RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-631

A resolution requesting the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to revise its current vegetation management policy in order to prevent the clear cutting removal of all trees fifteen feet high or taller located within the TVA easements containing transmission lines.

WHEREAS, the conservation, preservation, and protection of trees within the area of the Metropolitan Government is a matter of great importance to the Metropolitan Council; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Committee Report on Environmental Sustainability notes the important role trees play in the protection of property values, energy savings, personal health, air quality, water quality, wildlife diversity, and the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; and

WHEREAS, one hundred trees have been shown to process 230,000 gallons of storm water, 400 pounds of ozone emissions, 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and 300 pounds of particulates; and

WHEREAS, the Green Ribbon Report notes that an assessment using the American Forests’ Rapid Ecosystems Analysis indicates that the value of Nashville’s tree canopy may be as much as $3.6 billion per year; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council recognizes that TVA is responsible for implementing and enforcing reasonable policies pertaining to vegetation management within TVA easements, and understands the importance of minimizing the threat of tree damage to power transmission lines; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is of the understanding that TVA has implemented and is enforcing a vegetation policy that prevents any trees fifteen feet tall or taller from being located within its power line easements, regardless of whether the trees are actually in close proximity to the lines or whether previous damage has occurred; and

WHEREAS, this TVA policy essentially results in the clear cutting of all vegetation fifteen feet tall or higher, even trees that are slow-growing and ornamental; and

WHEREAS, owners of property encumbered by TVA easements are often not provided with adequate written notice regarding TVA’s intent to remove vegetation from the property; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is concerned that this policy will needlessly result in the removal of many trees within the area of the Metropolitan Government at a cost to the environment and to ratepayers; and

WHEREAS, since there are no federal regulations requiring the implementation of this aggressive vegetation policy, the Metropolitan Council desires to notify TVA leadership of the Council’s concerns and request a modification to the vegetation policy that will prevent the unnecessary removal of trees.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting TVA to revise its current vegetation management policy in order to prevent the clear cutting removal of all trees fifteen feet high or taller located within the TVA easements containing transmission lines.

Section 2. The Metropolitan County Council further requests that TVA provide private property owners with at least 60 days written notice prior to clearing any vegetation from their property.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to TVA Board Chair William Sansom, TVA President and CEO William Johnson, U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and Representatives Jim Cooper and Marsha Blackburn.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Carter Todd, Burkley Allen