Tennessee Environmental News

from the

Tennessee Environmental Council

November 2006

YOU ARE INVITED

Celebrate & Meet TEC’s new Executive Director

Join TEC as we celebrate another year of creating and initiating positive changes to the health and environment of Tennessee at Blackstone Brewery on Wednesday, December 6^th from 5:30 – 7 p.m. You will have a chance to meet and greet John McFadden, TEC’s new Executive Director, as well as bring in the Holiday Season. This is the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with TEC board members, staff and volunteers as well as like-minded folks who are passionate about our environment. Bring a friend and join us for appetizers and cash bar! Suggested donation is $20.00. Please RSVP at 248-6500 or tec@tectn.org.

Issues and Other Important news:

TEC Works to Protect High Quality Wetland

TEC staff provided comments to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and the White County community regarding the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport’s proposed justification for the destruction of 10.08 acres of high quality wetlands. As TEC Executive Director John McFadden stated, “TEC is not opposed to the airport expansion, however we are opposed to non-sustainable development that creates long-term environmental problems, especially when a clear alternative exists. As such we support conserving natural landscapes, such as the wetlands this project would destroy. These natural features protect downstream waters by preventing flooding, increasing groundwater infiltration, increasing wildlife habitat and by filtering pollutants.” Read full story

TEC receives Grant for Upper Tellico Off Highway Vehicle Area Work

The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association has agreed to partially fund an assessment and restoration project designed to implement some on the ground improvements– called best management practices (BMPs) – for areas within the Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina) that are impacting tributaries to the Tellico River in Tennessee. Work has already begun, and TEC staff is collecting existing data from Forest Service and others. This project will leverage restoration dollars in a partnership with the Off Highway Vehicle community.

Mary Buckner to represent TEC on Tennessee Conservation Voters Board

Mary Buckner will serve as TEC’s representative to the Tennessee Conservation Voters Board in the coming year. According to McFadden, “We could not have gotten a better representative. Mary has a long history with conservation issues, including service as the past president of TCV and as a board member.” THANKS Mary!

EVENTS:

Volunteers to plant trees on ReLeafing Day, Saturday November 18

Tree Foundation volunteers will plant powerline-approved trees in two urban neighborhoods on Saturday, November 18, the fifth annual ReLeafing Day. Trees that can co-exist with powerlines and not require pruning to reduce height will be planted in the Sylvan Heights area from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and in Germantown from 10 a.m. to noon, said Betty Brown, Foundation president. Get the full story

Volunteers needed for NPT Membership Drive

Help WPLN on December 10^th from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. TEC volunteers will be working the phones to help raise money. This is a great opportunity for TEC to be visible in the community and our Executive Director will be interviewed live during the program. Dinner will be provided. To sign up, please contact Ellen at 248-6500.

Take Action:

Vote!

TEC encourages everyone to vote in the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 7!

Save TVA Public Lands

TVA’s Community Relations Committee has proposed a policy to protect most of the 293,000 acres of land under TVA control for public access and conservation. The public comment period on this proposal ends Friday, November 3. Tell the TVA board you support the draft policy and that they should keep public lands in public hands.

E-mail: landpolicyhearing@tva.gov Phone: 1-888-882-7675 Fax: 865-632-3146

Volunteers needed for Al Gore’s Climate Project

Water Heater Update

Now that you’ve bought a blanket for your hot water heater, yes folks, it’s time to actually install it (for those of you that haven’t yet)! Also, if you have a gas water heater, make sure it is compatible with an insulation blanket (check with manufacturer or distributors).

Join TEC Today

Call Ellen at 615-248-6500 to get your membership packet or check us out on the web at http://www.tectn.org.

The Tennessee Environmental Council is a 501 (c) (3) conservation organization whose mission is to educate and advocate for the protection of Tennessee's environment and public health.