February 3, 2007

CHEWUP and the Safe Harbor Agreement

The Safe Harbor Agreement, is an agreement signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The City of Auburn, The Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Water Works Board of the City of Auburn, Martin Marietta Materials, and others to protect Chewacla Creek.

It was the result of a lawsuit and is an agreement to provide a minimum flow of water in the creek, to repair sinkholes, and to ptotect the mussels in the creek.

Chewacla Creek has been the victim of several different disasters in recent years. There have been sinkholes, no flow in part of the creek, and sediment from Moore's Mill Creek.

Moore's Mill Creek is now a 303(d) impaired stream due to sediment from development. Chewacla Lake has been impacted by a huge amount of sediment. There is flow in Chewacla Creek now but there are still hundreds of sinkholes near the creek, mainly on Chewacla State Park property.

Friends of Chewacla Creek and the Uphapee Watershed, (CHEWUP), is dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of the water quality and environment of Chewacla Creek and the Uphapee Watershed. CHEWUP members monitor the water quality in Chewacla Creek by sampling the water monthly. Our results are certified by Alabama Water Watch (www.alabamawaterwatch.org) and accepted by ADEM.

Annual Membership in CHEWUP is only $10. The address is:

Friends of Chewacla Creek and the Uphapee Watershed
4325 Lee Road 159
Auburn, AL 36830-8250

Zack