HRWA News 2005 - 2 - Harpeth River Watershed Association
Transcription
HRWA News 2005 - 2 - Harpeth River Watershed Association
Voices for the the Harpeth Issue No. 5, Fall 2005 “Working together to protect and restore the Harpeth River” BOARD OF DIRECTORS DORENE BOLZE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATT DOBSON, PRESIDENT Aegis Group DAVID LEMKE, VICE-PRESIDENT Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis PHIL PACE, TREASURER The Conseco Group, Inc. MARY WADE, SECRETARY Wade & Egbert PAM BOLEN LINDA BREGGIN Environmental Law Institute JEFF CARR Vanderbilt University MIKE CORN AquAeter MARK DIETZE Trillium Ventures, Inc. JOSH MAY Medley Global Advisors STACEY WATSON Stites & Harbison HRWA STAFF JOHN MCFADDEN Director of Science and Restoration Programs 2005 River Steward Awards Honoring Outstanding Friends of the Harpeth INDIVIDUAL: Jennifer Stewart-Wright for her participation in numerous river restoration projects last year and for representing HRWA at community outreach and education events. COMMUNITY GROUP: Franklin First United Methodist Church for the loads of trash hauled out of the Harpeth on their Great Day of Service in early May 2005. DEVELOPER: Trillium Ventures — Mark Dietze and Paul Arnold — for commitment to incorporating the latest in development design at Highlands at Ladd and going well beyond current local and state requirements in order to protect stream health and water quality of the Harpeth River. RESTORATION AWARD: Eagle Scout Kenny Snyder and his fellow Boy Scouts for outstanding river restoration work accomplished in Brentwood on the Little Harpeth River and in the Duck River watershed. ELECTED OFFICIAL: Tom Miller, Mayor of Franklin, for his leadership in the city’s commitment to the preservation of historic open spaces that are also important to securing the longterm health of the Harpeth River. PAM DAVEE Director of Development and Policy Specialist GWENDOLYN BLANTON River Restoration Program Manager and Environmental Specialist JULIA HALFORD Events and Membership Manager www.harpethriver.org LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL: Dave Bunt, Director of City Parks in Brentwood, for his continued support of restoration work and addressing erosion along the Little Harpeth River from Crockett Park through River Park to Tower Park. HRWA Executive Director Dorene Bolze congratulates River Steward Award recipient Tom Miller, Mayor of Franklin. AGRICULTURE: Phil Spicer and Grover Spicer for managing the family farm in Dickson County, specifically by continuing to protect the streamside zone which helps protect Turnbull Creek and maintain the health of the Harpeth River. VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE: Hugh DuPree for his efforts over the last 10 years cleaning up the trash in the Harpeth in downtown Franklin. 2 Who can help the Harpeth? You can. HRWA offers RiverSmart tips and strategies for homeowners, farmers, developers, and policy makers. All photos this page by Woodie Knight, KnightVision Photography Harpeth River Hootenanny A Big Success — Thanks to All! John Hiatt 2 The Second Annual Harpeth River Hootenanny was a huge success! On September 17, close to 500 people came to show their support for the Harpeth River and to hear John Hiatt sing under a tent illuminated by tiki torches as the full moon rose over the misty fields of Riverview Farm. A very big thank you to John and Nancy Hiatt and Orrin and Lee Ann Ingram for hosting the Hootenanny and contributing so much to its success! John Hiatt’s generous donation of his concert, support from sponsors, an overwhelming response from the public in ticket sales, and revenue from the silent auction all created a winning combination to raise $65,000 to help further the HRWA cause. The Harpeth River Watershed Association’s work continues to restore streams; to work with landowners, developers, and farmers on approaches to maintain streams and water quality; to provide water quality education in schools; to conduct field studies; and to work on local planning and state and local regulations that protect rivers and the Harpeth. A big Hootenanny Thank You also goes out to our sponsors: Darrell Waltrip Volvo as lead sponsor, as well as to Trillium Ventures and Lipman Brothers, Wade & Egbert Insurance Partners, First Tennessee Bank, Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Fifth Third Bank, Regions Bank, Parking Management Company, Klatt Design, Katcher Vaughn & Bailey, SunTrust and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. Hootenanny guests enjoyed a delicious country buffet and had the opportunity to bid on unique silent auction items. The auction included everything from a kayak and paintings by local artists to gift certificates to summer camps at Cheekwood and Camp Whippoorwill. Paul and Margaret Sloan’s Kelley Creek Cabin Weekend Getaway as well as John Hiatt’s signed and framed lyrics of Have a Little Faith In Me sparked bidding wars that helped the silent auction alone raise almost $11,000! Thank you for your support — we could NOT have done it without you! 2 Harpeth River Watershed Association Woodie Knight Brenda & Thomas King Stephen & Sarah Heard Tony & Kathy Trovato Lori & Jerry Fitch Jon & Nancy Schwartz Amy Eubanks, Anna Wilson, & Brenda Oslin www.harpethriver.org Unless otherwise noted, photos on this page are by Steve Harman © The Tennessean 3 Second Annual Harpeth River Hootenanny Sponsorship PRESENTING SPONSOR ~ $7500 Darrell Waltrip Volvo RIVER G UARDIAN ~ $2500 Trillium Ventures Lipman Brothers RIVER PROTECTOR ~ $1500 Wade & Egbert First Tennessee Bank Fifth Third Bank Wild Oats Market Parking Management Group FRIENDS OF THE RIVER ~ $500 Thank You! CO-HOSTS: Orrin and Lee Ann Ingram John and Nancy Hiatt SILENT AUCTION CHAIR: Nancy Schwartz SILENT AUCTION CO-CHAIR: Linda Breggin SunTrust Bank DECORATIONS CHAIR: Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Heather Creel Klatt Designs Regions Bank Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation Rick French of French Christianson Patterson & Associates AmSouth Bank The Harpeth — it flows through our lives. We all live downstream. The Harpeth and its tributaries drain 872 square miles. While much of it is still forested or agricultural, another third is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. We need your help to preserve and restore the ecological health of this watershed. Please join the Harpeth River Watershed Association and get involved! Yes, I want to support and join the efforts of others with the Harpeth River Watershed Association. Please send me the Harpeth River color map and free TN river poster of my choice: small stream, stream, or river ecosystem. Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Phone: Day ___________________ Evening ______________________ Email: _____________________________________________________ Volunteer Interests: River studies and restoration projects Education projects Special events/Recreation Helping in the office Other _____________________________ Sponsorship Levels: Consider including the HRWA in your estate planning. $25 $100* Please send me more information about including HRWA in my will. $35* $250 $45* $500 $50 $1000 Pay by credit card online at www.harpethriver.org Other * Donations of $35 or more receive a free HRWA t-shirt. The $45 family membership includes 2 T-shirts and a set of TN river posters. Join at the $100 level and receive 2 T-shirts and a set of 10 Harpeth River notecards. Please make checks payable to the Harpeth River Watershed Association and return this form and your contribution to: Harpeth River Watershed Association, P.O. Box 1127, Franklin, TN 37065 For more information, call (615) 790-9767 or visit WWW.HARPETHRIVER.ORG. The HRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. 4 Harpeth River Watershed Association Eagle Scout Leads Restoration Project Mark Corrin’s Eagle Scout Project Treats 120 Feet of Eroded Streambank at the Little Harpeth River in Brentwood’s River Park By John McFadden Director of Science and Restoration Programs On August 10, 11 and 12, 2005, Mark Corrin, his father Mike, his grandfather Ralph, and several Boy Scouts from Troop 5 in Brentwood carried out one of the largest river restoration projects the Harpeth River Watershed Association and the Volunteer River Restoration Corps have ever attempted. Under the direction of HRWA staff and with support from the Brentwood Parks Department, Mark and crew treated 120 feet of streambank in the Little Harpeth River in Brentwood’s River Park utilizing cedar revetments. On Wednesday, the boys, along with Mark’s father and grandfather, drove to John McFadden’s cedar farm outside Lebanon to cut and roll cedar trees in jute, as per Jen-Hill Construction Materials’ suggestions. The trees being harvested were of lower quality (less greenery) so cutting them would make room for remaining trees to fill in, thus improving the quality of the remaining forest. Once the trees were cut, the boys rolled them in jute (material similar to burlap) and loaded them on two trailers for transport to the Brentwood site. On Thursday morning, the boys unloaded the 22 cedar rolls in River Park and began the long process of preparing the streambank for cedar revetment installation. One crew began driving duckbill anchors, another tied wire to the lower anchors, another repaired the cedar rolls damaged in loading/unloading and transport, while the last group dug river cane to place behind the cedar rolls as they were anchored. Driving the anchors was the toughest part of the job, according to many of the boys. Once the first set of anchors was set and wires tied, a new crew was formed to begin the process of installing the revetments. The cedar www.harpethriver.org rolls were placed against the bottom of the eroding streambank and attached using the cable and wire clamps. At the end, cedar revetments covered and protected 120 feet of the streambank, in some cases two cedar rolls high (2-4 feet).Thanks to Mark and all who helped out to make this such a successful project: Clayton Gwinn, Joe Wrenn, Chris Alsup, Matt Alsup, Sammy Alayli, Kevin Jack, David Chege, Nathan Fleetwood, Taylor Lowe, Ben Southard, David Furtick, Taylor Adams, Sammy Baker, Barbie Corrin, Rachel Corrin, Mike Corrin, Ralph Corrin, Ann Corrin, Katie Alsup, Lisa Alsup, Mike Cain, and Max Cain. 2 HRWA’s John McFadden and Field Assistant Michael Cain work on the plan. Boy Scouts prepare jute fabric to wrap around the cedar trees before the trees are anchored to the streambank. Voices for the Harpeth NEWSLETTER TEAM: DORIE BOLZE, JULIA HALFORD NEWSLETTER LAYOUT: MARY CAPRIO, CAPRIO DESIGNWORKS, [email protected] CONTENTS © 2005 BY HARPETH RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO COPY THESE ARTICLES PROVIDED THAT ORIGINAL SOURCE IS CREDITED. VISIT HRWA ONLINE AT WWW.HARPETHRIVER.ORG. WEB MASTER: DON GREEN Web Site Hosting by ISDN-NET 5 Harpeth River Watershed Association CALENDAR OF EVENTS Plan Your Paddling Adventures Thursday, March 2, 2006 7 p.m. HRWA member and paddling enthusiast Patty Shultz will offer helpful pointers from her new book, Paddling Around Nashville: 37 Kayaking and Canoeing Trips in Middle Tennessee. This guide is complete with maps, driving directions, and clear descriptions of where to put in and take out. Sponsored by Harpeth River Watershed Association and Nashville Metro Parks, Shultz’s presentation will not only inform the audience but motivate them to take the time to enjoy the aquatic natural resources of the Nashville area. Light refreshments will be served. Please call Julia Halford at 790-9767 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Order your copy of Paddling Around Nashville from HRWA and half of the purchase price of $15.95 will be donated to HRWA. Wouldn’t this guide be a nice gift for someone on your holiday shopping list? Including sales tax, each book costs $17.43. Add $3 shipping & handling for the first book and $1 for each additional book sent to the same address. Send your order to HRWA, PO Box 1127, Franklin, TN 37065. Recent Events — On October 16, Bob Brown, HRWA member and botany enthusiast, led hikers on a two-mile loop in the Leiper’s Fork area, from Copperas Creek over the ridge to White Oak Creek, and down to Kelley Creek. In November, Dennis Horn and Tavia Cathcart, editors of Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians, provided a fascinating slideshow session. Stay Up-to-Date: Visit our website at www.harpethriver.org for details on upcoming events, or e-mail [email protected] to sign up for our monthly e-mail newsletter. VOLUNTEER RIVER RESTORATION CORPS 2005/06 River Restoration Program January 21, 2006 Reforestation Project Spring Hill, TN (Jerry Erwin Park) February 11, 2006 Streambank Stabilization Brentwood, TN March 11, 2006 Instream Tree Planting Eagleville, TN April 8, 2006 To Be Determined May 6, 2006 Streambank Stabilization Eagleville, TN 6 Ready to Get Your Feet Wet? School groups, scouts, propertyowners, HRWA and Tennessee Scenic River Association members, and other river-lovers are joining the Volunter River Restoration Corps (VRRC). It’s a great way to give something back to the rivers we all enjoy. Joining the VRRC is a chance to get out into the watershed, see problems first-hand, and be part of the solution. Everyone is welcome. Bring your shovels and buckets, your church group, scout troop, classroom or neighborhood organization, and come on out to the river! We’ll show you what to do. Call HRWA at (615) 790-9767 to join any of the projects listed here. Catch that Rain! Here’s an easy way to protect the Harpeth — use the