TWRA wins approval to buy about 62 acres in Lauderdale County for new boat ramp and parking

The State Building Commission Executive Subcommittee approved a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency request to acquire approximately 62 acres in Lauderdale County so the agency can replace a deteriorated public boat ramp and create a safer, expanded parking area.

"I'm here on behalf of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources agency to request approval for the acquisition of approximately 62 acres in Lauderdale County," Executive Director Jason Maxedon said, identifying the tract on Highway 51 in Covington as on the state's wetland priority list and owned by Beverly Coats, Linda Durham and Jane Embry. Maxedon said the purchase would be funded from the 25–26 wetlands acquisition fund.

The agency said the acquisition would allow construction of a new boat ramp and improved parking adjacent to the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Maxedon said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has expressed support and that TWRA would ultimately sell the property to the federal agency once federal approvals are complete, while retaining an easement "to the long term property or to that boat ramp access area and parking lot." He estimated the purchase price at about $200,000 and said, after a future sale, TWRA would net roughly $20,000.

The chair pressed the agency on funding trade-offs, noting concerns that using wetlands acquisition money could reduce funds available for operating costs, including salaries and law enforcement, and referencing recent fee proposals and administration budget items. "My hesitation really is around the fact that the same money that you would use for this is going to this instead of 2 salaries or other uses for the funding," the chair said.

Maxedon responded that the wetlands acquisition fund has a $6,000,000 floor set by the commission and that the agency is working to spend down to—but not below—that floor. He also said construction work could be borne by a healthier boating fund, while acquisition fits the wetlands fund purpose. "When we actually do the construction of the ramp and some of that work, we could do that with boating funds and that fund is not struggling," Maxedon said.

Committee members asked that TWRA provide advance notice and coordinate on upcoming capital projects before the full State Building Commission sees them. The subcommittee approved the acquisition request by voice vote.

The subcommittee approved the motion; staff indicated there is no binding purchase contract with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at this time and that federal due diligence would be required before any sale to the federal agency.