TENNESSEE CITIZENS for WILDERNESS PLANNING Newsletter No. 221 AprillS, 1998 111111111111111111111111111111111 II 1111 II I II I II IIII II I II I II I II I
ITeam or two hired to fill TCWP Membershlp/Deuelopment-Director position-- qJaRI
1. F.all Creek Falls needs our help now (to stop strip-mining inWillershed) . p. 3
2. Frozen Head: opportunities to acquire view- and w.atershed ...... , .. p. 3
3. Obed and Big South Fork news ...... p. 4 A. Obed water-resource study and Water Quality designation B. Cumberland Cy . .appreciates Obed D. BigS. Forks trails plan F. Nemo Bridge C. Keep jet skis off rivers! E. TCWP adopts trail G. Blizzard damage
4. The St.ate Legislature .. p. 6 A. Stale puk.s bills C. Thrut to Conasauga averted E. U.N.-hysteria bill 8. State parks meetings D. Resolution of threat to water-quality regulations
5. Other State news .. •··•·····························...... P· 'J A. Scott's Gulf D. Rivers Assessment G. Forestry Panel continues B. Natur;tl Areas added E. Chip-mill study needed H. 1st Clean Water conference C. lomds acquired F. Nature Conservancy's Forest Initiative
6. Tennessee Valley Authority . .... p.IO A. Non-power program faces dire fate C. Fate of I..nd Between the Lakes (LBL) B. Propos al for saving the progum D. Pror.ise for TVA's tailwater management
7. Smokies ...... p. 12 A. Much for Parks C. Congr. caucus E. Trail restoror.tion G. External B. Network meeting: D. Bio-inventory F. A.T.cuetakers developments
8. Cherokee NF: TCWP to help monitoring USFS activities; NFs want Park overflow .... p.13
9. Nor.tional news: Congressional Scorecard; LWCF; Arctic protection; South Florida ...... p. 13
10. TCWP news: A. New staff hired! B. New Board members ...... p. IS C. Annual Weekend D. Dues E. We'll maintain trail F. PoliticalGuide
II. Job openings, activities, and reading matter
12. ACTION SUMMARY P· 2
Editor: Li�ne 8. Rll-11, 130 T�bor R�d, O�k Ridge, TN 37830. Phone, tll-482-2153 Shoded box or &tar mnns "A,tion Nn-ded." Don't be overwhelmed- che.:k the A en ON SUMMARY! ------�. -
NL221,4/15.98 2 12. ACTION SUMMARY
!No "Musage!"
OrderDraftEISn<.>w;atter>dhearing;comment
28,3 B�u.arddamage FrozenHea.d;BigS.F ork Assist with,lean-up effort onuails
ObedandBigS.Fork:jetslis? "Banjet ski Obedtrailsegmem Hdp us maintain trail segment 48 Suue Parks meetings,thru5112 Auend a meeting and/or send comments Gov.Sundquist "Thanks forState's interesrinpreseJ"''ingScott'sGulf!" 6B TVA's non-power program US Sens and Rep "Use hydn:>pOWerrevenues tofinance nOil-power program!" TVA's tail water management USSens and Rep "Urge COTPS to follow TVA's excellent example'" Planto pmicipate inMarchforParks TCWP Help TCWP monitor US FS activities on two tracts CongressionalScorecard USSenators&Rep "l appreciatelrl:gnt your environmental voxing record!" "Thanks, and stand fmn on protecting NPR-A and ANWR!' '"Thanksfor puuingHom�teadjet-pononhold'"" 10 Various TCWP mauers TCWP Re�rveNov.7-8;p<�y due�;check PoliticalGuide Pres. BtliChnton GovernorDon SundquiSt Unit«!St.ate�Senate U.S.Hou� of Repre�ntative• TheWhiteHO\ISC State Capitol Washington.DC20510 Washin810n,DC20515 Washington.DC20500 Nashville,TN 37243-9872 202-4S6-IIII 61S·74t-200t:FaxS32·97ll �[email protected];e.gov DearSenator Doe Dt:arCoogressmanDoe DearMr. President DcarGov.Sundquist SincerelyyourJ. SincerelyyourJ. Respectfully yours. Respectfully yours. Sen. BillFri�t Scn.FrtdThompson Rep.Zach Wamp Ph: 202-224-3344: FAX: 202-228-1264 Ph: 202-224-4944:FAX: 202-228-3679 Phone: 202-225-3271 e·mail: ..:[email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Local:423-602·7977 Loca1:423-S45-4253 Locol:423·483·3366 To call any Rep orSenator. dial Congressional switchboard. 202-224-3121. To find out about the status of bills, call201·215-1772. WHAT IS TCWP? TCWP CTmnee&«Citizens for Wildemi!SII Planning) il deditlllted to achieving and pupchu.tingprotection of natural lands and waten by means of pub!i( ownl'J11hip, legislation, or cooper&tion of the private sector. While our first focus is on the Cumberland and Appab.d\Unftgions of Eut Tenneuee, ow:effort. may 0tMd to the rat of the sllttc And the nation. TCWl'"- strength lies in researching information pertinent toan iseue, informing and cduuting our membership and the public, interacting with grou� having similar objectiv.. , and working through the legislative, ad.minilmtivc,and judicial bruch� of government on� federal. atate, and local levcla. TCWP, 130Tabor Rd., Oak Ridge,TN 37830. ExecDirector, Linda H. Krusen, 423-48l.Q286;48.2-2246 (evening). !Wsident,Jenny Free�W-481·5980 (evening). e-mail: TCWP@kormet.�N On the web: ht ://www.kormet.o '"" I NL221, 4/lS/98 3 1. FALL CR EEK FALLS issued (OSM, S30 Gay Street., SW Suite 500, NEEDS OUR HELP NOW Ktloxville,1N37902,.423-545-4039). (2) Plantoattend.publichearingsand speak your In July 199S, Save Our Cumberland piece and/or writtensubmit comments. {We hope Mountains (SOCM), joined by TCWP, filed a to &erni you a flyerwhen we ha� particulars.) petition with the federal Office of Surface (3) U you have scientific or technical expertise Mining (OSM) to have the watershed of Fall that might help in evaluating the DEIS (e.g., Creek Falls State Park declared off·limits for geology, geo-hydrology,aquatic biology, economic a y , let us knowasap. coal mining (NUll12C). OSM has beenslow to an l sis) please complete work in response to this "LUMP" (4) As soon as the DEIS is issued, let decision (Lands Unsuitable for Mining Petition)(NL212 makersyour know opinion. Ofprimary ir.n� 12B; NL218 1SA),but publication of the Draft are Sec. Babbitt, 05M Director KathyKarpen. and Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is now Gov. Sundquisls with copies to your federal and i.mminent andwemustgearup for action. state legislators(For adc:L:esses,seePolitica!Guide that was enclosed with NL220) How does mining in the watershed threaten Fall Creek Falls, one of the most marvelous and most beloved of Tennessee's state parks? Briefly summarized,it'sbecause of the geology of the watershed that makes it 2. FR OZEN HEAD : OPPORT UNI TI ES TO virtually certain that both surface and groW1d AC QUIR E VIE W- AND WAT ER SH ED water in the park would be significantly polluted by acid and toxic drainage (AMD) from A. Acf1UI6Itlon option• themining operation,withno lasting remedy in In November, the Flat Fori< watershed existence adjacent to Frozen Head State Park and Natura! Area {FHSPNA), was sold by its long·tenn owner, The Sewanee and Richland Coal Seams the Emory River Land Co.