November Update
Greetings Stakeholders~

During October RCWA hosted their First Annual Watershed-Wide Clean Up October 25th; planned and collaborated for two Rain Garden installations; conducted Storm Water Stenciling; did dozens of film shoots for the RCWA documentary and continued networking with stakeholders and other organizations.

First Annual Watershed-Wide Clean Up:  October 25th
We had 7 clean-ups locations in our Watershed-Wide Clean Up, which generated over 92 volunteers, 3 with canoes, and dozens of trash-piles, that we guesstimate to be over 1.5 tons of debris, removed from Richland Creek Watershed. The event brought much attention to our streams and was a fun community building event. Thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors and planners.

If you would like to comment about the clean-up event, which will be featured in the upcoming CreekTalk column of our newsletter, CreekVoice, you can email us at rcwa@comcast.net or go to our blog <http://rcwa.blogspot.com/> to let us know. Please submit them soon~
Due to the fact we have been so busy the Fall CreekVoice is behind schedule, but there are no mistakes and so now- an opportunity to contribute your voice to the watershed community!

RCWA Rain Gardens
The RCWA partnership with West End Middle School (WEMS) 7th grade ecology students has continued and the rain garden is now taking shape.  Leaders for the project who attended the recent RCWA rain garden workshop have sketched out their rain garden, check the soil for proper percolation, met with Metro Water Services for approval and a landscape architect for advice, retrieved utility line clearance for digging, picked out their native plant choices and are now moving towards breaking ground for their rain garden installation.  Great job!
Another thanks to RCWA and West Meade Conservancy member, Patty Ghertner, for preparing the rain garden workshop and assisting in the WEMS/RCWA collaboration.

The WEMS rain garden will accomplish many things: capture storm water run off, improve the performance of an inadequate storm water drain, provide a hands-on environmental educational tool for students and establish a garden which enhances the school property and creates a habitat for wildlife.
 
RCWA has also been planning for the first rain garden of their on-going Plant-Share Program.  This rain garden will be the first of many we hope to be installed, that not only will be harvesting rain water to reduce non point source pollution but will be establishing habitat in the flood plain (riparian area) along Richland Creek on 54th Avenue North.  The Plant Share Program plans to support many rain gardens along the riparian area of our watershed, which over time will produce a habitat that attracts migratory birds, bees and butterflies.  As this habitation flourishes RCWA will be thinning out the native plants to be shared all over the watershed community for residential rain gardens.  Thanks to the Swartz family for sharing their property and helping RCWA with this Program.

We would also like to thank the Tennessee Environmental Council for partnering with RCWA towards this groundbreaking Plant Share Program and contributing to help us purchase plants.
Let us know if you would like to also contribute to our Plant Share Program- help us purchase trees, shrubs, plants and supplies or to share in the digging and planting. We are planning for installation in November, as fall is a great time to plant!

The ecological corridor along Richland Creek is part of a larger and national bird migratory pathway, and locally connects Bells Bend to Warner Park. You can see a national map at the Bird Nature's Migration Flyways: Atlantic Flyways and see that the Principal Route passes through Middle Tennessee.  
FYI:  I personally use to go to the EPA website and also see migratory maps and ones specific for Endangered Species, but now it seems all are unavailable. I was planning on including links to them in this update email.

Stay tuned for photos and updates on the progress for both of these rain garden projects.  

RCWA Documentary
As we mentioned last month, recently RCWA was contacted by SINGH Technology Solutions, LLC offering to produce a video about RCWA and our watershed.  This was a gracious and win-win opportunity and we have been working hard and fast over the past month or so.  RCWA and Singh Technology plan on completing the shooting next week and have the film edited for viewing before Christmas.
The film will illustrate our watershed streams, tell the RCWA story, and feature thoughts from those past and present who have worked to protect our valuable water resources.  From the comfort of your home you will be able to see many and most of the streams in our watershed and hear comments from stakeholders about "why these streams are important in our life."

Thanks to all that participated in this project- and my personal and only regret is that we did not have more time to get more of you involved.

