Tennessee Valley Authority: Future Study of Lake Levels Should Involve Public and Consider Costs and Benefits
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) management of its multipurpose tributary projects, focusing on: (1) the purposes served by TVA's multipurpose tributary projects and how TVA operates these projects within its integrated system; (2) the operational changes TVA made to these projects as a result of its December 1990 review of its project operations and the major factors influencing these changes; (3) the actions TVA has taken since the 1990 review to address requests for changes in the way it operates these projects; and (4) TVA's plans for any future changes in the way it operates these projects. GAO is also providing information on a selected update by TVA of its analysis performed in the 1990 review.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Other | The Chairman of TVA's Board of Directors should provide for a formal and continuing communication process for the public and other stakeholders to actively participate in TVA's efforts to reexamine its policies impacting lake levels. |
Closed – Implemented
At a November 1, 2000, public meeting conducted by a TVA-created advisory council, GAO made a presentation to the council's members discussing the information in GAO's May 1999 report, including the report's recommendations. On May 18, 2001, the advisory council's integrated river management subcommittee echoed GAO's recommendation that TVA incorporate public participation in its studies of lake level policies to ensure the credibility of the studies. On October 23, 2001, TVA's Board of Directors accepted this recommendation to incorporate public participation, and added that (1) it hoped that members of the council will continue to contribute their hard-won understanding of the issues and personal perspectives on the issues as TVA begins this two-year task, and (2) TVA staff will work with the council to identify appropriate and effective methods for incorporating council and stakeholder priorities for TVA's management of the reservoir system.
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| Other | The Chairman of TVA's Board of Directors should ensure that TVA's reexamination efforts include consideration of both the costs and benefits of any potential changes to policies impacting lake levels. |
Closed – Implemented
At a November 1, 2000, public meeting conducted by a TVA-created advisory council, GAO made a presentation to the council's members discussing the information in GAO's May 1999 report, including the report's recommendations. On May 18, 2001, the advisory council's integrated river management subcommittee echoed the overall thrust of GAO's recommendation by recommending that TVA reexamine its policies impacting lake levels, that TVA's reexamination efforts include consideration of both the costs and benefits of any potential changes to policies impacting lake levels, and that TVA begin this formal reevaluation as soon as possible. On October 23, 2001, TVA's Board of Directors accepted this recommendation and stated that it will begin the formal study in fiscal year 2002.
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