The Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance is continuing its efforts to reduce pollution of this region's streams and to educate the public about water pollution.

Thursday morning's meeting began with a report on the group's use of Best Management Practices (BMP) funds. BMP is currently focusing most of its funds on the Little Chucky Creek, which houses one of the world's only population of chucky madtom catfish.

The species has been found only in the Little Chucky Creek and Dunn Creek, both in Tennessee, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Fish & Wildlife Service, in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Authority, is attempting to preserve the species, which is very rare. Only three chucky madtom catfish have been encountered since 1994 despite continued surveys of the streams, it has been reported.

The Greeneville Hiker's Club has invited members of the MNWA to attend a rafting trip on Sunday, Aug. 3, starting at 1 p.m. Participants will put their canoes or boats in the water above Davy Crockett State Park and take them out at the park to enjoy a picnic. Interested members should call Williams.

It was reported that the Watershed Alliance has completed flyers educating the public on a new "Adopt-A-Stream" program, which the Alliance hopes to have operating this fall.

As planned, interested groups could "adopt" a stream. They will be responsible for two cleanups each year and optional biological and chemical monitoring and habitat assessment. The TVA will furnish equipment.

The interested group's selected coordinator will attend a training session to learn protocols for the cleanup. In return the group will be recognized with a streamside sign stating that the group has "adopted" the stream.

The Watershed Alliance's members also discussed the possibility of partnering with Neighbor Woods Program to plant trees in the community to reduce water runoff. The group thinks a small grant for this might be obtained. No action was taken except to appoint three members to research the opportunity further before the Alliance's next meeting in August.

The group's purpose is to educate the public of the need to improve the water supply and decrease water pollution. They meet every third Thursday of the month in the Greene County Soil Conservation Office Conference Room.