Green Cheers~
Monette Rebecca
www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org <http://www.richlandcreekwatershedalliance.org/>
http://rcwa.blogspot.com/

DON'T HESITATE TO SUBMIT YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE of $10 on website with PayPal or send it to us by snail mail to RCWA P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209  Together~ We Make A Difference.  THANKS AHEAD OF TIME!
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Labor Day 2008 Update
Greetings Stakeholders,

Join our Fall Clean Up Collaboration-October 25th!
Be a part of our First Annual Watershed-Wide Clean Up and help us get the trash before the creeks do!  Email us at rcwa@comcast.net to sign-up or if you have questions! You can also go to our blog to get the details. Whether as a organizational host for a clean-up or if you just want to join a clean-up event- We will help!

Please note that all trash that falls to the ground (and other pollutants not so obvious) will enter our creeks.  To see need for you help take a look at Richland Creek downstream, Photo 1 (right) that a stakeholder sent us!

Register for our First  How-to Rain Garden Workshop September 18th 6-8 PM at the Cohn Adult Learning Center
Contact Jim Polk to register and submit the $10 administration fee at 298.8050.
The Cohn School is located behind Richland Park on Charlotte Avenue and 46th Avenue North.
Learn how to plan for a rain garden and choose plants best suited.  Master gardner or novice, all should walk away with a better understanding and enthusiasm for a rain garden.

Follow-up on the fish-kill (CreekFlash Alert) and other issues threatening Richland Creek~

Since RCWA sent out the CreekFlash Alert yesterday about the dead fish in Richland Creek that a stakeholder reported to us, we have received pictures and more comments that we want to share.

From a second stakeholder living on Richland Creek "I've noticed a lot of dead fish and dead crawdads in the creek in the past couple of days"--

From a stakeholder near Charlotte Park (downstream from the greenway) said, "For your information, we have noticed what appeared from a distance to be an oil film on top of the water between Urbandale Bridge and I-40 Bridge about two weeks or more ago."

From a professor and creek enthusiast we got the downstream photo 1 and a comment~ "The duck week is indicative of nutrients loading the stream.  That could be leaky sewers, lawn fertilizers sediments or some other source."

From yet another stakeholder one of many pictures of the dead fish along the Richland Creek Greenway yesterday- see photo above.

RCWA will not be sending the dead fish for analysis after all.  This is because our sample was not timely enough and dead.  From what we found out it would be a waste of RCWA funds, of which we have very little, and not gives us much information.  

My personal observation from yesterday was this:
I personally saw dozens of dead floating fish at one spot along Richland Creek I stopped.  I know there are more by what others have told me.
The dead fish range in size from 2 to 5 inches approximately.
From the prominent smell of dead fish they have been dead for awhile.  Most had probably gone downstream as the ones I saw were along the edge of the stream caught in the slower flow and debris.
I observed swollen bellies of the dead floating fish and also saw dead crawfish.
Metro was informed of the issue and I was told they were there yesterday around 2:30 PM.
I was informed that on Friday TDEC Water Pollution Control was assessing the situation.

Fish kills are often caused by the lack of dissolved oxygen in the water but that is not yet conclusive here.  

DON'T HESITATE TO SUBMIT YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE of $10 on website with PayPal or send it to us snail mail to RCWA P.O. Box 92016 Nashville, TN 37209  THANKS AHEAD OF TIME!

GREEN CHEERS
Monette Rebecca, RCWA Director
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September 2008
Greetings Stakeholders,

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance is planning their First-Annual Watershed-Wide Clean-Up for October 25th.

We currently are looking for neighborhood organizations and volunteer groups to host a clean-up event.
We want to address multiple areas where trash is prone to collect before it gets into our creeks.  Most of these trash prone areas are: along creeks, greenways, sidewalks, parking lots, alleys, and at storm-water drains.  

Our inspiration behind this watershed-wide effort stems from the spirited feedback from our past clean-up and our hope that this annual watershed-wide event will diminish the need for such efforts overtime.

Help us spread the word and pass this along to more neighborhood groups, churches, schools, and other organizations that may find it a fun community building activity.  
Whether big or small any event will help us keep trash out of our creeks.

Email us and get your group signed-up at rcwa@comcast.net
Thanks ahead of time!

