DOE funding possible for parks and conservation
To make up for past environmental damage, the U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to help with recreation and conservation projects in an area that includes Anderson County.
DOE will deposit $42 million into an account held by the state of Tennessee to fund grants to organizations and public entities for what a news release called “a wide range of local projects that either enhance the area’s natural resources or provide nature and recreational opportunities.”
The federal agency said it agreed to this deposit to make up for past pollution from its facilities in Oak Ridge. It came to this agreement with the state Department of Environment and Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Tennessee Valley Authority.
“This is one of the most notable days in our office’s history,” Jay Mullis, manager of DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, said.
“Through this agreement, DOE is accounting for past impacts and creating many new opportunities to enhance how residents can enjoy this beautiful region.”
Local projects eligible for those grants must be in one of five categories: habitat creation, habitat restoration or enhancement, habitat preservation, groundwater, or recreation.
Grants do not have a minimum value and can go as high as millions of dollars for projects in Anderson and Roane counties and portions of Loudon and Knox counties.
Examples of projects include clearing abandoned parking lots to plant native vegetation, removing invasive species, land conservation, installing streets and parking lots with permeable pavements to improve rainwater infiltration, and septic conversions.
Projects to improve public use of natural resources, such as building or improving boat launches and fishing piers; purchasing and restoring land with public access to water; creating public hiking and biking trails or wildlife viewing areas; and constructing, improving or maintaining public recreation area amenities such as trash control, water fountains, and restrooms can also qualify.
People may send comments or suggestions to ORRrestoration@tn.gov by Aug. 12.