permits from TVA

[Grey Duck]

 

Time to renew my TVA permit. Each time it is different what you need to do. I was told by the downtown office that they are presently not issuing any new permits until they redo the form (presently in progress). They said it would be about 2 months before they finish redoing the form and will issue more permits. I asked if my permit would be good until they started reissuing the new ones. First they didn't know, then they thought it would be right to tell me no. Anyhow, apparantly noone will be getting any new permits any time soon. They did say to check on the TVA internet sight and see when they would be ready to start issuing permits again. So far I have seen nothing about it.

Anyone out there that can give the club help on this. It would be nice if they would let you use your permit until they start issuing again. I had this same problem a couple of years ago. I was told then that they stopped issuing permits downtown and all permits would be issued by mail. I put mine in and two months went by and still no permit. I stopped by one of the areas and asked the TVA police if I could hunt until I got my permit. He said yes as long as I had applied for one. I wonder if it works the same way if I tell them I tried to apply for one, but they are on hold for a couple of months.

[Scruch]

Yeah, I ran into same problem, mine expires 9/22. We knew of this 3 or 4 mos ago and still no decision from TVA. As for me, and I don't advise anyone else, I plan to keep hunting as usual. I see it as we have/had permits.... did it right.... and were not raiding hallowed ground. After all, they can't eat 'ya.... all they will probably do at the most is ask you to not hunt, or leave. Big deal!! :-))

[CoinHunter]

I contacted the Mayor and he had me call someone in his office. He was out to lunch at the time so I left him a voice mail. Haven't heard anything back from him yet, so I am hoping he has contacted TVA to find out what is going on. I will follow up with another call on Monday to see what I can learn. I will post any news asap. In the mean time I doubt you will have a problem as long as carry your old one and obey the rules.

[Scruch]

Yeah..... that's what I'm thinking Ralph.

[Unaka]

Have you heard anything more about this?  I noticed the link is broken on TVA website that is suppose to take you to page to apply for permit. I emailed them yesterday asking how to get a permit (before I saw this post). I will let you all know if I get a response from them.

Meanwhile what are legal areas to hunt in in East TN?  Are city parks and ball fields ok?

[Scruch]

Yeah Unaka, they put a moritorium on issueing or renewing permits for a while. No one seems to know exactly why, but it's being worked on to try and reinstate it. We're all just waiting for now.

[Unaka]

I just got this reply from TVA this morning. I wanted to email back and ask if they could be any ruder in their responses back. I just thought this was abrupt having worked years in customer service myself. Here's their reply-

"TVA is not issuing metal detecting permits at this time.  Thank you for
your inquiry."


What I don't understand is how a utility company or for that matter any company can own our state rivers and lakes any way.

[Scruch]

Well, personally I don't think that response was necessarily ''rude''. Come on, it's government. As far as ''owning'' our rivers and lakes, they DO NOT. We, the public own them, and they manage and protect them. And, historically they've done a good job. Just go up north, or to other parts of our country, and you'll be sickened at what you see of their waterways. Believe me, I've been ther and seen them. We have a very special gift here in our valley....... clean water, and lot's of historically preserved lands. So, enjoy :-))))

[Unaka]

Actually I've lived out West for awhile and their waterways are much more pristine without all the pollution and fishing advisory warnings like out here. Also the fishing is bad here because the dams destroy a lot of vegetation that would otherwise grow and allow the fish to graze more. The constant to and fro of the hydro dams also keeps the water artificially cold which is great for trout, but the bass and other fish suffer as it stunts their growth. I can't speak for the North, but TN water is not that clean.

Meanwhile got turned down today at a historic college campus when asked to go detecting. Writing my local county if the city parks are ok. If they say no then I don't see any reason to purchase a detector after all. I don't see why they can't make it like hunting and fishing, just a small charge for a yearly license. I personally don't see the big whoopie doo and why some feel they have to block detectors. Like TWRA doesn't enforce fishing regulations or boating as I see people breaking those laws constantly. I don't as I purchase my yearly sportmans license, trout stamp and do not break the creel laws. I caught an endangered species and dutifully returned it unharmed and still vigorous to the water. I've also reported poaching and TWRA could care less. Yet the idea that someone *MIGHT* unearth an old coin or civil war button worries them more than someone who carries off 100 bass or crappie in a day and affects the future population of that species versus will anyone in town miss a mercury dime that someone found 4 inches deep in the mud along the river?   

[Unaka]

A friend just told me she called TVA Monday afternoon and was told a decision would be made in January. I won't be holding my breath though.