Green Cheers!
Monette Rebecca, Director

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 their event (if needed)
·     Provide health and safety guidelines
·     Distribute gloves, trash bags and waivers to the Event areas
·     Coordinate trash disposal areas for Metro Public Works pick up
        Offer logistic assistance during Watershed 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
·     Provide water (the Alliance will assist if needed)
·     Take pictures and;
·     Wallow in the pleasure of satisfaction from all your hard work!
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May 2008 Update Email
Greetings Stakeholders~

In May RCWA held their Spring Creek Clean Up on Richland Creek at Charlotte Avenue; performed community stenciling of storm water drains in the Sylvan Park neighborhood; assisted in the planning for native species rain garden at West End Middle School; adapted and sold several rain barrels; participated in Tennessee Alliance for Progress Compass V Conference at Cohn Adult Learning Center; and visited the Warner Park Community Association’s annual picnic to talk about RCWA.

Community Participation
2008 Spring Creek Clean Up
The RCWA creek clean up for Richland Creek at Charlotte Pike on Saturday was a tremendous success. Thirty-one watershed volunteers removed 1.55 tons of trash from this short segment of Richland Creek with contagious team spirit. These folks were from numerous neighborhoods throughout our watershed; including our Councilman Jason Holleman and West End Middle School Student Leader, Callie Hendrickson. The total refuse weight above does not include the cut trees volunteers removed from the stream bed. Because cut trees and brush do not go to the landfill, these piles were left out of the roll-off dumpster for Metro brush pick-up.  
 
The sponsors for our event were:
Harris Teeter on Highway 100 (snacks and fruit); Kroger on Charlotte Pike (drinks and ice); Blinker-Lite (porta-potty); Jack in the Box at White Bridge (sandwiches); and Metro Public Works and Water Services, in conjunction with the Great American Clean Up, (T-shirts, gloves, trash bags, promotion and refuse pick up).

Media coverage included Channel 4 WSMV, FOX 17 and the environmental group New Vision who filmed the event for their Earth Revolution Show (broadcast TBA).  Thanks to all the groups, businesses and organizations which featured our creek clean up.  The list was long!  
 
The enthusiastic collaboration by watershed volunteers was very inspiring for me!  These volunteers work hard to remove over 1.5 tons of trash in very difficult terrain on a hot and muggy Saturday.  They exceeded my expectations.  A big thanks to all of you and it was great meeting you!  A special thanks to stakeholder and RCWA board member Tommy Pinkston for bringing his canoe to use as a barge.  His canoe made it possible to collect and remove items like: carpets, mattress, tires, batteries, aluminum fence; and so many more large and small polluting items from our stream, in areas which were not easily accessible. Next year, we plan on doing the creek clean up for this stream segment in February, before the spring foliage.  A lot of trash is still hiding beneath.  This particular segment of Richland Creek is surrounded by commercial stakeholders rather than residential ones.  This makes it easy for the area to be ignored and polluted.  Some of the environmental impacts observed here are:  homeless community using and littering portions of the area; wind and rain bringing trash in from the street; tremendous upstream stormwater inflow which scours the streambed and erodes the streambank; and direct dumping of debris into the creek. I would like to add that since last year’s creek clean up, the stewardship oversight by property owner of the Richland Park shopping center, Mr. Raskin, and the attention from Metro Water Services, has reduced the occurrence of dumping at this segment of Richland Creek.   
Together~ we do make a difference!

Stenciling of Stormwater Drains
A dedicated parent and RCWA member, Vicky Amann, has taken the huge leadership role of organizing the RCWA storm drain stenciling project for our watershed.  If you would like to help out with this important project of stenciling- “No Dumping” this water drains into the Richland Creek Watershed, on our storm drains, please email us (rcwa@comcast.net) for your participation.  This is a great opportunity for family participation, as kids will find this interesting and fun.  Some RCWA goals are to educate stakeholders to the effects of pollution entering our streams from contaminating stormwater run-off.  This will be an on-going activity, as there are hundreds of drains to stencil in numerous watershed neighborhoods.

Community Building
Rain Barrel Program
How-to Workshop- A Rain Barrel for Your Garden
The summer rain barrel workshop has been scheduled for June 11th, 6-7:30pm at Cohn Adult Learning Center!  You can register for the $10 workshop with Jim Polk, 298-8050.  RCWA will again give-away an adapted rain barrel to one lucky participant.  

