The Tennessee Valley Authority is evaluating its reservoir operations to determine whether changes in operations policies could create more public value, according to Joel Williams, Assistant Project Manager of the Reservoir Operations Study at TVA.

“TVA is always looking at ways to improve operational efficiencies, but this study was initiated in response to recommendations from individuals and groups in the community,” he said.

Mr. Williams told the Chattanooga Engineers Club Monday that the two-year study, which began last Fall, will follow National Environmental Policy Act requirements, including gathering public comments and using that information to determine the scope of the study.

In the Spring of 2002, TVA began gathering information from individuals and organizations in the community, as well as state and federal agencies. Mr. Williams said the input gained through workshops, telephone surveys and public involvement is crucial to the study, and is providing insights into the community‘s view of the river.

“The river system provides multiple benefits, but the public has differing priorities on those benefits,” he said.

In the public workshops, the two highest ranked objectives for the river system were recreation and protecting the environment. In the telephone survey, the environment and producing electricity were the top priorities. Commercial navigation on the river consistently came in last on the priorities list.

Mr. Williams said experts are also being consulted so that the priorities can be developed into a set of objectives that reflects what the entire community wants from their river system. He said while commercial navigation may rank low on some of the public’s priority list, technical experts stress its importance to the economic well-being of the Tennessee Valley.

“People don’t feel it’s a priority, but the ability to ship products in bulk affects all of us economically,” Mr. Williams said.

He added that commercial navigation not only reduces retail prices, but also provides a competitive alternative to truck and rail rates.

“The ripple effect from how TVA runs the reservoir system reaches average citizens,” he said.

TVA experts are now reviewing the gathered information and analyzing data to determine the environmental impact of current reservoir policies, and the impact of any possible alternative policies. Policies affecting issues from economic development to water quality and supply are being considered.

Mr. Williams said after developing alternative policies based on community input, TVA expects to release the draft Environmental Impact Statement in the Summer of 2003. The public will be invited to review and comment on the draft document. TVA’s final Environmental Impact Statement will include public comments to the draft and responses to those comments. This final statement will identify TVA’s preferred alternative.

Mr. Williams said that final report is expected in December of 2003.