PROGRESS REPORT 12

PROGRESS REPORT NO. 12
(June 2, 2000)

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A community meeting was held last night at Briceville Elementary School. Members of the Coal Creek Flood Prevention Committee (CCFPC) were joined by CCCSI volunteers from TU, ASCE, BSA, TVA, and Anderson County Government. CCFPC members voted unanimously to dissolve their organization and to join forces with CCCSI in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc. Rev. Roy Daugherty, Todd Johnson, PE, John Thurman, Tom Braden, and I will serve as a steering committee to get the ball rolling toward incorporation as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The last official act of CCFPC was to determine the disposition of funds they had raised to retain an attorney to advise them on options for having the creek dredged. They voted to refund contributions to those who so desire. The remaining funds will be donated to the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a boat that can be used during rescue attempts in future floods. Future donations to the Volunteer Fire Department can be made through our eAngel Tree at www.coalcreekaml.com/eAngel.htm.

Plans were discussed for Coal Creek Deadwood Removal Day 2000 www.coalcreekaml.com/Deadwood.htm and the development of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to prepare for the next flood. Dale Bostic from TU presented a preliminary plan for locations and manpower needs at the various bridge locations where deadwood/debris will be removed on June 24, 2000. Roger Hooks volunteered equipment that can be used on Deadwood Removal Day. Todd Johnson and I volunteered to develop a draft of the ERP, based on input from residents.

Debbie Hubbs from TVA discussed the numerous sources of grant money to fund initiatives in Coal Creek. The success of a watershed group in Wallens Creek, Virginia was summarized to illustrate the opportunities available for Coal Creek.

A new initiative was discussed for developing a "motor history trail" in Coal Creek. Numbered signs will be placed at historic spots (i.e. 1902 Fraterville Mine Disaster, 1911 Cross Mountain Mine Disaster, "battle" sites from the Coal Creek War of 1891 to 1892, Ghost of Drummond Bridge, opera house, churches built by Welsh miners in the 19^th century , etc.). A booklet containing a map and descriptions of the history at each of the numbered sites will be prepared for distribution to visitors. Gwen Justice of BSA observed that development of the motor history trail will make great Eagle Scout projects. I contacted representatives from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to include the 1902 and 1911 mine disasters in Coal Creek in their exhibition of mine disasters www.msha.gov/DISASTER/DISASTER.HTM as publicity for this new initiative in Coal Creek.

Rev. Daugherty, Steve Brown from TU, and I will prepare a press release to announce the formation of the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, Inc. (CCWF) and details of our first event, Coal Creek Deadwood Removal Day 2000.

Based on the unanimous endorsement of members from both CCFPC and CCCSI, this will be the last CCCSI progress report. Future progress reports will be in the form of CCWF. The web site www.coalcreekaml.com will be updated to reflect the change in the organization.

Thanks for your support as CCCSI volunteers and I look forward to working with you as CCWF volunteers.

Barry Thacker, PE

Click here for Progress Report No. 1

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Click here for Progress Report No. 10