RCWA Rain Barrels
Prepare to water your gardens this summer with rain water!
The dog days of summer are approaching and a great time to install a rain barrel.  Remember reducing stormwater run off reduces non-point source pollution and improves the water quality of our streams.  Email questions or orders to rcwa@comcast.net.
Join the RCWA Rain Barrel Program!  
RCWA Rain Barrel Prices:
           Painted rain barrel with diverter                    $75 deluxe
            Unpainted rain barrel with diverter                $55 standard
            Unpainted rain barrel without diverter          $25 simple

Why buy the deluxe RCWA rain barrel, you might ask?

• It is a re-use barrel - reduced carbon footprint- saves  energy and avoids landfills  
• It is maintenance  freeà our deluxe design includes a  diverter - no backwash or  overflow  
• It is adapted for linking  barrelsà add another barrel easily at same  downspout for less  
• It is easy to install and  disconnectà if you need or choose, disconnect  in seconds  
• It is a closed  system - no chance of breeding  mosquitoes  
• The price includes a RCWA  membership - supports RCWA goals  
• Is a future credit for MWS  stormwater fee - reduces burden on our municipal  water system  
• Reduces non-point source (NPS)  pollution - improves water  quality  
• Saves on your water bill - provides chlorine-free water for  plants and gardens  
• It is painted with water-based  paint (terra cotta) - produces no bacterial growth
  

April 2008 Update Email
Greetings Stakeholders~

In April RCWA participated in the Earth Day Festival at Centennial Park; planned for community stenciling of storm water drains; continued planning for the Spring Creek Clean up; broke ground for a rain garden at West End Middle School; perfected the painting of HDPE plastic rain barrels; and scheduled their next rain barrel workshop.   

Community Participation
2008 Spring Creek Clean Up
RCWA clean up for Richland Creek at Charlotte Pike on Saturday, is May 31st, 10 – 2 pm.  The event flyer is on the RCWA website.  Please email for registration. 
We have received good interest and pledges for participation but unfortunately there is plenty of trash to remove. Join us to un-trash more.

Stenciling of Stormwater Drains
A dedicated parent and RCWA member, Vicky Amann, has taken the leadership role of organizing the storm drain stenciling project.  Last Sunday was the first scheduled activity but due to the weather had to be rescheduled for next Sunday at 1:30 on May 4th.  If you would like to help out with this important project of stenciling  “No Dumping” on our storm drains please email us (rcwa@comcast.net) for your participation.  This is a great opportunity for family participation, as kids will find this interesting and fun.  Some RCWA goals are to educate children to the effects of pollution entering our streams from contaminating stormwater run-off.  This will be an on-going activity, as there are 100 drains to stencil.

Community Building
Rain Barrel Program
How-to Workshop- A Rain Barrel for Your Garden
The summer rain barrel workshop has been scheduled for June 11th, 6-7:30pm at Cohn Adult Learning Center!  You can register for the $10 workshop with Jim Polk, 298-8050.  RCWA will again give-away an adapted rain barrel to one lucky participant. 

RCWA Rain Barrels
April showers put rain in our barrels!
The High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) food grade barrels RCWA uses to adapt into rain barrels are created to repel substances and therefore it is difficult to get them to retain paint.  There is some very toxic paint, made for plastic, that can be used to adhere to the barrels but RCWA prefers not to use them.  Therefore, they have researched the issue to find a pretreatment which would work for water-based paint.  The result is a 3-step process of cleaning, sanding and heat treatment, prior to a applying a water based primer.  After that there are two coats of the terra-cotta paint applied.  Since this is such a time consuming process, and requires more supplies, RCWA had to raise the price from $60 to $75 for a painted rain barrel with diverter. For those that ordered rain barrels prior to the Earth Day Festival, the original price stands.  Email questions or orders to rcwa@comcast.net.
Join the RCWA Rain Barrel Program! 
RCWA Rain Barrel Prices:
            Painted rain barrel with diverter                     $75
            Unpainted rain barrel with diverter                 $55
            Unpainted rain barrel without diverter            $25

Why buy a RCWA rain barrel, you might ask?
It is a re-use barrel– reduced carbon footprint- saves energy and avoids landfills
It is maintenance free– our deluxe design includes a diverter - no backwash or overflow
It is adapted for linking barrels– add another barrel easily at same downspout for less
It is easy to install and disconnect– if you need or choose, disconnect in seconds
It is a closed system– no chance of breeding mosquitoes
The price includes a RCWA membership– supports RCWA goals
Is a future credit for MWS stormwater fee– reduces burden on our municipal water system
Reduces non-point source (NPS) pollution– improves water quality
Saves on your water bill– provides chlorine-free water for plants and gardens
It is painted with water-based paint (terra cotta)– produces no bacterial growth

Help us with our goal is to increase the number of rain barrels operational in our watershed.
Our price covers costs of materials and logistics- adaptation provided by volunteers. 
Pick-up arrangements made at time of your order.
Remember this announcement goes out to stakeholders and we encourage them to sign-up first.

