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Little River in Blount County, Tenn., Finalist for EPA Grant

Release Date: 11/16/2005
Contact Information:

November 16,2005 Contact: Laura Niles, niles.laura@epa.gov,  Phone: (404) 562-8353 The Blount County Soil Conservation District (the District) in Blount County, Tennessee is a finalist in the competition for a shared $9 million in EPA Targeted Watershed grant funding to help protect and restore the waters of the Little River.  The District is among 12 watershed coalitions nationwide that were selected as finalists out of 76 nominees in 2005 for the Targeted Watershed grants. The Little River, located in southeast Tennessee, is home to several state and federally-protected species and provides recreation and drinking water to local communities.  The District is requesting Targeted Watershed Grant funds to address nonpoint source pollution from agricultural and residential areas and assist low-income households repair failing septic systems.   The District will join 34 other coalitions that have been selected over the past two years to share nearly $39 million in grants. The coalitions selected have been recognized for setting clear goals and comprehensive watershed plans. Projects include stream stabilization, culvert replacement, and habitat enhancement activities.  Funds also will support agricultural management practices in rural areas and stormwater management practices in urban areas.  The Targeted Watersheds Grant Program fosters community-based initiatives to help protect, preserve, and restore local or regional watersheds.  The goal of the program is to build on the successes of partners who have completed all of the watershed assessments and are ready to carry out their plans. Other coalitions selected for this grant would benefit these watersheds: Cheat River, W.Va. Huff Run, Ohio Lake Hopatcong, N.J. Presumpscot River/Casco Bay, Maine Skagit River, Wash. Tangipahoa River, La. Trinity River/Lower Klamath River, Calif. Tuttle Creek Lake, Neb. and Kan. Upper Sevier River, Utah Vermillion River, Minn. Willamette River, Ore. More information about this year's selections or about the Targeted Watershed Grant program is at: https://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/initiative ###