Topic: Save the Tellico and Calfkiller internet gages

[waldensridgewhitewater]

I just got off the phone with an official in Nashville, Tennessee.

The T.D.E.C. is in it's beginning stages of making its budget for next fiscal year and will/could cut funding for the Tellico and Calfkiller gages for the next budget year.

We need to make our voices heard and get the word out early that the gages are needed and need to be saved and are a valuable resource to local community's and economies.

Here is page representing the contact information needed to help nip this in the bud before the gages are lost . A form letter that you can copy and paste is also on this page.

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/save_the_tellico_gage.htm

(I need some to "bump' this page and topic every so often and re-post I will be away from a computer for the next 3 weeks on a Grand Canyon trip) Also please tell as many people as you can.

We saved these gages before and we can save them again.

Let's get this done!

[mhoward]

Emails Sent..

I also made the topic sticky.

[waldensridgewhitewater]

Emails Sent..

I also made the topic sticky.

because you're the man...thank you!

[mhoward]

Here is the canned response I got from one of my emails I sent.

Although the Department of Environment and Conservation does not have a system to collect and transfer money from citizens to the United States Geological Survey for maintaining stream gauges, it is possible for designated taxing authorities, such as city and county governments, to contractually cost share the river gauges with USGS on a 50-50 percentage basis.  Several communities in Tennessee already participate in sharing these costs to maintain their local stream gauges.
 
We suggest that you contact your local governments and discuss the opportunity for local funding of the gauges.  USGS has offered to contact the local development districts in the area (East Tennessee and Upper Cumberland Development Districts), and we will keep you advised of any opportunities that may arise from these contacts.
 
We very much appreciate your concern for maintaining these stream gauges.
 
 

TDEC Web Master
ask.tdec@state.tn.us

[Boyd]

It's funny...  the Tellico is probably one of the most used gauges in TN.  I think they're holding it hostage for extra funding...  it's been on the chopping block for years

Boyd

[mhoward]

TELLICO GAGE SAVED

 

The U.S.G.S. in regards to the Tellico River gage funding:

 

The U.S.G.S. has received an overwhelming amount of calls, e-mails and letters with request to keep the Tellico gage active. According to Mr. Williams at U.S.G.S.; the Tellico gage will be kept operational. Mr. Williams has not work out the final details but it is in the works. So everyone who called, sent e-mails and letters it worked. They heard the requests from the whitewater community. As it stands. We will be able to get current readings of the Tellico River.