Lee Russell and her husband, Bill the River Hero award’s namesake, moved to Oak Ridge in 1947. In the mid-60’s, she developed a keen appreciation of the nearby river gorges of the Cumberland Plateau and organized a grassroots environmental advocacy group, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning. In 1966 when plans were aired to dam the Obed River, Lee, her husband Bill and TCWP mounted an aggressive, and ultimately successful, campaign to keep this river system free flowing. By researching information, publicizing it in the media, working with federal and state agencies, and gaining the ear of legislators they managed to secure designation of a National Wild and Scenic River for the Obed River in 1976. Similarly, after they helped defeat an even larger dam proposal for the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River they won the designation of the 125-acre Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in 1974. This effort gained the attention of Tennessee Senator Howard Baker, an avid amateur photographer who created a photographic exhibit of the beauty and wildness of the Big South Fork gorges.

Read more about Liane Russell…

The Man Behind the Award

William (Bill) Russell was a world-renowned geneticist and long-time advocate for Tennessee waters. Together with wife Liane, he founded Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) in 1966, an organization dedicated to the protection of land and water through public ownership. Bill co-authored and facilitated the passage of the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act in 1968, the first such comprehensive act in the nation, preceding the national act.

“Bill worked tirelessly to prevent the construction of a dam on the Obed River, a river he had come to love above all others,” said Cortney Piper, Director of Development and Communications for TCWN. “He eventually succeeded in not only saving the Obed from the dam, but in having it designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1976.”

Bill Russell died on July 23, 2003 shortly after his 93rd birthday. Tennessee Clean Water Network is honored to add this award to his amazing legacy.