ML18036A922

TVA-2011 - TN4998--TVA 2011 NRP-Complete

ML18036A922
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Site:	Clinch River
Issue date:	02/05/2018
From:	Tennessee Valley Authority
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Natural Resource Plan

Message from the CEO Those of us who live in the Tennessee Valley appreciate the remarkable and picturesque natural resources of our region. Yet, how often do we consider the value they bring to our everyday existence?

Public waterways and lands, which TVA is entrusted to manage, are vital to the quality of our lives. We all know water is essential for living, but it is also critical to generating the electricity that powers our homes, businesses and industries at a low cost.

In addition to the benefit of clean water, public shoreline and reservoir, river and stream access are central to many forms of recreation we enjoy in the Tennessee Valley, from boating and paddling to hiking and fishing. These activities, in turn, draw tourists whose recreation spending fuels local economies and creates jobs in large and small communities.

Industries are also attracted to the Tennessee Valley by the low-cost electricity, available land and access to a navigable river system. Companies can find the property, power and supplies they need to manufacture items to ship across the globe. This commerce occurs here, and employs tens of thousands of people here, in part because TVA properly manages the regions natural resources and public lands.

Just as TVA mapped out its future power generation in its recent Integrated Resource Plan, our agency has now developed a 20-year plan for natural resource management and ongoing stewardship activities.

The Natural Resource Plan creates a sound framework for balancing land use, human activity and conservation in order to achieve the greatest public benefit from our natural resources. It focuses on providing recreational opportunities; prompting economic growth; protecting sensitive cultural resources, habitat and wildlife species; and promoting water quality.

Because stewardship is a shared responsibility, the plan identifies new partnership opportunities, including continuing to work with distributors of TVA-generated power. The plan also creates avenues for greater public involvement such as volunteerism, and environmental education and outreach.

Natural resource management may not be the first thing on your mind while camping along Kentucky, Wilson, Chickamauga, Melton Hill or Fontana reservoirs, or floating down the Tennessee, Clinch, Hiwassee, Ocoee, Duck or Toccoa rivers. But every day TVA is focused on protecting and enhancing these waters and surrounding public lands.

TVA presents this Natural Resource Plan because our mission focuses on responsible stewardship, alongside clean and reliable energy and sustainable economic development. We hope this document helps you understand how all these TVA initiatives tie together for the betterment and enjoyment of life in the Tennessee Valley.

Tom Kilgore President and CEO Tennessee Valley Authority

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Readers Guide The Natural Resource Plan (NRP) offers a broad range of programs to be used during the implementation of TVAs natural resources road map over the next 20 years. This readers guide offers an overview of the NRPs structure, helping to provide clear direction to different areas of information within the document.

Executive Summary if a program within cultural resources management The executive summary is an abridged version will have residual benefits or consequences for a of the NRP, highlighting key goals of the plan, a program in another resource area (e.g., biological),

history of environmental stewardship spending, an this is specifically identified. The purpose is to define implementation outline with performance measures, these alignments at the program level, as compared and a discussion on benefits and risks. to the resource area level as identified in Chapter 2.

Chapter 1 - Introduction Scope: Refers to the applicable geographic area The introduction gives an overview of TVAs natural of this program. Examples include TVA reservoir resources management history, objectives and lands, the Tennessee River watershed, or all TVA programs. It also provides an overview of the NRP recreation areas.

including its scope, how it was developed, and a discussion of natural resource management benefits. TVA Span of Control: Refers to the degree of control TVA has over the resource(s) associated with the Chapter 2 - NRP Road Map for Success program. Examples include direct control (e.g., TVA The road map for success outlines the NRPs three- forest lands), partial control (TVA has some control phase implementation approach. It also discusses but often works in partnership or within a third-party funding the plan, what success will look like, and the agreement), and no control (e.g., enforcement of risks associated with not implementing the plan. water quality standards).

Chapters 3 Resource Area Chapters Current Activities: Outlines current activities Each resource area has a dedicated chapter that associated with the program. This level of effort presents TVAs strategy for how it will meet future matches Alternative A of the EIS.

stewardship responsibilities. These chapters include a brief history, a stated goal, expected outcomes and an NRP Activities: Provides a list of activities that implementation strategy for each resource area. This TVA will implement over the 20-year NRP span.

helps to present a high-level picture of current and Collectively, all of the NRP activities presented in future resource management efforts before getting into this document represent the preferred alternative the details of each related program. Each resource (Alternative D) in the environmental impact statement.

area program included in the preferred alternative is then presented according to the following structure:1 Expected Benefits: Outlines unique, program-specific benefits of implementing the above NRP Program Name activities. These supplement the overall natural Provides a brief description of the program, defining resources management benefits discussed in it in a broad overview rather than through specific Chapter 1 and offer a brief discussion of why TVA is activities. It also identifies (if applicable) how implementing each program.

programs align across resource areas. For instance, 1

Chapter 7 - Reservoir Lands Planning follows a different structure, given that the resource area is not programmatic in nature.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Table of Contents Executive Summary Chapter 3 - Biological Resources The Natural Resource Plan 3 3.1 Goal 58 History of Environmental 3.2 Benefits 58 Stewardship Spending 4 3.3 Implementation Strategy 58 Road Map for Success 5 Land Stewardship 59 Measures of Success 7 Habitat and Species Management 60 Benefits 7 Dispersed Recreation 61 Risks 8 Public Outreach and Awareness 62 Funding 8 3.4 Measures of Success 62 Resource Area Summaries 9 3.5 Resource Area Programs 63 3.5.1 Threatened and Endangered

Species Program 64 Chapter 1 - Introduction 3.5.2 Wetlands Management 66 3.5.3 TVA Sensitive Resources 1.1 Tennessee Valley Authority History 25 Data Management 68 1.2 Overview of TVAs Vision 3.5.4 Natural Areas Management 70 and Environmental Policy 26 3.5.5 Migratory Birds Management 71 1.3 Overview of the Natural Resource Plan 28 3.5.6 Grasslands and Agricultural 1.3.1 Resource Areas 29 Lands Management 72 1.3.2 Geographic Scope 30 3.5.7 Dewatering Projects Management 74 1.3.3 Out of Scope 31 3.5.8 Forest Resource Management 76 1.3.4 Stakeholders 31 3.5.9 Nonnative Invasive Plant Management 78 1.4 Development Process 35 3.5.10 Nuisance Animal Control 79 1.4.1 Determine the Scope of the NRP 35 3.5.11 Terrestrial Greenhouse Gas 1.4.2 Develop, Analyze, and Evaluate Sequestration Management 80

NRP Programs 36 3.5.12 Wildlife Habitat Council -

1.4.3 Release the Draft NRP and EIS Third-Party Certifications 81

for Public Comment 37 3.5.13 Wildlife Habitat Enhancement 1.4.4 Finalize and Issue the NRP 37 Partnerships 82 1.5 Past TVA Environmental Stewardship 3.5.14 Boundary Maintenance 83 Spending 37 3.5.15 Land Conditions Assessment 1.6 Benefits 38 and Land Stewardship Maintenance 84 1.6.1 Public and Economic Benefits 39 3.5.16 Conservation Planning 86 1.6.2 Ratepayer Benefits 39 3.5.17 Dispersed Recreation Management 87 3.5.18 Leave No Trace 88 3.5.19 Trails Management 89 Chapter 2 - NRP Road Map for Success 2.1 Implementation Strategy 43 2.1.1 Phase I: Years 1 to 3 43 2.1.2 Phase II: Years 4 to 5 46 2.1.3 Phase III: Years 6 to 20 48 2.2 Funding 48 2.3 Measures of Success 49 2.4 Risks 52

Chapter 4 - Cultural Resources Chapter 6 - Water Resources 4.1 Goal 93 6.1 Goal 138 4.2 Benefits 93 6.2 Benefits 138 4.3 Implementation Strategy 93 6.3 Implementation Strategy 139 Enforcement 94 Water Quality Management 140 Protection 95 Data Management 142 Data Management 96 Strategic Partnerships 143 Public Outreach and Awareness 97 Public Outreach and Awareness 144 4.4 Measures of Success 97 6.4 Measures of Success 144 4.5 Resource Area Programs 98 6.5 Resource Area Programs 145 4.5.1 Archaeological Monitoring and Protection 99 6.5.1 Aquatic Ecology Management 146 4.5.2 Archaeological Resources 6.5.2 Stream and Tailwater Monitoring Program 147

Protection Act 101 6.5.3 Climate Change Sentinel Monitoring 148 4.5.3 Native American Consultation 102 6.5.4 Strategic Partnership Planning 149 4.5.4 Native American Graves Protection 6.5.5 Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program 150

and Repatriation Act 103 6.5.6 Water Resource Outreach Campaign 151 4.5.5 National Historic Preservation 6.5.7 Reservoir Shoreline Stabilization/

Act Section 106 104 Riparian Management Program 152 4.5.6 Preservation Program 105 6.5.8 Nutrient Source - Watershed 4.5.7 Preserve America 106 Identification and Improvement Program 154 4.5.8 Archaeological Outreach 6.5.9 Northern Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi

(Thousand Eyes) 108 River Basin Nutrient Load 4.5.9 Corporate History Program 109 Reductions Program 156 Chapter 5 - Recreation Management Chapter 7 - Reservoir Lands Planning 5.1 Goal 114 5.2 Benefits 115 7.1 History of Reservoir Lands Planning 161 5.3 Implementation Strategy 115 7.2 Goal 164 Innovation 116 7.3 Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan 165 Enhancement/Expansion 117 Overview 165 Data Management 118 Planning Process 168 Public Outreach and Awareness 119 Benefits 169 5.4 Measures of Success 119 7.4 Implementation Strategy 170 5.5 Resource Area Programs 120 7.5 Measures of Success 170 5.5.1 Management of Campgrounds 7.6 Zone Definitions 171

on Dam or Power Plant Reservations 121 7.7 Current Land Zone 5.5.2 Management of Campgrounds off Allocations By Reservoir 175

Dam or Power Plant Reservations 122 5.5.3 Day-Use Areas on Dam Reservations 123 5.5.4 Day-Use Areas off Dam Reservations 124 Chapter 8 - Public Engagement 5.5.5 Stream Access Sites 125 5.5.6 Annual Tours 126 8.1 Goal 179 5.5.7 Recreation Information Management 127 8.2 Benefits 179 5.5.8 Boating Density Assessments 128 8.3 Implementation Strategy 180 5.5.9 Reservoir Lands Recreation Education and Communication 181

Inventory Management 129 Involvement 182 5.5.10 Recreation Design Principles 130 Partnerships 183 5.5.11 Recreation Planning, Assistance 8.4 Measures of Success 183

and Technical Support 131 8.5 Resource Area Programs 184 5.5.12 Tennessee Valley Camp-Right 8.5.1 Environmental Education 185

Campground Program 132 8.5.2 Volunteer Program 186 5.5.13 Dispersed Recreation Management 133 8.5.3 Foundation and Trust Fund 187 5.5.14 Trails Management 133 5.5.15 Leave No Trace 133 5.5.16 Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program 133 In Closing 189 Glossary and Acronyms 190

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n List of Figures Executive Summary Figure 0.1 Historical TVA essential stewardship activities spending 4 Figure 0.2 Overview of the NRP implementation strategy 5 Chapter 1 - Introduction Figure 1.1 Environmental Policy alignment with TVAs mission 26 Figure 1.2 IRP-NRP project deliverables framework 28 Figure 1.3 NRP resource areas and supporting objectives 29 Figure 1.4 NRP geographic scope 30 Figure 1.5 Natural resource planning process 35 Figure 1.6 Key inputs to the NRP decision-making process 36 Figure 1.7 Benefits of natural resources management 38 Chapter 2 - NRP Road Map for Success Figure 2.1 Overview of the NRP implementation strategy 42 Figure 2.2 NRP measures of success 50 Figure 2.3 Potential risks associated with not implementing resource management activities 53 Chapter 5 - Recreation Management Figure 5.1 Land conveyed by TVA for recreation management 113 Chapter 7 - Reservoir Lands Planning Figure 7.1 History of lands under TVA management 161 Figure 7.2 Summary of reservoir land management plans by planning methodology 163 Figure 7.3 Current zone allocations and Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan ranges 166 Chapter 8 - Public Engagement Figure 8.1 Resource area-specific public outreach programs 178

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y 1

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Executive Summary The Natural Resource Plan 3 History of Environmental Stewardship Spending 4 Road Map for Success 5 Measures of Success 7 Benefits 7 Risks 8 Funding 8 Resource Area Summaries 9 Biological Resources Summary 9 Cultural Resources Summary 11 Recreation Management Summary 13 Water Resources Management Summary 15 Reservoir Lands Planning Summary 17 Public Engagement Summary 19

2 In the 1930s, President Franklin D.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Roosevelt needed innovative solutions to lift the nation out of the depths of the Great Depression. TVA is considered one of his most innovative actions. Roosevelt envisioned TVA as an agency different from any other. He asked Congress to create a corporation clothed with the power of government but possessed of the flexibility and initiative of a private enterprise. On May 18, 1933, Congress passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act.

TVA was created to foster the economic and social well-being of the people of the Tennessee Valley, including the wise use and conservation of the regions natural resources. Below is an excerpt from a letter written by Arthur E. Morgan, the first chairman of the TVA board, to the agency on March 2, 1956, highlighting the importance of TVAs involvement in preserving and protecting the Valleys lands:

As the population of our country increases and as leisure time increases, the need for recreation space, and for bits of unspoiled nature to which people can go for refreshment of spirit, will continue to increase. Past generations have been so close to pioneering days that there has been lacking a sense of urgency in the preservation of fine bits of nature. It may be a generation or two more before the full importance of that need is recognized. I have felt that in the meantime the best we can do is to hold the fort, to keep our fine, unspoiled recreation areas in that condition until such an appreciation of them grows which will insure the necessary protection. For your help in this process of standing guard I am deeply grateful.

3 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y The Natural effort to meet the near- and long-term resource Resource Plan needs. As such, the NRP is designed to:

The NRP is an integral step in achieving

• Integrate the objectives of six resource the mission set forth in the TVA Act as well areas (biological, cultural, recreation, as fulfilling the responsibilities associated water, public engagement and reservoir with being a good steward of the lands and lands planning) resources that TVA manages. It is a living,

• Provide optimum public use benefit dynamic document that will be reviewed,

• Balance competing and sometimes revisited and updated at regular intervals, not to conflicting resource uses exceed five years. The NRP looks strategically at both renewable and nonrenewable resources, These competing interests, coupled with underscoring the importance of protecting todays environmental awareness and focus those resources that will be lost forever if they on preserving nonrenewable resources, are not actively protected or improved today. underscore the necessity for a consistent TVA is one piece of the solution and recognizes approach to the management of federal lands the need for a coordinated and collaborative and waters in the care of TVA.

4 History of Environmental with power revenues and other funds. The N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Stewardship Spending term essential stewardship activities was interpreted to include, and be limited to, those TVAs responsibility for stewardship of the types of stewardship activities for which TVA waters and public lands of the Tennessee was receiving appropriations at the time the Valley was established in the TVA Act of 1933. legislation was enacted. Such activities include From its inception and through most of the dam safety and maintenance, navigation, flood 1950s, TVA received federal appropriations to control, and NRP-related programs. At the fund its operations. In 1959, Congress passed time the law was passed, TVA was spending legislation that made the TVA power system approximately $79 million on these activities.

self-financing. However, TVA continued to receive appropriations for its stewardship Since 1999, TVA has continued to support programs to supplement funding from power these stewardship activities at comparable revenues and nonpower revenue sources levels, funding activities almost entirely from such as agricultural leases, timber sales, and the sale of electricity (see Figure 0.1). In 2010, recreation management and user fees. TVA spent approximately $65 million on essential stewardship programs and associated The Energy and Water Development Act capital improvement projects. Approximately of 1998 ended federal appropriations and $7 million to $8 million of this amount funded required TVA to fund nonpower programs programs that are evaluated in the NRP.

that constitute essential stewardship activities Essential Stewardship Activities Dollars in Millions Total Essential Stewardship NRP Programs 100 80 60 40 20 0

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Figure 0.1 Historical TVA essential stewardship activities spending

5 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Road Map for Success The NRP represents TVAs high-level strategy for managing its natural resources in the near and long term. Detailed implementation plans will be developed based on the NRP to drive specific implementation efforts. To guide its NRP-related stewardship efforts and provide a means for measuring results, TVA has developed a road map as a guide over the next three, five, and 20 years:

Phase I Phase II Phase III Establish a Foundation Implement Programs Continue to for Success While to Sustain, Maintain Enhance and Improve Maintaining and Improve Resource TVAs Stewardship Baseline Activities Conditions Efforts f i v e - y e a r NR P R e f r e s h c y c l e Keys to Success Keys to Success Keys to Success

• Maintain current efforts

• Evaluate NRP

• Refresh NRP on a five-to meet regulatory and implementation efforts year cycle legal requirements and refresh the plan

• Focus enhancement

• Expand data based on progress or expansion efforts management and information sharing

• Continue to address through building opportunities resource needs partnerships, corporate

• Gain a better through a systematic sponsorships, or other understanding of the implementation collaborative means resource base and approach

• Update reservoir land current conditions

• Establish or partner management plans on a

• Develop and maintain with a foundation and rotational or as-needed partnerships to support trust fund to support basis implementation efforts expansion of NRP

• Strengthen integration between resource areas programs during implementation

• Continue to strengthen

• Establish an NRP collaborative working assessment process environments and metrics to measure

• Finish updating results remaining reservoir

• Begin adapting reservoir land plans to single-use land plans to single- parcel allocation use parcel allocation methodology Figure 0.2 Overview of the NRP implementation strategy

6 best practices to sustain such levels of effort.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y This includes actively seeking opportunities Phase I: for collaborative working environments as Years 1 to 3 well as ways to better involve the general public in financial stewardship support and day-to-day management. Additionally, TVA will focus on completing its Comprehensive Initially, TVA will focus its efforts on establishing Valleywide Land Plan.

a foundation for stewardship success while maintaining a baseline level of effort that ensures legal and regulatory compliance. TVA will implement a boots on the ground data collection and lands assessment strategy to Phase III:

gain a better understanding of the condition Years 6 to 20 of resources under its care. This will inform future planning activities and support TVAs drive toward an integrated planning approach across resource areas as well as with its At this point, the NRP has gone through a regional and national partners. To support complete refresh cycle and has refocused these relationships, TVA will work to make its stewardship efforts as needed. TVA data available to partners, maintaining a will continue to enhance and improve its comprehensive natural resources database. stewardship efforts in an integrated manner In addition, TVA will create a monitoring and with its partners and the general public. The assessment process to track the progress made NRP is a living, breathing document and will by NRP programs and activities. Also, TVA will continue to evolve over its 20-year life span.

begin adapting reservoir land plans to a single-use allocation methodology.

Phase II:

Years 4 to 5 TVA will continue to implement NRP programs to sustain, maintain and improve resource conditions. This includes evaluating NRP stewardship efforts today as part of the first five-year refresh cycle. To begin with, TVA will define its approach to identifying and addressing resource needs in an integrated manner over the near- and long-term horizon.

As TVA advances its implementation activities, it will focus on establishing mechanisms or

7 Measures of Success to ensuring a high quality of life for residents N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y of the Tennessee Valley, the programs in the An integral component of the NRP is a NRP create a number of positive economic defined method by which TVA will measure impacts. The 80 recreational sites and and monitor progress throughout the 20-year approximately 293,000 acres of surrounding life cycle of the plan. While these success land and reservoirs operated and managed measures do not provide details of each by TVA attract millions of visitors each year to individual program, together they provide enjoy the regions natural and water resources.

metrics by which to measure the success These visitors create significant economic of the NRP as a whole. See Section 2.3 for stimulus for the surrounding communities.

addional detail.

Proper management of natural resources can also create significant benefits for ratepayers.

Benefits The NRP helps satisfy TVAs requirement for its essential stewardship responsibilities that come The Natural Resource Plan provides a number with managing the river. Control of the river of benefits to the public, to the resources that allows responsible management of the water TVA protects, and to the ratepayers. TVAs for thermal control of key generation assets work in natural resource management is a key and for hydro generation. Each of these helps piece of its integrated business model, and reduce power costs, resulting in low electricity this investment will help it sustain accessible rates for residents of the Tennessee Valley.

natural resources and recreational sites for the people of the Tennessee Valley in an efficient The NRP helps TVA to evaluate benefits at and effective manner. both a programmatic and Valleywide level, highlighting the advantages inherent in Access to and use of outdoor recreation has implementing a strong stewardship culture. As been shown to correlate to healthier lifestyles a whole, NRP-related programs are expected to and thus a higher quality of life. In addition provide a fourfold benefit for every dollar spent.

8 Risks

• Annual budgeting process N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

• Compliance funding If TVA does not effectively and efficiently

• Partnerships manage the resources entrusted to it,

• Sponsorships (e.g., corporate) it faces both near- and long-term risks,

• TVA base budget including not fully achieving the goals of the Environmental Policy or resource management In years when available resources from these accountabilities assigned to it by the TVA Act. sources are high, more dollars will be applied These risks can result in a broad range of to NRP programs. In years when available impacts. Examples include impacts to public resources from the sources above are limited, health and safety, economic development, less funding will be applied to NRP programs, quality of life, nonrenewable resources, and though never falling below meeting legal public perception of TVA. and regulatory compliance. As a result, TVA may need to reprioritize its spending in these While each program has its own unique years to ensure compliance obligations are risks, there are overarching concerns and met. This may result in stopping or reducing challenges associated with not implementing its commitment to some programs in order to the NRP (see Figure 2.3). For example, if enhance others. Actual funding levels for each TVA does not actively preserve or protect the year of the plan will be determined through regions resources, such as archaeological the annual budgeting process.

artifacts, there is a risk of losing them forever.

Additionally, partnerships are an essential component of TVAs implementation strategy.

Not seeking these relationships would jeopardize the ability to effectively and efficiently manage TVA lands.

TVA will work to mitigate risks with collaborative and comprehensive natural resources management efforts through the NRP.

Funding The estimated annual cost required to achieve the NRP measures of success is between

$19 million and $20 million.1 Funding for the remaining years of the plan will be dependent upon a number of factors, including:

• User fees

• Reallocation of essential stewardship funding

• Increased recreation agreements

• Increased application fees 1

Funding levels presented in the NRP are not inflation-adjusted and represent 2011 dollars.

9 Biological Resources Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Biological Resources Management? Benefits Biological Resources Management programs Within biological address two major elements: resources, TVA has structured its

• Human uses of the land, such as wildlife implementation habitat management, forestry, agriculture strategy based on the and dispersed recreation. Dispersed characteristics in the recreation includes activities such as hiking, table below.

bird-watching and bank fishing that do not require the support of man-made facilities Through management efforts in this resource

• Biological resources activities supporting area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

plant and animal species diversity and endangered species management, including

• Improved understanding of current land TVAs compliance with natural resource- and resource conditions to support future related laws, regulations and executive planning and data sharing efforts orders

• Increased protection and enhancement of biologically diverse habitats (e.g., threatened TVA manages biological resources while and endangered species) providing many types of recreational

• Successful outreach efforts creating opportunities for the public across approximately enhanced public awareness of the land 293,000 acres of reservoir land, approximately use impacts and potential for transport of 11,000 miles of shoreline, and about invasive or nonnative species and plants into 42,000 miles of tributary streams and rivers. habitats

• Promotion of environmentally sustainable Goal dispersed recreational use of TVA-managed TVA will manage biological resources under its lands care in a holistic, ecologically sound manner to

• Development of partnerships with other maintain biological diversity while supporting resource management agencies and multiple uses to meet stakeholder expectations. nongovernmental organizations to further resource management efforts in the region Characteristic Current NRP Land Stewardship Actively gather resource data to address and prioritize land Various, incomplete Central, maintenance and stewardship needs. databases comprehensive database Habitat and Species Management Develop and implement proactive methodologies to protect, Reactive Proactive manage and enhance biodiversity in the Tennessee Valley.

Dispersed Recreation Maximize public land use benefits by protecting, maintaining and Fragmented Coordinated expanding recreational and educational opportunities.

Public Outreach and Awareness Conduct proactive, integrated education efforts about the Independent Integrated importance of biological resources and their effect on quality of life.

10 Program Description N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Threatened and Complies with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, under which TVA is Endangered Species required to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning the effect of Program its actions on threatened and endangered species designated by the service.

Wetland Management Implements a proactive approach to identify, manage and protect TVA-managed wetlands.

Sensitive Resources Manages TVAs biological databases, which contain an ecological inventory of rare Data Management plants, animals, natural communities, natural areas, and other sensitive natural resource features, to ensure information is current.

Natural Areas Manages TVAs natural areas, which are ecologically significant sites, lands set Management aside for specific natural resource management objectives, and lands that contain sensitive biological, cultural or scenic resources.

Migratory Birds Develops and implements migratory bird management plans, and increases Management involvement in regional working groups.

Grasslands and Increases habitat diversity across the TVA landscape through management of Agricultural Lands agricultural licenses and partnerships with state and other federal agencies and Management nongovernmental organizations.

Dewatering Projects Operates nine dewatering projects on Kentucky and Wheeler reservoirs either Management alone or in partnership with state and other federal agencies.

Forest Resource Manages the mature forest cover on TVAs public lands for watershed protection Management benefits.

Nonnative Invasive Manages the effects of nonnative invasive plant infestation under and beside forest Plant Management canopies, small forest openings, open and early successional habitat lands, and sensitive resource areas and habitats.

Nuisance Animal Manages the effects of nuisance animals on TVA lands, facilities and recreational Control users. These efforts hope to protect public health and safety (e.g., feral hogs), TVA assets (e.g., bird impacts to power lines and transformers), and adjacent private property (e.g., flooding caused by beavers) from damage.

Terrestrial Greenhouse Focuses on continuing TVAs participation in research projects and third-party Gas Sequestration consortiums on terrestrial carbon sequestration, which is the storage of carbon in Management the biomass created by perennial vegetation such as root systems and tree trunks.

Wildlife Habitat Process to apply for a third-party certification of projects that enhance wildlife Council - Third-Party habitats on TVA properties and manages the already certified projects.

Certifications Wildlife Habitat Focuses on collaborating with state and other federal agencies, individuals, and Enhancement nongovernment organizations to improve habitats and increase wildlife-oriented Partnerships recreational opportunities on TVA-managed lands.

Boundary Maintenance Establishes and maintains TVAs reservoir property boundaries to assist in the identification and reduction of encroachments from adjacent landowners and to enhance protection of natural and cultural resources through clear markings and signage.

Land Condition Describes two types of assessments of land conditions: comprehensive land Assessment and conditions assessment and rapid land conditions assessment (see Chapter 9 -

Land Stewardship Reservoir Lands Planning). These processes provide a prioritized list of tasks to Maintenance address land maintenance needs that are identified.

Conservation Planning Supports collaborative natural resource planning initiatives throughout the southeastern U.S.

Dispersed Recreation Provides an approach toward managing and enhancing all of TVAs informal Management recreation sites. Informal recreation refers to lands available for public use (e.g., hiking, camping, bank fishing, bird-watching) that are not supported by formal recreation facilities.

Leave No Trace Educates outdoor enthusiasts regarding the effects of dispersed recreation activities on the environment and helps them reduce those impacts.

Trails Management Provides a systematic inventory and maintenance plan to manage over 100 miles of existing trails located on TVA-managed lands.

For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

11 Cultural Resources Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Cultural Resources Management? Benefits Cultural Resources Management programs Within cultural address two major elements: resources, TVA has structured its

• Compliance with federal legislation on implementation culturally and historically significant sites strategy based on the

• Partnerships and public education to foster characteristics in the awareness and preservation of cultural and table below.

historical resources Through management efforts in this resource To date, TVA has documented an estimated area, TVA expects to realize the following 11,500 archaeological sites on or adjacent to its benefits:

reservoir and power properties. Approximately 5,320 historic structures have been identified on

• Effective and sustained protection of or near TVA-managed public lands. Of these, sensitive, nonrenewable cultural resources 85 historic structures are listed on the National and their archaeological context under TVAs Register of Historic Places, and about 235 are management considered either eligible or potentially eligible for

• Improved relationships with stakeholders that listing. In addition, nine registered historic districts attach cultural value to TVA-managed lands exist on TVA-managed lands.

• Identification and management of historic properties pursuant to Section 110 of the Goal National Historic Preservation Act in a TVA will meet its stewardship responsibilities in manner that benefits both the resource and the Tennessee Valley region through the sound the public protection of cultural resources.

• Increased education and awareness of the importance of protecting cultural resources through public outreach efforts

• Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations concerning cultural resources Characteristic Current NRP Enforcement Support enforcement efforts to protect the cultural resources found Limited Expanded on TVA-managed lands.

Protection Monitor and protect archaeological resources to prevent looting and Responsive Proactive shoreline erosion.

Data Management Compile and maintain accurate and up-to-date data on cultural Minimal, Enhanced, resources. fragmented collaborative Public Outreach and Awareness Conduct proactive, integrated education efforts about the Reactive, Targeted, importance of cultural resources and their effect on quality of life. independent integrated

12 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Program Description Archaeological Confirms that TVA is protecting the archaeological resources located on the lands Monitoring and it manages, pursuant to Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Protection the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

Archaeological Manages the preservation and protection of archeological resources and sites on Resources Protection TVA lands in accordance with the law.

Act Native American Involves consultations with federally recognized tribes to meet the objectives of Consultation the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Executive Order 13007, Executive Order 13175, the 1994 executive memorandum regarding government-to-government relationships with tribal governments, and the 2009 presidential memorandum regarding tribal consultation.

Native American Confirms that the requirements of the Act are being met. This provides for the Graves Protection and protection of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects Repatriation Act and objects vital to Native American cultural identity.

National Historic Manages compliance with the requirements of Section 106 of the law, under Preservation Act which TVA must consider the effect of its actions on historic properties and allow Section 106 the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment on the action.

Preservation Program Manages historic properties under TVAs purview in accordance with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Preserve America Develops a plan for the potential use of historic properties suitable for heritage tourism, improves TVAs knowledge about historic resources under its care and improves its leadership in preserving these resources.

Archaeological Increases public awareness of the need to protect archaeological sites located on Outreach (Thousand public lands.

Eyes)

Corporate History Maintains a record of TVAs rich history and provides educational and outreach Program opportunities to promote TVAs historical significance to the region, nation and world.

For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

13 Recreation Management Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Recreation Management? Through management Recreation management encompasses operating efforts in this resource TVA-run campgrounds and day-use areas as area, TVA expects to well as conducting recreation assessments, realize the following designing recreation improvement programs, and benefits:

developing visitor guidelines.

• Increased From its beginning, TVA has encouraged the recreation development of a wide variety of outdoor opportunities on recreation facilities and opportunities in the TVA-managed lands Tennessee Valley. Throughout the years, TVA has

• Improved and up-to-date recreation allocated approximately 21,200 acres of reservoir information to support TVA and regional lands for developed recreational purposes, planning efforts particularly on TVA reservoirs and shorelines.

• Greater diversity of recreation opportunities through collaboration and partnerships Goal

• Promotion of sustainable resource TVA will protect and conserve natural resources technologies on recreation properties (e.g.,

while providing recreation opportunities across Melton Hill campground site) the region.

• Integrated operation activities and partnerships that support outdoor recreation Benefits opportunities to more effectively manage Within recreation management, TVA has lands and waters under TVAs stewardship structured its implementation strategy based on the characteristics in the table below.

Characteristic Current NRP Innovation Evolve recreation areas to meet best management practices and Standard facilities Demonstration sustainable technologies. facilities Enhancement/Expansion Seek improvement and growth in recreation opportunities. Maintenance Improvement focused focused Data Management Compile and maintain accurate and up-to-date data on Various, Comprehensive recreation areas. incomplete Public Outreach and Awareness Conduct proactive, integrated education efforts about the Ambiguous Interactive tools importance of recreation and its effect on quality of life. information

14 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Program Description Management of Oversees TVAs eight campgrounds located on dam or power plant reservations Campgrounds on in Alabama and Tennessee, making approximately 460 campsites available to the Dam or Power Plant public.

Reservations Management of Oversees TVAs four campgrounds located on other reservoir properties in Alabama Campgrounds off and Tennessee, making approximately 215 campsites available to the public.

Dam and Power Plant Reservations Day-Use Areas - on Manages TVAs day-use areas (various types of recreational facilities available to Dam Reservations the public free of charge; amenities typically include picnic sites, pavilions, fishing piers, restrooms and trails) on dam reservations.

Day-Use Areas - off Manages TVAs day-use areas that are located off dam reservations.

Dam Reservations Stream Access Sites Administers TVAs stream access sites (typically consists of a parking area, picnic area, and developed access to the stream) and supports blueways (water paths or trails developed with launch points or camping locations) partnerships.

Annual Tours Leads annual media and technology transfer tours to showcase TVAs technology integration and efforts to promote sustainability at recreation areas.

Recreation Information Directs onsite (e.g., signage) and offsite (e.g., Internet-based) recreation Management information. This is used for impact analyses associated with environmental reviews of TVA actions, to perform recreation demand analyses, and to provide information to partners and stakeholders.

Boating Density Conducts boating density impact analysis for TVA projects or proposals requiring Assessments TVAs approval.

Reservoir Lands Creates and maintains an up-to-date, easily accessible database on recreation Recreation Inventory facilities and services, both TVA and non-TVA, available on TVA-managed Management reservoirs, along with stakeholder and user input concerning TVAs recreation areas and facilities.

Recreation Design Implements standard construction designs and products that promote compliance Principles with the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, principles of universal design, or other accredited design standards, as appropriate.

Recreation Planning, Provides planning and technical services to third parties for new or existing Assistance and parks, recreational programs, and other reservoir-oriented facilities on a fee or Technical Support sponsorship basis.

Tennessee Valley Promotes sustainable campgrounds that provide safe, high-quality camping Camp-Right experiences through campground certification programs; modeled after the Campground Program Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program.

For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

15 Water Resources Management Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Water Resources Management? Benefits Water Resources Management is focused on Within water supporting collaborative efforts to improve the resources, TVA quality of the Tennessee Valley regions streams, has structured its rivers and reservoirs. implementation strategy based on the The Tennessee River watershed encompasses characteristics in the parts of seven states in the Southeast totaling table below.

