Reviewing the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Prohibition on Houseboats

PURPOSE:

• To review the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) proposed policy on houseboats, including the impact of the policy on houseboat owners and surrounding communities.
• To evaluate the purported water quality improvements TVA contends will result from the policy.

BACKGROUND:

• TVA’s Board of Directorsapproved a policy to prohibit new floating houses on all of its reservoirs and to require the removal of all floating houses after a 30 year sunset.
• The policy would affect 1,800 houseboats and impact local tax revenue, property investments of houseboat owners, and the Southeast’s tourism and recreation industry.