Adjacent TVA Land: Anyone with Experience? (Oak Ridge, Kingston: home, buy, campers)

[bbkaren]

As some of you know, we found a piece of land we like. It's smaller than we were looking for, but it has 5 acres of TVA land next to it--and past that TVA land is the shoreline of Watts Bar Lake.

Our realtor told us that often, the TVA will allow adjacent homeowners to clear a right-of-way to the lake, as well as use the land for other purposes (except for building on it). She even said often people are able to keep their livestock on TVA land.

I've looked on the TVA's website and have indeed found permit applications for things such as docks, boat slips, etc.

We'd just like to know for sure that we'd be able to have lake access; it's a dealbreaker so we haven't even made an offer on the land yet, waiting to hear back from the TVA.

Anyone have any experience with these folks? Are they easy to deal with?

I've got an email in to them, but I'm afraid they won't commit in writing until we actually own the land and can make an actual application.

I guess we just want to know what the chances are, if we buy the land, that we'd be able to use the TVA land to get to the lake.

Anybody?

[SPLIT]

BBK: I guess i have SOME of your answers, but live much South of your location. We have the same deal down to the cove via TVA, thick woods.
Last summer there was a Forest FIRE, maybe boaters/ campers/kids whatever, but it took quite a while for response, not that it was news worthy high flames, just that smoky brush fire. Some kind TVA BullDozer had to re-cut a path over trees, and downed branches, for a safety delay.
Now I guess we have a ATV access for winter mud flats when the water level is 5 ft lower. Not sure of livestock, no interest. The waterline is public access up to a certain elevation Line. Peole are even allowed to camp, if like canoe traveling...................[/IMG]

[bbkaren]

Thanks! I'm waiting to hear back soon. I sent the info over by email yesterday.

Funny story (remember, I'm in NJ, the land of government bureaucracy). The guy said, "Now, I want to prepare you, we won't be able to give you an answer right away. If it's a simple request, it could take up to 5 days; if it's more complicated you might not hear from us for 7 to 10 days, so please be patient!"

lol! I was expecting to hear that it'd take 3-6 months or something. I have to get out of this New Jersey mentality, and soon!

[Heebs]

Found your original question and we are in similar situation--have property we like that is separated from lake by a strip of TVA land. We've been told that you can apply to get a permit to put a boat dock on TVA property. How did your experience play out? Any advice?
Thanks

[bbkaren]

Hi! No word yet--since we don't own the property we can't really "apply" for the permit, but they're going to get back to us with a "likelihood" response. It's a real nail-biter. I'll be sure to post here when they respond. Sure would make my weekend if we got an answer (aHEM!) today...

Hey, I hope we're not looking at the same piece of property. I'd hate to have to get into a bidding war! lol

[Heebs]

We're looking around Big Sandy on Ky Lake. Neighbors maybe? Your first post was Nov 06--ugh. Who is the "they" you are waiting to hear from? We are very new to this and aren't sure where to start.

[bbkaren]

Whew! Nope, we're in Loudon/Kingston. (Wow, how that rolls off the fingers...we haven't even made an offer yet!).

I'll gather the info I've got and post it when I get home later on, for future reference. It sure is hard when you don't know where to start.

[bbkaren]

p.s. In Nov. 2006 was my first post here, ever.

I just started this thread last week. No worries!

Our journey to this point, research-wise, however, has indeed been a long one!

[Heebs]

Thank you so much! We would really appreciate the information. I thought I'd find more on-line than I've been able to come up with so far.
Kingston is really beautiful. I love east TN. I was reared in Oak Ridge.

[SolorzanoAssociates]

I really can't help you too much, I recently moved as well, and you may want to ask the local county office of which your planning to purchase. WE had lots of questions too when we bought 10 acres and home, etc, as far as how many horses, so on and so forth. You can also try to check the property description on the tax records, ours included some info of the number of animals etc... Oh you may also want to ask your realtor to ask the sellers for a copy of the survey (full survey), for on that it should have all the do's and don'ys. Even though you are not actually purchasing the TVA Land.

Maybe this helped....