RCWA/WEMS Collaboration
RCWA’s collaboration with Dr. Cliff Cockerham’s West End Middle School 7th grade ecology students continues.  Student Steward Leader, Callie Hendrickson, Dr. Cockerham and RCWA liaison Vicky Amann have done a great job in progressing plans to install a rain garden and native species garden near their RCWA rain barrel.  Through this project students have learned about NPS pollution, rain barrels and why have them; what are rain gardens and why have them; native plant species for Middle Tennessee and how to plan with the seasons for gardening.  All of these activities accent and illustrate their ecology education.  If you would like to donate plants, expertise or funds for this important program please email rcwa@comcast.net.  There is not much time left in this year’s school session so your help would be appreciated.

Community Outreach
RCWA newsletter - CreekVoice
RCWA printed 100 black and white copies of their inaugural newsletter and handed them out during the Earth Day Festival. Personally, I loved saying, “Would you like a CreekVoice?”   
Please submit your tid-bits or creek stories about any of our watershed streams (Richland Creek, Jocelyn Hollow, Sugartree, Belle Meade, Vaughns Gap, and Tributary to Richland Creek- a.k.a. Bosley Springs), in the next two months. They will be featured in our summer issue column entitled CreekTalk.  Deadline is the end of June, with plans for publication by July 4th.  Tell us your creek story~

Stakeholder Announcements and Community Events
Detailed Corridor Design Plan (DCDP) Charlotte Pike/Richland Park
The next public meeting is Monday May 12th, 6pm, at the St. Ann Catholic Church, 5101 Charlotte Avenue.  The Draft Plan for the corridor will be presented. To read more about the DCDP go to the Metro Planning website (http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/subarea/subarea7.htm).  RCWA submission to Metro Planning (Community Recommendations & sketch for James Park) is on our website and blog.  Offer your comments there.

Please submit your membership information and $10 donation to RCWA via our website. 
Thanks ahead of time!

Wildlife in West Meade- Re-scheduled Tuesday April 29th, 6:30, at the Warner Parks Nature Center 7311 Highway 100.
6:30 at Warner Parks Nature Center, 7311 Highway 100.
The speaker is wildlife biologist Andrea English, Diversity Coordinator for Region 2 of the Tennessee Wildlife Agency.  Presented by the West Meade Conservancy – website

Tennessee Alliance for Progress (TAP) - Compass V Conferences at Cohn, May 16th-17th
More information on their – website

Please pass along this Update Email to any other friends who may be interested in membership with the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance.
Together, we make a difference!

Green cheers,
Monette Rebecca B.S., Environmental Science
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February 2008 Update

February has been a busy month for RCWA and just one year ago this month, the idea for Richland Creek Watershed Alliance was introduced.

Community Building
West Meade Conservancy (WMC) shares common goals:
RCWA and WMC have recognized their common goals and land area this month.  In an effort to better inform stakeholders we have agreed to share information that would inform their respective members of this ecological interconnectedness.   Part of the land study area in the WMC exists within the Richland Creek Watershed; and includes Jocelyn Hollow Branch.  There is much to read and learn about the West Meade Conservancy’s efforts on their website www.westmeadeconservancy.org.  In summary- WMC is a group of consious-minded residents that aim to protect their ridgeland; which is rich with 200 year old forests; diverse native plant and wildlife; freshwater springs and historic rock wall.  The waters that shed some of these West Nashville ridges makes it way to Richland Creek and; our watershed benefits from their goal to preserve this ecological corridor.  They have terriffic photographic documentations of these diverse habitats and species on thier website. Check it out!

