While we were successful in having the Upper Ocoee dealt with in a side negotiation that is now ongoing and promising, the ROS still has the potential to change lake level policies upstream in a manner that could harm recreational releases on the Ocoee. TVA refused to directly address the Ocoee in the ROS, so we have little to gain and plenty to lose on that River.
TVA does have one alternative that addresses river recreation, alternative 7C. That alternative is incomplete, but a positive Alternative that should be supported for the benefits it provides to the Hiawassee and other Rivers. Please send TVA an email or letter in the coming weeks telling them how you want the Rivers in the TVA basin managed. Remember, they think of the ROS as a RESERVOIR Operation Study, not a RIVER Operation Study. Tell them to remember the Rivers and to remember that there are Tennessee Valley citizens that like to paddle.
You may want to simply send a SAMPLE LETTER.
You may want to read a DRAFT of our OFFICIAL AW COMMENTS and write your own.
You may want to file comments with the TVA SURVEY supporting Tailwater Recreation Alternative 7C with the caveats on that alternative found in the sample letter and our comments, while stating that you support other alternative so long as they do not negatively impact current or potential river recreation in any way.
You may want to attend a PUBLIC MEETING in the next couple weeks and provide written or oral comments.
You may want to read the DEIS itself.
Regardless, PLEASE let TVA know that you care about rivers and your ability to paddle them.
Use the TVA Survey or send Comments to:
E-mail: rostudy@tva.gov
David Nye
ROS Project Manager
TVA, c/o WT 11A
400 West Summit Hill Dr. Knoxville, TN 37902
THANKS!