(Hugh and Edgar Faust) proposed to be mined by Skyline Coal Co. are to Hartwood Forest Land. Hartwood is a associated with layers of Whitwell shale that subsidiary of the Forestland Group, which generates acid and toxic metallic compounds "acquires and manages timberland investment when it comes in contact with oxygen inair and funds for institutions and individuals," the water. Such pollution killsQI/StQg,sof aquatic primary product of the firm"s strategies being life, disrupting the entire food chain based on it, ""valuable sawtimber." and harming riparian and ground-water· dependent vegetation. Proposed remedies The change in ownership may provide (addition of massive amounts of lime, rypportunities fcg the state to acquire {and thus underlayment by a day "pavement") will not protect) major parts of FHSPNA's view- and providelasting prevention,as indicated notonly watershed. (As you drive into the park from by theoreticalconsiderations but by practical Hiway 62, you may think that what you see in experience with drainages where these front olyouis a!\park;actually,all the slopes on measures havebeen in operation. We mustalso the left side of the U-shaped valley are in private consider that not only the watershed but the ownership). The prior owner, Emory River Land viewshed of Fall Creek Falls State Park would Co., was hostile to the consideration of any be damagedby the mining. acquisition option proposedby the state,but the Forestland Group appears to be much more OSM mustbe urged to approve the LUMP, approachable i.e., to declare the watershed of Fall Creek Falls State Part unsuitable for surface coal On March 7, a group of interested citizens mining. Itis probable that the comment period (Annetta Watson, representing SOCM; /oni lor theDraft EIS will e�tend May through july. Lovegrove',representing TCWP; and Don Todd, Sr.) met with the FHSPNA manager, and with WHAT YOU CAN DO: (1) Right away, ask OSM Mike Dahl, Tenn. state parks planner (TDEC) to to mail you aropyof theDraft EIS assoon asitis become acquainted with boundary and resource maps, the FHSPNA master plan,and other sources NLZ2l, 4/15/98 4 of technical information that will be u�ful in higher than Tier II (NU2013E). ContKted bythe considrring IUid-acquisition options. Within tM Environmer�tal Action Fundlobbyis t,Si!nator Oavi5 v�trynur futurl!,anoth�tr on·sitl!mftti.ngwil\be subs h.. v�: notbf:eninvitf:dto provid�: any) •s well as D. ao �II•A Tr •II•PYn from the utility districts? for Big So uth Fork NllaA The Ro.. ds &: Trails Man1gement Plan (RTMP), started in 1992. was never finalized. It is B. "Appre cl�tln g tlla Ob ell" now being rewritten but will take its direction from In cumberl imll Co 1111ty the Gmen1 Man•gement Plan {GMP) that is under A group of Cumbf:rl.,nd County nsid�:nts, development {Nl217 11A; Nl220 140). The coordinated by TCWPmmtbf:rs LoWK GoruUlo and public interest in BSFNRRA trails w•s apparent Louis�: Ch�:n�:y, m�:t on April 3 "'t Crossvi!l�: to from the GMP scoping hearings Jut f�ll: 70"4 of disruss howbest to acquai.ntMucitiuns aboutth�: thf:commentsconcemf:dtrails. Obf:d WSR's sunic, «ological, and g�:ological r�:sourcn and th�: re then extend17miles throughtheO�dWSR and 14B), and three bills in this year's. AU of them Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. were sponsored by Sen. Gilbtrt and Rep. Odom (a) SB2711 directs the TDEC (T<.'flTI. Dept. of Envt. TCWP has taken on responsibility for trail and Conserv1tion) to develop a state parks master maintenance on the Nemo Bridge segment. For plan,to include funding requirements, facilitiH, * more.•.m these activities, which are �ing preservation, management training, educational eoordU\ated by Boud member jimmy Groton. set' programming. and development of park resources. IOE,thisNL. lhe bill prohibits addition of new capita.! pro;ec:ts until the legislature approves tht master plan. As Phase I of a coordinated trail plan for the This bill (we don't know whether there were any entire park that is �ing developed by NPS, substantiveamendments)has passed bothHouses Gregory L Bililey, UniveT$ity of Tennessee, has and has by now probably been signed by the completed an l�w11tory 11nd Assrssmtnt of eristi11g governor. Tr�rils in tht Obtd WSR. (b) SB.29S9 ,as originally introdu�,established a dedicated parks fund (derived from aS! vehicle F. Nemo Bridge being replilced entrance fee plus voluntary on-site donations)tobt The TN Dept of Transport<1tion has applied used only for park-related expenditures. This bill lor an ARAP (Aquatic Resourct AlterationsPermit) has now been amended to elimimotelheentrance to con$1ruct a new bridge and approaches just fee,and toNve the voluntary donations(collected downstream from the present Nemo Bridge. The in drop-in bo�u in the parks) dedicated for park Obe-dWSR currently extends tothe existingNemo expenditures only QS lcmg QS there is no general Bridge,wthe ntwstructure(a480'long steelgirder budget shortfalls for the state (will lhlll ever bridge having two9' les and 2' shoulder$) will� happen?). Gov. Sundquist's budget proposal to the ouUide the park boundaries. Because of the Legislature,requested to addSt2million over the presence of the spotfin chub, a federally listed next 3 years to the park system"s maintenance threatened species, no instream activities will budget. Thereare5lparks inthe system. ocrur during the spawning season (5/1-7/31 ), and (c) A bill to Htablish a Land Purchase Program measures will be taken to minimi>:e or elimiru1te (ba�d in TOEC's Natural Heritage Division) to erosionand sedimentation atthe site. allow for prioritization and acquisition of desirable state lands. This bill unfortunately G. Big So uth Fo rlf h•rd hi t ntver made itoutof subconunittee. by bllu•rd The blizzard of February 4 wu puticularly B. St•te P•rlu meetln fl• severe on the eastern Cumberland Plateau in need our p•rtlclp•tlon northern Tenntssee and southern Kentucky. Even u the state park$ planning bill ([a}, in �ausethe ground wualready saturated at the 14A, .obow) was making its way through the time,about2feetof wetheavysnow broughtdown legislature, TOEC was in process of formulating a thousands of trees inthe Big South Fork NRRA. System Plan. Aseriesof9 public meetingshasbeen About 25% of the damaged trails have now been Kheduled all across Tennessee to solicit input on u h t ll k proposed state park goals. * ::���=� t� .:...