The group is coordinating the efforts of federal and state agencies, Chattanooga and Hamilton County governments, and area and regional businesses to identify and address a variety of issues. These include a multiyear project to reduce acid mine drainage by installing passive treatment systems, an ecological restoration training workshop for the community, acquisition of land for extension of the Greenway and protection of water quality, streambank stabilization, and educational activities in schools and communities in the watershed. Teachers and their students have adopted sections of the Holston River and are working together to solve pollution problems with technical support and funding from local, state, and federal agencies. The project was recently awarded an environmental justice grant which is being used to fund a full-time coordinator. For the last year, the Wheeler-Elk RAT has facilitated the Paint Rock River Initiative in northeastern Alabama.
Landowners are concerned about flooding and streambank erosion.
Landowners and 20 agencies and organizations are working together to increase awareness, stabilize streambanks, and implement best management practices. As TVA moves forward in implementing its watershed approach, several weaknesses are being addressed. Efforts also are underway to develop better biological assessment tools and resource-based performance measures. These challenges, however, are offset by the demonstrated advantages of a partnership approach. As facilitators of cooperative efforts, RATs are able to address needs and issues that often cannot be addressed effectively under single programs.