Proposed bill would add more rafting days to Ocoee River

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee Rep. Dan Howell proposed a bill to add more days to the rafting season along the Ocoee River.

Rep. Dan Howell

If approved, House Bill 1946 would provide funding to the Ocoee River Recreation and Economic Development Fund Board (ORRED). ORRED would then work with and pay TVA to add more water release days during the rafting season.

Rep. Howell believes this will bring more tourists and rafting enthusiasts to the area.

It will allow up to 24 whitewater rafting outfitters to hold permits in the Ocoee River Recreational Area. Additionally, it will allow permit holders to transfer permits if they wish to retire or sell their business.

The bill will also officially designate the Ocoee as an “Olympic River.”

“The Ocoee River is a magnificent natural resource that boasts some of the best whitewater rafting in the world,” Howell said. “This bill will allow for additional water releases for Tennesseans and tourists to enjoy being on the water, drawing more people to the region and further boosting our economy. The Volunteer State is blessed with immense natural beauty and it’s important to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors.”

Ocoee River. PHOTO DATE: April 13, 2021

The Ocoee River is part of the Tennessee state park system. It has Class III-IV rapids.

The 1996 Summer Olympics canoe slalom event took place on the Ocoee.

According to officials, the Ocoee sees more than 220,000 paddlers every year. They say this brings nearly $44 million to the region annually and provides more than 600 jobs.

Rep. Howell is the chair of the ORRED. He represents House District 22, covering Meigs, Polk and parts of Bradley County.