�� :.�; ��:n.:� ef::t ::agll�; Maintenance OffiCe at42 3- 569-9765). This NL will It is very important that we make our voices reach you toolate tojointhe cleanup scheduledfor heard, especially so sinc11 TOEC is now finally April IS by the Friend� of the Big South Fork. responding to our urgings to listen to citizens concerningstate parks issues. Also,�assured, that other interests (convention broke.,, golfers, ATV 4. THE IT ATE LEGIILAT URE recreationists) will be speaking loudly. The following are points forusto stress A.. St•te pilrlubills: oProtect and preserve the natural,cultural,and parkland resources. one of tllre � surttlves o Funding must be ��Hured for planned land The 1996 and 1997 State Parks Forum (of acquisition,staffing.and maintenance. which Jenny Freeman was one of the major o The program should enhance the visitors' organizers) spawned one state parks bill in last apprecialionofnal!lrlllrl'SOurces. year's SHsion of the Gener1l Assembly (NL214 Nt221, 4/15/98 7 o The State Parks should have a natural-rtsource disman!led the ARAP (Aquatic Resource expert In a high level position. Alteration Permit) Program, by allowing o Golf counes and convention centers are not unregulated channelization, gravel dredging, coruistent withthepurpo5e50four pa.rks. logging roads. large clearcuts, and strum relocations(NL220 12). TC WP drew attention to WHAT YOU CAN DO: The meeti.nga will take the dangerous nature of these bills and worked place du.ri.ng the period of April 14 - May 12, hard to mobilize opposition to them. By early inclusive. Although the first two will, March, an agreement was worked out between the Wlfort\lnately, be over by the lillieNewlletter thiJ TNDept of Environment andConservation (TOE C) noadloesyou_you can fuul out theschedu.le for the and the sponsors ofthe bills whereby apermit is other seven by ea1lins 883-lNPARXS. II you're still required for dredglng and "cleaning up" umble to attend my of the meetings, aend written streams, but the procHs is simplified. The bills CODUiletllsto:WalterButler,A sstC�for have been. withdrawn. State Park$, TDEC, lACTower, 401 Olun:h St., Nashville, TN 37243-0435. E- U.N.-hy•terl• IIIII fle te•te fl As we have reported In the past (NUI8 16F; Nl219 16F), a bill to terminate most U.N. C. Tltre•t to COftJI$JIU9JI Bi05phere Reserve designations is wendlng its way throughtheU.S.Congress,but.if fina!ly pused. i$ Jtverte fl tor now likely to experience a sustainable presidential When the Division of Water Pollution veto. The Tennessee General Assembly, too, tried Control(OWPC) proposed to confer the highest to get Into the Act via a resolution(sponsored by classification (Outstanding National Resource the Eagle Forum and introduced by Rep. Tommy Waters, or Tier III) on a handful of Tennessee Burks) to take Tennessee out from under the U.N. rivers, opposition surfaced to a couple of them Bi05phere dHignation. The most famous area that the Obed and the Conasauga (NL22013). (for an would have been affe-cted is the Gt. Smoky Mtns upd.re on the Obed story, see 13A, above.) In the National Pnk. Fortunately, the resolution was case of the Conasauga, the opposition -In which quickly defeated In the state Senate. the powerful Fann Bureau w"'s heavily implicated -tockthe fonnof argumentsagainst pen:ei\·edloss of private-property rights. The DWPC tried to defuse these arguments by shrinking the ONRW 5. OT HER STATE NEWS boundary to those river segments that are within theCherokeeNationalforest,i. e.,onpublic land. A. Scott'.- Gul l pro gre n Despite this concession, the Water Quality Control The Friends of Scotl"s Gulf. FOSG(P res .• Board voted 5:4 to defer its decision unt!l DWPC Ross Cardwell; V.P. John Harwood; Sec.. comes up with a study of social and economk TCWP"s Chuck Estes) is now an official impacts. In the meantime. however, a bll! wu organization of425membtts111d105associate Introduced by lou] legislators that would forever organizations. FOSG and the Trust for Scotl"s prevent the Conasauga from being designated Gulf have received over SS2,000 for land anything higher than Tier 11. This bill (HB.2795) acquisition, including Sl_!iOOfrom 4-H dubs and passed a House subcommittee and TCWP hurrledly other school kids. and numerous small mobilized ulls to key legislatou who were also contributionsfrom area residentsUld people all members of the full committee. The bill, died. over. RE I (the outdoor equipment company) Representativu Odom and Kernell strongly provided a $4,000 grant for promotional C05ts * opposedHB.279SU�d deserve our gratitude. (thank them the next time you buy an REI product). D. Re•olutlon or legl•l• rtve tltre Jtt Last year. Bridgestone/Firestone, took its to WJtter-,uilllt)' regul•tlons Scott"s Gulf property off the market(prior to During the early days ofthis year'ssession of that it was almost bought by a lumbtr company the General Assembly. a spate of bills threatened with schemes for various developments), to bring virtual deregulation to the state's rivers opening the way lor protecting the area under and streams. The bills broadened the already public owners-hip. A bill that passed the state broad uemption of agricultural and forestry legislature last year authorizf!; the Tennessee activities from permit requirements, and NL221, 4/15/98 8 Wildlife Ruourcu Agency (TWRA) to m�ke acrnges contain 17 listed plant species, expenditures from the 19 g6 Wetl�nds including two federally listedona Acqui$ition Fund for the purpose of "assistingin A major portion of the prutine N. Chickamauga IN acquisition of" theSrott'sGulf canyon and Cf'ffk Gorge in Hamilton County, altogether uplands (NL216 12C). TWRA is intel'flted in 3,500 aCJ'fl. This acqui5ition is being made in supporting multiple species of non·gllme coo�ration with the N. Chickamauga Creek wildlife (including neo-tropin1l song birds) liS Conservancy and 1M