June 12, 2001
Inside this Issue!
1. NOTICE - TMDLs - Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Proposed for Loosahatchie
River Watershed; Approved for Roan Creek, Cane Creek, Cash Hollow, and
Sinking Creek
2. PUBLIC NOTICES - QUICK LIST FROM TDEC -Pollution Permits for
Proposed Facilities
3. NOTICE - TDEC NOTICES - Herbicide Spraying in Chickamauga Reservoir
and Inter-Basin Water Transfer Permit Application from Lower TN River
Basin
4. ANNOUNCEMENT - RIVER CLEANUP - Nolichucky River Cleanup &
Celebration, June 23rd
5. OPPORTUNITY - VISTA VOLUNTEER - TEC Seeks VISTA Volunteer for
Watershed Protection Program
6. OPPORTUNITY - ECOLOGIST POSITION - TDEC Seeks State Natural Areas
Stewardship Ecologist
7. SPOTLIGHT - WATERSHED ACTION - Harpeth River Watershed Association
Conducting
8. ALERT - TAKE ACTION - Act for the Clean Water Act
9. RESOURCE - EPA WEBSITE - EPA Improves Access to Local Water Quality
Information
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1. Proposed and Approved TMDLs:
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to develop TMDLs
for waters on their impaired waters list. TMDLs must determine the allowable
pollutant load that the water can assimilate, allocate that load among
the various point and nonpoint sources, include a margin of safety, and
address seasonality.
Completed TMDLs Approved by EPA
(available in PDF format at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/aptmdl.htm
~Roan Creek - TMDL for fecal coliform in Roan Creek from mile 16.5 to Forge Creek (approximately 19.2), including Forge Creek and Town Creek, in Johnson County.
~Cash Hollow - TMDL for fecal coliform in Cash Hollow Creek from the headwaters
to the confluence with the Watauga River in Washington County.
~Sinking Creek - TMDL for fecal coliform in Sinking Creek from the headwaters
to the confluence with the Watauga River in Carter County.
~Cane Creek - TMDL for total copper for Cane Creek subwatershed from river
mile 17.9 to the confluence with the Hatchie River in Lauderdale County.
Proposed TMDLs
~Loosahatchie River watershed - proposed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
for fecal coliform in Loosahatchie River watershed located in western
Tennessee. (including Cypress Creek, Big Creek, and two segments of the
Loosahatchie River (mouth to Big Cr. and Big Cr. to Cypress Cr.) )
may be accessed at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/tmdl.htm
Technical questions regarding this TMDL should be directed to Bruce Evans
(615 532 0668) or Sherry Wang (615 532 0656), Water Pollution Control
staff.
Persons wishing to comment on the TMDLs are invited to submit their comments
in writing no later than July 19, 2001 to:
Division of Water Pollution Control
Watershed Management Section
6th Floor, L & C Annex
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243-1534
2. Public Notices Posted by Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation - Proposed Pollution Permits:
Pollution Permits: The Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control proposes
to issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits
for discharging treated wastewater and storm water to the following:
1. Smyrna STP, to discharge to Stewart Creek at mile 5.65 in Rutherford
County, permit no. TN0020541
2. Bells Lagoon, discharging treated municipal wastewater to South Fork
Forked Deer River in Crockett County, permit no. TN0026247
Comments must be received by July 9, 2001.
(Send to Division of Water Pollution Control, 401 Church St., L&C
Annex, 6th Floor, Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville,
TN 37243). Interested persons may also request in writing that the
Director of the Division hold a public hearing on any application.
For more information on these and other notices, visit http://www.state.tn.us/environment/new.htm
3. Additional TDEC Notices:
Notice
of Herbicide Spraying on Chickamauga Reservoir:
On Friday, May 25, 2001, the Division of Water Pollution Control issued
Notice of Coverage (NOC) to five applicants to apply contact aquatic herbicides
to waters of the State of Tennessee. These will occur on
Chickamauga Reservoir this summer. These NOCs allow application of contact
herbicides in accordance with the terms and conditions of the General
State Operation Permit for the Application of Herbicides. This general
permit was issued in November 2000. These five operations will occur on
Chickamauga Reservoir during this summer.
