The Top Seven Stories of 2007 in Environment and Conservation
Nashville, Tenn. – Many good things happened for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation over the past year. A quick look back provides just a glimpse at some of the top stories for 2007:
State acquires 127,000 acres on Cumberland Plateau
In November, Governor Bredesen announced the completion of a historic 127,000-acre conservation acquisition on the northern Cumberland Plateau in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan and Scott counties. The project, called “Connecting the Cumberlands,” joins the newly acquired property with other publicly owned lands. Tennessee partnered with The Nature Conservancy and two conservation-minded timber companies, Conservation Forestry and Lyme Timber, to safeguard this 200-square-mile swath of forestland for preservation and public enjoyment. The state contributed $82 million to the $135 million total investment through a one-time appropriation recommended by Governor Bredesen and supported by the General Assembly.
Tennessee State Parks named best in the nation
The Tennessee State Parks System was selected as the best state parks system in the nation, with a Gold Medal Award from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. Commissioner Jim Fyke accepted the award at NRPA’s annual conference in September. Tennessee has 54 state parks and 77 natural areas, affording Tennesseans and visitors a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities. State parks and natural areas also play an important role in the protection of ecologically significant lands and the preservation of cultural and historic sites.
Storm water initiative wins EPA innovation grant
The Department of Environment and Conservation was selected in October to receive a State Innovation Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to fund the first phase of its Construction Storm Water Excellence Initiative. This national award will provide $200,000 for a four-year storm water project to help local municipalities establish an integrated approach to water resources management for the benefit of water quality. The initiative seeks to build partnerships with local communities and to help them develop comprehensive strategies to manage their water resources. It also will allow Environment and Conservation to create an awards program to recognize excellence in local storm sewer systems.
Alternative Fuels Innovation Grants awarded
In July, the department awarded $881,000 in Alternative Fuel Innovations Grants to 14 grant recipients, helping local governments and public universities increase alternative fuel use in their fleets and measure positive impacts to state air quality, particularly in areas not currently attaining federal air quality standards. Governor Bredesen dedicated $1 million of a $4 million alternative fuels allocation approved by the General Assembly in 2006 to fund the Alternative Fuels Innovation Grants.
State completes purchase of Bon Aqua Woods tract
In May, Tennessee completed the acquisition of a 35-acre forested tract in Hickman County – the first project commitment made by the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund proposed by Governor Phil Bredesen and established by the General Assembly in 2005. The property, which includes oak and hickory forest with trees of exceptional size for the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee, was established as the Bon Aqua Woods State Natural Area. The site is also notable for its historical significance, having once been part of the Bon Aqua Springs Resort.
Heritage Conservation Trust Fund helps protect 22,491 acres with 14 grants
The Heritage Conservation Trust Fund awarded 14 grants totaling $17.3 million in two separate grant cycles in 2007. The funding will be leveraged with other public and private dollars to protect approximately 22,491 acres. The Heritage Conservation Trust Fund has received a $10 million appropriation each year since its inception, for a total of $30 million.
State employee recycling program wins top EPA WasteWise award
For the fifth consecutive year, the Department of Environment and Conservation and the State Employee Recycling Program received the State Government Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tennessee’s State Employee Recycling Program was one of just nine programs and organizations nationwide to be recognized by the EPA’s WasteWise program. The State Employee Recycling Program includes 22,955 participants at 136 buildings. The program continues to expand its waste prevention and recycling efforts through innovative practices like the Green Cubicle Program – which sets aside space for the collection of non-tradition items, such as clothing, coat hangers, eyeglasses and greeting cards, for reuse, donation and recycling.