Rep. Meadows' TVA Proposal Passes House

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Meadows’ (R-NC) proposal to stop the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plan to ban floating cabins passed the House as an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act 0f 2016 (WRDA).

Earlier this year, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced their intentions to eventually outlaw floating cabins by proposing a 30-year “sunset” provision. The policy would negatively impact nearly 400 floating cabin owners on Lake Fontana in North Carolina, forcing hundreds of families to move from homes they have lived in for years while disastrously affecting their private assets and property values. The economies of nearby counties, particularly Swain and Graham County, would also feel significant negative effects.

The Subcommittee on Government Operations, which Rep. Meadows chairs, held a hearing on this issue last week that included two witnesses from Western North Carolina: Laura Sneed, founder of Fontana Families for Floating Houses, and David Monteith, Vice Chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners

“The TVA’s decision to ban floating cabins has already had devastating effects for hundreds of hard-working owners and the surrounding economy in my district--even well before the 30-year timeline expires,” Rep. Meadows said. “This is yet another example of the federal government choosing to get involved without seriously evaluating the consequences placed upon tax-paying families. I was pleased to see my proposal included in WRDA, and moving forward, I hope that my colleagues and I can continue working toward a solution to make it clear that this kind of government overreach will not be tolerated.”

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) also introduced their own bill in the Senate, which passed last week. WRDA will now undergo final negotiations in conference.

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