Tennessee Real Estate Transfer Fee in Jeopardy
In 1991, the Tennessee Legislature put in place a small fee on real estate transactions meant to help preserve the natural resources we are blessed with. For several years our legislature has assigned the proceeds from this fee to the general revenue rather than to the intended purpose of the fund. We haven't heard any arguments for removing this importan investment in our future from our budget. Forever Green Tennessee presents the case to reinstate investment of the fee to conserving our special natural resources. Check out "Forever Green Tennessee Video" on their website!
The Cookeville Rain Garden – Planted May 13, 2010
Thirty volunteers made quick work of planting Cookeville’s first municipal rain garden this Thursday afternoon. Located on Fleming Avenue, the 2800 square foot rain garden will absorb the water of the 0.62 acre public parking lot being constructed east of Cookeville City Hall. It is designed to absorb water sheeting off the parking lot during a 10-year flood. By absorbing the runoff water, rain gardens purify water entering our streams, and ultimately our taps. Rain gardens also reduce flooding and erosion-producing storm surges in our streams.
The project was funded with proceeds from sales of rainbarrels at the 2009 Nature Fest. The majority of the rain garden planting volunteers this Thursday were homeschoolers, organized by Kathryn Bynum. Volunteers with the Upper Cumberland Sierra Club Group and the Caney Fork Watershed Society also pitched in. Our city engineer in charge of the stormwater program, Tracy Meggs, designed the garden and oversaw the planting.
What does one plant in a rain garden? Surprisingly, plant drought tolerant species are chosen. Rain gardens are designed to absorb, then release water. The Cookeville rain garden is about one-third sand. Brandon Scott of Native Plantscapes chose twelve species of plants for the rain garden. Four shrubs were planted: American Elderberry, Blue and Black Chokeberry, and Virginia Sweetspire. Perennials included Cardinal Flowers, Southern Blue Flag Iris, Blue Lobelia, and Switchgrass.
Be sure to visit the Cookeville rain garden. Consider installing a rain garden in your yard. There is much information online, and you can contact Tracy Meggs for practical, local information: 520-5282. Tracy has furnished some great information on plants for the rain garden - Check out "Rain Garden Information" below, in the "About the Watershed" links!
About the Watershed
-
-
Idealist.org Website Features Special Employment Opportunities, and Resume Posting
(see "Links to Watershed Resources" in sidebar.)
TVA Offers Incentives for Renewable Energy
(Thanks to Mary Mastin for supplying this information!)
The link below has the scoop on TVA's "Generation Power Partners" incentives
and a 2-part YouTube video that explains the program & answers frequently asked questions.
http://www.tva.com/greenpowerswitch/partners/
This TVA program now offers better incentives than most anywhere in the USA. No interest loans available and a cash incentive. Pays 12 cents per kilowatt hour, above reg usage rate. Couple that with 30% federal tax deductions and it's a real deal!
A must see and share with anyone considering moving towards (especially solar) alternate energy power at home or for their business.
TWRA Riparian Tree Grant Opportunity
Many of our stream banks in the Upper Cumberland have been stripped of vegetation. This practice is now known to have no benefit, and to significantly harm the water quality in our streams, rivers, and ultimately in our reservoirs.
If you, or a group you are a member of would like to take advantage of the TWRA Aquatic Habitat Protection Program funding opportunity to restore one of our streams, please let us know. Through CFWA, you can organize a project, locate volunteers, and take advantage of our non-profit organization funding status to facilitate management of the funding.