For additional information, contact Phil Simmons at (615 532 0358) at
theDivision of Water Pollution Control.
Notice
of Inter-basin Water Transfer Permit Application:
The following applicant has submitted a complete application for a permit
in accordance with the Inter-basin Water Transfer Act of 2000 (Public
Chapter 854).
Eastside Utility District
P.O. Box 22037
Chattanooga, TN 37422
Inter-basin Water Transfer Permit No.IWT000002
Phone Number: (423) 892-2890
For additional information, contact Phil Simmons at (615 532 0358) at
the Division of Water Pollution Control.
The applicant has proposed to transfer 5.0 million gallons per day (MGD)
of potable water from the Lower Tennessee River Basin to the Conasauga
River Basin. This water is to be used by Eastside Utility District, Ocoee
Utility District, and by Dalton Utilities to serve existing and new customers.
The Division has made a tentative decision to issue a permit authorizing
an inter-basin transfer of 5.0 MGD.
The Division has made a decision to schedule a public hearing to receive
comments concerning the proposed permit issuance. The public hearing will
be held as follows.
Date: July 12, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m. E.D.T.
Location: Main Auditorium
Tennessee State Office Building
540 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Written comments will be received until July 22, 2001. Comments should
be sent to the contact above.
4. Nolichucky River Cleanup and Celebration, June 23rd:
The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) are hosting a Nolichucky River
Cleanup and Celebration on Saturday, June 23rd. Registration for
the cleanup will be at USA Raft, Nolichucky Expeditions at 10:00AM.
Clean teams will be grouped together and maps will be provided for various
sections of the river.
USA Rafts and Cherokee Adventures will be providing guided raft
support for the gorge cleanup. A limited number of early birds
will be able to accompany the rafts down the gorge. Open boaters
and private rafters are encouraged to help with other sections of the
river. There are also plenty of areas along the banks for non-boaters.
Pickup trucks or trailers are also needed. Trash bags and gloves will
be provided courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
After the cleanup there will be hickory smoked brisket and the fixins
provided to those that participated in the cleanup. Registered participants
will also have chances at door prizes provided by Lotus Design, USA
Raft, Cherokee Adventures, Mahoney's Outfitters, Alpine Ski Shop, Mountain
Sports Ltd., Piney Flats Bicycle & Fitness, and the Erwin Burrito
Company.
Saturday evening one of Johnson City's finest bands, Stormy Monday, will
be playing on the porch of the Davy Crockett Cabin. So, plan on
coming for the weekend, helping out with a good cause, and having a good
time in one of the prettiest gorges in Tennessee. Nolichucky Campgrounds,
adjacent to USA
Rafts, is reducing their camping fee to $4.00/night/person this weekend
for those participating in the cleanup.
Directions: The Nolichucky River is in NE Tennessee. From
Interstate 81 near Kingsport exit onto Interstate 181 South. Stay
on I-181 until you reach exit 15 (Jackson-Love Highway) near Erwin.
Cross over the interstate and turn right onto Temple Hill Road, which
runs in front of the Holiday Inn Express. Proceed about a half mile
and turn left onto River Road (There will be a sign there for the Forest
Service Chestoa Area). Go another half mile to an intersection and
turn left across the Nolichucky River bridge. Just past the bridge turn
right and follow the road through the Chestoa Area and continue to the
dead end at USA Raft and Nolichucky Campgrounds.
For more information contact the APEs Conservation Officer, Debbie Briscoe
at (423) 538-5987 or online at [email protected]
5. TEC VISTA Volunteer Recruitment:
The Tennessee Environmental Council is seeking applicants to serve as
an Americorps VISTA member for one year in the TEC watershed protection
program. The VISTA member will be involved in the creation of a watershed
association development project for the Big South Fork region of northeastern
Tennessee.
