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Anglers protest TVA’s restrictions.
By Dennis Sherer, Times Daily (NW Alabama) Staff Writer.
November 26, 2001
Many anglers cringed earlier this month when the Tennessee Valley Authority announced it would no longer allow boats within 100 yards of its dams unless they are locking through.
The turbulent waters below the dams are a favorite spot for anglers trying to catch bass, sauger, catfish and crappie. Some anglers like to fish for catfish in the deep water behind the dams.
In wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, TVA officials said the 100-yard security zone is needed to help protect the dams from terrorists. They plan to place buoys and signs at the dams to alert boaters of the areas that are considered off limits.
But the plan has sparked protests from anglers throughout the Tennessee Valley who are accustomed to fishing near the dams.
Bob Freeman of Rogersville is among those upset with the new restriction. He said the dams are the best places on the Tennessee River to fish for sauger, a popular game fish.
"Although a few sauger are caught down river, the absolute best fishing for them is during the winter within a few feet of the dams," Freeman said. "There are times during the year in which smallmouth bass, huge saltwater striped bass and catfish can be caught within 100 yards of the dams."
Johnny Burch, owner Burch Fishing Tackle Co., in Florence, said many bait shops depend on anglers who fish near the dams.
"I've talked to bait shops from one end of the valley to the other, and everyone I've talked to has said the 100-yard rule is costing them business," he said.
Burch said he has shared his concerns about the impact the rule is having on businesses like his with TVA officials.
He also shared with them an idea that several Shoals anglers are proposing that could alleviate the problem. They suggest beginning a permit system for anyone who wants to fish within the 100-yard area. They say TVA could check the background of the anglers before issuing a permit.
Ray Gresham of Florence, who has fished near the dams for about 40 years, said the permit system would help the anglers and TVA.
"We could be their eyes and ears," Gresham said. "If we were up there fishing and saw something suspicious, we could call TVA and tell them."
Freeman said many anglers carry a cellular telephone in their boat and could alert TVA if they see someone tampering the dams.
John Moulton, a spokesman for TVA, said officials with the agency are considering the proposal.
"We're taking a look at the alternatives that have been proposed, but we haven't made any decisions," Moulton said. "We are definitely listening to what the anglers have to say."
Some anglers contend that TVA is using the threat of terrorism as an excuse for stopping them from fishing near its dams.
The anglers say if TVA can allow cars and trucks to travel across its dams, it could also allow boats near them. They said a terrorist could just as easily use a vehicle loaded with explosives to damage a dam.
Moulton said the 100-yard rule for boaters was developed only as a way to help it protect the dams.
"This is strictly a security issue and nothing more," he said.
Some birdwatchers have also complained that the restriction, which also bans walking or fishing on the banks of the Tennessee River within 100 yards of a dam. They say the rule prevents them from reaching some of their favorite areas to see gulls and other shore birds.
Moulton said TVA officials have not heard any complaints from birdwatchers, but they are willing to listen to their concerns.
Dennis Sherer can be reached at dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com or 740-5746.
By Dennis Sherer, Times Daily (NW Alabama) Staff Writer.
November 26, 2001
Many anglers cringed earlier this month when the Tennessee Valley Authority announced it would no longer allow boats within 100 yards of its dams unless they are locking through.
The turbulent waters below the dams are a favorite spot for anglers trying to catch bass, sauger, catfish and crappie. Some anglers like to fish for catfish in the deep water behind the dams.
In wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, TVA officials said the 100-yard security zone is needed to help protect the dams from terrorists. They plan to place buoys and signs at the dams to alert boaters of the areas that are considered off limits.
But the plan has sparked protests from anglers throughout the Tennessee Valley who are accustomed to fishing near the dams.
Bob Freeman of Rogersville is among those upset with the new restriction. He said the dams are the best places on the Tennessee River to fish for sauger, a popular game fish.
"Although a few sauger are caught down river, the absolute best fishing for them is during the winter within a few feet of the dams," Freeman said. "There are times during the year in which smallmouth bass, huge saltwater striped bass and catfish can be caught within 100 yards of the dams."
Johnny Burch, owner Burch Fishing Tackle Co., in Florence, said many bait shops depend on anglers who fish near the dams.
"I've talked to bait shops from one end of the valley to the other, and everyone I've talked to has said the 100-yard rule is costing them business," he said.
Burch said he has shared his concerns about the impact the rule is having on businesses like his with TVA officials.
He also shared with them an idea that several Shoals anglers are proposing that could alleviate the problem. They suggest beginning a permit system for anyone who wants to fish within the 100-yard area. They say TVA could check the background of the anglers before issuing a permit.
Ray Gresham of Florence, who has fished near the dams for about 40 years, said the permit system would help the anglers and TVA.
"We could be their eyes and ears," Gresham said. "If we were up there fishing and saw something suspicious, we could call TVA and tell them."
Freeman said many anglers carry a cellular telephone in their boat and could alert TVA if they see someone tampering the dams.
John Moulton, a spokesman for TVA, said officials with the agency are considering the proposal.
"We're taking a look at the alternatives that have been proposed, but we haven't made any decisions," Moulton said. "We are definitely listening to what the anglers have to say."
Some anglers contend that TVA is using the threat of terrorism as an excuse for stopping them from fishing near its dams.
The anglers say if TVA can allow cars and trucks to travel across its dams, it could also allow boats near them. They said a terrorist could just as easily use a vehicle loaded with explosives to damage a dam.
Moulton said the 100-yard rule for boaters was developed only as a way to help it protect the dams.
"This is strictly a security issue and nothing more," he said.
Some birdwatchers have also complained that the restriction, which also bans walking or fishing on the banks of the Tennessee River within 100 yards of a dam. They say the rule prevents them from reaching some of their favorite areas to see gulls and other shore birds.
Moulton said TVA officials have not heard any complaints from birdwatchers, but they are willing to listen to their concerns.
Dennis Sherer can be reached at dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com or 740-5746.
