TVA to introduce new fees for shoreline marinas; operators opposed

NORTH MISSISSIPPI — The Tennessee Valley Authority is preparing to roll out new fees for shoreline marinas across the seven-state region.

Some smaller operators say it could be the death knell of their businesses.

But TVA says these are private operators making money from public land and a restructuring of fees has been in order for some time.

The new fees, to be applied in 2013, will affect about 450 riverbank businesses, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

The fees will apply on 46 reservoirs owned by the TVA, which is a federal government utility.

Marina and campground operators are joined by at least two county chiefs in asking TVA to reconsider. Rhea County Mayor George Thacker and Meigs County Executive Garland Lankford went before the TVA board last week.