Richland Creek Watershed Alliance blog

RCWA End of Year Cheers

2011-12-28T12:46:00.004-06:00

We have spent another year together focused on the important and mutual task of protecting and enhancing Richland Creek. Cheers and thank you for being there! In 2011 we have...

Assisted TWRA with collecting winter invertebrate samples on Richland Creek
Implemented baseline water quality sampling on 9 locations of Richland Creek
Collaborated with Nashville Waterways Recovery Project — assessed 18 stream miles for flood debris removal
Held 4 flood recovery clean ups on the Creek — removed 16 tons of debris, engaged 152 volunteers and cleaned up 13.5 acres
Fielded numerous environmental concerns and citizens' inquires
Conducted 2 water quality training sessions for citizen scientists
Completed a targeted dissolved oxygen study with volunteers
Advocated for long-term restoration of Richland Creek
Filed an Item A Appeal with Board of Zoning to defend Creek from an outdated land use
Gave lectures about the work of RCWA, the health of Richland Creek and water resource sustainability
Produced a wall poster for the Flow 2011 national conference held in Nashville that focused on RCWA's work with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's flow study on Richland Creek
Facilitated a riparian enhancement project at Nashville Big Picture School with Johnson Controls
Networked with several environmental groups, community leaders and citizens for stream conservation
Filed a Petition with the Chancery Court of Davidson County challenging the Item A Appeal decision
Rebuilt the RCWA website
Published information to keep stakeholders informed (newsletter, blog and emails)
Created a new RCWA brochure, stream monitoring sampling plan and volunteer training manual
Held our Annual Gathering — A Watershed is Common Ground
Recruited 3 new Board members
Grew the RCWA membership

The work of RCWA in 2011 was made possible by the assistance received from:

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

World Wildlife Fund

The Middle Tennessee Community Foundation's Metro Disaster Response Fund

Barge Cauthen

Johnson Controls

Bone McAllester Norton

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

Mayor's Office and Metro Government Departments: Water Services, Public Works, Parks and General Services

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Nashville's Business Community (Messer Construction, Tennessee Contractors Equipment, Blinker-Lite, Dose, Produce Place and Starbucks

Our Members and Volunteers

RCWA is very appreciative of our supportors, members and volunteers and in 2012, more possibilities can become a reality with your help. Please consider a year-end tax deductible gift to support the work of RCWA... to protect and enhance Richland Creek. Donate via Paypal or snail mail. We thank you.

Cheers to all for a great New Year!

RCWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RCWA rebuilt website GOES LIVE

2011-12-03T08:12:00.001-06:00

RCWA rebuilt their website — www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org with ICG Link. We have updated information about our work to improve the health and vitality of Richland Creek and will expand the site as we progress. The "Library," still under construction will provide access to our publications, photographs, videos and maps. You can still easily donate and join the organization from the "how you can help" page and "check the blog" from the website. RCWA is grateful to those that help accomplish this long process. Check it out.... and let us know what you think!

Annual Gathering Highlights and Volunteer Cheers

2011-10-09T19:28:00.000-05:00

Laura Lloyd

Holly and Barry Tashian

RCWA's 2011 Annual Membership Gathering last weekend at West Meade's Abintra Montesorri School was a success thanks to many people. School cooridnator, Laura Lloyd wholeheartedly welcomed RCWA and the community space was perfect. Thanks for making it so easy and comfortable for us! The Tashins' bluegrass rooted sound transformed the happening— filled the room with upbeat musical vibes. Thanks Barry and Holly for sharing your talent and music! RCWA volunteers — Eleanor Synder, Susan Fisher, Paul Picilli, Sue Shann, Catherine Hayden and Steph Swartz made our event planning, set up, parking and clean up painless and flawless. Big thanks to everyone! Your food choices perfect.

This year's program highlighted streams running through negihborhoods and stakerhoders as the voice for creek life. Environmental concerns announced prompted community questions. Results from RCWA"s summer dissolved oxygen study finding oxygen levels below regulatory requirements (5 mg/L) specifically were surprising.

The focus for the RCWA summer study was to evaluate if the use of creek water for irrigation during dry periods was inhibiting healthy dissolved oxygen levels from being maintained. Even though a longer and more costly study certainly would have provided more expansive data our results support Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's comment — "an identifiable source of degradation is a Metro water withdrawal at Richland Creek Mile (RCM) 5.0 in the McCabe Park area."The first two days of the RCWA study found 8 out of 32 dissolved oxygen measurements (25%) fell below regulatory requirements — stream conditions were inhospitable to fish and aquatic life. Before the third and final test day it rained and consequently creek conditions quickly improved, indicating the previous poor conditions were due to the lack of water flow in the stream.

RCWA will work to compile a report about our work and present it to decisions makers. The volunteer spirit is alive and well and lets give our Citizen Scientists a big hand: Darlene Panvini, Holly and David Resuehr, Laurel Donahue, Jeff Recker, Steve Curnutte, Joel Covington, Mark Woods and Thomas Herbert and who represent several neighborhoods in our watershed.

Thanks and Cheers to Volunteers.....

Monette

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance's stream monitoring program was made possible by assistance provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and World Wildlife Fund.

RCWA Annual Gathering — A Watershed is Common Ground

2011-09-15T12:51:00.008-05:00

www.tashianmusic.com

Graciously hosted by Abintra Montessori School, this year our annual gathering will be blessed with music by Barry and Holly Tashian — "Their singing was so precise, so on the mark, that the room rang with vocal overtones" — The Los Angeles Times.

Join us for our presentation this year and to enjoy some food, wine, music and community-fun nestled in West Meade.

October 2, 2011 — 4-5:30 p.m.

A Watershed is Common Ground

Abintra Montessori School

914 Davidson Drive Nashville, TN 37205

Appetizers and wine — adult only event

Your (tax-deductible) support is appreciated!

Volunteers Become Citizen Scientists

2011-08-31T15:08:00.995-05:00

RCWA held their first stream monitoring training at the old science lab in Cohn School last week, which brought back high school memories for some of us. The participants read a training manual RCWA created prior, which included background information on the watershed and outlined objectives for the stream study. After several in-class trial runs, the following Saturday citizens collected samples from Richland Creek to conduct more dissolved oxygen tests. Ten volunteers are committing their time for this important stream monitoring study. Adequate dissolved oxygen levels are required for healthy aquatic habitats, which is the focus for this RCWA study. Once finished, citizen scientists will have recorded 144 dissolved oxygen measurements — made a significant feat. Big cheers to our volunteers. Thanks also to John Robbins and Quinn Bloom for assisting volunteers during the RCWA training sessions.
Stay tuned for additional updates and photos in upcoming weeks.
The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is appreciative for the assistance provided by the World Wildlife Fund, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Barge Cauthen & Associates.
To become a business sponsor contact us at rcwa@comcast.net.
Together, we do make a difference.

RCWA's Board of Zoning Appeal Case Postponed Today

2011-08-18T11:41:00.002-05:00

RCWA filed an Item A Appeal with Metro Nashville Codes Administration on June 30, 2011. The action was taken to defend Richland Creek from a nonconforming use car lot on Charlotte Pike that was resuming operations after they had abandoned the location for more than 24 months — a period of time longer than allowed by law for a new permit to come under the nonconforming provisions of the Metro Code.

The Board of Zoning of Appeals postponed hearing our case (August 18, 1 PM) because 3 of the 7 Board of Zoning Appeal Members could not make the hearing today and another had to recuse themselves. This meant for our case there would not be the required number of members (quorum) present.

RCWA's Item A Appeal (Case #2011-069) is now scheduled to be heard at 1 PM September 1st — at the next, regular scheduled hearing of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
A link to the Board of Appeals Meeting Dockets is http://www.nashville.gov/codes/bza/dockets.asp.

BZA Meetings are held

700 2nd Avenue South

Sonny West Conference Center

Nashville, TN

RCWA Taking Two Actions to Protect Richland Creek

2011-07-13T18:17:00.004-05:00

1) RCWA filed an Item A Appeal with Metro Nashville Codes Administration on June 30, 2011. The action was taken to defend Richland Creek from a nonconfroming use car lot on Charlotte Pike resuming operations.

The basis for our appeal is the use is not permitted in that zoning district because the previous nonconfroming use had ceased for a period of time longer than allowed by law for a new permit to come under the noncomforming provisions of the Metro Code. The Board of Zoning of Appeals will hear our case 1 p.m. August 18th.

2) RCWA is calling for volunteers to become citizen scientists for an important summer study!

The RCWA Stream Monitoring Guidance Handbook is complete and will be printed soon.

Interested volunteers should email the RICHLAND CREEK WATERSHED ALLIANCE with your name, phone and address to rcwa@comcast.net and we will provide you with the monitoring manual to read before training begins.
Each volunteer will attend two-free training sessions in preparation for sampling:

1st Training - Indoors - August 22nd 6-8 p.m. Location: Cohn Adult School, 4805 Park Avenue, Room 123

2nd Training - Outdoors - August 27th 9-11 a.m. Stream-side training location to be announced at 1st training.

A minimum of 8 volunteers are needed to conduct this targeted study. More monitors are welcome and would enable more data to be collected. Everything is free to citizen scientists -- supplies, equipment and training.
Your help is needed and appreciated!

Thanks to the assistance provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and World Wildlife Fund the RCWA Monitoring program was made possible.

RCWA Volunteer John
Baseline Sampling April 2011

Richland Creek Instream Flow Study Generates Letter of Request

2011-06-06T15:54:00.250-05:00

The 2009 - 2010 instream flow study that RCWA worked on with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) generated a Letter of Request that was recently submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The letter reports the withdrawal as an "identifiable source of degradation," and adds that "both the low-head dam and excessive withdrawal during low flow periods contribute to pollution on Richland Creek." TWRA is a comment agency and recommendations focus on the protection of fish and aquatic habitat and diversity. (The low flow periods refers to the summer months)

RCWA requested a meeting with all of the involved agencies and departments to discuss the research and long-term restoration of Richland Creek. At this May 24th meeting RCWA presented many potential benefits to the stream's ecology, integrity, hydrology and water quality by removing the low-head dam. Acknowleging the inevitable costs a project like this would entail, RCWA also suggested potential funding resource ideas and willingness to help. At this time, TDEC and Metro are discussing the report.

Produced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, here is a link to a short (8 minute) video showing a low-head dam removal and commentary about benefits to the stream's ecology and integrity -- http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/21463/Default.aspx. Take a look...the low head dam being removed is similar to the one on Richland Creek with parallel benefits.

RCWA was invited to produce and present a wall poster (below) at the Instream Flow Council's Flow 2011 conference held at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, May 2-4 about our flow study partnership with the TWRA. Click on the poster to enlarge for easier viewing.

Presented at the Flow 2011 Conference
Instream Flow Valuation in Public Decision-Making
May 2-4, 2011 Nashville, TN

Long-term restoration and sustainaibliy of Richland Creek is the mission of the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance.

Mayor Dean Thanks Volunteers - 4 more tons

2011-05-01T08:50:00.531-05:00

April 30, 2011

tired of tires.....

Mayor Dean visited Richland Creek Watershed Alliance's 4th flood recovery clean up Saturday to thank volunteers for all their hard work. The Mayor got a firsthand view of Richland Creek and discussed watershed restoration with RCWA. Volunteers came out to the Nations stream-side neighborhood and removed 4 more tons of flood debris yesterday. Many tires were found again, trees fallen atop the flood debris were pulled out for brush recycle and another dumpster was filled with rubble. Over the past 10 weeks RCWA has removed 16 tons of flood debris and recovered 60 Metro trash receptacles to be put back to work. See more photos taken by RCWA volunteer, Steve Swartz here.

Volunteers are the stars!

These recovery projects are in conjunction with our Nashville Waterways Recovery Project partners:

Mayor Dean's Impact Nashville

Hands on Nashville

Cumberland River Compact

Harpeth River Watershed Association

Metro Water Services

RCWA gives a big thanks to TDOT, Metro Beautification, Blinker Lite and Starbucks for providing additional assistance to this clean up event!

Later this year RCWA wants to host more clean up events to get the harder to reach debris. Our work is important and your help is needed! Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution by mail or just use Paypal from our website.
RCWA PO Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209
Thanks and green cheers.

RCWA Creek Clean Ups - 12 Tons and Counting

2011-04-11T10:09:00.549-05:00

Good morning ducks....

RCWA Team Leaders

As if reminding Richland Creek Watershed Alliance of, why we do what we do, ducks frolicked in the stream, greeting RCWA leaders preparing for this year's annual clean up. Two more tons of debris got removed this spring from Richland Creek at Charlotte Avenue. The creek habitat is healthier and streamside appearance improved because of the forty plus volunteers who came to help remove many difficult items from the stream, it's banks, storm channels, parking lots and tributary that flows under Whitebridge.

Gunner

www.gunnersrecycling.com

Gunner and his family joined us and recovered glass for recycling too. About half of what was collected is pictured here. Thanks Gunner's Glass Recycling. Volunteers filled the dumpster with stream debris, pulled out a huge pile of woody brush blocking a storm drain and retreived more trash receptacles to be returned to Metro for re-use that were deposited from the flood. Everyone worked hard this hot April day and commented how beautiful this area of Richland Creek could be......

SO FAR THIS YEAR we have removed 12 tons of debris from Richland Creek ... and counting to meet the 20 Ton Goal pledged to Metro. RCWA needs your help --- our funds are running low!
Your support of $1, $5 or $10 per ton will help meet our 20 Ton Goal and make Richland Creek healthier.
Please send your 20 Ton Pledge to RCWA (P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209) and support our volunteers and the work we do. Thanks!
Our next Richland Creek recovery clean up is April 30th at Hite street. Get details here.