The VISTA Volunteer will have the following major responsibilities:
-Develop/conduct educ. programs & community outreach on watershed
protection issues
-Identify, recruit, and train local community partners and volunteers
-Develop and implement a fundraising plan that will support a 3-year watershed
project
-Develop a volunteer water quality monitoring network
-Develop a community network to create a watershed protection plan in
years 2 & 3 of the project
The ideal Americorps*VISTA volunteer will have the following qualities
or skills:
-A college degree or equivalent experience
-A self-starter with the ability to work as a team and independently
-Excellent communication skills, written, oral and nonverbal
-Good diplomatic and interpersonal skills
-Ability to take on responsibility and complete assignments
-Ability to relate to diverse groups of people
-Willing to work with people of all ages
-Strong interest in environmental protection through community activism/empowerment
-Dependable, organized, and detail-oriented
The VISTA will be based in Nashville for the first year, with travel to
the Big South Fork area required periodically. The VISTA will need to
have a valid driver, Äôs license and a car available for personal and
business use. Adults of all ages, from recent college graduates to retirees
are encouraged to apply. Experience with community organizing and grant
writing a plus but not required.
VISTAs serve full-time for one year, with the potential to renew up to
3 years. They receive a living allowance for food, housing and incidentals.
Benefits offered include medical insurance and the choice of an
education allowance or an end-of-service stipend after one full year of
service. You may learn more about the general Americorps*VISTA program
at www.Americorps.org
The TEC is a statewide nonprofit organization that educates and advocates
for the protection of the environment and public health in Tennessee.
To apply send cover letter and resume to Gwen Griffith, TEC, One Vantage
Way,
Suite D-105, Nashville, TN 37228, phone 615-248-6500, fax 615-248-6545,
[email protected]. Application
deadline June22, 2001
6. Employment Opportunity with the TN State Natural Areas Program:
The Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Department of Environment
and Conservation, has a State Natural Areas Stewardship Ecologist position
available. The position is classified as an Environmental Specialist
3. The State of Tennessee employment application is available by
contacting the Tennessee Department of Personnel (DOP) at 615/741-4841,
or is available http://www.state.tn.us/personnel/appform.pdf.
The position will be supervised by the State Natural Areas Program Manager
in Nashville, and will function as the West Tennessee Regional Stewardship
Ecologist working out of the department's Jackson Environmental Assistance
Center. The incumbent will be responsible for the administration
and
management of West Tennessee's state natural areas. For additional
information about the Tennessee State Natural Areas Program, you may visit
our Website at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/nh.
The applicant should possess an understanding of conservation biology
with an ability to initiate and complete site design planning and stewardship
actions for state natural areas. Such activities may involve strenuous
work in remote locations, and may require the use of manual and power
tools. The
candidate should have excellent verbal and written communication skills
to liaison with other state, federal and local government agencies and
non-profit organizations. The position requires the ability to provide
education and outreach programs to the general public, conservation organizations,
and other agencies. The candidate should have excellent technical
and professional skills to interact and direct cooperative management
activities with professional land managers and private landowners.
An understanding of the natural heritage network and methodology is helpful.
Good botanical and zoological skills, an understanding of the concept
of natural community classification, and an understanding of wetland systems
and functions are desirable.
Interested applicants should submit an original employment application,
with a copy of their college transcript, to the DOP at the address indicated
on the application, and send a copy of the application and transcript
to the address below. On the application form, please specify the
job titles of Environment Specialist 3 and Environment Specialist 1.
The Environment Specialist 1 classification may be used if a successful
candidate is not produced from the Environmental Specialist 3 register.
The Environmental
Specialist 1 requires a written test as part of the application requirements.
Salary range for Environmental Specialist 3 is $2,162 to $3,462
monthly. It is anticipated that this position will be filled in
August, 2001.
Feel free to contact us at (615) 532-0431, if you have any questions about
the position.
The State of Tennessee is an equal opportunity, equal access, affirmative
action employer.
