Land deal aids great smoky mountains: private industry and conservationists join forces to protect land adjacent to park.(News & Notes)

National Parks, September, 2004 by O'Connell, Kim A.

In a landmark agreement years in the making, a major American company and several conservation groups have struck a deal to protect about 10,000 acres of land next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), which has operated four hydroelectric dams near the park for decades, had sought to extend its licenses for 40 years in accordance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The re-licensing process requires that companies mitigate any damage that their electricity projects might cause. Seeking support for its bid, ALCOA began negotiating with community leaders and local, state, and national conservation organizations to provide permanent protection for the 10,000 acres around the dams.

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