water from your roof to water your yard. The average household uses HALF its water on the yard, so collecting water in a rain barrel can significantly reduce your need to take precious water from the Harpeth or Cumberland in the summer when the water is low. You can purchase a rain barrel for $80 from the City of Franklin (while supplies last). Contact Don Green at (615) 550-6670 or by email to [email protected]. Harpeth River Watershed Association City of Franklin Considers More Drinking Water Withdrawals from Harpeth How Much Water Does a River Need? By Pam Davee Director of Development and Policy Specialist When you look at a river, how do you know it has enough water in it to do what it is supposed to do during that time of year? What is it even supposed to do at various times of year? Well, that depends. Why are we even asking? Because these very questions need to be answered right now for the Harpeth as the City of Franklin contemplates more water withdrawals from the river to meet its growing drinking water needs. Spring and Fall are Critical Times Eastern Tennessee rivers like the Harpeth, which get very low in the summer, naturally have less water in them during these months than during others. It is part of the river’s natural flow cycle. Low flow, as much as high flow, provides cues for certain lifecycle events such as spawning and egg hatching. During the high flow months the river stores water in its banks and recharges groundwater as well as allowing certain fish and other aquatic life like mussels and snails sufficient depth, habitat, and flow to reproduce. In the low flow months the river is more vulnerable to degradation because the water depth is shallow. Thus, the river is susceptible to higher temperatures especially if it does not have an adequate riparian buffer (i.e. streambank trees and other vegetation) shading it from the sun. If the water temperature gets too high and too much sunlight shines on the shallow water, it can cause too much algae to grow, which can lead to low oxygen levels (a process called eutrophication) and potentially lead to fish kills. The warm water also encourages bacterial growth, which is a particular problem for urban rivers which receive significant amounts of stormwater runoff that is laden with bacteria. The bacteria have a perfect environment in which to multiply if the river is experiencing its annual low flow. Therefore, the summer and early fall are critical times to keep enough www.harpethriver.org water in rivers like the Harpeth, especially when demands increase for water for golf courses, lawns, pools and agriculture not to mention for drinking. This is the time of year when the chemistry of the river can be dramatically altered by low flow, higher temperatures, increased runoff and sewage treatment effluent (waste water). Keeping adequate flow in a river and calculating how much water can be removed at any given time without adversely altering the river system and its natural functions and processes are two important inter-related issues that scientists have begun to study in earnest in the past few years. The area of study is called Instream Flow. Talk Like a River Expert Instream Flow & River Health According to the Instream Flow Council (IFC), the concept of instream flow is simple. It means the water flowing in a stream. Most streams have some level of flow, but flow is no guarantee that all is well for the organisms (including humans) that depend on the river’s resources. At the dawn of civilization, instream flows were adequate to sustain the full range of river dependent organisms and processes. But as civilization advanced, competing uses by humans have altered, diminished and contaminated original riverine uses, according to the IFC’s 2002 book, Instream Flows for Riverine Resource Stewardship. River health can only be maintained by preserving the processes and functions of the river ecosystem. The IFC further explains that the structure and function of river systems are based on five river components: biology, water quality, hydrology (river flow), connectivity (the maintenance of pathways for different biological and other processes) and geomorphology (the shape of the surface of the earth). Of or relating to the bottom of a body of water. “Benthic species” (critters like mussels, crayfish, and juvenile stages of insects that live on the bottom of a lake or river) are the most accurate indicator of aquatic health. continued on next page ~ Lesson Two ~ WATERSHED The area of land that drains into a river. The Harpeth River watershed stretches from Rutherford County to the Harpeth River’s union with the Cumberland River along the border of Dickson and Cheatham Counties. BENTHIC DO (Dissolved Oxygen) Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is one of the most important of the water quality standards. If DO is too low, fish and other aquatic life begin to suffocate. The Harpeth mainstem (the main branch) is impaired because DO falls below standards during certain times of the day in the warmer months. Too much algae in the river (which gives it a greenish color) can make DO levels fluctuate widely during a 24-hour period. Algae are fed by nutrients coming from fertilizer, sewage plants, livestock, and other sources of pollution. FLASHY A “flashy” stream gets lots of water very quickly and may overflow during rain. A “natural” stream increases its flow much more gradually and doesn’t reach levels as high as a “flashy” stream. continued on next page 7 HOW MUCH WATER... continued from page 7 An evaluation of a river’s flow to determine if an alteration of it will negatively affect the system generally examines all of these components. The City of Franklin is currently considering additional withdrawals from the Harpeth for the drinking water plant to partially meet the City’s growth projections. Consequently, the City hired a consulting firm, Consoer Townsend Envirodyne (CTE), that HRWA is working with closely to examine critical low flow functions. It cannot be assumed that further reduction in water levels during the low flow season will not interfere with one of these five river functions. Once it is established whether or not the Harpeth can accommodate further withdrawals and at what time of year, the City will be able to move forward with its planning process to provide for the future water needs of Franklin residents without degrading the Harpeth. If the river cannot provide the needed additional water in an environmentally and economically sound manner, then other alternatives will be explored, such as additional purchases from the Harpeth Valley Utility District that provides drinking water from the Cumberland River and already supplies the majority of the City’s water. In the Harpeth during various times of the year the river level pulses so that during