TVA extends deadline for land-use comments

Anyone who missed the deadline to comment on a proposed Tennessee Valley Authority land management plan has another chance.

Residents have been asked whether they favor a plan that would do away with development of the shoreline that is under TVA's jurisdiction.

TVA has announced the comment period, which closed Nov. 3, is extended until Nov. 28. Comments can only be submitted by e-mail.

"We had some requests by elected officials to extend the comment period," said TVA spokesman Gil Francis.

Among the officials requesting an extension was U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala.

"I advocated for the extension of the public comment period to ensure that the residents in north Alabama and the entire Tennessee Valley have the opportunity to voice their concerns," Cramer said.

"Our economic development activities are critical to the future of the valley.

"It is important that the board carefully consider all perspectives and the potential benefits and consequences associated with this draft plan."

The land use policy TVA is considering would place the shoreline public lands off limits to residential and commercial development. Industries and marinas could be built on TVA land already designated for such uses.

The initial comment period garnered about 4,000 replies, Francis said. TVA continues to analyze the comments and has not released a breakdown on the number of comments in favor or against the proposal.

Environmental groups and many lake users urged TVA to adopt the proposal and preserve its public land, including Veterans Park in Florence.

Numerous elected officials and developers voiced opposition, contending it would stymie economic growth in the region.

Mayors of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia joined the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Shoals Economic Development Authority and other local leaders in sending a letter to TVA urging it to exempt Veterans Park from the proposed land use policy. A shopping complex, anchored by a Bass Pro Shops store, is being considered for the park that overlooks Wilson Dam.

In their letter to TVA, Shoals officials wrote "Veterans Park is part of a long-range economic development project with the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which would be adversely affected if this policy is adopted as now presented."

Shoals officials contend the park is part of TVA's Muscle Shoals Reservation and should be considered a power asset rather than shoreline property. Power assets are not included in the proposed land use policy.

Charles Rose, president of the Shoals Environmental Alliance, plans to take advantage of the extension to urge TVA board members to not exempt Veteran's Park from the management plan.

"If they give Florence an exemption, they are going to have cities and developers all up and down the Tennessee Valley requesting exemptions for other projects," he said.

TVA board members were scheduled to consider the proposal at their Nov. 30 meeting in Knoxville, Tenn. Francis said board members have not announced if the proposal will be considered then or delayed because of the extended comment period.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.