Page 24 - TN Public Works Nov-Dec 2014 Vol. 32 No. 5
P. 24
by gary gaskin & amy Murray
Healthy Watersheds is THWI Goal
Many of the state’s MS4 (Municipal Project Objectives improving sediment loads, minimizing
Separate Storm Sewer System) programs The main objectives of the Tennessee habitat alteration, and removing excess
currently reside within the Middle Healthy Watershed Initiative (THWI) pollutants and nutrients in waterways.
Tennessee region. This region is unique project are to provide a permanent The facility provides a centralized
as it is not only a great combination of research and educational facility where location for environmental education
the East and West Tennessee portions people of all ages and walks of life can and is a single locale in which multiple
of the state as they come together and enjoy nature as it should be and to impacts--agriculture, suburban, urban
meet, it also holds and supports much of educate citizens about how to keep their and extreme concentrated urban
the state’s diversity in plant and animal local waterways and watersheds as clean runoff--are studied under a wide range
life. It is home to the Cumberland River as possible for all forms of life. Without of conditions and monitored for risks
Basin, the Lower Tennessee River Basin, clean water, nothing survives. to the watershed and the effectiveness
and a portion of the Barren River Basin This permanent facility establishes a of various Best Management Practices
from Kentucky. Middle Tennessee has a base for transferrable knowledge and (BMPs) in mitigating those negative
tremendous amount of valuable natural programs on managing stormwater impacts.
resource diversity and personality that runoff in urban areas by addressing
must be preserved for future generations. key water resource issues such as First Demonstration & Research Site
The James E. Ward Agriculture
Center is the location for the first
THWI demonstration and research
site. To date, there are several actively
functioning, permanent BMP examples
installed and utilized for educational
Before wetland construction
Rain garden development
aN iN-kiND
coNTribuTioN suMMarY
Over 50 partners from government,
businesses, local clubs, and
consultants, 25 of them major
contributors spelled out in
this report, were pivotal to the
After wetland construction completion of this project.
24 TPW November/December 2014
Healthy Watersheds is THWI Goal
Many of the state’s MS4 (Municipal Project Objectives improving sediment loads, minimizing
Separate Storm Sewer System) programs The main objectives of the Tennessee habitat alteration, and removing excess
currently reside within the Middle Healthy Watershed Initiative (THWI) pollutants and nutrients in waterways.
Tennessee region. This region is unique project are to provide a permanent The facility provides a centralized
as it is not only a great combination of research and educational facility where location for environmental education
the East and West Tennessee portions people of all ages and walks of life can and is a single locale in which multiple
of the state as they come together and enjoy nature as it should be and to impacts--agriculture, suburban, urban
meet, it also holds and supports much of educate citizens about how to keep their and extreme concentrated urban
the state’s diversity in plant and animal local waterways and watersheds as clean runoff--are studied under a wide range
life. It is home to the Cumberland River as possible for all forms of life. Without of conditions and monitored for risks
Basin, the Lower Tennessee River Basin, clean water, nothing survives. to the watershed and the effectiveness
and a portion of the Barren River Basin This permanent facility establishes a of various Best Management Practices
from Kentucky. Middle Tennessee has a base for transferrable knowledge and (BMPs) in mitigating those negative
tremendous amount of valuable natural programs on managing stormwater impacts.
resource diversity and personality that runoff in urban areas by addressing
must be preserved for future generations. key water resource issues such as First Demonstration & Research Site
The James E. Ward Agriculture
Center is the location for the first
THWI demonstration and research
site. To date, there are several actively
functioning, permanent BMP examples
installed and utilized for educational
Before wetland construction
Rain garden development
aN iN-kiND
coNTribuTioN suMMarY
Over 50 partners from government,
businesses, local clubs, and
consultants, 25 of them major
contributors spelled out in
this report, were pivotal to the
After wetland construction completion of this project.
24 TPW November/December 2014
