Hamilton County receives grant for stream restoration projects

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has awarded a total of $276,090 in grants for stream and wetland restoration.

$245,000 of that grant money will go toward Hamilton County Development Services for a project at Stringers Branch.

The rest, $31,090, will go toward enhancing water quality in Stringers Branch with the help of nonprofit group, WaterWays.

“Hamilton County is rich in natural resources, and it is important for Tennessee to invest in our streams and waterways to preserve these natural resources. I appreciate TDEC for these grants to clean up Stringers Branch, enhance water quality, and make improvements in the City of Red Bank,” said Senator Bo Watson.

The project at Stringers Branch will be shaping the concrete channel on Stringers Branch to make it more natural.

Doing so will create sloping banks and a stream bed habitat.  This project will help restore that channel, along with adding 50 feet to the stream.

WaterWays is going to help better the water quality.  They plan to remove litter and invasive species, along with native planting, and streambank stabilization.

They’re also planning to monitor the stream to see how the project is effecting it.

“This grant will restore Stringers Branch to a place citizens can be proud of and enjoy. I’m thankful this area will be protected and maintained for many years to come. I thank TDEC for their commitment to ensuring Tennessee’s ecosystem will always be taken care of,” stated Representative Patsy Hazlewood.