AUTHORIZATION: Section 573 of the 1996 Water Resources Development Act, Public Law 104-103

TYPE OF PROJECT: Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation

LOCATION: Murfreesboro, Tenn.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST: DesJarlais (TN-04), Alexander (TN), Corker (TN)

NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR: City of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

BACKGROUND:

·        Black Fox, Murfree Springs and Oakland’s wetlands lie in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  The main goals of the Restoration Project are the preservation and enhancement of the three unique wetland complexes.  The project also supports environmental education and recreation at Murfree and Oakland’s Springs.

·        Project features at two of the sites include trails, boardwalks, and observation platforms, parking, removing exotic invasive vegetation, and planting native species.  Oakland’s, an antebellum mansion, has been enhanced by planting all tree species native to Tennessee.  Ecosystem restoration features include the creation of additional wetlands and in-stream structures.  At Murfreesboro Springs we demolished several existing buildings to provide space for an environmental education center and created additional wetland habitat.  At Black Fox, only ecosystem restoration measures were performed

IMPORTANCE: This project preserves, enhances, and interprets 110 acres of unique wetland ecosystem.  All three sites ecological significance evidenced by state listed threatened or endangered plants.  Each site also figures prominently in the area’s cultural history.

STATUS: Final Construction Contract to be awarded Oct. 15, 2012.

BUDGET ($): Estimated project costs are shown below.

SCHEDULE:

FY2012 Scheduled Completed:  Construction Documents and Award Oakland’s Park Construction Contract

FY2013 Scheduled Work: Complete Oakland’s Park Construction and Close out Project.

COMPLETION: Work is estimated to be completed in 2013.