How-to Rain Barrel workshop
March 5th class at Cohn Adult Learning Center is full and class registration closed.
Due to limited space and supplies our workshop; “A Rain Barrel for your Garden,” has maxed out.  Fortunately to an incorrect printing in the Cohn Catalogue, all registrants of the workshop will receive free barrels and fittings.  
Soon- RCWA plans to adapt more barrels and offer for resale to the Richland Creek Watershed stakeholders.  Contact us at rcwa@comcast.net if you are interested.  Spring is coming!

West End Middle School (WEMS) Student Stewards Mobilize
Recently RCWA met with the Student Steward leaders from Dr. Cliff Cockerham's seventh grade ecology classes.  Together we have made plans to further thier education of our watershed and thier community participation with RCWA.  It is inspiring and rewarding to work with these students, and to learn how important the environment is to them.  In addition to their on-site plans to create native plant gardens, and to capture some of thier non point source pollution; they have also offered to assist in the upcoming creek clean-up RCWA will be hosting this April.    

 
Community Participation
2008 Earth Day Celebration Project
RCWA has planned their 2nd Clean-Up of Richland Creek at Charlotte Pike (DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON).  RCWA anticipates this year there will be many more stakeholders involved and therefore able to clean up more tons of trash and debris that seems to collect at this segment of our creek (Richland Creek at Charlotte Pike).  This project is part of Metro Water Services' Adopt a Stream program.  This year it is significantly trashed again, but with more people working together, we plan to un-trash the whole segment.  Please help us help!
 

Public Meetings in Nashville- Opportunites for your Comments
1) Metro Parks Master Plan for Greenways holds public meetings.  There are two left to attend (below) or go to the Parks’ Department website at www.nashville.gov/parks or write the Parks Department in care of Master Plan Update, Post Office Box 196340, 37219-6340.

Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., Warner Parks Nature Center,
7311 Highway 100, Edwin Warner Park, Nashville, TN 37221, Phone: 615-352-6299

Monday, March 3, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., Parkway Baptist Church,
505 Cuniff Parkway, Goodlettsville, TN 37072, Phone: 615- 865-2325

2) Detailed Design Corridor Plan Charlotte Pike/Richland Park update.
A sketch is being prepared by a RCWA stakeholder for the proposed urban park, James Park.  This vision was part of the Community Recommendations RCWA submitted last month and is nothing more then a visual interpretation of thier idea.  It is part of the envisioning process and will be submitted to Metro Planning for the Detailed Design Corridor Plan (DDCP) Charlotte Pike/Richland Park.  The purpose of the urban park is to restore, enhance and protect the riparian habitat along Richland Creek, which is the western boundary for this DDCP study area. This segment of Richland Creek is impaired, neglected and on the TDEC/EPA Impaired 303(d) List. We hope you will chime in with your support or comment (rcwa@comcast.net). Stay tuned!
Next Public meeting to be held for DDCP is Monday March 3rd at St. Ann Catholic Community Breen Hall-Parrish Life Center at 5101 Charlotte Avenue, 6pm. For more information about the DDCP go to: www.nashville.gov/mpc/.

3) Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation (TDEC) Public Comment Period for the Cheatham Reservoir Watershed, of which Richland Creek Watershed resides, is open until March 17, 2008.
I personally attended the TDEC Public meeting held last Friday and the public citizens present at the meeting were not from our particular watershed.  Most present at the meeting were TDEC staff; Metro Water Services employees: and representatives from both TN Valley Authority (TVA) and TN Dept of Agriculture (TDA).  A total of 5 other citizens attended.  RCWA has been informing the public for the last year of the streams in our watershed that are listed on the Impaired List (303d).  As a review the 303(d) List is a list of streams and lakes in TN that are not meeting thier designated uses and are considered impaired by pollution.  They are in violation of the Clean Water Act and therefore on this official List.  Once on the List they will have Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies conducted to determine permitting restraints, sources of pollution and to determine pollution controls which will improve thier status.  This is to take place over the next two years.  To learn more about the TDEC watershed managment cycle visit http://state.tn.us/environment/wpc/watershed/ .

The List can be found at TDEC website http://state.tn.us/environment/wpc/publications/2008draft303dlist.pdf or for comparison purposes the EPA approved list which has not been updated with TDEC's 2008 Draft revisions at http://state.tn.us/environment/wpc/publications/303d2006.pdf.

