“The TVA plan to ‘pull the plug’ on water for events and increase river fees paid by outfitters may jeopardize the continued growth of river-based tourism in this area. They may kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”John Gangemi, American Whitewater Conservation Director

(Silver Spring, MD) – American Whitewater has announced it will host The 2001 Ocoee River Symposium: Economic Benefits of River Recreation on Friday, May 18, 2001 from 1-5 p.m. at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, Ducktown, Tennessee. The Symposium will take a hard look at the comparative benefits of water uses on the Ocoee River in light of changes recently announced by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA plans to increase fees imposed on commercial outfitters and end whitewater releases for events on the Upper Ocoee after 2001.

"The Middle Ocoee has become one of the most popular rivers in the country, hosting over a quarter of a million recreationists and a total of one million visitors each year," notes Carlo Smith, President of the Ocoee Outfitters Association, representing the business interests of commercial rafting companies. "Paddling on the Ocoee has become the economic backbone of the region: recreation on the Ocoee this year has created $20 million in revenue and 500 jobs." Recreation and tourism have revitalized the Southern Appalachians, contributing more than $5 billion to the economy each year and supporting more than 100,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Speakers at the symposium will include Frank Lewis, Director of the Ocoee Whitewater Center; and Steve Smith, from theTVA Regional Resources Stewardship Council. "These and other experts will provide their perspectives on hydropower operations, public land management issues, and the local economy," states John Gangemi, American Whitewater Conservation Director. “The TVA plan to ‘pull the plug’ on water for events and increase river fees paid by outfitters may jeopardize the continued growth of river-based tourism in this area. They may kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”

The Ocoee River Symposium will coincide with the 2001 Ocoee Whitewater Games, the landmark whitewater event that will for the first time combine the freestyle and downriver events of the 18th Ocoee Whitewater Rodeo with the US Slalom Team Trials. Six to eight thousand spectators are expected at the Games, held at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, the largest gathering there since the 1996 Olympics. The Whitewater Center was built to enhance recreational opportunities in the region and provide a venue for the 1996 Olympics. In September, the Ocoee will host athletes from thirty nations at the Slalom World Championships, held for the second time in the United States (the first in 1989 on the Savage River, MD).

A national membership organization founded in 1955, American Whitewater focuses on conserving and restoring whitewater resources, protecting public access to them and improving whitewater safety. It sponsors over 40 events each year, highlighting and promoting whitewater boating excellence.

"… an important part of our Ocoee Region emphasis, and will provide much valuable information on the needs of outfitters, stakeholders and recreational enthusiasts… The river and the value it creates is part of our common heritage, and should be shared by all."

Dear Congressman;

I would like to draw your attention to my concerns regarding the Tennessee Valley Authority.

For several years, the TVA has had an uneasy truce with recreational interests on the rivers which it dams for hydropower. At one point, Congress mediated a dispute on the Ocoee River, brokering a highly unusual plan that had river-related businesses paying for water releases, and several "free" releases for events, including the 1996 Olympics, and national and world kayaking championships. In the last few months, however, the TVA has informed the outfitters and private users that the fees these businesses must pay are going up considerably, and that there will be no "free" water for events.

Since when does the TVA "own" the rivers?

Perhaps more to the point, why does TVA which has a mandate to encourage the economic development of the region have the right to choke off an important segment of the local economy river-based tourism – by its refusal to share Ocoee river water?

In the110 days that water is released, whitewater recreation on the Middle Ocoee directly generates $20 million for the Ocoee Region. Direct dollars mean additional jobs, new business and greater community wealth, which is multiplied by at least a factor of five to total $100 million in direct and indirect dollars.

By contrast, the annual revenue from Ocoee No. 2 and No. 3 powerhouses combined is about $15.5 million. Power revenues are transferred outside the Ocoee River corridor, providing minimal local economic benefit. Compare that to the $20 million generated by commercial rafting on the Ocoee, which stays in the local river corridor and is multiplied.

Using TVA’s published rates, the cost to replace the foregone power is only $6650 for the 9-hour period of the release while rafting on the upper Ocoee brings in $210,000 in that same nine hours. So you can see that whitewater releases provide over 30 times more benefit for the local economy than power.

I understand the homeowners on Lake Blue Ridge are deeply concerned that whitewater releases will drop the lake levels. But the turbines at Ocoee #2 and #3 run 95% of the time now. As the hydropower system is configured, there can be either power generation or releases not both. Whitewater releases use the same amount of water as power generation, so the net effect on the lake is the same.

And of course, TVA’s ratepayers are concerned that they will pay more and that is true. But the additional amount comes to $ 0.0008 cents per release or $0.02 cents annually, assuming 20 days of whitewater releases in the Upper Ocoee (using figures derived from the USFS 1996 DEIS for the Upper Ocoee River Corridor Recreational Development).

If TVA were required to meet the same standards as privately-owned hydropower projects, these rivers would be shared among all users, and be able to meet their fullest potential, generating both power and tourist dollars.

Sincerely,