Environmental restoration measures on the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway – an update

Abstract

 The Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway (Tenn–Tom) was one of the first and largest water resources projects constructed after the enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. This highly controversial project was in litigation for 9 of the 13 years it was under construction. Substantial and innovative measures were incorporated into the project design to minimize environmental damage and to promote environmental protection. Additionally, a wide variety of environmental mitigation measures, including the acquisition and management of 35,614 ha of wildlife habitat to compensate for unavoidable impacts. This paper, which updates a paper published by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1996, presents an update of the environmental and restorative measures incorporated into the design, construction, operation, and management of the Tenn–Tom some 15 years after it was opened for navigation. The paper examines the accuracy of selected predicted impacts, waterway utilization, and the effectiveness of environmental measures.