Big South Fork – Long-term Impacts (1966–2024)

Across nearly six decades, TCWP consistently advocated for ecological protection, water quality improvements, and strategic land acquisitions around the Big South Fork, Clear Fork, and New River systems. Their sustained vigilance prevented destructive developments such as major dams and uncontrolled mining, helped secure funding for critical conservation lands, promoted water-quality improvements, and facilitated community engagement through education and outreach.

TCWP Timeline: Big South Fork, New River, Clear Fork River (1966–Present)

1968

May 1968
TCWP campaigned to stop the proposed Devils Jumps Dam on the Big South Fork. Activities included submitting testimony at public hearings, engaging in debate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, presenting information to the House Public Works Committee, and organizing a field outing.
June 15–16, 1968
TCWP held a two-day outing to the Big South Fork to promote its designation as a National Scenic River and to raise public awareness.
December 1968
The proposed Devils Jumps Dam was denied authorization. A three-agency study was ordered by Congress to investigate recreational, conservation, and preservation uses for the area.

1969

January 1969
TCWP worked closely with the agency task force by submitting data including maps, ecological and historical studies, river descriptions, cost analyses, and photographs.
April 1969
TCWP submitted formal recommendations for designation of the Clear Fork and lower New River as National Wild and Scenic Rivers under P.L. 90-542.
May 25, 1969
TCWP organized a float and hike outing to Clear Fork canyon to build opposition against the Devils Jumps and Helenwood dam proposals.
October 26–29, 1969
TCWP members participated in final agency field trips and review meetings. TCWP input helped shape the draft report, including alternatives recognizing wilderness management principles.

1970

March 12, 1970
TCWP hosted a dual outing: a float trip on the Big South Fork from Pine Creek to O&W Bridge, and a hike on North Whiteoak Creek.
January 1970
TCWP continued its involvement in the three-agency study, helping shape alternatives for managing the Big South Fork, including river protection and park proposals.

1975

September 8, 1975
TCWP founder, Liane Russell, presented testimony at a Corps of Engineers hearing in Huntsville, Tennessee. TCWP opposed the use of impoundments for pollution control in the New River, attributing the problem to strip mining.

Mid to Late 1970s

January 1977
TCWP supported the conceptual plan for Big South Fork by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which aligned with preservation goals. They endorsed reconstruction of the Tabard Inn at Rugby to boost local economic benefit with minimal ecological impact.
January 1978
TCWP reported on regulatory and legal actions initiated by the Tennessee Division of Water Quality Control in response to crude oil pollution in the Clear Fork River caused by Dixie Drilling Company.

1984

Superintendent Change at Big South Fork NRRA and Obed WSR: Doyle Kline, superintendent since 1977, responsible for overseeing both Big South Fork NRRA and Obed Wild & Scenic River, was transferred to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in August. His contributions were considered highly valuable for the initial development and success of these projects.
Raising Spending Limit for Big South Fork: TCWP actively campaigned to raise the spending limit from $103 million to allow acquisition of the full 125,000 acres authorized for the Big South Fork NRRA, emphasizing acquisition priority for lands threatened by degradation. Members were encouraged to advocate directly to Senator Baker and Colonel W.T. Kirkpatrick of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Troublesome Creek Wilderness Proposal: Efforts were made by conservation groups, notably the Sierra Club, to include the Troublesome Creek area (located within Big South Fork NRRA boundaries) in a Kentucky Wilderness bill. However, this initiative faced opposition from the Department of the Interior, which interpreted the authorizing legislation as specifying incompatible recreational uses, an interpretation TCWP argued was open to challenge.

1985

Clear Creek Pipeline Issue: TCWP reported that B&W Oil Company had disturbed Clear Creek within the boundaries of Obed National Wild & Scenic River by illegally burying a pipeline. Despite the State of Tennessee’s denial of the required environmental certification (401 Certification), the company proceeded without permits. TCWP noted potential court actions if the Water Quality Control Board ruled in favor of the oil company and suggested an alternative route for the pipeline crossing via Barnett Bridge upstream.
Lavender Bridge Construction Pollution: Construction at Lavender Bridge, crossing White’s Creek (tributary to Clear Creek), was identified as a pollution source, negatively impacting Clear Creek. TCWP highlighted this issue as part of ongoing environmental concerns related to construction and pollution impacting waterways associated with the Big South Fork and Obed River systems

