The Tellico Project
The Tellico Project was a highly controversial development initiative led by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), centered around the construction of Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River.
Background
- Planning began as early as 1936, but construction was delayed due to World War II.
- Construction officially started in 1967 and was completed in 1979.
- The dam was the last built by TVA, and unlike earlier TVA dams, it was not intended for hydroelectric power but for economic development, tourism, and recreation.
Purpose
- Created the Tellico Reservoir, covering over 14,000 acres.
- Diverts water into Fort Loudoun Reservoir, enhancing navigation and power generation there.
- Aimed to support a planned city called Timberlake, with a projected population of 42,000.
- Led to the development of Tellico Village, a retirement-oriented community.
Controversies
- Environmental Impact:
- Flooded 22,000 acres, including Cherokee archaeological sites and historic locations like Fort Loudoun.
- Destroyed habitats for over 20 aquatic species, including the endangered snail darter fish.
- Legal Battles:
- The snail darter discovery led to a landmark Supreme Court case: TVA v. Hill (1978).
- The Court ruled that completing the dam violated the Endangered Species Act, but Congress later passed a special exemption allowing its completion.
- Cultural and Indigenous Concerns:
- The area was sacred to the Cherokee Nation, with villages like Tanasi (the origin of Tennessee’s name) submerged.
- Cherokee leaders were divided on whether to support environmentalists, fearing political consequences and exploitation of their identity.
- Economic outcomes:
- TVA projected 6,600 new jobs, mostly in manufacturing, but these never materialized as planned.
