A group of residents near the Harbor Lights Marina on Lake Chickamauga are raising concerns about the construction of a dock expansion in front of Aries restaurant.
The group plans to take a petition to TVA and the Army Corps of Engineers.
It reads:
Due to the construction on the Harbor Lights Marina dock in front of Aries restaurant, we would like to request a public hearing on the Harbor Lights Marina dock expansion project as allowed by the TVA/Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice.
The owner advertised 96 new covered slips and a commercial dealership for boat sales.
We believe the current dock being built under the current approved permit is wrongfully progressing:
1) should not have been permitted
2) is being built outside the permitted harbor borders too north
3) was considered a minor TVA construction project and exempted incorrectly from having appropriate environmental review done (should have been considered a major construction project by TVA own regulations and that would require much stricter environmental review and public input)
4) is unsafe, detrimental to the environment, and reservoir noise, sound, and visual disturbance are unacceptable
5) TVA had the option before construction to force some changes that would have been mutually agreeable and chose not to
We believe the application for expansion is incredibly weighted toward one commercial owners interests over the entire public trust in the reservoir and our residential interests and failed to disclose the true intent of the owner's use of the property and facility.
It is too large, dangerous for river traffic, sound and visual pollution exceed any commercial benefit interest.
We would also like to see an environmental impact study, as we have yet to see one related to this project.
Previously, residents met with TVA and Army Corps of Engineer representatives at the TVA Sequoyah training facility on March 7, 2017 to discuss concerns over the project. Our request is that this matter have been escalated above the level of those conducting the 3/7/17 meeting and those higher level representatives be present at this meeting to answer the concerns/questions noted. We want to make sure the questions/concerns are addressed in the meeting plus all paperwork relating to the Harbor Lights project be made available to those attending. To summarize our concerns, we feel construction has started on a 375’ by 550’s structure in the main channel without the proper permits, authorizations, and public input. Also, we contend the structure that has been constructed to date is out of the approved harbor limits allowed by TVA.
The TVA permit application for an even larger expansion is pending.
The Army Corps is currently inviting public input on the application for expansion. We have request a public meeting and have heard no response.
Please take the time to write to the Army Corps of Engineers on the mailer about all of the topics we have discussed.
Address comments to Attention: Cara Beverly
Nashville District Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Branch
3701 Bell Road
Nashville, TN 37214
Also, consider writing or calling the Office of the Inspector General at TVA as we are concerned about the existing permit and construction being done without appropriate environmental review and the applicant/marina owner is a TVA employee. You can contact Agent Eric Beals, ph: 865-633-7324, email: debeals@tvaoig.gov