The Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance welcomed a new TVA representative on Wednesday and heard a report on a state biologist’s visit to the wetlands near the Wal-Mart Distribution Center at Midway.

Fred Kaufmann, representing the Greene County Fishing & Hunting Club, told the group that a state engineer said he believes repairs to and enhancement of the wetlands are “going to be easy to do, and cheap to do.”

There were concerns expressed, however, about the potential cost, since no cost estimates have yet been given.

The alliance is a consortium of organizations and individuals interested in protecting and improving water quality in the area drained by the Nolichucky River.

Last month, the group changed its boundary lines of the area on which it focuses to include all of the Nolichucky River and its drainage area in Greene County, including Bays Mountain to the north and all of Lick Creek. The eastern boundary of the MNWA’s area ends with Painter Creek, with the Unicoi County alliance continuing to include Clarks Creek.

The area includes the Distribution Center, and the Greene County-owned wetlands next to it.

Ownership of the wetlands went to the county government as part of a 1996 land-transfer agreement involved in persuading Wal-Mart to locate its distribution center in Midway. Maintenance of the wetlands was later turned over to the Greene County Fishing & Hunting Club, which is itself a member of the Alliance.

The Alliance has agreed to help the Fishing & Hunting Club maintain and enhance the wetlands, and possibly create an “outdoor classroom” for environmental and biology classes.

As part of that effort, Terry Horne, the state engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, met with the group Sept. 17 to create a design plan for a portion of the wetlands near the distribution center’s retention pond.

Impoundment Should Be Easy

Kaufmann said Horne said it will be relatively easy to impound more water from Seven Springs Creek and turn the area into “an upland wetlands.”

Alice Loftin, representing the Greeneville chapter of the American Ornithological Society, known as the “bird club,” reported that Horne said “a lot can be done with earthworks,” and that Horne was enthusiastic about the potential of the wetlands.

County Commissioner Tim Armstrong, the Alliance’s president, asked if anyone knew how much cost is involved, and whether by “cheap” Horne meant “government cheap.” No cost estimate was given.

Mark Benko, an officer of the Fishing & Hunting Club, said that once Horne completes his design for improving the site, then the Alliance can begin working on individual parts of the project.

But he pointed out that right-of-way problems must be worked out before Horne can complete the design.

Kaufmann said Lynn York, who owns property on the back side of the wetlands, away from the distribution center, was present. York has agreed to give the Alliance access to the site during the development phase. In exchange, the Alliance will develop a small road through her property.

Benko noted that, before the flooding that hit the county in August, several agencies had promised various kinds of support. Now, he indicated, those agencies are probably tied up with flood-related work.

Use Wal-Mart Parking Lot?

Benko also said the access issue would be much simplified if the distribution center’s parking lot could be used. Loftin said that Wal-Mart will need to understand the educational uses of the wetlands.

Clint Jones, a TVA fisheries and wildlife biologist since 1995, said he had recently been reassigned from North Carolina and would be working with the Alliance. In the past, Ken Chase, a TVA contract employee who works with the Boone Lake Watershed Alliance in Sullivan County, has also worked with the local group, but Chase has himself been reassigned.

Jones said the Nolichucky River’s watershed is very beautiful, and much of his time in North Carolina has been spent working in its North Carolina head waters in Avery, Yancey and Mitchell counties.

Tractor Pull Lost Money

Armstrong also reported that about 6,000 people attended the tractor pull, a national points championship event. Despite the good attendance, the event lost money, Armstrong said, in large part because too many people were able to enter without paying.

Candy Adams, representing Keep Greene Beautiful, said only about 100 visited the Watershed’s display, based on the number of brochures picked up.

Adams also asked members of the alliance to participate in Public Lands Day, which is Saturday, Oct. 20.

She said Keep America Beautiful chapters from the Tri-Cities will be coming to Greene County on that day to clean up a flood-debris site on Middle Creek, and plan to work from 9 a.m. until noon.