Post by Okwes on Feb 1, 2006 10:47:49 GMT -5
Group asks TVA to halt land sale
By Associated Press
January 31, 2006
www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_4429263,
00.html
CHATTANOOGA — An American Indian organization has asked the Tennessee
Valley Authority to postpone the sale of land for a proposed
residential development while it researches the archaeological
significance of the land.
TVA directors voted Sept. 28 to auction off 578 acres on the shores
of Nickajack Lake near Chattanooga, approving a land deal that could
foreshadow more luxury golf-course developments along the relatively
pristine Tennessee River.
Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton, the only known
interested bidder, wants to erect a $450 million gated community that
includes up to 1,100 high-priced homes, a golf course and boat slips.
He has proposed an 1,100-acre land swap with the federal agency to
more than offset the loss of wildlife habitat and lands considered
sacred to American Indian groups.
In a resolution passed earlier this month, the Durant, Okla.-based
Inter-tribal Council of the Five Recognized Tribes asks for the sale
to be delayed until tribal consultations are done. The council
represents the Muscogee Creek, Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw and
Chickasaw nations.
"I haven't heard from TVA," said Terry Cole, tribal historic
preservation officer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. "I'm hoping
they will from here out start consultation with the tribal
governments who have interests there."
TVA officials say they have followed procedures set by the National
Historic Preservation Act and contacted 11 federally recognized
tribes on the proposal.
Seven of those tribes responded to written correspondence, four
attended consultations in June and another participated by telephone,
said Buff Crosby, TVA senior manager of watershed operations.
Crosby said she is reviewing the council's resolution to determine
how to respond.
Becky Gregory, a member of the Shawnee Nation from Ringgold, Ga.,
said she attended the June consultation on behalf of a Seminole
official because of the short notice of the meeting.
She claimed that American Indian representatives told her they were
not informed by TVA that the June meetings were being considered
formal consultations.
"There are procedures for this and guidelines, and they were not
followed," she said. "It shouldn't have come to a resolution."
By Associated Press
January 31, 2006
www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_4429263,
00.html
CHATTANOOGA — An American Indian organization has asked the Tennessee
Valley Authority to postpone the sale of land for a proposed
residential development while it researches the archaeological
significance of the land.
TVA directors voted Sept. 28 to auction off 578 acres on the shores
of Nickajack Lake near Chattanooga, approving a land deal that could
foreshadow more luxury golf-course developments along the relatively
pristine Tennessee River.
Chattanooga developer John "Thunder" Thornton, the only known
interested bidder, wants to erect a $450 million gated community that
includes up to 1,100 high-priced homes, a golf course and boat slips.
He has proposed an 1,100-acre land swap with the federal agency to
more than offset the loss of wildlife habitat and lands considered
sacred to American Indian groups.
In a resolution passed earlier this month, the Durant, Okla.-based
Inter-tribal Council of the Five Recognized Tribes asks for the sale
to be delayed until tribal consultations are done. The council
represents the Muscogee Creek, Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw and
Chickasaw nations.
"I haven't heard from TVA," said Terry Cole, tribal historic
preservation officer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. "I'm hoping
they will from here out start consultation with the tribal
governments who have interests there."
TVA officials say they have followed procedures set by the National
Historic Preservation Act and contacted 11 federally recognized
tribes on the proposal.
Seven of those tribes responded to written correspondence, four
attended consultations in June and another participated by telephone,
said Buff Crosby, TVA senior manager of watershed operations.
Crosby said she is reviewing the council's resolution to determine
how to respond.
Becky Gregory, a member of the Shawnee Nation from Ringgold, Ga.,
said she attended the June consultation on behalf of a Seminole
official because of the short notice of the meeting.
She claimed that American Indian representatives told her they were
not informed by TVA that the June meetings were being considered
formal consultations.
"There are procedures for this and guidelines, and they were not
followed," she said. "It shouldn't have come to a resolution."