ConservationFW\d. well u g�me. There hill been considerable {Partial approval obtained.) interest by high leveb of the st.te Bottomland hardwood forest to fonn 1500-ac..e administration, including 1 visit by TDEC addition to the 1,JOO..acreSunk Lake State Commissioner Milton Hamilton. Natural Area in the Mininippi River Floodplain. Thi$ is part of a greater, multiple· WHAT YOU CAN DO: Write to Gov.Sundquist partnerproj�t funded by a grant fromtheNorth (addn>ss on p.2), thanking him for the State's Americas WetlandsConservation A�t. interest in pr1!50!rvingScotl'sGulf, and urging him (Negotiations under way for donation by to tab st.! s to bring thisabout. industrial owner.) A Cumberland Plateau gorge with waterfall and unusua.Lgeologic fonnations B. .ft.otte N.ottur.otf Are.ot• D. llfver•A• •e••ment .ottftfe tf In 1997 David Duhl, Program Manager for the lnl997, theGeneral Auembly designated Tennessee Rivers and Wetlands Assessment four newState Natur�l Areu, as follows· Program, with the assistan�e of TS RA, complNed Ghost River, FayetteCounty,2,500acres the dnft Tenness� Rivers AsseJsment Program Oevil's Backbone, Lewi$County, 950 acres Executive Summary, whi�h i5 about to be Walker Branch, H�rdinCounty, 225 ACI'es published. This well-illustrated lOG-page book William D11venport Cranberry Bog, Polk covers the results of the Assessment for each County,120acres. watershed in each major drainage inthe state of This brings the total number ofDesi gnued State Tennessee. Additional sections include a NaturaL Areas to 51. description of why rivers and watersheds are important and what Tennesseans can do to prot�! One uea, Carmac Fall$, Deka.lb County, their riversand streams. Usts of usefulconucts was recognized as a Regi5teredState Natural will alsobe providiN:I. Aru (i.e., not state-owned), bringing the total forsuchareasto55 E. Chlp-miU lmp •ct• The Natural Are&$ Advisory Cummill� on Tenne •:see neetf to .It� studle tl last fallr�ommendedthree additional sites for Chipping ForNI$ and /obi {NL220 191 reports DesignatedState Natural Areas. They are· that, as the timber Industry has mO\'ed from the Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade, Rutherford Northwest to the Southeast, the number of chip County,l8S acres owned by Corps of &lgineers milboperatingintheregion has increasedfrom32 MontgomeryBeiLForest,DicksonCounty,-600 tol40since1985 . In 1996,1.2 million acreswere acres,owned by theState Jogged to f�d !hue mills. The Southeast has Watauga RiverBluffs, JohnsonCounty, a SO-acre becomethe largut trpor/tr of hardwood chips in NatureConsei'\OancyPreserve. the nation,and removals of hardwoodsis expected to exceed growth within lOyears. In the case of C. L.otnd �cquldtlon• softwoods, remo\'als have already exceeded The Division of Nahual Huitage is growth. Chipmills contribute little to the Local hoping to acquire the following properties (full economy, each one typically employing only 5·6 approval has been received fur the first two people. The best potential for job growth within items): the forest producu industry lies with saw mills Cedar gladesand barrensin RutherfordCounty, and other solid wood manufa�turers, which namely, the 500-acre Flatrock Glade plus typically use selective Logging (instead of clear another 40 acres elsewhere. Together, these cutting)andrequirelarger trees(i.e.,longer growth Nl 221, 4/15/98 ' 'ydes; for 'hip miUs, the growth cycle can be n were moving through th� General Assembly in 1997 d>ortasl5 yurs). -- sptcifically, the Sierra Club bill to limit c!earcutting on State lands and the SOCM bill to Last year, numerous regional and local address timbering practices on private lands organizations called for a comprehensive, r�gion (Nl 217 t2A). The Panel was created by a wide study of cumulatitx impacts of the existing legislative resolution that delays consideralionof 140 chip mills. This led to an offer by EPA"s Region the bills until after the Panel's report has been IV(Southeut) to partner with individual states in present� to the Forestry ComrnWion, the Division conducting stat�wide impact studies. ftoll"!the of forestry, and the chairs of appropriate first such �ffort, which is now in progres-sin North legislative committees. The final report deadline, Carolina, EPA will construct th� framework for whlch was originaUy 3/1/98,has beene�tended to other state-EPA cooperative impact studies. 1/15/99. TCWP's executive dire<:torlinda Krusen is one of 40 memb�n of the FMAP and has Might Tennessee be willing to conduct a faithfully attended �II three meetings held to statewideimpact study? lf so,what agency would date. conduct it? As you may re<:all,several yearsago, the TennesSH Division of Forestry (IDF) wu During the first two meetings th� Panel mov� from the Dept. of Conservationto the Dept. defined forestry benefits and sustainability goals, of Agriculture. The TennesSH Forest Defense and drafted indicatou of whether those goals Council provides the following infonnation about have been achieved. At the 3/30-3/31 meeting, IDF: panel mem�rs, for the first time, had an open • IDF isdtarC"Utting in all 13ofour state forests- discussion of matteu that involved differences in cur�ntly S H. Flr:llt Tenne••ee lands along the river$, l.Bl., water-�s.ourcl" studies Cle•n WJiter Conterence and planning. etc.) requires annual appropriations [Summorizrmilled by industrial power customers and power distributors o The TMDL (total muimum d•ily load) prO(tsS has (whowantto keep electricity rates low). been inadequately utilized. lMDl. is a concept • The TV A delegation in Congress (the HTVA established in Sec. 303(d) of the federal Clun Caucu$H)is split onwhat to do,and there is areal Water Act, which requires states to identify •nd danger that the non-power program might be develop programs to clean up their im paired 5pintered.l into components with different fates. waters, i.e., those that do not support their Tennessee·•· Kentucky's, and Alabama's senators * designated ���- We urge youto request acopy of recently proposedthat a $70 mil!ion appropriation the list of 1mpaired waters which TDEC wu to be made to the Corps of Engineers, which would publish on April 1 (see Political Guide for then hire TVA to operate «rlain aetivities (but address). The