Shortleaf Pine Initiative

Lauderdale County, Alabama and Hardin County, Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has completed and released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Shortleaf Pine Initiative in Lauderdale County, Alabama and Hardin County, Tennessee.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Act’s implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality ([CEQ]; 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-1508), federal agencies are required to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions. This EA was prepared to assess the potential impacts of TVA’s Proposed Action on the environment in accordance with CEQ’s and TVA’s procedures for implementing NEPA (TVA 1983).

TVA proposes to protect and enhance unique and important shortleaf pine habitat on a total of 6,011 acres of TVA lands including approximately 4,648 acres of the Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lauderdale County, Alabama, as well as 1,363 acres of TVA land adjacent to the WMA in Hardin County, Tennessee. TVA has identified a 285 acre parcel within the WMA to begin initial restoration activities. Some of the restoration activities could include prescribed burns to remove fire-intolerant species, herbicide applications to remove undesirable species, light grading and earthwork, and other silviculture practices.

The Final EA includes two alternatives: a No Action Alternative and an Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, TVA would not provide funding or support for the enhancement of shortleaf pine habitats within the 6,011 acres. This option would allow existing shortleaf habitat to continue to declining, which would allow other, opportunistic species to establish and alter the landscape. Under the Action Alternative, TVA would provide funding and support for the enhancement and restoration of the shortleaf pine habitats within the 6,011 acres of TVA land. The proposed 285 acre parcel within the WMA is included in this EA as a site-specific review.