Looking back- 5th Annual Spring Creek Clean Up at Charlotte Avenue

2011-04-04T11:28:00.007-05:00

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance learned preparing for thier first spring clean up in 2007 that many people did not know a stream was running under a historic boulevard; unaware that Richland Creek flowed beneath Charlotte Avenue. This Saturday, April 9th will be the fifth year that the RCWA hosts a spring stream clean up here. Over 6 tons of debris has been removed over the four years past at this small segment of Richland Creek. Volunteers are invited to join us again, 9 a.m. to remove more debris this year. Plenty of parking is available at the community church on 54th Avenue, behind Budget Brakes, which is a short walk to our registration tent. Refreshments, t-shirts and clean up supplies will be provided to our volunteers. You can click "get details" from our website homepage to download the event flyer with a map.

RCWA has been highlighting the ecological and historic importance of this intersection over the past years too. Nashville's first road west and the rich-creek-land, where our founding father, General James Roberson forged settlement upon were noted and can be imagined by historic markers. Setting quietly at this creek-avenue crossroads is Daughters of the American Revolution rock marking where Father of Nashville's driveway once began; and a Battle of Nashville sign indicating a decisive battle line set by the Federal 6th Calavary in 1864 on Richland Creek.
Back then the landscaped was rich -- bubbling with wildlife and persistant settlers willing to risk their life against indian attacks to farm the fertile soil. The rich-stream-land did not remain the jewel it was but conditions are about to be enhanced soon. Community advocacy for reclaimation of the stream buffer and realizations from the May flood has prompted improvement. The upcoming West Nashville police precinct is giving back over 54,000 square feet of land to Richland Creek. Residents and onlookers will watch the benefits flourish and the broader value of Richland Creek grow into view overtime.

Clean Up Volunteers Grateful to Mother Nature Yesterday

2011-03-27T10:39:00.002-05:00

The eighty percent rain chance forecasted Friday night reasonably convinced us that a gulley washer was eminent Saturday and prompted organizers to prepare a retreat plan. Nature fooled us all and rewarded the 19 hardy volunteers who appeared with dry weather. The volunteers worked tirelessly and retrieved about 4 tons of flood debris. Many large floatable flood remnants easily could have made their way back into the stream, met up with the sewer line just downstream and created a blockage to stream flow. Volunteers from the Nations neighborhood understood the potential flood hazard and expressed gratitude for our event. Beside filling the roll of dumpster below, volunteers seperated out tires and hazardous materials for proper disposal and Metro trash receptalces to be returned for reuse.

Before

Almost Done

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is extremely grateful to our

Sponsors

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Metro Disaster Response Fund

Metro Public Works and Beautification

Tennesseee Contractors Equipment

Messer Construction Company

Blinker Lite

Dose Coffee and Tea;
The Volunteers,
and our Nashville Waterways Recovery Project partners:
Mayor Dean's Impact Nashville
Hands On Nashville
Cumberland River Compact
Harpeth River Watershed Association
Metro Water Services,
all made this flood recovery project possible.

Our next Richland Creek flood recovery project is scheduled for April 9th at Charlotte Avenue and we need volunteers with canoes to help retreive debris from the steep stream banks. Contact us at rcwa@comcast.net if you can help. Thanks!

The Next Richland Creek Flood Recovery Clean Up Scheduled in the Nations Area - March 26

2011-03-08T08:30:00.002-06:00

Our partnership with Mayor Dean's Impact Nashville - The Nashville Waterways Recovery Project continues.
The Nations neighborhood in the Richland Creek watershed was hit hard during the May flood and much remains to remind us. The debris here can create blockages and cause upstream flooding. There is an above ground sewer line crossing the stream that makes this scenario more likely. RCWA needs volunteer help to clean up this riparain zone March 26th. Meet us at our registration tent 8:30 a.m. Saturday at 1006 Delray Court (red circle on map below) and let us know you are coming - Email us at rcwa@comcast.net or go to the Hands On Nashville webste at www.hon.org to pledge your participation. Some volunteers with wonder bars to help dismantle constructed items, wheel barrels to move heavy debris and rakes to retrieve items from trees helpful!

Parking is not available at clean up site but there is plenty of parking available at the W.A. Bass Middle School, 5200 Delaware Avenue or on other nearby streets.

The clean-up area is a floodplain that can be muddy and unlevel - ankle-high boots recommended. Eye protection suggested preventing poking from branches. Please dress for current weather and expect to get dirty. The debris is concentrated in a small area and close to the staging area fro removal. Volunteers will need to retrieve some debris across a stormwater tributary using the buddy system. Children will need adult supervision.

You can help us by circulating our flyer, available on our homepage at www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org. Just click "get details" to access flyer. Thank You!

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is grateful to Metro Beautification for providing trash removal services and clean-up supplies; Tennessee Contractors Equipment for preparing the area safe for volunteer clean-up; the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Metro Disaster Response fund and for our Nashville Waterways Recovery Project partners: Mayor Dean’s Impact Nashville, Metro Water Services, Hands On Nashville, Cumberland River Compact and the Harpeth River Watershed Association.

63 Volunteers + Enthusiasm = A Cleaner and Safer Richland Creek

2011-02-28T09:32:00.001-06:00

In just an hour last Saturday 63 volunteers filled the dumpster but enthusiastically kept working to remove more flood debris at West Park. The debris had to be retrieved from the woodland area along Richland Creek and the photos cannot show how hard volunteers worked to get the debris out, up and across the long distance to staging area.
The dozens of trash receptacles recovered shown below are filled with trash and will be refurbished by Metro Public Works for reuse. A pile of metal will also be recycled and various types of more hazardous materials will be handled accordingly. Links to more photos showing the volunteer spirit for this challenging endeavor can be seen - by Steve Swartz - Richland Creek Cleanup 2/26/11 and by Mary Agee - Impact Nashville/Richland Creek Cleanup Day 2/26/11.
Debris still remains here but much has been removed. The area is starting to look like the wildlife setting that it is again!
Kudos to the volunteers, partners and sponsors who helped make this Richland Creek Flood Recovery Project successful!

Nashville Waterways Recovery Project

Partners

Mayor Dean's Impact Nashville

Hands On Nashville

Metro Water Services

Cumberland River Compact

Harpeth River Watershed Association

Sponsors

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Metro Disaster Response Fund

Metro Parks

Metro Beautification

Dose Coffee and Tea

Produce Place

Volunteers

Refuse Retreived

More waterway recovery projects are planned for Richland Creek.

RCWA's next project planned will be in the Nations neighborhood March 26th.

Prior to this clean up date, RCWA will need 2 volunteers with chain saws, another with expertise in operating a bobcat and several more to assist with creating access trails for this clean up project.

Please contact us if you can help with this preparation asap!

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is a recognized 501c3 tax-exempt organization, public charity.

We need and welcome your donation. Please submit online from our website or send your donation to RCWA at P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209.

Green cheers

Monette Rebecca

Executive Director

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

rcwa@comcast.net

www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org

Volunteers Needed for Richland Creek Flood Recovery at West Park

2011-02-02T16:21:00.015-06:00

West Park was assessed by the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance after the May flood and we found a large amount of debris near the stream still remaining. During a significant rain event this spring, debris could return to the stream and potentially impair stream flow and impact water quality. We need volunteers to help remove the debris out from a wooded area and restore the area along Richland Creek back to a wildlife setting.

This Richland Creek flood recovery project will not only improve the wildife habitat, water quality and the area's appearance, but brings the community together around stream sustainability issues.

The debris is dispersed over a 3-5 acre area so volunteers should expect to walk distances to move debris items to staging area for removal. All volunteer supplies will be provided~ gloves, bags, grabbers, hand sanitizer and refreshments. Please meet us at our registration table with your empty coffee cup for instructions Saturday morning (February 26th).

Registration table will be located next to the parking area and athletic fields. We look forward to seeing you there! Children will need adult supervision.

Where: West Park, 6105 Morrow Road, Nashville, TN 37209 (Parking available)

When: Saturday, February 26th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

What is provided: Gloves, trash bags, grabbers, hand sanitizer and refreshments

Project Description: The area is wooded and probably muddy so rubber or other type of boots recommended and probably best to protect your eyes to prevent poking by branches. Please dress for current weather and expect to get dirty.

We Need 75 Volunteers: We also need some volunteers with wheel barrels to help move the heavier items and others with rakes to get the trash out of the trees or hard to reach places. If some volunteers wear tall boots or waders creek-trash could also be retrieved but most of the debris is on land.

The work involves removing several kinds of debris (household, woody and construction types) that were deposited here from the May flood, a peak above - woody debris in foreground and background dotted with a variety of debris and trash.

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance would like to thank Metro Parks and Metro Beautification for providing supplies and trash removal services for this event. We also appreciate our partners in the Nashville Waterways Recovery Project (Impact Nashville, Metro Water, Hands On Nashville, Cumberland River Compact and the Harpeth River Watershed Association). The waterways recovery project was funded by a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Metro Disaster Response Fund.
With the help of volunteers, together we will make a difference.

To volunteer email rcwa@comcast.net saying "I want to volunteer at the West Park clean up Feb 26th," or just show up. Thanks from RCWA!
The volunteer opportunity has also been posted on Hands On Nashville's, http://www.hon.org/projects/viewProject.php_mode=calendar&_action=calendar&_clearFlag=course,specialevent and Impact Nashville's http://impactnashville.net/opportunities/270 websites. Thanks HON and Impact Nashville!

A Year of Achievements and Possibilities for 2011

2010-12-26T12:26:00.034-06:00

2010 has just about come to pass and it is the season for many of us to reflect on the past and plan for the future. With the community's support, the RCWA will draw from past accomplishments to bridge future plans in 2011 that pursue our mission.

This year we requested and received funding to implement a volunteer stream monitoring program. The RCWA expects many stakeholders will join the stream monitoring program in 2011, which we look forward to and depend upon. A major goal of the monitoring program is to expand the scientific data for Richland Creek- To further characterize the stream's water quality challenges and better define areas that need restorative objectives and policies.

The RCWA has assembled an Advisory Committee for the stream-monitoring program and are grateful for their pledge of service and expertise. The Committee will advise the program organizers, help interpret the data collected and guide future objectives. RCWA expects more funding will be needed to extend monitoring and to support restorative projects identified into the future. Financial support by the community is important for success of this RCWA study.

The RCWA is especially grateful and proud of the community for the achievements made in 2010 and look forward to thanking the community further in 2011.

2010 Achievements:

The RCWA continued the important flow monitoring study partnership on Richland Creek with The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The RCWA partnered with the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment's (VIEE) Nashville Yard Project.

The RCWA brought to the community's attention a stream buffer variance controversy. The organization advocated against approval of the variance and asked that the Rule to reclaim 75-feet of stream buffer for Richland Creek be upheld at the West Nashville Police Precinct redevelopment project. The effort gained some compromise of stream buffer width with the variance approval in March, but the after the May flood the City rethought their decision and announced in December a redesign. The new precinct design calls for 85-feet of stream buffer reclamation.

The RCWA held their 4th Annual Spring Creek Clean up on Richland Creek and Charlotte Avenue in 2010. Organizers surmised that the continued focus to "clean up" here had diminished the amount of trash accumulated this year. Less litter is good!

The RCWA's 2010 Annual Membership Meeting featured presentations on two scientific studies being conducted in the Richland Creek watershed that the Alliance has partnered - Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Instream Flow study and Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment's Nashville Yard Project study.

The RCWA successfully brought to the public's attention an Army Corps of Engineer's stream relocation permit application submitted by the ReoStone quarry. The RCWA advocated for and was granted a public meeting about the controversy, which also prompted The Rogers Group to re-design their project closer to the alternative design route that RCWA proposed. Hundreds of feet of original stream channel and habitat were saved thanks to the public support and initiative.

The RCWA's Board of Directors expedited the organizations' business, achieved the 501c3 non-profit status and recruited two new board members.

The RCWA published three CreekVoice issues.

The RCWA assisted with or reported numerous violations to Metro Water Services and/or the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about illicit discharges or unpermmited work in the Richland Creek watershed.

RCWA received assistance from the Tenneessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the World Wildlife Fund for the stream-monitoring program to be implemented. The design firm, Barge Cauthen Associates, Inc. also donated funding to assist with sample analyses fees.

Please send your $15 membership fee or donation to RCWA P O Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209 or visit our website page "how you can help" to submit at www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org.

THANKS!

Department of the Army - Final Word Regarding The Rogers Group permit

2010-12-20T12:42:00.011-06:00

Season's Greetings RCWA Stakeholders,

Celebrate your accomplishment this holiday season!

RCWA received the letter below today from the Army Corps of Engineers' Nashville Disctrict regarding the official determination for The Rogers Group permit to relocate Richland Creek.

This project was greatly improved because of the public's attention to the issue - More orginal stream channel and habitat was prevented from being destroyed.

RCWA is proud and grateful to stakeholders for participating in this public comment process.

From: Fanning, Scott LRN

Date: Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Subject: File No. 2010-00546; Proposed Work at Richland Creek Mile 1.3, Tributary of

Cumberland River Mile 175.7 Left Bank (Cheatham Lake) Davidson County,

Tennessee (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: FOUO

This is in further regard to your comments concerning an application for a Department

of the Army permit by The Rogers Group for work at the subject location.

The concerns and issues raised by you and others were considered and included in the

public record. Members of the public contributed important information that has served

to develop relevant issues considered in our permit decision. We believe that requests

for a public hearing were largely satisfied by the July 14, 2010, meeting held at Cohn

Adult High School. The applicant’s proposed plans were substantially modified largely

due to public input. Since holding a separate public hearing would not likely result in

additional substantive information, we determined that such a hearing was not required

in connection with this application.

We have now completed our public interest evaluation of this application. On

November 30, 2010, after a careful consideration of all the relevant factors, including

public comments, we issued a permit for work associated with the relocation of

Richland Creek. The approved plans provide for the construction of a meandering

stream channel which more closely matches the route of Richland Creek prior to the

flood than did the originally proposed relocated channel. In addition, we have added

special conditions to the permit to minimize the anticipated environmental impacts.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the address or telephone

number below or by email.