1990

Management issues: TCWP identified critical issues at Big South Fork, including proposed roads in gorge areas, absence of bids for lodge construction, proposed landfill within the park, and advocacy related to the use of the O&W railroad right-of-way.
Management issues: TCWP began advocating actively for this management change, particularly because the Corps had not acquired approximately 16,000 acres designated as “Deferred Areas” within BSFNRRA.
Management issues: Administrative transfer procedures were progressing, and TCWP provided input into legislative language prepared for the transfer amendment.
Management issues: The legislative amendment facilitating the transfer of management responsibility from the Corps to NPS passed successfully, largely due to TCWP’s advocacy, testimony, and coordinated lobbying efforts

1991

Management issues: Legislation transferred jurisdiction over the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSFNRRA) from the Corps of Engineers (CoE) to the National Park Service (NPS), removing cost-sharing requirements and allowing 100% federal funding for land acquisition.
Boundary Issues: TCWP emphasized the critical importance of protecting North White Oak Creek and Laurel Fork gorges through boundary planning efforts, explicitly urging participation in the NPS’s Land Protection Plan (LPP) to ensure protection against development threats.

1993

Boundary Issues: TCWP strongly supported acquisition efforts in the North White Oak Creek and Laurel Fork watershed areas, explicitly mentioning the importance of acquiring land to protect against threats from logging and mining.

1994

Boundary Issues: TCWP underscored the importance of the North White Oak Creek/Laurel Fork watershed, stressing threats from logging and mining, and advocated for substantial funding to purchase this critical area within BSFNRRA

1995

Bear Creek Watershed Pollution (Big South Fork): TCWP participated in a multi-agency and stakeholder study addressing severe pollution from abandoned coal mines in the Bear Creek watershed, significantly impacting the Big South Fork River system. The study aimed to identify reclamation methods for acid drainage, sedimentation, and toxic metals.

Boundary Issues: TCWP highlighted the need for acquisition of approximately 7,000 acres in the North White Oak Creek and Laurel Fork areas, considered vital due to their ecological and scenic values.

1996

Dormitory Project by Friends of Big South Fork NRRA: TCWP highlighted efforts by “Friends of the Big South Fork NRRA,” a new volunteer group, to build a log dormitory for housing park researchers, seasonal employees, and conservation volunteers. This was their first major volunteer-driven project to support park infrastructure.
Land Acquisitions for Big South Fork NRRA: TCWP reported successful acquisition efforts by the National Park Service (NPS) of two large land tracts totaling nearly 7,000 acres west of Big South Fork, considered crucial for protecting scenic, ecologically sensitive areas, and safeguarding water quality.

1998

Crooked Creek Reservoir Proposal Affecting Clear Fork River: TCWP actively opposed a water-supply reservoir proposed by Fentress County Utility District on Crooked Creek, a significant tributary contributing flow to Clear Fork River. TCWP emphasized potential impacts on canoeing, stream ecology, and water quality, advocating for alternative water supply options
Jamestown Reservoir Expansion as Alternative: TCWP noted Jamestown City Council’s decision to expand an existing reservoir’s capacity, supporting the argument against constructing the proposed Crooked Creek reservoir and advocating for comprehensive water resource planning for the region.

1999

Opposition to North Prong Clear Fork Dam Proposal: TCWP closely tracked and actively opposed a proposal to construct a dam on the North Prong of Clear Fork River. After the initial rejection by Tennessee’s Department of Environment & Conservation, TCWP continued engagement through the administrative and legal appeal processes, emphasizing risks to downstream ecology and water quality affecting Big South Fork.
Boundary Issues: TCWP specifically advocated for designating “Backwoods Units,” with stronger environmental protections, rather than “Enhancement Units,” for sensitive locations including North White Oak Creek, Laurel Fork, Clear Fork, and Honey Creek areas.

2000

Forest Conservation Research:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory began a research project covering approximately 2 million acres from the Big South Fork National Recreation Area through the Obed Wild & Scenic River to the Crab Orchard Mountains. The goal was to define desired future conditions and identify gaps for future forest conservation.

2001

Cumberland Plateau Conservation Collaboration:
TCWP hosted the Cumberland Round Table, including representatives from the Big South Fork NRRA. Discussions covered the urgent need to secure funds for land acquisition and protect significant areas as buffers for public lands like Big South Fork NRRA.

