ROLE OF FRIENDS OF THE CHEROKEE AND MEIGS COUNTY
The Tennessee Valey Authority(TVA) GRANT OF TERM EASMENT FOR A PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREA CHEROKEE MEMORIAL PARK(BLYTHE FERRY), dated July 22, 1998, GRANTS Meigs County a 25 year grant of easement to construct, operate and maintain a public recreation area with all necessary appurtenances . . . in accordance with the included plans or as subsequently approved modifications made in advance and in writing. The easement incorporates the MORANDUM OF AGREEMENT - PROPOSED CHEROKEE MEMORIAL PARK - MEIGS COUNTY AND TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY(TWRA), dated August 27, 1996, which has the following provisions.
(Underling added to emphasize items specifically related to the Friends of the Cherokee.)
WHEREAS The county would like to assist in developing this facility to commemorate, interpret and educate about the forcible removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral land in conjunction with facilities that help promote and educate about the unusual wildlife in the project area.
The parties agree as follows:
1. The County will assume the responsibility for coordinating the planning and development of the proposed facility with the consultation of TWRA and/or other parties as necessary or desired.
2. The County will request funds from different agencies and maintain records as required by various funding agencies for assistance in developing the facility.
3. The County in Consultation with TWRA, will incorporate the development of a prominent wildlife observation area into the development of the proposed facility.
4. TWRA agrees to continue to manage the property as a portion of the Hiwassee Waterfowl Refuge.
5. The County will assist in working to create a non-profit 501(c)3 organization (Friends of the Cherokee) to manage the proposed facility.
6. The County in coordination with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office will provide increased security to the facility through regular patrols of the area and shall assist in managing access to the area.
7. TWRA will continue to provide the present level of enforcement to the area.
8. The County will assist the non-profit Friends of the Cherokee organization in the control of litter at the site and will assist with garbage disposal
9. The county will evolve the county road department in providing maintenance on roads and parking lots development as part of the facility.
10. The county in coordination with TWRA will involve the non-profit Friends of the Cherokee organization in developing and operating the facility.
11. The County will coordinate development activities with the Tennessee Historic Commission and TVA to ensure that no development on the site adversely impact the National Historic Register site of the ferry landing.
12. TWRA and the County will work to insure that no development on the site will impact endangered bat habitats.
13. This agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee and Courts of the State of Tennessee shall have the exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any litigation arising there from’
14. This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall bee deemed an original but all of which shall constitute
the same instrument.