40,000 square miles and 11,000 miles of shoreline. TVA operates the Tennessee River Through management efforts in this resource and its tributaries as an integrated system to area, TVA expects to realize the following provide a wide range of public benefits, such as benefits:

year-round navigation, flood-damage reduction, affordable electricity, improved water quality,

• Improved protection and enhancement of water supply, land use, and recreation. aquatic habitats and biological communities

• Greater public awareness of land use Goal impacts and the potential for invasive TVA will promote water quality and aquatic species (e.g., foreign species transported habitat improvements across the Tennessee River into habitats) watershed through collaborative partnerships

• Expanded collaborative efforts (funding and by providing water quality data and technical resources) to better evaluate and protect support to conduct water resource stewardship exceptional biodiversity within the Tennessee efforts within the watershed, including TVA- River watershed managed lands and facilities.

• A more comprehensive understanding of stream, reservoir and tailwater conditions to help inform future water resource initiatives

• Increased participation in meeting the objectives of the Clean Water Act Characteristic Current NRP Water Quality Improvement Proactively identify and address sources of water contamination and Responsive, local Prioritized, actively protect healthy waters. regional Data Management Collect and share water resource data to provide a comprehensive Independent Collaborative view of conditions in the Tennessee River system.

Strategic Partnerships Develop relationships with regional, state and other federal agencies Minimal, as Expanded, to support stewardship opportunities and produce measurable available proactive water quality improvement.

Public Outreach and Awareness Conduct proactive, integrated education efforts about the Internal, water External/

importance of water resources and their effect on quality of life. resource focused internal, integrated

16 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Program Description Aquatic Ecology Focuses on the enhancement of aquatic biological communities in TVA streams, Management reservoirs and tailwaters.

Stream and Tailwater Monitors streams and tailwaters to evaluate biological conditions and diversity that Monitoring reflect watershed conditions.

Climate Change Focuses on collecting biological, chemical and physical data in each of the five Sentinel Monitoring predominant eco-regions in the Tennessee Valley.

Strategic Partnership Focuses on building strong partnerships with state and other federal agencies, Planning and with regional nongovernmental organizations, to address stewardship issues of mutual importance and drive measurable improvement of health of the regions waters.

Tennessee Valley Clean Promotes environmentally responsible marina and boating practices and will Marina Program directly link to recreation and to TVAs permitting authority under Section 26(a) of the TVA Act.

Water Resource Increases public awareness and involvement through the promotion of water Outreach Campaign resource protection and improvement best practices.

Reservoir Shoreline Helps control critical shoreline erosion, including protecting significant cultural and Stabilization / Riparian other sensitive resources, maintaining or improving water quality, and enhancing Management aquatic and wildlife habitat.

Nutrient Source - Establishes goals or targets to reduce nutrients (phosphorus), sediment or both in Watershed Identification TVA-managed reservoirs.

and Improvement Northern Gulf of Conducts modeling projects to determine what nitrogen source-load reduction Mexico/Mississippi opportunities exist in the lower Tennessee River basin.

River Basin Nutrient Load Reductions For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

17 Reservoir Lands Planning Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Reservoir Lands Planning? Goal As a steward of critically important natural TVA will strive resources across the Tennessee Valley, TVA has a to continue to duty to manage its lands in a sustainable manner balance shoreline for present and future generations. Reservoir development, lands planning guides TVA management recreational use, decisions on natural resources and property sensitive and administration. TVAs Land Policy, approved natural resource by the board in 2006, governs the planning, management, retention and disposal of land under TVAs industrial use and other land uses in a way that stewardship. maintains the quality of life and other important values across the region.

TVAs integrated resource management approach focuses on balancing flood control, navigation, Benefits power generation, water quality, recreation and As part of the NRP, the methodology for reservoir other land use needs. Lands planning is an lands planning will transition from reservoir-specific integral part of meeting TVAs objectives. plans to a Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan (CVLP). The CVLP examines resource demands and trends holistically to establish an allocation range for each land use zone (see below).

Allocation Designation Current Allocation CVLP Range Zone 2 Project Operations 7% 5% - 7%

Zone 3 Sensitive Resource Management 17% 16% - 18%

Zone 4 Natural Resource Conservation 61% 58% - 65%

Zone 5 Industrial 2% 1% - 2%

Zone 6 Developed Recreation 8% 8% - 10%

Zone 7 Shoreline Access 5% 5%

18 Benefits public lands to balance stewardship N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Within reservoir lands planning, TVA has objectives, resource and public needs, and structured its implementation strategy based on TVA obligations the characteristics below.

• Establish target ranges for allocations to each land use zone By selecting the Comprehensive Valleywide Land

• Increase flexibility and clarity in the lands Plan, TVA will: planning process

• Create a balance between competing and

• Provide a systematic method for planning sometimes conflicting land uses Characteristic Current NRP Planning Approach Define approach for future evaluation and planning of Responsive, local Prioritized, TVA reservoirs. regional Methodology Establish methodology to classify parcels or tracks within Independent Collaborative TVA reservoirs.

Zone Definitions Define appropriate use of TVA-managed lands. Minimal, as Expanded, available proactive Planning Cycles Determine frequency by which land plans are developed, Internal, water External/

reviewed and updated. resource focused internal, integrated For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

19 Public Engagement Summary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y What Is Public Engagement? Benefits TVA has been charged with managing its natural Within public resources in an integrated manner to ensure engagement, TVA the protection, enhancement and conservation has structured its of these resources for future generations to implementation enjoy. TVA is developing overarching public strategy based on the engagement programs to increase public characteristics in the awareness and promote opportunities for table below.

volunteer involvement, environmental education, financial/resource assistance and collaborative Through management efforts in this resource partnerships. area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

Goal TVA will actively develop and evolve public

• Increased public awareness and appreciation engagement programs to increase public of the natural resources of the Tennessee awareness, education and involvement Valley region through an integrated education opportunities (e.g., volunteers) in support of and communication effort across all resource implementing NRP programs in an integrated areas manner with external stakeholders.

• Greater public understanding of the value and benefits associated with the protection of natural resources

• Increased sense of public ownership and pride in the management of the regions natural resources Characteristic Current NRP Education and Communication Create awareness and understanding of the importance and Independent, by Integrated availability of natural resources throughout the Tennessee Valley. resource area Involvement Create opportunities for public involvement in natural resources Independent, by Integrated management. resource area Partnerships Develop and maintain strategic relationships with state and other Independent, by Integrated federal agencies, nongovernment organizations, distributors of TVA resource area power, foundations, businesses and academia.

20 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - e x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Program Description Environmental Establishes opportunities to share natural and cultural resource information with a Education Program variety of audiences, such as school groups, civic groups and other organizations, elected officials, business leaders, and the general public.

Volunteer Program Enhances TVAs resource stewardship capabilities by tapping into the strengths of the TVA community and providing opportunities for the public to assist in resource protection, improvement and enhancement.

Foundation and Trust Builds strong partnerships with regional and local stakeholders and organizations, Fund Management as well as with corporations with ties to or interest in the Tennessee Valley that are looking for opportunities to have a positive environmental impact in the region For more information, please visit www.tva.gov/nrp

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y 21 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n 22 23 C h a pt e r 1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Introduction 1.1 Tennessee Valley Authority History 25 1.2 Overview of TVAs Vision and Environmental Policy 26 1.3 Overview of the Natural Resource Plan 28 1.3.1 Resource Areas 29 1.3.2 Geographic Scope 30 1.3.3 Out of Scope 31 1.3.4 Stakeholders 31 1.4 Development Process 35 1.4.1 Determine the Scope of the NRP 35 1.4.2 Develop, Analyze and Evaluate NRP Programs 36 1.4.3 Release the Draft NRP and EIS

for Public Comment 37 1.4.4 Finalize and Issue the NRP 37 1.5 Past TVA Environmental Stewardship Spending 37 1.6 Benefits 38 1.6.1 Public and Economic Benefits 39 1.6.2 Ratepayer Benefits 39

24 For more than seven decades, the Tennessee Valley Authority N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n has been improving the quality of life in the Tennessee Valley region through its threefold mission of providing affordable and reliable power, promoting sustainable economic development, and operating as a steward of the regions natural resources.

To meet its environmental stewardship mission, TVA has developed a dedicated plan to guide its natural resources management, water resource protection and improvements, and sustainable land use activities over the next 20 years.

25 1.1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Tennessee Valley Authority History President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed innovative solutions to lift the nation out of the depths of the Great Depression, and TVA is considered one of his most innovative actions. Roosevelt envisioned TVA as an agency different from any other. He asked Congress to create a corporation clothed with the power of government but possessed of the flexibility and initiative of a private enterprise. On May 18, 1933, Congress passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act. (A copy of the TVA Act is available on the TVA website at www.tva.com/abouttva/pdf/TVA_Act.pdf.)

From its beginning,1 TVA has held fast to its strategy of integrated resources solutions, even operates a system of dams and reservoirs in as the issues changed over the years. Each the Tennessee River Valley for the purposes challenge the people of the Tennessee Valley of flood control, navigation and power region faced whether it was the need for production. In addition, TVAs environmental power, navigation to transport goods to and stewardship efforts have historically focused from larger markets, flood control, malaria on improving water quality while providing prevention, reforestation, or erosion control recreational opportunities and a wide range of was studied in its broadest context. TVA other public use benefits.

1 A short TVA history can be found at www.tva.com/abouttva/history.htm.

26 1.2 stewardship in a balanced and ecologically N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Overview of TVAs Vision sound manner. As shown in the center of and Environmental Policy Figure 1.1, the Environmental Policy also integrates environmental leadership with all TVAs renewed vision2 to become one of aspects of the TVA mission.

the nations leading providers of low cost and cleaner energy by 2020 will be achieved through acting to meet the regions needs for the future, while improving TVAs core business today. In alignment with TVAs vision, the NRP will focus on proactive stewardship through the protection and enhancement of the regions natural resources. In addition, the NRP will support local and regional economic development as well as ensure compliance with legal and regulatory stewardship requirements.

On May 19, 2008, the TVA board of directors approved the TVA Environmental Policy, which was reviewed and confirmed again in 2010. Its overarching objective is for TVA to engage in proactive environmental ENHANCE - Enhance PROTECT - Foster land and water public health and resources to provide safety by improving multiple benefits in air and water the Tennessee Valley quality and region, making it a protecting the better place to live, regions natural work and play. resources.

REDUCE - Reduce consumption of water resources and the generation of waste and by-products for a sustainable future.

Figure 1.1 Environmental Policy alignment with TVAs mission 2

See http://www.tva.com/abouttva/vision.htm for additional information on TVAs vision and the supporting strategic priorities.

27 The Environmental Policy is organized into

• Manage TVA lands, mineral rights N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n six strategic objectives that encompass the and shoreline access to better achieve variety of challenges faced by TVA (see environmental commitments while Figure 1.1) tied to energy production and meeting the needs for recreation, environmental stewardship. The NRP focuses residential access and economic on the execution, in part or in whole, of three development Environmental Policy strategic objectives and critical success factors:

Natural Resource Water Resource Management Protection and Improvement

• Allow for properly managed, eco-friendly

• Mitigate TVAs impact on aquatic systems dispersed recreation while balancing while balancing thermal cooling needs the protection of biological, cultural and with consumptive use heritage resources

• Integrate the impacts of water quality and

• Promote ecological diversity and quantity into the long-range planning and wildlife habitats on TVA lands through decision-making process partnerships and voluntary initiatives

• Collaborate in community outreach

• Increase the level of environmental quality and partnerships through voluntary and management consistency among TVA-demonstrations of the efficient use of managed and leased recreation facilities water resources and protection of water quality Sustainable Land Use

• Actively manage TVA lands to meet the desired conditions for their purpose as defined in the reservoir land management plans

• Improve reservoir shoreline conditions through collaborative partnership initiatives and balance the multiple uses of the reservoirs in accordance with TVAs Land Policy and Shoreline Management Policy

28 1.3 focuses on biological and cultural resources, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Overview of the water resources, recreation, coordinated public Natural Resource Plan engagement, and reservoir lands planning.

Figure 1.2 (below) shows how the IRP and Historically, TVA has taken various NRP deliverables fit together.

approaches to managing the reservoir lands and biological, cultural, recreation and In addition, TVA has prepared an water resources in its care. By establishing environmental impact statement to assess the Environmental Policy, TVA created the impact of the NRP and its reasonable expectations for a more systematic and alternatives on the environment.3 The EIS:

integrated approach toward managing energy production and environmental stewardship.

• Describes the stewardship programs that The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and this are ongoing and are being evaluated for Natural Resource Plan are implementation future implementation as part of the NRP plans for TVAs mission as described in the

• Assesses the potential environmental agencys Strategic Plan. The IRP focuses on impacts associated with implementing the the power supply portfolio, whereas the NRP various alternatives TVA Act Strategic Plan Energy Environmental Economic Policy Development IRP NRP EIS (IRP) EIS (NRP)

Figure 1.2 IRP-NRP project deliverables framework 3

The EIS is in accordance with 1) the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 USC § 4321 et seq.; 2) the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508; and 3) TVAs procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act.

29 1.3.1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Resource Areas The NRP is presented in six resource areas:

The NRP:

Biological Resources

• Aligns TVAs stewardship programs and plans Cultural with the Environmental Policy Resources

• Provides a strategic plan that:

- Guides TVAs land and resource management decisions and actions Public - Integrates effective, efficient natural Engagement Natural resource stewardship objectives with the Resource goal of optimizing the public use benefits Recreation of TVA-managed lands Plan Management - Strikes a balance between the competing and sometimes conflicting resource uses of TVA-managed lands Reservoir

• Provides TVA staff with a reference manual to Lands guide implementation activities Planning Water Resources

• Provides clarity and transparency to the public Figure 1.3 NRP resource areas and supporting objectives The NRP is designed to integrate the Great Outdoors Initiative, which promotes and objectives of all of the resource areas, supports innovative community-level efforts provide optimum public benefit, and balance to conserve outdoor spaces and to reconnect competing and sometimes conflicting Americans to the outdoors. The short-term resource uses. These competing uses and intent of the initiative is to create a national external development pressures, coupled dialogue about conservation and outdoor with increasing recognition of the importance activities that supports the efforts of private of preserving nonrenewable resources, citizens and local communities. As part of the underscore the necessity for a consistent NRP, TVA is identifying programs and goals approach to the management of federal lands that are integral to ensuring the appropriate and water resources in the care of TVA. management and protection of natural resources as well as building the necessary relationships In addition, the NRP aligns with the Obama and partnerships to effectively implement and Administrations establishment of the Americas manage these resources in the future.

30 1.3.2 The biological resources, cultural resources, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Geographic Scope and reservoir lands planning components of the NRP focus primarily on the approximately The geographic scope of the NRP includes 293,000 acres of TVA-managed reservoir the Tennessee River watershed and TVA lands lands. Recreation management focuses on over which it has direct control within the those recreation facilities and programs power service area, with the exception of directly managed by TVA and stream access transmission line corridors. The breadth or sites located near TVA-managed reservoirs.

reach of each program is highlighted in its The geographic scope for the water resource respective resource area chapter (Chapters 3 management component of the NRP includes through 8). the entire Tennessee River watershed as shown in Figure 1.4.

• Approximately 293,000 acres of reservoir properties

• 235 historic sites eligible/potentially eligible for the

• 46 reservoirs National Register of Historic Places

• Seven states

• Approximately 800 miles of commercially navigable

• Approximately 11,000 miles of shoreline waterways

• Approximately 650,000 acres of impounded

• 85 historic structures listed in the National Register surface water of Historic Places

• Approximately 42,000 miles of tributary streams

• Nine registered historic districts and rivers

• 270 campgrounds and marinas

• 11,500 archaeological sites (documented to date)

• Approximately 75 TVA recreation areas

• 5,320 historic structures identified

• 81 stream access sites Figure 1.4 NRP geographic scope

31 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n As it relates to power plant properties, the

• Land allocations for residential NRP may be applied to the portion of lands development located outside the secured area of each site

• Operation of the reservoir system to ensure that plant security requirements and

• Commercial recreation agreements needs are not infringed. These properties will remain power assets, and power generation These activities have already been addressed will remain the primary function. through comprehensive public review processes and are the subject of other policies.

In addition, TVA is not proposing a mineral 1.3.3 rights policy as part of this effort.

Out of Scope The NRP aligns with and builds upon many 1.3.4 existing TVA plans and initiatives, most Stakeholders notably TVAs Shoreline Management Policy, Land Policy, and Reservoir Operations Policy.4 TVA gained valuable insight into the NRP by Items that are considered out of scope in the listening to different perspectives, viewpoints NRP include, but are not limited to: and sometimes-competing objectives.

This played a prominent role in defining

• Aquatic plant management the direction for TVAs natural resources

• Mosquito management management effort in the near and long term.

• Reservoir release improvements programs TVA actively sought input from the Regional

• Shoreline permitting activities Resource Stewardship Council, peer agencies and the general public.

4 Shoreline Management Policy - http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/landuse_shore.htm Reservoir Operations Policy - http://www.tva.gov/environment/reports/ros_eis/

Land Policy - http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/land_policy.htm

32 Regional Resource Stewardship Council Members N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Mike Ball, Representative Alabama House of Representatives, Huntsville, Alabama We need to be responsible stewards of the Tennessee River for this and future generations.

Karl W. Dudley, President and CEO Pickwick Electric Cooperative, Selmer, Tennessee The value the river provides to our region -

economic, environmental, and recreation - is Jean Kellems Elmore, West Point, Mississippi incalculable, and we must provide our water Bill Forsyth, Chairman resources the care and management they Murphy Electric Power Board, Murphy, North Carolina deserve. This Natural Resource Plan reflects TVAs commitment to do that.

Ronald Fugatt, General Manager Newport Utilities, Hixson, Tennessee George Kitchens General Manager and CEO Michael Goodman, Environmental Manager Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation Temple-Inland, Waverly, Tennessee Phil Hazle, Calloway County Elected Jailer New Concord, Kentucky TVA is the steward to those cultural items that Mark Hommrich, President Volunteer Barge and Transport, Brentwood, Tennessee are in the ground, and we have little idea how many there are or what cultural value, versus Renee V. Hoyos, Executive Director dollar value, they may possess. We will never Tennessee Clean Water Network, Knoxville, Tennessee know in our lifetimes what that may be. But Mark Iverson, General Manager nevertheless, TVA has a responsibility to take Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, Bowling Green, Kentucky care of those items, and this Natural Resource Mitch Jones, President Plan reflects that responsibility.

Tennessee Marina Association, Knoxville, Tennessee Russell Townsend Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Avis Kennedy Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Army Corps of Engineers (retired), Nashville, Tennessee George B. Kitchens, General Manager and CEO Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation Trinity, Alabama Programs in the Natural Resource Plan, in Tom Littlepage, Chief, Water Management Section addition to promoting responsible stewardship, Office of Water Resources, Alabama Department of Economic generate significant economic benefits for the and Community Affairs, Montgomery, Alabama Tennessee Valley.

Robert J. Martineau Jr., Commissioner Deborah K. Woolley Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation President and CEO Nashville, Tennessee Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairwoman, RRSC John K. Matney, President The Harbor Company, Bristol, Virginia W.C. Nelson Jr., President Nelson Tractor Company, Blairsville, Georgia Providing quality recreational facilities is an essential part of the Natural Resource Paul Sloan, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, Tennessee Plan, and in promoting these facilities TVA must work to strengthen its partnerships and Russell Townsend, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer collaboration with the many agencies and Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Cherokee, North Carolina organizations that serve the citizens of the Tennessee Valley.

Deborah K. Woolley, President and CEO Robert J. Martineau, Jr.

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commissioner Nashville, Tennessee Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

33 Regional Resource Stewardship Council N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n As competition for finite resources grows, fulfilling TVAs integrated resource stewardship mission requires increased cooperation with other public agencies and private entities. It is in the interest of TVA and the public to establish a forum to regularly attain advice on stewardship trends, opportunities and challenges. In 1999, TVA established the Regional Resource Stewardship Council to advise TVA on its stewardship activities and the priorities among competing objectives and values. In addition to these responsibilities, the council serves as a stakeholder group and provides input for the development of the NRP. The council was established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its meetings are open to the public, and the proceedings, including names of current and past members, are published at www.tva.com/rrsc.

TVA facilitated discussions among members 4. Balance the cost of all programs borne of the Regional Resource Stewardship Council by ratepayers with TVAs low-cost energy on the issues they believed were important to mission and economic development.

a successful NRP. Meetings were held in July 2009, 5. Where possible and appropriate, integrate October 2009, March 2010, January 2011, April and leverage cross-program benefits with 2011 and June 2011. The views of council each other into a portfolio.

members were collected on the entire range 6. Recognize that some activities are part of assumptions and strategies in the NRP. To of program implementation - not stand-aid with development of the plan, the RRSC alone programs.

provided the following guiding principles: 7. Explore the risks of doing or not doing stewardship activities. (The priority should

1. Managing the river comes with the be protecting nonrenewable resources.)

responsibility, along with the TVA 8. Encourage and incorporate public input mandated mission on stewardship, to do into the development of the NRP, allowing a first-class job of managing the water, for sufficient time and opportunity to shoreline and natural resources. comment.

2. Continue to invest. The most desirable 9. Be clear and concise on communicating outcome would be a visible public use the NRP with the public.

benefit garnering public support and 10. Explain the purpose and process of the maximizing return on investments. NRP and its limitations.

3. Create public awareness of TVAs 11. The NRP is a living document. Ensure nonpower accomplishments and review and revise as needed at appropriate current activities. intervals, not to exceed five years.

34 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Peer Agencies

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service During the development of the NRP, TVA

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met with several state and federal agencies

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Tennessee Valley to gain additional

• Alabama Department of Conservation and perspective on the trends, challenges Natural Resources and opportunities associated with natural

• Georgia Department of Natural Resources resources management. These meetings

• Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife helped to provide key input and insights Resources that were incorporated in the final NRP. An

• Kentucky State Nature Preserves additional goal of these discussions was Commission to begin strengthening the peer network

• Mississippi Department of Wildlife, throughout the Tennessee Valley, helping to Fisheries, and Parks create a more coordinated and collaborative

• North Carolina Wildlife Resources working environment for future resource Commission management efforts.

• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources TVA met with agencies in all seven states,

• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency including:

• Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

• U.S. Forest Service

• Virginia Department of Conservation and

• U.S. National Park Service Recreation

35 1.4 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Development Process The NRP was developed in four steps:

1 2 3 4 Determine Develop, Analyze Release Draft Finalize and the NRP Scope and Evaluate NRP/EIS for Issue the NRP NRP Programs Public Comment Figure 1.5 Natural resource planning process 1

1.4.1 significant issues related to a proposed action.

Determine Determine On June 15, 2009, TVA published a notice of the NRP Scope the NRP Scope its intent to prepare an EIS and to conduct a comprehensive study, the IRP, of its future energy and environmental stewardship needs.

Scoping is a procedure that solicits public In order to provide a better focus on TVAs input to ensure that: stewardship activities, a decision was made in fall 2009 to separate the IRP and NRP, with the

1. Issues are identified early and properly IRP focused on future energy needs and the studied NRP focused on environmental stewardship

2. Issues of little significance do not needs. The notice of intent included the scope consume substantial time and effort of both projects, the IRP and the NRP. Public

3. The EIS is thorough and balanced scoping began with the publication of the

4. Delays caused by an inadequate review notice in the Federal Register in June 2009.

are avoided Following the decision to separate the IRP and NRP, TVA announced an additional 30-day The National Environmental Policy Act and public comment period for the NRP beginning TVA procedure require that the scoping Oct. 2, 2009. During this scoping period process commence soon after the decision ( June - November 2009) TVA held seven to prepare an EIS is published. This process public meetings and received more than provides an early and open process for 600 comments pertaining to stewardship.

determining the scope and for identifying the

36 1.4.2 Policy objectives. TVA analyzed each Develop, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n program based on its qualitative and 2

Analyze quantitative benefits, cost and other strategic Develop, Analyze and Evaluate and Evaluate considerations to see how it would perform NRP Programs NRP Programs or respond given different decision criteria. This evaluation was accomplished The NRP defines programs for each resource by combining the following inputs and area based on a set of goals and expected perspectives to ensure each program is outcomes that align with the Environmental compared without bias.

Program Options Defines the level of effort associated with each program and the resulting External estimate of the time Stakeholders required to complete the NRP/EIS analysis Encourages public involvement in the development process as well as highlights the challenges, trends and opportunities in the region Cost Analysis Estimates full-time employees, O&M costs and one-time/capital Scenario TVA Natural expenditure costs Planning Analysis Leadership Resource associated with each Plan program Defines and analyzes each program Evaluates the various to provide an objective view of how perspectives and analysis near- and long-term variables may to form an objective Benefit impact TVAs natural resources recommendation on how Analysis management strategy best to implement the NRP Evaluates each program based on the benefits it provides to the region and TVA Other Strategic Considerations Identifies strategic or high-priority programs that are integral to the Scenarios successful implementation of the and Strategies NRP. Criteria included economic development, partnership potential, Provides decision-making public goodwill, breadth of benefit, parameters to support the risk and sustainability NRP analysis framework Figure 1.6 Key inputs to the NRP decision-making process

37 1.4.3 1950s, TVA received federal appropriations to Release the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n 3 fund its operations. In 1959, Congress passed Release Draft Draft NRP and legislation that made the TVA power system self-NRP/EIS for Public Comment EIS for Public financing. However, TVA continued to receive Comment appropriations to fund its stewardship programs.

In addition, TVAs funding for stewardship The draft NRP and EIS were presented to the activities also came from power revenues when public for review and comments. As in the benefits to the power system were provided and preliminary scoping period, TVA encouraged from nonpower revenues such as agricultural public comments on these documents. leases, timber sales and recreation user fees.

Following the release of the NRP in March 2011, TVA held a 45-day comment period. TVA Programs for which appropriated funding was hosted three public meetings across the valley provided changed over the years. In general, and solicited written comments to collect public funding was provided for:

input during this period. Substantive comments on the draft NRP and EIS are addressed in Operations and Maintenance Funding the final EIS (see Volume II). More than 225

• Daily reservoir operations comments were received during this comment

• Dam safety period from state and other federal agencies,

• Navigation organizations and concerned citizens.

• Reservoir release improvements

• Water resources 4

• Regional water supply Finalize and 1.4.4

• River action teams Issue the NRP Finalize and

• Land resources Issue the NRP

• Plant and mosquito management

• Shoreline erosion and stabilization TVA revised the NRP and EIS after considering

• River basin land public comments and conducting additional

• Land strategy analyses. To complete the development

• Regional natural heritage and cultural process, a 30-day public comment period will resources be held after the Notice of Availability of the

• Shoreline management final EIS is published in the Federal Register.

Following this, the final NRP will be presented Capital Funding to the TVA board for its consideration and

• Dam construction and improvement the boards decision will be described and

• Dam safety explained in a Record of Decision published

• Navigation in the Federal Register.

• Reservoir release improvements

• River basin land

• Water resources 1.5 Past TVA Environmental TVA also received appropriations for Stewardship Spending economic development, the Environmental Research Center, and the Land Between The TVAs responsibility for stewardship of the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL), but waters and public lands of the Tennessee Congress discontinued appropriations to TVA Valley was established in the TVA Act. From for economic development after 1997, for the its inception in 1933 through most of the Environmental Research Center after 1998, and

38 for the Land Between The Lakes after 1999. 1.6 Benefits N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Land Between The Lakes was transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 2000.

The NRP provides a number of benefits to the Public Law 105-62, the Energy and Water public, to the resources that TVA protects, and Development Act of 1998, required TVA to to the ratepayers. TVAs work in natural resource fund nonpower programs that constitute management is a key piece of its integrated essential stewardship activities with power business model, and this investment will help revenues and other funds. The term essential it sustain accessible natural resources and stewardship activities was interpreted to recreational sites for the people of the Tennessee include, and be limited to, those types of Valley in an efficient and effective manner.

stewardship activities for which TVA was This in turn translates into low electricity rates, receiving appropriations at the time the helping keep residents cost of living low and legislation was enacted. At the time the law quality of life in the Tennessee Valley high.

was passed, TVA was spending approximately

$79 million on these activities. As more research is conducted and studies estimating the impact of human activity and Since 1999, TVA has continued to support industry on natural resources become more these stewardship activities at comparable readily available, the short- and long-term levels, funding activities almost entirely benefits associated with proactive natural from the sale of electricity. In 2010, TVA resources management become more apparent.

spent approximately $65 million on essential The NRP helps TVA to evaluate benefits at stewardship programs and associated capital both a programmatic and Valleywide level, improvement projects. Of this amount, highlighting the advantages inherent in approximately $7 million to $8 million funded implementing a strong stewardship culture.

programs that are evaluated in the NRP, with the remainder going toward dam safety, Chapters 3 through 8 of the NRP discuss the navigation and reservoir operations. See the expected benefits at a programmatic level.

Executive Summary for a chart of historical The following sections provide an overall look essential stewardship activity spending. at the benefits associated with TVAs natural resources management. As a whole, NRP-related programs are expected to provide a fourfold benefit for every dollar spent.

Public

• Higher quality of life and

• Access to informal water-based recreation

• Significant access to informal outdoor recreation areas (trails and other day-use areas)

Economic

• Protection of nonrenewable resources (cultural, archaeological, threatened/endangered species)

Benefits

• Expenditures in the Valley by recreational visitors (economic development)

• Marina and recreational boating reservoirs

• Value of reservoir and tailwater fishing

• Flood control Ratepayer

• Thermal control of river for generation Benefits

• Control of river systems for hydro generation

• Revenue from recreation agreements, agricultural licenses, fees and reimbursables

• Improved water resource management

• Efficiencies gained through program integration

• Collaborative and leveraged partnerships Figure 1.7 Benefits of natural resources management

39 1.6.1 1.6.2 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 1 - I n t r o d u c t i o n Public and Economic Benefits Ratepayer Benefits Sound natural resource management provides In addition to the intrinsic value of protecting significant benefits to the public. Access to TVAs natural resources, proper management and use of outdoor recreation has been shown can create significant costs savings for to correlate to healthier lifestyles and thus a ratepayers. When the care of the Tennessee higher quality of life. In addition to ensuring River was entrusted to TVA, essential a high quality of life for residents of the stewardship responsibilities were entrusted Tennessee Valley, programs in the NRP work with it. The NRP fulfills a number of these to protect many of the Valleys nonrenewable responsibilities, and it helps provide the basis resources. These resources include such for maintaining control of the river.

things as archaeological items and endangered plant and animal species that can never be This responsibility results in a number of recovered once they are gone. benefits for the agency and its ratepayers.

Control of the river allows responsible The programs in the NRP create a number of management of the water for thermal control of positive economic impacts as well. The key generation assets and for hydro generation.

80 recreational sites and approximately Each of these helps reduce power costs. In 293,000 acres of surrounding land and addition, water conservation and resource reservoirs operated and managed by TVA management efforts by TVA can also reduce attract millions of visitors each year to enjoy the impacts of water shortages and reduce the the regions natural and water resources. need for water development programs that Recreational and boating opportunities are raise the cost for water in the region.2 provided by each reservoir, and TVA dams create numerous tailwater fishing sites. In 2008-09, Finally, the NRP creates a number of efficiencies approximately 16.9 million people visited across stewardship programs. As programs Tennessee state parks (many made possible are better integrated, opportunities to increase by TVAs natural resources management), activities are created. These efficiencies, including an estimated 2.3 million visitors to combined with the proactive approach to Tennessee Valley historic sites and another partnerships outlined in the NRP, can potentially 1.3 million visits to archaeological sites lead to expanded implementation efforts.

annually. These visits generate over $1.5 billion in total economic output ($725 million in direct expense and another $835 million in economic activity throughout the state to enable delivery of products and services) and support over 18,600 jobs in Tennessee alone.1 1

Economic Impacts of Tennessee State Parks, University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture.

2 Economic Benefits of the Tennessee Valley Authoritys Natural Resource Plan, Jan. 2011.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s 40 41 C h a pt e r 2 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s NRP Road Map for Success 2.1 Implementation Strategy 43 2.1.1 Phase I: Years 1 to 3 43 2.1.2 Phase II: Years 4 to 5 46 2.1.3 Phase III: Years 6 to 20 48 2.2 Funding 48 2.3 Measures of Success 49 2.4 Risks 52

42 The NRP represents TVAs high-level strategy for managing its natural N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s resources in the near and long term. Detailed implementation plans will be developed based on the NRP to drive specific implementation efforts.

To guide its NRP-related stewardship efforts and provide a means for measuring results, TVA has developed goals and success measures for the next three, five, and 20 years:

Phase I Phase II Phase III Establish a Foundation Implement Programs Continue to for Success While to Sustain, Maintain Enhance and Improve Maintaining and Improve Resource TVAs Stewardship Baseline Activities Conditions Efforts f i v e - y e a r NR P R e f r e s h c y c l e Keys to Success Keys to Success Keys to Success

• Maintain current efforts

• Evaluate NRP

• Refresh NRP on a five-to meet regulatory and implementation efforts year cycle legal requirements and refresh the plan

• Focus enhancement

• Expand data based on progress or expansion efforts management and information sharing

• Continue to address through building opportunities resource needs partnerships, corporate

• Gain a better through a systematic sponsorships, or other understanding of the implementation collaborative means resource base and approach

• Update reservoir land current conditions

• Establish or partner management plans on a

• Develop and maintain with a foundation and rotational or as-needed partnerships to support trust fund to support basis implementation efforts expansion of NRP

• Strengthen integration between resource areas programs during implementation

• Continue to strengthen

• Establish an NRP collaborative working assessment process environments and metrics to measure

• Finish updating results remaining reservoir

• Begin adapting reservoir land plans to single-use land plans to single- parcel allocation use parcel allocation methodology Figure 2.1 Overview of the NRP implementation strategy Each of these success measures is discussed in more detail on the following pages as part of TVAs implementation strategy. By identifying both near- and long-term goals and expectations, TVA is able to effectively manage and communicate its implementation efforts.

