NASBLA Public Library

This plan provides guidance for marine operations and transportation emergencies on the Tennessee River. Some river emergencies significantly disrupt navigation and may be caused by a natural or man-made disaster, or a combination of both. A map of the Tennessee River is shown below. The goal of the plan is to serve as a guide for officials of USCG, TVA, USACE, local Emergency Management Agencies (EMA), and the marine industry to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of barge traffic during a navigational crisis. Also, the resources of this plan can be utilized to minimize the impacts to waterway users from certain waterway maintenance functions such as lock closures and bridge construction.

TRWMP users must realize that each crisis has its own unique set of issues, factors, and controlling elements that require constant evaluation and adjustment. No plan can replace a clear, logical, and analytical approach to problem solving. Critical to this effort is early and open communication with all parties to assure that response actions reflect fair and equal consideration of the interests of all parties, including the public.

The need for effective communications cannot be overemphasized. Timely exchange of information is important, but only if the involved parties have an integrated system to assure the most current data is disseminated.