Wilhemina Williams, chairman of the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, told members of the group meeting on Thursday her goal is to see a "total ... restoration plan" for the Nolichucky River watershed which extends from North Carolina to Douglas Lake in Tennessee.

Toward that end, attendees to MNWA's meeting were informed of what is being planned as a major conference on May 29 in Erwin with all watershed alliance groups in the 10 counties the Nolichucky River runs through.

Paul Hayden, who said he will be leaving his post soon as soil conservationist for Greene County, said he recently discussed a grant proposal with Sherry Wong, the assistant director for the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC), who is scheduled to attend the conference.

Hayden said he had requested a grant for $58,700 from TDEC to form a new watershed alliance to unite the several watershed alliances that currently work independently of each other to protect the water quality of the Nolichucky River. He said he envisioned a total budget for the unifying project of $87,700.

Hayden said he will continue to be active in water quality issues in the area after he retires on July 1, including working as a private consultant to developers and others interested in what he thinks are the best land management and stream-protection practices.

Hayden and Williams also said they were encouraged and hopeful that the Tusculum Board of Mayor and Aldermen will soon pass a draft amendment to the municipal code that bans erosion of soil to pass from one property to another or to "a public right of way."