Introduction and Story

Good morning. I talk with my hands, so I’ll need to put this mic in the stand here.

Really, it’s an honor to be here today. This is my second time at this conference, and it means a lot to me. I told Odin this morning at breakfast, this is one of the friendliest conferences I’ve ever attended. Everyone is open, honest—it’s just a good time. I learn a lot every time I’m here.

Let me share a quick story from last year. I’d never been to Oklahoma before, let alone West Siloam Springs. But I came to this conference and happened to win the door prize basket from the Georgia contingent. I was thrilled! I told them I was from Calhoun, Georgia, and they said, “Oh, Linda’s from Calhoun.”

Linda Fletcher turned out to be someone who once worked for my grandfather. Even more amazing—her son and my brother graduated high school together. It’s a small world. That’s why I think of this as the “Small World Conference.”

TVA Overview

I’m not a Trail scholar—thanks a lot, Laura, for putting me on after Brett! What I am here to talk about is TVA—the Tennessee Valley Authority. Many of you may not be familiar with what we do.

TVA was created on May 18, 1933, when FDR signed the TVA Act. Its mission was to manage the Tennessee River drainage, foster agricultural and industrial development, and support national defense.

The first dam TVA built was Norris Dam, on the Clinch River north of Knoxville. Construction began in October 1933 and was completed in 1936. It’s a beautiful place.

In 1936, TVA executed the Unified Development of the Tennessee River Plan: to build hydroelectric dams, control flooding, manage resources, provide electricity, and improve health conditions in the region.

What TVA Is Today

TVA is now the largest public power provider in the U.S. We’re funded by power sales—not congressional appropriations. We serve 10 million people in seven states, maintain 16,000 miles of transmission lines, manage 40,000 miles of rivers and streams, and oversee 293,000 acres of public land.

We operate 29 hydroelectric dams listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We also work with over 23 federally recognized tribes on a government-to-government basis.

Cultural Resources Group

I work in TVA’s Cultural Resources Group. The Tennessee Valley has over 12,500 known archaeological sites (and we’ve only surveyed about a third of the land). We monitor these sites for erosion, looting, and other impacts. We also enforce the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA).

Our team includes archaeologists, architectural historians, data managers, and educators. We oversee compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (Sections 106 and 110), protect historic properties, and consult with tribes on all relevant projects.

We also run outreach programs like “Thousand Eyes,” a volunteer-based effort to protect archaeological sites. Volunteers are vetted, trained, and assigned to monitor specific sites.

Native American Removal Routes Project

Since 2019, TVA has worked to document and manage Native American removal routes that cross TVA land. With guidance from tribal partners, we created a GIS database using archival sources and tribal knowledge.

Phase I, conducted with Western Carolina University’s Trail of Tears Working Group (led by Dr. Brett Riggs), covered North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Data was shared with Cherokee, Muscogee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations.

TVA guards this data carefully. Not even all TVA staff have access—based on tribal input. The goal is land management, not public dissemination.

In FY23, TVA partnered with New South Associates to conduct condition assessments of 140 mapped sites. They identified 30 historic road segments, including footpaths, roads, and bridge abutments. No invasive testing was conducted.

What’s Next

We’re expanding the project to cover routes in northern Tennessee and Kentucky. I’m thrilled to be working with Deborah Kirk, whose research is remarkable.

Eventually, TVA will integrate this data into a screening tool. TVA project planners will know when an area needs cultural review—even if they don’t know why—ensuring sensitive resources are protected.

Closing

I just want to say how honored I am to speak to you today. It’s a responsibility I take personally—as does everyone on our team. Thank you for your time and your commitment to remembering and protecting these important histories.

Are there any questions?