major cause of impairment is the Corpsis lookingforSSOOMfor itself). poUution from nonpoint sou�. which the current o Unless inttgrllltd management of the non·power TMDLprogram does not address. progrim continues, this is what is likely to happt>n. Dam s.fety, flood control and navigation • The Aquatic Resources Alterations Permit (ARAP) will get money, new titles, and a new manager(s). program,designed to protect wetlandsandstreilll\S, Water quality and $horeline zoning programs will needs proacth·e citizen involvement. Citiums be killed. And publk lands will be $Old off to the should get involved in early stagu ofa propo�d highest bidder and developed. development (e.g., by attendingzoning meetings) and $hould comment to the TOEC's Div. of Water B. A fH"Opos•l tor s•vtng Pollution Control (set'! Politkal Guide) on ARAP TVA'• non-p ower progr•m permit applications. The following well-thought·out and practinl proposal wn made by Stephen Smith of the o lhe sub$tance of a session on TVA's nonpower Tennessee Valley Energy Reform Co.alition program is covtred in16B,thisNl.. (TVERC) at the Tennessee Clean Water Conference on March 28 (15H, this NL). A similar proposal has been put forward by the Tennessee River Valley Association. 6. TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY o The waters of the Tennessee River and its watershed, i.e., revenues from hydropower A. Dire tJite t•cell,, generation, should be allowed to fund the non· TVA':11 non-power progr•m power program While TVA's power program is self· o In accomplishing this, TVA should operate iS an supporting, tN much �maller non-power program inltgrllltd system, but the interests of the fonner (flood control, navigation, water quality, public non-power program should be protected against NL221, 4/15/98 II prHsures of the much larger and costlier power domain); it opposes aU forms of commercial.Uation program. To Slrorl with, the hydropower program within LBL., and i5 concerned that the USFS would (no fuel eD'Wsions, orwaste)should befunctiorWly use LBL u a timber source. LBL is the largest l"!parated from the foull and nuclear power unbroken forest remaining betwun Appalachia and the Rockies. programs. • Congren should establish 1 Tenneslf!e River Watershed Council (TRWC) to make D. TVA flrllllsetl ror Tlii iiWlll ter rerommendationsto the TVA Boud il11d to Con� •••tr=�!:�:=ement on how to allocate revenuH from hydropower generation. TRWC would balance the nud for The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency providing \ow-cost hydropower with the eeonomic {TWRA) has pused resolutions that address two and public interest of other river-related very different apprOilchei to the restoration and activities, and would protect the public interest managementof tailw,ter aquatic resources by two from beingeclipsed bythe economkpressuresofthe federal �gencies - TVA and the U.S. Army Corps power program. of Enginl'<:!rS (CoE). Unless special meuures are taken, -tailwater,� the water below dams, is extremely low in oxygen, il11dthus toxicto aquatk WHAT YOV CAN DO: Contact your Congressman life. and Senaton (addresses on p.2) and suggest thl$ proposal u a feasible way of uving TVA's TWRA recogni�es and praises TVA's efforts, important non-power program. In voicing your their innovative technologies, and their concerns about the threatened demise of the non leadership on national and global levels to power prognm, you may wish. to mention the very improve water quality and aquatic habitat in real danger that tignificant public lands now tailwaters. ln light of the recent attacks on TVA's d be sold off to the highest :::� � budget and mission from Congress, the TWRA :! :::�:t resolution also urges TVA to commit itself to the continuation of excellence in tailwater restoratlon and mil11agement throughout the Tennessee Valley C. Tile r�te or L�nd Between and the world. tlte LJ�Ires(LBL) The tSO,OIJO.acre LBL is a major component of By contrast. CoE has for many yean ignored TVA's non-power program. It may also have m'nagement of the t'ilwaters below Center Hill become the in nocent victim of attacks on TV A, Dam on the Caney Fork Riur. There ffi'Y be b«ause. if LBLwere transferr«< to another agency, periods of no flow, orflow too low to adequately this would weaker� the non-power prognm to such support aquaticlife. Dissolv«< oxygen levels have an extent that the effort to defend TVA against sometimes dropped below 2.0 mg/L. rHulting in proponents of privatiution would become much several fish k..ilis. The TWRA proclamation urges mon• difficult. the Corps to follow TVA's leadenhip and to design and implement a comprehensive tailwater Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) hu introduc.!d restorationproject, using technologiesand expertise a bill that would tum the LBL over to the US that have bHn successfully demonstrat«< in the Forest Service. The Concept Zero Task Force Tennessee River syMem by TVA. (CZTF), a grass-roots organi�aticm of individuals in the LBL. area (many of whose relatives were TWRA has in vited TCWP to support their displaced when TVA acquired the lil11d), strongly resolutionli. opposes Forest Service administration. CZTF wishes to pruerve LBL. as a unique outdoor WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact your US Senators recreation, environmental education, and and Representative (address on p.2) and ask them cons�rvation center. The organiution urgu that, to urge W CoE to follow TVA's excellent example whateveragency administers the land, L.BL. must of tailwater management ao n to Improve the have a statutory mission, and that this should be waters below Center Hill 1nd other CoE dams. based on commitments TV A made to the Congress at Point out to your Memben ofCOC'Igressthat it would the time LBL. wu created. The CZTF opposes s g privatizing, selling, or leasing any of these now :;���:r :;!��; ���=:v��� ::� public lands (some of which were taken by eminent j NL221. 4/15/98 12 tumed over to CoE. Stnd. copies of your letters to t: D. AU-TJIIIIJI Blo,lverslt )' Inven tory (ATBI) 7. 