O
UR TOWN Section B
February 22, 2012
Tennessee Tradition Threatened
Covered shelters such as these not only provide protection from the elements, they also foster neighborly attitudes, community involvement and interaction among the campers, some of whom have held their spaces for as long as 20 years. “We are like family to each other,” said one. Continued from A1
“When violations and encroachments are identified, TVA staff work with affected stakeholders to resolve issues. Voluntary compliance is always the preferred method of resolution.” However, TVA officials do not seem interested in resolving any of these issues, nor negotiations, with regards to this mandate. This renewed interest in enforcement of decades-old laws that have been ignored for years has brought shock and dismay to the many people who have built on and improved their RVs and campers
on land that they were leasing from private marina companies and who had no idea that they were in violation of any statutes. Covered decks, porches and storage areas have been built to enhance their recreational homes, and they have been informed that they must tear everything down at their own expense. Questions are being raised about the lack of any sort of compromise between the TVA and those who have spent their lives enjoying the river, noting that they feel like the TVA has not made any effort to allow special permitting, considered grandfathering clauses, or of-
fered any financial compensation for their losses. Some of those affected have been located in the campground for over 20 years. The disputed structures mainly consist of roofs, porches and decks that have been built, not only to provide shelter from the elements, but also to foster community involvement and interaction. Although affected residents declined to be quoted for this article, emotions are running high and there was no dearth of comments as to the perceived inequities of this new enforcement policy. One resident, who preferred not to be
identified, made the following statement to The News Leader: “At a time when the economy is struggling, and people have made an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars to make a comfortable spot on the river, why TVA chooses to enforce a little known clause in their land management regulations is difficult to comprehend. Some people have had these meager structures on the river since at least 1992. In all these TWENTY years, TVA has not voiced any objection to them. IF the TVA has been going up and down the river every summer looking for violators of the regulations,
how is it that these structures that have been on the very bank of the river as much as TWENTY years, have just now been seen? Now for some reason, they are endeavoring to force individuals to tear down porches, decks and covers that they worked very hard to build, and in many cases put their savings into erecting. “It would seem that by neglecting to enforce a clause for TWENTY years would in some measure reduce the ablity of TVA agency to enforce it with impunity. “It is unconscionable that this can happen without a dialog with TVA regarding some compromise that will achieve the TVA goals, while not destroying the investments, plans and dreams of those who enjoy the Tennessee River. We would welcome direct discussions with TVA in this matter, but so far they have been mute. In the meantime, thousands of people from the Kentucky line to Pickwick are sad, hurt, and angry.” Many perceive this as a targeted enforcement of the area between Kentucky Lake and Pickwick Dam, and wonder aloud if there are plans for the river that have not yet been announced. Others think that the TVA cracking down on violators is a little like the pot calling the kettle black, referring to the TVA’s coal fly ash slurry spill at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Roane County, Tennessee on December 22, 2008. During that tragic event, an ash dike ruptured at an 84-acre solid waste containment area, releasing 1.1 billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry that traveled across the Emory River on to the opposite shore, covering up to 300 acres of the surrounding land, damaging homes and flowing up and down stream in nearby waterways. All resent the strong-arm tactics of the TVA that leave no room for rea-
sonable arguments. Another disquieting thought is the economical effect that the loss of these part-time residents will have on the county. Those affected point out that the entire time they are at the river they are eating at local restaurants, buying groceries and other items at local stores, and buying lumber, for the very same structures that are now in threat of being torn down, at local yards. One resident opines that he has spent at least $20,000 upgrading his campground, and pumps $3000 to $4000 into the local economy every year. If the TVA is successful in this endeavor, he wil be gone. So will many, if not most, of the other current residents, who are furious at this governmental intrusion into their lives. The TVA asserts that the increased emphasis on compliance is aimed at protecting the many public benefits provided by TVA-managed reservoir land. Private use of TVA-managed property, they say, can affect public access, and permit violations can interfere with management of the river system for a broad range of benefits, including navigation, flood damage reduction, and power supply. However, affected residents of the campground, most experienced with the Tennessee River, are quick to point out the many safety features of their structures, which are designed to withstand flooding conditions, especially in the spring. One resident pointed out the fact that their structure posed no more hazard to the river than a tree, adding, “Are they going to remove all the trees, too?” Some feel that a coalition of campground owners should be formed, perhaps with the support of local businesses, to pretect the interests of those who continue a Tennessee tradition.