43 2.1 resource areas. This integrated resource N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s Implementation Strategy management approach aligns with TVAs mission as well as its original charge in The implementation strategy presented above the TVA Act. Each program is designed to identifies the objectives and keys to success maintain the resources under TVAs control, associated with the NRPs three-, five-, and particularly the nonrenewable assets, and to 20-year outlook. This creates parameters, or do so in an integrated manner. In addition, bookends, by which TVA will implement TVA is refocusing its effort to maintain and its stewardship programs and activities over develop field expertise in order to better the life of the NRP. Supporting detailed identify the programs that need to be created, implementation plans will be developed on an updated and implemented.

annual basis.

Resource Area Integration and Alignment The core components below are focal points To accomplish its natural resource of the NRP throughout its life cycle. management goals, TVA leverages the relationships between resource areas, Public Outreach and Education including their programs and activities.

Through public outreach and education Activities that support mutual benefits campaigns, TVA will promote stewardship across resource areas and programs alike efforts while reinforcing the publics role in will be leveraged to most efficiently and the protection and preservation of the regions cost effectively implement the NRP. In other natural resources. All constituents play a part words, when a program is implemented in in helping support the intended usage of TVA- one resource area, benefits may be realized in managed lands. Educating stakeholders helps another program in a different resource area.

to create the awareness and understanding that are critical to maintaining and improving the state of the regions nonrenewable resources. 2.1.1 Phase I: Years 1 to 3 Partnerships Partnerships are a critical component of Overall objective:

future enforcement, education and operations Establish a foundation for success while success. The availability of partnerships may maintaining baseline activities.

influence which programs are implemented and the order in which they occur. TVA, along Expected timeline:

with other agencies, is tasked with finding new Fiscal years 2012 to 2014 and creative ways to deal with funding and personnel challenges to effectively manage Keys to success:

nonrenewable resources. To support these 1. Maintain current efforts to meet coordination and collaboration efforts, TVA will regulatory and legal requirements leverage its Public Engagement programs (see Chapter 8) to help develop and foster As part of day-to-day natural resources these relationships in an integrated manner. management, TVA will continue to meet all regulatory and legal requirements.

Program Development This level of effort will be maintained A focus of the NRP is to highlight the throughout the life of the NRP. In addition, interconnectivity of its programs across all TVA will strive to exceed the goals set

44 forth in the 2008 TVA Environmental

• Disease (e.g., white nose syndrome N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s Policy. The overarching objective of the in bats)

Environmental Policy is to provide cleaner,

• Protection of sensitive resources reliable and still-affordable energy, support (e.g., threatened and endangered new sustainable economic growth in the listing or delisting)

Tennessee Valley, and engage in proactive environmental stewardship in a balanced 2. Expand data management and and ecologically sound manner. TVA will information sharing opportunities continually adjust its stewardship activities to meet this expectation. Adjustments Data management and accessibility are will include development of sustainability critical elements in proactive natural resources measures to ensure future activities are management. Because of their importance, aligned with the Environmental Policy. TVA will support the development of a more collaborative and comprehensive Also, it is essential for TVA to be flexible data sharing environment with regional within its stewardship activities to address and national partners. These efforts will emerging issues and resource needs as support TVAs resource management they arise. Examples include, but are not decision-making processes as well as the limited to: creation of partnership opportunities.

When developed, a coordinated effort

• Response to flood and storm damage will be needed to help maintain accurate

• Degraded dewatering levee conditions records. In addition, data management is

• Need to preserve and protect a key input to TVAs public engagement ecological diversity (e.g., Duck River) and outreach efforts, helping to promote

• Insect infestation (e.g., pine beetles) stewardship activities and involvement.

45 For example, an immediate need within 4. Develop and maintain partnerships to N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s data management is to coordinate with support implementation efforts state and other federal agencies to make geographical information system (GIS) TVA will actively work to develop and data more compatible across databases. maintain a network of partnerships TVA will develop and maintain Valley- to support the maximum level of wide databases for water quality data, implementation activities possible.

digitized cultural resource data, threatened and endangered species data, and 5. Strengthen integration between resource wetlands. These databases will be geo- areas during implementation referenced, and data will be available for sharing with partners and the public as The NRP is designed to show the appropriate. interconnectivity of the resource areas and their programs at a high level. Annual

3. Gain a better understanding of the implementation plans will clearly identify resource base and current conditions on and describe the integration or linkage TVA-managed reservoir lands between programs and their supporting activities. This supports TVAs efforts to:

The NRP defines the holistic, high-level path forward for TVAs environmental

• Identify resource needs and stewardship efforts. This provides enhancement opportunities direction for the development of

• Develop methodology to get from actionable plans for stewardship of the where TVA is currently to where regions resources. To inform these plans, TVA is going TVA will assess its lands to identify high-

• Ensure compliance with all legal, priority resource needs on which to focus regulatory and policy requirements its efforts.

• Prioritize implementation activities For example, TVA needs to understand 6. Establish an NRP assessment process the quantity and current conditions and metrics to measure results of TVA-managed trails to determine future maintenance needs and potential A priority within the first three years of the opportunities for expansion. When NRP implementation strategy is to build a considering expansion, TVA may not comprehensive assessment process to help be able to add trails due to a lack of monitor whether TVA is moving in the right maintained access roads leading to direction. As part of this effort, TVA will trailheads. Therefore, TVA will need to align its measurement of results with the improve and expand access roads prior to annual business planning cycle, creating adding new trails. a direct link between resource needs and the formal budgeting process. Also, the The information gathered during these process will provide TVA with a means to assessments will be entered into TVAs benchmark its peers for comparison and databases. The ability to accurately analysis purposes. This process is intended capture, store and share these data to be informative, both internally and helps foster a collaborative working externally, helping to promote the NRPs environment across the region. successes and areas needing attention.

46

7. Begin adapting reservoir land plans to 2. Continue to address resource needs N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s single-use parcel allocation methodology through a systematic implementation approach Converting the reservoirs planned using the multiple-use tract method to single- This is a continuation of Phase Is objective use parcel allocation will be the first focus to ensure continuity and integration under the Comprehensive Valleywide Land among resources areas. The NRP resources Plan. This group includes Chickamauga, areas and programs create a web of Kentucky, Nickajack and Wheeler reservoirs. activities that support each other during Due to the size of Kentucky Reservoir, it implementation. This interconnectivity may be split into more manageable sizes makes it challenging to choose (for example, upper end and lower end) specific activities over others during for planning. The forecasted reservoirs, Fort implementation. Therefore, TVA will Loudoun and Normandy, will be planned develop systematic implementation work next, along with the unplanned reservoirs: plans that clearly identify and describe the Great Falls, Wilson, and the eight Beech integration or linkage between programs River reservoirs. as well as prioritize each program based on a given set of criteria.

2.1.2 For example, implementing strategic Phase II: Years 4 to 5 initiatives identified through rapid land conditions assessments and land Overall objective: conditions assessments1 supports TVAs Implement programs to sustain, maintain and effort to develop a prioritized list of improve resource conditions resource maintenance needs. These assessment methodologies help to identify Estimated timeline: Tier 1, or high quality, parcels on TVA-Fiscal years 2015 to 2016 managed reservoir lands, allowing TVA to prioritize where to focus its improvement Keys to success: or enhancement efforts and money.

1. Evaluate NRP implementation efforts and refresh the plan based on progress, TVA has defined the following criteria to a better understanding of resource be used in the prioritization process for conditions, and emerging needs each NRP program and activity:

To ensure that changing resource conditions Public health and safety are incorporated into the NRP, TVA has Definition:

committed to updating the NRP on a rolling Ensure stakeholder safety while enjoying five-year basis. This process is further TVA-managed reservoir lands described in Section 2.3 (page 49). Also, Examples:

as TVAs stewardship activities evolve and

• Mitigation of potentially hazardous expand, the baseline level of effort will conditions (e.g., dangerous tree, be adjusted accordingly. By progressively dump site, user conflicts, target raising the baseline expectations, TVA is able shooting, meth lab dumping) to more easily identify needs and actions to

• Improved signage (boundary and incorporate into the refreshed plan. interpretive) 1 Currently, the rapid land conditions assessment and land conditions assessment tools are limited to biological resources management.

47 Compliance, protection and preservation Other critical needs N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s Definition: Definition:

• Comply with regulatory, legal and

• Manage emerging issues and identify policy requirements while ensuring proactive measures the protection and preservation of Example:

sensitive resources

• Integrated TVA Police monitoring Examples: and enforcement activities across all

• Caves, wetlands, archaeological sites, resource areas historic sites, sensitive plant and animal communities Program enhancements Definition:

Assets, investments, impacts

• Introduce new activities and projects Definition: as funding and partnerships allow

• Preserve assets and prior natural Examples:

resource management investments to

• Refreshed NRP focus, increased NRP minimize degradation. This applies to scope, new partnerships or funding, physical TVA assets, investments that or emergent needs (e.g., climate TVA has made to improve, protect change) and enhance habitats, and efforts to minimize degradation of resources 3. Establish or partner with a foundation and assets and trust fund to support expansion of Examples: NRP programs

• Land assets - access control measures, boundary marking, signage (boundary As part of the NRP, TVA will establish or and interpretive), monuments, forest partner with an existing foundation and access roads and parking areas, trust fund to provide an opportunity for livestock fencing, and trails under TVA interested stakeholders (or participants) management to make a contribution toward natural

• Recreation assets - recreation resource management and sustainability facilities, boat ramps, campgrounds, in the Tennessee Valley. Once this fund day-use areas, and greenways or partnership is established, TVA will

• Investments - native warm season ensure that its management is completely grasses, watershed improvements, independent of the agency. Additionally, dewatering levee improvements TVA will investigate what strategies other

• User impacts - dispersed recreational businesses are using to determine which sites, sites with degrading water environmentally friendly or sustainable quality conditions, and misuse of practices they are willing to support.

lands (ATV abuse) With this information, TVA will develop

• Impacts mitigation - monitoring and a methodology to recruit and encourage data management activities (water participation.

quality, aquatic ecology, threatened and endangered species, heritage and See Chapter 8 - Public Engagement for wetlands database, archaeological additional information.

database, etc.)

48

4. Continue to strengthen collaborative 2. Focus enhancement or expansion efforts N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s working environments through building partnerships, corporate sponsorships, or other collaborative Throughout the NRP, TVA will focus means efforts on maintaining existing and creating new working relationships with 3. Update reservoir land management plans state, local and other federal agencies as on a rotational or as-needed basis well as nongovernmental organizations (includes the general public). This will Once all reservoirs are updated to the support TVA and its partners in the single-use parcel allocation methodology, advancement and sustainability of their the reservoirs previously planned using environmental efforts. this method will then be updated in an order that gives consideration to the age

5. Finish updating remaining reservoir land of the current plan and any developing plans to single-use parcel allocation trends that warrant review.

In this phase, TVA will finish updating all outstanding reservoir land plans to the 2.2 Funding 2

single-use parcel allocation methodology.

Funding includes the personnel and dollar 2.1.3 expectations for each resource area to be Phase III: Years 6 to 20 implemented in the NRP. TVA is committed to meeting the annual resource requirements Overall objective: for compliance with legal and regulatory Continue to enhance and improve TVAs obligations. However, the intent of the NRP is stewardship efforts not to stop at compliance, but rather to strive towards fully implementing the preferred Estimated timeline: alternative within a 20-year time frame. This Fiscal years 2017 to 2031 no-regrets strategy will require a coordinated approach to attain the necessary resources to Keys to success: support the programs and activities presented.

1. Refresh NRP on a five-year cycle The estimated annual cost required to achieve Key milestones include, but are not the NRP measures of success is between $19 limited to: million and $20 million. This new level of

• Elevate programs to newly established support will serve as the baseline for NRP levels funding going forward. Funding for the

• Maintain resources at an optimum remaining years of the plan will be dependent level to meet the needs, demands and upon a number of different factors, including:

desired conditions of the Valley

• Continue to implement improvement

• User fees and enhancement efforts

• Reallocation of essential stewardship

• Actively identify and address resource funding needs, including management of

• Increased recreation agreements emerging issues

• Increased application fees 2

Funding levels presented in the NRP have not been inflation-adjusted and represent 2011 dollars.

49

• Annual budgeting process N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s

• Compliance funding

• Partnerships

• Sponsorships (e.g., corporate)

• TVA base budget In years when available resources from these sources are high, more dollars will be applied to NRP programs. In years when available resources from the sources above are limited, less funding will be applied to NRP programs, though never falling below legal and regulatory compliance. As a result, TVA may need to reprioritize its spending in these years to ensure compliance obligations are met. This may result in stopping or reducing its commitment to some programs in order to enhance others. Actual funding levels for each year of the plan will be determined through the annual budgeting process.

2.3 Measures of Success An integral component of the NRP is a defined method by which TVA will measure and monitor progress throughout the 20-year life cycle of the plan. The measures of success shown in the table on the following page were selected for the NRP. While these success measures do not provide details of each individual program, together they provide metrics by which to measure the success of the NRP as a whole.

50 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Biological Complete land conditions assessment of all undeveloped 8-10 years Resources TVA lands

• Address 100% of identified safety issues

• Improve or maintain 75-85% of lands to meet fair or good criteria Ensure 100% of low-risk dewatering facilities meet dam 8-10 years safety guidelines Conduct boundary maintenance and meet signage needs 8-10 years on all TVA property Maintain all trails and informal recreation areas in good 20 years condition or close area permanently or until brought up to standard Cultural Protect 30-40% of critically eroding sites 20 years Resources Evaluate for affiliation 70-90% of NAGPRA items on 20 years TVA land Conduct archaeological surveys on 60,000-100,000 acres 20 years of TVA land Recreation Certify 80-100 campgrounds in Camp-Right Campground 20 years Program Ensure 70-90% of day-use areas meet good criteria 20 years Continue management of 30-35 stream access sites Annually Water Certify 110-130 clean marinas 20 years Reassess the water quality and aquatic life of all streams 3-5 years and reservoirs and share data Reduce 20,000-25,000 tons of nutrients and sediment in 20 years partnership with others Lands Convert all reservoir land management plans to single-use 3-5 years Planning parcel allocation Update all 46 reservoir land management plans Every 5-10 years Refresh the Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan Every 3-5 years Public Integrate all education programs across resource areas and 3-5 years Engagement implement 8-10 resource area modules Leverage TVA efforts by 2-3 times using external resources 10 years Develop GIS databases and share with partners to facilitate 5-10 years resource management In addition to these measures of success, TVA will comply with all laws and regulations as well as fulfill its essential stewardship responsibilities Figure 2.2 NRP measures of success

51 By regularly evaluating both overall will measure its progress against the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s stewardship and program results, TVA will be NRP measures of success and update the able to quickly refocus its natural resources Regional Resource Stewardship Council management efforts to meet the ever-changing on progress made.

needs and desired conditions of the regions resources. This will be accomplished through 2. 5-Year NRP Refresh Cycle two review cycles. The goal of the five-year NRP refresh cycle is to incorporate new information

1. Annual NRP Review and changing conditions into the NRP The goal of the annual NRP review on a regular basis, ensuring that TVA is is to provide a forum for TVA to effectively meeting the ever-changing regularly assess and evaluate its NRP needs and demands of the Valleys implementation efforts. Each year, TVA resources.

52 2.4 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s While each program has its own unique risks, Risks there are overarching concerns and challenges associated with not implementing the NRP If TVA does not effectively and efficiently (see Figure 2.3). For example, if TVA does manage the resources entrusted to it, not actively preserve or protect the regions it faces both near- and long-term risks, resources, such as archaeological artifacts, there including not fully achieving the goals of the is a risk of losing them forever. Additionally, Environmental Policy or resource management partnerships are an essential component of accountabilities assigned to it by the TVA Act. TVAs implementation strategy. Not seeking These risks can result in a broad range of these relationships would jeopardize the ability impacts. Examples include impacts to public to effectively and efficiently manage TVA lands.

health and safety, economic development, quality of life, nonrenewable resources, and TVA will work to mitigate risks with public perception of TVA. collaborative and comprehensive natural resources management efforts through the NRP.

53 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 2 - NR P R o a d m a p f o r s u c c e s s s

nd R t Pl ese P En ubl ic l tio n an rv ga ic a al re ni oi ge Bi ltu r a W ng r L men ol at Risk og Cu Re c er a Public health and safety issues Unmet recreation needs Loss of heritage tourism and eco-tourism opportunities Loss of nonrenewable resources Compliance-related sanctions or costs Degraded terrestrial and aquatic habitats Decreased biodiversity

Increased management costs (inefficient operations)

Water quality impacts Economic development impacts Reduced public awareness and involvement Insufficient or out-of-date information Damaged relationships with state, local and other federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations TVA reputation Figure 2.3 Potential risks associated with not implementing resource management activities

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s 54 55 C h a pt e r 3 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Biological Resources 3.1 Goal 58 3.2 Benefits 58 3.3 Implementation Strategy 58 Land Stewardship 59 Habitat and Species Management 60 Dispersed Recreation 61 Public Outreach and Awareness 62 3.4 Measures of Success 62 3.5 Resource Area Programs 63 3.5.1 Threatened and Endangered Species Program 64 3.5.2 Wetlands Management 66 3.5.3 TVA Sensitive Resources Data Management 68 3.5.4 Natural Areas Management 70 3.5.5 Migratory Birds Management 71 3.5.6 Grasslands and Agricultural Lands Management 72 3.5.7 Dewatering Projects Management 74 3.5.8 Forest Resource Management 76 3.5.9 Nonnative Invasive Plant Management 78 3.5.10 Nuisance Animal Control 79 3.5.11 Terrestrial Greenhouse Gas Sequestration

Management 80 3.5.12 Wildlife Habitat Council - Third-Party Certifications 81 3.5.13 Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Partnerships 82 3.5.14 Boundary Maintenance 83 3.5.15 Land Conditions Assessment and Land

Stewardship Maintenance 84 3.5.16 Conservation Planning 86 3.5.17 Dispersed Recreation Management 87 3.5.18 Leave No Trace 88 3.5.19 Trails Management 89

56 TVA manages biological resources while providing many N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s types of recreational opportunities for the public. With nearly 650,000 acres of impounded surface water (surface or pool area of the reservoirs) and approximately 293,000 acres of reservoir land, 11,000 miles of shoreline, and 42,000 miles of tributary streams and rivers, this land-and-water reservoir system represents a significant natural resource base offering numerous opportunities for resource management. Together, these public lands provide TVA with leadership opportunities in resource conservation and emerging resource management areas such as terrestrial greenhouse gas sequestration.

TVA has a long and storied history in the management of biological resources, especially in the areas of forestry, reclamation, fisheries and wildlife management. The TVA Act recognized the role of forest management in the restoration of the regions natural resources. The goals of TVA forestry programs included optimum forest productivity, economic expansion, watershed protection and environmental enhancement. Through the years, TVA worked with agencies and stakeholders to encourage better forest management, efficient wood utilization, environmental protection, reforestation and mine reclamation.

TVA developed the first forest tree nurseries in the Tennessee River Valley and assisted Valley states in developing their tree production capabilities. Between the 1930s and the 1960s, more than 600 million seedlings were produced at TVAs two forest nurseries for distribution across the region. From the 1950s through the 1970s, TVA conducted a program to inventory forested land in

57 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s the region, complementing the U.S. Forest self-sustaining populations of several species, Services national inventory system. Through such as osprey and bald eagles. During the the 1980s and 1990s, TVA initiated some of 1970s and 1980s, TVA was instrumental in the first computerized forestry planning tools developing techniques to restore productive in the nation, which were used to complete a wildlife habitat to previously disturbed systematic inventory of its forested properties. lands. TVA was recognized nationally for This inventory was used to guide forestry its work in reclaiming surface-mined lands management activities. During the 1990s and and developing a wildlife-oriented model 2000s, private land development adjacent to reclamation plan for southern Appalachia in TVA-managed land increased dramatically, cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife raising pressure on TVAs forests and leading Service.

TVA to balance private land use with traditional forest management goals. In the 1970s, TVA created a regional natural heritage database project to collect and From its earliest days, TVA has been committed store biological data. The database served to to protecting and improving wildlife habitat. help guide effective conservation and land Between the 1930s and 1950s, TVA transferred planning activities and to help TVA comply more than 195,000 acres of land to federal and with the National Environmental Policy Act, state agencies for the development of wildlife the Endangered Species Act (ESA), wetland management areas and refuges. This effort regulations under the Clean Water Act, provided significant benefits to varied resident executive orders and other federal and state and migratory wildlife and provided significant regulations and legislation. In addition to wildlife-oriented recreation opportunities for maintaining the database, TVA monitored the region. In 1978, TVA initiated a wildlife the health and status of threatened and restoration project aimed at restoring various endangered plant and animal species located at animal populations. These introductions approximately 40 sites on TVA-managed lands.

of species, conducted in partnership with TVA also established a cave protection program state and other federal agencies and private designed to protect threatened and endangered organizations, resulted in the establishment of species and other sensitive resources.

58 3.1 and then preserve sensitive resources (e.g.,

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Goal threatened and endangered species) and unique resources (e.g., old growth bottomland TVA will manage biological resources under its hardwood stands), as well as conserve care in a holistic, ecologically sound manner to renewable resources (e.g., forests and native maintain biological diversity while supporting warm season grasses) in a sustainable manner to multiple uses to meet stakeholder expectations. support diverse habitats for wildlife populations.

The NRP programs will promote environmentally 3.2 sustainable recreational use on TVA-managed Benefits lands. Dispersed recreation, such as camping, bank fishing, and hiking, can create both Through management efforts in this resource positive and negative impacts on natural area, TVA expects to realize the following resources. TVA will take a proactive approach benefits: to reducing the negative impacts such as habitat or species damage while providing users with

• Improved understanding of current land sustained, high-quality recreational experiences.

and resource conditions to support future planning and data sharing efforts Finally, partnerships and cooperative projects

• Increased protection and enhancement with state and other federal agencies and of biologically diverse habitats (e.g., nongovernmental organizations will be threatened and endangered species) developed in an effort to support the current

• Successful outreach efforts creating biological resources management efforts.

enhanced public awareness of land use It is critical for regional stakeholders to impacts and the potential for transport of collaborate on protection, enhancement and invasive or nonnative species/plants into conservation efforts. A key component in habitats developing these relationships is the sharing

• Promotion of environmentally sustainable of natural resource data. TVA will work with dispersed recreational use of TVA- its partners to establish a compatible and managed lands comprehensive database of natural-resource-

• Development of partnerships with other related information to help support and resource management agencies and inform the various programs and activities nongovernmental organizations to further being performed across the Tennessee Valley.

resource management efforts in the region This data sharing effort is not unique to biological resources and will, in the long term, be coordinated with other databases both 3.3 internal and external to TVA.

Implementation Strategy Within biological resources, TVA has Through implementation of the Natural structured its implementation strategy based Resource Plan, TVAs biological resource on the following characteristics:

management programs focus on protecting and enhancing the biological resources of the

• Land stewardship Tennessee Valley. This will be accomplished

• Habitat and species management through the continued evaluation of biological

• Dispersed recreation resources, which will allow TVA to prioritize

• Public outreach and awareness

59 Land Stewardship the NRP, TVA will develop centralized, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s comprehensive databases using tools such Currently, many components of TVAs as the Land Conditions Assessment to enable biological resources management are prioritization of land stewardship efforts. TVA being conducted in a fragmented manner, is able to maximize the value of every dollar with missed opportunities for integration spent by making better information available among complementary programs. Work is to aid in its activity planning efforts, including:

often reactive, with a limited view of the ramifications on a Valleywide basis and

• Identifying maintenance needs outdated or insufficient natural resource data

• Improving public health and safety for some areas of TVA-managed lands.

• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements As part of determining how best to meet the

• Protecting sensitive resources future needs of the Valleys resources, TVA

• Preserving TVA assets must first reestablish its baseline data for

• Conserving the Valleys natural resources reservoir lands under its management. Through for future generations

60 Habitat and Species rare and sensitive species and its wetlands N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Management database and examine additional opportunities to proactively manage threatened and Current terrestrial habitat management and endangered resources nationally and sensitive resource protection activities again regionally.

tend to be reactive. Under the NRP, TVA will develop and implement a variety of proactive TVA-managed waterways and reservoirs methodologies in order to enhance and In connection with its more than 293,000 acres protect the diverse natural resources that TVA of reservoir land, the TVA-managed waterways manages. Examples include: and reservoirs create extensive year-round, temporal, seasonal, migration and over-TVAs forest resources and natural areas wintering habitat for hundreds of forest, TVA has over 200,000 acres of manageable aquatic and wetland migratory bird species.

forested reservoir properties. Over the last These collective habitats in conjunction with 15 to 20 years, TVA has managed these surrounding mountains and plains provide resources largely with a focus on maintenance a unique resource critical to the survival of activities. During this period, forest health, many species in the southeastern United age and structure diversity, and overall States. In addition, these types of programs wildlife habitat quality have in many cases improve wildlife-focused dispersed recreation deteriorated. Enhancing the focus on forest opportunities for those who enjoy these resource management will begin to reverse resources.

this decline and will create improved forest conditions, benefiting all resource areas TVAs dewatering projects on within the NRP. Concurrently, TVA manages Kentucky and Wheeler reservoirs 154 natural areas throughout the Tennessee These projects are the cornerstones for Valley. These areas protect some of the most migratory waterfowl management in the biologically diverse and sensitive habitats Tennessee Valley region. They provide occurring on TVA lands, including unique thousands of acres of high-quality habitat plant, animal, cultural and scenic habitats. and significant opportunities for waterfowl hunting and wildlife observation. These Threatened and endangered species areas, managed in concert with both state As a federal agency, TVA is required under and federal wildlife agencies, are examples the Endangered Species Act to manage the of successful long-term partnerships that populations of threatened and endangered greatly benefit natural resources and local species on TVA-managed lands. TVA plays economies. Focusing efforts in this area will a leadership role in the protection and result in high-quality wildlife and wetlands management of several terrestrial species habitat management and dispersed recreation and their habitats. As part of the NRP, TVA opportunities, which will provide substantial will further strengthen its leadership role social benefits to stakeholders. They will also throughout the Tennessee Valley to enhance provide substantial financial benefits to local working relationships and data sharing in and regional economies.

support of regional initiatives. To assist with this effort, TVA will increase its support for its Natural Heritage Program database of

61 Dispersed Recreation recreation activities support TVAs effort to N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s maximize the benefits of TVA-managed lands TVAs current work in the dispersed recreation for public use by maintaining, enhancing, area is somewhat fragmented. TVA has and expanding recreational and educational developed methodologies to evaluate the opportunities for Valley stakeholders to enjoy, effects of dispersed recreation. However, while minimizing associated impacts.

work to remedy those impacts has not been conducted on a prioritized or regular basis. TVA will utilize tools such as the land conditions assessment to identify high priority Through the NRP, TVA will focus on tracts of TVA-managed land for evaluation improving conditions for those who enjoy of dispersed recreation opportunities and hiking, camping, and other activities on impacts. These evaluations will then be used the lands that it manages. TVAs reservoir to prioritize the remediation work. Also, TVA properties attract more than 6 million will reevaluate trail and dispersed recreation visits annually for dispersed recreation needs as part of the five-year NRP refresh purposes, and these visits generate local and cycle to ensure it is meeting public demand regional economic benefits. The unintended and the intended use of the resources.

consequences of this heavy use are impacts Opportunities for partnerships also exist to to public land that need to be managed help in expanding trail offerings through a to ensure that environmental and social coordinated build and maintain effort.

conditions remain sustainable. Dispersed

62 Public Outreach and Awareness to create public awareness of issues that N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s focus on preventive and proactive measures TVAs current biological resources efforts to improve and protect natural resources in public outreach and awareness are throughout the Tennessee Valley. Through the reactive and usually independent of other NRP, TVA will conduct proactive, integrated resource areas. Each NRP program contains efforts not only with other resource areas, but a component of public outreach, which can also with state and other federal agencies and vary from direct interactions or campaigns nongovernmental organizations to educate with the public to supplying information for the public about the importance of biological other programs to utilize in outreach efforts. resources and their positive effects on the Educating the public plays an integral role quality of life in the Tennessee Valley.

in day-to-day management. It is essential 3.4 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Biological Complete land conditions assessment of all undeveloped 8-10 years Resources TVA lands

• Address 100% of identified safety issues

• Improve or maintain 75-85% of lands to meet fair or good criteria Ensure 100% of low-risk dewatering facilities meet dam 8-10 years safety guidelines Conduct boundary maintenance and meet signage needs 8-10 years on all TVA property Maintain all trails and informal recreation areas in good 20 years condition or close area permanently or until brought up to standard

63 3.5 sections discuss each program in more detail, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Resource Area Programs highlighting current activities, NRP activities, and expected implementation benefits. In When developing the NRP, TVA identified addition, relationships between resource areas programs and activities to support the and other programs are discussed to help goals of each resource area. The following show linkages throughout the NRP.

64 3.5.1

• Stream and tailwater monitoring (Water)

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Threatened and Endangered

• Climate change sentinel monitoring Species Program (Water)

The threatened and endangered species Scope: As a federal agency, TVAs program primarily addresses compliance with responsibilities under the Endangered Species Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, Act apply throughout TVAs operational under which TVA is required to consult with footprint. Its management of threatened and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning endangered species primarily occurs on TVA-the effect of its actions on species listed by owned lands.

the Service. Consultation can be required for projects proposed by TVA, those subject TVA Span of Control: TVAs span of control to permitting by TVA (e.g., approvals under over threatened and endangered species Section 26a of the TVA Act), or those requiring varies by species (both plants and animals).

the use of TVA land. TVA is directed under TVA can directly influence listed species Section 7(a)(1) to utilize its authority in having large portions of their total population furtherance of the purposes of this Act by on TVA lands. Other, more widespread species carrying out programs for the conservation of are under partial or no span of control.

endangered species and threatened species Current Activities Within the NRP, this program aligns with the As required by Section 7(a)(2) of the following resource areas and programs: Endangered Species Act, TVA consults with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as appropriate

• Archaeological monitoring and protection concerning the potential for projects proposed (Cultural) by TVA or subject to approval by TVA

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian (e.g., land use agreements and approvals management (Water) under Section 26a of the TVA Act) to affect

65 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s endangered species. This is a required NRP Activities obligation of TVA as a federal agency. TVA also

• Continue to comply with the requirements of the conducts management activities to aid in the Endangered Species Act and implementation of conservation of threatened and endangered biological opinion requirements species according to the guidance in Section

• Continue monitoring of select species 7(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act. Many of populations TVAs current endangered species management

• Create monitoring plans, develop and activities are conducted to comply with U.S. implement management actions, seek Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion partnerships and catalog select species requirements and commitments resulting from where management opportunities and/or environmental reviews. emergent issues exist within the region

• Continue cave protection activities Approximately 40 sites containing populations of federally listed animals and plants on Expected Benefits TVA-managed lands are monitored. These Key benefits of this program are:

monitoring activities were designed in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife

• Improved threatened and endangered and, as appropriate, other federal and species and habitat protection state agencies. These data are reported to

• Compliance with Endangered Species Act appropriate resource agencies and are used to regulations protect these sensitive resources and to make

• Increased resource knowledge, which informed decisions about land management results in informed decisions and reduced and operational actions. project costs and cycle times

• Improved coordination and communication with regulators

• Increased water quality benefits (e.g.,

protection of cave environments protects subterranean water resources)

66 3.5.2 wherever possible or determine necessary N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Wetlands Management mitigation actions. TVA has taken a proactive approach to wetlands protection by Wetlands are highly productive and biologically establishing red zone wetlands in its Shoreline diverse ecosystems that provide multiple Management Initiative of 1998.

public benefits such as flood control, reservoir shoreline stabilization, improved water quality, NRP Activities and habitat for fish and wildlife resources.

• Continue implementation of current TVA The wetlands management program seeks to wetland management and protection implement a proactive approach to identify, practices on TVA-managed lands manage and protect wetlands under TVAs care.

Expected Benefits Within the NRP, this program aligns with the Key benefits of this program are:

following resource areas and programs:

• Protection of wetland resources to

• Nutrient source - watershed identification preserve their function and support fish and improvement program (Water) and wildlife resources

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian

• Improved water quality through the management (Water) wetlands filtering capability (keeping

• Lands planning sediment out of reservoir) and prevention of shoreline erosion (providing a buffering Scope: TVA reservoir lands and TVA power effect for wave action) lands

• Increased eco-tourism opportunities resulting in greater economic benefits TVA Span of Control: Direct control on (dispersed recreation, fishing) properties that TVA fully owns and manages

• Consistency with Executive Order 11990 and partial control on lands in cooperation

• Expanded and improved knowledge and with various state and federal agencies information of wetlands functions and values (wetlands database)

Current Activities

• Enhanced collaborative working TVA is guided by Executive Order 11990 environment through information sharing (Protection of Wetlands, 1977), which and pilot project activities with state, directs federal agencies to minimize the other federal, and nongovernmental destruction, loss or degradation of wetlands organization partners and to preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial values of wetlands. In addition, TVA utilizes the sensitive resources database to evaluate 26a permit applications for potential impacts to wetlands. TVA works with applicants (and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers if needed) to avoid impacts

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s 67 68 3.5.3 These data are integral to informing other N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s TVA Sensitive Resources programs and activities across all resource Data Management areas as well as collaborative efforts with external stakeholders (e.g., state and other TVAs sensitive resources data management is federal agencies).

maintained through the TVA Natural Heritage and wetlands databases. The TVA Natural Scope: For the purposes of the NRP, the scope Heritage database is a biological database of this program is focused within the TVA that contains an ecological inventory of rare power service area. On occasion (e.g., power plants, animals, natural communities, natural purchase agreements outside the service areas, and other sensitive natural resource area, fuel purchases, coal leases, etc.), there features. This extensive database also includes is a business need to seek data from outside champion trees, colonial bird roosting sites, the TVA power service area. When this need and areas managed by other federal, state arises, TVA utilizes its membership in the or local entities. The TVA Natural Heritage NatureServe network as well as relationships database is affiliated with and uses the same with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to access the information storage system as the NatureServe necessary information. Various state natural network of natural heritage programs in North heritage programs and Fish and Wildlife and Central America. This ensures consistent offices maintain these data nationwide.

data among the seven Valley states in which TVA operates. TVA maintains cooperative TVA Span of Control: Direct control over the data exchange agreements with its federal TVA owned databases, partial control over and state conservation partners, ensuring that shared data, and no control over data sought most current data are used to make informed from state agencies, other federal agencies, decisions. and natural heritage programs In addition to the TVA Natural Heritage Current Activities database, TVA also maintains a wetlands TVA actively maintains its inventory records database. Several geospatial data layers have using the following data sources:

been developed to support the assessment of proposed projects on wetland resources.