Original Application to:
Tennessee Department of Personnel
Application Services Division
First Floor, James K. Polk Building
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0635
Copy of Application to:
Division of Natural Heritage
Attention: Reggie Reeves, Director
401 Church Street, 14th Floor, L&C Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0447
7. Jeweler and HRWA Exploring Franklin's Natural Jewel - The Harpeth
The first-ever physical assessment of the health of the full length of
the mainstem of the Harpeth River is being conducted by the Harpeth River
Watershed Association (HRWA) with a jeweler from Franklin's Main Street
as project leader. Mike Walton, father of two and partner in Walton's
Estate Jewelry, will travel the entire 118 mile length of the Harpeth
to conduct this assessment. The HRWA will stay in touch with the
explorer via GPS and cell phone as he makes his way downstream.
Walton, a new board member
of the HRWA, will begin the trip on foot, wading the shallow waters of
the Harpeth headwaters, then switch to kayak, canoe, and finally an aluminum
boat with an outboard engine as the river gets deeper and more navigable.
He will be coordinating a number of volunteers in the project.
"Mike will document the current habitat quality and health of the
river and identify priorities for maintaining current habitat integrity
and for restoration work," said Dorene Bolze, HRWA president.
"We hope the data this project collects on erosion and sedimentation
will help us advise land owners on how they can help keep the river healthy
or restore areas that have been affected by erosion and siltation."
Formed in November 1998, The Harpeth River Watershed Association is dedicated
to protecting and restoring the Harpeth River watershed by forging partnerships
with homeowners, landowners, families, farmers, businesses, researchers,
and government agencies to re-build and maintain the biological diversity
of the watershed. The HRWA provides information, data,
training, and other activities to promote the health of the watershed.
For further information about the Harpeth River Watershed Association
and how you can get involved, call 591-9095 or write HRWA, P.O. Box 1127,
Franklin, TN 37069. Email: [email protected].
8. Act for the Clean Water Act, American Rivers Action Alert:
Source: River Network's RiverInfo
Tell Congress and your Governor that you want the Clean Water Act preserved
and state authority to protect your streams maintained.
In a recent report, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recommended
that Congress slash states' powers to implement the Clean Water Act and
to protect streams from harmful hydropower operations. The proposed law
change would erode the basic structure of the Act and narrow its
vision of citizens working in their own states to protect and restore
the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of all U.S. waters.
FERC wants to replace that vision with its own subjective balancing of
the public's interests in streams a balancing act that has favored profits
for private companies over free and full use of streams by the general
public, and which has led to environmental devastation of water bodies
across the country over the past 80 years.
Please act today. Tell your federal lawmakers to leave the Clean
Water Act's broad protections intact, and insist that your Governor defend
your state's right to protect your streams.
To take action, visit www.americanrivers.org/takeaction/
9. EPA Improves Access To Local Water Quality Information:
Last week, EPA released the Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental
Results (WATERS) integration web site. WATERS unites geographically
specific water quality data from state web sites and various EPA sites,
including EPA's new National Water Quality Standards Database and its
Total
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Database, with the US Geological Survey's National
Hydrographic Dataset. WATERS users can click on an interactive map
to see which waters are classified by states as impaired (those waters
not attaining water quality standards), and to learn the purpose or use
of each waterbody
(such as whether or not it is designated for protection as a drinking
water supply, for recreational use, or for fishing). Although not yet
complete, WATERS will eventually cover all 50 states, and contain links
to data on ambient water quality, drinking water quality, polluted
runoff, fish consumption advisories, facility discharge outfalls, and
other information.
For more on WATERS, visit www.epa.gov/waters
on the Internet.
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Tennessee Clean Water Network E-News
This newsletter is intended to provide a quick look at current clean water
issues in Tennessee, in addition to resources available to the concerned
citizen.
Visit our website (www.tcwn.org) to
find more detailed information.
Comments and submissions for the newsletter are welcome. Send to
[email protected]
or to [email protected].
Thanks for your participation!
