Morris Ferry area future taking shape

  • Published
  • By Joel Fortner
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  A meeting was held here Thursday to discuss the future of Morris Ferry Dock. 

Air Force officials, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency representatives and Franklin County Mayor Richard Stewart met to discuss and make decisions about the immediate and long-term future of MFD. 

The following decisions were made: 

1. Pending safety inspections, public boat access will re-open in February under TWRA management 

2. Operating hours will be 4 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily 

3. Day-use picnic facilities will be installed by the Air Force this year comprised of a small pavilion, picnic tables, charcoal grills and restrooms. The opening date remains to be determined. 

4. A working committee comprised of Air Force, TWRA and county representatives will be established to work additional details below the leadership levels of all three parties 

5. TWRA and AEDC will provide security patrols of the area 

6. Franklin County will handle trash pick-up and disposal 

7. The area to the east of the peninsula where the current boat ramp is located will be blocked off for public safety 

8. A memorandum of understanding will be drafted to govern working relationships among the three parties and delineate responsibilities and expectations 

9. The three parties will continue to meet at periodic intervals to review progress and consider proposals for future phased improvements 

In the meantime, the working committee will study whether to demolish, reconstitute, or leave in place abandoned facilities to include docks, covered boat slips, restrooms, store, telephone and power poles, and concrete slabs, and address who will handle mowing. 

For more information, contact AEDC Public Affairs at (931) 454-4204 or by cell at (931) 581-1172.