Programs

-39,772 ft of fence

-16 heavy use areas

-15 water tanks

-8 water systems

-150' of streambanks stabilization

-2 filter strips

The Clinch River

Being the only undamed and ecologically intact headwaters of the Tennessee River system has resulted in the Clinch River being the most ecologically rich river in the nation. The Clinch River has 48 imperiled and vulnerable fish and mussel species, including 21 that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. The Clinch and Powell Rivers in Hancock County alone boasts a collection of freshwater mussel species unmatched anywhere in the world. In addition to the aquatic biodiversity, the limestone soil and vast expanses of underground caves and waterways add other rare species to the list such as flowers, bats, and salamanders. The Clinch River Community Project is striving to educate the public of their great environmental resources and assist them in their protection.

The Clinch River is the most ecologically diverse river in the nation.

Best Management Practices

Through our Voluntary program, we install Best Management Practices "BMP's", which are agricultural practices designed to increase farm productivity while minimizing impacts on the environment. They provide cost effective management of soil erosion issues including streambank and topsoil losses. BMP's may include graveled farm roads, graveled feed areas, streambank stabilization, graveled stream crossings and grassed waterways. We also construct streambank fencing to protect the streamside vegetation along with providing safe, reliable watering system for livestock including ponds, spring developments, pumping systems and/or water tanks.

Once assistance is requested by a landowner, it is the responsibility of the Clinch River Community Project staff to meet with the landowner and discuss the problems and possible solutions. We then assist the landowner in design and placement of the BMP's, as well as obtaining any permits need for the work. The staff is then present during most phases of the construction, assisting in any last minute decision, which need to be made. We feel that being involved with every aspect of the project makes the process simpler and easier on the landowner. Upon completion these BMP's are used as demonstrations for other landowners in the area, allowing local landowners to learning from each other about the ups and downs of these Best Management Practices.

The Clinch River Community Project is tackling some of the more complex pollution issues in the Clinch and Powell rivers watershed, by breaking it into its most resourceful entity, the individual communities. The Clinch River Community Project recognizes that each community is special and focuses on the concerns of the people who live there. Open meetings provide an outlet for sharing troubles and for discovering solutions. We have also talked with local organizations and established community group in our efforts to collect input from the citizens on what they feel are concerns with protecting the rivers, the environment and future of the Clinch and Powell rivers valley. We try to provide solutions to landowner concerns through direct involvement or referral to qualified agencies. Our large partner base allows us to give landowners direction to investigate their concerns and find possible solutions.

Marie Webb projects before. The streambank was over 6’ away from the eroded portion of the building.

 

Marie Webb project after. Through the guidance of NRCS and TDEC we placed these concrete bumpers to protect the erodable soil from future damage caused by high water and flooding events.

 

Picture of the Roger Johnson fence excluding livestock from Duck Creek, shortly after completion.