• Information from museums and herbaria These data layers are used for a GIS-level

• Results of field surveys by TVA and others resource assessment and preliminary reviews

• Formal data exchanges with natural heritage for ground surveys and wetlands delineations. programs in the seven Valley states The wetland data available include more than

• Formal data exchanges with the U.S. Fish 1,850 scanned National Wetlands Inventory and Wildlife Service maps that have been geo-referenced and

• Information from professional contacts in combined to provide a seamless coverage other agencies and academia of the TVA region. The National Wetlands

• Results from TVAs endangered species Inventory maps, covering approximately monitoring and field assessments 70 percent of the TVA region, are in a

• Unpublished and published scientific digitized format for spatial analysis. TVA literature uses these data for environmental reviews, conservation planning, and endangered Data users access the database for species management activities. environmental reviews and planning purposes.

All users are trained biologists, foresters or

69 ecologists who receive additional training Expected Benefits N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s on the use and proper interpretation of data Key benefits of this program are:

contained in the database. They also receive supplemental training annually to improve

• Promotion of proactive management interpretive skills and to be exposed to current and protection of the Valleys sensitive conservation issues. These data are provided resources through increased knowledge to data users via a comprehensive GIS-based and data sharing of resource information computer system. To ensure compliance with

• Enhanced collaborative working the Endangered Species Act, TVA has developed environment through data sharing standards used to interpret these data. activities with state, federal, and nongovernmental organization partners NRP Activities

• Improved TVA awareness of challenges

• Continue current management of TVA facing sensitive resources as well as Natural Heritage and wetlands databases willingness to work with others on solutions

• Honor data sharing agreements among TVA,

• Improved development of avoidance, state and other federal resource agencies minimization and mitigation measures as

• Add new data users for environmental review part of project planning due to an increase and planning purposes in sensitive resources data availability, resulting in reduced compliance costs and avoided (potential) project delays

70 3.5.4 of both TVA and state natural areas are N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Natural Areas Management maintained in the TVA Sensitive Resources database. Recently, due to funding and This program manages TVAs natural areas, personnel constraints, TVA has not actively which are ecologically significant sites, lands monitored the conditions of its natural areas.

set aside for particular management objectives, and lands that contain sensitive biological, NRP Activities cultural or scenic resources. The TVA natural

• Monitor and assess TVAs natural areas to area program includes small wild areas, habitat develop a prioritized list of maintenance or protection areas, wildlife observation areas, improvement needs (assess approximately and ecological study areas. one-third of natural areas annually)

• Develop and implement comprehensive Within the NRP, this program aligns with the natural area management plans (assess following resource areas and programs: approximately 15 natural areas annually)

• Establish criteria for a natural areas planning

• Archaeological monitoring and protection process to designate new or remove existing (Cultural) natural areas on TVA-managed lands

• Lands planning Expected Benefits Scope: TVA-managed lands (includes power Key benefits of this program are:

properties as well as reservoir lands)

• Expanded and improved knowledge of TVA Span of Control: Direct control over TVA- and information about sensitive resources, managed lands and partial control over areas resulting in enhanced habitat protection that are cooperatively managed with state or of some of the Valleys unique areas other federal resource agencies (e.g., nonnative invasive plant control, boundary maintenance, species habitat Current Activities enhancement, etc.)

In 1983, in recognition of the importance of

• Increased opportunities for eco-tourism unique natural resources, TVA established a resulting in greater local and regional policy for the identification and protection of economic benefits (dispersed recreation) natural areas. TVA manages 154 natural areas

• Enhanced public awareness and throughout the TVA region. Key activities appreciation of unique natural areas include on-site condition assessments, erection

• Enhanced collaborative working of gates or barriers, trails management, and environment through information installation of regulatory and interpretive sharing activities with state, federal, and signage. TVA partners with state agencies and nongovernmental organization partners nongovernmental organizations to support monitoring, maintenance, trail development, and nonnative invasive plant control in these natural areas. Information on and boundaries

71 3.5.5 populations led TVA to establish a five-year N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Migratory Birds Management working group composed of federal and state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, The migratory bird management program is and volunteers to learn more about shorebird composed of two elements: development and resources in the Valley (Tennessee River Valley implementation of migratory bird management Shorebird Working Group).

plans and increased involvement in regional working groups. For example, TVA is looking During the late 1990s and early 2000s, TVA to renew its involvement in the Partners in developed numerous resource management Flight working group and seek partnerships unit plans (see Section 3.5.15) that help for potential related projects. provide sustainable habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife populations. These plans Within the NRP, this program aligns with the are still being used to manage TVA lands following resource areas and programs: across the Tennessee Valley.

• Recreation activities (both formal and NRP Activities dispersed recreation)

• Comply with Executive Order 13186

• Environmental education (Public

• Support and participate in national and regional Engagement) migratory bird management planning efforts, such as the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Scope: TVA power service area and TVA North American Waterfowl Management Plan, reservoir lands Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, and Landscape Conservation Cooperatives TVA Span of Control: Direct control within the

• Continue participation in Tennessee River reservoir system and dewatering areas and Valley Shorebird Working Group partial or no control on adjacent non-TVA lands

• Partner with other agencies and (e.g., state wildlife management areas, U.S. Fish nongovernmental organizations to implement and Wildlife refuges, private lands) conservation projects and to manage migratory bird populations on TVA reservoirs Current Activities (e.g., waterfowl, shorebirds, double-crested TVA inventories, monitors and manages cormorants, wading birds) migratory birds on TVA-managed lands.

Although it is not specifically mandated, Expected Benefits TVA complies with Executive Order 13186, Key benefits of this program are:

Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds. TVA is a signatory to

• Improved habitat for migratory birds and the Partners in Flight joint memorandum of monitoring of long-term trends for select understanding venture, which is outdated. species

• Enhanced collaborative working In 2004, as a result of the Reservoir Operations environment and relationships through Policy, TVA altered the drawdown schedule information sharing activities with on several reservoirs to balance competing state, federal, and nongovernmental uses of the reservoir system (e.g., recreation, organization partners water supply, water quality, flood control,

• Increased tourism resulting in greater local power generation and navigation). Concern and regional economic benefits (e.g., bird-about the resulting impacts to shorebird watching and waterfowl hunting)

72 3.5.6 farmers and cooperative agreements with N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Grasslands and Agricultural state agencies, other federal agencies and Lands Management nongovernmental organizations (e.g.,

dewatering areas) as well as prioritized habitat The TVA grasslands and agricultural lands enhancement projects on the 10 existing TVA management program strives to increase reservoir management unit plans.

habitat diversity across the TVA landscape.

Grasslands and agricultural lands are lands NRP Activities that are nonforested and are maintained

• Continue to manage agricultural licenses in early successional habitat or agricultural and cooperative federal and state agency fields (e.g., row crops and hay forage). TVA agreements on over 10,000 acres of TVA-manages these nonforested lands to maintain managed lands ground cover to prevent erosion, provide

• Partner with other federal and state agencies open and early succession wildlife habitat, and nongovernmental organizations in efforts enhance local agribusiness, provide future to manage and enhance TVA grasslands and land maintenance cost savings, and maintain agricultural lands maximum flexibility for future management scenarios (e.g., carbon sequestration). Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Increased diversity and quality of wildlife habitat, water quality benefits, and

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian dispersed recreational opportunities management (Water) (e.g., wildlife viewing, hunting, etc.)

• Environmental education (Public

• Enhanced local agribusiness, resulting in a Engagement) positive effect on local economies

• Lands planning

• Demonstrated carbon management (e.g.,

by converting grasslands and agricultural Scope: TVA reservoir lands and TVA power lands lands to forest) and energy crop production (e.g., switch grass)

TVA Span of Control: Direct control over TVA-

• Long-term maintenance cost savings managed lands and partial control on TVA associated with proactive management of lands that are under agriculture agreements nonforested lands with other agencies and local farmers

• Revenue generated from agricultural licenses Current Activities TVA grasslands and agricultural lands management activities are accomplished through agricultural licenses with individual

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s 73 74 3.5.7 Within the NRP, this program aligns with the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Dewatering Projects following resource areas and programs:

Management

• Archaeological monitoring and protection The dewatering projects management program (Cultural) operates, either alone or in partnership, nine

• Environmental education (Public dewatering projects on Kentucky and Wheeler Engagement) reservoirs. A dewatering area is an area that is seasonally flooded as part of a waterfowl Scope: Dewatering projects on TVA reservoir management program by TVA, the Tennessee lands Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural TVA Span of Control: Direct control over the Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The dewatering areas, which TVA owns, and projects are operated as part of the Tennessee partial control where it has agreements with and Wheeler national wildlife refuges and state and other federal agencies to manage the state wildlife management areas. lands within the dewatering areas

75 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s While primarily built for mosquito control, the dewatering areas are currently managed for waterfowl habitat and dispersed recreation (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing). Other benefits of these areas include protection of bottomland hardwoods, slope protection for relocated highways and railways, and agriculture lands. TVA has entered into agreements with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, TWRA, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife for the management and cost sharing of operation and maintenance of these areas. Specific operation and management activities include maintaining earthen levees and operating pump house and water control gates. U.S.

Fish and Wildlife, TWRA, and Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources manage the land base within the dewatering areas, including maintenance of ditches, planting of crops, regulation of hunting activities, etc.

As a result of refocused efforts on dam and levee safety, TVA recently conducted a incorporate nature-based tourism into comprehensive dewatering area review to management of dewatering area projects.

assess the status and make recommendations for refurbishment of each unit. Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

TVA has contractual agreements for highway and railroad embankment protection within

• A nationally recognized overwintering dewatering areas (e.g., U.S. Highway 70 waterfowl habitat, along with good habitat and railroad bridge at Camden, Tenn. for other wildlife, including sensitive dewatering area). species

• Protection of wetland habitats, bottomland NRP Activities forests, cultural resources, agricultural

• Continue management of current projects lands, and highway and railroad (includes maintaining or upgrading existing embankments contractual agreements)

• Outstanding waterfowl hunting

• Refurbish dewatering areas based on opportunities, along with other dispersed dewatering unit engineering and hydrologic recreational opportunities (e.g., wildlife reviews viewing, bank and boat fishing, hiking

• Operate, manage and maintain dewatering and biking trails, etc.)

area projects at upgraded conditions

• Economic benefits to local communities

• Work with local and regional partners to through tourism and agriculture

76 3.5.8 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Forest Resource Management TVA has been a pioneer of watershed protection, including the establishment of The majority of TVAs public lands (more than agency tree seedling nurseries, tree improvement 75 percent) are in mature forest cover that programs, reforestation (planting of millions offers outstanding environmental watershed of trees), soil erosion control, sediment protection benefits. These benefits include management, and provision of technical forest slow release of storm water runoff, which resource management guidance across the helps in flood control; structural interception region. TVA has over 100 miles of earth forest of rainfall or dissipation; evapotranspiration; roads used by the public. Proper management and control of soil erosion. of these forest roads includes best management practices that minimize soil erosion and off-site TVA will manage its forest resources (all of impacts that can adversely affect water quality.

the resources of the forest plant community, including the wildlife it supports) in a holistic Since discontinuation of its Forestry manner, including: Prescription Process in the mid-1990s, TVAs forest management efforts have been limited

• Forest access roads and parking areas in scope. These efforts have involved only management small-scale salvage operations in response to

• Forest resource and watershed protection storm or insect damage and planned harvests

• Forest vegetation management primarily for habitat enhancement. These

• Other public benefits (e.g., dispersed actions have involved less than 1 percent of recreation, visual resources management, TVAs undeveloped lands. TVAs other forestry habitat enhancement) related efforts have been limited to mitigating tree hazards and encroachments involving tree Within the NRP, this program aligns with the cutting or other vegetative disturbances.

following resource areas and programs:

NRP Activities

• Archaeological monitoring and protection

• Manage tree hazards and tree cutting/

(Cultural) vegetation damage encroachments

• Recreation activities (both formal and

• Continue small-scale vegetation (tree dispersed recreation) removal) operations associated with storm

• Environmental education (Public or insect damage and forest wildlife habitat Engagement) enhancements

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian

• Monitor broad forest trends on TVA-management (Water) managed lands and conduct basic forest protection activities (e.g., insects and Scope: TVA reservoir lands and power disease, nonnative invasive plants, age-class properties of forest stands, prescribed burns)

• Provide support to state forestry assessment TVA Span of Control: Direct control over plans TVA-managed lands and partial control of

• Develop and maintain a qualified fire TVA lands that are under agreements for management crew for local responses and management by other agencies to protect TVA assets

77 Expected Benefits

• Economic benefits to local communities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Key benefits of this program are: through tourism

• Protection for cultural and sensitive

• Improved forest resources, wildlife resources (e.g., plant communities, habitats, and scenic beauty shoreline erosion reduction, etc.) through

• Increased water quality benefits proactive forest resource management

• Better knowledge of forest resource trends

• Support for TVAs carbon management and management needs efforts

• Increased dispersed recreation

• Minimized long-term forest management opportunities costs through sustainable monitoring and improvement practices

78 3.5.9 control these plants in natural areas, on trails, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Nonnative Invasive Plant and on dam reservation properties. Control Management is accomplished by mechanical means (e.g.,

hand grubbing, mowing, mulchers), chemical This program manages the effects of control (e.g., selective herbicides), and nonnative invasive plant infestation under and prescribed burning.

beside forest canopies, small forest openings, open and early successional habitat lands, NRP Activities and sensitive resource areas and habitats.

• Control nonnative invasive plants on at least Nonnative invasive plants infest a variety 1,000 acres of TVA-managed lands per year of forested and nonforested habitats. These

• Develop a prioritized plan to control plants can reduce forest productivity, hinder nonnative invasive plants on areas with forest use and management activities, and sensitive resources (e.g., designated natural degrade biodiversity and wildlife habitat. areas), habitat enhancements, or high public Nonnative invasive plants can include trees, use, emphasizing areas with high partnership shrubs, vines, grasses, ferns and forbs. potential Within the NRP, this program aligns with the Expected Benefits following resource areas and programs: Key benefits of this program are:

• Archaeological monitoring and protection

• Improved forest resources, wildlife (Cultural) habitats, and associated biodiversity

• Campground management (Recreation)

• Protection for cultural and sensitive

• Day-use areas (Recreation) resources (e.g., kudzu control at historic

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian sites, native versus nonnative sensitive management (Water) plants, etc.)

• Increased dispersed recreation Note: TVAs aquatic plant management opportunities program is not within the scope of the NRP.

• Potential to reduce TVAs long-term control costs Scope: All TVA property has the potential

• Increased protection of water resources for nonnative invasive plant issues, including and migratory bird habitat quality (e.g.,

power properties and reservoir lands. alligator weed and water primrose)

TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land TVA owns and manages and partial control on TVA lands containing developed recreation facilities and lands where TVA has agreements with state and other federal agencies Current Activities Currently, TVA actively manages nonnative invasive plants in areas where habitat improvements have been made (e.g., native warm season grass fields). Also, TVA works to

79 3.5.10 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Nuisance Animal Control The primary objective of TVAs nuisance animal control program is to reduce natural The nuisance animal control program manages resource and facility damage caused by the effects of nuisance animals on TVA lands, nuisance species in a practical, humane and facilities, and recreational users to protect: environmentally acceptable manner. TVA has entered into a contractual agreement

• Public health and safety (e.g., feral hogs) for the management of nuisance animals

• TVA assets (e.g., bird impacts to power with the Wildlife Services section of the U.S.

lines and transformers) Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant

• Adjacent private property from damage Health Inspection Service. Wildlife Services (e.g., flooding by beavers) holds all federal and state permits that are required to conduct control activities with This process involves the removal of nuisance various wildlife species.

animals from the affected area. Common nuisance wildlife species for TVA include, but NRP Activities are not limited to, vultures, Canada geese,

• Resolve animal damage conflicts via existing double-crested cormorants, herons, pigeons, contractual agreement with USDA Wildlife gulls, beavers, raccoons, squirrels, bats, Services groundhogs, various other rodents, and feral

• Develop and implement proactive strategies or released domestic animals. to manage feral or released domestic animals on TVA-managed lands Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs: Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Campground management (Recreation)

• Day-use areas (Recreation)

• Improved public and TVA employee

• Environmental education (Public health, safety and property Engagement)

• Support for TVA transmission and

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian operational reliability and related cost management (Water) savings

• Protection of TVAs earthen dams and levees Scope: All TVA property has the potential

• Reduced liability for adjacent private for nuisance animal issues, including power property properties, reservoir lands, and developed

• Enhanced protection of cultural, sensitive recreation facilities and natural resources

• Increased protection of water resources TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land and island habitats (e.g., vegetation on TVA owns and manages and partial control shorelines eroded due to double-crested on TVA lands containing developed recreation cormorants) facilities and lands where TVA has agreements

• Increased dispersed recreation opportunities with state and other federal agencies

• A positive public perception associated with proactive land management and maintenance

80 3.5.11 Current Activities Terrestrial Greenhouse Gas Currently, TVA is engaged in carbon offset N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Sequestration Management research projects on 41 acres of TVA-managed lands at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant to build The terrestrial greenhouse gas (GHG) institutional knowledge of terrestrial carbon sequestration management program is focused sequestration programs. TVA is currently on continuing TVAs participation in research involved in this research project for the projects and third-party consortiums on purpose of:

terrestrial carbon sequestration, which is the storage of carbon in the biomass created by

• Obtaining information to develop perennial vegetation such as root systems and internal expertise on how to generate tree trunks. TVA will continue its research carbon credits from a terrestrial carbon efforts near Watts Bar nuclear plant as well as sequestration project in order to hedge risk its involvement in the PowerTree and Utilitree associated with a carbon-constrained world consortiums, which are joint partnerships

• Obtaining certified carbon reduction between electric companies that sponsor credits projects to sequester carbon dioxide.

• Showcasing TVAs historic land and water stewardship mission As background, a carbon offset is an

• Demonstrating new and advanced solid equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide or and aboveground carbon measurement other greenhouse gases (GHGs). They are technologies generated in a sector and/or region outside the boundary of an emissions cap or trading TVA currently participates in two voluntary program. Offsets could potentially be used consortiums, PowerTree Carbon Company as a compliance mechanism under a national and Utilitree Carbon Company LLC, that are carbon reduction program. Initiatives similar conducting reforestation, afforestation, and to current terrestrial carbon sequestration forest management projects to sequester carbon.

research projects may be used to reduce future compliance costs if carbon legislation is NRP Activities passed. In order to obtain certified and verified

• Conduct research projects on 41 acres offsets from terrestrial GHG sequestration focusing on issues related to terrestrial activities, particular GHG accounting protocols greenhouse gas management must be followed (e.g., determination of

• Continue existing involvement in third-applicability, development of baseline party consortiums (PowerTree and Utilitree) emissions, measurement and verification of focusing on issues related to terrestrial GHG emission reductions, third-party reviews). management practices Future types of terrestrial carbon sequestration projects that TVA may consider include: Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Forest creation and reforestation activities

• Forest type conversion

• Development of internal knowledge

• Forest clearing and deforestation avoidance regarding generation of carbon offset

• Conservation farming techniques credits from a terrestrial carbon sequestration project Scope: TVA-managed reservoir lands

• Keeping TVA abreast of trends and best management practices for carbon TVA Span of Control: Direct control on TVA- management managed reservoir lands

81 3.5.12 additional information) has also received Wildlife Habitat Council - council certification. This program is credited N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Third-Party Certifications with improving more than 300 miles of aquatic habitat by increasing the amount of dissolved The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a oxygen and keeping the riverbed wet at all Maryland-based nonprofit organization that times.

provides a third-party certification program that encourages corporations to enhance NRP Activities wildlife habitats on their properties. WHC

• Continue management of current certified certification adds value to programs by projects providing third-party credibility and an

• Apply for Wildlife Habitat Council certification objective evaluation of projects. Wildlife of the TVA Natural Resource Plan Habitat Council biologists work with member companies to inventory wildlife populations, Expected Benefits identify wildlife enhancement projects, and Key benefits of this program are:

form teams of employees to administer them.

Wildlife projects vary from site to site, but

• Enhanced credibility of TVA management typically include maintaining wildlife food activities by the public through third-party plots, establishing native grass and wildflower review and certification meadows, and providing artificial nesting

• Enhanced TVA corporate identity and pride structures for bluebirds, tree swallows, wood (i.e., verify TVA is doing the right thing) ducks and other species.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource area and program:

• Environmental education (Public Engagement)

Scope: All TVA property has the potential for Wildlife Habitat Council projects, including power properties, reservoir lands, and developed recreation facilities.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land TVA owns and manages and partial control on TVA lands containing developed recreation facilities and lands where TVA has agreements with state and other federal agencies Current Activities In 1998, TVA established a formal relationship with the Wildlife Habitat Council. TVA projects currently certified by the council include Colbert Fossil Plant, Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Plant, and the Muscle Shoals Reservation. TVAs Reservoir Releases Improvements Program (see Reservoir Operations Study, 2004, for

82 3.5.13

• Quail Forever - establishment of native N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Wildlife Habitat warm season grass and food plots Enhancement Partnerships on Tellico, Watts Bar, and Melton Hill reservoirs The wildlife habitat enhancement partnerships

• Ducks Unlimited - construction and program focuses on collaborating with other erection of wood duck nesting boxes on federal and state agencies, individuals and TVA-managed lands across the region and nongovernmental organizations to improve habitat restoration efforts on the Camden habitats and increase wildlife-oriented dewatering area recreational opportunities on TVA-managed

• The National Wild Turkey Federation -

lands. establishment of native grass and food plots on TVA-managed lands Within the NRP, this program aligns with the

• University of Tennessee and local following resource areas and programs: native plant nurseries - establishment and management of native wildflower

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian meadows on certain TVA-managed lands management (Water)

• Environmental education (Public NRP Activities Engagement)

• Improve habitat on at least 750 acres of TVA-

• Tennessee Valley Camp-Right managed lands per year through partnership Campground Program (Recreation) efforts only Scope: TVA power lands, TVA reservoir lands, Expected Benefits and developed recreation facilities Key benefits of this program are:

TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land

• Increased habitat and species diversity TVA owns and manages and partial control

• Potential water quality benefits (e.g.,

on TVA lands containing developed recreation prevent erosion on TVA lands through facilities and lands where TVA has agreements vegetative habitat enhancement) with state and other federal agencies

• Increased dispersed recreation opportunities and associated economic Current Activities benefits TVA actively cooperates with various

• Reduced nonnative invasive plants on agencies, individuals and nongovernmental projects areas organizations to improve habitat on TVA-

• Improved collaborative working and data managed lands. Examples include: sharing environment with various partner organizations

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee

• A positive public perception associated Wildlife Resources Agency, Alabama with proactive habitat management Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - dewatering areas (see dewatering projects management program, Section 3.5.7, for additional information)

• Individual farmers - wildlife enhancement projects on TVA-managed lands under agricultural licenses

83 3.5.14 along with a data sheet, is taken to the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Boundary Maintenance boundary maintenance location.

3. The boundary line is located on the ground The boundary maintenance program and denoted with the appropriate paint establishes and maintains TVAs reservoir color. The following data are also collected property boundaries to assist in the during boundary maintenance: date of identification and reduction of encroachments boundary maintenance, feet of boundary by owners of adjacent lands and to enhance marked, TVA monument numbers the protection of natural and cultural and conditions, and type of additional resources through clear markings and signage. maintenance needed (if any). TVA property Within the NRP, this program aligns with the signage is placed approximately 200 feet following resource areas and programs: apart along each boundary line.

4. The data collected during boundary

• Archaeological monitoring and protection maintenance are transferred to a GIS (Cultural) database.

• Environmental education (Public Engagement) NRP Activities

• Conduct boundary maintenance (e.g.,

Scope: TVA reservoir lands mapping, surveying, reestablishment, signage, etc.) at the reservoir level TVA Span of Control: Direct control on TVA-

• Develop a regional prioritization process for owned and managed reservoir properties determining boundary maintenance needs at the reservoir level Current Activities

• Address all regional boundary maintenance TVA prioritizes and implements annual boundary needs on a 10-year cycle while incorporating maintenance as needed at the reservoir level. the latest and future survey technologies to However, due to staffing and funding constraints assist in the process (e.g., lasers and GIS over the last 20 years, TVA has not proactively versus transits and stadia rod) maintained boundaries on reservoir lands.

Recently, as recommended by the Regional Expected Benefits Resource Stewardship Council, TVA has begun Key benefits of this program are:

to refocus its boundary maintenance efforts.

• Reduction of encroachments and Boundaries are maintained by completing a unauthorized uses of TVA-reservoir lands four-step process:

• Enhanced value to recreationists through shared knowledge and information of

1. TVA identifies priority areas to conduct TVA-reservoir lands (includes the public, boundary maintenance based on adjacent landowners, agencies, and other developmental pressures and timber harvest nongovernmental organizations) activities on adjacent properties, lack of

• Increased protection of all natural existing boundary markings, elapsed time resources, including sensitive and cultural since the last boundary maintenance, and resources outcomes of other TVA processes.

• Improved land conditions across

2. A desktop review is conducted using the Valley by maintaining lands and aerial photos of the area, site-specific boundaries photos, and maps. This information,

84 3.5.15 roads to allow access for identified needs N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Land Conditions and tasks (e.g., construction, agricultural and Assessment and Land timber activities).

Stewardship Maintenance Between 1998 and 2001, TVA developed The land conditions assessment and land 10 unit plans, addressing long-term stewardship maintenance program includes (25-year), land-based resource management two types of assessments: comprehensive land activities on lands allocated for natural conditions assessment (LCA) and rapid land resource conservation or sensitive resource conditions assessment (RLCA) (see Chapter 7 - management. The unit plans cover a total Reservoir Lands Planning). These processes of 17,675 acres of land and were developed provide a prioritized list of tasks to address with substantial stakeholder input. Primary land maintenance needs that are identified. objectives of the unit plans were to provide The program implements access control and sustainable amenities and benefits to the other stewardship measures to ensure public public through cost-effective management health and safety (e.g., removal of dangerous of unit-based resources, including habitat trees), protect natural and sensitive resources, enhancement, sensitive resource management, minimize soil erosion, and prevent other access improvement, enhanced recreational environmental impacts (e.g., trash and litter). opportunities, water quality improvements It includes construction and maintenance of and forest health. An example of a unit plan

85 can be found at www.tva.com/environment/ land condition assessments with a N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s reports/boone/. comprehensive land assessment (hard data/

information)

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the

• Implement prioritized stewardship activities following resource areas and programs: addressing public health and safety, asset preservation, and resource management

• Archaeological monitoring and protection needs based on land assessments (e.g.,

(Cultural) access control, road maintenance, sensitive

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian resources protection, habitat improvement) management (Water)

• Transition from the unit plan implementation

• Lands planning methodology to the RLCA/LCA task prioritization methodology Scope: TVA reservoir lands and natural areas on power property (e.g., Shawnee Fossil Expected Benefits Plant) Below are some of the key benefits TVA hopes to provide by implementing this TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land program:

TVA owns and manages and partial control on TVA lands where it has agreements with state

• Improved public health and safety across and other federal agencies TVA-managed lands, which in turn helps to reduce possible costs associated with Current Activities hazard management TVA currently assesses land conditions using

• Increased protection of natural, cultural established land condition assessments and and sensitive resources other resource management methodologies

• Increased knowledge of existing resource on about 10,000 acres of TVA-managed conditions, locations and needs on TVA lands per year. These assessment tools and lands (e.g., signage, brochures, self-methodologies drive the prioritization of guided tours, etc.) to enhance value stewardship maintenance and management to recreationists and other users (e.g.,

activities on TVAs lands. universities)

• Protection of prior TVA investments on Also, TVA manages the implementation of reservoir lands (e.g., habitat enhancements, 10 existing unit plans on approximately access roads, invasive control) 18,000 acres along eight reservoirs. Annual

• Creating a positive perception associated tasks include maintaining native warm with proactive land maintenance season grass plantings and other wildlife (e.g., water quality improvements via habitat plantings, controlling invasive plants, minimized sediment runoff, wildlife maintaining access roads, and implementing habitat enhancements, forest resource forest improvements. management)

NRP Activities

• Assess 20,000 to 35,000 acres of TVA-managed lands annually. Execute a comprehensive approach for assessing all TVA reservoir properties in an effort to eventually replace the past rapid

86 3.5.16 of recovery plans for federally listed species, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Conservation Planning development of state wildlife action plans and fisheries programs, and many other small-The conservation planning program supports and large-scale conservation planning efforts.

natural resource planning initiatives throughout Because TVAs influence crosses state lines, it the southeastern U.S., including regional has been able to bring a unique perspective to planning efforts with nongovernmental these plans.

organizations, development of recovery plans for threatened and endangered species, NRP Activities development of state wildlife action plans and

• Continue to be advisers and participants in fisheries programs, and many other small- and planning organizations large-scale conservation planning efforts.

• Partner with regulatory and resource management agencies in state, local and Scope: TVAs power service area regional conservation planning efforts TVA Span of Control: Direct control over Expected Benefits conservation planning involving TVA-managed Key benefits of this program are:

lands

• A comprehensive approach to collectively Current Activities address regional natural resource issues TVA has participated in and provided data

• Increased partnership opportunities to many regional conservation-planning

• Improved cooperation between agencies efforts throughout the southeastern U.S. managing similar resources These conservation planning efforts

• Reduced compliance costs include eco-regional planning efforts with

• Creation of larger-scale, collaborative nongovernmental organizations, development conservation initiatives

87 3.5.17 has identified and evaluated 265 dispersed N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Dispersed Recreation recreation areas, which typically include Management multiple individual sites. TVA attempts to repair at least one heavily impacted area per year.

The dispersed recreation management program provides a proactive approach NRP Activities toward managing impacts on TVA public lands

• Collect data on dispersed recreation sites associated with dispersed recreational use identified during lands condition assessment (e.g., camping, hiking, bank fishing, hunting,

• Repair 5 - 15 heavily impacted dispersed bird-watching). This management will enhance recreation sites annually dispersed recreation sites on TVA public lands,

• Implement 5 - 10 key projects annually (e.g.,

thus providing the user with a higher quality new projects such as shoreline fishing sites recreational experience. Dispersed recreation and improved recreation access) sites are not supported by formal recreation

• Implement web-based educational campaign facilities such as parking areas, shower to promote eco-friendly dispersed recreation buildings and developed campsites.

• Develop and implement multi-year dispersed recreation plans Within the NRP, this program aligns with the

• Issue regulations on dispersed recreation following resource areas and programs: facilities to enhance enforcement capabilities

• Archaeological monitoring and protection Expected Benefits (Cultural) Key benefits of this program are:

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian management (Water)

• Increased eco-tourism resulting in greater

• Environmental education economic benefits (Public Engagement)

• Unique recreational opportunities for the

• Stream access sites (Recreation) public, such as bank fishing, hiking, bike

• Recreation design principles (Recreation) trails, and wildlife viewing in areas where these activities are currently limited Scope: Primary scope is TVA reservoir lands

• Enhanced value to recreationists through with additional dispersed recreation occurring shared knowledge and information of on or around power properties (e.g., Saltillo TVA-reservoir lands (includes the public, power site and Murphy Hill power site) adjacent landowners, agencies, and other nongovernmental organizations)

TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land

• Decreased impacts to forests, wildlife, TVA owns and manages and partial control on cultural resources, sensitive species, TVA lands where it has agreements with state water quality, and scenic quality of TVA and other federal agencies reservoir lands

• Support to address and correct conflicting Current Activities use issues (e.g., four wheelers interfering TVA identifies and evaluates the condition with deer hunters) of dispersed recreational areas for potential impacts to TVA-managed lands. To date, it

88 3.5.18 Expected Benefits N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Leave No Trace Key benefits of this program are:

The Leave No Trace program is a national

• Decreased impacts to forests, wildlife, and international program designed to cultural resources, sensitive species, educate outdoor enthusiasts about the effects water quality, and scenic quality of TVA of dispersed recreation activities on the reservoir lands environment and to help them reduce those

• Increased quality of dispersed recreational impacts. experiences

• Enhanced value to recreationists through Within the NRP, this program aligns with the shared knowledge and information of TVA following resource areas and programs: reservoir lands (e.g., additional signage and responsibility information)

• Archaeological monitoring and protection

• Reduced operation and maintenance (Cultural) costs to clean up litter and manage the

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian dispersed recreation areas management (Water)

• Environmental education (Public Engagement)

Scope: All TVA property has the potential to utilize the Leave No Trace program, including power properties, reservoir lands, and developed recreation facilities TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land TVA owns and manages and partial control on lands where TVA has agreements with state and other federal agencies Current Activities Currently, TVA participates in this program by making information available at select recreational areas and TVA field offices.

NRP Activities

• Continue to participate in Leave No Trace program

• Promote the Leave No Trace program throughout the region by providing educational information to users at recreation facilities and sites (both at information kiosks and through interactions with recreationists in the field), local businesses, and on the web

89 3.5.19 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 3 - B i o l o g i c a l R e s o u r c e s Trails Management TVA has over 100 miles of existing trails located on TVA-managed lands. Currently, The trails management program will provide it does not have a systematic inventory a systematic inventory and maintenance plan or a maintenance plan for existing trails.

to manage over 100 miles of existing trails Maintenance activities are restricted to on TVA-managed lands. Trail usage provides reduction of safety hazards (e.g., removal recreational opportunities to the public, of obstacles and surface enhancements) including hiking, running, mountain biking, and placement of directional and regulatory wildlife viewing, scenic viewing, and other signage. TVA also coordinates trail projects outdoor pursuits. TVA will collaborate with with potential partners to establish state, local and other federal agencies and sustainable projects.

nongovernmental organizations to:

NRP Activities

• Provide a better quality recreation

• Proactively manage existing trail systems experience through proper maintenance to include a systematic inventory and and management of existing trails management/maintenance plan throughout the Valley

• Develop additional trails and maintenance Expected Benefits plans in areas where needs are not being Key benefits of this program are:

met

• Increased eco-tourism resulting in greater Within the NRP, this program aligns with the economic benefits following resource areas and programs:

• Increased access opportunities to allow

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) for additional dispersed recreational

• Environmental education opportunities, such as wildlife viewing, (Public Engagement) bank fishing, scenic observation, etc.