Sincerely,

G. Scott Fanning

Regulatory Branch

US Army Corps of Engineers

3701 Bell Road

Nashville TN 37214-2660

ph. (615) 369-7521

fax (615) 369-7501

We would appreciate your feedback on how we are performing our duties. Our automated Customer Service Survey is located at: http://per2.nwp.usace.army.mil/survey.html

You can also comment on our blog or click a reaction below.

Fall Celebration Under the October Full Moon

2010-10-02T13:37:00.022-05:00

Join Us for the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance’s Fall Celebration on Friday evening, October 22^nd from 5-7 PM.

Celebrate our accomplishments and share a chili dinner amongst the beautiful fall color.

The RCWA board members are preparing two kinds of chili, cornbread and beverages for you. We can see the moonrise at 5:34 PM and the sun set at 6:02 PM while we have dinner in one of our great Nashville parks..

Come to shelter 6 in Edwin Warner Park (photo) to eat, mingle, and talk about our upcoming water quality-monitoring program.

Want to work off the calories and breathe in more fresh fall air after dinner? You can stroll over to shelter 9 and enjoy Team Green’s Full Moon Walk in the park at 7:30 PM.

DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 100 west (away from Nashville) and make a left onto Old Hickory Boulevard. Once you are on Old Hickory Boulevard make a quick right onto Vaughn road. From Vaughn road take the third right you encounter for access to the picnic shelters in the park. Follow the road and see the signs for numbered picnic shelters. Number 6 is on your left.

Here is the link to Metro's map of Edwin Warner Park. Shelter 6 is at the top of map.

For questions, email rcwa@comcast.net. We hope many of you come! The RCWA Board of Directors.

Let us know if you may attend by checking yes below. Thanks!

The Public Meeting Prompts Redesign by Rogers Group and More News Coverage

2010-07-15T07:33:00.030-05:00

See the WZTV FOX 17 :: Newsroom - Top Stories - video coverage about last night's public meeting.

The project proposal by Rogers Group's quarry to get back to business since the May 2010 flood was redesigned and presented by thier executives and consultants last night.

The previous proposal had been changed significantly from their initial submission, moved to save 269 more linear feet of existing stream.

The positive strides RCWA accomplished reflects the public's attention and the dedication by many volunteers working together towards a better scenario for the stream, Richland Creek. The results are the accomplishments.

1. Army Corps of Engineers extends pubic comment period

2. County leaders sponsor a public meeting for review of Rogers Group's Plan

3. Rogers Group redesigns their initial project proposal plan

4. The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance gets an opportunity to present their restoration proposal to the public, applicant and regulatory planners.

Main points

1. A more southerly reconnection and natural restoration to preserve more aquatic life and habitat- to bypass less of the existing stream channel.

2. Restoration of the floodplain to improve water quality, create more diverse habitat and flood defense.

3) A Conservation Trust for the entire area of focus and to restore recreational uses.

The WZTV Fox 17 coverage (link above) of the meeting reflects the chatter of about 200 in attendance (head count), four government agencies, five County leaders and several Rogers Group executives and lawyers.

In addition to a substantial public showing there were also leaders from several environmental and neighborhood organizations present. The unity around stream preservation and sustainability is what will make a difference. The Alliance is very proud and grateful to all that were in attendance and who contributed. There were seven committee volunteers but there were also many others that contacted RCWA with support and ideas. It was a collective effort- a watershed community at work for their stream!

Here is a link to an article in yesterday's Tennessean (Anne Paine) that has a link to the Rogers Group second, latest proposal - New plan proposed for moving Richland Creek around quarry.

If you feel our work is worthy, consider joining the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance by submitting an annual membership of $15.

Address: RCWA P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209

Website: www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org.

Email: rcwa@comcast.net

What did you think about the public meeting? Comment or react below.

Richland Creek Restoration Proposal at REOstone Quarry- Public Meeting Tonight

2010-07-14T08:18:00.011-05:00

To review Rogers Group new and amended Proposal to re-route the stream and see the RCWA Alternative Presentation - attend the Public Meeting tonight, July 14th, 6:30- 8 PM

Cohn School Library, 4805 Park Avenue.

(Birdsye View of Quarry - courtesy of BING)

Sponsors for the meeting are:

Senator Henry Douglas, Representative Gary Odom, Councillady Emily Evans, Councilman Jason Holleman and Councilman Buddy Baker.

Regulators present to take questions and comments:

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Corps of Engineers, Metro Water.

Permit Applicant:

Rogers Group Incorporated

In reference to:

USACE Public Notice #10-17A

To see the Public Notice go to --> http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/cof/notices/PN%2010-17A.pdf

Today, July 14th, is last day for the public to comment or inquire on this permit application.

The community will have the opportunity to view all the information presented at the public meeting and ask pertinent questions to the regulators (TDEC, USACE) who approve the permit.

For your comment to be counted in the public comment record it must pertain to the permit request.

See you tonight.

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209

www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org

rcwa@comcst.net

If you feel our work worthy please consider joining RCWA with a $15 annual membership fee.

A Community Meeting Will be Held for Quarry Stream Project Proposal

2010-07-03T20:12:00.036-05:00

On July 14th a community meeting on the Rogers Group's design proposal to relocate Richland Creek is set, and will be hosted by our County leaders: Senator Douglas Henry, Representative Gary Odom, Councillady Emily Evans, Councilman Jason Holleman and Councilman Buddy Baker.

PUBLIC MEETING July 14th, 6:30 p.m.

Cohn School Library

4805 Park Avenue (behind Richland Branch Libary)

The meeting begins with a thirty-minute open house, where the community can mingle and review the consultants' designs. This will be followed by a time for the community to make comments or ask questions to the regulatory agencies involved and applicant, who will also be present (US Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Metro Water, and Rogers Group Incorporated, the applicant).

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is also going to present their vision for the stream restoration project. The RCWA committee has been working tirelessly to first bring more attention to this project, review the information and make field assessments of the stream and damage.

Our objective has been to achieve the best outcome possible for Richland Creek and the aquatic life it supports. We are looking for a restoration project which would preserve the aquatic life already there, improve water quality, restore and enhance habitat and better support it's classification for recreational use. A good restoration project would enhance community activities such as fishing, paddling, bird and wildlife watching, while simultanously improving the environmental impacts. Everytime I go to this reach of Richland Creek I see mutiple kinds of herons (blue, green, night) and plenty of aquatic life, and think, "if we put our minds on de-listing this area off of the EPA's 303d impaired list, all would benefit." Now, is that opportunity.

The community is urged to attend to learn more and chime in.

July 14th is the last day to make or send your important comment to: Nashville District Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch (Attention Scott Fanning), 3701 Bell Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, or email Scott.Fanning@usace.army.mil.

Public Notice 10-17 (Proposed Stream Relocaton of Richland Creek Associated with the Activities of the Rogers Group, REOstone Quarry, Cockrill Bend, Nashville).

How did we get here?

After the Public Notice was released and enough of the community took the time to make comments to the US Army Corp, the planners and regulators realized that the community was interested and had concerns. The Public Comment was extended by the Corps from June 29 to July 14th.

RCWA was then invited to and attended a private meeting hosted by Director of Water Pollution Control, Paul Davis, of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) last Wedesday, which lasted two hours. This planned small meeting grew quickly because this project involveed so many governmental agencies (TDEC, Metro Water, US Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Harpeth River Watershed Association, Rogers Group and their two design consultant teams). I think everyone benefited from the meeting, RCWA certainly did and we believe Richland Creek will too.

The next day, Thursday three members of the RCWA committee attended the Stormwater Management Committee (SWMC) meeting which heard the variance request by the applicant for the project also. This meeting lasted over 3 hours. The SWMC approved the project but with many conditions, some which were pending assessments, a flood study and a review of where and how the sewer lines can be relocated. These assesments will determine the feasibility for Rogers Group proposal and determine the viablity of any other plan presented.

The stream relocation project must result with a "no rise" in the floodplain. The condition placed upon this proposal or any others is to ensure that upstream residents or locations in the vicinity will not be impacted to any higher degree from floods. This study is not completed yet but is predicted to be done by July 14th.

RCWA would like to thank all the stakeholders for submitting responses, the RCWA working committee volunteers, the regulators and the Council for hearing us and responding to our concern for a public review and the Rogers Group for taking time to review their proposal with the public.

Will you attend the public meeting?

Addressing Your Questions- What are the Benefits or Foreseeable Detriments?

2010-06-19T16:35:00.072-05:00

Since our last blog RCWA has received numerous questions and concerns about the Rogers Group project and permit request to relocate a 800 foot reach of Richland Creek. That is good news- many stakeholders are looking at water resource issues and asking good questions to better understand this essential but sometimes controversial topic.

At the north end (top) of the quarry, east of what looks to be an upside down foot, is a dip. This is the stream channel Rogers Group proposes to fill-in and where the quarry wall collapsed during the flood. You can clearly see there is no riparian area remaining on the quarry's side of creek due to mining encroachment. Rogers Group describes this as the "flood destroyed channel" in their permit request.

The Group proposes their new stream channel to be connected from the uppermost part of dip to the toe of that upside down foot, north of the existing channel. They also propose to add a second "high flow channel" between the natural and new channel- across the middle of the bottomland, the dip.

What happens to the wildlife, aquatic wildlife and habitat that is there now? I think you know the answer (gone). What is Rogers Group timeline for the work to be finished and what assurances does the public have they will be completed as described? When does Rogers Group anticipate the habitat, wildlife and aquatic life to return? Where are the design plans for this mitigation and why are they not submitted with this permit? This needs to be a one-permit process with both the proposal and mitigation design plans included, now, before any permit is granted for public viewing.

As you can see on the aerial above, encrouachmet has eaten away much of the habitat already. This is why this reach of stream is on the Environmental Protection Agency's 303d Impaired List for "habitat alteration" already. Once listed on the 303d, the objective is to get delisted. When does this process begin, what is the end- game for a quarry? You may know the answer to this too.

This second aerial map (left) has the flood coverage overlay showing the mine filled up with flood water. It has been pointed out we are lucky that the quarry was there because it prevented the homes from flooding (southwest of quarry).

Quarries often become lagoons, harbors and marinas once the mining operation is done and someone else invests. Rock Harbor, just south of this view, was once a quarry. Do you think the quarry wants to mine in the future where the houses are now? Do you think any other areas of the quarry will collapse, withstand a future flood, given the loss of riparian area and erosion there now? Should we be grateful there is now a big hole where once there was an aquifer, riparian area and wildlife?

The overview aerial (right) shows the extent of the flood, after the Cumberland River left it's banks. Rogers Group is moving the stream channel north, towards and into the floodway. Of course, it is unresonable to move it anywhere else- that is where the mine is located.

Hydrology is a science that deals with the properties, distribution and circulation of water, beneath and above the ground. It is a complicated subject but very important, as we all now know after the flood. Hang in there for a second longer. Remarks received from several readers have questioned the impacts this project proposal may have on the homes southwest of the quarry, other properties and businesses in the vicinity and even upstream.

One of these remarks made by a hydrologist suggests "this has not been adequately covered and more deliberation is needed for this project proposal." He asks "will the new diversion channel alter drainage for the entire watershed, making the creek drain faster or slower?" He continues, "straightening the reach, as the application indicates, tends to increase velocity and increase drainage-efficiency, ... will this bring more flash floods at the prision or businesses on the north side of the creek or bring more flood dangers to neighborhoods in the lower part of Richland Creek? Good questions don't you think? We certainly don't want to create another environmental disaster for Nashville.

Okay I am saving the best part for last. There has been several sightings of the Environmental Protection Agency's Threatened Alligator Snapping Turtle in Richland Crek and one sighting that I know of here. If you don't know much about this prehistoric looking creature, they can live to be very old, they clean our streams and there use to be gobs of them but because of pollution, habitat alteration and the harvesting of them for food they have dissappeared quickly and very few places left for them. They don't do well in captivity.

RCWA contacted the US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct a survey here for this special turtle, since the applicant said, "a formal consultation procedures with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not planned at this time." They just didn't know they had these amazing creatures living on the stream bank and laying on their back in the stream with their mouth wide open and eating fish and anything else they want. The fish think they see a minnow and swim towards and into these marvelous creatures mouth. See 3 incredible videos of the Alligator Snapping Turtle underwater from the ARKIVE website here. Just click the purple.

If you find our work worthy, you can visit our website to find out how to join RCWA, help us out or be on the readers list. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. The aerials here were courtesy of http://maps.nashville.gov/empublic_viewer/.

THE BOTTOM LINE_________________________________________________is-

We need this permit process delayed and a public hearing granted for this project proposal because: more deliberation and discussion is needed for the public's comprehension and confidence that we are not creatiing a public hazard; more information and reveiw of the impacts on wildlife, habitat and aquatic wildlife is necessary and; so the applicant (Rogers Group) can provide mitigation designs and timelines to the public. This should be a one-permit process and the mitigation design plans included in this permit application.

To read the Rogers Group, Inc. (REOstone quarry) permit request #10-17 go to this link

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/cof/notices/PN%2010-17.pdf.

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED FROM JUNE 29 to JULY 14 (updated June 28th)
Please address your coments by July 14, 2010 to:

Nashville District Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch (Attention Scott Fanning)

3701 Bell Road, Nashville, TN 37241

Scott.Fanning@usace.army.mil

Your participation is crucial. There is only 10 days left to submit comments!

Thanks.

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org

rcwa@comcast.net

DO WE NEED TO DELAY THIS PROCESS AND HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING?

What do you think?

Public Hearing Needed - Reostone Quarry Requests Permit to Relocate Richland Creek

2010-06-16T20:36:00.020-05:00

On June 14th, 2010 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nashville District put out a Public Notice (Number 10-17) stating the Rogers Group Inc., Reostone Quarry was requesting a permit to relocate a large segment of Richland Creek as a result of the flood May 1 - 2, 2010 because "350 linear feet of their quarry wall was breached." Rogers Group is proposing and requesting a permit to move hundreds of linear feet of Richland Creek, fill-in the existing channel and then divert it into a new channel.

Moving the stream channel will have undue adverse effects on wildlife, habitat and aquatic wildlife.

