In December, the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management signed an agreement with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency that will begin the process of transferring a parcel of land of more than 3,500 acres of land to state ownership.
The transfer moves the agency closer to its ultimate vision, which is a system of parks and green space areas that will be used for public benefit. The transfer contains many acres of land that will be allocated for mixed-use recreational activities and put the land under oversight of the proper government agencies who will protect, conserve and manage the areas.
“The east Tennessee region is unique, and we are pleased to be working together with DOE on these property transfers that will allow us to expand our services in the area," Bobby Wilson, the TWRA executive director, said in a release. "We will be able to increase recreational opportunities, prioritize wildlife habitat management and introduce new programs that will benefit both the community and the environment.”
Laura Wilkerson, acting manager for OREM, echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is an exciting step forward in our efforts to transfer land that can be reused and benefits the community. Our program has always focused on advancing conservation and sustainability, so finding new and diverse opportunities to connect people with the environment is a great achievement. I want to thank our contractor partner UCOR for its incredible support and helping bring this agreement to fruition.”
The agreement was signed on Dec. 15 and is a component of a much larger effort by the organizations to develop a multiuse industrial park for the community.