2003

General Management Plan (GMP) for Big South Fork:
TCWP reported on the development of a GMP for Big South Fork NRRA, noting the plan was initiated after significant delays (26 years post-authorization and 10 years after the National Park Service (NPS) took management from the Corps of Engineers).
Mining Threat to New River Watershed:
Concerns arose over coal mining activities (“cross-ridge” or mountaintop removal mining) in the New River watershed, threatening water quality and ecosystem health within Big South Fork NRRA. NPS opposed such mining citing environmental laws including the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and Clean Water Act protections.

2004

Protection of Adjacent Lands:
Historic Rugby led efforts resulting in significant protection of lands adjacent to Big South Fork NRRA, including the Ray/Gettelfinger tract, purchased with Forest Legacy Funds, and a 540-acre watershed into White Oak Creek near its entrance into Big South Fork NRRA.
Field Management in Big South Fork NRRA:
TCWP commented on a National Park Service strategy for managing nearly 100 fields within Big South Fork NRRA, advocating invasive plant eradication, restoration of native vegetation, and decreased emphasis on hay production for horses.

2005

Continued Forest and Watershed Conservation:
TNC and Oak Ridge National Laboratory continued their conservation efforts within the Cumberland Plateau, emphasizing the region including Big South Fork NRRA. This involved detailed ecosystem studies aimed at conservation and sustainable land management practices.

2000–2009

Mining Opposition Continues:
Throughout the decade, concerns persisted about coal mining threats in the New River watershed. TCWP supported NPS’s ongoing opposition, emphasizing the risk of degraded water quality and violation of environmental laws affecting the Big South Fork NRRA.

2012:

Water Pollution Issue Resolved: A federal Community Development Block Grant was awarded to Huntsville Wastewater Treatment Plant, resolving issues of raw sewage leaks into the New River, affecting water quality within Big South Fork NRRA (2012).
Oil & Gas Management Plan Published: The National Park Service published a summary of the non-federal oil & gas management plan for Big South Fork NRRA and Obed WSR, detailing extensive guidelines for managing these resources (2012).
Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring: Real-time water-quality monitoring stations were installed, including locations at New River and near Robbins on Clear Fork, providing valuable environmental data.

2015:

Nature Conservancy Land Purchase: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased a tract of land near the southern end of Big South Fork NRRA near Honey Creek Loop, featuring a sandstone double arch and Potter’s Cave. Plans were to sell it to the National Park Service as an addition to the park once federal funding became available.
Endangered Mussels Released: Over 100 juvenile endangered mussels were released into the Kentucky section of Big South Fork River as a joint effort by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky State Wildlife Grant Program, and other agencies.

2016:

Mine Drainage Remediation Efforts: TCWP supported remediation of mine drainage sites within Big South Fork NRRA as part of an Environmental Assessment aimed at improving water quality and aquatic habitats for the endangered duskytail darter. Remediation efforts included the Blue Heron Spoils, Devils Jump Settling Pond, and Unnamed Tributary 3.

Additional Citations:

Bear Creek Landfill Proposal: TCWP closely monitored a landfill proposal in Scott County draining into Big South Fork through Bear Creek, awaiting an environmental assessment from the National Park Service regarding potential impacts (date not explicitly stated, but within the 2010–2019 newsletters).
Hemlock Protection Efforts: Volunteers assisted the National Park Service’s efforts in treating hemlock trees against the woolly adelgid at Big South Fork NRRA (2012).
Media Attention to BSFNRRA: The Big South Fork NRRA was highlighted in media reports, including historical efforts by TCWP for conservation (2012).
Sheltowee Trace Trail Extension: Plans emerged to extend the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail southward from the Big South Fork NRRA towards Rugby and further toward Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg (date not explicitly stated, but within the 2010–2019 newsletters).

2022

Land Acquisition Strengthens Protection of Big South Fork Area
- The National Park Service (NPS), collaborating with TennGreen Land Conservancy, secured approximately 60 acres of critical land along North White Oak Creek, located within the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Initially owned by the Allardt Land Company and the Estate of Bruno Gernt, the property was donated to TennGreen and then officially transferred to NPS in December 2021.This acquisition significantly enhances the protection of the Big South Fork area by conserving a sensitive stream corridor and expanding contiguous protected habitat.