Reostone claims the destruction of their quarry wall was the flood rather than the placement of the mining operations up against the stream and poor management practices over many years.

Is not Rogers Group Inc. reponsible for the breach of their own quarry wall?

Streams are known to swell from their stream banks and why adequate riparian area is needed. Floods are to be expected and are predicted to occur. The quarry was built right up to the stream with no riparian area before the Clean Water Act was enacted. Nothing much has changed since, except the deterioration of the stream bank from their poor managment practices and violations. RCWA wrote and showed photos of the sheathing of the quarry's wastewater on stream bank in 2008 and repeated the issue in 2009 when Reostone receieved a Notice of Violation for improper wastewater release and a 338% exceedence of Total Suspended Solids (TSS)- a 13,516 mg/L analysis result with just a 40 mg/L allowed. The quarry operations have degraded the stream bank and impacted the water quality. The quarry operations have been removing the limestone bedrock and crushing it for profit for decades. It was inevitable the stream bank's integrity would degrade overtime. Now the quarry is approximately 500 feet deep, 1/2 mile long and 1/4 mile wide and blaming the 2010 May flood?

To see photos and read old CreekVoice articles mentioned above go to- the Fall 2008 article, "Downstream, out of sight, out of mind" and to the 2009 article, "Stakeholder reports milky white substance flowing into Richland Creek."

There was also a story on WSMV about the 2009 issue, http://www.wsmv.com/video/20685107index.html.

Rogers Group Incorporated claims that the entire reach of Richland Creek within the project area is an embayment of the Chetham Reservoir, caused by the flood and implies that this perennial stream, Richland Creek, is not a free flowing sream but filled with backwater from the Cumberland River.

RCWA does not accept Rogers Group assumption that Richland Creek is not a free flowing perennial stream at this project area. The flow at this project area varies from the controls madel by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers- management of the Chetham Dam Reservior cause backwashes to mouth of Richland Creek.

Richland Creek has been a free flowing stream for thousands of years.

This section of Richland Creek is listed on the EPA 303(d) Impaired List for "habitat alteration" and the Rogers Group is requesting a permit to alter the stream more?

Examples of human impacts that result in habitat alteration are stream channel modification, land drainage, channel straightening and widening, riparian vegetative removal and stream sand or gravel mining. It is the intent of the 303 d listing for a stream to be restored and removed from the list not to aggrevate the alteration with more alteration? The public wants the stream restored, protected and enhanced, not destroyed and relocated. There has been no effort to protect this waterway in the decades the quarry has occupied this land. USACE should deny this permit request and question any future quarry operations here at all.

The USACE are accepting comments from the public for only 15 days which is unusual because normally there is a 30 day public comment period. To request that a public hearing be conducted on this issue you must also comment why you think a public hearing is necesary.

To read the Rogers Group permit request go here-->> http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/cof/notices/PN%2010-17.pdf

Please address your comments by June 29, 2010 to-

Nashville District Corps of Engineers

Regulatory Branch (Attention: Scott Fanning)

3701 Bell Road, Nashville, TN 37214

Scott.Fanning@usace.army.mil

On your correspondence note the permit File Number 2010-00546

Thanks

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

Metro's Damage Structures Map published - May 2010 Flood

2010-05-31T08:03:00.013-05:00

Metro released the Damaged Structures map they complied for the May 2010 flood. Here is a portion of the map- the Richland Creek watershed.

A message sent from Metro Planning Deparment to RCWA suggested we note for clarity that the 1-4 markers indicated on the MPD legend below are the level of damage, 4 being the worst... not the number of damaged structures on each parcel.

You can go to the Metro website to view all the parcel damage in Davidson't County here http://maps.nashville.gov/empublic_viewer/.

Program at our Annual Gathering prompts interest and questions

2010-05-25T06:52:00.038-05:00

Many interested attendees addressed questions to Kim Elkin (TWRA-Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency flow biologist) after she summarized the flow study data she conducted last spring on a transect of Richland Creek, along the grenway. Ms. Elkin reminded us that the TWRA is not an enforcement agency but conducts studies and writes prescriptions as a commenting agency to the regulator (TN Department of Environment and Conservation-TDEC). Concerns on the impact from stream withdrawal in this area was supported by her summary- "26 days in the low flow months of 200 flow withdrawn exceeded discharge for that day, contributing to a "poor fish assemblage."

TWRA recommendations to TDEC will include, "withdrawal by the golf course should cease" and irrigation needs be acquired from "Metro Water Services." They also suggested to "utilize water harvesting practices during high flow events" (storm events)." The TWRA summary stated in dry years "withdrawals should cease until flow regime is restored and in wet years Richland Creek discharge should be above 15 cubic feet per second (cfs)."

The flow study report cannot be released to RCWA and others until TDEC receives the comments prepared by TWRA. The flow study on Richland Creek will continue and fortunately since we have some data for stream flow, biology and geomorphology now, impacts from the flood can and will be tracked. RCWA will let you know of any volunteer opportunities.

The Vanderbilt research team presented the objectives of the study they are now beginning in the Richland Creek watershed, The Nashville Yard Project, next.

Dr. Jim Fraser introduced the research team (Dr. George Hornberger, Mike Vanderbergh, Dr. Amanda Carrico, Dr. Kimberly Bess, Josh Bazium and Jennifer Mokos) and then summarized the social behavior aspect of the study project- who are the household decision makers and what influences their decisions have on the use of nitrogen containing fertilizers and lawn care practices. The survey questionaire the team complied is planned to be used for 600 households in diverse areas of the Richland Creek watershed.

Dr. Fraser then introduced the primary investigator for the research, Dr. George Hornberger, who then spoke about the sampling aspect to the group. He briefly reviewed the nitrogen cycle and the formation of nitrogen species from microbiall reactions. Because of the widespread use of syntehtic fertilizers the natural uptake of these products are not utilized by plants and are either leached to the groundwater and surface water (nitrate) or into the atmosphere as a powerful greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.

The research will be collecting soil samples at those same households which participate in the survey. These soil samples collected will be analyzied for many consituents and participants will receive the results of the soil samples and $20 for doing the survey interview.

The study will help guide future research and policy for urban and surburban watersheds and the environmental challenges they face. One particular question asked the presentors was, will there be a measurement of the air emissions created from lawn mowers since fertizlers increases the need for mowing of grass?

Following the program attendees retreated to the community room of the West Nashville United Methodist Church for refreshments and more discussion. THANKS WNUMC!

Would you participate in The Nashville Yard Project if selected for the study?

Richland Creek and the Cumberland River meet up to fill-up the Reostone Quarry pit.

2010-05-20T14:06:00.010-05:00

This Youtube video sent RCWA yesterday shows the astonishing episode of flooding from the Cumberland River meeting up with Richland Creek to overflow and fill the many story deep rock quarry pit, so quickly, the Channel 5 news reporters are beyond belief.

The footage begins showing aerials of the Cumberland River flooding during the broadcast of the Govenor's press conference on May 2nd, then jumps to a roaring waterfall at the Reostone quarry pit, becoming a lake, so quickly, that the Channel 5 news reporters gasp in disbelief.

One comment on Youtube said, "I work for TDOT at the complex next door and one of my guys inspect that quarry. He said it is roughly 500 feet deep, 1/2 mile long and 1/4 mile wide."

RCWA Calls for the SWMC to Rescind the Variance Approval

2010-05-15T11:36:00.009-05:00

In your own words share your opinion by May 19th on the Stream Buffer Variance approval for the West Nashville Police precinct and crime lab to the SWMC. See how below.

Metro-Nashville Stormwater Management Committee (SWMC)-

Please rescind the March 4^th, 2010 approval of the stream buffer variance for the upcoming Metro West Nashville police precinct and crime lab, at 5500 Charlotte Avenue on Richland Creek (Case #201000002).

Please rescind this variance approval because:

· The parcel flooded severely May 2^nd 2010 and if the police precinct and crime lab had been there the police would not have been able to respond effectively, any evidence would have been contaminated, police cars would have been swept off by floodwater and the emergency supplies would have been inaccessible.

· The stream buffer needs to be reclaimed and restored to reduce flooding downstream (fatalities occurred in the Nations Neighborhood just downstream from this location May 2010).

· The Metro Water Services regulation and the FEMA determination of a 75 foot buffer and; Mayor Dean’s Executive Order 33 (Green Ribbon Committee Sustainability Report for stream corridors, pages 42-44) should be upheld.

· The water quality and ecological habitat of Richland Creek needs an effective and sustainable riparian area.

· The flood elevation determined for this 1965 development, which was built on ‘in-fill,’ is artificial.

By May 19^th, email, write your letter to or call Paula Kee, Stormwater Management Committee Coordinator 800 2nd Avenue South Nashville, TN 37210 Phone: (615) 880-2334 (paula.kee@nashville.gov), to express your opinion and before the next Stormwater Committee Meeting May 20, 2010 at 8 am.

Tell RCWA what you think?

Richland Creek Reclaims Floodplain

2010-05-07T20:42:00.008-05:00

Two videos on Youtube:

The video above shows the peak of flooding west of Richland Creek on Charlotte avenue (at the proposed West Nashville police precinct) and below is the east side of the creek, on Morrow road.

The first part of the video below is what a Nations neighbor saw that escaped flooding and then the photographer goes to Morrow road and Charlotte avenue- an eastern perspective of the creek at peak flooding time.

Imagining the videos together, the magnitude of the flood is lucid. In this two block radius you see the stream trying to reclaim it's floodplain.

Nashville Flood Coverage 5/2/2010

2010-05-07T20:38:00.000-05:00

More photos- peak of flood at proposed precinct location and the damage to at least 100 homes just downstream in Nations neighborhood

2010-05-05T06:36:00.024-05:00

The proposed Metro West Nashville Police precinct and crime lab (above) requested a stream buffer variance in March, which was approved. The recommended FEMA 75 foot stream buffer reclamation is certainly now understood by the view of the massive flood water May 2nd. Photos sent to RCWA shows the extent of flooding.

RCWA comments to the Stormwater Management Committee spoke to the lack of a riparian area could cause dangerous flooding, which it did. Nations neighborhood experienced tragic loss and fatalities (below).

Metro police closes neighborhoods off to visitors today because of looting.

Richland Creek grows angrily - leaves memories

2010-05-03T07:54:00.064-05:00

May 2nd midday-

CSX underpass flooded, Sloan road, May 2nd (sent)

Roaring from CSX trestle to greenway bridge May 2nd (sent).

From my house on 54th Avenue North looking north to Charlotte Avenue on May 2nd midday. I saw a parked SUV be picked up by the flood water and taken to Richland Creek during this venture out- to see if my house was in danger. The SUV I saw carried off occurred behind these flooded houses.

May 2nd early evening-

Later the flood water receded and I ventured out of my house to Charlotte Avenue. There was a strong smell of natural gas, smoke and other chemical odors. The police now present at Charlotte and Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) was on the way I was told. He told me there was an explosion and I told him of the old underground and surface storage areas for hazardous materials in the area. As some of you may know this area is why I founded the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance, where we proposed James Park, have our Spring Creek Clean ups and opposed the recent stream buffer variance for the upcoming Metro West Nashville police precinct and crime lab. Various photos below of what I observed the evening of May 2nd on Charlotte avenue, near the corner of 54th avenue north intersection. Yes.. that is a trailer upside down on, in the creek bed at Charlotte Avenue. Richland Creek still roaring to heed it's call- just below flood stage now.

May 3rd 6:30 a.m.

This morning I went out early to see clearly the devastation. Here are some of many photos taken- Las Palmas was flooded since early Saturday and much damaged to the proposed police precinct location, which was built on in-fill in the sixties and now revealed.

1) RCWS spring creek clean up area next to Las Palmas

2)Heavy iron metal grease bin usually sits on creekside empty and moved

3) Camper makes to tributary to Richland behind Las Palmas

Across the street here is a photo of the little riparian vegetation that was there- now gone, parking area removed from the old Champion Ford (proposed precinct location) which reveals the in-fill it was built upon in the sixties and; the damage to the planned police precinct retrofit building.

One of our comments at the stream variance hearing (which RCWA opposed) was that the lack of riparian area here is dangerous to the homes along Richland downstream from here and why we support the FEMA recommendation of a 75 foot stream buffer. The street DelRay, one of those streets that dead end north of Urbandale bridge, had a tragic fatality yesterday. All the houses I hear are flooded there along the creek but I have not accessed the area yet.

Next to the proposed precinct location is the Eagle Body Shop flooded. I reported to authorities long ago of the pollution occurring here and of standing water for extended periods of time. The elevation is lower here because of the sixties development of the old Champion Ford and brewing toxic soup.

Below are links that RCWA members sent. They have more photos and videos of the greenway area and other unbelievable sights showing a beloved creek turned into a roaring river and toxic lake.

May 2nd Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1HZC1YkzCk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C2f65bYLFQ

Video of Richland Creek on May 2nd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSVhowaYfc

Greenway Photos http://picasaweb.google.com/JayneandDavid/RichlandCreekFlood

Pass the word along for the understanding that these stormwater waters are dangerously contaminated with pathogens and chemicals.

It is not wise or safe to be in-contact with these waters!

Mid morning May 3 UPDATE

Greenway condition by Richland Creek TrailWatch volunteer

TrailWatch volunteer coordinator Kip sent photos. He said, "all these photos are near middle pedestrian bridge on east side of creek. All three major pedestrian bridges, as well as the Whitebridge pedestrian walkway, appear to be sound/undamaged to the naked eye."

North side of Charlotte Afternoon May 3

I rode my bike to see some areas on the north side of Charlotte and the Urbandale bridge now.

On my way got a photo of the ATM in front of Richland Creek Shopping Center which I have heard has an old Underground Storage Tank and saw the uprooted parking at Burger King. All of the shopping center was flooded and there are sounds of pumping water in most of the shops.

I rode up Morrow road to find it closed due to a serious and Hazmat situation still being resolved. Cars were swallowed by the road that opened up from flood waters (first pic below). There was still a strong chemical smell in the air.

