Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant is located near Athens, Alabama. Although the plant is outside Tennessee, portions of southern Tennessee are within the plant’s 50-mile ingestion planning zone.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority works with TVA, Alabama officials, Tennessee state agencies, local emergency management agencies, and other partners to prepare for potential impacts to Tennessee’s food, water, agriculture, and livestock.
Emergency Planning Around Browns Ferry
Federal emergency planning guidance establishes two planning areas around commercial nuclear power plants:
- A 10-mile emergency planning zone focused on protecting people from direct exposure to a radioactive release
- A 50-mile ingestion planning zone focused on protecting food, milk, drinking water, crops, livestock, and agricultural products
Tennessee is not within the 10-mile emergency planning zone for Browns Ferry. However, portions of the state fall within the 50-mile ingestion planning zone.
What the 50-Mile Ingestion Planning Zone Means
During a radiological emergency, radioactive material could potentially affect food, water, crops, livestock, or other agricultural products.
State and local officials would assess conditions, collect samples, and provide instructions based on the location and potential impacts of the release. Protective actions could include recommendations or restrictions involving:
- Drinking water
- Milk and dairy products
- Livestock feed and water
- Grazing
- Fruits and vegetables
- Field crops
- Fish and wildlife
- Food processing and distribution
- The movement or sale of agricultural products
Residents and agricultural producers should not take protective actions unless instructed by state or local officials.
Farms, Food, and Livestock
Farmers, livestock owners, food producers, and agricultural businesses within 50 miles of Browns Ferry should be prepared to follow official guidance during a radiological emergency.
Officials may recommend actions such as:
- Moving livestock indoors or under cover
- Protecting animal feed and water supplies
- Using stored feed and covered water sources
- Restricting grazing
- Delaying the harvest, use, or sale of crops
- Holding milk or other agricultural products until testing is completed
- Avoiding the use of potentially affected surface water
Do not destroy crops, dispose of milk, relocate animals, or stop agricultural operations unless instructed by emergency officials. Testing and monitoring would be used to determine whether food, water, or agricultural products are safe.
Browns Ferry Emergency Preparedness Information
TVA provides emergency preparedness information for communities surrounding the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, including emergency planning sectors, evacuation routes, protective action guidance, and the annual Browns Ferry Nuclear Calendar.
The evacuation sectors and routes provided by TVA primarily apply to communities within the plant’s 10-mile emergency planning zone in Alabama.