a single year and over the course of several years the river swells and contracts. This has an impact on organisms in the river as well as those in the riparian zone that surrounds it. These riparian areas are connected to other ecosystems and are maintained by groundwater and flood pulses. Part of a flow study would include examining the river’s historic flow levels (hydrology) by examining US Geological Survey data. The Please keep your eyes open for HRWA’s End of the Year Appeal where we will be sending our greetings as well as our holiday wish list. Thanks for all you do to support HRWA! 8 importance of the natural hydrograph (graph showing the variation in flow over time) to a stream has been demonstrated by the outcomes from water studies where activities altered the variability of the flow and damaged the ecological system. This tells us that streams need to ebb and flow throughout the year to maintain a healthy overall river system and not have their variability removed by constant, nonvariable withdrawals. Additionally, the current City of Franklin study is examining the geomorphology of the river by looking in the channels and banks of the river to see how flow is shaping them with the creation of riffles, pools and other features. One of the other aspects the scientists and engineers are examining is what benthic macro-invertebrates (water critters) and fish live in the channels, riffles, and pools of the river. This is the beginning of a biological assessment that examines: What is the composition of the biological communities? What species, aquatic and terrestrial, are likely to be affected by changes in natural flow? Should particular species be targeted for protection — like game fish or rare species? And finally, to complete the assessment of the Harpeth’s five riverine components, the study will look at water quality with measurement of water chemistry and physical and biological properties of the water. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and levels of alkalinity, nitrogen and pH reflect local land use, geography and climate and sources of organic matter and determine the river’s biological productivity. Temperature is also an important component because it affects all forms of aquatic life. What We Need to Know Because the Harpeth is already not meeting its designated uses in the mainstem (the main part of the river that runs through downtown Franklin where the additional withdrawals will have the most impact), the City will have to demonstrate that any water withdrawal program does not degrade this section of the river or it will not be permitted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). HRWA is not only working TALK LIKE A RIVER EXPERT continued from page 7 In Middle Tennessee, a major cause of flashiness is development. Asphalt and storm drains shunt rainwater into streams much more quickly than happened before development. The resulting fast flows scour streambanks and cause flooding. Spencer Creek, which drains the Cool Springs area, is now extremely “flashy.” RIPARIAN ZONE The vegetated area along the streambank or riverbank. RUNOFF Water that comes off the land rather than soaking into it. The more rooftops, roads, and parking lots there are, the more runoff, which translates into flooding and pollution. 2 with the city, but with TDEC, other agencies, and organizations on the state’s instream flow and water withdrawal policies as more communities around the state wrestle with how to provide for expanding water needs. Much data about the Harpeth River has already been collected by TDEC, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all of which are working closely with the City as the result of our efforts in the assessment process. Existing data has been examined and CTE is conducting the necessary field assessments to fill in the gaps. So, to answer the question of how much water does a river need — the answer is: just enough to do everything it needs to do to function as a healthy river system based on all of the ecological interactions required of it at that time of year. It is seasonal. It is variable, and it is complicated, but the answers are knowable based on what has been learned in recent years. With the work that the City is currently doing to assess the Harpeth we can all benefit from the latest in the study of instream flow. 2 Harpeth River Watershed Association Reading with an Ecological Theme It didn’t make CNN, but WE think it’s big news: By Rachael Davee, HRWA Summer Intern Recommended highly by HRWA staff, these books are great reads with plenty of information about the natural world. Guns, Germs, and Steel By Jared Diamond This Pulitzer Prize-winning author uses a biologist’s perspective to explain the way environmental factors and geography shaped the modern world and gave rise to the diversity we see between societies today. The theories are compelling, and to have such a wealth of information read like a novel is an enlightening treat. Ecology of a Cracker Childhood By Janisse Ray This is a memoir of a girl growing up in great poverty in South Georgia. Ray uses her skills as an anthropologist to dig into the history of the longleaf pine and spins it in with the history of her family. From the time she is a young girl, she finds comfort in sitting in the branches of the trees around the junkyard she calls home. The beautiful story points out the often overlooked tragedy of the “daily erosion of unique folkways as our native ecosystems and all their inhabitants disappear.” A Sand County Almanac By Aldo Leopold This book is unique because Leopold gives his experiences for readers to learn from rather than trying to teach people directly. Leopold sets the scene in Wisconsin on his farm, and then proceeds to walk through the changing seasons of a year. Not only does he have the keen eye of a naturalist who sees the changes that otherwise go unnoticed, Leopold writes his observations with poetic style. 