The 2nd pic is of a car suspended in Richland, just south of Urbandale bridge. You can see the tires in the photo. The streets of the neighborhood (RUN) were filled with belongings piled high in front of flooded homes. One after another. Too much traffic to get a photo, but a memory of devastation. One owner said to me after I introduced myself, "well those expensive rocks that you laid out here to prevent flooding were worthless." He is referring to the State project that was implemented to lay rock weirs along the east bank of creek to prevent erosion of stream bank- people's backyards.

See a video link (below) I found on YouTube that was filmed at Richland Creek Shopping Center during the worst of the flooding there. PepBoys have about a dozen garage bays washing many gallons of petroleum based products and other toxics substances to the stream and river, besides the obvious.

Richland Creek Shopping Center flood video May 2nd 10 a.m. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7IVqBVCK0I

Thanks to all those that contributed to this photo and video journal.

Monette Rebecca

Executive Director

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

Mayday rain event breaking records this weekend

2010-05-01T19:51:00.010-05:00

Greenway
Charlotte Avenue

Belle Meade Kroger on West End/Harding Road

McCabe golf course at Oakmont Circle (across from greenway)

Last photo (above) update May 2nd

Do you always wonder what Richland Creek looks like during a downpour but you don't want to risk going out to see? Here are some photos of Richland Creek along the greenway, on Charlotte Avenue and at the Belle Meade Kroger sent us this Mayday 2010. Last photo taken from Oakmont Circle posted May 2nd.

Thanks to our photographers!

This is a creekflash

RCWA

Photos from our Fourth Annual Spring Creek Clean Up

2010-05-01T10:08:00.015-05:00

BIG thanks to the volunteers!

More good news for this small segment of Richland Creek at Charlotte Avenue this year- "the trash and debris in and around the stream seems to have decreased since last year." We had 35 volunteers participating. There were students from Hume Fog, Nashville State Community College and Belmont University; representatives from Ingram Barge and RCWA members who worked hard for our cause. Also, RCWA supporter Warren Dusak represented the Herpetological Society (straw hat above) and joined our effort to identify snakes and other reptiles, and their habitat, for participants. That is a northern water snake in photo. Did you know if a snake's eyes are round they are not poisonous and if they are elliptical they are poisonous?

Thanks for the photos from RCWA member Faye Hendrickson.

Also, thanks again to Metro Water Services and Metro Beautifications' Adopt a Stream program and their sponsor, the Great American Clean Up, for supplies. RCWA also appreciates the contributions made by Krogers and Harris Teeter to purchase snacks and water for volunteers. Together~ we make a difference.

Check out this photo of a Blue Heron spotted in Richland Creek by Greenway Trailwatcher Kip. He and his wife also saw a mallard with 12 ducklings that entertained them for a while but didn't have a camera.

Enjoy..

Join Us-Two Annual Events this Spring

2010-03-23T14:27:00.006-05:00

4th Annual Spring Creek Clean Up is on Saturday, April 10th, 9 a.m. to noon.

Look for our tent on the 5500 block of Charlotte avenue to register (next to Las Palmas). Snacks and supplies provided.

Send us an email at rcwa@comcast.net to pledge your participation.

Lets get the trash before the creek does!

Annual Membership Gathering - Sunday May 16th, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
The gathering will be at the West Nashville United Methodist Church (WNUMC), 4710 Charlotte Avenue and RCWA is grateful to WNUMC for their offering. This is a very exciting year!
Please join us and learn how you can participate. Reception to follow program below.

Kim Elkins of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) will discuss the recently completed instream flow report for Richland Creek she conducted. TWRA is currently working on setting standards for instream flow in Tennessee. Learn about the results of the study and what it means for Richland Creek's sustainability.

Dr. George Hornberger and Dr. James Fraser, (Dr. Michael Vandenbergh, Dr. Kimberly Bess, Dr. Amanda Carrico, Jennifer Mokos and Josh Bazuin) from Vanderbilt University will discuss their upcoming research study for the Richland Creek watershed. This groundbreaking study will help to characterize the air and water pollution caused by the use of turf chemicals.
Learn how you can participate in this important research and RCWA partnership.

We need your help -

Please renew your membership or join RCWA! Annual membership fee is $15. Our lawyer is ready to file our 501c3 application but we need to generate the $400 filing fee. You can join RCWA through our website (click How you can help) using PayPal or send a check to P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209.

If 32 of our readers join or renew we will have the needed funds to pay for our 501c3 filing fee and renew our annual post office box, now also due. Thanks!

Stream buffer variance- Action you can take to help Richland Creek

2010-03-07T15:40:00.014-06:00

Below is a brief summary about last Monday’s public stream buffer variance request discussion at the Cohn library and the stormwater management committee hearing that followed on Thursday March 4th.

In short, the stream buffer variance was approved, with conditions.

After reading all the tedious details below you may ask, what can I do?

YOUR ACTION MAY BE THE pivotal voice!

You can write Mayor Dean and ask that his Green Ribbon Committee recommendations (Executive Order 33) be upheld. The Green Ribbon Committee recommends Nashville restore stream riparian areas and flood plains 100%.

Please refer to Case #201000002 stream buffer variance for the Metro Nashville-West Nashville Police precinct and crime lab project at 5500 Charlotte Avenue.

You can read the Green Ribbon Committee report and recommendations on Mayor's webpage at http://www.nashville.gov/mayor/docs/green_ribbon/GRC_Report_090701.pdf and about water on pages 42-44.

MONDAY NIGHT MARCH 1

RCWA would like to thank all the stakeholders that showed up at the March 1st (Monday) public discussion at Cohn Library for the stream buffer variance. This is how we make positive change! A special and extra thanks to those that spoke at the variance meeting and took so much time out of their lives to speak up for stream riparian areas.

We received numerous emails from members and readers that opposed the variance but could not make the meeting. Thanks to everyone for his or her attention to this important issue too! Plus, two stakeholders' written comments were read at the hearing. Thanks!

Also, thanks to our Councilman Jason Holleman, the meeting was arranged and the engineering firm was also present for the discussion last Monday evening.

I counted about 40 people present Monday from the community. The community had thoughtful and intelligent questions and comments supporting stream corridor restoration and protection. Also mentioned was the welcome of the greenway but more stream buffer was needed for a more natural setting.

RCWA received numerous emails wanting to know the outcome of the variance hearing.

THURSDAY VARIANCE HEARING MARCH 4

The Stormwater Management Committee heard comments from Councilwoman Evans, who filled-in for Jason because he could not be there. Four speakers from the community made comments and two written comments were sent to the Committee and read. It was a two-hour taped discussion and many details were discussed that are just not possible to disseminate in this email. Anyone can buy a copy of the meeting on cassette or send a blank CD and get a copy for free from Paula Klee, Stormwater Management Coordinator, at 880.2334, 800 2^nd Avenue South, (email- paula.ke@nashville.gov).

Councilwoman Evans first commended the project engineers for putting in place some stream buffer restoration and low impact development aspects but then quoted from Mayor Dean’s (Executive Order 33) Green Ribbon Environmental Sustainability summary report’s recommendation, “to remove 100% of Davidson County’s streams from EPA”s 303(d) list [impaired list]. The Mayor’s GRC summary report calls for stream corridors riparian areas be restored 100%. Evans also stated that this Metro project should set an example for future redevelopment. Below are some quotes from the Green Ribbon summary and I urge more of us to read this report

“Improve protection of the watersheds in Davidson county by honoring the natural flood plain and stream buffers, which will result in improved water quality, acceleration of Nashville’s Greenway system and myriad environmental benefits.”

“Changing zoning ordinances to disallow development in 100% of flood plain (with the exception of walking or biking trails and educational buildings such as nature centers), with little variance option, in all land use categories.”

“Require a minimum natural buffer of at least 50 feet for all water resources (streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands).

I, Monette Rebecca, contributed my comments next and submitted them in writing for the record. They focused on the stormwater regulation and FEMA guidelines that the Committee refers to for variance requests. Send me a request for my comment (monetter@comcast.net), I would be glad to pass along.

I quoted the Committee’s own guidelines like “a variance is a grant of relief by a community” and…. “Because a variance can create an increased risk to life and property, variances from flood elevation or other requirements in the flood ordinance should be rare.” And, "granting this variance will result in victimization of the public and existing local ordinances," as stated in the FEMA guideline.

Three other speakers addressed specific issues that the variance would affect too. They were: not enough room for the greenway trail, insignificant riparian area for a wildlife habitat area and details about hydrology issues that effect safe flow and water quality. The last speaker also spoke to his sighting of an Alligator Snapping turtle, which is on the EPA Threatened List. He saw this rare turtle in Richland Creek at the area of this project. Much detail was presented at the hearing. I also pressed on the EPA riparian area guidelines- to be 60 feet as a minimum for effective preservation, filtration, habitat and water quality. And made the point- I favored a greenway trail, but that if we only leave a short width the paved greenway trail will diminish the final riparian width further and therefore; the 75 foot width, that the Metro Water stormwater regulation calls for, is a good stream buffer to establish.

In short, the variance was approved with conditions.

The conditions for the variance approval instructed the engineer team to return with a revised final plan with a somewhat modified (not less than 25 ft and an average of 45 ft) stream buffer, conduct soil sampling in areas of concern and complete the grading permit application. The last condition of the variance approval is for the applicant (Metro) to return to the Committee after the final plan is submitted to the Stormwater-Development Review office for the grading permit application. They anticipate this to be in May or June.

Monette Rebecca

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

Show You Support for the Reclamation of our Streams' Riparian Areas

2010-02-28T07:22:00.007-06:00

Please come to the Monday, March 1 meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Cohn School Library, 4805 Park Avenue to express your opinion or ask questions about the stream buffer variance application, submitted for the new METRO Police precinct and crime lab, that will be located at 5500 Charlotte Avenue, next to Richland Creek.

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance supports Metro Water Services’ stormwater regulation that requires “significant redevelopment to fully restore the 75 foot stream buffer.”

RCWA opposes the variance request.

Your attendance is important to show support for streams’ riparian areas to be reclaimed and restored.

This is a precedence-setting situation for future redevelopment!

Thank you

2010-02-07T08:26:00.004-06:00

RCWA was sent photos and video by a greenway walker indicating a devastating amount of brown (appears to be mud) water flowing into Richland Creek yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately we did not look at our email until this morning. Here are two very good photos, indicating the impact to the stream from the inflow.

RCWA has reported the issue to the Metro Water Services stormwater division emergency unit this morning and shared the correct phone numbers and email to report the issue to the observer.

I would like to stress that it is very important to report these type of issues immediately to the METRO WATER SERVICES so they can investigate.

BUT---- when I went to the Stormwater Divisions page there was not a weekend phone number listed. To get the weekend/after hours number you call the listed phone number and listen for the weekend/after hours number.

IF THIS IS WEEKEND OR AFTER BUSINESS HOURS CALL 862.4600. The email after hours is mwsdispatchers@nashville.gov. It is best to call, alert them right away, and if you have more information or photos tell them you are going to email the information.

From Metro Water Services Stormwater webpage:

To report a Stormwater/Water Quality concern (such as dumping into a storm drain, wastewater discharge into a storm drain, or complaint of illegal dumping into storm sewer system, creek or stream) please call (615) 313-PURE or (615) 880-2420.

Photos are very useful and helpful to MWS and to us so we can learn and understand the many threats to our water quality and aquatic life.

RCWA really appreciates the due diligence of this stakeholder and that they made us aware of the issue.

UPDATE Monday February 8th

Metro Water Services Stormwater Division responded the next business day (Monday) to the concern about the Brown Water flowing into Richland Creek and contacted the stakeholder and RCWA to report their findings.

St. Thomas Hospital was drilling for a water well Saturday which hit a slurry in the aquifer and consequently, was released to spew out and into Richland Creek. He told us that Metro Water would be following up with a TDEC representative to investigate the worksite.

WSMV had a story about this on their news broadcasts today (Monday 2.8.10). To see the story click here http://www.wsmv.com/video/22503958/index.htm

Photos of Downstream Debris and Erosion Enabled by Higher Creek Levels

2009-12-13T08:07:00.022-06:00

RCWA asks- what do you see and think looking at these Richland Creek photos?

You can right-click on photos to download and view closer.

Dr. Thomas Byl sent RCWA these photos this October to share with RCWA stakeholders. "Due to the considerable rain we got this year and resulting higher creek levels," he writes, "I was able to canoe a mile further upstream from the mouth, portage around a blockage from fallen trees, only to encounter some serious litter floating down Richland Creek."

He discovered an egregious amount of debris build-up in the creek. These photos "capture the feeling I had as I was paddling upstream and speak for themselves."

Dr. Byl adds he saw and documented, beyond the visible hoses, bags and bottles, 10 submerged shopping cars, mattresses, a stove, rusty barrels, shingles, wire etc... at the bottom of the creek and thinks the causes for the build-up of debris settling here is due to storm water in-flow and creek flow anomalies that result from storm events. Contemplating causes for his discovery he portends some contributing factors to also be re-occurring dumping and poor management practices near this area of Richland Creek- Briley bridge and Cockrill street.

Let us know what you think by clicking a reaction below, sharing a comment to our blog or emailing us at rcwa@comcast.net.

Do you agree, one could extrapolate from these photos that this is causing long-term damage to water quality, aquatic life and stream bank stabilization?

TWRA Flow Study

2009-10-05T06:40:00.005-05:00

August 14, 2009 photos

1) Fish collection

2) TWRA Team- Inflow Biologist, Kim Elkins, Watershed Coordinator Frank Fiss and Hutton American Fisheries Society Intern, Diane Perry

3) Approximately 6 year old Rock Bass.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Conducts Flow Study on Richland Creek

Early last spring, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) contacted RCWA to address concerns regarding water withdrawals on Richland Creek. A discussion with TWRA Inflow biologist, Kim Elkins, followed and a partnership to conduct a flow study on Richland Creek decided as the best next step to maintain healthy stream flow. The flow study began in May on Richland Creek along the greenway.

