Observer Reports
The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council today awarded grants funding between $30,000 and $90,000 to the Rocky River Conservancy and the Anderson Soil and Water Conservation District to launch projects that will improve water quality and education in the county.
Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson
The water council and new grant program are part of Upstate Forever and Savannah Riverkeeper efforts to spend legal settlement dollars from past polluters on long-term, community-driven projects that will safeguard Anderson’s water quality.
“It is exciting to jumpstart water-focused projects in communities that have experienced heavy pollution in the past,” said Megan Chase, Upstate Forever State Policy Director. “The goal is to connect children, teachers, residents and leaders to the waterways through recreation, restoration, and education. The two projects we selected are perfect examples of what is possible.”
The Rocky River Conservancy project seeks to engage the community in restoration efforts and water quality testing in the Rocky River Nature Park, a 148-acre public preserve in the Broadway Creek watershed. Trees Upstate is partnering with the group to plant buffers while engaging the nearby community.
Also in the Broadway Creek watershed, Anderson Soil and Water Conservation’s project will provide teachers, students and experts with Adopt-a-Stream kits and link them to the KnowYourRiver.com database to monitor local water conditions. The project will engage more than 1,000 participants in water-quality activities in the first year.
“Growth, development, and leaking pipelines have contributed to serious impairment of Anderson County’s once pristine waterways,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson, who represents District 7. “We can no longer take clean water for granted. These grant funded proposals are expected to provide education, lasting clean up, and restoration to return these streams to good health. Thank you, Upstate Forever, Savannah Riverkeeper, and Southern Environmental Law Center, for setting us on a better course.”
The next funding opportunity will be in the summer of 2023. Entities seeking more information about the process can visit www.andersonwatercouncil.com or email info@andersonwatercouncil.com.