Gov. Don Sundquist and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy Jessie Roberson today signed an agreement to grant to the state a conservation easement over approximately 3,000 acres of natural lands on the Oak Ridge Reservation.

"This agreement is a significant down payment on the debt owed by the United States to the people of Tennessee for their role in fighting the Cold War," Sundquist said. "We applaud the Department of Energy for taking this action, and will continue to work with them to ensure Oak Ridge plays a safe and vital role in the development of this region's economy."

The 3,000 acres have served as an undeveloped buffer for the K-25 uranium enrichment facility for over 50 years. The lands are distinguished by mature forests, wetlands, river bluffs, limestone cliffs and caves, and are home to several rare species including spreading false-glove, white-topped sedge and Tennessee dace, as well as a hemlock and rhododendron forest. A registered state natural area currently exists on a portion of the lands.

The agreement, the first of its kind for natural resources damages by DOE in Tennessee, was signed in response to natural resource damages at the Lower Watts Bar reservoir arising from DOE's activities on the Oak Ridge Reservation. The agreement was developed through a joint effort by the state, DOE, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

"This agreement accomplishes our shared goal of protecting Tennessee's natural resources and meeting the Department of Energy's responsibilities to the citizens of this region," Roberson said. "We will continue to work with the state of Tennessee to cleanup and redevelop the Oak Ridge Reservation."

DOE will retain ownership of the land, and will provide the state with funding to manage the property. The state will credit DOE the value of the easement and related funding toward any future Natural Resources Damage claims arising from DOE's activities on the Oak Ridge Reservation. The amount of the credit is still to be determined.

 "This corridor holds the future of East Tennessee," Congressman Zach Wamp said at the event. "Each step we take to protect its natural resources while promoting its economic potential is an investment in the opportunities of tomorrow."

This announcement is the latest in a series of efforts by the Sundquist administration to require the federal government to clean up the Oak Ridge Reservation. These efforts include:

• Establishing the Tennessee Principles in 1996 to clean up and promote the ongoing scientific mission of the Oak Ridge Reservation
• Providing consistent state oversight to protect public health
• Securing an accelerated cleanup agreement with DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Securing a nationally-unique $14 million perpetual care fund for a waste disposal site for Oak Ridge-generated cleanup waste only
• Achieving a 74 percent reduction of mixed waste to date
• Convening a blue ribbon panel to review the TSCA incinerator
• Completing extensive environmental monitoring of Oak Ridge Reservation
• Supporting transfer of waste from Tennessee to proper disposal and storage sites
• Providing state funding and critical support to secure the Spallation Neutron Source
• Working with Congress to secure nearly $2 billion in new investment and modernization of the lab and Y-12 facilities
• With Congressman Wamp, promoting redevelopment of East Tenn. Technology Park