2 BOY SCOUTS RESCUE RIVER BANK Kenny Snyder and Boy Scouts pounded stakes into the bank of the Little Harpeth River to hold bundles of cedars wrapped in burlap. This work helps stabilize the bank and rebuild eroded streambanks. www.harpethriver.org New Species of Snail Found in the Harpeth By John McFadden, Director of Science and Restoration Projects A new species of snail has been found in the Harpeth River near Hwy 100. Snails are a type of mollusk known for their hard shells and rasping tongues. The tongue of a snail, called the radula, is covered with tiny teeth. The new snail belongs to the biological family Pleuroceridae, but it is less clear how to categorize it more specifically than that into genus and species. The unique dental formations on the radula and shell size are the factors being used to classify the differences between this snail and species that have been previously identified. Currently there are seven identified species, all of them native to the eastern US, but this species represents the first known endemic (i.e. native) gastropod in the Harpeth. In appearance the Harpeth’s species is similar to the genus and species Lithasia armigera but molecular analysis has shown it’s more closely related to the species Leptoxis. Until the snail species can be neatly categorized through conclusive research, it will be called “Lithasia” in quotes. The Harpeth River is part of the Cumberland River system, an area widely known for its rich aquatic diversity. With such an assortment it is not surprising to find something so unique in our river. However, because this species is restricted to such a short stretch of the river, it is considered rare and measures should be taken to protect it, as well as the surrounding environment. Information from: “A New Species of ‘Lithasia’ from the Harpeth River, Tennessee, U.S.A.” in Zootaxa 1054: 31–42 (2005). Authors: Russell L. Minton, Steven P. Saverese, Jr. , and David C. Campbell. 2 9 clip and save Be RiverSmart! We Can All Help Improve Water Quality Did you know that... the average household uses 300-350 gallons of water each day the average household uses about 50% of that water on their lawns You can have a profound impact on the health of the Harpeth by how you use water and manage your land no matter where you live. Review these tips from River Network’s national RiverSmart campaign to see what you can do for the Harpeth. You’ll find even more at our web site: www.harpethriver.org. Plant trees and shrubs along your creek bank. Native vegetation provides wildlife habitat and protects the creek from heat, fertilizer runoff, and erosion. Try to create a buffer of native vegetation a minimum of 10-feet wide from the creek edge. Minimize fertilizer on your lawn and don’t use it near creeks. Excess fertilizer will wash into the creek and cause algae problems. Install a rain barrel to catch the rain off your roof and water your lawn. See page 6 to order one. Take a walk in the rain to see where your rainwater is going. Look for ways to encourage rain to soak in on your property, such as landscaping a rain garden. Repair leaky faucets and install low-flow showerheads and toilets. Fix car leaks. Drips on pavement wash into creeks when it rains. Don’t put toxics in the trash, down the drain, or down the stormdrain. Dispose of chemicals, batteries, used oil, and paints at designated sites. To locate sites, contact your county, go to the HRWA web site, or call TDEC (1-800-287-9013) for Used Oil Drop Off sites. Water your lawn in the morning or evening instead of midday. During hot summer days, significant amounts of water are lost to evaporation. What to do in case of a River Emergency If you see a fish kill of any size, chemicals spilling into any drainage way, or mud coming off a construction site, report it immediately to the TN Department of Environmental Conservation: Call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332) 24 hours a day It takes quick action to gather the information to determine the source of the problem and to contain a pollution risk. TDEC and other state agencies have a system to respond, so don’t hesitate to call any time of day and leave a message if it is after hours. A quick response is vital to effective law enforcement. For mud running off construction sites, local governments have regulations on erosion control and stormwater runoff and will respond first. Call: City of Franklin, 791-3218 City of Brentwood, 371-0080 Williamson County, 790-5608 Davidson County (for Bellevue): 880-2420 City of Dickson 441-9506 Maintain septic systems. Visually inspect the system each year, and have it pumped out every three years. Do not flush nonbiodegradable materials or anything toxic. Avoid caustic drain cleaners — use boiling water or a plumbing snake to unclog drains. Outdoors, avoid planting anything with deeper roots than grass over the septic system. 2 RiverSmart is a national educational campaign of River Network, sponsored by Swiss Re. For more RiverSmart tips, camera-ready print ads and television spots, visit their website at www.rivernetwork.org. 10 Eyes on the Harpeth If possible, take a dated photograph, jot down as much detail as possible, and provide it to both TDEC, the local government if appropriate, and to HRWA so we can follow-up! BE SAFE: Do NOT trespass and do NOT get near any situation involving a chemical spill. Contact HRWA and send us your information also: phone 790-9767, fax 790-9897 P.O. Box 1127, Franklin, TN 37065, www.harpethriver.org. Please cut this out and hang it in a visible place! Harpeth River Watershed Association Thank You HRWA Donors August 1, 2004September 30, 2005 Bold type indicates Stewardship Council members, those who have committed to donating $250 and above for 3 years. An asterisk ( ) preceding the * name indicates participation in the Volunteer River Restoration Corps (VRRC). $10,000 and above Carell, Jim Corn, Michael & Cynthia Davee, Pamela & Bob Dixon, Janith & John Fox Hollow Farms Assoc. Grayken, Kate R. W. Hiatt, John and Nancy Hooker, Alice Lawrence, Melinda & Jeffrey Magli, Boyce Markum, Lea and David Miller, Andrew W. Noel, John & Melinda Welton Red River Watershed Assoc. Reynolds, J. Allen Schwartz, Nancy & Jonathan Sloan, Paul and Margaret Trilllium Ventures, Inc. TWRA 2004 Grant Wills, II, Ridley Wilson, Dave & Marty Wise, Doug and Bet Anonymous Ingram, Orrin National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Ozburn, F. Perry, Jr. Southern Land Company Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program – Joel and Holly Dobberpuhl $5,000- $9,999 Achiever Development Corp Atticus Trust (Mr. and Mrs. Martin S. Brown) Ingram, John ParkTrust Development, LLC Stamps, Robert F. $2,500-$4,999 * Anonymous Anonymous Boyle Investment Company Canale, Dan & Lori Craig, Deborah & C.A. Foundation Dobson, Matt Hart, H. Rodes Horatio & Willie Buntin Foundation (Alex and Mary Wade) May, Josh & Katherine Greenebaum McFadden, John Q. McFadden, Miriam Rawlings, George REI Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association $1,000 - $2,499 Andrews, Bill and Lin Benson, Loiuse Benson, Ralph Blount, Steven & Elaine Bolen, Bob and Pam Bolze, Dorie & Claude Carmichael Bredesen, Governor Philip & Andrea Conte Breggin, Linda & Michael Vandenbergh Brockman, Mary and Hank Bryan, John Jr. Campbell, Mary & Stewart Jr. www.harpethriver.org $250-$499 $500-$999 * ALCOA AFL DixieWire Battle Ground Academy Brown, Robert D. Creel, Heather and Art De Priest, William Delvin, Cynthia Dietze, Mark & Jill Echols, Bryan Ferrell, Craig & Lorraine First United Methodist Church Glaser, Robert & Helen Foundation Kriebel, Patricia and Robert Legan, Harry and Robanne Linton, Macrae & Kelly Loventhal, Tom McClain, Drs. Darrell & Kay Miller, Jr., Andrew W. Morgan, William & Lisa Morrissey, Jonathan & Kimberley Owens, Debra and Arlo Preston, Aubrey Regions Bank Shirling, Ginger Silva, Ed Swedeen, Jerry & Ruth Turner, Laura Wooten, Dick & Sidney * Akers, W. B. Anderson, Paul W. Andrews, N.A.C. and Jane Bacon, Ernie and Nell Bankemper, Joe & Beth Barcus, Sam Barkley, Bill and Becky Bastian, Samuel Bentz, Earl & Janet Berg, Leo & Julie Bolze, Marlene and Ray Bowlin, Abby Brandt, Bob Braun, Ann Burd, Paul Stephenson Campbell, Lisa & John Carr, Jeff and Ann Cashia, Joseph Cline, Louise Crossman, Mary and Jim Daniel, Rod & Marti Dannenfelser, Chad & Kelly Dearman, Timothy and Julie Dillon, John H. Doramus, Jim Doubleday, Ben & Jo Doyle, Corbette S. and Tim Gaetano Garden, Jr., George Garrett, Freda & Jim Harlan, Steve Harlan, Susan Harpeth Wetland Bank Healy, Matthew & Colette Hermann, John R. Hunt, Charles W. Jr. Ingram, David Jabas, D, & A. Vincent James, Susan Jones, Mike & Leigh Ann Jordan, Peter and Rudy Kalil, Jilah T. Knight, James Lehew, Calvin Lindsay, Carol Lockwood, Richard Magli, Cooper & Emily Morrow, Jason & Lisa Neal, Lanny Nelson, Jeanie and Will Martin Netherton, Cindy Pace, Phil and Elizabeth Hand Presley, Shannon Provost, Chris Read, Michael H. Ricci, Liz Robinson, Mrs. Walter M., Jr. Seifert, Rachael Sheller, Beth and J.R. Snyder, Bill & Susan Spencer, Ruth & Matt Stern, Willy & Ann Stewart-Wright, Jennifer Taylor, Dean & Mary Todd, Michael & Betsy Walton, Mike Wells, Amy and Tim Williams, James & Patti Zieman, Charles & Sharon $100-$249 Adams, Jennie Adlerz, Clifford & Kathleen Allan, Susan and Harry Allard, Gloria & David Alvis, Jane Anderson, Rogers C. Anderson, Timothy & Tina Andre, Denise Andrews, Jane and Currie Armstrong, Alexandra (Lexi) Arnold, Donald & Judi Ballard, Carol Barrett, Lea and Donald Barron, Jay & Leann Bass, E. Warner Bass, Melinda Bauman, Deryl & Phyllis Bazel, Cathey Beauchamp, Charles Bell, Holly Bennett, Shannon and Mark Blakely, Leslie & Randy Bradfield, Arthur and Susan Bransford White, Barbara Braun, Martha and Stephen Brothers, Betty Brown, Martin & Cathy Brown, Walt and Annette Brownlee Currey Foundation Bryan, John Buckley, Jr., Albert Buente, James S. Burke, Charles M. Burke, Dana Burr, Ian & Wendy Byrd, Andrew & Marianne Byrd, Barney Callicott, Duncan Carmody, Sara Carr, Ellen Casse, Daniel and Leslie Cate Jr., George H. Chaput, Mary and Bob Chase, Charles and Carole Clark, Cherrie & Kevin Clarke, Mary Helen Coker, Wesley Cole, Chase Cone, Tom F. Congregation Micah Cox, Elbert T., Jr. Crowell, James R. Cruickshanks, Douglas & Sondra Currey, Brownlee Jr. Currey, Patricia Danner, John and Allison Day, Roger Deason, Charles & Joyce Delvin, Andy Delvin, Hank and Cindy Dickerson, Betty & W.B. continued on next page 11 HRWA FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 2004 This condensed financial information is derived from audited financial statements prepared by McKerley and Noonan. Copies are available upon request. I. Income and Expenses (year ending 12/31/2004) Note: percentages are approximate, but dollar amounts are exact. Income Sources Foundation Grants, 4.5% Other, 0.5% Contracts, 5.5% Corp. Donations, 7.5% Individual Contributions, 36% Special Events, 9% TSRA Duck River Opportunities Project, 10% Government Grants, 27% Expenses TOTAL: $309,650 Expenditure by Program as % of Program Expenses Fundraising, 14% Management, 6% TSRA Duck River Opportunities Project Field Studies & Watershed Assessment Program, 80% State Conservation Policy TOTAL: $286,308 River Restoration, Watershed Planning & Implementation Excess of Income over Expenses: $23,342 II. Balance Sheet Assets Cash—Savings and Checking Grants receivable Fixed—Furniture and Equipment Less Depreciation Total Assets $56,246 $11,729 $11,254 ($4,309) $75,960 Liabilities and Net Assets Accounts Payable, Accrued Wages, and Payroll Tax liability Equity /Net Assets Total Liability and Equity $24,886 $51,074 $74,920 A portion of the cost to produce this piece was funded under an agreement with the TN Department of Agriculture’s Nonpoint Source Program and the US Environmental Protection Agency Assistance Agreement # C9994674-03-0. 12 Dirlam, John and Patricia Duncan, Bruce & Sandy Duvall, Daniel & Paula Duvier, Joyce & H.A. Ezell, Katherine & Steven Fieldson, Jeffrey & Anna Fitch, Lori and Jerry Fox, David and Lisa Fox, Elizabeth George, Marjorie and Jon Petty George, Rachel Georgoff, Boris Ghertner, Scott & Lynn Gifford, Claudia & John Goetz, Anne Gorman, Susan & Walter Griffith, Arthur Walker, Jr. Hale, Douglas & Brenda Hall, Carolyn Griffin & T. Hartley Harley, Wade and Delores Harris, Jean S. Harris, Ruth Harrison, Scott and Kathy Harvey, Fredric Hayes, Melissa & William III Heard, Stephen K. Heldman, Mamie Craig & John Russell Henry, Douglas Hindman, Skip Huddleston, Richard Huntley, Earl & Joan Ingram, Preston & Elizabeth Jett, Richard Joiner, Jr., William and Mary Beth Jones, Roger and Tina Kaufman, D. R. Kelley, Lori and Kenneth Kelley, Stephen and Janda Kennedy, Lee & Lynlee King, Brenda Kingston Constr. & Development Knight, Kathryn and Woodie Kreth, Tim and Joyce Krueger, Frank & Victoria Land Design, Inc. Lang, James & Cecilia Lea, Edward & Ann Lebo, Laurie Lehman, Jonathan & Ellen Lequire, Alan Ligon, Ronald S. Linn, Harry and Alice Market, Kathleen and David Marshall, Tricia and Joel Massey, Mrs. Jack Massie, Ralph May, Joseph McAlister, Harry Hill McClure, Ron McCracken, Patricia McDade, Cheryl & Mark McGory, Susan and David McGraw, Derek and Debra McInnes, Betsy McIntyre, Jr., Patrick McKendrick, Janeth McKerley, Michael Harpeth River Watershed Association * McNulty, Nancy McQuiddy, III., David L. Meyer, Robert Miller, Janet Miller, Matt and Lee Miller, Thomas & Lydia Molteni, Philip Monaghan, Kathleen Moon, Gavin & Caitlin Moon, Thomas W. Moore, James & Penny Murphy, Robert Napier, Corey, and Robynne Newbern, Judson Newton, Julie Nischan, Chris Nixon, Howard & Mary Nixon, Rodger & Shery Noel, Andromedia O’Neill, James Oslin, Brenda Otto, Barry and Cindy Otto, James B. Parker, Sarah Parrish, Rob and Julie Paslay, Barbara Pearce, Mary & Harris Penegar, Kenneth Perdue, David & Bonnie Pezzano, Joel Poole, Kim & E.J. Priest, John & Clara Queener, Elizabeth Quinn, Walt and Lori Reed, Thomas Reese, Andrew Renkis, Laura and Dennis Richmond, David & Jane Ring, Robert and Charlene Roberts, Delphine Sloan Rodgers, Joe L. Romer, Nicholas Russell, Robert & Margaret Sale, Anne & Richard Sanders, Kathleen Scott, Boyd and Cathy Sheehan, Martha Shuff, Ron Smith, Joseph Smith, Richard C. Jr. Specialty Surgery Centers, Inc. Spence, Carol and Danny Stallings, Leslie & Glen Vanderhart Stevens, Burck and Jackie Stocks, Debra Talley, David & Sallie Tanner, Bobo & Virginia Teaff, Ann Terry, Robert Thomas, Al and Trish