5MOIUE5 Cho�n for itsoutstanding biological d.iversity and central location in the eastem US, the Greilt A. M•rch tor Pillrk• for smolrle s Smoky Mtns National Park (GSMNP) will be the April 25 is the date for a GSMNP March for setting for the world's first ATBI, a task u matedti hrks, which is co-sponsored by the National to take 15 years to complete. Tbe Inventory will Puks & Con�rvation Association (NPCA) and the include all living species in the Park -- an Friends of GSMNP. All proceeds will go toward estimated 100,000 -· some of which ue programs designed :o preve;1: air and water undoobtedly yet lobe discovered. Tbe Natior"l pol!ution in the Park. specifically, (a) a water ParkServi« (NPS) will putner with universities, quality improvement program run by the National school groups, nonprofit organizations. and Park Service (NPS), and (b) the purchase and individualvolunteersin tackling this huge proje<:t. subsequentl"i!tirementof air-pollution. oremiss.ion· For the Smokies. the A TBI (which might later rtduction, cri!dits (ERCs). The purchase of ERCs, serve as an Inventory model for other parks) will authorized under the Clean Air Act, confers the providea iiOlid factual foWldation on which tobase right to pollute. For example. with S15 yoo can the protection of the Puk"s natural resourcn purchase 250 pounds of air pollution that would against chemical pollution, the introduction of otherwise beemitted by anindustry or powerplant. exotics, fragmentation, and other adverse lk l o e in fluences. One of the scientific ad1•isors to the l * ti�: fr:� �e;'!�; ;��t��: 3 F�; �... ���!; project predicts that the ATB! will have an evtn information. call 42J...494-7008. morc widespread effed in "'broa.dening bioliteracy that �ould be ri!flected ln erosystem management de<:i51ons both ins•de the National Park Servke B. §molfy Network and inotherland andnaturalresoun:eagencies." ilnnounce• mee ti ng May 9has�n�t as the date for the se-cond Tr•ll restor •tlons meeting of the Smoky Network. to be held at the Th� National Park Service is in process of Job Corps Center next to the Oconaluftee Visitor developmg a policy for restoring GSMNP trails Center (NC side). The agenda includes: (a) an thi!thave been (orwillbe) damaged by overuse or update from N� about current issues facing the adverse e�ents. such as floods. With the objective Park. (b) a briehng by NPCA about reintroductioin of devotmg 5pec•al attention to preserving of the National Puks Restoration Act, (C) wil1erness values during the pr�ss of tuil exchange of information by Network members, and restoration, the Denver Strvi« Center of NPS is (d) meeting of strategy groups. lf you intend to conducting preliminary interviews with several attend, contact NPCA for Info on time of meeting knowledgeable Pf'Ople, inc uding TCWP members. _ l and other details (423·494-6234, or e-mail: pnor to formulating a proposal. Public meetings dbargerimpc:a.org). willthen be held, probably inMayor June, priorto finalizing the policy. We will attempt to keep you informedondatesand locations C. Congre•••on•l CJiucus on §molrle• Sen. Thompson (R·1N) is attempting to form a F. C•ret•lcers nee"e" for AT In Pillrlr Smokies" Caucus andhas written aletter to this Volunteer caretakers are needed at four effect to several of his Tennessee and North Appalachian Trail {An sites within the GSMNP, Carolina colleagues inthe Congress. ln addition to particularly during the latter part of the summer. the two Republican senators from each state The work session extends Thursday through (Thompson, Fri$t, Helms, and Fairdoth). th� Monday, and 11 two-week commitment is desired. A Caucus would include Representative$ Jenkins (R sm.all $1ipend 11nd "off·days" housing is pro•·idtd TN). Duncan (R·TN). Wamp (R·TN). Taylor (R· r m on o t c e 7��-������i � ' ;. �� :� �T_ NC) and Ballenger {R-NC). Sen. Thompson * ���:n�7 :ff;::. . r i a c [email protected] NL221, 4/15/96 " G. Concern• Uout hilppenln•• urocialed with 5 forest compartments in the out•ltle the Pilrlf'• periphery Nolichucky Ranger District. 1he acras adopted by The following happenings or propoub have TCWP are Laurel Hollow Mountain and Laurel �ofwnc:em notonly to rtsidentsoftheartabut MOWltain; both are Cockein County near Newport. to otheu of us worried about the Park'• viewshed, andaboututernal pressures onthe Park The Laurel Hollow Mountain tract (one • The widening of US 129 through Townsend (the compartment of-1,266 acres) is located between "peaaful side"of the Smokits) Cosby, the Foothills Parkway, and J-40. It is part • The widening of Hiway 416 from Sevierville to of a major movement corridor between the Park and PittmanCenter, apresently bucolic area northern sections of the Cherokee for black beu • A threatened ri dgetop development on Chilhowee and other wildlife. Mountain • Completion of the Foothills Parkway through TheLaurel Mountain tract is located east of le!Tllin WlSuitable for road construction (could tM Laurel Hollow Mount11in and 1-40 in a highly right·of-way � used, instead, for hike, bike, fragmented section of the Cllerokee ne1r thelN· Jlnd/or horse trails?) NC state line. The four compartments making up the tract cover a combined area of -2,400 1cres. Although much ofthistract has beenlogged inthe 8. CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST past, the area in cludes two stands (221 and 136 acres) of old·growth cove hardwoods. Laurel A.. TCWP Will •••l•t Mountain also lies within an important habitat conidor forblickbear and other wildlife. In monitoring Fore•t Sert�lce •ctl'llltle• on Cherokee NF IContribuh!dby Jimmy Gn:>ion] WHAT YOU CAN DO: For information about how On February 21, Southern Forest Voiefl (SFV, you c:an help TCWPmonitor and protect these and a coalition of individuals and organiutions, other sensitive areas of the Cherolee NF and the including TCWP)held a work5hop in Knoxville to SoutMrn Appalichians, contact Jimmy Groton - train volunteers in techniques for monitoring U. S phone 423-481-8732 (w) or (ill) 483·5199 (h). e Forest Service (USFS) activit� on the Cherokee mail turtle-worldOmsacom National Forest. SFV isoneof the moat active and eflective advoc:ates promoting non-destructiveuses of the Cherokee, such as camping, hiking, B. Cherokee NF welcome• bicyding, hunting. and fishing. Such uses of ot�erflow from Smolrle• national forest lands are compatible with Unlike the GSM National Park, which Jut preserving the ecological