TDEC Invites Residents to Attend Nolichucky River Watershed Meeting

Public Meeting Will Be Held Nov. 12 in Telford

Nashville – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation invites residents to attend the upcoming Nolichucky River Watershed stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Telford, which is located in Washington County.

The meeting will be held at Grandview Elementary School, located at 2891 Highway 11 East in Telford, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to see displays and presentations from local governments, nongovernment organizations, and state and federal agencies with ample opportunity to interact with presenters.

Held in an open house format, the public meeting will showcase practices by agencies and nongovernment organizations that have resulted in protection of the watershed, restoration of impaired waters and achievement of water quality goals. Displays, quick-fire highlight presentations and hands-on exhibits will be featured as participants are encouraged to network with individuals, organizations, and federal and state agencies actively involved in the watershed.

The Tennessee portion of the Nolichucky River Watershed has 1,916 stream miles and includes all or parts of Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Unicoi and Washington counties. Government agencies are working on projects within the watershed, and private citizens and nongovernmental organizations are working to improve the water quality where they live and work. The Nov. 12 meeting will highlight these activities.

“It is important that Tennesseans understand and recognize that  the chemicals we use on our lawns, the fluids that we use in our cars and the improper disposal of our trash all have a significant impacts on the waters we rely on and enjoy,” Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Regional Water Resources Manager Chris Rhodes said.  “We invite residents to attend this meeting and work with us to protect our watersheds and the vital resources that are contained within.” 

A watershed is a land area that ultimately drains into a particular watercourse or body of water. Everyone lives in a watershed. A healthy watershed is very important as it can help sustain the designated uses for that body of water which vary from recreation to drinking water to supporting a healthy fishery. Watersheds do not adhere to manmade boundaries, so residents from various counties share the important responsibility of protecting and improving their water resources in the watershed.

For additional information regarding the watershed meeting, contact Jeff Horton at 423-854-5447 or Jeff.Horton@tn.gov.

###