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Approval of pre-application for Greenway and Habitat Conservation Easement Project
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SUMMARY:
As a result of the TVA Kingston Coal Ash disaster, TVA was fined by TDEC. These funds have been designated to provide improvements to habitat and restoration in the three watersheds affected by the ash spill - the Emory River system, the Clinch River system, and the streams that flow into the upper part of the Watts Bar Reservoir. More than half of the funds were awarded for project in 2013 with projects completed by 2015. There is $750,000 remaining in this cycle. There are two project categories: Habitat Restoration and Provision of New/Improved Recreational Opportunities. The application manual encourages projects that provide benefits in both categories. The application specifically allows funds to be used for land acquisition and easements and for habitat enhancement, which this project involve.
The application process consists of a pre-proposal due February 29th. Selected projects will be notified by March 25th and full proposals will be due on April 15. The projects selected from that group will be notified by summer (date not specified). Contracts would then be drawn up and executed, so work under the contract might be able to start by August (my estimate).
There is a minimum 20% match required, with in-kind contributions eligible. No administrative costs are allowed using grant funds. It may be possible to count administrative costs as part of the match.
The work under the grant must be completed within two years.
Proposal Summary (Pre-proposal Application has not been completed at this time)
A. Easement Acquisition
The City of Crossville and OWCA will acquire through donation or purchase approximately fifty foot easement on both sides of the Little Obed River running from approximately the point on the stream below the end of Obed Court to the County's Obed River Park, covering roughly 1.7 miles, as indicated on the ...
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