The purpose of the flow study is to relate how water withdrawals are affecting the stream. The TWRA Instream Flow Program states, “it’s important to maintain instream flows because humans and aquatic animals need water to exist and function on a daily basis.” TWRA is currently working on standards for setting instream flows in Tennessee. To read more about this TWRA program visit their webpage at http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/instream.html.

The type of Information collected for the flow study includes biology, geomorphology, water quality and hydrologic data. In August the TWRA team conducted a fish assessment at the flow study area. Among the species counted were Rock Bass, Greenside Darters, Rainbow Darters and Fantail Darters. After the study is completed, a full report will be generated and released.

RCWA is grateful to TWRA for their dedicated work and attention to our beloved creek.

Bank Stabilization Project August 15, 2009

2009-08-23T12:19:00.011-05:00

On Saturday August 15th, 2009 Tennessee Environmental Council and Richland Creek Watershed Association partnered to stabilize an area of stream bank on Richland Creek. The volunteers installed 12 revetments (cedar timbers wrapped in coir matting) on to the eroded stream bank to prevent further deterioration of stream bank. This particular streambank deterioration is occurring from high volumes of run-off inflow and no buffer protection.

Later on, once the revetments collect biota and silt, native creek plants will be inserted into the revetments to re-establish the riparian vegetation here. This will not only help to prevent wasting of the stream bank but improve the stream's water quality.

RCWA appreciates the leadership and financial assistance to purchase the revetments by Tennessee Environmental Council and the hard work put forth by the volunteers.

Third Annual Creek Clean Up Photos

2009-05-09T18:53:00.021-05:00

Richland Creek Clean Up at Charlotte Pike 2009

Thanks to 30 Volunteers we filled a roll-off bin with trash and pulled several piles of cut brush from stream for pick up.

Thanks to our sponsors for providing provisions!

Blinker Lite
Jack in the Box
Krogers
Metro Beautification & Environment Commission
Metro Water Services Adopt A Stream Program

Third-Annual Spring Creek Clean Up is April 11th

2009-03-13T17:19:00.015-05:00

It's that time of year again-
to get the trash before the creek does!

We hope many will join us for a fun and community building day to clean up and see our creek first hand.
The past two years volunteers removed three tons of trash from this very short segment of Richland Creek. This area of the creek repeatedly receives trash from upstream inflow, street litter and illegal dumping.
Trash produces pollution that impacts water quality and is harmful to aquatic life.

Meet us at 9 AM at the parking lot adjacent to the creek on Charlotte Pike. This is just east of Las Palmas Mexican restaurant, in the 5500 block and west of 54th Avenue North. There will be a tent and sign visible from the street. Please park at the church on 54th avenue, just off Charlotte Avenue and a half block from registration tent, to provide retailers plenty of parking for their customers and a safe area for event volunteers. Click on the map above to enlarge and see parking and event locations.

Email us at rcwa@comcast.net and let us know you are coming and so we can get a good head count for supplies. We are grateful to our business sponsors for providing the volunteer provisions- sandwiches from the Charlotte Pike Jack in the Box restaurant, water and ice from Krogers and for the Port-A-Pot provided by Blinker-Lite. We also appreciate the continued support from Metro Water Services and Metro Public Works for providing trash bags, gloves and debris removal. Together~ we make a difference.

This creek segment has steep slopes with several types of hazards and is at a busy intersection so children are not recommended. All volunteers are required to sign waivers at event and those under 18 will need an adult signature.

See you there!

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance

RCWA Documentary debut a success

2009-02-25T07:18:00.006-06:00

NOW AVAILABLE FROM WEBSITE

A Creek Story debut, presented February 22nd at the West Nashville United Methodist Church, received an enthusiastic response and accolades by attendees. Approximately fifty stakeholders attended the showing including the distinguished State Senator Douglas Henry and loyal Council Representative, Jason Holleman. The church setting made for warm surroundings and their representative, Randy Horrick, introduced and welcomed the RCWA cause and event.

Following the viewing at reception were multiple displays of current RCWA projects, CreekVoice publications, and educational resources. Available for purchase were both A Creek Story dvd and the handbook, Rain Gardens: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Homeowners in Middle Tennessee.

The thirty-minute RCWA story features colorful scenes, stakeholder interviews and information about the Richland Creek watershed, documenting many treasures and challenges of our streams from the ground and air. The documentary dvd will make for a useful educational tool for schools, scouts, churches, groups and other organizations and is now available for purchase from the RCWA website, for only $5 plus shipping. Also available on our website is the Rain Garden handbook for $10 plus shipping.

RCWA is grateful to everyone that helped make the project happen and with special appreciation to A Creek Story underwriters: Singh Technology Solutions, LLC in Franklin, TN and Hillside Gardens Fresh Herbs at 6668 Jocelyn Hollow Road, 615 943-7436.

Comments RCWA received from those that have seen the documentary:
"The video is WONDERFUL and the reception was very, very nice."
"The film is GRAND!"
"I absolutely LOVE the documentary."
"Thanks for all your efforts and the pleasant volunteers you had.."

James Park Updated for West Nashville Community Plan

2009-01-23T07:22:00.012-06:00

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance (RCWA) has resubmitted the vision for James Park as part of the West Nashville Community Plan Update public process. Our main objective is to present environmental and community values into the character planning for West Nashville- to preserve and enhance Richland Creek and it's connection to the larger ecological corridor. Thank you to graphic designer and RCWA member, Chris Veit, for his contribution creating these illustrations.
Click on maps to enlarge.

We are proposing James Park to be considered to the greenway Master Plan as a urban bird watching connector park. This type of park would establish this historic and environmental significant area to remain less disturbed for wildlife feeding, improving water quality and restoring native species. The community could participate, learn from and enjoy James Park for generations to come by protection of this habitat for migrating birds, bees, butterflies, waterfowl and other wildlife to exist and to remind us of what was observed when Nashville was first founded.

RCWA submitted this vision to Metro- Planning, Parks and Council District 24 Representative Jason Holleman.

-To add your support or comment to the West Nashville Community Plan Update contact Anita McCaig at 862.7156 or email anita.mccaig@nashville.gov or Cindy Wood at 862.7166 or email cynthia.wood@nashville.gov.
-To add your support or comment on the Metro Parks and Greenways Master Plan call 862-8400.
-To add your support or comment to Councilman Jason Holleman email him at jason.holleman@nashville.gov.

Green Ribbon Committee Requests Input

2008-12-12T07:38:00.006-06:00

During the month of November Mayor Dean's Green Ribbon Committee sought input from the community to make Nashville the "greenest city in the southeast." In addition to the Committee holding public meetings for suggestions by the public, the Natural Resource and Mobility sub-committees requested contributions from various organizations, including RCWA. Below you can find the submissions RCWA contributed. RCWA did not have much time to prepare and therefore unfortunately did not have the time to ask for your suggestions.
As you may all understand- land, water and air interact and affect the other. The key element affecting our environment is us- how we live and our behaviors directly impact the environment and ultimately our water resources.

The questions posed by the Green Ribbon Committee precede our response below in italics.

Your comments to our submissions are welcome!

Natural Resource Subcommittee
Submit a summary of your organization, your current and future goals, barriers your are experiencing in reaching your goals and a wish list of sustainable practices you would like to see Nashville adopt or work towards..

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance Summary

Mission Statement
Richland Creek Watershed Alliance (RCWA) is a community-supported organization promoting environmental sustainability for the Richland Creek watershed.

RCWA aims to-
Reconnect local stakeholders to the significance of their watershed and offer educational tools to the community about water resource sustainability.

Establish cooperative, practical and effective programs and projects, which all stakeholders can participate and;

Seek collaborative partnerships with other organizations within the watershed to restore water quality and riparian habitat.

Current Projects RCWA hosts and sponsors
• Host annual creek clean up on Richland Creek at Charlotte Avenue (Spring)
• Host annual collaborative clean up throughout watershed (Fall)
• Provide seasonal How-to Workshops for rain gardens and rain barrels
• Provide educational PowerPoint presentations to various organizations about the importance of water resources, the environmental impacts facing our watershed and introduce ways individuals can participate and help to improve water resource sustainability.
• Host stenciling activities (“No Dumping”) for stormwater drains in concert with Metro Water Services Adopt a Stream Program
• Installing two rain gardens in the watershed
• Maintain and create venues for stakeholders to acquire and exchange information (Monthly Update Emails, Creekvoice- our newsletter, website and blog, and currently working on a RCWA video)
• Inform and report illicit discharges to streams and guide stakeholders how to report violations that impact water resources
• Notify stakeholders of community opportunities or public meetings regarding environmental sustainability
• Offer and contribute to community recommendations that improve environmental sustainability

Future Goals and Projects
• Expand on current collaborations, projects and programs
• Cultivate RCWA membership
• Grow the number of rain barrels and rain gardens in the watershed
• Participate in and organize community restoration projects that further enhance riparian habitat and improve stream water quality
• Participate in investigative projects that may affect policies that protect our water resources

Challenges to Our Goals
• Due to the fact that we are an all volunteer organization, time would be our biggest challenge
• Adequate funds on occasion prohibits us from facilitating our programs
• Mistakenly being compared to larger organizations with full-time staff

Submit a Wish List of Sustainability Practices for Nashville

Positively affect two looming environmental crisis - water resource sustainability and climate change through pollution prevention and up-front investment:

• Re-establish all stream zone buffer zones and refrain from approving variances
• Terminate polluting activities to water resources by businesses or property owners with “grandfathered in” status and industry with outdated permits
• Improve NPDES enforcement to prevent illicit discharges by construction practices, or other activities, that pollute water resources- establish stormwater monitoring requirements, increase regulatory inspection and issue fines to those that breach requirements
• Address the “emerging contaminants to the environment” when investing in any water treatment or sewage treatment improvements and permit requirements
• Protect and enhance natural and pristine areas
• Reduce air and water pollution by investing in a mass transit system that will utilizes renewable fuels or electric energy to reduce green house gases.
• Expand greenways and parks with increased deliberation to enhance wildlife habitat
• Establish Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for new and re –development
• Encourage retrofit projects that utilize LID, LEED certification and re-use of materials with tax incentives
• Establish a stormwater credit/fee system for all development (industry, business and residential) to reduce expansion of impervious surfaces
• Invest in water/ sewer infrastructure and stormwater management system improvements, utilizing cutting edge treatment technologies and LID technologies respectively
• Establish incentives for solar, wind and other clean energy investment by business, industry and residences.

(Incentives and credits measured by carbon footprint and stormwater run-off reduction or land donations for buffer zones)

Mobility Subcommittee

What programs or actions with little or no cost could be or should be implemented quickly?

Programs
Education
• Release public health announcements featuring facts/truths about the public health hazards of the different green house gases (GHGs), how the formation of ozone occurs and how our specific topography in Nashville is vulnerable to its’ accumulation.
• Release public announcements about the Metro-Nashville Mobility Plan- the challenges and attributes.
• Educate the public how air/water/land interacts and how the decrease of GHGs in our city will improve our natural resources and our quality of life on many levels.
• Ask local media stations and publications to feature these educational topics as a public service.

Changing Mobility Behavior
• Submit a community challenge to employees/residents to walk, bike, telecommute, take the bus, or car pool to work. Begin this program with a base-line measurement of green house gases (GHGs) and collect (weekly/monthly) regular measurement of the same locations throughout the challenge, reporting improvements to community.
Ask employees/residents to report the money they saved for their changed behavior. This data will be helpful to measure benefits also.
Ask employers to join and support community contest/challenge. Their reward will be the city’s publication of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Companies and businesses can also measure employee behavior improvement as well (employee sick days, work performance, attitude).
• Continue releasing public announcements to familiarize the public about the Long Term Mobility Plan, and the Community Challenge with follow-up progress reports.
• Prepare an integrated mobility system plan (see below) which utilizes non-motorized modalities, urban electric streetcars, alternative fuel connector buses and fast passenger rail service to outlying destinations from multiple park-ride business centers that doubles as a sub-terminal mobility station.

Regulatory Program
• Review and inspect for accuracy all regulated air emission permits. Working with TDEC/EPA, issue violations/penalties to those exceeding permit requirements and deadlines for modifications to meet current requirements.
• Create an industry investment incentive to apply technologies for the emissions releases that can be curtailed by modern applications, but are not required. Offer violators to use penalty funds to invest towards these applications.
• Implement a carbon footprint tax ordinance to discourage excessive motor idling. Attention should be put upon business activities that often let trucks/cars/buses idle excessively (contractors/construction, delivery, garbage collection, cabs) to meet the new city ordinance.
• Offer carbon tax credit for business/industry to utilize alternative fuels (low/no GHG), with credits relative to their GHG reduction (measured and rewarded for cleaner and more efficient fuels).
• All of the above could be a part of a new GHG regulatory requirement standard.

Actions
• Expedite the timing of traffic lights to reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing to reduce idling.
• Implement “green street” program recently proposed by some Metro Council Representatives. Plant trees, rain gardens and other oxygen producing urban green spaces utilizing community volunteer projects and/or support groups who do the same. Seems there should also be a requirement for current urban landscaping to have living plants (maintenance/replacement requirement). Often I see dead plants in these landscape areas.
• Install the planned sidewalks and bike paths to encourage non-motorized behavior.
• Develop a plan for developer investment (by tax or other funding outlet) towards mass transit system since it will attract and direct patrons to their business area(s).

What programs or actions that require funding could be or should be implemented in the next fiscal year?

Local Mobility System Plan
Finalize the Plan and begin investment in a more non-polluting integrated transit system that utilizes electric streetcars/tram, alternative fuel connector buses, fast trains to outlining areas, bike and pedestrian paths. Create multiple sub-terminals that double as business/commercial centers rather than having just one major terminal downtown. Utilize park/ride system at these sub-terminals.
Trains’ crossing our river rather than just car bridges seems to be an efficient supplemental alternative also.