Thompson, Tom and Paula Tidwell, Clark and Ann Dobson Tidwell Tiffany, Harry IV Tomlinson, W.L. & Elizabeth Towers, Sandy Trovato, Kathy and Tony www.harpethriver.org Tyson, Jack and Helen Vandeventer, Jane Wade, Gregory & Mary Jane Wadzinski, Claudia Wall, Kimberly & Howard Warren, Mark Gavin Wasielewski, Robert & Shannon White, Kevin and Brandiss Wieckert, Karen & Rogers P. Hall Wiener, Mark & Barbara Wilker, Marvin L. Williams, Jeff and Kristy Williams, Marcia E. Wirtgen America, Inc. Wise, Kathleen Wise, Michael and Kathleen Woodring, W.W. Zinke, Bill and Brooke Ackerly Bold type indicates Stewardship Council members, those who have committed to donating $250 and above for 3 years. An asterisk ( ) preceding the name indicates participation * in the Volunteer River Restoration Corps (VRRC). Sims, Wilson Jr. Stillings, Timothy Tanner, Hugh C. Thies, Tatum Hauck Trabue, III, Charles C. Walker, Joan Warren, Jr., Stryker Weaver, Gregory & Paula Phelps-Weaver Welton, Melinda Williams, Melinda Wilson, David & Elizabeth Yost, William J. $50-$99 Alford, Marceleen & Robert Andrews, Victor and Suzanne Bass, Mrs. Edie M. Bethea, Sally Sierer Bracken, Richard & Judith Brown, Walter and Annette Brunetti, Roxie and Don Carmichael, Crom Casada, Glen Cataldo-Jaszcz, Judith & John Jaszcz Cheek, Kathryn B. Clayton, Martin Clements, Patricia Doughty, Susan G. Edelen, Dennis & Cheryl Garvey, Cynthia Green, Donald and Amy Harshman-Green Hadden Group, Inc. Halford, Julia and Dan Harshman, Joan Harwell Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hicks, Robert Higgins, James & Candace High, Deborah L. Hood, Laura Huffman, Janet B. Jerry, Jane & George Jones, Marsha & Dr. Phillip Ladd, Alfred & Betty Lassus, Joe Layman, Debbie Maclean, Nancy Marstiller, Jean W. McCaleb, Joe McCaughna, Kathy Mulder, Kevin & Angie Parmer, Henry & Joan Parr, Soraya Cates Parsons, Jr., William Powell, Dale Ray, Lillian and Austin Reichman, Sydney J. Ridings, Jeffrey & Gena Shaughnessy, Robert H. $25-$49 Matthews, Kay & Richard McCormick, Deborah Tanenbaum McCoy, Judith McGavock, Iva Moseley, William Darrell Narusevicius, Angela Norris, Jane Ormes, Bill Overby, Shannon Peterson, Antoinette & Robert Peterson, Lee & Dana Reehl, Roger Rieke, Louis Roberts, Emily Rohrbach, Cynthia Rutherford, Anne Rutledge, Chad E. L. Schallert, Dave & Katie Cunningham Shankle, Steven and Mary Jo Shultz, Patty Silver, Lisa Soltesz, Gary Southeast W/S Forum Southwick-Bush, Linda Stewart, Helen Stutz, Deborah C. Sullivan, J. Stacey Temple, Horace and Shelley Trabue, Jr., Nelson & Elizabeth Tygard, Charles Jr. Vann, Kevin Warren, Carol and Dale Whitehead Watson, Stacey Whitehead, Ken and Delene Willis, Eleanor L. Wilson, Martha Young, Ed 2 Agee, Mary & Kent Ashworth, Richard Atencio, Pedro Aycock, Anna Barker, April Bell, W. F. Bibb, Julian Bice, Anita Biggs, Dr. Blanton, Gwendolyn Ella Bonvissuto, Vincent and Linda Brown, Dr. Gary H. Bynum, James Collie, Anne Corrin, Mike and Barbie Crutcher, Terri and Charles Cummings, Patrick L. D’Andrea, Peter & Joann Davies, Richard Sr. Diehl, Tim Douty, Deborah Draper, Karen & Paul Dupree, Hugh Eadie, Robert Edgerton, Lynne Todd Faccia, Kate Garton, Donald Gill, Hollis and Rose Grisham, Brian Gwyn, Catherine Hall, Yvonne & Scott Hancock, Arthur S. Hanron, Margaret Haugh, Ellen & Connor Heller, Reva G. Hester, Betsy & Preston Irvin, Frank & Grace Kirby, Colleen Lamb, Ellissa Laster, Debbie “Working together to protect Lebovitz, Paul & Ruth and restore the Harpeth River” Leeson, James Jr. Lyle, Jack Mahon, James Martin, Joanne & Jacob * * 13 For the Good of the River... Duck River Opportunities Project Brings Together Businesses, Individuals, and Communities By John McFadden Director of Science and Restoration Programs The Duck River is home to some 54 freshwater mussel species, 151 fish species and some 20 types of aquatic snails — as such The Nature Conservancy considers the Duck River one of the most biologically diverse, if not the most biologically diverse, freshwater river systems in the world. Duck River Opportunities Project (DROP) actively works with landowners, educators, communities, agencies and volunteers to improve water quality in the Duck River watershed and to provide active involvement opportunities for citizens that promote long-term watershed health. Here are some of the projects implemented during 2005: World Water Monitoring Day In the fall of 2005, The Farm School, with support from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s TP3 Green Schools Program (Cynthia Rohrbach, coordinator) and the Duck River Opportunities Project, supported by GM-Spring Hill, participated in World Water Monitoring Day. Twelve students accompanied by five adults sampled two sites on Swan Creek in Lewis County, near Hohenwald. Sites were sampled for chemical, physical and biological characteristics. Biological sampling included collecting aquatic insects, in an effort to determine the health of the river system. Sites scored in the good to excellent range; this was consistent with data previously collected by professional biologists and volunteers. Swan Creek is one of the highest quality tributaries in the globally significant Duck River watershed. Our volunteer data is important because it helps resource managers determine if streams are being harmed. While less sensitive than data collected Special Thanks to Contributing Organizations August 1, 2004-September 30, 2005 Achiever Development Corp. AMEC Earth and Environmental Aquaeter Barbequool – Barry Shuffit Brentwood Parks Department Center for Watershed Protection Chestnut Group City of Brentwood City of Franklin City of Thompson’s Station Community Foundation of Middle TN Cumberland Region Tomorrow Cumberland River Compact Environmental Mgmnt & Engineering,Inc. Environmental Protection Agency Franklin Tomorrow GroWild, Inc. The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson Co. ISDN-NET Jen-Hill Construction The Land Trust for Tennessee Little Critters Metro Nashville and Davidson County — Parks & Recreation, Planning 14 Commission, Metro Water Services Stormwater Program Nashville Natives Natural Resources Conservation Service Nature Conservancy One Source, Inc. Rawlings Foundation Red River Watershed Association River Network Southern Environmental Law Center Stites and Harbison The Tennessean Tennessee Clean Water Network Tennessee Department of Agriculture Nonpoint Source Program Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee Department of Transportation Tennessee Environmental Council Tennessee Widlife Resources Agency US Geological Survey US Fish and Wildlife Service University of Tennessee Center for Decentralized Wastewater Management Williamson County Government World Wildlife Fund by professionals, our data does help inform staff at natural resource agencies and can