Waterway Debris Efforts

Map of Waterways as a part of this effort

Current Updates:

  • Phillips & Jordan staff has started going door-to-door to ask private property owners for Right of Entry Agreements. More information about Right of Entry is below.
  • Equipment has been and continues to be mobilized to the areas to begin work. Crews have begun gathering and collecting debris in initial starting locations.

 

Tropical Storm Helene, which swept through the region in September 2024, brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds, leaving massive amoints of debris - including trees, sediment, and man-made materials - across East Tennessee's waterways. This accumulation threatens local ecosystems, increases the risk of further flooding, and hampers the use of water resources for communities and businesses. 

This waterway debris removal effort is focused on:

  • Nolichucky River in Greene, Unicoi, and Washington counties
  • French Broad River and Pigeon River in Cocke County
  • Watagua Lake and Tributaries
  • Johnson County waterways

Project Goals

1. Safely remove debris to restore natural water flow.

2. Reduce future flood risks.

3. Protect wildlife habitats and water quality. 

4. Ensure public safety and instrastructure functionality.

5. Support economic uses such as tourism and agriculture.

Scope of Work

Debris Removal: Extraction of debris from waterways and adjacent lands.Disposal of disaster-generated materials at approved sites.

Restoration:Reconstruct access points on private lands where needed.Restore any property impacted during access construction.

Management:Locate and identify debris sites.Collaborate with landowners for Right of Entry Agreements. Implement debris reduction processes.

Right of Entry Frequently Asked Questions

The waterways included in this effort include the Nolichucky River in Greene, Washington, and Unicoi counties, French Broad River and Pigeon River in Cocke County, Watauga Lake and Tributaries, and Johnson County waterways.

A Right of Entry is a legal term that grants someone the authority to access and enter another person’s property for a specific purpose, without being considered trespassing.

Phillips & Jordan is the primary vendor that will remove eligible debris from the state’s waterways. Phillips & Jordan employees will be going door-to-door to homes along the identified waterways that have been affected by the debris field. These employees will have Phillips & Jordan identification on them when they make this request. 

In order to remove the disaster generated debris from the waterways and adjacent lands, certain properties must be accesses to reach the debris. 

No. Property owners are not obligated to sign a Right of Entry agreement. Without getting the Right of Entry agreement signed, Phillips & Jordan will not be able to access waterway debris in the most efficient manner, which will delay debris removal operations. 

Yes. The Right of Entry will allow Phillips & Jordan to access your property to remove eligible disaster-related debris on the waterways identified as a part of this cleanup effort.

The contractor will begin working in multiple areas across the entire project simultaneously and will move from one area to another as safely and quickly as possible. The timeline will vary depending on the amount of debris being removed and Phillips & Jordan’s ability to obtain Right of Entry permissions along the affected waterways. 

The debris that is being cleared is disaster-related debris on Tennessee’s waterways. You may have other disaster-related debris on your property, but it will not be cleared as a part of this effort. Only debris on Tennessee’s waterways is eligible. 

The debris will be removed with large, heavy equipment and it will be hauled away to approved locations.

Phillips & Jordan will be clearing vegetative debris, trailers, vehicles, vessels, household hazardous waste, construction and
demolition debris, white goods, e-waste, tires, and decaying debris.

Property owners do not need to be present while the contractor is performing work, but a Right of Entry will still be required if waterway debris is accessed from your property.

Waterway Debris Resources

Other Waterway Projects