Local groups working to preserve and enhance water quality throughout the Little Tennessee watershed basin met last week in Cherokee to discuss and share information.

One of the primary goals of the group was to create an avenue for collaborative efforts, according to Cherise Maples, the biologist for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

The May 10 “Little Tennessee Watershed 2001” meeting was sponsored by the tribe and coordinated by Maples.

Organizations attending included Little Tennessee Watershed Association (LTWA), Watershed Association of the Tuckaseigee River (WATR), North Carolina Rivers Assessment and Save Our Rivers (SOR.)

Corporate interests were represented by Appalachian Environmental Services, Johnston Inc., NC Wetland Restoration Program and Earth Tech Stream Restoration. Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver was present as well as representatives from the Tennessee River Valley Authority, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ.)

Phil Gibson of Western North Carolina Tomorrow, who moderated the meeting, told attendees he was becoming extremely frustrated. Gibson quoted Albert Einstein: “Education is not for the sake of knowledge but for action.”

We can only educate for so long, we’ve got to act, Gibson said.

Creating an avenue for collaborative efforts was one of the primary motives for the meeting. In an interview after the conference, Maples noted that neither the EBCI nor GSMNP is included in the state’s Little Tennessee basin-wide plan. She said the tribe values its close relationship with the state and wants to be a part of the effort to maintain and enhance water quality throughout the basin.

Maples said the tribe has difficulty working with other groups in the region because it is a governmental entity. The tribe could, however, join with some type of region-wide umbrella organization.

Gibson agreed there is a need for some type of regional mechanism. There is a need for basin-wide studies to identify common issues and develop comprehensive plans. There will always be local issues and work to be done by local groups, but he also recognizes the need for collaboration and collective efforts on issues that affect the entire basin.

A common concern among most groups present was the need to develop a standard database for the gathered information. Callie Dobson of DWQ encouraged the groups to send in any and all data collected and said that the state was working on a database that should be available on DWQ’s website in the near future.

DWQ is presently drafting an updated basin-wide plan for the Little Tennessee. A draft should be available to the public by November. Although there is presently no formal public comment period, DWQ spokesperson Kate Moore said the agency welcomed comments and recommendations for the basin.

Many groups throughout the basin have initiated educational programs to help youths and adults learn about riparian ecosystems. David Wheeler of the Watershed Association of the Tuckaseigee River said his organization focuses on consensus building and “getting people to realize they have a stake in the river. Solutions will come from humans who really understand what’s going on in the watershed.”

The Little Tennessee Watershed Association sponsors “Kids in the Creek” programs, and the GSMNP provides educational opportunities to help students and adults learn about water quality.

Maples said the meeting was a success and would help provide a continuing dialogue between key agencies.

Laurie Moorhead of DWQ volunteered to help schedule and facilitate a follow-up meeting, also to be held in Cherokee, in approximately three months.

 

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