By Robert Garland, Guest Columnist
This letter was addressed by the author to the Tennessee Valley Authority.
I am writing to formally express my strong objection to the preferred route of the Appalachian Area Improvement Project, which proposes running high-voltage transmission lines across my property and alarmingly close to my home. I find this route to be both unnecessary and unjustifiable – particularly in light of alternative paths that would not require disturbing private residences, let alone historic and culturally sensitive lands.
To be clear, I am not opposed to infrastructure development that demonstrably benefits the public. However, in this case, I find no compelling evidence that the proposed power line is required to meet any genuine local need.
There is no economic development plan justifying such increased electrical load in Cherokee County. From my perspective and from what I have been able to uncover, the primary beneficiaries appear to be commercial crypto-mining interests and certain private entities – not the public at large.
Moreover, the proposed route raises deep concerns about targeting and retaliation. I believe this is a continuation of a longstanding effort by some local actors – several who maintain close ties with TVA and affiliated power boards – to marginalize me and force me off my land. This would not be the first time.
I was previously singled out in an unjustified attempt to remove my business, Vengeance Creek Stone, from county property, despite my documented contributions to local employment and economic development. That episode ultimately backfired when the Economic Development Administration recognized the baseless nature of the county’s actions.
I will not allow history to repeat itself in silence.
There are additional serious issues that must be addressed. My property contains two known
Native American burial sites, with others suspected. I have brought this to TVA’s attention previously, yet no one has contacted me to investigate, nor have I seen any environmental or cultural impact statements addressing this matter. As a verified member of a federally recognized Cherokee tribe, I find this distressing and disrespectful.
Finally, I must also raise a concern about public health and environmental oversight. If the TVA wishes to engage in an “Improvement Project,” it might begin by addressing the longstanding and well-documented problem of untreated sewage entering our local rivers and lakes – Hiwassee, Nottely and Chatuge – which the TVA manages. This is not hearsay. There are reports, fines and visible evidence of environmental degradation.
Let me be clear: I am in process to retaining legal counsel. If this route is not re-evaluated and a less invasive alternative pursued, I will challenge this project in court. I am prepared to invoke the civil RICO statute, if necessary, to demonstrate the pattern of coordinated actions
taken against me over the years.
I would appreciate a written response clarifying TVA’s rationale for this route, the process by which it was chosen, and a timeline for public comment and formal objection. I would also like to know TVA’s official policy regarding Native American heritage sites and how it intends to ensure compliance with applicable federal laws in this case.
The writer is a resident of Hiwassee Dam. He attached 15 pages of supporting documents to this letter.