be utilized to direct change in land management strategies. Education: Teaching Students to Value the River Mike Cain (HRWA/TSRA) and Dave Pelren (TSRA & US Fish & Wildlife Service) participated in the first Shelbyville Duck River Education Day. The event was held along the Duck River and included several watershed and water quality education stations where 500+ fifth-graders from Shelbyville and Bedford County spent time learning about the Duck River’s ecology and many mussel species. At one station there was a tank full of mussels in muddy water — by the day’s end, students could see the mussels had filtered the mud out of the water. Just one of a myriad of benefits associated with the great diversity of aquatic life! Restoration Work DROP installed cedar revetments in addition to streambank plantings in Jerry Erwin Park along McCutcheon Creek. Revetments, which stop streambank erosion, were installed by volunteers: Randal Branch (from the Stones River Watershed Association), Max Cain, and Lloyd and Matt Jaeger. Thanks! Mobilizing Additional Support Program staff member Marty Marina continues to talk to agency folks and citizens about the possibility of a Duck River Watershed Association and is getting much support for this. Project staff are beginning to look for the resources to move this forward. This project is funded in part by Saturn Corporation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nonpoint Source Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Agreement #C3334674-03-0, the Tennessee Environmental Endowment, and The World Wildlife Fund. 2 Harpeth River Watershed Association Government Grants and Specific Project Contracts Funds received from Aug. 2004-Sept. 2005 unless otherwise noted. TN Department of Agriculture Nonpoint Source Program $300,000 three-year grant that started in Fall 2003 for watershed restoration, planning and outreach. Focus areas are in the headwaters in Eagleville, West Harpeth, and Little Harpeth. $137,700 remaining in the grant. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV $200,000 three-year grant started at the end of 2004 to integrate watershed oriented planning into local ordinances to help meet water quality and drinking water goals. Pilot subwatershed is Five Mile Creek, which is in the Goose Creek I-65 corridor area south of Franklin, Williamson County. $154,212 remaining in the grant. TN Department of Transportation Completed project begun in summer of 2003 to contact landowners and identify potential restoration projects in the Turnbull Creek watershed for River Restoration Volunteers Thank You for Getting Your Feet Wet! www.harpethriver.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Anderson, Christopher Barberic, Chris Boone, Dan Boy Scout Troop 444 Braisted, Sean Brandmeir, Seannalyn Fuller, Val Hartley, Brittany Haynes, Brevard Heffron, Brian Huskey, Mariah Jaeger, Kevin Jaeger, Lloyd Johnson, Dawn Moody, Gary Pate, Addison Qualk, James Simpkins, Kala Snyder, Cate Snyder, Ed Snyder, Kenny Spencer, Marshall Thomsen, John Wilczek, Melissa Supplemental Environmental Funds. Contract through Environmental Management and Engineering, Inc. $23,850. Achiever Development Corporation Conducted field study of water quality with the Green Springs development in Fairview. Completed Phase I, pre-development conditions in 2005. $5,412. City of Brentwood Parks Department Developed a restoration plan and began to implement projects along the Little Harpeth in the city parks. $6993. Red River Watershed Association Contract to provide training on Volunteer Stream Assessment protocol and conduct quality control/assessment. Funds from TN Department of Agriculture Nonpoint Source Program grant to RRWA. $1440. As part of the Environmental Protection Agency grant, in September HRWA staff met with Don Green (City of Franklin Stormwater Program) and Regina Wilder (Williamson County Stormwater Program) to evaluate potential restoration sites within the Five Mile Creek Watershed, located south of Franklin in Williamson County. HWRA is working with the City, County, developers and local landowners to identify sources of water quality impairment then design and implement restoration efforts. RiverSmart Festival 2005 Water, Critters, Kids, and More! Interested in having a RiverSmart festival in your area? Contact HRWA for an information packet to help you get started. HRWA Board President Matt Dobson (left) and Director of Science and Restoration Programs John McFadden helping festival guests learn about benthic bugs. 15 Look Inside & Take Action: Congratulate the winners of the 2005 River Steward Awards—Their efforts are making a big difference in the health of the Harpeth! (pg. 1) Check out the Hootenanny photos— As you can see, a good time was had by all, and the event raised $65,000 to support HRWA’s mission. (pg. 2) Sign on—Join HRWA today or renew your membership. Your support is critical! (pg. 4) Follow Eagle Scout Mark Corrin’s example and help restore our riverbanks—With the help of family and friends from the Boy Scouts, Mark’s project treated over 120 feet of eroded streambank. (pg. 5) Get involved—Enjoy an upcoming learning session or join a project being done by the Volunteer River Restoration Corps (pg. 6). Learn from the experts—Find out about Instream Flow and how its measurement aids in watershed policy-setting. (pg. 7) See how HRWA leverages your contributions —The 2004 financial report shows where the money comes from and how it’s spent to protect the Harpeth. (pg. 12) HRWA Staff: Leading the Way LEFT TO RIGHT: DORENE BOLZE — Executive Director PAM DAVEE — Director of Development and Policy Specialist JULIA HALFORD — Events and Membership Manager JOHN MCFADDEN — Director of Science and Restoration Programs GWEN BLANTON — River Restoration Program Manager & Environmental Specialist The Nashville region is one of the fastest growing areas of the country, but there is hope for the longterm health of the Harpeth River when so many people care about its creeks, streams, hollows, and valleys. We witnessed this outpouring of concern and willingness to learn how to better care for our river at the RiverSmart Festival in May and at the Hootenanny in September. We honored the outstanding efforts of individuals, political leaders, developers, and volunteers with our 2005 Harpeth River Steward Awards. It takes a community effort to become “RiverSmart” in each of the six counties of the watershed. Many thanks to all of you that support our efforts to be that catalyst on behalf of the Harpeth. — DORENE BOLZE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT 777 HARPETH RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 1127 FRANKLIN, TN 37065 WWW.HARPETHRIVER.ORG Check out our website for past issues of the newsletter and a wealth of river-friendly resources for home and garden.