The Competitive American Rescue Plan Resource Protection Grant will be used to repair broken infrastructure and revitalize vegetation to prevent erosion and water pollution.
Chattanooga, Tenn. (November 7, 2023) – The City of Chattanooga is proud to accept a $1.7 million Competitive American Plan Grant Resource Protection Rescue from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The grant will provide funding to repair broken and collapsed infrastructure, build up floodplains, and replant vegetation to prevent erosion and water pollution in the Mountain Creek Water Basin, 30% of which has been scored as moderately to severely eroding.
“Chattanooga’s renaissance started with a concerted effort to clean up the Tennessee River more than 30 years ago, and we continue to reap the economic and environmental benefits of that commitment. Now it’s time to build on that success and turn our attention to our creeks and waterways that feed the river,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “Our natural assets are our greatest competitive advantage, and water restoration projects funded through this grant will go a long way toward increasing water quality for residents throughout the Mountain Creek watershed and beyond.”
The City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works will partner with WaterWays, a local nonprofit organization, to follow through on the planning, design, and construction of three stream restoration projects totaling roughly 1,500 feet of Mountain Creek from Morrison Springs Road to Runyan Drive. The points of planned repair are currently seeing significant erosion, exposed pipes and a lack of supporting vegetation, which have all resulted in significant erosion of the banks of the stream and adjacent properties, as well as soil spilling into Mountain Creek; a tributary of the Tennessee River.
“The best way to prevent soil pollution in city waterways is to provide a vegetative buffer along the banks of streams and rivers. Without one, soil contamination in waterways is much more likely,” said Chief Operating Officer Ryan Ewalt. “Using this grant, we can protect a critical watershed in our community at a reduced cost to taxpayers: A win-win.”
The City of Chattanooga will contribute $300,000 to the total project cost, leading to a total project cost of $2,085,000. As a result, the City of Chattanooga will build up eroded buffers and supportive vegetation to address in-stream sediment pollution, which disrupts natural habitats for critical members of our area’s ecosystem.
“Protecting our local waterways is everyone’s responsibility. Our streams are part of an interconnected network that pours into our prized Tennessee River. Through this work, we will be able to make great strides in repairing streams which will make our water cleaner for everyone to enjoy.” said WaterWays Executive Director Mary Beth Sutton. “We are grateful to be working alongside our terrific partners at the City of Chattanooga to preserve a critical water source.”
Map of planned restoration projects along Mountain Creek.
About the Department of Public Works:
The Chattanooga Department of Public Works delivers a variety of services that Chattanooga’s citizens rely on daily. Responsibilities include the design, construction, and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure; the interceptor sewer system; the City’s stormwater system; the collection and disposal of garbage, brush, recycling, and household hazardous waste; Chattanooga Division of Transportation (CDOT); and The Land Development Office (LDO).
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