• Recreation activities

• A positive public perception associated with proactive land management and Scope: All TVA property has the potential to maintenance offer TVA-managed trails, including power properties, reservoir lands, and developed recreation facilities TVA Span of Control: Direct control on land TVA owns and manages and partial control on TVA lands containing developed recreation facilities and lands where TVA has agreements with state and other federal agencies

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s 90 91 C h a pt e r 4 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Cultural Resources 4.1 Goal 93 4.2 Benefits 93 4.3 Implementation Strategy 93 Enforcement 94 Protection 95 Data Management 96 Public Outreach and Awareness 97 4.4 Measures of Success 97 4.5 Resource Area Programs 98 4.5.1 Archaeological Monitoring and Protection 99 4.5.2 Archaeological Resources Protection Act 101 4.5.3 Native American Consultation 102 4.5.4 Native American Graves Protection and

Repatriation Act 103 4.5.5 National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 104 4.5.6 Preservation Program 105 4.5.7 Preserve America 106 4.5.8 Archaeological Outreach (Thousand Eyes) 108 4.5.9 Corporate History Program 109

92 The earliest TVA-related archaeological surveys began in 1933 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s with the building of the first TVA dam at Norris, Tenn. As dam construction spread to sites across the region, archaeological surveys were conducted at various reservoir basins, including Wheeler, Pickwick, Guntersville, Chickamauga and Kentucky. Surveys conducted on TVA-managed lands from 1940 through 1960 were sporadic until the National Historic Preservation Act was passed in 1966. It requires federal agencies to consider the potential effects of a proposed action on historic properties and outlines an approach for agencies to consider in preserving cultural resources. Since the act was passed, TVA has conducted archaeological surveys on 30 reservoirs.

Over the last few decades, scientific and Register of Historic Places helps identify, technological advancements have resulted in evaluate and protect Americas historic and improved archaeological survey techniques. archaeological resources.

Because some investigations were conducted prior to the development of modern survey The majority of the historic structure data methods, archaeological survey coverage has come from individual county surveys and site documentation on TVA-managed on file with the state historic preservation lands varies from site to site. To date, officers and from past TVA surveys, primarily TVA has documented an estimated 11,500 associated with TVAs reservoir lands planning.

archaeological sites on and adjacent to its Comprehensive work at South Holston, reservoir and power properties. Approximately Douglas, Chatuge, Normandy and Tims Ford 5,320 historic structures have been identified reservoirs and partial coverage at Boone, on or near TVA-managed public lands. Fort Patrick Henry and Norris reservoirs Of these, about 235 are considered either supplemented these surveys.

eligible or potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and TVA manages a number of significant 85 historic structures are listed in the Register. archaeological sites that have made important Nine registered historic districts exist on TVA- contributions to the understanding of managed lands. Authorized by the National prehistory in the southeastern U.S. These Historic Preservation Act and administered resources include the Seven Mile Island by the National Park Service, the National Archaeological District (listed on the National

93 Register), Dust Cave in Alabama, the Hiwassee 4.3 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Island and Ledbetter sites in Tennessee, the Implementation Strategy Jonathan Creek site in Kentucky, and Yellow Creek in Mississippi, as well as hundreds of Cultural resources management is unique other sites that have been studied since the in that the majority of activities performed inception of TVA. by TVA and other agencies are required under legal or regulatory statutes. TVAs management of cultural resources historically 4.1 has been focused on complying with these Goal requirements. As part of the NRP, TVA will strengthen the integration of cultural resources TVA will meet its stewardship responsibilities with other resource areas, helping to gain in the Tennessee Valley region through the efficiencies in enforcement, identification and sound management and protection of cultural protection efforts.

resources. TVA is committed to maintaining its public lands in good environmental health Within cultural resources, TVA has structured to support multiple uses in meeting diverse its implementation strategy based on the stakeholder expectations. following characteristics:

• Enforcement 4.2

• Protection Benefits

• Data management

• Public outreach and awareness Through management efforts in this resource area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

• Effective and sustained protection of sensitive, nonrenewable cultural resources and their archaeological context under TVAs management

• Improved relationships with stakeholders that attach cultural value to TVA-managed lands

• Identification and management of historic properties pursuant to Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act in a manner that benefits both the resources and the public

• Increased education and awareness of the importance of protecting cultural resources through public outreach efforts

• Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations concerning cultural resources

94 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Enforcement level of effort meets legal and regulatory requirements, but it is difficult to efficiently TVA has a responsibility to both protect and and effectively monitor all archaeological enhance the broad array of cultural resources sites on TVA properties. To this end, TVA will found on the lands it manages across the continue the use of the ARPA officers and Tennessee Valley region. The agency currently will use the Thousand Eyes archaeological has two Archaeological Resources Protection outreach program to enhance enforcement Act (ARPA) officers on staff. It conducts efforts. The Thousand Eyes program promotes coordinated enforcement efforts (both public awareness of the resources in TVAs through partnerships and public outreach care and of the need for public involvement campaigns) to monitor the approximately in their protection. As TVA hosts public 293,000 acres of reservoir properties, as events, it will promote the protection of well as inundated lands that are periodically these resources and ask the public to help exposed in TVA reservoir drawdowns. This discourage looting.

95 Protection complete inventory of these resources for N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s better overall cultural resource management.

As a strategic priority, TVA will enhance its This program will provide the public with efforts to monitor and protect archaeological more information about TVAs nonrenewable resources to prevent looting and shoreline cultural resources and, along with the erosion. The primary tool for doing so is the Thousand Eyes program, will provide archaeological monitoring and protection more information about the importance of program. Protection is a critical element in protecting these resources. TVAs preservation preserving these nonrenewable sites for program will also evaluate and nominate sites future generations. TVA can also improve for protection on the National Register of its preservation program to ensure a more Historic Places.

96 Data Management existing lands condition assessment. Although N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s this is an effective tool for habitat assessments, TVA currently maintains a historical and it currently does not evaluate cultural, water archaeological sites database. However, this or recreation needs on these lands. In the information has been limited and is not future, TVA will align and integrate field level regularly maintained. Data management needs data collection efforts to cover all resource to be a collaborative effort, both internally and areas. All of the information gathered will be externally. TVA will continue to collect data directly incorporated into the proposed cultural through its preservation program to support the resources database. Additionally, TVA will identification and protection of historic sites. seek opportunities to coordinate compatible In addition, TVA has the opportunity to better data with tribes and state and other federal leverage other internal information gathering agencies in the region. This will strengthen the processes to improve collection of data on data sharing efforts and improve collaborative cultural resources. For example, assessment of enforcement and protection activities across the cultural resources can be integrated into the Tennessee Valley.

97 Public Outreach and Awareness in resource protection. In addition, TVA N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s will actively publicize and communicate its As mentioned above, public outreach is an rich history to promote the importance of essential part of TVAs cultural resources maintaining the historic resources (e.g., lands management program. Through the and cultural artifacts) in its care. These efforts archaeological outreach program (Thousand will be accomplished in coordination with Eyes), TVA will continue efforts to increase TVAs public engagement programs, supporting educational outreach to provide the best the development of partnerships, educational long-term protection of these resources by materials, and volunteer opportunities.

encouraging the public to take an interest 4.4 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Cultural Protect 30-40% of critically eroding sites 20 years Resources Evaluate for affiliation 70-90% of NAGPRA items on 20 years TVA land Conduct archaeological surveys on 60,000-100,000 acres 20 years of TVA land

98 4.5 sections discuss each program in more detail, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Resource Area Programs highlighting current activities, NRP activities, and expected implementation benefits. In When developing the NRP, TVA identified addition, relationships between resource areas programs and activities to support the and other programs are discussed to help goals of each resource area. The following show linkages throughout the NRP.

99 4.5.1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Archaeological Monitoring and Protection The archaeological monitoring and protection program ensures that TVA is protecting the archaeological resources located on its managed lands, according to Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following programs from other resource areas:

• Reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian management (Water)

• Threatened and endangered species (Biological)

• Natural areas (Biological)

• Dewatering projects management (Biological)

• Forest resource management (Biological)

• Nonnative invasive plant management (Biological)

• Nuisance animal control (Biological)

• Boundary maintenance (Biological)

• Land conditions assessment and land stewardship maintenance (Biological)

• Dispersed recreation (Biological)

• Leave No Trace (Biological) associated with this activity has decreased in recent years. TVA is required to protect Scope: All TVA reservoir lands and power archaeological resources under Section 110 of property are included for archaeological the National Historic Preservation Act and the monitoring and protection. Archaeological Resources Protection Act, but it has discretion in how to do this. Most recently, TVA Span of Control: Direct control pursuant to the majority of archaeological sites monitored relevant laws and regulations and protected have been in conjunction with other TVA resource protection projects.

Current Activities TVA has historically taken measures to protect NRP Activities approximately 0.2 mile of shoreline containing

• Protect archaeological sites of up to archaeological resources each year. This 0.6 tributary reservoir shoreline miles or up primarily involves reducing shoreline erosion to 1.1 main stem reservoir shoreline miles by using different biological and physical per year methods such as riprap and vegetative

• Monitor archaeological sites on 150 to 250 plantings. However, the level of effort miles of reservoir shoreline per year

100 Expected Benefits

• Preservation of several million dollars of N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Assigning an economic benefit to archaeological scientific data annually sites is not always possible due to the sensitive

• Increased management knowledge nature of these resources and the meaning and prioritization of resources in need they share with the ancestral groups that place of protection to help guide future a cultural value on them. However, under management decisions the Archaeological Resources Protection Act,

• Increased generation of accurate data on archaeologists are mandated to determine an the annual loss of resources in order to archaeological value in the prosecution of better evaluate the need for protection of criminal penalties under the act. In addition, a these resources commercial value is often placed on the artifacts

• Preservation of these nonrenewable that are removed as a result of illegal activity. resources for future generations While placing a dollar amount on archaeological

• Increased information gathered from sites and artifacts can be controversial and must these sites, providing a better be handled in a sensitive manner, it is possible understanding of the history of the nation to estimate the amount of information lost each and Tennessee Valley and providing year due to looting and erosion. enjoyment to the approximately 1.3 million people in the TVA region In this perspective, key benefits of this who visit archaeological sites program are:

101 4.5.2 NRP Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Archaeological Resources

• Conduct Archaeological Resources Protection Act Protection Act inspections with 1,000 security checks per year The Archaeological Resources Protection Act program ensures that archaeological resources Expected Benefits and sites on TVA-managed lands are preserved Key benefits of this program are:

and protected in accordance with the law.

The act provides civil and criminal penalties

• Decreased incidences of looting through for violations of its provisions. A violation public awareness of the enforcement occurs when an individual excavates, removes, process damages, or otherwise alters or defaces, or

• Greater appreciation for cultural resources attempts to excavate, remove, damage, or

• Recaptured costs through prosecutions of otherwise alter or deface any archaeological these crimes with fines of up to $250,000 resource located on public lands without a per incident.

permit under the act.

Scope: All TVA-managed lands are included in the Archaeological Resources Protection Act program.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control pursuant to relevant laws and regulations Current Activities The TVA Police have dedicated officers for the enforcement of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act criminal provisions.

These officers typically conduct inspections with approximately 1,000 security checks per year. Four or five cases are brought to the U.S. Attorneys office each year for proposed criminal prosecutions. In addition, TVA manages and protects archaeological site information and provides permits for approved archaeological studies on TVA-managed lands.

102 4.5.3 TVA Span of Control: Direct control pursuant to N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Native American relevant laws and regulations Consultation Current Activities The Native American consultation program TVA conducts formal consultation with involves consultations with federally federally recognized tribes to meet the recognized tribes to meet the objectives of objectives of the laws and executive the Native American Graves Protection and orders mentioned above. To facilitate such Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the National consultation, TVA has established a tribal Historic Preservation Act, the American Indian liaison as the agencys point of contact. TVA Religious Freedom Act, Executive Order conducts formal consultation workshops with 13007 (Indian Sacred Sites, 1996), Executive federally recognized Native American tribes Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination once every five years.

With Indian Tribal Governments, 2000), the 1994 executive memorandum regarding NRP Activities government-to-government relationships with

• Coordinate and conduct consultation with tribal governments, and the 2009 presidential federally recognized Indian tribes memorandum regarding tribal consultation.

• Conduct formal consultation workshops with federally recognized tribes every five years Scope: TVA consults as appropriate with the following federally recognized tribes that have Expected Benefits a cultural interest in the Tennessee Key benefits of this program are:

Valley region:

• Increased knowledge of cultural resources

• Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma for TVA

• Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas

• Development of possible partnerships

• Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town with these tribes and their population

• Cherokee Nation of approximately 450,000 to educate the

• Chickasaw Nation public about the importance of preserving

• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma nonrenewable resources, create possible

• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians joint cultural preservation opportunities,

• Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and improve the understanding and

• Jena Band of Choctaw Indians application of diverse cultural perspectives

• Kialegee Tribal Town

• Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

• Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians

• Seminole Tribe of Florida

• Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

• Shawnee Tribe

• Thlopthlocco Tribal Town

• United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma

103 4.5.4

• Determination of disposition of NAGPRA N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Native American Graves items excavated or discovered after 1990 Protection and Repatriation Act

• Maintenance of NAGPRA inventory

• Preparation of NAGPRA notices of The Native American Graves Protection and inventory completions Repatriation Act program ensures that the requirements of the act are being met. This NRP Activities provides for the protection of Native American

• Comply with the Native American Graves human remains, funerary objects, sacred Protection and Repatriation Act objects, and objects vital to Native American cultural identity. Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

Scope: All Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects

• Improved relations with federally of cultural patrimony found on TVA-managed recognized Native Americans lands or otherwise under the control of the

• Provision of equal treatment of the dead agency are included in this program. across ethnic affiliations

• Increased knowledge of cultural resources TVA Span of Control: Direct control for compliance with this act and its associated regulations Current Activities TVA participates in a number of activities related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, including:

• Consultation with federally recognized tribes concerning those remains in TVAs control that may be culturally affiliated and assisting tribes in their repatriation

• Consultation with federally recognized tribes concerning disposition of remains in TVAs custody that are culturally unidentifiable

• Consultation with federally recognized tribes when NAGPRA items are inadvertently discovered or intentionally excavated

104 4.5.5 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 The National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 program manages compliance with the requirements of Section 106 of the law, under which TVA must consider the effect of its actions on historic properties and allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment on the action.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Dispersed recreation (Biological)

• Campground management (Recreation)

• Day-use area management (Recreation) Expected Benefits

• Camp-Right (Recreation) Key benefits of this program are:

• Reservoir lands planning (General)

• Meeting future compliance obligations Scope: Consultation is conducted for any TVA in the review of federal undertakings by undertaking as defined by Section 106 of the following regulations and statutes National Historic Preservation Act.

• Increased protection of cultural resources and knowledge TVA Span of Control: Direct control to consider

• Increased public enjoyment of these the effects that its undertakings may have on resources by the people in the TVA region historic properties who visit historic sites

• Decreased compliance costs and Current Activities decreased staff time requirements TVA reviews approximately 1,500 projects each year to determine effects on historic properties and manages existing mitigation obligations.

NRP Activities

• Conduct reviews required by the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106

• Establish database for managing mitigation obligations

105 4.5.6 collection of historic artifacts in coordination N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Preservation Program with the corporate history program.

The preservation program manages historic NRP Activities properties under TVAs control in accordance

• Conduct archaeological surveys of 1,000 to with Section 110 of the National Historic 3,000 acres of TVA-managed lands per year Preservation Act. Federal agencies are

• Maintain historic photo collection, cemetery responsible for identifying and protecting database, and TVAs historic agency information historic properties in a manner that benefits

• Maintain the current database or develop both the resource and the public. a comprehensive database to unify TVAs cultural resource data sources in one location Within the NRP, this program aligns with the for improved resource management following resource area and program:

• Improve curation and management of the TVA Historic Collection

• Environmental education

• Conduct identification surveys of historic (Public Engagement) structures on TVA-managed lands

• Annually evaluate and nominate two to four Scope: The preservation program manages sites to the National Register of Historic Places historic properties located on TVA-managed

• Improve the preservation program through land. the development of implementation procedures TVA Span of Control: Direct control of the Expected Benefits management and protection of the historic Key benefits of this program are:

properties located on these lands

• Establishment of long-term goals for Current Activities completion of TVA inventory obligations Consistent with Section 110 of the under Section 110 of the National Historic National Historic Preservation Act and the Preservation Act Archaeological Resources Protection Act, TVA

• Increased management knowledge and currently surveys approximately 2,000 acres prioritization of management actions annually to identify archaeological sites within

• Increased protection of sites, resulting in areas under its management. increased enjoyment for the people in the TVA region who visit historic sites TVA receives hundreds of questions each

• Decreased costs through savings in staff year about its history. The agency maintains time and field work due to retrieval of resource information through various means, data including a collection of historic photographs

• Improved decision-making capabilities that document the history of the agency from increased resource knowledge of site beginning in 1933. This collection has more locations than 17,000 photographic negatives, which are

• Potential to join and contribute to an being scanned for preservation purposes. TVA interagency working group on cultural also maintains a database on cemeteries that resources data management were relocated as a result of TVA projects and uses these data to respond to inquiries from the public. In addition, the agency maintains a

106 4.5.7 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Preserve America TVA is evaluating the adaptive reuse of historic buildings located on a portion of the The Preserve America program develops Muscle Shoals Reservation.

plans for the potential use of historic properties suitable for heritage tourism. This NRP Activities program improves TVAs knowledge about

• Conduct adaptive reuse studies of TVA historic resources under its care and its historic buildings leadership in preserving these resources, as

• Submit National Historic Preservation Act required by Executive Order 13287 (Preserve Section 3 report on Section 110 progress America, 2003). every three years

• Develop and implement a plan for TVA-Within the NRP, this program aligns with the owned historic properties suitable for following resource area: heritage tourism

• Public engagement (General) Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

Scope: The Preserve America program concerns resources located on all TVA-

• Preservation and increased use of historic managed lands. buildings through adaptive reuse studies

• Compliance with Section 110 of the TVA Span of Control: Direct control of the National Historic Preservation Act management and protection of the historic

• Increased public access to historic properties located on these lands in a manner properties that can provide educational that benefits both the resource and the public opportunities to benefit both the resources and the public

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s 107 108 4.5.8 NRP Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Archaeological Outreach

• Conduct up to 10 events involving up to (Thousand Eyes) five partners each year The Thousand Eyes archaeological outreach Expected Benefits program increases public awareness of the Key benefits of this program are:

need to protect archaeological sites located on public lands.

• Reduced looting, which may involve the permanent destruction of nonrenewable Within the NRP, this program aligns with the archaeological resources following resource areas and programs:

• Increased enjoyment to participants in the program

• Environmental education

• Increased educational outreach to (Public Engagement) provide the best long-term protection

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) of these resources by encouraging the

• Dispersed recreation (Biological) public to take an interest in resource

• Recreation management (General) protection Scope: The Thousand Eyes archaeological outreach program concerns resources located on all TVA-managed lands.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control pursuant to relevant laws and regulations Current Activities TVA has established an outreach program to promote the protection of archaeological sites on all TVA-managed lands. Approximately two to three outreach activities are sponsored annually. TVA has recently installed signs along its managed lands informing the public of penalties under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

109 4.5.9 Expected Benefits N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 4 - C u lt u r a l R e s o u r c e s Corporate History Program The key benefit of this program is:

The corporate history program maintains

• Increased education for the public about a record of TVAs rich history and provides TVAs historical significance to the region, educational and outreach opportunities to nation and world promote TVAs historical significance to the region, the nation and the world. In addition, TVA will develop an oral history program, which involves interviewing individuals about their past and learning about important TVA or national events.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource area and program:

• Environmental education (Public Engagement)

Scope: TVA corporate history concerns all TVA-managed lands.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control Current Activities TVA maintains its historic photograph collection, and TVAs Corporate Historian participates in outreach opportunities as available. The Corporate Historian also collects data regarding current TVA history and provides requested information regarding TVAs past to the public.

NRP Activities

• Develop a formal TVA corporate history program and provide regular updates to the TVA Timeline

• Develop an oral history program

• Develop an annual public outreach history component and associated website

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t 110 111 C h a pt e r 5 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Recreation Management 5.1 Goal 114 5.2 Benefits 115 5.3 Implementation Strategy 115 Innovation 116 Enhancement/Expansion 117 Data Management 118 Public Outreach and Awareness 119 5.4 Measures of Success 119 5.5 Resource Area Programs 120 5.5.1 Management of Campgrounds on Dam

or Power Plant Reservations 121 5.5.2 Management of Campgrounds off Dam

or Power Plant Reservations 122 5.5.3 Day-Use Areas on Dam Reservations 123 5.5.4 Day-Use Areas off Dam Reservations 124 5.5.5 Stream Access Sites 125 5.5.6 Annual Tours 126 5.5.7 Recreation Information Management 127 5.5.8 Boating Density Assessments 128 5.5.9 Reservoir Lands Recreation Inventory

Management 129 5.5.10 Recreation Design Principles 130 5.5.11 Recreation Planning, Assistance,

and Technical Support 131 5.5.12 Tennessee Valley Camp-Right

Campground Program 132 5.5.13 Dispersed Recreation Management 133 5.5.14 Trails Management 133 5.5.15 Leave No Trace 133 5.5.16 Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program 133

112 From its beginning, TVA has encouraged the development of N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly on TVA reservoirs and shorelines. As part of these efforts, TVA transferred forestlands to the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service for those agencies to manage them and make them available for recreational use. Other lands under TVAs control were made available for recreation purposes through auctions, easements and other means. The table at right provides a summary of land conveyed by TVA to other agencies or nongovernmental organizations for wildlife management and recreation use.

113 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Number of Areas Acres Type of Recreation Area (approximate) (approximate)

Public Parks 213 40,900 State 77 33,300 County 61 3,900 Municipal 74 3,500 Fair Association 1 200 Public Access Areas and Roadside Parks 178 1,120 Federal (U.S. Forest Service) 17 40 State 116 1,000 Local 45 80 Wildlife Refuges 30 202,000 National Wildlife Refuges 2 115,900 State Management Areas and Refuges 28 86,100 National Forests and Parks 6 232,400 National Forests 4 62,000 National Park 1 170,000 National Parkway 1 400 Other 332 9,000 Group Camps and Clubs 32 3,500 Commercial Recreation Areas 300 5,500 Totals 759 485,420 Figure 5.1 Land conveyed by TVA for recreation management

114 For further information, a detailed chronology When the TVA board approved the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t of TVAs recreation history is provided in Land Policy Assessment for Recreation Appendix B of the Natural Resource Development, it directed staff to review TVA-Plan Environmental Impact Statement managed lands designated for recreational (www.tva.com/nrp). development to verify the suitability and capability of lands assigned this classification.

TVA continues to provide public lands for This assessment evaluated needs for developed recreational purposes through the public boat access, commercial marinas, reservoir lands planning process described in campgrounds, recreational visitor lodging, Chapter 7. During the planning process, tracts developed land-based day-use facilities, of TVA-managed lands around a reservoir or water access, and dispersed land-based groups of reservoirs are categorized based opportunities. The conclusions of these upon a suitable use that is consistent with assessments can be viewed at www.tva.com/

TVA policy and guidelines and applicable environment/land/assessment/recreation.htm.

laws and regulations. Over the years, TVA has allocated approximately 21,200 acres for In 2005, TVA developed a recreation developed recreational purposes. Nearly 90 strategy aimed at collaboratively enhancing percent of these lands are currently committed recreational opportunities and addressing under existing contractual agreements. TVA unmet recreational needs while managing the continues to entertain commercial or public resources of the Tennessee River system. This recreation requests for development of strategy laid out guiding principles for how to remaining lands. best design and develop recreation programs.

These principles were used in developing NRP programs, and the guiding principles are reflected in the success measures for recreation management listed below.

5.1 Goal TVA will protect and conserve natural resources while providing recreational opportunities across the region. TVA is committed to maintaining and enhancing recreation opportunities and addressing unmet needs through comprehensive recreation programs and strategic partnerships.

115 5.2 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Benefits Through management efforts in this resource area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

• Increased recreation opportunities on TVA-managed lands

• Improved and up-to-date recreation information to support TVA and regional planning efforts

• Greater diversity of recreation opportunities through collaboration and partnerships

• Promotion of sustainable resource technologies on recreation properties (e.g., Melton Hill campground site)

• Integrated operation activities and partnerships that support outdoor recreation opportunities to more effectively manage lands and waters under TVAs stewardship 5.3 Implementation Strategy TVAs recreation management programs are designed to facilitate a wide range of recreational opportunities across all resource areas. An ongoing challenge in recreation management is the ability to meet current outside of formal recreation facilities such and future user demand. TVA manages a as cultural (e.g., archaeological sites), water total of 12 campgrounds (eight on-dam and quality (e.g., shared locations for sampling four off-dam properties), 63 day-use areas stations), and biological resources (e.g.,

(30 on-dam and 33 off-dam properties), and bird-watching).

81 stream access sites. Meeting user demand requires both a comprehensive data collection Within recreation management, TVA has effort and a collaborative operations and structured its implementation strategy based communications effort. TVA will continue to on the following characteristics:

actively plan, collect and manage recreation information to ensure it is meeting public

• Innovation needs. In addition, TVA will foster an

• Enhancement/expansion integrated approach toward recreation

• Data management management, building on opportunities

• Public outreach and awareness

116 Innovation importance of sustainable, energy efficient N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t campground facilities.

Recreation best management practices are evolving alongside the drive toward green and clean technologies. Currently, TVA is in the forefront of innovative recreation facilities, as seen at the Melton Hill Dam Campground area. At this site, TVA is demonstrating how renewable energy, energy efficiency measures, water conservation, and recycled coal combustion products can be integrated into a sustainable campground and recreation area. The area is powered by a wind and solar energy microgrid with battery systems for energy storage. It is currently in a test phase, but TVA is collecting data to validate the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of building more flagship facilities throughout the Tennessee Valley. TVA will continue to evaluate and improve its Camp-Right Program, building on other resource area successes such as the Clean Marina Initiative within water resources.

Also, the data collected during the test phase of Melton Hill will be shared with partners throughout the region to help highlight the

117 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Enhancement/Expansion new recreational opportunities are not limited to facilities. For example, these may include TVA, in coordination with its partners, will coordination with other resource areas, such continue to look for recreation opportunities as biological and water resources, to provide within all activities. This may be in the form access roads to new blueway or stream of new recreational opportunities, facility access sites. These efforts will include day-improvements or new facility construction. use areas, which are additional facilities that At a minimum, TVA will make proactive TVA provides for public use, both on and off upgrades to its facilities consistent with the dam reservations, such as boat ramps, universal accessibility design standards and picnic sites, pavilions, and fishing piers.

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Enhancement efforts will also piggyback on accessibility guidelines. TVA will leverage TVAs innovative technologies, with a long-recreational data, both collected internally term goal of bringing management of its on-and shared, to support decision-making dam campground and day-use facilities to a processes for expansion opportunities. Also, higher level.

118 Data Management on TVA-managed reservoirs. It will allow N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t access to web-based and hand-held device Currently, TVA manages recreation information information in real time while helping evaluate to create awareness within the user base of potential impacts and stakeholder input on recreational opportunities and to support future recreation needs and upgrades.

future resource management decision-making processes. In support of its decision-making processes, TVA uses data from impact analyses TVA posts much of its recreation data to its associated with environmental reviews of website (www.tva.com/river/recreation). TVA actions to perform recreation demand However, this information is not comprehensive analyses and provide information to partners of all TVA reservoir properties and is not and stakeholders on usage and demand always up to date. TVAs database was last trends. TVA will continue to create and updated in 2006. In the future, TVA will maintain an up-to-date, easily accessible maintain this information on a biannual cycle. database of recreation facilities and services In addition, TVA will further the support of on TVA-managed lands. This information all recreation facilities through its recreation will be compatible with data from other inventory management program. This program federal and state agencies as well as facilitates the creation and maintenance of nongovernmental organizations, helping to an up-to-date, easily accessible database on foster partnerships and collaborative data recreation facilities and services available sharing opportunities.

119 Public Outreach and Awareness recreation opportunities and addressing unmet N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t recreation needs through comprehensive Developed recreation facilities and the recreation programs and strategic partnerships.

associated TVA signage often represent the Public outreach campaigns help lead awareness public face of TVAs nonpower operations. It is efforts that directly influence the ability of TVA important for TVA to be viewed positively in the to manage its natural resources. For example, area of recreation management, enhancing both TVA will implement an annual tours program public enjoyment of the lands and increasing to provide an opportunity to showcase its the opportunity to promote other natural integration of innovative technologies into resource programs and messages at recreation recreation areas as well as new recreational facilities. TVA recognizes that recreation opportunities across resource areas. These management is an integral component of programs will align with public engagement its education and outreach efforts. TVA is programs to ensure coordination in education, committed to maintaining and enhancing communication and volunteer efforts.

5.4 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Recreation Certify 80-100 campgrounds in Camp-Right Campground 20 years Program Ensure 70-90% of day-use areas meet good criteria 20 years Continue management of 30-35 stream access sites Annually

120 5.5 sections discuss each program in more detail, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Resource Area Programs highlighting current activities, NRP activities, and expected implementation benefits. In When developing the NRP, TVA identified addition, relationships between resource areas programs and activities to support the and other programs are discussed to help goals of each resource area. The following show linkages throughout the NRP.

121 5.5.1 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Management of TVA currently operates and manages eight Campgrounds on Dam campgrounds located on dam or power or Power Plant Reservations plant reservations. Annually, TVA proactively upgrades two campground facilities and The campground management program amenities consistent with ADA accessibility on dam and power plant reservations manages guidelines, building codes and emerging eight campgrounds in Alabama and Tennessee. technologies. TVA has established the Melton Hill Dam Campground and associated Campground areas and associated day-use day-use areas as a flagship sustainable recreation facilities on these reservations recreation area to test emerging technologies encompass approximately 1,085 acres and and provide results to agencies and other annually support between 750,000 and recreation facility owners or operators.

one million visitors. These facilities have Where appropriate, items deemed cost an in-season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) effective are upgraded at TVAs other occupancy rate of around 80 percent. User developed recreation areas.

fees provide an average of $500,000 in TVA revenue annually. TVAs Facilities NRP Activities Management maintenance compounds

• Manage eight campgrounds and staff are located on these properties

• Make one to eight proactive upgrades to and support TVAs recreation program by campgrounds consistent with Americans providing operations, maintenance and with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines, repairs to these facilities. and provide new or upgraded fixed assets with best available sustainable technologies Within the NRP, this program aligns with the

• Establish and maintain one flagship following resource areas and programs: campground for installation and testing of emerging technologies with innovative design

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) and efficiency measures

• Foundation and trust fund (Public Engagement) Expected Benefits

• National Historic Preservation Act Section Key benefits of this program are:

106 compliance (Cultural)

• Nonnative invasive plant management

• Revenue generated for TVA through the (Biological) management of the campgrounds and

• Nuisance animal control (Biological) installation of the ADA upgrades

• Reduced carbon emissions with the Scope: This program includes recreation development of a flagship campground areas on TVA-managed dam and power plant

• Increased enjoyment of these recreation reservations. areas by between 750,000 and 1 million visitors annually with educational TVA Span of Control: Direct control over the information and recreational events eight campgrounds on dam or power plant (e.g., fishing tournaments, fall foliage reservations, including the ability to execute a events, family gatherings) secure lockdown, and enhanced information management to allow testing of campsite reservations

122 5.5.2 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Management of TVA continually evaluates options for Campgrounds off Dam contractual agreements for the future or Power Plant Reservations management of these four facilities, along with the potential closure of these facilities.

This campground management program Annually, TVA proactively upgrades one manages TVAs four campgrounds not associated campground facility and amenities consistent with dam or power plant reservations. They with ADA standards, building codes and are located on reservoir shoreline properties in emerging technologies.

Alabama and Tennessee.

NRP Activities Campground areas and associated day-use

• Seek third-party agreements for four recreation facilities in this program encompass campgrounds or consider closure for at least approximately 724 acres and annually support one if a third-party agreement is unavailable.

around 200,000 visitors with an in-season

• Make up to three proactive upgrades (Memorial Day to Labor Day) occupancy to campgrounds consistent with ADA rate of around 80 percent. Fees from these guidelines and provide new or upgraded campgrounds average around $350,000 fixed assets with best tested sustainable annually. With one exception, TVAs Facilities technologies Management maintenance compounds and

• Seek and implement contractual agreements staff are located in reasonable proximity to manage campgrounds located on other to these properties and support TVAs reservoir properties recreation program by providing operations, maintenance and repairs to these facilities. Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Generated revenue for TVA through the management of the campgrounds and

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) installation of the ADA upgrades

• Foundation and trust fund (Public

• Increased enjoyment of these recreation Engagement) areas by approximately 300,000 visitors

• National Historic Preservation Act Section annually 106 compliance (Cultural)

• Nonnative invasive plant management (Biological)

• Nuisance animal control (Biological)

Scope: This program includes recreation areas on TVA-managed land that are not on dam or power plant reservations.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control over these four campgrounds in this program, including enhanced information management to allow testing of campsite reservations

123 5.5.3 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Day-Use Areas on Dam Reservations This program manages 30 day-use areas on TVA dam reservations. Various types of recreational facilities are available to the public free of charge, including pavilions, picnic sites, visitor centers, swimming beaches, bathhouses, boat ramps and courtesy docks, restrooms, trails, fishing berms and piers, playgrounds, and associated signage and infrastructure.

Day-use areas on dam and power plant reservations encompass approximately 3,000 acres and annually support around 1 million visitors. TVAs Facilities Management maintenance compounds and staff are located on these properties and support TVAs recreation program by providing operations, consistent with ADA guidelines, building maintenance and repairs to these areas codes, and emerging technologies while and facilities. implementing one sustainable initiative per year. TVA manages 13 picnic pavilions at these Within the NRP, this program aligns with the areas that can be reserved for a small fee. TVA following resource areas and programs: continually evaluates contractual agreements for the future management of these facilities as

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) well as the potential closure of these facilities.

