TOP PHOTO: This photo from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson was snapped on June 7, 2019, on the east side of LaFollette.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The LaFollette City Council and county officials held a special called meeting on Friday morning to discuss watershed options and flood prevention with several representatives from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). County Mayor E.L. Morton and County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck were in attendance at the meeting, as well County EMS director Jay Muncy.

Kelly Gupton with the NRCS gave a presentation on the USDA’s watershed operations program and how it can help with flood prevention and reduction, among other benefits. The process, however is a long one with multiple environment and engineering studies needed along the way. According to Gupton, if LaFollette and Campbell County meet the government’s criteria for the project, the USDA will foot the bill. It could take up to five years before “ground could be moved.” These funds could result in millions of federal dollars for Campbell County, at no cost to the county.

Dilbeck spoke at length about flooding issues in the county, specifically in the Newcomb and Jellico area on Highway 297. According to Dilbeck, anytime that area receives even a small rain event, the flooding is problematic and often shuts down a several mile section of road. It also isolates around 1,000 residents from emergency services when flooding occurs. The problem has been compounded by “years of logging,” Dilbeck said. According to Dilbeck, the county has spent thousands of dollars in repairing the road after floods.  Highway 297 is also a truck route when traffic has to be diverted from the interstate.

Several LaFollette city council members spoke, including Mark Hoskins, as well as LaFollette Mayor Mike Stanfield. Hoskins put it bluntly that “LaFollette has a flooding problem and something needs to be done soon.”

Gupton told officials it would be no out of pocket expense to the county or city to see if it qualifies for the federal program. “All you have to do is submit a letter to us asking for help,” Gupton said. 

City and county officials said they planned to discuss it more and would hold additional meetings.

According to the USDA, the purpose of a watershed operations program is:

Flood prevention/reduction

Watershed protection

Public recreation

Agriculture water management

Municipal and industrial water supply

Water quality management

Watershed structure rehabilitation

Currently the state of Tennessee has around 150 to 160 watershed operations programs. The NRCS is working on one in Oneida right now.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/15/2021-6AM)

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