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Keep Jonesboro Beautiful chair urges oversight of Nolichucky Gorge railroad reconstruction
Summary
Ashley Cavender, chair of Keep Jonesboro Beautiful, told the board she is concerned CSX reconstruction work in the Nolichucky Gorge may be occurring below the ordinary high‑water mark and asked elected officials to press regulatory agencies for monitoring and corrective measures.
Ashley Cavender, chair of Keep Jonesboro Beautiful and a Jonesborough homeowner, asked the board to press for oversight of CSX railroad reconstruction in the Nolichucky Gorge following flood damage from Hurricane Helene.
Cavender said the contractor, ZNA Construction, had been working below the ordinary high‑water mark, which she described as unlawful and harmful to endangered species and habitat. She told the board that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intervened and ordered corrective action; she urged continued agency monitoring and asked local elected officials to follow up with regulators on methods and downstream impacts.
Cavender outlined specific questions for the board packet and asked the board to seek answers about increased flood risk to downstream communities, water‑quality impacts for irrigation and municipal drinking water, and potential increases in drinking-water treatment costs. She said continued monitoring and coordination with contractors will be necessary to protect public health and the watershed.
