In his continuing effort to protect Tennessee's natural resources, Congressman Zach Wamp noted the many land conservation projects for East Tennessee included in the 2003 Interior Appropriations 2003 spending bill. The Appropriations Committee, on which the Congressman has served for the last six years, met on Tuesday to consider the bill.

Congressman Zach Wamp, the only Tennessean on the Appropriations Committee, said that the spending bill includes $3.5 million for the 12,000 acre Anderson-Tully Forest Legacy program at the confluence of the Hatchie and Mississippi Rivers in Lauderdale County. Upon completion, this will be the largest Forest Legacy project in the state. The Tennessee Forest Legacy program protects lands from being converted to commercial uses by purchasing the land from willing sellers.

"Congressman Wamp has again shown his leadership and dedication to preserving the natural resources that make Tennessee so unique," Gov. Sundquist said. "The people of Tennessee owe Congressman Wamp a debt of gratitude for preserving this valuable land, and other critical resources across Tennessee, now and in the future."

"It is vital that we protect Tennessee?s natural resources for generations to come and the Anderson-Tully tract represents some of the best fishing and hunting land in Tennessee," added Wamp.

According to Wamp, this bill includes funding to purchase another private parcel of land to add to the proposed Moccasin Bend National Park. Congressman Wamp designated $1.3 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund was included in the bill was included in the bill for land acquisition of the 13-acre Serodino property located along the main entryway to the Moccasin Bend peninsula.

"This parcel of land ensures that the archeological, cultural, and historic resources located elsewhere on Moccasin Bend will not be disturbed. Because I serve of the Interior Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, I was able to make sure that this acquisition was included. This is another step toward making the Moccasin Bend National Park a reality," added Wamp.

The Interior spending bill included $1.03 million for the purchase of historically critical land on the slopes of Lookout Mountain that were sites of Civil War battles. Wamp noted that this funding would purchase approximately 60 acres of land for preservation.

The Ocoee Whitewater Center will also receive a boost through this spending bill. $200,000 was dedicated to construct a trail from the Thunder Rock campground to the Ocoee Whitewater Center to complete the existing system of trails throughout the area. Congressman Zach Wamp often refers to the Ocoee region as the "crown jewel of outdoor sports and recreation in the eastern United States."

"Through this annual funding and continued improvements, I am confident that the Ocoee will continue to be the premier destination of recreational rafters and outdoor enthusiasts as well as the home to many international whitewater competitions," added Wamp.

Other conservation items that were included in the 2003 Interior Appropriations bill include:

• 1.5 million for the Obed National Wild and Scenic River Corridor: This funding will purchase approximately 1,000 acres of land within the Obed National Wild and Scenic River corridor in Morgan County. Established on October 12, 1976, the National Park Service currently owns approximately 3400 acres of at the Obed National Wild and Scenic River,. Wamp added, "These funds will be used for landscape-level site conservation planning, partnership development, and land acquisition over a three-year period."
• $300,000 for the Prince Gap recreation area in the Cherokee National Forest: This project will also provide a full service facility with toilet accessible to physically challenged persons. This facility, located in the Ocoee River Corridor, would replace the two existing ranges. The project would also include the removal of hazardous materials at the existing ranges. The new facility would meet current standards for public ranges and would include a shelter at the firing line and hardened access trails.
• $300,000 for a joint U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Forest Service Inventory and Monitoring project in the Cherokee National Forest: The USGS has extensive experience in designing ways to monitor biological resources in the southeast, specifically in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is vital to extend these monitoring and inventory efforts to the Cherokee National Forest, and ultimately to other critical areas of the southeast. This information would result in better management decisions and improved stewardship of the Cherokee National Forest.
• 2 million is provided for the National Biological Infrastructure Initiative's (NBII) Southern Appalachian Tennessee Node. The mission of NBII is to systematically organize, access and display biological entities, inland waterways and water resources across jurisdictional lines and to have this data readily available. Wamp noted, "Eventually, the NBII will make available an entire national picture of our natural resources, maximizing the investment we have made in our science research. This is a good example of how good information can protect us and our precious natural resources."
• $15 million to help protect forestland from the devastating effects of southern pine beetle and other pests. Tennessee will get a portion of this funding to protect trees and crops as well as to promote the education of landholders. "While driving throughout Tennessee, I have seen the devastation caused by pine beetles. These insects have ravaged many acres of pristine Tennessee forestland. The 2003 funds will be used to prevent further damage and for land rehabilitation in affected areas across the southeast," Wamp added.

In addition to the many land conservation projects, The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is also slated to receive funding for it's many energy efficiency and energy conservation research and development projects in the areas of fuel-efficient transportation, heating and cooling systems and lightweight materials. According to Wamp, this Interior spending bill will push next year's ORNL's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs to the $106 million mark. This amount is $8 million over last year's funding and $20 million over the President's request.

Upon completion of this bill through the House of Representative, the U.S. Senate will consider the companion Interior spending bill this summer.