TN officials concerned about responses to Boone Lake water testing

The Boone Lake Association recently-discovered high E. Coli levels in Boone Lake and responses from government agencies have been cause for concern among some state lawmakers. Earlier this month, the BLA found E. Coli above the recommended level for recreation at two testing sites, Point 17 and the popular swimming spot, Boone Dam Beach. The BLA has no regulatory authority but had turned over those test results to state agencies. WJHL sent inquires to those agencies about the findings, and reported receiving conflicting emails from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about who’s responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of water quality issues, each naming another agency that should be contacted. The responses troubled State Senator Jon Lundberg, who in turn made inquiries to those agencies which has now prompted a meeting being scheduled between TDEC and TVA. Boone Lake Association President Frank Hahne said he has not yet received an invitation to the TDEC meeting. A TDEC spokesperson says they are now monitoring pathogen levels in Boone lake.