March 25, 2005
For immediate release | Becky Hatmaker
(865) 545-4103, ext. 148 |
Scott County High School students will plant trees to celebrate Arbor Day, push reforestation
State Officials will "take the pledge" for more trees on restored mine lands
Scott County High School students will join federal and Tennessee officials March 30 to plant hardwood trees on reclaimed mine land in celebration of Arbor Day and a new partnership working for reforestation in Appalachia.
The reclaimed site, near Oneida, is a reclaimed abandoned mine site owned by Jerry and Christy Marcum. Scott County High School students and other participants will plant 350 Pin Oak, Shumard Oak, and Green Ash seedlings. Prior to tree planting, Tennessee Division of Forestry staff will demonstrate proper tree planting techniques. The event will be hosted by OSM's Knoxville Field Office.
The event will also provide a forum for new Tennessee partners to join the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) by pledging to promote establishing productive forestland during the reclamation of abandoned and active coal mining sites. ARRI is an initiative to promote the planting of high-value hardwood trees on reclaimed mine lands in Appalachia and to increase the survival and growth rates of those trees.
State officials scheduled to sign the ARRI Statement of Mutual Intent (SMI) are: Commissioner Ken Givens of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, who will sign the SMI for the Tennessee Division of Forestry and Tim Eagle, Abandoned Mine Land Program Manager, will sign for the Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control.
News reporters are invited to attend.
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Directions to the Site: From Oneida, head north on Highway 27. After passing Tobe's motel (on your left), turn left onto Grape Rough Road. Travel approximately 1.3 miles and turn left. Then travel ½ mile to Brown Pond on your left. The site is adjacent to Brown Pond.
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