Please Join Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation for   The Announcement of Tennessee's 54th and Newest State Park on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks   CUMMINS FALLS STATE PARK Tuesday, May 22, 2012   Arrive at 11:15 AM Remarks by Governor Bill Haslam at Noon Lunch 12:30 PM   Located on the beautiful Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, this idyllic 211-acre site in Jackson County will be the 54th state park in Tennessee. This is made possible through the leadership of Governor Bill Haslam, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and through the very generous support of members of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. Lunch donated by Wildwood Manor Bed and Breakfast.   RSVP  Kelley Clemons at TDEC (615) 532-0111 or kelley.clemons@tn.gov   Directions: 1225 Cummins Mill Road, Cookeville, TN 38501. From Interstate 40, take exit 280 to TN-56 north toward Gainesboro for 7.7 miles. Right on TN-290, go 0.9 miles. Left onto Cummins Mill Road for 2.1 miles. Left onto Blackburn Fork Road for 0.2 miles.     1205A Linden Ave. | Nashville, TN 37212 US

Former Deputy Commissioner Joins the Cumberland River Compact [We are often asked if CFWA "had anything to do" with the new roadsigns informing travellers what watershed they are entering. No, we can't claim credit, but here is the man who can. While serving the state, Paul conceived and implemented that great educational program. We are pleased this great environmentalist has chosen to become a formal advisor to the parent organization of CFWA!] NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (December 23, 2011) – The Cumberland River Compact is proud to announce the addition of Paul Sloan, former Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Deputy Commissioner, as senior advisor to the Compact. The Compact is honored to welcome Paul as a respected leader whose vision will help the organization in its strategic planning for its future. Paul’s connections with the Compact go back many years. He was among the early board members who laid the foundation for the Cumberland River Compact almost 15 years ago. He was also an author of the original vision for the Compact’s sustainable building program that continues to bring important educational programs to the region. For the seven years ending in May of this year, Sloan directed TDEC’s Bureau of Environment with primary responsibility for the administration of Tennessee’s environmental laws and regulations. “I am very pleased to have an opportunity to assist the Compact staff and board as they continue to promote the health, enjoyment and use of water resources within the Cumberland River Basin.” Sloan said.  “Over its history, the Compact has been an innovative proponent of partnerships among federal, state and local officials to achieve improved water quality throughout the Basin. With more than 2 million people living and working within the watershed, the Compact’s continued work is more important than ever to Tennessee’s future.” Skip Lawrence, president of the organization’s board of directors, said: "We look forward to the innovative thinking Paul will bring to the Cumberland River Compact at a pivotal moment. The board values Paul’s long history with the organization and his qualifications as a leader in the environmental movement."   Paul will help the board as it fills the gap left by former executive director, Doug Hausken, who led the organization for the past four years. During Hausken’s four-year tenure, the organization launched a sustainable agriculture program, organized the first residential green building homes tour, hosted annual dragon boat races and youth fishing events, installed numerous green infrastructure projects throughout Middle Tennessee, and reached a new level of administrative management and board development. *** The Cumberland River Compact is a regional watershed association dedicated to the vision of healthy streams and clean, abundant water now and for future generations. The Compact works to improve water resources in the 18,000 square miles of the Cumberland River Basin. We improve water quality and quantity through education and by promoting cooperation among citizens, businesses, and agencies. Compact activities include assisting citizens in forming local watershed groups, educating builders, developers, local officials, farmers, and homeowners to improve their water stewardship, and putting water friendly practices on the ground, such as trees, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting.  ###

USGS CoreCast VIDEO: Connecting People and Urban Streams

(Thanks to Deborah Sam for sharing this!)

Connecting People and Urban Streams- Faith Fitzpatrick (USGS) outlines the importance of habitat to the health of streams, and shows examples of urban stream restoration efforts from across the USA. (5 minute version)

The link: http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/

- Also note: We are planning our first Sinkhole Cleanup, in at the end of January. Sinkholes constitute our stormwater drainage system in Cookeville, and the water that our sinkholes absorb ends up in Falling Water River, and Center Hill Reservoir. This clean-up was requested by our City Stormwater Engineer, Tracy Meggs. If you would like to help plan the event, or would to be kept informed of plans so you can help on the day, please contact: John at jharwood@tntech.edu, or 931 528-6395.

Burgess Falls State Park Expansion - Write In Your Support Now!

(Slightly modified from a letter from Bill Summers)

Please consider writing a letter/email of support for two newly proposed land acquisition projects at Burgess Falls State Natural Area.    Park Manager Bill Summers will present these properties (willing sellers to the Park) to the State Lands Acquisition Committee on October 11 in Nashville, and letters of support from each of you would help tremendously in making this project a success and receiving a better score.  Both properties are critical to the integrity of this very busy State Park and would help insure it as a tourist destination, protect the watershed, viewshed, biological integrity as well as continue to be a park where visitors can enjoy nature.  As you all know Burgess is one of the smallest state parks in the system and yet very, very busy with 197,000 visitors last year.

Family enjoys summer day at base of Burgess Falls. Photo jh

The properties are both in White County and are as follows.

1.    Donald Massa Tract.  This property is down river from the big falls and can be seen from over looks in the park.   The property would be from the Army Corps property elevation to the bluff(wood line) and a little beyond.  Mr. Massa figures this may be 25 acres or more along this steep vertical canyon of the Falling Water River and very edge of the long bluff line.  This is a critical property and can be seen from overlooks in the park.    This piece of property would be directly across from park property on the opposite Putnam County ridge line.  I hiked Mr. Massa's property several times in the last week and there are large trees and it is a healthy and intact forest ecosystem.   (Three and a half years ago we were able to purchase the opposite bluff line above the Falling Water River and thus protec the view from the park overlooks and thus help to continue to draw tourists to our area. )

2.     David and Rhonda Walker Tract     10.21 acres which is adjacent to the service road.   The walker track is still fully forested/wetland and has a natural spring on it.  This property begins about 15 feet from our gravel service road and above the 80 foot high middle water fall.  This property addition would help insure a "wilderness feel" to our visitors and continue to draw new tourists and returning visitors to our area.  This property would help protect the genetic viability of this very small park. 
  
Thank you very much for considering this request.   Again, I really need your help and as many letters of support for this project as possible, as the more letters I receive the better chance of these projects being a success. 

Yours in Service,

Bill Summers
Park Manager
Burgess Falls State Natural Area
4000 Burgess Falls Dr.
Sparta, TN 38583
931.432.5312

Any emails of support should be sent to Burgess Falls' Manager at the above address or this E-mail: bill.summers@tn.gov .  Any support possible would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you so much!