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Elk River resort lawsuit By Holly Hollman ROGERSVILLE — Environmental groups are collecting money to mount a lawsuit against the Tennessee Valley Authority if TVA approves a proposed marina and resort on the Elk River in Lauderdale County. The groups are working with the environmental law firm WildLaw, said Janice Barrett of Moulton, who is with Wild South, a grassroots forest protection organization. Wild South, The Shoals Environmental Alliance and the Rogersville Special Interest Group are fighting the proposed Elk River Resort. Bubba Doss, who has been in the marine industry for more than 20 years, wants to build the resort on 91.5 acres near Barnett's Landing south of U.S. 72 in Rogersville. Phases The first phase would include a recreational vehicle park, primitive camping, store, office and access road from Lauderdale County 77. By the fifth phase, Doss wants to construct a restaurant. Since TVA owns the acreage, Doss is seeking a 30-year lease from TVA. "We have decided that it would be best not to wait until TVA makes a final decision before organizing our legal efforts," a letter from the Rogersville Special Interest Group stated. "Based on TVA's appalling history of environmental stewardship, we believe that they will approve the project with no regard to community and environmental objections." Doss has said his intention is not to harm the environment. He said he would be a clean marina partner with TVA. The Tennessee Valley Clean Marina Initiative addresses such activities as sewage management, oil and gas control, and erosion prevention. That hasn't satisfied nearly 250 people who signed a petition to tell TVA they oppose the plan. Barnett Road resident Robin Burchfield said she opposes it because it will bring increased traffic to the area, destroy the scenic beauty and hurt wildlife. Burchfield said at least two bald eagles are in the area, and she worries cutting trees and vegetation for construction will negatively impact the eagles and other wildlife. "If there aren't enough funds to proceed, we will stop preparations for legal action and donors will have the option of receiving a refund of their donation," the interest group's letter stated. "If we take legal action, there is no guarantee that we will prevail. The only thing we can commit to is that we will give it our best effort." Those who want to donate to the legal fund can make checks payable to WildSouth Elk River LDF and mail them to Elk River LDF, P.O. Box 509, Rogersville, AL 35652. TVA spokesman John Moulton said the agency is preparing its environmental assessment. "Completing that is the next step," Moulton said. "I'm told it is to occur soon, but whether that is two days or two weeks, I don't know." To bring more public awareness to their opposition, the environmental groups are hosting the Covered Dish Rally and Spring Nature Walk on April 23. The lunch will be at 12:30 p.m. and the walk from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 2-mile hike The two-mile walk will tour 91 primitive wooded and wetland acres of TVA land near the mouth of the Elk River slated for construction of the marina. The tour is open to the public. The groups recommend that hikers bring a walking stick and bug repellent, and wear sturdy hiking or walking shoes, thick socks and long pants. Paul G. Davison, associate professor of biology at The University of North Alabama, will be one of the tour leaders. Directions to lunch rally From the Rogersville traffic light on U.S. 72, go south 2.5 miles on Lauderdale County 91, also called Lambs Ferry Road. Turn left on Lauderdale County 605 and go 1.5 miles to a "Y" in the road and bear left on Lauderdale 91. Go 1.6 miles to the intersection of Lauderdale County 91 and Bluff Drive, on the left. Turn left on Bluff Drive, and the rally site is on the left about 100 yards north of the intersection. To skip lunch and meet for the walk, continue north on Bluff Drive for 1.4 miles where it dead-ends. |
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