• Foundation and trust fund (Public Engagement) NRP Activities

• National Historic Preservation Act Section

• Continue to operate and manage 30 day-use 106 compliance (Cultural) areas located on dam reservations

• Nonnative invasive plant management

• Implement up to two best tested sustainable (Biological) initiatives per year plus upgrades to meet

• Nuisance animal control (Biological) ADA guidelines Scope: This program includes recreation day- Expected Benefits use areas on TVA-managed dam and power Key benefits of this program are:

plant reservations.

• Generated revenue for TVA through TVA Span of Control: Direct control over these management of the campgrounds and 30 day-use areas located on dam or power installation of the ADA upgrades plant reservations, including the ability to

• Reduced carbon emissions based on execute a secure lockdown sustainable initiatives

• Increased enjoyment of these day-use Current Activities areas by approximately 1 million visitors TVA proactively upgrades one day-use area annually

124 5.5.4 NRP Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Day-Use Areas

• Continue to operate and manage 33 day-use off Dam Reservations areas located off dam reservations

• Proactively upgrade one or two day-TVA manages 33 day-use recreation areas use areas per year consistent with ADA located off dam reservations. They offer guidelines various types of recreational facilities that

• Seek, develop and implement contractual are available to the public free of charge. agreements to manage up to 33 off-dam TVA maintains these areas on an as-needed reservation areas or review the areas for basis and utilizes TVAs Facilities Management closure and local contractors to provide upgrades, maintenance and repairs. Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Generated revenue for TVA through management of the campgrounds and

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) installation of the ADA upgrades

• Foundation and trust fund (Public

• Increased enjoyment of these day-use Engagement) areas by between 800,000 and 1 million

• National Historic Preservation Act Section visitors annually 106 compliance (Cultural)

• Nonnative invasive plant management (Biological)

• Nuisance animal control (Biological)

Scope: This program includes recreation day-use areas on TVA-managed dam and power plant reservations.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control over the 33 areas and facilities in this program Current Activities Currently, TVA proactively upgrades one day-use area consistent with ADA guidelines, building codes, and emerging technologies while implementing one sustainable initiative per year. TVA manages three picnic pavilions that can be reserved for a small fee on these areas. TVA continually evaluates contractual agreements for the future management of these facilities as well as the potential closure of these facilities.

125 5.5.5 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Stream Access Sites TVA manages stream access sites and supports blueways partnerships. A stream access site consists of an access road, parking area, picnic site and developed access to the stream. A blueway is a water path or trail developed with launch points, camping locations, and points of interest for canoeists and kayakers.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, TVAs recreation program was administered under Board Policy Code Title XII. TVA reviewed 62 Tennessee Valley streams with over 1,800 stream miles, evaluated some 260 possible stream access sites, and recommended acquisition for future public access of around 140 sites. Some sites were acquired for public use by state and local agencies.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Dispersed recreation (Biological)

• Public engagement (General) currently under contract. All stream access Scope: TVA owns fee title to 105 parcels areas are available to the public at no charge.

comprising 81 stream access sites, which consist of approximately 125 acres on NRP Activities 24 streams and rivers. On an as-needed basis,

• Manage fee ownership of 81 stream access TVA manages, maintains and repairs some sites comprising 105 parcels 31 sites. Other sites are managed under

• Manage 31 stream access sites and third-party agreements. investigate blueways partnerships on TVA land

• Continue to manage and/or seek, develop TVA Span of Control: Direct control over the and implement additional third-party 31 sites not currently in third-party agreements agreements for up to 81 stream access sites.

and partial control over the 50 sites included Includes options to close sites.

in contractual agreements Expected Benefits Current Activities Key benefits of this program are:

TVA owns 81 stream access sites. It has entered into contractual, fee-based agreements

• Increased enjoyment of these stream for the management of 50 sites and manages access sites by fishermen, paddle sport the remaining 31 sites. The agency continues enthusiasts, and other local tourists to entertain requests from stakeholders for

• Increased potential for partnerships with the management of stream access sites not state park agencies

126 5.5.6 Within the NRP, this program aligns with the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Annual Tours following resource area and program:

TVA plans to lead annual media and

• Public engagement (General) technology transfer tours to showcase its technology integration and efforts to promote Scope: The annual tours program will take sustainability at recreation areas. place at TVAs commercial recreation areas.

TVA will develop communications plans and TVA Span of Control: Direct control of the tour packages tailored for a spring media program event and fall technology transfer tour. The tours will review the innovative technologies Current Activities integrated with recreation areas and facilities There are no current activities. As part of the NRP, and review the benefits and knowledge this will be a new program designed to help gained from various technologies being promote TVAs stewardship innovation and efforts.

studied. The spring media tour will announce the upcoming recreation season and highlight NRP Activities the benefits from TVAs recreation resources,

• Conduct up to four annual tours that feature including technology upgrades, lands made emerging green technologies on recreation areas available to commercial and public recreation providers, and public information outlets Expected Benefits such as TVAs website and hand-held device Key benefits of this program are:

applications. Technology transfer tours will be designed for an audience of commercial and

• Enhanced public understanding of TVA public owners and operators and will share recreational resources plans, specifications, costs and benefits of

• Showcasing of TVA as a leader in technologies featured and tested at the Melton technology innovations integrated with Hill Sustainable Recreation Area. sustainable recreation areas

127 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t 5.5.7 Current Activities Recreation Information TVA provides educational presentations to Management the public while maintaining and enhancing the existing signage, Internet, and hand-held The recreation information management device presence. TVA is currently engaged program manages onsite sources, such as in on-site education programs and outreach signage, and offsite sources, such as website efforts pertaining to those lands allocated for information. TVA uses the information for developed recreation through the reservoir impact analyses associated with environmental lands planning process.

reviews of TVA actions, to perform recreation demand analyses, and to provide information NRP Activities to partners and stakeholders.

• Maintain and strive to enhance existing Internet presence in support of the Within the NRP, this program aligns with the Environmental Information Center, partners following resource area and program: and stakeholders

• Volunteer program (Public Engagement) Expected Benefits A key benefit of this program is:

Scope: This program extends to all TVA properties allocated for developed recreation,

• Delivery of accurate and understandable recreation areas associated with dam and information to a greater number of power plant reservations, and fee-owned partners and stakeholders in real stream access sites. time with self-service capability from enhanced signage, Internet presence TVA Span of Control: Direct control of this and functionality, and hand-held device recreation information management program, applications including collection, messaging, media and

• Improved database functionality and dissemination. This information supports TVA comprehensiveness partnerships and environmental reviews.

128 5.5.8 and boat ramp) on TVA reservoirs. This tool N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Boating Density Assessments provides information to facilitate the estimated impact analyses associated with environmental TVA conducts boating density assessments reviews of TVA actions and is shared with the for internal projects or for external proposals state boating law administrators.

requiring its approval.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the This program is a planning tool that provides following resource areas and programs:

TVA with a desktop level estimate of recreational boating impacts from proposed

• Water resources (General) boat access projects (marina, community dock

• Reservoir lands planning (General)

Scope: All TVA reservoirs TVA Span of Control: Direct control of boating density assessments as the background information is generated from internal inventories and databases in support of TVA environmental reviews and 26a permitting.

Current Activities When reviewing certain requests for new or expanded water-based recreational facilities, TVA completes boating density assessments as a planning tool in support of the associated environmental review.

NRP Activities

• Conduct assessments as needed to support evaluation of permit requests and land use proposals Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Increased management knowledge and potential for better protection of resources and greater value of recreation experience

• Enhanced image for TVA as a leading agency in developing new planning and management tools for recreational boating

129 5.5.9 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t Reservoir Lands Recreation Inventory Management The reservoir lands recreation inventory management program creates and maintains an up-to-date, easily accessible database on recreation facilities and services available on TVA-managed reservoirs. It includes both TVA and non-TVA facilities, along with stakeholder and user input concerning the recreation areas and facilities.

Scope: This program covers all TVA recreation land and links information directly to TVAs external website, hand-held applications, and the federal Recreation One-Stop program (www.recreation.gov). It also supports inquiries to the Environmental Information Center.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control of the database inventory collection, updates and dissemination to partners and stakeholders and the recreation user surveys Current Activities TVA maintains an up-to-date inventory of all public, private and quasi-public recreational facilities on or near shoreline properties. The inventory is currently updated on a three-year cycle. The updates include basic and noncyclical visitor use and satisfaction surveys, assessments of the condition of recreational

• Conduct user surveys, field reconnaissance facilities and areas, and campground and assessments to ensure ongoing evaluations. TVA also conducts field compliance with regulations reconnaissance of recreation facilities located on TVA-managed lands to ensure ongoing Expected Benefits compliance with applicable requirements Key benefits of this program are:

under TVAs control. TVA shares recreational information and provides technical support to

• Increased enjoyment for recreationists other agencies and stakeholders as requested. through improved reservoir management, management knowledge of recreation NRP Activities areas, and potential protection of

• Update recreation inventory for up to resources and value of recreation 23 TVA-managed reservoirs per year experience

130 5.5.10 possible, without the need for adaptation or N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Recreation Design Principles specialized design.

The recreation design principles program Within the NRP, this program aligns with the implements standard construction designs following resource areas and programs:

and products that promote compliance with ADA guidelines, principles of universal

• Dispersed recreation (Biological) design, or other accredited design standards,

• Tennessee Valley Clean Marina (Water) as appropriate. This process ensures that TVA recreation facilities and amenities are Scope: This program will take place on TVA usable by all people, to the greatest extent recreation properties.

TVA Span of Control: Direct control over final design and construction of developed recreation areas operated by TVA on TVA fee-owned lands Current Activities TVA involves teams of professionals from various engineering disciplines, landscape architects, and architects in developing design plans for upgrades, renovations, and new construction to reflect the latest in accepted universal design principles and incorporate recycled building materials, technology innovations, and resource conservation measures and systems.

NRP Activities

• Implement standard construction designs that promote compliance with the ADA accessibility guidelines, principles of universal design, or other accredited design standards.

Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Increased management knowledge, shared knowledge, and potential for increased protection of resources

• Increased value of recreation experience

131 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t 5.5.11 potential expansion of new campgrounds Recreation Planning, Assistance on TVA-managed lands allocated for and Technical Support developed recreation via the reservoir lands planning process. On a fee basis, The recreation planning, assistance and TVA utilizes its technical staff, existing and technical support program provides planning emerging standards, and plan library to share and technical services to third parties for new knowledge with agencies and commercial or existing parks, recreational programs and operators in planning upgrades, renovations, other reservoir-oriented facilities on a fee or expansions, or new facilities around the sponsorship basis. TVAs recreation program reservoir system on non-TVA lands (generally supports TVAs broader mission of economic on municipal or public lands).

development and allows for TVA to provide recreation consultation when requested. TVA NRP Activities maintains a library of standard plans and site

• Utilize regional recreation data to guide plans for over 170 public and community parks potential development of new campgrounds in support of planned projects in the region. and marinas on TVA-managed lands allocated for developed recreation use Scope: Agencies in the Tennessee Valley can

• Utilize TVA technical staff, existing and get help from TVA with recreation properties emerging standards, and plan library to on their lands. support recreation plans and projects requested by local, state and other federal TVA Span of Control: Direct control of agencies on a fee basis information shared under this program to ensure accuracy and success of project design, Expected Benefits implementation and construction. A key benefit of this program is:

Current Activities

• Increased management knowledge and TVA utilizes regional recreation data to guide protection of resources

132 5.5.12 Within the NRP, this program aligns with the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n M a n a g e m e n t Tennessee Valley Camp-Right following resource areas and programs:

Campground Program

• Tennessee Valley Clean Marina (Water)

The Tennessee Valley Camp-Right

• Wildlife habitat enhancement partnerships Campground Program is an initiative by (Biological)

TVA and partners to promote sustainable

• Public engagement (General) campgrounds that provide safe, high-quality

• National Historic Preservation Act Section camping experiences while demonstrating 106 compliance (Cultural) recycling and technology innovations, conserving the natural resources of the region, Scope: Recreation areas on TVA-leased lands and providing universal accessibility. This will generally include community and commercial TVA Span of Control: TVA has direct control recreation facilities on TVA-leased land. over the development and implementation of This program has been modeled after the this program.

Tennessee Valley Clean Marina program (see Chapter 6 - Water Resources). Current Activities Currently this program does not exist at TVA.

However, TVA and partners are developing this as a pilot program at five campgrounds by the end of the 2011 calendar year.

NRP Activities

• Establish certification program to promote environmentally responsible campgrounds and camping practices

• Certify one or two campgrounds per year Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Reduced environmental impact and risk of campground infrastructure, operations and user activities

• Operational cost savings through responsible camper practices

• Heightened environmental awareness through camper education

• Increased enjoyment by campers, resulting in increased visitation

• Reduced regulatory noncompliance

• Conservation of resources for future generations

• Improved relationships with campground owners and operators

133 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 5 - R e c r e at i o n m a n a g e m e n t 5.5.13 5.5.15 Dispersed Recreation Leave No Trace Management The Leave No Trace program is covered in The dispersed recreation management Chapter 3 - Biological Resources. However, program is covered in Chapter 3 - Biological the implementation of this program will cross Resources. However, the implementation of multiple resource areas, including recreation this program will cross multiple resource management.

areas, including recreation management.

5.5.16 5.5.14 Tennessee Valley Trails Management Clean Marina Program The trails management program is covered in The Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program Chapter 3 - Biological Resources. However, is covered in Chapter 6 - Water Resources.

the implementation of this program will cross However, the implementation of this program multiple resource areas, including recreation will cross multiple resource areas, including management. recreation management.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s 134 135 C h a pt e r 6 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Water Resources 6.1 Goal 138 6.2 Benefits 138 6.3 Implementation Strategy 139 Water Quality Management 140 Data Management 142 Strategic Partnerships 143 Public Outreach and Awareness 144 6.4 Measures of Success 144 6.5 Resource Area Programs 145 6.5.1 Aquatic Ecology Management 146 6.5.2 Stream and Tailwater Monitoring Program 147 6.5.3 Climate Change Sentinel Monitoring 148 6.5.4 Strategic Partnership Planning 149 6.5.5 Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program 150 6.5.6 Water Resource Outreach Campaign 151 6.5.7 Reservoir Shoreline Stabilization/Riparian

Management Program 152 6.5.8 Nutrient Source-Watershed Identification

and Improvement Program 154 6.5.9 Northern Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River

Basin Nutrient Load Reductions Program 156

136 The Tennessee River watershed encompasses parts of seven N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s states in the Southeast totaling nearly 40,000 square miles.

TVA has been actively involved with water resources and river system integration since 1933, when Congress charged the agency with managing and serving as the steward of the Tennessee River and its watershed. Many of TVAs programs to date have been associated with construction and improvement of new dams and reservoirs and their operation as well as the broader stewardship mission of TVA. Specific activities include (but are not limited to):

• Address erosion and suspended sediment in the Tennessee River watershed

• Study TVA reservoir limnology (i.e.,

freshwater ecosystems)

• Monitor and improve water quality in reservoirs, rivers and tailwaters

• Maintain and enhance reservoir aquatic habitats for fisheries

• Document and track stream biology

• Study hydrology and water quality impacts of different land uses

• Work in partnership with other stakeholders to reduce impacts of land practices in the Tennessee River watershed and sub-watersheds

• Collect and utilize water resource information to plan, site, construct and operate TVA fossil and nuclear electric generation stations

137 As decades have passed, TVAs unique role technical support to implement key water N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s and value to the region have evolved, and resource initiatives throughout the Tennessee its programs have evolved to address the River watershed. Also, TVA has historically demands placed on the river system. In the played a national role as a test case for the early 1980s, TVA began a systematic effort development of tools and best management to improve conditions downstream from its practices that can be used for maintaining and dams where issues were known to exist. TVAs improving water quality on a national level.

capital investment of $44 million between 1991 and 1996 and current multimillion-dollar These TVA water resources management annual operational expenses have created programs support the objective of the federal significant benefits. For example, these Clean Water Act to restore and maintain investments have helped to increase dissolved the chemical, physical and biological oxygen levels as well as improve flow rates integrity of the nations waters. A part of in rivers downstream from TVA dams. As a the Environmental Protection Agencys result, the number and diversity of fish and strategy to meet this objective is its Healthy insects have increased in these sections of Watersheds Initiative. This initiative augments river, and there has been a significant growth the watershed approach with proactive, in tailwater fishing. In addition, capital holistic aquatic ecosystem conservation and investments have been made to upgrade or protection. The Healthy Watersheds Initiative expand aeration systems in tailwaters as well includes both assessment and management as develop put-and-take cold-water trout approaches that encourage states, local fisheries in coordination with state wildlife governments, watershed organizations, resource agencies in the region. and others to take a strategic, systematic approach to conserve healthy components Today, TVA continues to operate the of watersheds. In this way, the organizations Tennessee River and its tributaries as an avoid additional water quality impairments integrated system to provide a wide range of in the future. TVAs experience in holistic public benefits, such as year-round navigation, watershed resource management aligns with flood-damage reduction, affordable electricity, and benefits the Environmental Protection improved water quality, water supply, land Agencys strategy.

use and recreation. TVAs water resource responsibilities are geographically bound TVAs stewardship responsibilities do not by the Tennessee River watershed and not include regulation of water pollution. The politically bound by state borders. Thus, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and TVA can focus on water resources in a each of the states that share the Tennessee watershed setting, enabling it to more River develop pollution regulations and holistically manage resources for today and grant permits for discharges to the river and for the use of future generations. its tributaries. TVA facilities that have the potential to discharge pollutants into river As part of this effort, TVA works in concert water, such as hydroelectric or fossil-fueled with state and other federal agencies to generating plants, obtain the appropriate protect and improve water quality while permits for routine facility discharges in maintaining an in-depth knowledge of accordance with these regulations. In changing conditions in the river system. TVA accordance with Section 26(a) of the TVA Act, helps to build and catalyze partnerships, however, TVA does have authority to issue promote public outreach efforts, and provide permits for water withdrawals and for the

138 construction and maintenance of discharge 6.1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s and other structures or obstructions affecting Goal navigation, flood control, or public lands or reservations along, across, or in the Tennessee TVA will promote water quality and aquatic River or any of its tributaries. Through habitat improvements across the Tennessee associated National Environmental Protection River watershed through collaborative Act reviews, TVA considers environmental partnerships by providing water quality effects of its permitting actions under Section data and technical support to conduct water 26(a) of the TVA Act. resource stewardship efforts within the watershed, including on TVA-managed lands The NRP focuses exclusively on programs and at TVA facilities.

and activities to maintain and improve water resource conditions not associated with reservoir operations. Activities associated with 6.2 the operation of the TVA reservoir system are Benefits presented in the Reservoir Operations Study (2004). As a result of the study, the TVA board Through management efforts in this resource established a policy that continues to govern area, TVA expects to realize the following reservoir operations and is not reevaluated benefits:

in this planning effort. See www.tva.com/

environment/reports/ros_eis/ for additional

• Improved protection and enhancement information on reservoir operations. of aquatic habitats and biological communities

• Greater public awareness of land use impacts and the potential for invasive species (e.g., foreign species transported into habitats)

• Expanded collaborative efforts (funding and resources) to better evaluate and protect exceptional biodiversity within the Tennessee River watershed

• A more comprehensive understanding of stream, reservoir and tailwater conditions to help inform future water resource initiatives

• Increased participation in meeting the objectives of the Clean Water Act

139 6.3 and endangered aquatic species.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Implementation Strategy

• Nongovernmental organizations, including public watershed organizations and private TVAs objective is to manage water resources citizens, work with federal, state and local by conducting water resource improvement organizations to identify water quality efforts on TVA-managed lands and facilities issues, develop implementation plans, and and promoting voluntary programs that will implement improvement projects.

reduce both point and nonpoint source

• TVAs role in water resource management water pollution within the Tennessee River includes:

watershed, resulting in cleaner water in which - Complying with federal and state to swim, fish and play. The NRP helps TVA to water pollution control regulations focus its water resources management efforts at its power facilities by managing in an integrated manner, supporting both river flows and improving the quality resource area and external stakeholder needs. (dissolved oxygen) of releases from its dams Federal, state and local stakeholders play - Working with stakeholders to separate, but complementary roles in water implement stewardship efforts in resource management. Successful and the Tennessee River watershed. This sustainable projects can only be accomplished includes collecting, managing and through collaboration and cooperation of sharing water quality and aquatic multiple organizations and agencies. One resource (biological) information with agency or organization cannot accomplish this stakeholders, making improvements alone. Below is an overview of some roles key to TVA public lands and shorelines, stakeholders play in maintaining and enhancing and working in concert with the waters in the Tennessee River watershed: state and other federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and

• The U.S. Environmental Protection private citizens to improve water Agency and Tennessee Valley states resource conditions.

water pollution control agencies develop - Providing public outreach information protective water quality standards and and assistance to its stakeholders pollution regulations that ensure states in carrying out its water resource waterways meet the requirements set forth management accountabilities under by the 1972 amendments to the federal the TVA Act Water Pollution Control Act, known as the - Supporting a sustainable effort in Clean Water Act. protecting and improving water

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bears resources for current and future the responsibility for identifying, listing, generations protecting and recovering aquatic species that are threatened or endangered. Within water resources, TVA has structured

• Other federal and state agencies, such as its implementation strategy based on the the U.S. Geological Service, the U.S. Army following characteristics:

Corps of Engineers, and states fish and wildlife agencies, collect, maintain and

• Water quality management implement efforts to manage and improve

• Data management aquatic resources. States maintain lists and

• Strategic partnerships accountabilities for protecting threatened

• Public outreach and awareness

140 Water Quality Management system of reservoirs. The consequences of not N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s proactively addressing nutrients as a regional To support regional and national water quality and national issue will be significant from initiatives, TVA will implement a variety of both a future regulatory and current needs water resource improvement programs to: perspective. TVAs implementation strategy will involve TVA initially in partnership

• Lessen adverse impacts on water quality efforts to demonstrate nutrient load reduction by TVA-managed properties opportunities, techniques and successes

• Protect healthy waters that contain within the Tennessee Valley. These efforts will exceptionally diverse aquatic biological be expected to favorably impact a number of communities water bodies identified on states 303(d) lists

• Identify sources of high nutrient loading of impaired waters.

and support initiatives to mitigate those impacts Recently, there has been an increased focus on reducing nutrient loading as a national Part of TVAs water resources management priority. Efforts associated with this focus will implementation strategy will be to identify result in reduced impacts of nutrients both methods to directly reduce nutrients, in TVA reservoirs and downstream waters sediment loads, and other contaminants as well as reduced public water-supply and that are within TVAs control. TVA will wastewater treatment costs. An example of focus on nutrient source identification and an emerging priority issue is nutrient loading, improvement opportunities within the TVA particularly of nitrogen, and its effect on

141 hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Hypoxia is a condition in which natural waters have a low concentration of dissolved oxygen, resulting in unsustainable aquatic environments for most game, commercial, and other fish and shellfish species. An expanding area of depleted oxygen concentrations, referred to as the dead zone in the Gulf, is having a tremendous ecological and economic impact. Although the impacts of nutrient yields from the Tennessee River delivered to the Gulf may not be completely understood, TVAs strategy will implement a proactive program to demonstrate nutrient load identification and reduction opportunities that will target the major sources of nutrient loading. The ultimate goal is to reduce nonpoint and point source inputs delivered to the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Potential partners in water quality management will include states water pollution control agencies, the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission, Electric Power Research Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other interested stakeholders.

In addition, wetlands restoration plays an important role in water resources management. Primary wetland functions that storm water pollutants affect water resources include:

• Providing habitat for fish and wildlife, including organisms that they feed upon

• Shoreline protection

• Providing spawning areas for fish and

• Erosion reduction other aquatic organisms (lake margin and

• Trapping and removing sediment riverine wetlands) particulates (suspended solids)

• Retaining (recycling) excess nutrients TVA includes wetlands restoration, creation

• Groundwater recharge and stream flow and enhancement as one of several water maintenance resource management improvement

• Flood protectionby retaining excess methodologies. Program activities associated runoff after a storm, and then releasing it with wetlands management are described in slowly and with lower concentrations of Section 3.5.2.

142 and activities being performed across the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Tennessee Valley. This data sharing effort is not unique to water resources and will, in the long-term, be coordinated with other databases both internal and external to TVA.

See the stream and tailwater monitoring program discussed in Section 6.5.2 for examples of how TVA will monitor, capture and share water resource-related information throughout the watershed.

In addition, TVAs data management and collection efforts will focus on addressing the effects of climate change on water resources, which have the potential for influencing the unique biodiversity within the Tennessee Valley. The Council on Environmental Quality implementing instructions have been issued directing federal agencies to evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities and to manage both the short- and long-term effects of climate change on their mission and operations through adaptation planning. TVAs Environmental Policy states Data Management that TVA will be proactive in addressing environmental concerns, including those Currently, TVA assesses stream conditions in related to global climate change. TVA will 611 hydrologic units in the Tennessee River join in collaborative partnerships with other watershed tracked by 11-digit identification agencies and stakeholders to conduct long-numbers on a five-year cycle (approximately term climate change sentinel monitoring, 110 sites monitored annually). Data are helping to provide early warning that climate provided to state water pollution control change effects are beginning to occur. This agencies and stakeholders as requested. proactive approach will support the planning of actions to lessen or mitigate future effects As part of the NRP, TVA will refocus aquatic should they begin to develop. Partnerships monitoring and management programs will be sought with states to detect climate to measure and assess conditions in the change effects on streams and wildlife. The Tennessee River and reservoir system that will Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has provide the information needed to identify indicated that long-term monitoring systems opportunities for making improvements, that are strategically designed to evaluate detect significant changes, and document climate change effects and wildlife responses successes. Part of TVAs data management are a high priority for that agency. Other effort is to work with its partners to establish potential partners will include the U.S.

a compatible and comprehensive database Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife of water resource-related information to help Service, the National Parks Service, and the support and inform the various programs U.S. Forest Service.

143 Strategic Partnerships federal and other stakeholders. As a strategic N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s priority, TVA will establish and support a TVA will develop and maintain strong strategic Tennessee River watershed improvement partnerships with state, regional and national team to develop a comprehensive watershed organizations to address mutually important improvement plan and drive implementation water resource stewardship opportunities that efforts. This team will include various internal will deliver measurable improvements to water organizations (e.g., River Operations) as well quality in the Tennessee Valley watershed. To as external agencies and nongovernmental support and expand implementation efforts, organizations. With stakeholder input, TVA will work to maintain existing partnerships this team and its plan will help ensure a and explore the potential for new partnerships coordinated approach to identify water to address such stewardship opportunities. quality stressors that could be addressed with stewardship activities to achieve measurable TVA is in a unique position to help integrate results. Focus areas will include those activities and focus proactive state and federal water and land use practices in the watershed that quality improvement programs. TVA will have the potential to directly or indirectly have pursue the establishment of regional working a negative impact on the water quality of the groups to promote the collaboration of state, Tennessee River and its tributaries.

144 Public Outreach and Awareness preventive and proactive measures to improve N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s and protect natural resources throughout TVAs current water resources efforts in public the Tennessee Valley. Through the NRP, TVA outreach and awareness are reactive and will conduct proactive, integrated efforts usually independent of other resource areas. with state and other federal agencies and Each NRP program contains a component of nongovernmental organizations to educate public outreach, which can vary from direct the public about the importance of water interactions or campaigns with the public to resources and their effect on the quality of life supplying information for other programs in the Tennessee Valley. In addition to, or as to utilize in outreach efforts. Educating the part of these programs, TVA will voluntarily public also plays an integral role in day-to- seek out opportunities and write grant day management. It is essential to create proposals for partners and share technology public awareness of issues that focus on and expertise with stakeholders.

6.4 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Water Certify 110-130 clean marinas 20 years Reassess the water quality and aquatic life of all streams 3-5 years and reservoirs and share data Reduce 20,000-25,000 tons of nutrients and sediment in 20 years partnership with others

145 6.5 sections discuss each program in more detail, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Resource Area Programs highlighting current activities, NRP activities, and expected implementation benefits. In When developing the NRP, TVA identified addition, relationships between resource programs and activities to support the areas and other programs are discussed to goals of each resource area. The following help show linkages throughout the NRP.

146 6.5.1 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Aquatic Ecology Management TVA has worked in the past to enhance aquatic biologic communities through, for The aquatic ecology management program example, introduction of lake sturgeon will focus on enhancement of aquatic into the Tennessee River as well as habitat biological communities in TVA streams, enhancement to recover fish and mussels in reservoirs and tailwaters. This may include the tailwaters below Tims Ford Dam. This activities such as habitat improvements, program is intended to advance these efforts biological monitoring, and pollution reduction. in a systematic manner moving forward.

In addition, TVA will identify and develop public outreach information and opportunities NRP Activities to raise public awareness of land use practices

• Partner and actively participate in maintaining that degrade aquatic communities and of and enhancing aquatic biological communities exotic and invasive aquatic species.

• Join and support collaborative partnerships In addition, this program will include a to identify and implement protection needs, focus on protection of aquatic biodiversity foster partnerships, and conduct outreach by identifying and actively protecting efforts in up to three healthy watersheds exceptionally diverse aquatic biological (Clinch, Powell and Duck watersheds) communities, such as the Clinch, Powell and Duck watersheds. These efforts include: Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Identifying protection needs through biological monitoring and habitat

• A stronger understanding of factors assessment activities affecting aquatic habitats and biological

• Fostering the coordination efforts among communities stakeholders to make better management

• Protection and improvement of aquatic decisions habitats and biological communities

• Participating in public outreach efforts

• Increased knowledge and protection of to raise public awareness of exceptional threatened and endangered species biological diversity

• Improved public awareness of land use

• Proactively implementing protection impacts and a potential for invasive measures species (e.g., foreign species transported into habitats)

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the

• Strengthened relationships with existing following resource area and program: and new partners

• Expanded collaborative efforts (funding

• Threatened and endangered species and resources) to better evaluate and program (Biological) protect exceptional biodiversity within the Tennessee River watershed Scope: Tennessee River watershed

• Increased recognition of exceptional hot spots of biological diversity within TVA Span of Control: No control over external the Tennessee River watershed and impacts to the resource TVAs commitment to partnering on improvement and protection efforts

147 6.5.2 Data are provided to state water pollution N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Stream and Tailwater control agencies and stakeholders as requested.

Monitoring Program NRP Activities The stream and tailwater monitoring program

• Conduct 110 to 125 stream assessments uses biological monitoring to evaluate per year biological conditions and diversity that reflect

• Share stream and reservoir data watershed conditions. This information is used for decision making by water resource Expected Benefits managers throughout the Tennessee River Key benefits of this program are:

Valley (e.g., states, TVA, etc.) to target and track improvements. Also, it helps create

• A proficient understanding of stream and public awareness about water resource tailwater conditions conditions, increasing the opportunity for

• Ability to make more informed watershed water resource managers to become involved management decisions in monitoring and data collection activities.

• Targeted and tracked watershed and Data gathered through stream and tailwater tailwater improvement efforts monitoring are used to measure certain effects

• Additional support for state and TVA below dams and to track operational changes programs separate from the NRP (e.g., state resulting from the Reservoir Operations Study 305(b) reports, environmental reviews, river (2004). The primary biological monitoring operations, tailwater monitoring across the tool is the Index of Biological Integrity for fish watershed, permitting and relicensing of communities. This methodology is used to power facilities) identify both healthy and unhealthy streams

• One of the most comprehensive aquatic and also to target and track success of stream biological data sets in the nation improvement projects.

Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource area and program:

• Threatened and endangered species program (Biological)

Scope: Tennessee River watershed TVA Span of Control: Partial control, as TVA manages stream and tailwater monitoring efforts in coordination with state agencies in the Tennessee Valley Current Activities TVA assesses stream conditions in 611 hydrologic units in the Tennessee River watershed tracked by 11-digit identification numbers. Currently, 110 sites are assessed annually, allowing TVA to assess all hydrologic units on a five-year cycle.

148 6.5.3

• Threatened and endangered species N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Climate Change program (Biological)

Sentinel Monitoring Scope: Tennessee River watershed The climate change sentinel monitoring program will focus on collecting biological, TVA Span of Control: Partial control as TVA and chemical, and physical data in each of the partners oversee the monitoring of sentinel five predominant ecoregions (Level III)1 in stations but do not have control over the onset the Tennessee Valley: Blue Ridge, Ridge of climate change and Valley, Southwestern and Central Appalachians, Interior Plateau, and Southern Current Activities Plains. The location and timing of potential Currently, TVA collects various stream and climate change effects on the unique tailwater data in its river systems. However, biodiversity within the Tennessee River these efforts are not specifically aligned with watershed are uncertain and currently not climate change monitoring, which is being being assessed. Therefore, TVA will use proposed as a new program in the NRP.

historical data and information gathered as part of this sentinel monitoring program to NRP Activities provide early warning if adverse climate

• Monitor one or two watersheds per year in change effects need to be taken into each of the five predominant ecoregions consideration during future business planning (i.e., five to 10 watersheds) in the Tennessee efforts. This will be a collaborative effort, Valley for long-term trending analysis aligning with other initiatives to determine the

• Monitor two sentinel locations per prioritized vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems and water watershed (i.e., up to 20 monitoring sites) quality to climate change.

• Manage data, conduct trending analysis, and report findings on a five-year cycle Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource area and program: Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Enhanced data collection and understanding of potential climate change effects on streams and their biodiversity

• Improved planning efforts due to early identification of climate change mitigation needs and strategies for aquatic species protection

• Improved knowledge and information sharing with agencies and other stakeholders for assessment and planning activities

• Consistency with Executive Order 13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance, 2009) and Council on Environmental Quality implementing instructions to evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities 1

Designation of ecoregions is based on the premise that distinct ecological regions can be identified through the analysis of the patterns and the composition of biotic and abiotic phenomena that affect or reflect differences in ecosystem quality and integrity. Level III ecoregions subdivide the North American continent into 182 distinct ecoregions. Of these, 104 lie partly or wholly within the United States.