This is an opportunity for the public to submit comments or ask questions about the 303 (d) List for the official record.  TDEC responses will also be part of the the public record.  You may submit your written comments or questions by mail to:     

Greg Denton
Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control
7th Floor, L & C Annex
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN  37243

or email Gregory.Denton@state.tn.us or call 615-532-0699    

4) Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is "developing long-term plans for energy efficency and renewable energy."  The TVA Board will be holding "Listening Sessions" for citizens with a panel of experts who will share thier professional thoughts "particulary in areas of policy, environment, industry and technology, with TVA and the public."  To find out how to attend Listenting Sessions March 4 and 5th, or get updates on other future meetings this Spring, check out Tennessee Environmental Council website http://www.tectn.org/.

Please pass along this Update Email to any other friends who may be interested in membership with the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance.  
Together, we make a difference!

Green cheers,
Monette Rebecca B.S., Environmental Science

 

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January 26, 2008 UPDATE EMAIL

Please join us for our first membership meeting in 2008:
When: February 10th, 2:00pm Sunday
Where: Global Education Center, 4822 Charlotte Avenue, across from Richland Park
What: Below are topics we will be discussing:

RCWA Membership Meeting Agenda
•  2008 Earth Day Celebration Clean-Up Project
•  Stormwater Stenciling Plan report (Vicky)
•  Expansion of rain barrel installations
•  "Solutions" Project discussion and planning
•  Legal representation and Non-Profit Status
•  Open discussion of ideas and concerns by RCWA members
•  Community Building

How-to Workshop
Please note that a scheduling blooper occurred and the correct date is below:
Our third RCWA rain barrel workshop has been scheduled for March 5th- 6:30-8:00 pm, Course ID # 5710CH1A:
A Rain Barrel for Your Garden workshop will be held at the Cohn Adult Learning Center.
Cohn administration fee is $10.
Again, one lucky participant will take home free the adapted barrel for their garden!
Contact Jim Polk 298-8050 to register.

Community Information
Last Tuesday evening was the first of a series of Detailed Design Planning meetings, held by Metro Planning Department, at the St. Ann Catholic Community Breen Hall - Parrish Life Center, 5101 Charlotte Avenue. It was well attended and the input by the community will help determine future Land Use Policy for the Richland Park/Charlotte Pike corridor. Richland Creek is the western boundary of the corridor and hopes you will give Richland Creek a voice in the discussion. The next meeting is to be held on February 12th, 6-8pm, at the same location.

Please pass along this Update Email to any other friends who may be interested in membership with the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance.
Together, we make a difference!

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January 18, 2008 UPDATE EMAIL
Greetings Stakeholders~

Below is some information that may interest you and offer an opportunity to participate:

• Here is the announcement about the upcoming  series of Detailed Corridor Design Plan meetings for the Charlotte Ave/Richland Park to  begin next Tuesday (January 22nd) evening at St. Ann Catholic Community  Breen Hall 6-8pm.
  
  
• 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  website.   It certainly inspires conservation and restoration of the Richland Creek  Watershed. Please submit to us any encouraging or  concerning photos to our website for posting.
• As you may all realize money that trickles down  from federal environmental polices impacts us locally.  Recently from  the  Alliance for Climate Protection I received an opportunity to sign a  petition which requests more questions to be asked  of reporters and the media pertaining to our natural resources and  looming global warming. Here is the petition link.

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January 6, 2008 UPDATE EMAIL
Greetings Stakeholders~

Community Outreach
RCWA proudly announces the completion of their website; http://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.

Please note our new email address: rcwa@comcast.net.

It was last April that I was walking the Richland Creek greenway and thinking about RCWA’s next step when I met Nora. Our collaboration began soon after our short conversation, when I gratefully accepted her offer for help building the RCWA website. The meeting was a pivotal and rewarding one which all Richland Creek Watershed stakeholders may now benefit. She brought her professional talents, life experience and pleasant working personality wholeheartedly to the project collaboration and I am very grateful for all the time and expertise she donated. The RCWA logo and web background designs she created truly reflects the continuity between us and our watershed; its’ past and future; and incorporates all elements of our environment.

A big applause and thanks to Nora Diehl!
NoDiehl Design, Web & Graphic Design www.nodiehl.com

So check out the website- we welcome your comments, ideas and interaction!


