Little River, Big Future

Little River, Big Future is a ground breaking initiative which will use new approaches to improve water quality and protect local environmental and natural resources. It is one of the first programs in the United States to utilize participatory tools and methods to engage residents in planning to address environmental issues. Participatory processes, known for their high success rate, have long been used to promote community and economic development and are widely used in other countries for environmental planning. The application of these methods in Blount County will be an important test of this approach in this country and will lead to the creation of a model process that can be used in communities throughout the United States.

Project Partners include the Blount County, the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the East Tennessee Development District, The ALCOA Foundation, and the Little River Watershed Association.

For more information on Little River, Big Future visit the project's web site or download this FAQ sheet.