149 6.5.4 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Strategic Partnership Planning The strategic partnership planning program will focus on building strong partnerships with state, other federal, and regional nongovernmental organizations to address stewardship issues of mutual importance to drive measurable improvement of the regions waters. Also, this program will explore market-based opportunities (e.g., water pollution banking or trading) for improving water quality. This program will facilitate regional working groups in order to:

• Develop regional collaborative projects to improve water quality in the Tennessee River watershed

• Provide technical assistance through enhanced data collection and sharing opportunities

• Build relationships with key contacts at agencies and organizations throughout the Tennessee Valley

• Network with current and prospective NRP Activities financial contributors to enhance TVAs

• Maintain existing relationships and ability to secure external funding partnerships for water quality protection and improvement efforts Scope: Tennessee River watershed

• Develop new or enhance existing strategic relationships and partnerships focused on TVA Span of Control: Not applicable regional water resource planning efforts Current Activities Expected Benefits Currently, TVA actively partners with state, Key benefits of this program are:

other federal, and local organizations to address various water resource improvement initiatives.

• A clear understanding of Valleywide water Partnership activities include identifying resource concerns and mutual agreement water quality concerns, coordinating and on paths forward with partners (e.g.,

implementing improvement efforts, developing strategy or priorities, funding, resource new and existing partnerships, and creating requirements, etc.)

consistent public awareness and education

• Effective best management practices for materials. However, as part of the NRP, TVA protecting and improving water resources is proposing a new program to help its water

• Improved working relationships with state resource partnership efforts become more and national partners comprehensive and integrated throughout the

• Reestablished focus on partnerships at a Tennessee Valley. regional level

150 6.5.5 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Tennessee Valley TVA is working with marina owners and Clean Marina Program operators to maintain 80 certified clean marinas throughout the Tennessee Valley.

The Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program promotes environmentally responsible marina NRP Activities and boating practices and will directly link to

• Collaborate with marina owners to maintain recreation and to TVAs permitting authority their clean marina certifications under Section 26(a) of the TVA Act. The Clean

• Develop and provide marina owners/

Marina Program is designed to reduce water operators with outreach materials and pollution and erosion in the Tennessee River training on existing obligations and best watershed. All new marinas will be required management practices to protect water to be certified as part of this program, which quality encourages boater education, improves

• Certify one new marina per year coordination among state agencies, and helps communicate marina best-management Expected Benefits practices. Also, the program offers incentives Key benefits of this program are:

for environmentally innovative and proactive marina operations, and it supports the

• Increased awareness with existing National Clean Boating Campaign.2 marina owners and customers about environmentally protective requirements Within the NRP, this program aligns with the and best boating practices following resource area and program:

• Improved water resources conditions in TVA-managed reservoirs as a result of

• Recreation managements public outreach the implementation of best management and engagement efforts practices

• Enhanced public perception of TVA Scope: Tennessee River watershed stewardship efforts

• Strengthened compliance with federal TVA Span of Control: Partial control because and state regulations (e.g., waste water TVA manages the certification program in management, fuel management, solid coordination with marina owners and operators waste management, etc.)

2 The National Clean Boating Campaign is a year-round program to promote good stewardship of water resources by boating families, marina operators, boat dealers and manufacturers.

151 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s 6.5.6 Current Activities Water Resource TVA has historically completed public outreach Outreach Campaign campaigns through other activities that were included in the quality growth program, The water resource outreach campaign the water efficiency program, and targeted program will increase public awareness and watershed initiatives. Also, TVA has an existing involvement through the promotion of water three-year commitment with the Tennessee resource protection and improvement best Department of Agriculture to deliver quality practices. Campaigns will include focused growth workshops and demonstration projects.

efforts to: However, as part of the NRP, TVA is proposing to create a formal program that helps focus its

• Protect and improve reservoir shoreline water outreach campaigns in a coordinated

• Address storm water management issues and integrated fashion.

and sustainable land use practices

• Address other emerging resource concerns NRP Activities (e.g., nutrient and sediment reductions,

• Evaluate, develop and execute public climate change, Gulf hypoxia, etc.) outreach activities to raise awareness of water resource protection and improvement Within the NRP, this program aligns with the efforts (includes addressing other resource following resource areas and programs: area concerns)

• Environmental education Expected Benefits (Public Engagement) Key benefits of this program are:

• Other resource area-specific public outreach efforts

• Increased public awareness of the importance and value of protecting water Scope: Tennessee River watershed resources within the Tennessee River basin

• Enhanced sense of public ownership in TVA Span of Control: Partial control as TVA will the day-to-day management of the basins collaborate with regional and national partners water resources to implement this program

• Enhanced perception of TVA as a leader in water resource stewardship

152 6.5.7 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Reservoir Shoreline TVA has historically managed its shoreline Stabilization/Riparian stabilization efforts on a project-by-project Management Program basis as needs and funding allowed. TVA, with the support of its partners, has successfully TVA is charged with management and protected almost 100 miles of critically eroding stewardship of some 11,000 miles of reservoir reservoir shoreline on about 500 sites across shoreline. A number of these reservoir the multi-state reservoir system. Also, TVA shoreline areas are classified as sensitive has established criteria for determining the resource areas, as they contain cultural and health of TVA-managed reservoir shorelines archaeological resources. These are resources as described in the Shoreline Management that TVA is mandated by federal law to protect. Initiative (1998).

There are also sites being impacted by soil erosion that have other resource values, such NRP Activities as recreational areas that have been extensively

• Stabilize up to three miles of critically eroding developed and are heavily used by the public. shoreline per year The reservoir shoreline stabilization/riparian Expected Benefits management program will help control critical Key benefits of this program are:

shoreline erosion. Its goals include protecting significant cultural and other sensitive

• Stabilization of critically eroding TVA resources, maintaining or improving water reservoir shoreline and public land quality, and enhancing aquatic and wildlife

• Protection and improvement of water habitat. Treatment of these sites will include resources; preservation of public land innovative techniques for stabilization (e.g., soil from erosion; recreational opportunities; bioengineering) as well as the improvement of preservation of significant cultural and traditional methods (e.g., use of geotextiles in biological resources, wildlife habitat, and the application of rock riprap). scenic beauty Within the NRP, this program aligns with the following resource areas and programs:

• Archaeological monitoring and protection (Cultural)

• Wildlife habitat enhancement partnerships (Biological)

• Land conditions assessment and land stewardship maintenance (Biological)

• Dispersed recreation management (Biological)

Scope: TVA reservoir lands and managed shoreline TVA Span of Control: Direct control over TVA-managed lands and shoreline

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s 153 154 6.5.8 to target the top three reservoirs having N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Nutrient Source-Watershed the greatest potential for nutrient source Identification and load reductions. This program will provide Improvement Program information to not only better understand and communicate resource conditions The nutrient source-watershed identification within the Tennessee Valley, but also reduce and improvement program will establish nonpoint nutrient loading from these source-goals or targets to reduce nutrients (e.g., watersheds and also from point sources phosphorus), sediment, or both in TVA- where appropriate. Such reductions will managed reservoirs. It will use existing and be proactive in the view of forthcoming monitored nutrient and flow data to assess regulatory numeric nutrient water quality the nutrient status of TVA reservoirs, helping criteria and nutrient loading allocations that

155 are being developed at the national and state

• Implement plan to reduce point-source N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s levels. By improving water quality, potential phosphorus reaching one TVA-managed increases in wastewater treatment costs related reservoir by 5,000 pounds to emerging reduction requirements may be

• Implement plan to reduce 720 to 1,080 tons mitigated, providing a key economic benefit to per reservoir of suspended sediment the region. This program will link with TVAs transported from watershed streams into national water resource recovery program one or two of the top three reservoirs (described in Section 6.5.9) for the northern

• Implement plan to reduce 1,100 to Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River basin. 1,650 pounds per reservoir of phosphorus transported from watershed streams into one Within the NRP, this program aligns with the or two of the top three reservoirs following resource area and program:

Expected Benefits

• Wetlands management (Biological) Key benefits of this program are:

Scope: Tennessee River watershed

• Identification of the major phosphorus and sediment loading sources from watersheds TVA Span of Control: Partial control as TVA will into TVA reservoirs, helping to develop work with partners in nutrient and sediment focused nutrient load reduction initiatives reduction efforts but has no control over

• Reduced phosphorus loads into some external impacts streams that are currently included in states lists of nutrient impaired waters Current Activities (required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Currently, TVA participates in various nutrient Water Act) and sediment reduction efforts across the

• Replicable methods and techniques Tennessee River watershed. However, these for achieving measurable phosphorus efforts are performed in a one-off fashion. As and sediment load reductions and part of the NRP, TVA needs a more prioritized improvements in water quality and comprehensive approach to provide

• Lower potable water treatment costs the intended near- and long-term benefits

• Proactive nutrient reductions to meet associated with these activities. expected future regulatory requirements (increase public perception). See northern NRP Activities Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River basin

• Conduct current targeted TVA Vital Signs nutrient load reductions program for and Fixed Station water chemistry monitoring additional information programs

• Use existing and new nutrient data combined with flow data to determine and quantify the top three reservoirs receiving the greatest phosphorus and nitrogen loadings

• Develop a reservoir-specific improvement plan for one or two of the top three reservoirs over the life of the NRP

156 6.5.9 identification and improvement program N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s Northern Gulf of Mexico/ described in Section 6.5.8. This program also Mississippi River Basin Nutrient will link with the national effort to recover Load Reductions Program the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, helping to diminish the regional ecological Similar to events that led to the federal and economic impact this zone is imposing.

establishment of a total maximum daily load Potential future activities (not presented in nutrient budget to recover the Chesapeake the NRP) will use a number of effective water Bay, increasing pressure and planning resource improvement tools to implement are underway to implement nutrient load effective strategies to reduce nutrient yields reductions (primarily nitrogen) within from the Tennessee River.

the Mississippi River basin to recover an 8,000-square-mile dead zone (oxygen- Within the NRP, this program is not aligned deprived area) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. with other resource areas and programs A potential source of impairment may be because its focus is on restoring a national excessive nitrogen carried by fresh water water resource downstream from the discharged from the Mississippi River basin. Tennessee River watershed.

The direct impact of these excessive nutrient levels is the consumption of oxygen within Scope: Within and downstream from the the water resource, creating a hypoxic zone Tennessee River watershed (oxygen levels too low to support productive marine life) in the Gulf. Regulatory actions TVA Span of Control: Partial control through are likely to be assigned to place limitations coordinated modeling and strategic planning on amounts of nitrogen loading from the efforts with other agencies major tributaries to the Mississippi River basin, including the Tennessee River. Currently, the Current Activities Environmental Protection Agency has a Currently, TVA does not actively monitor 60,000 man-hour task order that includes nitrogen levels exiting the Tennessee River determining these allocations. basin. However, as part of the NRP, TVA recognizes the need to evaluate nutrient The northern Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River loading from the Tennessee River and basin nutrient load reduction program will be is proposing this new program to guide a demonstration program that will conduct efforts to determine potential load reduction modeling to determine what nitrogen source- opportunities.

load reduction opportunities exist in a selected lower Tennessee River reservoir (Guntersville NRP Activities to Kentucky reservoirs). The expectation is

• Obtain, consolidate and evaluate existing that the key benefit of such a modeling effort data (TVA, U.S. Geological Survey, National will be reduced nitrogen yields delivered to Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. state, Mississippi River Basin Gulf of The U.S. Geological Survey Sparrow model3 Mexico Hypoxia Task Force, Environmental has indicated that approximately 90 percent Protection Agency) from lower Tennessee of the nitrogen transported in the lower River reservoirs and watersheds and select Tennessee River is delivered to the northern one reservoir as the focus for nutrient source Gulf of Mexico. Within the NRP, this program loading and delivery modeling will link to the TVA nutrient source-watershed 3

The USGS Sparrow model is a modeling tool for the regional interpretation of water-quality monitoring data.

See water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/ for additional information.

157

• Monitor the selected reservoir for one year in stakeholders to show how to potentially N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 6 - W at e r R e s o u r c e s order to support model development reduce nitrogen load amounts to a

• Develop a strategy and long-term action damaged water resource (Gulf of Mexico plan with partners that supports the strategy hypoxic zone) of national significance of nutrient load reduction to the Mississippi

• Identification of best management River basin and Gulf of Mexico practices for how best to reduce nitrogen loading into and nitrogen yields delivered Expected Benefits out of a lower Tennessee River reservoir Key benefits of this program are:

• Proactive management of potential future regulatory loading allocations from the

• A better understanding of how nitrogen Tennessee River into the Mississippi River reacts within a reservoir and how its basin and Gulf of Mexico yields are exported into downstream

• Increased (positive) public perception water bodies associated with TVAs proactive

• A coordinated demonstration effort stewardship efforts to address downstream between local, regional and national impacts of nutrients

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g 158 159 C h a pt e r 7 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Reservoir Lands Planning 7.1 History of Reservoir Lands Planning 161 7.2 Goal 164 7.3 Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan 165 Overview 165 Planning Process 168 Benefits 169 7.4 Implementation Strategy 170 7.5 Measures of Success 170 7.6 Zone Definitions 171 7.7 Current Land Zone Allocations By Reservoir 175

160 As a steward of critically important natural resources across N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g the Tennessee Valley, TVA has a duty to manage its lands sustainably for present and future generations. Reservoir land planning guides TVA management decisions on natural resources and property administration. TVAs Land Policy, approved by the board in 2006, governs the planning, retention and disposal of land under TVAs stewardship. The TVA board recognized the public value of reservoir lands and, by approving the Land Policy, supported the position that TVA should continue to provide for their public use and enjoyment.

The board said regarding the Land Policy:

TVA has a duty to manage its lands wisely for present and future generations. Accordingly, it is TVAs policy to manage its lands to protect the integrated operation of the TVA reservoir and power systems, to provide for appropriate public use and enjoyment of the reservoir system, and to provide for continuing economic growth in the Valley. Recognizing that historical land transfers have contributed substantially to meeting multipurpose objectives, it further is TVAs policy to preserve reservoir lands remaining under its control in public ownership except in those rare instances where the benefits to the public will be so significant that transferring lands from TVA control to private ownership or another public entity is justified.

TVAs integrated resource management approach focuses on balancing flood control, navigation, power generation, water quality, recreation and other land use needs. Lands planning is one of the important tools TVA has to accomplish this.

161 As a tool for managing lands around its Tennessee Valley. Public lands adjacent N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g reservoirs for optimal public benefit, TVA to TVA reservoirs, together with adjoining has developed reservoir land management private lands, have been used for public plans (RLMPs). Such plans support land parks, industrial development, commercial and water program goals while balancing recreation, residential development, tourism other competing and sometimes conflicting development, and forest and wildlife resource uses. By providing a clear statement management areas, and to meet a variety of how TVA intends to manage land, and by of other needs associated with local identifying a specific use for each individual communities and government agencies.

tract of land, TVA aligns the use of public lands with current policies as well as with its Shortly after its creation in 1933, TVA began responsibilities under the TVA Act. Public input a massive dam and reservoir construction is sought during the planning process, and program that required the purchase of completed plans are adopted as agency policy. approximately 1.3 million acres of land for the creation of 46 reservoirs within the Tennessee Valley region. Of these 1.3 million acres, 7.1 approximately 509,000 have been sold or History of Reservoir transferred from TVAs control, the majority of Lands Planning which were transferred to other federal and state agencies for public use. Of the remaining Throughout its history, TVA has managed land, approximately 470,000 acres are located public lands to meet a wide range of regional underneath the water of the reservoir system.

and local resource development needs and This leaves approximately 293,000 acres of to improve the quality of life, both within land along these reservoirs that TVA currently specific reservoir areas and throughout the manages for the benefit of the public.

Land disposition Reservoir land

~1.3 million acres originally owned Natural Resources Sold or Transferred ~506,000 acres Conservation ~182,300 acres Power, Transmission Sensitive Resource and Commercial ~35,000 acres Management ~50,000 acres Reservoir Land ~293,000 acres Recreation ~21,200 acres Land Under Water ~470,000 acres TVA Project Operations ~21,200 acres Shoreline Access ~14,000 acres Industrial ~4,200 acres Figure 7.1: History of lands under TVA management

162 An increasing demand for use of these sites. The narrow strips of TVA-managed land N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g remaining lands sometimes results in (known as marginal strips) that front property conflicting public opinions regarding the that TVA had previously sold or transferred most appropriate use of individual parcels. were not included under this planning These competing interests and development methodology. For example, TVA shoreland pressures, coupled with todays environmental fronting former TVA reservoir land that was awareness, underscore the necessity for a sold for private development purposes with systematic and comprehensive planning deeded rights to apply to construct private approach to the management, retention and shoreline improvements was not included in disposal of reservoir lands managed by TVA. the planning effort. Additionally, the multiple-TVA began planning its reservoir lands in the use tract allocation method often did not plan 1960s and has implemented three different land that was committed to a long-term or land planning methodologies for classifying permanent use, such as parcels encumbered reservoir lands since that time: by easements or parcels used for TVA dam reservations or power plants. Only one

• Forecast system reservoir was considered per land plan, and

• Multiple-use tract locations the plans were approved by the TVA board as

• Single-use parcel allocations agency policy.

The forecast system initially was used to guide In 1999, in an effort to more clearly define most land use decisions. The forecast system and commit to suitable uses of reservoir was an in-house process to document actual lands, TVA began using the single-use and prospective uses for certain TVA-managed parcel allocation method, which is still in land around a reservoir using a variable set use today. Similar to the multiple-use tract of designations. A forecast record book was allocation methodology, TVA-managed lands prepared to serve as a general guide for are subdivided into manageable parcels, and use or potential development of each TVA each parcel is designated for a single-use or reservoir. Decisions on the best use of the allocation. The seven zone designations under property were made based on internal agency the single-use parcel allocation include: non-expertise and incorporated local and regional TVA shoreland, project operations, sensitive needs for various land uses as determined resource management, natural resource by TVA. conservation, industrial, developed recreation, and shoreline access. A description of each In 1979, TVA shifted its lands planning zone can be found in Section 7.6. Under this approach to a public forum and applied the methodology, RLMPs focus on individual multiple-use tract allocations methodology, reservoirs or groups of reservoirs. Even which was a more systematic approach though some RLMPs under this method may to planning reservoir lands. TVA lands include multiple reservoirs (e.g., Mountain were subdivided into manageable tracts Reservoirs Land Management Plan), the and assigned appropriate multiple-use planning is still performed on a reservoir-by-designations from 10 categories: wildlife reservoir basis. As with the multiple-use tract management, forest management, recreation, allocation methodology, the single-use parcel cultural resources management, agriculture, allocation RLMPs are planned in a public navigation, visual protection, open space, forum and approved by the TVA board as special management areas and industrial agency policy.

163 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Reservoirs Valleywide (46 Total) 1 Unplanned2 Great Falls Wilson Unplanned - Beech River Reservoirs Managed Under Contract by Beech River Watershed Development Authority Beech River Cedar Dogwood Lost Creek Pin Oak Pine Redbud Sycamore Forecast System (1960s-1979)

Fort Loudoun Normandy Multiple-Use Tract Allocation Methodology (1979-1999)

Chickamauga - 1989 Kentucky - 1985 Nickajack - 1990 Wheeler - 1995 Single-Use Tract Allocation Methodology (1999 - Present)

Melton Hill - 1999 Cedar Creek - 2001 Nottely - 2010 South Holston - 2010 Tellico - 2000 Little Bear Creek - 2001 Ocoee 1 - 2010 Wilbur - 2010 Tims Ford - 2000 Upper Bear Creek - 2001 Ocoee 2 - 2010 Watauga - 2010 Cherokee - 2001 Apalachia - 2009 Ocoee 3 - 2010 Douglas - 2010 Guntersville - 2001 Blue Ridge - 2010 Beaver Creek - 2010 Nolichucky - 2010 Norris - 2001 Chatuge - 2010 Boone - 2010 Watts Bar - 2010 Pickwick - 2002 Fontana - 2010 Clear Creek - 2010 Big Bear Creek - 2001 Hiwassee - 2010 Fort Patrick Henry - 2010 Combined Reservoir Land Management Plan Color Key:

Bear Creeks Mountain NE Tributary Douglas-Nolichucky Reservoirs LMP Reservoirs LMP Reserviors LMP Tributary Reservoirs LMP Figure 7.2 Summary of reservoir land management plans by planning methodology 1

Maps of the existing RLMPs and RLA data can be found at: www.tva.com/environment/land/land_mgmt_plans.htm and www.tva.com/environment/land/assessment/

2 Minimal TVA land on reservoir

164 With reservoirs planned using different parcels to the single-use allocation, TVA is N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g methodologies, it is difficult to calculate the able to compare reservoir lands across the acreage of TVA-managed lands as a whole that Valley. The information obtained from the have been planned for sensitive resources, rapid lands assessment provides acreage natural resource management, industrial estimates of lands managed in the various development, and recreation. In order to zones and allocations, proving invaluable for create a consistent reservoir lands planning planning and analysis purposes. These data methodology across the Valley, reservoirs that are estimates only, though, and the TVA board have forecast system designations or multiple- has not approved these estimates in lieu of the use tract allocations are slated for conversion formal land plans.

to the single-use parcel allocation. One challenge however is that converting each reservoir land management plan to the current 7.2 methodology can be a lengthy process. Goal To address this issue, the rapid lands TVA will strive to continue to balance assessment (RLA) tool was developed shoreline development, recreational use, in 2006 to quickly convert the forecast sensitive and natural resource management, system designations and multiple-use tract industrial use, and other land uses in a way allocations to single-use parcel allocations that maintains the quality of life and other for comparison purposes. By converting important values across the Valley.

165 7.3 identifying the most suitable uses of TVA N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Comprehensive public lands using resource data, stakeholder Valleywide Land Plan input, suitability and capability analyses, and TVA staff input.

Overview Objective 2 As a regional development agency and the Identify land use zone allocations to optimize nations largest public power provider, TVA public benefit and balance competing is committed to protecting and sustaining the demands for the use of public lands.

environmental resources of the Tennessee Valley for future generations through Objective 3 leadership in clean energy innovation and Identify land use zone allocations to support environmental management. In managing TVAs broad regional resource development its public lands and resources, TVA seeks to mission. TVA reservoir properties are managed provide efficient resource stewardship that is to provide multiple public benefits, including responsive to stakeholder interests. recreation, conservation and economic development.

TVA intends to manage its public land for an optimum level of multiple uses and benefits Objective 4 that protect and enhance natural, cultural, Provide a clear process by which TVA will recreational and visual resources in a cost- respond to requests for use of TVA public land.

effective manner. Through this approach, TVA ensures that resource stewardship issues and Objective 5 stakeholder interests are considered while Comply with federal regulations and executive optimizing benefits and minimizing conflicts. orders.

As part of the NRP, TVA has developed Objective 6 a Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan. Enhance the protection of significant This Valleywide Plan will guide resource resources, including threatened and management and administration decisions endangered species, cultural resources, on the approximately 293,000 acres of TVA- wetlands, unique habitats, natural areas, managed property around 46 reservoirs. It water quality, and the visual character of will identify the most suitable uses for the the reservoir.

land under TVAs control, identifying areas for project operations, sensitive resource Objective 7 management, natural resource conservation, Provide a mechanism that allows local, state industrial/commercial development, developed and federal infrastructure projects when the recreation and shoreline access. use is compatible with the zone allocation.

The objectives of the Valleywide Plan, listed Under the Valleywide Plan, TVAs below, are designed to implement TVAs implementation of reservoir lands planning mission of serving the Valley through energy, will shift from a reservoir-specific focus to a environment and economic development. more comprehensive Valleywide perspective.

The single-use parcel allocation methodology Objective 1 will still apply for individual reservoirs, but Apply a systematic method of evaluating and the Valleywide Plan identifies target ranges

166 for allocations to each land use zone for the suitability studies conducted as a result of the N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g region as a whole. Land Policy to create land use zone allocations for the Valleywide Plan.

Section 7.6 contains the land use zone definitions for the Valleywide Plan and TVA anticipates that some parcels of land subsequent land planning efforts. may be better represented by different land use allocations than those initially The target ranges for the Valleywide Plan identified. For example, field assessments were developed using the single-use parcel may identify additional areas that warrant the allocations in existing board-approved sensitive resource management allocation.

reservoir land management plans. For the In addition, TVA may determine, either for remaining reservoirs that utilize a different its own management purposes or as a result planning methodology, the rapid lands of public input, that certain parcels of land assessment was used to identify comparable should be used differently from how they land use zone allocations. Together, the have been used in the past. To anticipate existing reservoir land management plans these reasonably foreseeable changes, the and information obtained through rapid lands Valleywide Plan establishes an allocation assessments were blended together with range for each land use zone.

Allocation Designation Current Allocation* CVLP Range**

Zone 2 Project Operations 7% 5% - 7%

Zone 3 Sensitive Resource Management 17% 16% - 18%

Zone 4 Natural Resource Conservation 61% 58% - 65%

Zone 5 Industrial 2% 1% - 2%

Zone 6 Developed Recreation 8% 8% - 10%

Zone 7 Shoreline Access 5% 5%

• Current allocations at each individual reservoir can be found in Section 7.7.

• • Represents the percentage of land within each zone allocation. Does not represent shoreline miles.

Figure 7.3 Current zone allocations and Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan ranges

167 Ranges represent the total percentage of TVA N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g lands that are or will be designated to each zone across TVA reservoirs as a whole. For example, Zone 3 lands (sensitive resource management) should account for 16-18 percent of the overall total when acreage from all of the 46 reservoirs planned by TVA is added together. Each individual reservoir will not necessarily have 16-18 percent of its TVA-managed lands designated to Zone 3; instead, the total of all reservoirs together will fall into that range.

During subsequent planning efforts, lands that are no longer be suitable for their current allocation would typically revert to a natural resource conservation (Zone 4) designation. If the land is capable and suitable for another use and the change is within the allocation ranges of the CVLP, reallocation to a different zone is possible. As an example, a tract allocated for project operations (Zone 2) would be reallocated to natural resource conservation (Zone 4) when its primary use is no longer needed to support project operations. If existing recreational infrastructure is present, the tract could be reallocated to developed recreation (Zone 6).

Lands previously allocated to sensitive resource management (Zone 3) would only be reallocated if it is determined that the sensitive resource and/or its habitat is no longer present. In that case, the tract would be reallocated to the suitable land use identified in the planning process.

168 Planning Process decisions concerning allocation of TVA-N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g managed public land.

Under the Comprehensive Valleywide Land

• After considering input on the draft plans, Plan, TVA will develop and update reservoir TVA will issue a final plan, which will land management plans for a portion of include an overview of the lands planning a reservoir, an entire reservoir, or a group process, a summary of public input, parcel of reservoirs using the single-use parcel descriptions, and a set of maps.

allocation methodology. At a minimum, the development process will consist of the key The development of each reservoir land components listed below. management plan is a comprehensive planning effort. First the characteristics of each

• TVA will collaborate with other federal and parcel are reviewed by land use specialists.

state agencies to share information and Deeds of selected tracts previously sold to data pertaining to developed recreation, public entities, private entities and individuals natural resource management, and water are reviewed in order to identify existing resources. During development of the shoreline access rights. In addition, all existing NRP, TVA met with a number of agencies commitments are recognized, including leases, to seek input into the NRP process and licenses and easements.

to foster future partnerships. When conducting future lands planning efforts, Land currently committed to a specific use is TVA will build from these initial agency then allocated to a zone compatible with that interactions by sharing existing resource use unless there is a need for reassessment.

data for the area, conducting capability Committed lands include the following:

and suitability analysis (as appropriate), properties where TVA has granted land rights and gathering information to predict future (easements, leases, etc.) for specific uses, public needs for specific allocations. properties where TVA has previously identified

• Draft reservoir land management plans resources in need of protection, TVA project will be issued for public comment and operations lands (transmission lines, dam will include an overview of the new lands reservations, etc.), and lands fronting national planning process, parcel descriptions, and forest properties. Possible reasons to change a a set of maps. committed land use include the prevention or

• TVA will consider proposals for alternative remediation of adverse impacts resulting from uses of TVA-managed lands while seeking the actions of a lease or easement holder.

and incorporating input from the public on the draft plans. Sensitive resource surveys are then

• TVA will continue to solicit public input conducted as appropriate on the remaining into current and future needs, define uncommitted land. The need for field reviews project issues and concerns, and solicit on uncommitted parcels is determined based feedback on a draft document during on data from the TVA Natural Heritage the lands planning process. In addition database and the professional judgment to issuing public notifications, TVA of TVA staff, including archaeologists and will consider other avenues such as biologists. Land with identified sensitive public meetings, facilitated small group resources is placed into Zone 3 (sensitive workshops, stakeholder consultations, resource management). The remaining and questionnaires for collecting public parcels are then allocated based on reservoir input. Public input is essential for making planning objectives and public input. Initial

169 recommendations are made by consensus savings. Currently, the costs associated with N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g among the TVA planning team. producing a reservoir land management plan range from $200,000 to $700,000 per plan. This After completing the analysis, a draft plan is is dependent on a number of factors, including issued to the public. Public comments are the number and location of reservoirs in the then incorporated, and a final reservoir land plan and the level of public involvement.

management plan is issued. In addition, no programmatic National Environmental Policy Act coverage exists for the current land planning process, so an Benefits environmental impact statement must also be produced. Implementing the Valleywide Plan The NRP will enable TVA to better balance its will provide programmatic NEPA coverage and stewardship objectives and obligations while reduce the duration and cost of each planning ensuring sound business practices. The goal of effort. Estimated production costs under the the NRP is to integrate objectives from all of Plan will range from $20,000 to $250,000 TVAs natural resource programs for the benefit for a single planning effort with variability of the public while balancing competing and dependent on the specifics of the reservoir.

sometimes conflicting demands on resources.

Finally, and perhaps most important, the In support of this goal, the Comprehensive Valleywide Plan provides the public with a Valleywide Land Plan provides a holistic transparent guide to TVAs overarching goals approach to balancing shoreline development, for the Valley.

recreational use, sensitive and natural resource management, and other uses by taking a regional look at resource demands and trends. It creates uniformity in the lands planning process by instituting one planning methodology for all reservoirs across the Tennessee Valley and ensuring standardized parcel descriptions and zone definitions.

The Valleywide Plan also provides flexibility, creating benefit for the public. Portions of a reservoir can be planned as part of the Plan, allowing agility in financial and timing considerations, especially on larger reservoirs.

The process is streamlined, as each plan meets a basic set of guidelines, shortening cycle times for planning. This will likely result in reservoirs being planned on a more regular basis than has occurred in the past, allowing TVA to be more responsive to changing conditions on each reservoir.

In addition to the benefits above, the Valleywide Plan will create significant cost

170 7.4 the reservoirs previously planned using this N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Implementation Strategy method will then be updated in an order that gives consideration to the age of the As a first step in implementing the current plan or any developing trends that Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan, warrant review.

reservoirs planned using the multiple-use tract allocation methodology will be converted Each reservoir plan update should take to single-use parcel allocation. This group approximately six to 12 months to complete, includes Chickamauga, Kentucky, Nickajack with potentially more time needed to and Wheeler reservoirs. Because Kentucky review the reservoirs currently under the Reservoir is so large, it is likely that it will older multiple-use tract allocation system.

be split into more manageable sizes Should unforeseen circumstances occur, the (e.g., upper end and lower end) to Valleywide Plan allows simple adjustments in simplify planning. planning priorities to address emerging issues on a specific reservoir or portion of a reservoir The reservoirs planned using the forecast at any time in the planning cycle.

system, Fort Loudoun and Normandy, will be converted to single-use parcel allocation The outcomes of each planning effort will be next, followed by the unplanned reservoirs: included in periodic updates of the NRP, and Great Falls, Wilson, and the eight Beech TVA will track allocation changes to ensure River reservoirs. that they continue to fall within the Valleywide Plan total allocation percentages. As the Once all reservoirs are updated to the NRP is updated, the Valleywide Plan will be single-use parcel allocation methodology, updated accordingly.

7.5 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Lands Convert all reservoir land management plans to single-use 3-5 years parcel allocation Planning Update all 46 reservoir land management plans Every 5-10 years Refresh the Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan Every 3-5 years

171 7.6 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Zone Definitions Zone Definition 1 Shoreland that TVA does not own in fee. This land may be privately owned or owned by a governmental entity other than TVA. Uses of this non-TVA land may include residential, Non-TVA industrial, commercial, and/or agricultural. In many instances, TVA may have purchased the right to flood and/or limit structures on this non-TVA land (i.e., flowage easement).

Shoreland TVAs permitting authority under Section 26a of the TVA Act applies to construction of structures on non-TVA shoreland.

Non-TVA shoreland allocations are based on deeded rights and, therefore, will not change as a result of the lands planning process. This category is provided to assist in comprehensive evaluation of potential environmental impacts of TVAs allocation decision.

2 Land currently used, or planned for future use, for TVA operations and public works projects, including:

Project

• Land adjacent to established navigation operations Locks, lock operations and Operations maintenance facilities, and the navigation work boat dock and bases.

• Land used for TVA power projects operations Generation facilities, switchyards, and transmission facilities and rights-of-way.

• Dam reservation land Areas acquired and managed for the primary purpose of supporting the operation and maintenance of TVA dams and associated infrastructure; secondary uses may also include developed and dispersed recreation, maintenance facilities, miscellaneous TVA field offices, research areas, and visitor centers.

• Navigation safety harbors/landings Areas used for tying off commercial barge tows and recreational boats during adverse weather conditions or equipment malfunctions.

• Navigation dayboards and beacons Areas with structures placed on the shoreline to facilitate navigation.

• Public works projects Includes rights-of-way for public utility infrastructure, such as sewer lines, water lines, transmission lines, and major highway projects.

3 Land managed for protection and enhancement of sensitive resources. Sensitive resources, as defined by TVA, include resources protected by state or federal law or Sensitive executive order and other land features/natural resources TVA considers important to the area viewscape or natural environment.

Resource Management Recreational natural resource activities, such as hunting, wildlife observation, and camping on undeveloped sites, may occur in this zone, but the overriding focus is protecting and enhancing the sensitive resource the site supports. Areas included are:

• TVA-designated sites with potentially significant archaeological resources.

• TVA public land with sites/structures listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

• Wetlands Aquatic bed, emergent, forested, and scrub-shrub wetlands as defined by TVA.

continued

172 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Zone Definition 3

• TVA public land under easement, lease, or license to other agencies/individuals for resource protection purposes.

Sensitive

• TVA public land fronting land owned by other agencies/individuals for resource Resource protection purposes.

• Habitat protection areas These TVA natural areas are managed to protect Management populations of species identified as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish (continued) and Wildlife Service, state-listed species, and any unusual or exemplary biological communities/geological features.