• Utilize the old streetcar tracks beneath the major corridors from downtown outward with electric track conduits for installation of an urban electric trolley/tram system to connect with an integrated mobility system. (Examples: Charlotte Pike, Broadway/West End/Harding Road, and Franklin Road).
Investment in an electric urban trolley/tram system would reduce GHGs greater per dollar-by not only reducing cars, reduce traffic jams and wasteful idling but produce no GHGs into our Metro-Nashville basin.
Personally, I live off Charlotte Avenue and the reduction of cars and traffic congestion could be reduced considerably here. Cities like Portland have utilized these systems and Nashville may benefit by reviewing their proposed and past installations, taking advantage of their mistakes (best bike path designation with this system).
• Begin investment/acquisition into multiple sub-terminals locations as part of the Mobility Plan rather than funneling all travelers towards one major downtown terminal.
o These sub-terminals should be located at the urban streetcar corridors, interstate exchanges and railroad tracks. The sub-terminals could also double as business/retail centers which welcomes park/ride, pedestrian and biking alternatives for travelers and consumers.
o Example- The Whitebridge/I40/Charlotte Pike intersection is a perfect spot to create a mobility sub-terminal. The terminal could also offer a commuter or traveler to park their car and choose to go in town by streetcar, catch a connector bus or a fast passenger train to more distant locals. The John Tune Airport and Cumberland River is convenient here also and may also be utilized into the Plan- a transportation hub.
o The mobility sub-terminal as a businesses center would create concentrated urban development, welcome business from many venues and include many types of retailers (ex: bicycles or smart/electric car rentals).
Cab service included here must meet the new GHG emission standard requirement.

What long-term major programs or actions that require extensive planning, development and funding could be or should be implemented in the next 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years?

Implement Larger Mobility System Plan
Utilize a passenger train service to our Parks (Bells Bend, Percy Warner…) and most traveled regional destinations (Franklin, Murfreesboro…) where we have daily congestion. Create more sub-terminals as described (terminal/business centers) convenient to these corridors. These park/ride sub-terminals will be accessible to all types of travel modalities- pedestrians, bikers, streetcars, buses, cars, trains and; encourage centralized and concentrated urban development- as commercial/business centers for that area.

• Continue the investment into sub-terminals, the urban streetcar/tram system pedestrian/bike connection paths.
• Utilize the Federal funding for passenger trains that is likely to occur, into our larger mobility plan. This system should encourage and support a regional train system to be created. The fast passenger train system should also be integrated with the local system expressed above.
• Partner with CSX for track use to connect outlying areas and cross Cumberland River
• Other funding sources towards a sustainable mobility system should come from higher carbon footprint generators, a pollution/gas/health tax and by creating a transportation non-governmental organization
• Successful expansion of urban system will pave the way for regional investment and participation into a larger system. This will curtail polluting commuter behavior more and make travel to Nashville easier, more affordable and attractive to patrons in outlying areas.

Please add any other notes or ideas you want to share with the Mobility Subcommittee.

• I believe we could help improve multiple and obvious economic and environmental issues facing Nashville by utilizing such a system.

• We could utilize local workers, perhaps create an on-the job training of streetcar track restoration for the unemployed and homeless residents.
The City of Portland Oregon successfully uses volunteers to run their streetcars.

• Investment in reduced/non-polluting and electric streetcar/tram system offers other and more peripheral cost savings and lifestyle improvements (some listed).
o Decreased regulatory costs
o Noise reduction
o Lower health hazards
o Road repairs needed less often
o Reduced car accidents and traffic congestion (idling)
o Less maintenance cost for electric systems
o Reduction of water/soil pollution by fossil fuel constituents via storm water run-off and air pollution
o Attracts new business, tourism and increased green investment/businesses’

• Investment in fossil fuel buses seems not to be the best investment in Nashville’s future and just a temporary solution, which will likely become a wasted long-term investment. It is suggested that objective research in the cost and GHG savings over the long term, including peripheral costs/savings, be conducted by Nashville planners and not by a consultant/contractor that builds roads or by another biased group.

o As the future brings increased production of other fuels and technology Nashville will be the prepared to utilized them
o Investment in an urban streetcar system with sub-terminals throughout city will attract more types of riders quicker than just traditional buses.
o Priority investment to a streetcar system brings a reduction to GHGs faster: $100,000 invested in a non-polluting streetcar/tram is more fiscally frugal than a $50,000 fossil fuel bus investment per carbon ton.
o Prioritize investment to congested and busy traffic corridors first.

Watershed Wide Clean Up -Photos and Comments

2008-10-28T08:01:00.038-05:00

Our First Annual Watershed Wide Clean Up was a fun success. Here are photos from various event locations and comments from event leaders. RCWA thanks everyone for making this a productive and community building day. What a fantastic and growing watershed community we have.

The creek is smiling.

Special thanks to the event sponsors for providing give-a-ways, supplies and logistical support: H.G. Hill Realty, Publix, Starbucks, TrailWatch, Greenways for Nashville, Metro Public Works, Metro Parks and Metro Water Services.

Friends of Richland Creek (Lions Head area- Post Place Condominiums)
We had a great day. There were 6 volunteers and we picked up 11 bags of trash. We had some of these people work on the greenway also and left their bags there to be picked up. We collected basketballs, tennis balls, coolers, trashcans, bottles, cans etc. We felt we did a good job. Everyone seemed excited but surprised there was so much trash. Thanks for all your hard work. Doris

Kowalski Chiropractic (108 Harding Place)
What a beautiful morning in the hood. 6 volunteers helped clean up the Richland Creek near Harding Place and Harding Road in Belle Meade. Beth, Marissa, and Emily painted 15 water drains while Sylvia, Deb and Jerry collected four 30-gallon trash bags of debris from the parking lots and along the creek behind Kowalski Chiropractic and Belle Meade Galleria. Big finds were 2 AC compressors and a rusty metal barrel lid and copious of plastic bags and cigarette butts! We were all smiles with knowing there was a bit less trash flowing to the Cumberland and storm drains. Thanks Monette for creating an opportunity to help our planet. In support of clean water, Deb Kowalski

Warner Park Community Association WPCA and scouts (Troop 42 and Troop 6 Boy Scouts) said-
A big thanks to Richland Creek Watershed Alliance and all that gave their time to make the clean up such a success. The boys were all either boy scouts or cub scouts. Thanks to Kathleen Heneghan who took our photo, and attended the registration table.
The Vaughn’s Gap Branch of Richland Creek is a small, rather pristine stream as it flows under scenic Highway 100. Immediately, it flows through a ditch to the parking lot of Westside Athletic Club, where, during rains, it swells with water from the Club’s 2-acre roof run-off. The creek is channelized for a good part of the next quarter mile of stream flow, before spilling out into a meandering creek with a flood plain in suburban backyards. Because of the rooftop run off upstream, and the channelization, many of the homes are in the 100-year floodplain and are required to have flood insurance. Residents keep the stream clean for the most part. Since undoing the channelization is out of the question, some natural stormwater controls, or retention upstream would help this tremendously. Alan Dooley WPCA

Richland Creek Greenway (RCG) TrailWatch (Greenway and creek area)
Over 40 volunteers, including Greenways for Nashville TrailWatch Volunteers, a dozen Montgomery Bell Academy students, several volunteers from West End Middle School, and others attended and pitched in. Greenways for Nashville and Metro Parks provided much support, including use of a maintenance cart, various supplies and give-a-ways. Volunteers enjoyed coffee courtesy of Belle Meade Plaza Starbucks. Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association and RCG TrailWatch volunteer Frank Jones brought and piloted a canoe that, flanked by other volunteers in waders, made its way downstream from the southern pedestrian bridge to the northern-most pedestrian bridge. Other volunteers fanned out in various directions along and near the Greenway and surrounding wooded areas. Volunteers retrieved over ten piles of trash and debris from the area consisting of a mix of old and new cans, bottles, plastic, plastic bags, Styrofoam cups, tarps, shopping carts, scrap metal and parts, miscellaneous debris and more. It was evident that this and the preceding clean-up efforts have gone a long way in cleaning up this area and returning it to a more natural state. Kip Campell TrailWatch Coordinator

Earth Revolution (West Park at Morrow Road)
A sincere THANK YOU to all that participated on my team Saturday as part of the RCWA Watershed-Wide Clean Up.
Kat, Jack, and Randy did an AMAZING job of stenciling the “no dumping” on storm drains, distributing the door cards, and covered an impressive length of Morrow road. Buddy, Blaine and Scott were outstanding and worked collecting trash down by the creek. You guys were a powerhouse team and collected 20 bags of trash. We had a discussion about the condition of storm drains and Councilman Buddy Baker said he would address our concerns. Gary, Tony and I (Sue Shann) filled a number of bags with trash from the Park perimeter up to the bridge on Centennial and found tons more dumped in the woods leading down to the creek. A portion of 60th Avenue was covered too.
I guess an effort like this one makes it abundantly clear how important it really is for each of us to have a stake in our own watershed, to work now to preserve and protect the health of our water and other natural resources, for generations to come. Also clear, is how much more there is to do?
Our group had discussions about reaching out more to other groups, churches and neighbors as a resource for more volunteers next year.
Finally, thanks to Monette Rebecca, founder of Richland Creek Watershed Alliance, for her selfless dedication to this important cause, which is so vital to the well being of all of us.
In peace and love, Susan Shann / “Earth Revolution”

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance (Whitebridge TrailHead)
The RCWA clean up at Whitebridge was for the more adventurous types and attracted 3 participants with canoes. The area was hard to access and remove trash from, which slowed the process quite a bit since it was a long haul to the top of the hill. In spite of the challenge a lot of debris and trash was removed. To name some unusual items beside the normal (cups, bottles, plastic bags etc) there was a considerable quantity of metal that was taken to be recycled (participant unknown at this time but a big THANKS); a large quantity of rubber trash, a jack hammer, hoses, numerous soil erosion fences and other construction debris. This clean up team was led by Tommy Pinkston and Stephanie Swartz.

The RCWA clean Up at 54th Avenue North had one of the larger areas to cover and ended up being the smallest group of all (5 volunteers). They collected 10 bags of trash and some larger items from the creek like tarps, plastic crates, metal stakes and pipes. An additional two more bags of trash were collected on Charlotte Avenue at Richland Creek by volunteer Doug Erickson. RCWA members- David Vartbadrigian (group leader), Laura Jumonville, Callie and Faye Hendrickson made this clean up happen. THANKS and you guys rock- Monette

Seven Groups Signed-On to Event

2008-10-12T09:02:00.012-05:00

Volunteers needed for our Watershed-Wide Clean Up on Saturday October 25th. You can click on the map (left) to enlarge and see the areas that will hold clean up events overall. Below is the list of groups participating and how to find them to sign-up. All clean-ups begin at 9 am except two locations- Earth Revolution event begins at 9:30 am and Warner Park Community Association at 10 am.

Volunteers- Please look for the staging area tables to fill out waivers, get information and to pick up supplies first.

Lets get the trash before the creeks do!
A big thanks to everyone and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

Groups Signed-Up
RCWA Watershed-Wide Clean Up: October 25th

TrailWatch Team
Time-9:00 AM -12:00 PM (CHILDREN WELCOME)
Staging Area-Richland Creek Greenway Pedestrian Bridge at CSX Trestle memorial (Park at McCabe Trailhead off Murphy/Sloan road and walk greenway along CSX railroad to sign up area)
Clean up Area-Richland Creek Greenway from Whitebridge Trail Head area downstream to the pedestrian bridge behind the Marine/Army Reserve Base

RCWA Whitebridge Team (ADVENTUROUS PARTCIPANTS)
Time- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Staging Area- Whitebridge Trail Head off of Whitebridge road (Park at Lions Head Shopping Center and walk to Whitebridge Trailhead)
Clean Up Area- Whitebridge Trail Head, pedestrian bridge, sidewalk, creek & stream bank

RCWA 54th Avenue North Team (CHILDREN WELCOME)
Time- 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Staging Area- End of 54th Avenue North (Park at Wyoming Trailhead and walk down hill of greenway and you will encounter 54th Avenue North Trailhead)
Clean Up Area-54th avenue North to just beyond first bridge on greenway and; area from 54th avenue north up to Wyoming Trailhead

Earth Revolution Team
Time- 9:30- 12:30
Staging Area- West Park
Clean Up Area- West Park, creek side, Morrow road and neighborhood side streets

Kowalski Chiropractic Team
Time- 9:00- 11:00 AM
Staging Area- 108 Harding Place
Clean Up Area- Richland Creek at Harding Place, surrounding neighborhood

Warner Park Community Association Team (CHILDREN WELCOME)
Time- 10:00 AM
Staging Area- ST. Henry School parking lot
Clean Up Area- Vaughn’s Gap Branch of Richland Creek between Highways 100 and 70, within boundaries of the Warner Park Community Association Neighborhood

Friends of Richland Creek
Time- 9:00 AM
Staging Area- Tennis Courts
Clean Up Area- Behind Lions Head Condos at Post Place, off of Whitebridge. Park at end of street.

Join our Fall Clean Up Collaboration-October 25th!

2008-08-29T19:44:00.035-05:00

Be a part of our First Annual Watershed-Wide Clean Up

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is planning a community wide event in which multiple clean-ups will occur throughout the watershed this Fall. Our inspiration behind this watershed-wide effort stems from the spirited feedback from our past clean-up experience and our hope that this annual watershed-wide event will diminish the need for such efforts overtime.

Listening to folks we have networked with and from participants of past clean ups, the idea was born- For the Alliance to sponsor a volunteer clean up day in multiple locations around the watershed. Whether it is big or small group of volunteers; along creeks, greenways, sidewalks, parking lots, alleys or storm waters drains; it will be a wonderful community building activity and at the same time get more trash before the creeks do!

Email us at rcwa@comcast.net or go to our website homepage to get your group signed-up to host or to join an existing event!
Below are more details and stay tuned as we will post groups as they sign-up and we will direct you to a clean-up if you just want to join in!

