Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§831h–3 Recreational access

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 12A— - TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY › § 831h–3

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Board can allow floating cabins to stay on waters the Corporation controls if three things are true: the owner keeps the cabin to the health, safety, and environmental rules the Board sets; the Corporation allows recreational boats on those waters; and the cabin was already on those waters on December 16, 2016. A floating cabin means a boat or other floating structure made mainly for people to live or stay on, not for moving around. For cabins that were on those waters on December 16, 2016, the Board cannot force removal for 15 years if the cabin had a permit before that date, or for 5 years if it did not. The Board can charge reasonable fees to make sure the rules are followed. The Board must allow a cabin to be used once it meets the rules and any fee is paid. The Corporation can enforce standards and can make rules to stop new floating cabins.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §831h–3

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section, the term “floating cabin” means a watercraft or other floating structure—

(1)primarily designed and used for human habitation or occupation; and

(2)not primarily designed or used for navigation or transportation on water.

(b)The Board may allow the use of a floating cabin if—

(1)the floating cabin is maintained by the owner to reasonable health, safety, and environmental standards, as required by the Board;

(2)the Corporation has authorized the use of recreational vessels on the waters; and

(3)the floating cabin was located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation as of December 16, 2016.

(c)The Board may levy fees on the owner of a floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for the purpose of ensuring compliance with subsection (b) if the fees are necessary and reasonable for such purpose.

(d)(1)With respect to a floating cabin located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation on December 16, 2016, the Board—

(A)may not require the removal of the floating cabin—

(i)in the case of a floating cabin that was granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 15 years beginning on such date; and

(ii)in the case of a floating cabin not granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 5 years beginning on such date; and

(B)shall approve and allow the use of the floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation at such time and for such duration as—

(i)the floating cabin meets the requirements of subsection (b); and

(ii)the owner of the floating cabin has paid any fee assessed pursuant to subsection (c).

(2)(A)Nothing in this subsection restricts the ability of the Corporation to enforce reasonable health, safety, or environmental standards.

(B)This section applies only to floating cabins located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation.

(e)The Corporation may establish regulations to prevent the construction of new floating cabins.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 831h–3

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73