NEWS

TVA builds new aquatic center near Gallatin

From staff reports

As part of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s $1 billion clean-air project at Gallatin Fossil Plant, construction is underway on a new hatchery and aquatic center along the Cumberland River.

TVA is investing almost $1.5 million to build the new Cumberland River Aquatic Center, which will replace an aging facility next to the Gallatin Fossil Plant that was removed at the start of the plant’s emissions control project last year.

Like the old one, the new facility will be operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Under a new operating agreement, TVA will provide essential services, including the supply of river water necessary to nurture the various aquatic species to be housed at the facility.

“This project demonstrates TVA’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Brenda Brickhouse, TVA vice president for Environment. “Not only are we reducing our emissions at the fossil plant, but the new hatchery will provide for the protection and growth of endangered freshwater aquatic species.”

The new facility will have a more flexible design and will include a long-term use agreement to meet TWRA’s long-term goals. The new center will allow TWRA to better manage endangered species to help retain nature’s balance while offsetting impacts of changing river conditions.

“This partnership with TVA recognizes the importance of conserving the rich aquatic biological diversity of fish, freshwater mussels and other aquatic fauna in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems,” said David McKinney, environmental services chief for TWRA.

Other partners in the project include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tennessee Nature Conservancy. The facility has also been used in university aquatic conservation research projects, including Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Virginia Tech University.

“The Cumberland River Aquatic Center will continue to be a positive contribution to Tennessee’s remarkable and diverse aquatic communities and propagation of species across the Southeast,” Brickhouse said.

Construction is expected to be complete later this year.