integrity of forests, year hid 10 million visitors, the Cherokee rivers, and streams, maintaining biodiversity,and Nationil Forest hu not �en overrun with providing a sustainable resource that will be people. With Forest �rvice blessing, P1rk availablefor futucr generations touseand enjoy. visitor centers will display maps of nation1l forests in the region (Cherokee, Nantahila, Md SFV ;Jctivists instructed partidJnnts about Pisgah) and will list recreation opportunities. how to stay informed about upcoming projects including 50me that are not permitted in the (including mberti :;.;o.l") m each forest district, how Park (mount1in bikes, off·road vehiclet, to lind out specific information about affected \11\reSirictedback-country campixlg). forest compartments, and how to comment effectively about the effects of proposed actionsas described in environmental asteuments, 9. NATIONAL NEWS environmental impact statements, or other documents prepared by the Forest Service. A.. LCV rele••e• J997 "'NiltiOnill Workshop participants were urged to help by Ent�lronment•l Scorecilrtl" adopting compartments comprising unprotected, Since 1970, theLeague of Conservation Voten seMitive ueu of the Cherokee NF identified in (LCV) hu rated the environmental performance of Trou/tssu's Mountain T"asurts, a report prepued each Mem�r of Congreu. The 1997 Scorecard, b)' Hugh Irwin for the Wilderness Society in 1996 relused February 3, scores senators and TCWP agreed to monitor USFS activities represent;�tives on, respectively, 7and l6 key NL22l, 4/15/98 ,. votes, det�� through th�constosusof expt-rts (2) Our best hope for improving rn�tional from 27 �spected national environmental and environmental policy nuking is to •votel conservation groups. environment,* and to support candidatea nationwide who have given evidence of 1 The sadnews about lhi s first half ofthe 105th environmental C'OilCeDlf. To lhis end. weu�youto Congress is th�t the m�jority leaders in the Senate utilize information and 5ervice!l provided by LCV, earned J flat-out zero, and the chairmen of 1707 L Str�t. NW, Suite 750, Washington, DCl powerful HouR committees with jurisdiction over 20036; Phone202-785-a683; h ://www.k:Y. constrVIIion policy avenged only 6%. The naliMalaverages for both parties were as follows: Senale Hmv B. A4mlnlsrrillrlon proposes 46 47 National average higher lan4-iiiC4Uislrlon sp en4�g Democrats 83 fH The Cntonli budget for FY 1999 contalfts $270 Bmubljran< 1ft 77 million for th� t..nd & Water Comervation Fund (LWCF), u the fitst installment of a ptoposal by Note that the national averages are below 50%, the Administration to spend over $1.9 billion over i.e., on average, Congress votes more often against 5 years for land acquisitiON. The funds would � environmental protection than for it disrributedas follows: S826 million, National Park Service, Republicans will undoubtedly charge LCV S549 rn.illion, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with a partisan bi�s. However, LCV has always S46l million, U.S. ForutService been non-partisan, its board chair is a Republican $92 million. Bureau of Land Management (former governor of Kansas, Mike Hayden), ;md All lhis is sub;ect to Congressional approval. This the choice of which votes to score is madeby 27 projected LWCF spending would certainly be an organizations Republicans may take improvement over recent years (exCI'!pt FY 1998 - encouragement from the fact that incrusing see NL220 17A), but it still fallsway short of the numbers of ranl.;.;ond-file Republicans are breaking almost 51 billion per year authorized by the 01way from their party's ludeuhip and that legislation tl1at established the Fund 33yurs ago. Members with the g�atest im provement in LCV This money comes from roy�lties on ofbhore oil s.:oru were largely Republicans. Overall, there well leases which amount to -S3 billion annually were fewer extremely low and extremely high (� number that's rising). The highest amount scorestl1aninthe l041hCong�ss Congr�ss �ver appropriated was $805 million in 1979. The appropriation dropped dramaticdly Scorn for the TennesRe delegation were as when Pres. Reagan took office, then averaged follows: S250M/year for thede<:ade before 1994. when the notorious 104th Congress (after considering zero �-_j___ tm.____ , _m:;L2fj """' spending for a S·ynr period!) finally approved Frist " 7 S134M. - 29 " """' c. sec. Bill,,ltt st•n4s up 1 6 !"""" ror Arctic •e serve and •eruge 2 """"" 19 15 Withpublic comments only recently received 3 Wamp 13 15 on the oil corporations' proposal to drill in . Hilleary 13 12 Aluka's National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A) 5 Clement 69 65 (NL220 178), Sec. Bruce B�bbitt testified before 6 """""' 63 62 the Senate Energy Committee. Babbitt stood his 7 Bryant 13 0 ground against Committee Chairman Funk • T�& 38 31 Murkowski (R·AK), st�ting th�t the Draft EIS des.:ribed �very,very highn environmental values in the NPR-A, and that these have im plications for tl1e lower 48 st.atesbe<:ause the wetlands onlhe NPR·A are prim� breeding grounds for water fowl TCWP commented on the Draft EJS, making the pointssummarizedin \\'1.220 178 NL221, 4/15/98 15 team of .5.Jnd.n.....G. and � With ll!gard to the Coastal Plain of ANWR will share the full-time position of (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), separated from TCWP Membership/Development NPR·A by the Prudhoe Bay oil developmenl, Babbitt said that the oil companies ue Director, and we are tremendously muquerading behind a Ndata-acquisitionN excuse excited about having found such when they are pushing for seismic e•ploration qualified staff people. All of you who so inside the ANWR border. In fact, they a� trying generously contributed to make this to make 1 case for opening the Refuge. When possible, THANK YOU AGAfN t We Murkowsk.i indicated that such seismic uploriiltion look forward to a long and productive could be forctd by Congressional authorlution, Babbitt responded that he would ask the prHident relationship with Sandra and Marcy, one tovetoanysuchbiU. that will amply justify our members' support WHAT YOU CAN DO: Thank Sec, Bruce &bbitt for ho!dinghif ground:Dept.of thelnteriot, l849 C Marcy and Sandra bring St, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Fu. 202·2CJ8..6956; complementuy skills to this new e-mai.l bruce_babbitttiios.doi. ov position. Marcy, an Oak Ridge resident, has a Master's degree in environmental D. Th Artlc tht Prrs idtrttfor ortiort ir� So.. th F/oridA sciences, and has led several Both the Everglades and Biscayne NP,nearby environmental projects during her on the east coast (the park to which Monika Mayr, career. Sandra, a Knoxville resident, has form�r Obed Superintendent, re<:ently moved .