The Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance on Wednesday applied for a state Department of Agriculture grant, and also learned it may receive some funding from the county government next year.

County Commissioner Tim Armstrong, the alliance’s chairman, told the members present that he had learned that the county’s Budget & Finance Committee had approved a $1,000 contribution at its meeting on Tuesday. The committee is working on a proposed budget for fiscal year 2001-2002, which begins July 1.

The Alliance, a group of individuals and organizations, works to preserve and improve local water quality in the area drained by the Nolichucky River, primarily in Greene County.

It had sought $2,000 in funding from the county. Currently it is operating on a $5,000 organizational grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Repair Of Dams?

Fred Kaufmann, who represents the Greene County Hunting & Fishing Club, reported that the Land Use/Recreation Committee would like to investigate the possibility of using some of its funds to repair the dams that created the artificial wetlands near the Wal-Mart Regional Distribution Center.

Kaufmann told the group that, when the distribution center was built several years ago, about five acres of wetlands were destroyed, and developers had to create about 40 acres of wetlands in order to gain project approval.

Kaufmann said that it will take about $300 to repair the dams. He said the committee did not want to proceed until it got general agreement.

He said the shallow ponds support “all kinds of bird life.”

Roy Settle, who represents the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council on the Alliance’s board, said that his agency is currently in the process of applying for a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in which the Alliance might participate.

Settle said that the dam repairs that Kaufmann had outlined might qualify as part of the educational component of the grant application, though the funds would not be received until next year.

After discussion, the board authorized letting Kaufmann use $300 toward repairing the dams, and agreed to let Settle apply for additional funding for the related purposes for next year.

William McCrary, who represents the Tennessee Division of Forestry on the board, said that “in-kind help” may be available for the wetlands maintenance project from his agency.

Several people said that the group needs to get some advice from environmental experts about what other things might be done to enhance the wetlands. Several members said that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency should be able to provide expertise.

Officers Nominated

The nominating committee returned a partial slate of officers for the coming year. Armstrong agreed to continue to serve as chairman, and Greeneville Alderman Ginny Kidwell agreed to serve as vice chairman.

Someone is still needed to be the group’s secretary, although Alice Loftin has agreed to continue to take the minutes at its meetings.

The board noted that one of its active members, Susan Vance, has resigned as director of Keep Greene Beautiful.

Kidwell reported that Sally Causey, who represents Rural Resources, has prepared a draft budget report to send to TVA, to document use of the organizational grant.

Causey was not present, and the report will have to be approved at the June meeting, if it cannot be accepted as presented.

Armstrong reported that he is working with several FFA chapters in hopes of getting more involvement by those groups in what the Alliance does. As an offshoot, he said, it appears likely that the Alliance can set up a display at an FFA booth at the Greene County Fair this August.

Armstrong also said that he is going to be involved in June Dairy Day on Aug. 1, and that his daughter is youth chairman of the event.

After discussion, the group decided to donate 15 of the Alliance’s bright yellow printed T-shirts to be used as prizes at the Dairy Day event.

The T-shirts were first distributed to board members who helped with the Alliance-sponsored creek cleanup in March.