NRCS Assists in Macon County Cleanup
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NRCS Project Engineer Terry Horne explains specifics of the work
at a site showing for 54 disabled veteran contractors on March 12, 2008.
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Nashville, TN — NRCS in Tennessee
is heavily involved with storm cleanup after a string of deadly tornadoes hit the state in February. So far, $1.5
Million has been dedicated to removing stream blockages and debris in Macon County alone, where the twisters hit
hardest. An additional $40,000 has been used for cleanup in Giles County. The removal of stream debris is important
because obstructions increase the risk of flooding.
NRCS has overseen the removal of debris from
more than 14 miles of creeks and streams in Macon County so far. The debris includes twisted trees and other woody
vegetation as well as home construction materials. Crews even fished a mobile home out of one blocked creek. Funds
were approved quickly in Macon County because the magnitude and severity of the storms threatened further damage to
lives and property until the blockages were removed. Woody debris is pulled back from the streams and either
wood-chipped or burned. Other debris is hauled to a landfill in Carthage.
Workers have been putting in 12-hour days, seven days a week.
NRCS
Project Engineer Terry Horne says about 30 people are working in teams to
complete the difficult work by the end of May. “These guys do this kind of
work all over the country, and one of them said Macon County has the hardest
work he’s ever seen because the sites are steep and have so much debris in a
small area.” Other NRCS employees involved in the work include Phillip
Brasfield, Phillip Brown, and Macon County District Conservationist Phillip
Dixon. Macon County Soil Conservation District Secretary Barbara Spivey and
Soil Conservationist Chris Hancock also have worked on the cleanup.
Macon County cleanup is occurring in three stages, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 to be completed by the end of May.
Exigency funding for Sumner County is near approval now. When funding for Phase 3 is approved,
NRCS will oversee similar cleanup efforts in
Williamson, Hickman, Lewis, and Trousdale Counties. Two-thirds of the cleanup has been conducted by disabled
veteran contractors.
Before and After Pictures of Macon County Damage
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After |
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Bridge at Cedar Bluff-Before.
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Bridge at Cedar Bluff—After.
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Hidden Acres-Before.
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Hidden Acres-After
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Destroyed home in Macon County—Before
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Destroyed home in Macon County—After.
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