The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking the public to review and provide input on a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Fiscal Year 2021 Transmission System Vegetation Management. A Draft Environmental Assessment is available for public review and comment at www.tva.com/NEPA.
TVA’s preferred action is Alternative B.
TVA proposes to use an Integrated Vegetation Management approach to promote the establishment of a meadow-like environment along its rights of way with vegetation that does not interfere with the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.
An IVM approach for vegetation management considers the overall, long-term effect on public health and safety, reliability of electricity transmission, environmental stewardship and cost. Activities include herbicide applied selectively to incompatible vegetation and mechanical and manual vegetation removal. This vegetation management approach for FY21 is the same approach used in FY2020.
Failure to address vegetation clearance and management of brush, downed vegetation and small trees could result in wildfires, major power outages, and injury to life or property.
TVA is asking for public input on the Draft EA through Sept. 8, 2020. Comments can be submitted online at www.tva.com/nepa, by email to jtcates@tva.gov, and by mail in writing to Taylor Cates, NEPA Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, BR 2C-C, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402.
All comments received will become public record, including names and addresses, and will be considered in the development of the final EA.