Caney Fork Watershed Association

The CFWA promotes conservation and improvement of the aquatic ecosystems of the watershed.

Contact Us!| Join Us! | Volunteers Needed

(Note: Your contributions are most welcome. Just send any information you would like to share to

Webmaster John - jharwood@tntech.edu.)

Home Page

NEWS FLASH

(see stories below)

 

***NEWS (see stories below)***

 

 

New Watershed

Resources from our

State Natural

Resource Agencies

 

(click images to go to sites!)

 

Tennessee Real Estate Transfer Fee in Jeopardy

"Forever Green Tennessee" responds

 

Cookeville Rain Garden on Fleming Ave

Story and information on rain garden plants below

Pictures (click here)

 

Nashville Flood:

video: http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/

assistance information: http://wpln.org/?p=17174

 

TWRA Watchable Wildlife Website Launched!!!

- See link in "About the Watershed" resource list below

 

TVA Offers Incentives for Renewable Energy

- See a Summary and Link Below

 

Tennessee Freshwater Mollusk Strategic Plan

- See link in "Public Comment Opportunities" below

 

Tennessee Native Tree Links ADDED - See Links to Watershed Resources below

 

TWRA Riparian Tree Grant Opportunity

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!

More News

Caney Fork Recreation Sites GIS Online!

Let’s Get W.E.T.!  Help students learn about our natural waters

TENNESSEE YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Public Comment Opportunities:

Tennessee Freshwater Mollusk Strategic Plan

Real Estate Transfer Tax back to conserving land

Cumberland County Water Plans - For Public Review

Participate in Tennessee State Recreation Plan

Our Sponsors!

Cumberland River Compact

USDA

 
Aquatic Habitat Protection Program

WWF

River Network

Premier Diagnostics

 

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.

Watersheds website letter from Commissioner Sloan

TWRA Riparian Veg Grant