• a long history of development with not· NL220 t4A), were threatened by a proposal to tum for-profit organizations, including the th� former military ilirbase at HomHtead into an intemiltional commercial airport. Numerous low· Greater Knoxville Chamber of flying }l!ts would be lilk.ing off or landing over Commerce. pristine wetlands, beaches, and coral reefs. Responding to urgings by NPCA {Niltional Parks & There were ilbout a dozen responses to our Conservation Assoc) and others, Pres. Clinton put Sl'!veral ads, four of these highly promising. At the projecton hold pmding a moreadequate ll!view various times in March, the candidates were of environmental consequences interviewed by our surch committee (Jenny Freem�n, Eric Hirst, Jimmy Groton, Lee Russell. and Linda Krusen), and ll!fen>nreswere contacted Our extra special thanks to Eric Hirst, who did the lion's share of placing ads, responding iomd contacting candidltes, and caUing references. And our deepest gratitude to Andy Willker (Dire It is interesting that it was the TCWP A. TCWP fills Membership/ Newsletter ad that brought us the winning team. De11elopment Director Marcy, a TCWP membl'!r, sa.w the ad, but Wilnted position to share thejob with somwne; a mutual friend then brought her together with Sandra, whom she TCWP has hired not one but 1.n.g had never met before. The two appear to people to take on the task of expanding complementeach other very well. and energizing our membership, increasing our funding base, and making B.etween now and M;�y l. the entill! Boud us self-sustaining. Starting May 1, the will be meeting with Sandra and Marcy to set NL221, 4/15/98 16 goals and timelines. Asubcommitteeofthe Board worthwhile project No special skills are will formulate a more detailed strategy, de,·elop necessary; you just need to be able to use some an initial work plan and assist our staff in everyday band toolssuch as a shovel, loppers,or acquiring needed office equipment. Soon after bow saw and enjoy get ngti a little dirty and sweaty that, you'll be hearing from Sandra and Marcy in the great outdoors. Please contact Jimmy for themselves. more infonnation on how you can help TCWP maintain ouradopted segmentof trail (phone 423- B. TCWP Bo�rll �g�ln complete 481-8732 [w] or 423-483-5799 [h); e-mail turtle We began the year with a new Board [email protected] In the meantime, visit the member, Roger Carlsmith. who had replaced Cumberland Trail Conference's internet website at Frank Hensley {NL220 18F). Roger, a longtime http:/ /users.multipro.com/cumberlandtrail to Oak R.idger, is a fonner research member of the leam more about the Cumberland Tuil, including ORNL Energy Division. the Obed section. Subse • PEER, Public Employees lor Environmental • April 22, •Global Warming, l • April 25, "Minding the Homeplace: Environmental • � Certified Forest Products Council attempts to Service learning in the Upper Ttnnesste Valley spur the purchase of wood products from forests and the Southern Appalachian Mountains; �rtifitd as ecologically well milllaged. Habitat Carson·Newman College. No cost, ellcept S5 for for Hurnilllity is oneof the members. mul and refreshments. (Kathy llums, Carson· Newmilll College, Jefferson City, TN 37760.) • The Union of Concerned Scientists was the science adviser for 1 video, !<.«ping /Itt E�rllr: Rtligiaws • May 14-16, •friends of Trashed Rivus IV; Qnd Scit¥1tific Ptrspectiws on /Itt Ent>iranmtnl, (conference on restoring urban waters), New ruliTattdby James Ead Jones (Video .;. Guide,$14.95 Orleans (call 504-836-2239). .;.$3 S&:H from UCS Publicalioru,2Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238-9105). Ask for UCS" • June 19·21, •American Eagle Futival,"' Pigeon publication list, which indudes some very Forge, TN (call Charles Maynard, bee. Dir., interesting titles. Friend.s oftheGt SmokyMountains NatlPark,423- 453-2428). • Amtrira"s Most EndQngtrtd Rivtr5 af 1998, lust released by American Rivers, contains alist of20 • June 26-28, "1998 Central Appalachiilll Ecological rivers headed by the Columbia Ri ver (Hanford Integrity Conference," will cover impairments from Re.,ch) and theMissouri. Foreach ofthe20 ri\"en, wood chipping, mining, and air pollution. Davi.!l & the write-up coven • description of the river, the Elkins College, Elkins, West Virginia. Workshops risk, what Cilll be done, and information sources. on threats to Appalachian ecosystems, and on Surprisingly, •mong the fastest growingthreats to reversing the degradation. (Call Appalachian rivers is the vast amount of untreated waste Restoration Campaign, 740-592-3968.) produced by factory hog and chicken farms. For more information, call 202-347-7550, or visit the • November 7-8, TCWP Annual Weekend, Bersheeba Americilll Rivers Web site at www.amrivers.org Springs (110C, thisNL). • An article on the effects of chip mills in the • GIS (Geographic Information System) Appalachiilll region appeared inthe Nov-Dec 1997 computeriud mapping to forward conservation iss ue of Audub organiz • Tcp 10 W•ltrshtd Lessons LtQrntd, is a 59-page book, published by EPA, which synthesizes the expertise of100waler$hed practitioners intowhat works (and what doesn't) in buildlng an effective water$hed protection program. Also li$ts soun:es of funding and technical help. Free from EPA: doc.840·f·97·001. Call 1-800·490·9198; www�gov/owow/lr$sons o Mrg•dil•rrsily: Euth's BiclcgicQ/Iy WtQ/1/rirsl N"tiqru, (S60 lrvm Co.. serva\;un I.oleinitlvnal, 202-97}.2212). Only 17 eountriu atOWld the world potsen at Just 2/3 of th o WQ/trshtd Pl•n/E/5 fer 1/rt Rrslor•tion 11nd £nh.,llttmtnt of lht Btllr CntJ: W11ttrslrtd, Stell County, TN, was published September 1997 by the Ni!Urill Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS). Bur Creek, a major tributary of th