We the residents of the historic Village of Concord, surrounding neighborhoods, and beyond oppose the proposed expansion of Concord Marina. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is considering a Section 26a permit application from Go Outdoors Concord, LLC to expand Concord Marina’s harbor limits by approximately 13 acres. WE DO NOT WANT THIS. 

Knox County Commission has already approved this and this 26a shoreline access approval from TVA is the last step before a building permit is issued and trees start getting cut down. 

A Section 26a permit approval would allow Go Outdoors Concord, LLC to construct additional facilities which would include three additional floating boat docks with 135 slips (**there are already 10 floating docks**), fuel pumps, a restroom, utility lines, and riprap along the shoreline - all built for their private members to use on land that is designated for public enjoyment.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO - 2 EASY ACTION STEPS

1. SIGN THIS PETITION
2. EMAIL KACEY ELLIS AT TVA (klellis1@tva.gov, 800-882-5263): Tell her to deny the Section 26a permit application from Go Outdoors Concord, LLC to expand Concord Marina’s harbor limits. 

 

THIS IS AN ALREADY OVERCROWDED COVE

In this single, narrow cove there are already 2 marinas - Fox Road Marina and Concord Marina. Concord Marina is at the very front of the cove and boats already have a hard time slowing down prior to the no wake zone. A 13 acre expansion with three additional giant boat houses would mean boats would not have enough time to slow down prior to entering the marina. Putting more boats in an already tight, overcrowded cove will result in collisions with paddle boarders, swimmers, kayakers, and others who use this cove for recreation. The entrance to this narrow cove is even narrower as the only way in is underneath a bridge. So all boat traffic is funneled throw narrow passages in the center of this overpass. An increase in boats moving in and out of this cove is sure to result in accidents. 

 

PUBLIC LAND

At the entrance to the park and current marina is a TVA sign that reads "This land was made available for Concord Park in 1949 for public use." This expansion would be a theft - stealing 13 more acres of what is supposed to be public land for Knoxvillians to enjoy and giving it to a private company so they can charge boat storage fees to only those who can afford it. 

 

NUISANCE

The existing marina is already a nuisance for all those who live nearby and a 13 acre expansion would exacerbate this problem. Residents are forced to call in noise complaints on a regular basis because of noise from Concord Marina and Lakeside Tavern. Boat motors and loud music can be heard from the homes nearby and inside the homes closest to the lake. We cannot handle anymore! 

 

POLLUTION

In addition to noise pollution, water pollution is a huge concern. These additional slips would come with additional fuel pumps. Any leak or accidental fuel spillage goes straight into our water. Earlier this year one of the roofs of the existing boat slips collapsed, sending all matter of debris into the water. Additional slips means more opportunity for these kinds of things to happen. 

 

NORTHSHORE DRIVE TRAFFIC

More boats in Concord Marina means more cars trying to come and go from Concord Marina. The marina also shares a turn-in with Concord Park and Lakeside Tavern. This section of Northshore is already congested and cannot be widened. 

 

HISTORIC VIEWSHED

Our historic Village of Concord was established in 1855 and is Knox County's only historic district outside city limits. Recognized by the federal government on the National Register of Historic Places as Concord Village Historic District and by the Knox County government as Village of Concord, great effort goes into preserving this community and the viewshed is part of that preservation. This expansion would diminish the last of the remaining tree-lined shoreline visible from the village and replace it with obnoxious floating docs. We encourage TVA to do the right thing and DENY this Section 26a permit. 

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO - 2 EASY ACTION STEPS

1. SIGN THIS PETITION
2. EMAIL KACEY ELLIS AT TVA (klellis1@tva.gov, 800-882-5263): Tell her to deny the Section 26a permit application from Go Outdoors Concord, LLC to expand Concord Marina’s harbor limits.