The Ocoee River in Tennessee, a popular white water rafting destination, is at risk of being shut down by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA wants a $9 million upfront payment from rafting outfitters to continue operations, which could cost up to $11 million. If the payment is not made, the river will cease operations in March 2019. The Ocoee River generates around $43 million annually for the local economy and supports over 600 jobs. Closing the river would be economically damaging to the region. Efforts are underway to convince TVA to keep the river open without the large fee increase.

1. Save
the
Ocoee River
BRAD BAKER

2. What is going on
 The Ocoee River America’s white water rafting destination is at risk
of being shut down by the TVA over what equates to about $1.8
million/annually
 TVA wants a $9million upfront payment (which after interest, loans
cost, and closing cost would end up being about $11m) and the
rafting outfitters would bear the brunt of this
 If TVA does not get the money then as of march 2019 the ocoee
river will cease to run

3. Where is the Ocoee?
 The Ocoee river is located in Copperhill TN on the border of N. GA
and North Carolina
 The river is part of the Cherokee National Forest
 Its proximity to major cities makes it the most popular place to raft in
the country

4. Who Goes Rafting?
 People of all ages (12 and up)
 People from very different back grounds
 People from all over the world, I have taken people who have
traveled from: India, the UK, Canada and many other nations that
the focus of their trip was to go rafting
 And every kind of group or club that you could think of have
enjoyed and benifited from the ocoee river

5. What are the benefits?

6. Why the Ocoee Matters to you
 In the year 2013 the Ocoee was responsible for generating $43m
dollars in a 60 mile radius
 If it is shut down it is estimated that approximately 622 full time jobs
would be lost
 In 1996 it was the site for the Olympic kayaking compaction
 Since 1980 it has brought over 10 million people into the area

7. Why the Ocoee “Matters” to TVA
 The Ocoee is responsible for an underwhelming 1/50th of 1% of TVA’s
total generation in the region
 Which they claim totals up to $1.8m per year
 The picture is of the number 2 powerhouse

8. What is Being Done
 Currently the Tennessee General Assembly has drafted a resolution
in support of the river remaining open
 But Even with the Assembly’s support TVA is still standing firm on their
ridicules claim

9. What would be left if TVA wins

10. What we Gain by Keeping the Ocoee
running
And much more

11. Why I chose this topic
 I grew up in north Georgia a few miles From the ocoee
 Since I have been old enough my family has taken at least one
rafting trip a year
 My father co-sponsored the resolution back in 1980 that opened the
river to the public for rafting
 And finally for the past four years I have been guiding up on the
Ocoee river

12. sources