“This is one of the most notable days in our office’s history,” said Jay Mullis, manager of DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. “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.
Grant applications 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.
“TDEC is pleased to see this agreement finalized and we eagerly anticipate projects that will support these local communities,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “This funding will protect the natural resources in the area as well as go towards outdoor recreational opportunities for Tennesseans, creating a more balanced and healthy environment for all.”
Examples of applicable projects include clearing away 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. It also includes projects that 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.
More information about the grant application process is available in the Draft Final Restoration Project Selection Procedure available here. Public comments should be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Aug. 12, 2024.