Dec 10 2016

Oversight, the Senate passed Senator Richard Burr’s (R-NC) and Senator Thom Tillis’ (R-NC) legislation to prevent the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from banning houseboats on Lake Fontana and Hiwasee Lake. TVA’s original proposed ban on houseboats would affect nearly 400 houseboat owners in Western North Carolina. The language was included in the Water Resources Development compromise bill which is now headed to President Obama’s desk.
 
“This legislation will prevent the Tennessee Valley Authority from kicking people out of their homes,” said Senator Burr. “I want to thank Congressman Mark Meadows for his work on this issue in the House. Many of these families have been living on the water for decades and I am glad they will get to remain in their homes.”
 
“I’m proud the Senate was able to advance this important piece of legislation,” said Senator Tillis. “I want to thank Senator Burr and Congressman Meadows for their hard work to ensure that houseboat owners on Fontana Lake won't lose their homes.”
 
In August, Senator Burr wrote a letter to the Tennessee Valley Authority urging the agency to reconsider this proposal which would effectively ban houseboats in some parts of Western North Carolina. The full signed letter is available online here.