You can tell the government what you think about CSX's restoration plan

CSX is taking a "less proactive approach" with its restoration plan for parts of the Nolichucky River."This less proactive approach to restoration will not result in quick changes to the river," CSX shared along with its plan to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."But a more aggressive stream restoration commonly used within a stable stream may not have a positive effect on the river as the river continues to reshape itself and sediment bedload is transported naturally."That approach, CSX said, is to set up a semi-annual, two-year monitoring program to track changes in certain areas of the Nolichucky.The plan submitted to USACE specifically outlines three areas where CSX said it scalped or excavated from Nolichucky riverbanks: the Stateline Bridge, Islands Area and USFS Chestoa Recreation Area."A lot of the rock that [CSX] took, you're talking two, three, four foot circumference cobble and boulders," said Trey Moore, chairman of the Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Alliance. "What that stuff does is it creates the skeleton structure that these riparian zones rebuild on."Riparian zones are areas of land and vegetation (like riverbanks) along water bodies like streams and rivers. Their existence is contingent on those water bodies.CSX plans to monitor those riverbanks semi-annually instead of replacing what was removed from them during emergency construction."Just bring [the cobble] back, lay it back down, and then seed that with whatever seed mix the [U.S.] Forest Service recommends," said Moore. "Live stake it with the species the [U.S.] Forest Service recommends, and then let's monitor."The public has from now until Aug. 17 to chime in with their thoughts on CSX's restoration plan, too."[The Nolichucky] is not just a commerce or transport river. It's also a recreational and navigable waterway," said Moore. "So my question is, since we're working so hard to put the railroad back in place and reindustrialize [the Nolichucky], what is the plan to at least make it appear natural for us and our children?"For Moore, restoring the river's health is equally crucial for the businesses that depend on the river as a natural resource for recreation."We're just trying to balance their needs to rebuild a railroad to get back to work, with our needs to have a recreational resource that still maintains its scenic values," said Moore.You can find the restoration plan and submit your comments at the USACE website.