Community Building

How-to Workshop
Our third RCWA rain barrel has been scheduled for 6:00-7:30 pm, Course ID # 5710CH1A: A Rain Barrel for Your Garden, to be held at the Cohn Adult Learning Center. Cohn administration fee is $10. Again, one lucky participant will take home free the adapted barrel for their garden!
Contact Jim Polk 298-8050 to register.

RCWA meeting
A RCWA meeting (TBA) to plan future projects for RCWA and the 2008 Earth Day Celebration project is in the works. Pass on any request you may have to our website.


Community Information
Sue Shann of the local environmental discussion group, New Vision, passed on a great video clip: www.storyofstuff.com , which succinctly relays how we use our natural resources and stresses that business as usual is environmentally challenged. I urge you all to take a look and form your own opinion.

Sue also hosts an upcoming community access TV show featuring various environmental organization representatives and subjects. Earth Revolution, of which RCWA participated (broadcast schedule tba). If you would like to be a part of the Earth Revolution volunteer technical crew, or for more information about either New Vision or Earth Revolution please contact Sue at Electricblue1119@comcast.net.

Together, we make a difference!
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December 2, 2007: Blue Heron sighting
This Blue Heron was sighted feeding at intersection of Charlotte Pike and Richland Creek.
Documented by  Monette Rebecca

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October 2007: UPDATE EMAIL #10
 
Greetings Richland Creek Watershed Stakeholders~
 
Community Projects and Collaboration

Reminder:
Richland Creek & Greenway Clean UP  Saturday October 27, 2007 8 – 11am.
Sponsored by Greenways for Nashville and Organized by TrailWatchers in association with Richland Creek Watershed Alliance.
            
Meet at Greenway pedestrian bridge nearest CSX railroad McCabe Golf Course.
Starbucks providing coffee and treats I hear.  Look for signs posted to sign in.
See you there~
 
Update: First rain barrel installed for West End Middle School and two students Callie Hendrickson and Jacob Krantz have shown interest in playing roles as student steward leaders in the activities surrounding rain barrels and rain gardens at the school.  
 
Last week RCWA was interviewed for the upcoming Sue Shann Show, Earth Revolution.  Sue will be hosting this community access TV show featuring various environmental organization representatives and subjects.  Richland Creek Watershed Alliance was invited to speak about their efforts and goals.  Will keep you posted on viewing dates as they are known.
 
News:
Metro Water Services are holding various meetings around town to discuss stormwater issues and budget shortages to continue stormwater improvement programs with the public.  Below are some upcoming dates and locations.   
November 1 Inglewood Library
November 7 Looby Library

Premiere of movie Killowat Hours tomorrow night at Belocourt Theater
 
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September 2007: UPDATE EMAIL #9
 
Greetings Stakeholders~Last month there was no RCWA meeting.   
 
Community Outreach
A PowerPoint presentation entitled Water and Me; Water and Us, was created and presented to all 7th graders (150 students) at the West End Middle School (WEMS) as part as a collaboration between RCWA and the Science Department.  The Student Steward educational presentation included what was a watershed, related to their own locale, challenges confronting our water resources and what they could do to make a difference.  In conjunction, RCWA has been asked to install some rain barrels for them.  It was rewarding to see in every class, hands go up for questions.  These future creek watchers were attentive and curious with good questions and concerns.  RCWA would like to thank stakeholder Vicky and Dr. Cliff Cockerham for making this happen.
 
Community Building
How-to Workshop  
This is your last reminder for the RCWA workshop:  A Rain Barrel for Your Garden, to be held at the Cohn Adult Learning Center on September 19th.  The workshop will instruct participants how to adapt a 55-gallon plastic barrel into a rain barrel.  We still have room so if you are interested please register with the Cohn Adult Learning Center; or mail in or drop off the Cohn fall catalogue registration form.

Together, we make a difference!
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Please offer your support by email or leave comments
on the blog!

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Thanks to Our Sponsors!
2008 Spring Clean Up Sponsors

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Thanks to our sponsors of our First
EARTH DAY Celebration Project,
Richland Creek Clean-Up
April 20th 2007!

We thank these Metro-Nashville Departments for their collaboration, which helped make the RCWA EARTH DAY Project, Creek Clean-Up at Charlotte Pike, successful!