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Project Objectives

Counties of Interest

The counties of interest are highlighted by phase above. Light gray represents phase one, medium gray represents phase two, and dark gray is phase three.

First Phase- East Tennessee

The CRRP is a multi-phase process, currently in its first phase. The first phase of the project is focused on counties indicated as having High Need for Riparian Forest Buffers in East Tennessee. These counties are Sullivan, Cumberland, Washington, Greene, Jefferson, Knox, Roane, Loudon, Bradley, and Hamilton counties.

Second Phase- Middle Tennessee

The second phase of the project will focus on areas of High Need for Riparian Forest Buffers in Middle TN. Counties of focus in this phase include Sumner, Coffee, Lawrence, Warren, Giles, Williamson, Maury, Marshall, Franklin, Trousdale, Smith, Wilson, Davidson counties. The implementation of this phase will use proof of concept research and community engagement methods to complete its objectives in these counties.

Third Phase- West Tennessee

The third and final phase of this project will focus on counties in West Tennessee which also indicate High Need for Riparian Forest Buffers. These counties include Lake, Obion, Dyer, Gibson, Crockett, Lauderdale, Haywood, Tipton, Madison, and Shelby counties. The implementation of this phase will also employ proof of concept research and community engagement methods to complete its objectives in these counties.

Objectives

CRRP has four ongoing objectives in the counties listed above

Community involvement in Watershed Restoration

  • Give presentations and field tours of local streams to explain and describe riparian buffers, their value to stream health, and explain potential restoration techniques to community members
  • Share information on how to measure and monitor conditions after restoration efforts.

Community Engagement in Watershed Restoration

  • Involve the community in watershed evaluation and coordinate restoration efforts in these communities.
  • Providing planting plans for restoration efforts
  • Partner with local NGOs and community organizations to coordinate volunteer opportunities to assist with restoration efforts.

Development and Dissemination of Watershed Materials

  • Collect a library of information on existing restoration projects and management practices
  • Fill in the gaps where information is missing
  • Generating new tools on an as needed basis
  • Create and distribute digital education materials for private landowners within high-priority riparian buffer areas across the state  
  • Create signs indicating restored riparian buffer areas to bring attention to restoration efforts in public-use areas   

Analysis

  • Use data analysis to assess stream health prior to restoration efforts to measure the impacts of the project
  • Use data as a baseline for future analysis to track the improvements relating to stream health and riparian buffer ecosystem services