Groups Signed-Up
· Greenways for Nashville TrailWatch Volunteers (9 am)- Greenway at McCabe-sign up at train-wreck trestle
· Earth Revolution (9:30 am)-West Park & Morrow Road- sign up there
· Warner Park Community Association (10 am)- Vaughn's Gap Branch between Hwy 100 & Hwy 70- sign up at St. Henry school
· RCWA Whitebridge Crew (9 am)- Pedestrian bridge, creek and road area-sign up at Whitebridge Trailhead
· RCWA 54th Avenue Crew (9 am)- Greenway North- Parking at Wyoming trail head and walk downhill to 54th and sign-up.
· Kowalski Chiropractic (9 am)- 108 Harding Place-sign up there
· Friends of Richland Creek(9 am)- Lions Head Post Place Condos-Go to end, bare right where creek is and sign up there

As sponsor for this event the Alliance will
· Promote participation and direct interested volunteers to the various events
· Provide a press release stating which neighborhood areas are collaborating
· Identify areas prone to trash
· Provide guidance to facilitate your event (if needed)
· Provide health and safety guidelines
· Provide water to events for participants
· Distribute gloves, trash bags and waivers to the Event locations
· Coordinate trash disposal areas for Metro Public Works pick up
· Offer logistic assistance during Watershed-Wide Clean Up event and;
· Seek sponsors for participant freebies!

As an Event Leaders were asking you to
· Promote and recruit participants for your clean up event
· Provide a staging area to distribute supplies and collect participant waivers
· Provide guidance to your participants
· Take pictures and;
· Wallow in the pleasure of satisfaction from all your hard work!

Thanks ahead of time and we look forward to seeing many of you~

The creek tribe has arrived

2008-06-09T12:57:00.004-05:00

You may have been wondering why there has been no blog entry from RCWA for April, May and now it is June. RCWA has been feverously making rain barrels, launching the stormwater stenciling program, planning for and holding the Spring Creek Clean Up, networking with other community groups, fielding inquiries and membership requests, and easing some growing pains with organizational bandages.

When the idea for a Richland Creek Watershed Alliance was born, one core understanding which guided the project was to have the watershed community’s interest in participation for an alliance; and understanding their voice was missing and needed. Community ownership for our local water resources, beginning in our backyards, is the glue that will hold us together and prompt action. We are a group and growing!

As RCWA partners with other entities to build a consensus for this alliance, we will learn from our mistakes, build leadership, identify our limitations, plan and complete restorative watershed projects and grow as an effective organization. The path and shape the alliance takes will be a reflection of the stakeholder collective. This realization, I feel, makes my job easier and the alliance a solid grassroots organization.

Now it is June, and it feels as though RCWA has grown legs, thanks to The Tennessean, their writer, Pam Sherborne and many others who helped in the publication process of the recent RCWA newspaper story,(Friday and Sunday). It has provided an avenue for stakeholders not connected to the internet to find out about us, and they have responded. My hope one day is that RCWA will not be needed, but until then, we are grateful.

Personally speaking, after the very successful creek clean up on May 31st, I feel I have found my tribe; my creek tribe. These folks worked very hard in treacherously steep terrain, extreme heat, and thick overgrowth, with such bonding spirit and gracious camaraderie, the inspiration and reward is overwhelming. As mentioned in an earlier blog there has been a contractor for one of the occupants along the creek bank that has been annually cutting trees and leaving them in the streambed. For those that don’t know, this loads the stream; a term which refers to the collective inflow of organic materials which over time decomposes in the creek and depletes the oxygen, not to mention in this case; impairing stream flow and eroding the stream bank. Anyway, as I was introducing the creek clean up crew to the work at hand, I pointed to the piles of trees which had been cut and left in the creek, at two separate locations, assuming we would not have the time or energy to get them up and out of a 15 foot steep slope for Metro brush pick up. I was wrong! They indeed did get all those trees out of the stream bed, and onto the sidewalk, and in a safe and organized manner. These piles were out of the street, bound and separated according to their size (see photo). Their conscious care and enthusiasm has changed me and I will continue forth, and now, with my creek tribe.

Envisioning James Park

2008-03-14T08:44:00.012-05:00

As promised, here is the sketch for the proposed James Park, RCWA submitted as part of the Corridor Design public comment process. If you click on the image it should enlarge for viewing all the elements better. A big applause for RCWA volunteer-Chris Veit. What a gracious contribution!

We also updated the RCWA Draft Community Recommendations, which we posted earlier (below) on the blog. It now reflects the changes during the DCDP process. We removed the suggestion for Alabama to become a two-way street and added another suggestion: an alternative-fuel trolley system to run between the Cumberland River and Richland Creek. Our goal is to encourage commuter ridership, reduce traffic on Charlotte Avenue and consequently, the pollution produced.

Trolley vs. bus route here? Its sleek design could easily share the middle turning lane and perhaps acitvate crosswalks for riders to board and unboard from sidewalks. If this is possible- it could open up the corridor for more on-street parking and room for bike paths. The flat roof and box design may even be suitable for retrofiting with photovoltaic film to solar charge lithium batteries. Wow- a totally energy independent and non-polluting commuter system for Nashville! A dream or a possilbilty?

Personally, I would love to jump on a trendy retro trolley; avoiding the hassle and costs of having to find a parking spot downtown.
What do you think? Join the poll (upper right of page).
Offer your own comments to Metro Planning.

Richland Creek Clean Up at Charlotte Avenue rescheduled

2008-03-12T13:48:00.013-05:00

The previous date for RCWA's Creek Clean Up had to be resheduled due to work being performed on business owner's property. The new date is Saturday, May 31st and will be held between 10 am to 2 pm. Please update anyone that you may have forwarded the previous date to. We need your help to un-trash this area and plan to remove even more trash than last year (1.3 tons). Mark your calendars and sign up by emailing rcwa@comcast.net and help us help the creek!

On our website home page is the event flyer for downloading with more information.

This segment of Richland Creek happens to be the western boundary of the study area for the current Detailed Corridor Design Plan (DCDP Charlotte Avenue/Richland Park). These public meetings and envisioning process created a lot of discussion among West Nashville neighbors and now has it's own blog, Charlotte Avenue is Shaping Up, if you want more details.

Encounters when you walk

2008-02-29T07:48:00.009-06:00

I walk my neighborhood, city street, or greenway to get my daily exercise and let my mind wonder and relax but sometimes you can't avoid encounters. Yesterday's plan was to walk from my house through the neighborhood and then to circle back down Charlotte avenue and ponder all the stakeholder comments I read recently from the Detailed Design Corridor Plan.

As I made my circle around and back down Charlotte from 46th avenue I noticed many points my neighbors pointed out in their comments. I -read the sign in front of the Richland Park Library (posted 1935 by the Daughters of the Revolution) attributing Charlotte Robertson as the namesake for our avenue; -acknowledged the rectangle parcel, Richland Park, set aside originally as a "commons area" for the early West Nashvillians; -wondered if the closed down pool would become a dog park and if the old Church of Christ building would become a Rite Aid; and -was pleased to notice the Dark Horse Theater's lavendar door and imagined it as protector of this historic spot on our avenue.

Soon my relaxing mood would change as I made my way further west on Charlotte avenue and back home. I noticed -a back hoe at the creek on Raskin property; -chain saws taking down trees on the stream bank at Enterprise and -the historic sign attributing The Battle of Nashville laying on the street. I wonder what others notice on thier walks.

Comments welcome~

Monette

RCWA Drafts Recommendations for Charlotte Ave. Corridor Design Plan

2008-01-29T08:11:00.004-06:00

With some stakeholder encouragement and as part of the envisioning process for the Charlotte Avenue Corridor Design Plan process, RCWA has prepared some recommendations. The main objective for these recommendations is to present environmental and community values into the planning process which incorporate community growth and preserve and enhance Richland Creek.

The western boundary of this corridor is Richland Creek, and ironically, the segment of the creek which prompted the formation of RCWA two years ago. The enhancement of this particular segment of Richland Creek provides a unique opportunity to merge environmental and historic values into the sustainable design planning. Take a look at the Draft Recommendations below and offer your opinion to RCWA efforts (rcwa@comcast.net), or leave comments here on the blog! To learn more about our watershed, visit the RCWA website.

Richland Creek Preservation
Create James Park; an urban park featuring bird watching and attributing its historic value. Connect park to the planned greenway (Greenways Master Plan).
1) Restore buffer zone along Richland Creek to current development regulations (50 feet) when parcels adjacent to Richland Creek are re-developed
2) Create terraced stream bank utilizing the degrading rock wall and limestone
3) Plant native species
4) Install park benches, trash/ recycle cans, and LED lighting
5) Showcase historic significance of the area as related to Nashville Founder James Robertson

Objectives: Restore regulatory mandates; protect and enhance a water resource; promote bio-diversity; create urban park which serves to tribute the founder’s words (rich-land).
Benefits: preserve a natural resource and historic treasure; improve community living; increase residential land value; encourage economic growth; protect community vitality.

Redevelopment Requests
Utilize sustainable development and environmental procedures which protect and improve the vitality of the water resource, Richland Creek.
1) Perform Environmental Site Assessments and supplementary Phase I & II procedures as part of the codes approval process for property redevelopment
2) Encourage Low Impact Development technologies: pervious parking pavement and environmental design which address non-point source pollution and stormwater control
3) Require erosion and sediment control for parcels adjacent to Richland Creek when re-development occurs, regardless of parcel size (currently, parcels <1 acre a exempt from erosion control requirements)
4) Encourage Green Building Developers with increased green space design plans for retail and residential projects
5) Install LED lighting, trash/recycle cans and covered benches at public transportation areas.
6) Incorporate and protect historic nature of community

Objectives: Restore regulatory mandates; protect a water resource; reduce non point source pollution; and encourage a community for sustainable living.
Benefits: protect a natural resource; reduce NPS pollution and trash entering stream; save tax payer money by investing in up-front risk assessment resolutions for a sustainable future; preserve the historic value for the community.

Transportation Planning
1) Increase parking on Charlotte and slow traffic speed to 30 mph through retail district.
2) Create an alternative-fuel public transit system to encourage commuter rider-ship and consequently reduce pollution and traffic for the corridor; (such as walk/bike lanes, installation of pedestrian cross-walk buttons and modern public trolley system #3)
3) Showcase the original route to Nashville; featuring two public areas and waterways, Richland Creek and Cumberland River

Objectives: encourage pedestrian, bike and public transportation; provide ample parking for retail outlets; community safety; enhance community living and reduce pollution.
Benefits: economic growth; a safe and pedestrian friendly community; reduction of air and water pollution; and reduction in traffic flow (jams) during peak commuting periods.

To offer your own comments go to Metro Planning

WSMV-TV airs "Metro Launches Adopt A Stream Program"

2008-01-26T08:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks to a stakeholder alerting RCWA, below is the posting from the WSMV/NBC website, featuring the Channel 4 news 5pm broadcast last night. The 1.3 tons of trash mentioned below refers to the weight of the debris RCWA removed during the first Earth Day Celebration Project last year. Check out the RCWA website for more photos, information or to become a RCWA member.

WSMV-TV

"NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville is surrounded by rivers, creeks and streams but some of that water is used as a dumping ground rather than as a natural resource. In an effort to bring more awareness and preservation to water resources, Metro Water Services has partnered with Metro beautification to launch an adopt a stream program.
In just one day, 1.3 tons of trash was collected at the Richland [Creek] watershed.
"This river can be canoed and there's fish in it in deeper places, but most people think of it as a trash dump. Obviously it would be nice to get people to think about it in terms of something that's beautiful, something that's part of our backyard," said Tommy Pinkston of the Richland [Creek] Watershed Alliance."

Adopt-A-Stream Signs

2008-01-24T20:36:00.000-06:00

Join us tomorrow morning at the bridge over Richland Creek on Charlotte Pike to support RCWA efforts for Metro Water Service's Adopt-A-Stream Program. Metro Public Works will install signs on two bridges which cross Richland Creek: Charlotte Pike and Whitebridge road.
RCWA hopes as folks cross these bridges they are reminded of the life below.
Come to the bridge over Richland Creek on Charlotte Pike, next to the Enterprise Car Rental, at 10 am and be in the Metro photo-op too.
Monette

What is slag?

2008-01-22T06:45:00.001-06:00

A stakeholder contacted RCWA asking if the "contanerzied silt removal from the tank at McCabe golfcourse along the greenway was laced with lead?" Well I cannot answer that question but I can say the large bags were marked "slag." Slag is a common term used for the by-product of smeltering metals. During my Sunday walk I noticed the work and snapped a few photos which reflect how we should not leave our work area.
M.R.

Waterfowl of Richland Creek

2008-01-20T16:46:00.000-06:00

On the RCWA website you may notice some beautiful photographs by Don Sibel. These and other photos from Richland Creek area can be appreciated at his web gallery. They certainly inspire conservation and restoration of the Richland Creek Watershed. These are but a few of the varities of waterbirds that call the area home. Please submit to RCWA any encouraging or concerning photos you may take.

Richland Creek Run 4/5/08

2008-01-20T10:40:00.002-06:00

The second-annual Richland Creek Run, presented by Dunn Chiropractic Clinic, is scheduled for April 5, 2008 (this image is from last year’s Run poster). Last year’s event exposed hundreds of people and some media to the portion of the watershed near Richland Creek Greenway. RCWA members helped prepare “goodie bags” in advance of the race and RCWA plans to participate this year too in some way. This year’s Run will meander along more of Richland Creek than the inaugural event, crossing over the Creek a total of four times. Net proceeds will benefit Greenways for Nashville, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, protection, promotion of Nashville greenways. The race starts and ends at Cohn Adult Learning Center, 4805 Park Avenue at 8:00 a.m.

New RCWA website and blog

2008-01-19T16:38:00.000-06:00

RCWA proudly announces the launch of its website www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org. Unfortunately, the shorter address (rcwa.org) was already taken but I urge you to save it in your favorites for easy use. Also, announcing the RCWA blog, which accompanies the website and is always accessible via a link on the RCWA homepage. Please check the website and blog from time to time and post your comments, questions, observations, ideas and more here.