• Ecological study areas These TVA natural areas are designated as suitable for ecological research and environmental education by a recognized authority or agency. They typically contain plant or animal populations of scientific interest or are of interest to an educational institution that would utilize the area.

• Small wild areas These TVA natural areas are managed by TVA or in cooperation with other public agencies or private conservation organizations to protect exceptional natural, scenic, or aesthetic qualities that can also support dispersed, low-impact types of outdoor recreation.

• River corridor with sensitive resources present A river corridor is a segment of a river and the adjacent land along the banks. River corridors often consist of a linear green space of TVA land serving as a buffer to tributary rivers entering a reservoir.

These areas will be included in Zone 3 when identified sensitive resources are present.

• Significant scenic areas Areas designated for visual protection because of their unique vistas or particularly scenic qualities.

• Champion tree site Areas designated by TVA as sites that contain the largest known individual tree of its species in that state. The state forestry agency Champion Tree Program designates the tree, while TVA designates the area of the sites for those located on TVA public land.

• Other sensitive ecological areas Examples of these areas include heron rookeries, uncommon plant and animal communities, and unique cave or karst formations.

4 Land managed for the enhancement of natural resources for human use and appreciation.

Management of resources is the primary focus of this zone. Appropriate activities in this Natural zone include hunting, timber management to promote forest health, wildlife observation, and camping on undeveloped sites. Areas included are:

Resource Conservation

• TVA public land managed for wildlife or forest management projects.

• TVA public land under easement, lease, or license to other agencies for wildlife or forest management purposes.

• TVA public land fronting land owned by other agencies for wildlife or forest management purposes.

• Dispersed recreation areas maintained for passive, dispersed recreation activities, such as hunting, hiking, bird-watching, photography, primitive camping, bank fishing, and picnicking.

• Shoreline conservation areas Narrow riparian strips of vegetation between the waters edge and TVAs back-lying property that are managed for wildlife, water quality, or visual qualities.

• Wildlife observation areas TVA natural areas with unique concentrations of easily observed wildlife that are managed as public wildlife observation areas.

• River corridor without sensitive resources present A river corridor is a linear green space along both stream banks of selected tributaries entering a reservoir managed for light boat access at specific sites, riverside trails, and interpretive activities. River corridors will be included in Zone 4 unless sensitive resources are present (see Zone 3).

• Islands without sensitive resources or existing development.

173 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Zone Definition 5 Land currently used, or planned for future use, for economic development, including businesses in distribution/processing/assembly and manufacturing. Preference will be Industrial given for businesses requiring water access. There are two primary types of uses for TVA land allocated for Industrial: (1) access for water supply or structures associated with navigation such as barge terminals, mooring cells, etc., or (2) land-based development potential.

Areas included are:

• TVA public land under easement, lease, or license to other agencies/individuals/

entities for industrial purposes.

• TVA public land fronting land owned by other agencies/individuals/entities for industrial purposes.

In some cases, TVA land allocated to industrial use would be declared surplus and sold at public auction.

Types of development that can occur on this land are:

• Industry Manufacturing, fabrication, and distribution/processing/assembly involving chemical, electronics, metalworking, plastics, telecommunications, transportation, and other industries. Industry does not include retail or service-based businesses.

• Industrial access Access to the waterfront by back-lying property owners across TVA property for water intakes, wastewater discharge, or conveyance of commodities (i.e., pipelines, rail, or road). Barge terminals are associated with industrial access corridors.

• Barge terminal sites Public or private facilities used for the transfer, loading, and unloading of commodities between barges and trucks, trains, storage areas, or industrial plants.

• Fleeting areas Sites used by the towing industry to switch barges between tows or barge terminals that have both offshore and onshore facilities.

• Minor commercial landing A temporary or intermittent activity that takes place without permanent improvements to the property. These sites can be used for transferring pulpwood, sand, gravel, and other natural resource commodities between barges and trucks.

6 Land currently used, or planned for future use, for concentrated, active recreational activities that require capital improvement and maintenance of developed infrastructure, Developed including:

Recreation

• TVA public land developed for recreational purposes, such as campgrounds, day-use areas, etc.

• TVA public land under easement, lease, or license to other agencies/individuals/

entities for developed recreational purposes.

• TVA public land fronting land owned by other agencies/individuals/entities for developed recreational purposes.

continued

174 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Zone Definition 6 Residential use, long-term accommodations, and/or individually owned units are not permitted on land allocated for developed recreation. Types of development that can Developed occur on this land are:

Recreation

• Public recreation Recreation amenities developed and owned by a public (continued) agency that are open to the public. Public recreation areas may have varying levels of development, ranging from a water access site (e.g., launching ramp) to a marina facility. Facilities at public recreation areas could include playgrounds/play structures, picnic facilities, tennis courts, horseshoe areas, play courts, recreation centers, trails, greenways, natural areas, amphitheaters, food concessions (vending, snack bar), access to water for fishing and boating, swimming areas and swimming pools, launching ramps, courtesy piers, canoe access, marina facilities owned by the public entity, parking, and campgrounds. Cabins or other overnight accommodations (other than campgrounds) are only permitted if the public recreation area is operated by a state or state agency as a component of a state park system.

Public recreation areas and facilities are typically owned and operated by the federal, state, county, or local government. However, private entities may operate recreation facilities on public recreation land as concessionaires under agreement with the public entity controlling the property. The use of the facilities may be offered free or for a fee. Time-forward, public-private partnerships where facilities are owned by private investors will not be approved on public recreation land. All structures and facilities should be owned by the public entity.

• Commercial recreation Recreation amenities that are provided for a fee to the public intending to produce a profit for the private owner/operator. These primarily water-based facilities typically include marinas and affiliated support facilities such as stores, restaurants, campgrounds, and cabins and lodges. Where applicable, TVA will require appropriate compensation for the commercial use of the property.

7 TVA-owned land where Section 26a applications and other land use approvals for residential shoreline alterations are considered in accordance with TVAs Shoreline Shoreline Management Policy. Types of development/management that may be permitted on this land are:

Access

• Residential water use facilities, e.g., docks, piers, launching ramps/driveways, marine railways, boathouses, enclosed storage space, and non-potable water intakes.

• Shoreline access corridors, e.g., pathways, wooden steps, walkways, or mulched paths that can include portable picnic tables and utility lines.

• Shoreline stabilization, e.g., bioengineering, riprap, gabions, and retaining walls.

• Shoreline vegetation management.

175 7.7 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 7 - R e s e r v o i r L a n d s P l a n n i n g Current Land Zone Allocations By Reservoir Note: Zone 1 - Non-TVA Shoreland is not represented because the parcels are private land (on which TVA owns flow-age rights). The figures in the following table (1) have been rounded to the nearest whole number; (2) are an estimate based on the RLA; (3) are subject to change pending additional verification; and (4) contain a slight margin of error.

Current Land Zone Allocation Reservoir Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Apalachia Reservoir 91 0

• 0 9 0 Beaver Creek Reservoir 11 0 0 0 86 0 Beech River Projects Reservoirs 6 0 51 0 43 0 Big Bear Creek Reservoir 7 82 0 0 10 0 Blue Ridge Reservoir 62 3 6 0 3 26 Boone Reservoir 24 17 51 0 9 <1 Cedar Creek Reservoir 10 66 10 0 8 5 Chatuge Reservoir 22 1 49 0 24 4 Cherokee Reservoir 7 12 68 0 9 3 Chickamauga Reservoir 9 34 40 1 7 10 Clear Creek Reservoir 100 0 0 0 0 0 Douglas Reservoir 50 3 40 0 6 1 Fontana Reservoir 43 0 5 0 47 4 Fort Loudoun Reservoir 33 3 18 <1 2 44 Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir 27 7 41 0 14 10 Great Falls Reservoir 100 0 0 0 0 0 Guntersville Reservoir 6 27 60 1 5 2 Hiwassee Reservoir 36 11 44 0 4 4 Kentucky Reservoir 1 2 84 2 5 6 Little Bear Creek Reservoir 18 69 2 1 6 4 Melton Hill Reservoir 11 49 24 1 8 6 Nickajack Reservoir 20 25 51 3 3 0 Nolichucky Reservoir 5 57 13 <1 25 0 Normandy Reservoir 13 15 67 0 4 <1 Norris Reservoir 3 18 67 0 7 5 Nottely Reservoir 53 0 33 0 11 2 Ocoee Reservoirs 100 0 0 0 0 0 Pickwick Reservoir 7 8 69 3 8 6 South Holston Reservoir 28 <1 46 6 19 1 Tellico Reservoir 5 17 56 2 15 4 Tims Ford Reservoir** 9 15 58 1 6 10 Upper Bear Creek Reservoir 6 81 8 0 3 2 Watauga Reservoir 46 9 38 0 8 <1 Watts Bar Reservoir*** 13 28 28 3 12 17 Wheeler Reservoir 4 24 65 2 8 <1 Wilbur Reservoir 83 0 17 0 0 0 Wilson Reservoir 0 0 7 0 63 30

• Includes narrow strip of TVA-retained land along shoreline; acreage not calculated

• • Tims Ford Reservoir contains an additional 64 acres allocated to Zone 8, or a conservation partnership. The allocation of public lands to Zone 8 has been discontinued. However, TVA will continue to manage lands allocated to Zone 8 per agency policy

• • • TVA is currently reviewing eight parcels of land impacted by the Kingston ash spill. The percentage of land allocated to Zones 2 and 7 may change slightly if these parcels are placed under these zones.

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t 176 177 C h a pt e r 8 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Public Engagement 8.1 Goal 179 8.2 Benefits 179 8.3 Implementation Strategy 180 Education and Communication 181 Involvement 182 Partnerships 183 8.4 Measures of Success 183 8.5 Resource Area Programs 184 8.5.1 Environmental Education 185 8.5.2 Volunteer Program 186 8.5.3 Foundation and Trust Fund 187

178 TVA has been charged with managing its natural resources in an N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t integrated manner to ensure the protection, enhancement and conservation of these resources for future generations to enjoy.

TVA is developing overarching public engagement programs to increase public awareness and promote opportunities for volunteer involvement, environmental education, and financial or resource assistance. These programs do not replace resource area-specific public outreach activities but rather work in concert with them to form an integrated, consistent outreach approach. Each of the programs below has an associated public engagement component:

Resource Area Public Outreach Program Biological

• Dispersed Recreation Management

• Forest Resource Management Resources

• Leave No Trace

• Nuisance Animal Control

• Trails Management

• Wildlife Habitat Council -

• Boundary Maintenance Third-Party Certifications

• Migratory Birds Management

• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement

• Dewatering Projects Management Partnerships Cultural

• Archaeological Outreach (Thousand Eyes)

Resources

• Corporate History Program Recreation

• Annual Tours

• Camp-Right Program

• Recreation Information Management

• Recreation Management Regulations Water

• Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Program Resources

• Water Resources Outreach Campaign Reservoir There are no significant public outreach efforts under the Lands Planning Reservoir Lands Planning resource area.

Figure 8.1 Resource area-specific public outreach programs

179 8.1 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Goal TVA will actively develop public engagement programs to increase public awareness, education and involvement opportunities (e.g.,

volunteer efforts) in support of implementing NRP programs. TVA will coordinate with external stakeholders to achieve this goal.

8.2 Benefits Through management efforts in this resource area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

• Increased public awareness and appreciation of the natural resources of the Tennessee Valley region through an integrated education and communication effort across all resource areas

• Greater public understanding of the value and benefits associated with the protection of natural resources

• Increased sense of public ownership and pride in the management of the regions natural resources

180 8.3 a consistent link between resource areas and N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Implementation Strategy external stakeholders.

The public engagement programs support Within public engagement, TVA has structured TVAs objective to actively develop and its implementation strategy based on the promote public outreach programs to increase following characteristics:

public awareness, education and involvement opportunities in support of implementing NRP

• Education and communication programs. TVA will coordinate this effort with

• Involvement external stakeholders. These programs act as

• Partnerships

181 Education and Communication N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Through an environmental education program, TVA will create opportunities to share natural and cultural resource information with a variety of audiences, such as school groups, civic groups and other organizations, elected officials, business leaders, and the general public. TVA will focus on web-based materials along with presentations, printed materials, and hands-on demonstrations or displays to relay information. The web-based materials will be accessed through TVAs website and include topics such as cultural and natural resources, conservation practices, water quality, native plants and wildlife habitat. TVA will explore the possibility of installing interpretive displays to promote key messages.

and outside of TVA to deliver environmental To maximize the effectiveness of the program, education programs. Recognizing the TVA will develop a process to target locations experience of other agencies involved in for presentations and hands-on demonstration environmental education, TVA will consult sites, respond to requests from potential with others as well as pull from TVAs own audiences, create and refresh materials, and current and historical educational program track programs delivered. TVA will coordinate, materials to develop a purposeful and when possible, with partners within TVA relevant program.

182 Involvement adapting the program as needed. Additionally, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t TVA will seek advice from many of the The public plays an integral role in the established and successful volunteer programs protection, enhancement and conservation operated by state and other federal agencies.

of natural resources through volunteering. By establishing a volunteer program, TVA will Involvement also includes an opportunity for create a coordinated and efficient approach interested stakeholders or participants to make for recruiting, training and working with a positive contribution to stewardship activities volunteers. TVA will manage such a program and meet their sustainability goals through a by identifying resource program needs, foundation and trust fund program. TVA will defining volunteer roles, developing relevant establish a stand-alone foundation and trust training, and providing guidance and oversight fund to be independently managed, or it will for volunteers. Volunteer opportunities will partner with an existing fund. Additionally, include activities specific to an event, such TVA will investigate the strategies businesses, as Earth Day, National Trails Day, World corporations and others are using to determine Monitoring Day, and Public Lands Day. Task- which environmentally friendly or sustainable based activities will include both short- and practices those organizations are willing to long-term volunteer opportunities such as support. With this information TVA will develop building and maintaining TVA trails, removing a methodology to recruit and encourage non-native plants on TVA-managed public participation. To help promote involvement, lands, planting trees and shrubs along reservoir TVA will encourage participation by targeted shorelines, enhancing habitat, performing communications to businesses, corporations visual surveys, and collecting resource data. and land trust organizations, as well as annual promotions and marketing campaigns.

The volunteer program will also include opportunities to adopt a section of TVA land and perform needed stewardship activities with TVA staff providing guidance.

The adoption process will provide meaningful involvement for organizations, groups or individuals and allow TVA staff to explain the importance of these stewardship activities and the fact that volunteer efforts are needed and appreciated. Engaging the public through hands-on activities is an effective way to enhance their appreciation of the resources and is likely to spur participants to share their experiences on TVA lands with others.

TVA will utilize the websites volunteer.gov and tva.com to promote volunteer opportunities and use tva.com to inform the public of the work performed. To ensure the volunteer program is successful, TVA will create a method of tracking the volunteer efforts, providing recognition to volunteers, and

183 Partnerships

• Improved efficiency and effectiveness of N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t resource management efforts TVA will continue to develop and maintain

• Coordinated and comprehensive Valleywide relationships to help create, messaging and public outreach across the implement and fund NRP-related programs region and activities where appropriate. Potential

• Expanded resource management offerings partners include state and other federal and recreation opportunities, helping to agencies, nongovernment organizations, maximize public benefit TVA distributors of power, foundations,

• Shared information and best management businesses and academia. The benefits of such practices to support regional and national relationships include: resource management efforts 8.4 Measures of Success Implementation efforts in this resource area will be regularly evaluated to track progress using the following measures of success:

Resource Area Measures of Success Time Frame Public Integrate all education programs across resource areas and 3-5 years Engagement implement 8-10 resource area modules Leverage TVA efforts by 2-3 times using external resources 10 years Develop GIS databases and share with partners to facilitate 5-10 years resource management

184 8.5 sections discuss each program in more detail, N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Resource Area Programs highlighting current activities, NRP activities, and expected implementation benefits. In When developing the NRP, TVA identified addition, relationships between resource programs and activities to support the areas and other programs are discussed to goals of each resource area. The following help show linkages throughout the NRP.

185 8.5.1 Current Activities N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Environmental Education TVA has historically provided resource area-specific environmental education tools and The environmental education program will programs to various audiences across the seek to increase the publics knowledge region.

and understanding of the value of natural resources and the challenges faced in NRP Activities preserving, enhancing and managing these

• Develop and implement a comprehensive resources for future generations. This program and coordinated environmental education will also provide consistent stewardship program messages across all NRP programs as well as inform the public on its role in resource Benefits management across the Tennessee Valley. Through management efforts in this resource Examples of educational campaigns include: area, TVA expects to realize the following benefits:

• Presenting information to stakeholders about the rich ecological and cultural

• Increased public awareness and resources that are within the region and appreciation of the natural resources of the benefits of protecting these resources the Tennessee Valley region through an

• Creating and maintaining an external TVA integrated education and communication website in conjunction with the main effort across all resource areas TVA website to highlight natural resources

• Greater public understanding of the within the region and share ideas on how value and benefits associated with the to protect them protection of natural resources

• Developing outreach campaigns to

• Increased sense of public ownership and educate youth about the importance of pride in the management of the regions getting outside to enjoy the Tennessee natural resources Valleys resources

186 8.5.2 education and outreach. Examples of public N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - p u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Volunteer Program involvement opportunities include:

A volunteer program will enhance TVAs

• Members of the public assisting TVA staff resource stewardship capabilities by tapping to remove overgrown vegetation along into the strengths of the TVA community and a trail on TVA-managed public lands on providing opportunities for the public to assist National Trails Day in resource protection, improvement and

• A Girl Scout troop adopting a parcel of enhancement. Volunteer activities will support TVA-managed public land and working each resource area (i.e., biological, cultural, with TVA staff to enhance the wildlife recreation and water resources) and enhance habitat current program offerings. The volunteer program will also create a sense of public To help promote opportunities, TVA will ownership and serve as a form of public continue to use the www.volunteer.gov and www.tva.com websites to engage community members, corporate volunteers, local students, and other types of service or volunteer organizations.

Current Activities TVA currently provides various volunteer opportunities across the Tennessee Valley. This program is intended to formalize these efforts in a systematic manner moving forward.

NRP Activities

• Establish and implement a formal volunteer program Expected Benefits Key benefits of this program are:

• Expanded education, awareness and ownership messages across the Tennessee Valley region

• Increased opportunity for public involvement in the management and improvement of the regions natural resources

187 8.5.3 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n - C h a pt e r 8 - P u b l i c E n g a g e m e n t Foundation and Trust Fund A foundation and trust fund program will build strong partnerships with regional and local stakeholders and organizations, as well as corporations with ties to or interest in the Tennessee Valley that are looking for opportunities to have a positive environmental impact in the region. As part of this program, TVA will create an independent foundation and trust fund or partner with an existing fund to provide interested stakeholders the opportunity to fund stewardship projects with a positive environmental benefit on public lands throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Though the fund will be independently managed after its creation, this program will let TVA provide a reliable mechanism to stakeholders desiring to invest in resource stewardship. Examples include:

• A corporation providing materials to stabilize a section of eroding reservoir shoreline in order to prevent archaeological artifacts buried along the shoreline from being washed away

• A local business providing materials or labor to plant shrubs and trees along the waters edge to reduce pollution entering Expected Benefits the stream or reservoir Key benefits of this program are:

Current Activities

• Additional resources and funding for TVA does not currently participate in a NRP programs to protect, conserve and stewardship-focused foundation and trust enhance the regions resources fund.

• Protection of additional resources and improved or expanded recreation NRP Activities opportunities (e.g., cultural tourism, water

• Establish an independent foundation and quality, dispersed recreation, boating, trust fund or form ties with an existing fishing, etc.)

conservation-focused foundation and trust

• Enhanced public sense of ownership in fund to solicit private donations to support the management of the regions resources conservation and natural resource projects and programs

N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n 188 189 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n In Closing The Natural Resource Plan was developed in recognition that greater challenges lie ahead to meet increasing environmental standards and to ensure that the finite water and land resources under TVAs stewardship are available for future generations. This document marks the first time that TVA has developed a dedicated and integrated natural resources management plan in its 77-year history. The NRP is an important evaluation for TVA, its customers and stakeholders throughout the region. Together with the Integrated Resource Plan, Reservoir Operations Study, and Shoreline Management Initiative, the NRP reflects TVAs mission to provide clean, reliable and low-cost energy, support sustainable economic growth in the region, and engage in proactive environmental stewardship in a balanced and ecologically sound manner.

The Natural Resource Plan is a living, dynamic document that will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It looks strategically at both renewable and nonrenewable resources, understanding the importance of protecting those resources that will be lost forever if they are not actively cared for or improved today. However, TVA is but one piece of the solution for managing the regions natural resources, and it recognizes the need for collective partnerships to help meet these stewardship responsibilities in the future.

As the demand for energy and economic growth in the region continues, efforts to sustain and promote environmental health will become even more critical, and the value of the activities described in the NRP will become even more apparent. TVA is committed to continuing its environmental stewardship efforts in a collaborative and comprehensive manner so that the land it manages can be enjoyed by the public for years to come.

190 N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Glossary and Acronyms 26a Permitting Commercial Recreation Agreements Section 26a of the TVA Act (1933) requires TVA Licenses, 19-year leases or 30-year easements with review and approval of plans for obstructions such commercial operators to manage campgrounds, as docks, bridges, outfalls, water intakes and riprap marinas or other facilities on TVA land.

before they are constructed across, in or along the Tennessee River system and its tributaries. Day-Use Area Facilities that TVA provides for public use, such as Age-Class Forest Stand boat ramps, picnic sites, pavilions and fishing piers.

The age structure of trees within a forest stand. May be on or off dam reservations.

Even-aged stands contain primarily trees of similar age. Uneven-aged stands contain trees of three or Dead Zone more age classes. Area in an aquatic system where most aquatic life will die due to the inability to successfully migrate Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility out of an area of depleted oxygen (see Hypoxia).

Guidelines Scoping and technical requirements for accessibility Dispersed Recreation to buildings and facilities by individuals with Recreation of an informal nature such as hunting, disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act hiking, biking, bird-watching, photography, (ADA) of 1990. primitive camping, bank fishing and picnicking.

These activities are not associated with developed Animal Damage Control facilities although some improvements may occur The practice of managing conflicts between for access, health and safety, or to protect the humans and animals, generally in a manner that is environment.

considered economically and humanely acceptable.

Dispersed Recreation Area Blueway An area of land that can encompass several A water path or trail that is developed with launch individual impact sites. Areas are defined by close points, camping locations and points of interest for proximity or parcel unit and usually have common watercraft users (e.g., canoeists and kayakers). access (e.g., several dispersed sites along an access road or waterfront would encompass one Bottomland Forests dispersed recreation area).

Forests that occur on river floodplains or seasonally wet areas that typically have flat topography. These Dispersed Recreation Site forests are comprised of trees that are adapted An individual site where disturbance is caused by to these conditions, with common species in the recreational activities (e.g., one popular camping spot).

Tennessee Valley being green ash; black willow; silver and red maple; sycamore; slippery and Early Successional Habitat American elm; several oaks, including willow, water, Habitats characterized by pioneering vegetation on shumard, cherrybard and pin; and in the lower an area that has been maintained in an open state, portions of the Valley, tupelo gum and has been recently cleared, or has had the vegetation bald cypress. cut or removed. These habitats generally consist of grasses, forbs and small shrubs that provide habitat for wildlife species that require these components for food, safety cover and reproduction.

191 Ecoregions (Level III) Flowage Easement Land N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Distinct ecological regions that are identified through Privately owned lakeshore properties where TVA has the patterns and composition of biotic and abiotic (1) the right to flood the land as part of its reservoir phenomena that affect or reflect differences in operations, (2) no rights for vegetation management, ecosystem quality and integrity. Level III ecoregions and (3) the authority to control structures, under subdivide the North American continent into 182 Section 26a of the TVA Act.

distinct areas; of these, 10 lie partly or wholly within the United States and five are predominant in the Game Species Tennessee Valley. Species of wild mammals, birds, fish or reptiles that are hunted for sport or food resources.

Eco-tourism Sustainable and responsible travel to fragile, pristine, Heavily Impacted Dispersed Recreation Area and usually protected areas that strives to be low An area that receives substantial and repeated impact and, often, small scale (as an alternative to dispersed recreational use to the extent that the mass tourism). Its purpose is to educate the traveler; area is affected adversely. For example, an area provide funds for ecological conservation; directly that is used for camping to the extent that all the benefit the economic development and political vegetative cover has been worn or removed from empowerment of local communities; and foster the ground surface, potentially allowing increased respect for different cultures and for human rights. soil erosion.

Essential Stewardship Activities Heritage Tourism Certain TVA activities, formerly referred to as Tourism oriented towards the natural, cultural and nonpower programs, that provide public services, historic elements of an area. These elements serve including flood control, navigation, reservoir release as attractions to the traveler.

improvements, mosquito/plant management, reservoir emergency preparedness, dam safety Hydrologic Unit and maintenance, reservoir shoreline stabilization, A standardized watershed boundary classification recreation facilities, land management, and natural developed by the U.S. Geological Survey that heritage/cultural resources protection. ranges in size from regional watersheds such as the Tennessee River to smaller local watersheds.

Evapotranspiration The sum of evaporation and plant transpiration Hypoxia from the earths land surface to the atmosphere. A condition in which the oxygen concentration of Evaporation accounts for the movement of water natural waters falls below the level necessary to to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy sustain most aquatic life. This condition, usually interception, and water bodies. Transpiration defined by dissolved oxygen concentrations accounts for the movement of water within a plant below 2 mg/L, results when oxygen consumption, and the subsequent loss of water as vapor through through decomposing organic material, exceeds stomata in its leaves. oxygen production, through photosynthesis and replenishment from the atmosphere.

Fee Lands Land owned by the United States of America in the Index of Biological Integrity custody and control of TVA where the public must A multi-metric index developed to measure the pay a fee for use. ecological health of a body of water using diversity, pollution tolerance, fish health and catch rate of Feral/Released Domestic Animals species as indicators of water quality.

An animal that has been released and/or changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed. Integrated Resources Management Actions providing multiple resource benefits during Fire Management Crew simultaneous time frames.

A team of specialists trained to respond to local fire-related events and manage prescribed (controlled) fires for wildlife habitat management.

192 Interconnectivity Nonpoint Source Water Pollution N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Showing a relationship between two or more things. Pollution not originating directly from a point source (see Point Source).

Land Conveyed Land whose ownership or title has been transferred Nonrenewable Resources from one party to another. A natural resource which cannot be produced, grown, generated or used on a scale that can Land Encroachments sustain its consumption rate; once the resource is An intrusion of an unauthorized or unpermitted used, there is no more remaining. These resources building, improvement, or other object from one often exist in a fixed amount and are consumed piece of land onto another piece of land (typically much faster than nature can create them.

from a piece of private land onto a piece of public land). Examples include a fence or driveway over a North American Waterfowl Management Plan property line. Recognizing the importance of waterfowl and wetlands to North Americans and the need for Landscape Conservation Cooperatives international cooperation to help in the recovery of a Certain partnerships with state, regional or federal shared resource, the U.S. and Canadian governments agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, developed a strategy to restore waterfowl populations with the purpose of promoting and facilitating through habitat protection, restoration and efforts to address individual species associated with enhancement. The strategy was delineated in the wetlands and communities of species. North American Waterfowl Management Plan signed in 1986 by the Canadian Minister of the Environment Land Parcel and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. This was the The primary unit of land in a reservoir land foundation partnership upon which hundreds of management plan. Parcels are geographically, others would be built. With its update in 1994, Mexico functionally, and/or physically distinctive areas of became a signatory to the Plan.

land that are given a single zone designation due to location, features and characteristics. Each parcel is Off-Dam Reservations assigned a unique identifying number. TVA-managed lands and facilities not located on a dam reservation.

Limnology The scientific study of lakes and other bodies of On-Dam Reservations fresh water, including their physical and biological TVA lands generally maintained to protect the features. integrity of the dam structure, hydroelectric facilities, and navigation lock. The reservation also provides Marginal Strip for public visitor access to recreation opportunities, The narrow strip of land owned by TVA between such as public boat access, bank fishing, camping the waters edge and the adjoining private property, and picnicking.

on which the property owner may construct private water use facilities upon approval of plans by TVA. Overwintering To pass through or wait out the winter season, or Migratory Bird Joint Ventures to pass through that period of the year when winter A partnership of agencies, nonprofit organizations, conditions (cold or sub-zero temperatures, ice, corporations, tribes and individuals that implements snow, limited food supplies) make normal activity or national and/or international bird conservation plans survival difficult.

within a specific geographic area.

Pest Species Natural Area Management Plans Nonnative invasive species or unusually high A plan that outlines the intent and methods by concentrations of native pest species (e.g., southern which TVA will maintain and/or improve natural pine bark beetle) that could pose potential threats to areas. native ecosystems or human health.

193 Plan Tract N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n A numbered parcel of TVA fee-owned land assigned Resource Conservation through the reservoir land planning process. The wise use of natural resources. This refers to the management of natural resources for an entire Point Source region or for a specific parcel area. Conservation A point source is (1) a single identifiable localized actions may include enhancement, improvement, source of something with negligible extent, preservation, protection and restoration of natural distinguishing it from other source geometries; or resources.

(2) any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to, any pipe, Resource Preservation ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, The act of protection of resources from any injury, container, rolling stock concentrated animal feeding harm, disturbance or destruction. Resource operation (CAFO), landfill leachate collection system, preservation refers to actions taken to preserve a vessel or other floating craft from which pollutants particular resource in its current condition or state, are or may be discharged. This term does not with little or no manipulation.

include return flows from irrigated agriculture or agricultural storm water runoff. Riprap Stones placed along the shoreline for bank Power Service Area stabilization and other purposes.

The geographic area for which TVA generates electrical power. Riparian Management Management of vegetated buffer zones along Power-Tree Consortium streams, drainages and reservoir shorelines.

A consortium of 25 power generators, with the Generally includes management activities to reduce purpose of planting trees in critical habitats in the soil erosion and filter pollutants for water quality lower Mississippi River Valley. protection as well as providing quality wildlife habitat.

Programmatic Agreement Sensitive Resources Documents used to outline and integrate As defined by TVA, includes resources protected responsibilities of parties involved in executing TVAs by state or federal law or executive order and other mission and programs. land features or natural resources TVA considers important to the area viewscape or natural Recreation Areas environment.

Properties managed by TVA that are primarily used for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, Sentinel Monitoring fishing, boating and other related activities. A monitoring program that serves as an early warning of events expected to occur through Reservoir Land Management Plan inclusion of measurements and a monitoring A plan developed by TVA to facilitate the frequency that are sensitive to the onset of these management of the approximately 293,000 acres events.

of TVA-managed land around its reservoirs. Plans provide a clear statement of how TVA will manage Shoreline/Shoreland public land by identifying land for specific uses The line where the water of a TVA reservoir meets in a way that balances shoreline development, the shore when the water level is at the normal recreational use, sensitive and natural resource summer pool elevation.

management, industrial, and other land uses in order to help maintain the quality of life in the Valley. Source Watershed The entire stream drainage of a reservoir that is the Reservoir Lands Planning source of water and pollutants that flow into the The program in which TVA develops a reservoir land reservoir.

management plan. Reservoir lands planning guides TVA management decisions on natural resources and property administration.

194 Stream Access Site Vital Signs and Fixed Station Monitoring N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Point or location where watercraft may be launched TVAs monitoring program that focuses on water into a river or other waterway. These may include quality and biological health of the TVA reservoir access roads, parking lots, docks and boat ramps. system and major tributaries that feed the reservoir system. The monitoring program collects Summer Pool Elevation information on multiple indicators of water quality The normal upper level to which the reservoirs are and biological condition from representative areas typically filled during summer months. on 31 reservoirs and the 18 largest river tributaries of the Tennessee River.

Tailwater The flow-dominated area of water immediately Water Pollution Banking/Trading downstream from a dam. Pollutant trading programs are tools to help industrial and municipal wastewater dischargers Transmission Rights-of-Way meet water quality goals set out in total maximum In order to provide reliable power to its customers, daily loads (TMDLs) in the most cost effective TVA must service and repair its 15,900 miles of manner possible. Trading allows polluters with high transmission lines. TVA maintains rights-of-way costs of pollutant reduction to contract with entities underneath and around its power lines to gain with lower cost of reduction to meet reduction access for vegetation maintenance purposes. requirements.

Tributary Reservoirs Wildlife Habitat Council Certification Impoundments created by dams constructed The Wildlife Habitat Councils Corporate Wildlife across streams and rivers that eventually flow into Habitat Certification/International Accreditation the Tennessee River. Program recognizes commendable wildlife habitat management and environmental education U.S. Geological Survey Sparrow Model programs at individual sites. Sites must demonstrate A model developed by the U.S. Geological that programs have been active for at least one Survey to empirically estimate the origin and fate year with a management plan that lists goals, of contaminants in river networks and quantify objectives and prescriptions and includes complete uncertainties in model predictions (Sparrow stands documentation of all programs.

for spatially referenced regressions on watershed attributes). Wildlife Management Area Land and/or water areas designated by state wildlife U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan agencies, such as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources A partnership effort of state and federal agencies, Agency, for the protection and management of nongovernmental conservation organizations, wildlife. These areas typically have specific hunting academic institutions, and individuals from and trapping regulations as well as rules regarding across the country committed to restoring and appropriate uses by the public.

maintaining stable and self-sustaining populations of shorebirds in the U.S. and throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Utili-Tree Consortium A consortium of over 40 companies established in an effort to create a portfolio of forestry projects that manage greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide.

195 ADA Americans With Disabilities Act N at u r a l R e s o u r c e P l a n Approx. Approximately ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act CFR Code of Federal Regulations CVLP Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan e.g. Latin term, exempli gratia, meaning for example EIS Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Policy TVA 2008 Environmental Policy ESA Endangered Species Act GIS Geographic information system i.e. Latin term, id est, meaning that is IRP Integrated Resource Plan IT Information technology Land Policy TVA 2006 Land Policy LCA Land Conditions Assessment NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NRP Natural Resource Plan RLA Rapid Lands Assessment RLCA Rapid Land Conditions Assessment RLMP Reservoir Land Management Plan RRSC, or the council Regional Resource Stewardship Council TVA, or the agency Tennessee Valley Authority TVA board Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors TWI Targeted Watershed Initiatives Unit Plan Resource Management Unit Plan Valley Tennessee River Valley

Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2881