United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) is pleased to announce that she has secured $250,000 for the Ore Knob Aquatic Restoration Project in Ashe County, N.C. The funding was included in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
The Jefferson Post
United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) is pleased to announce that she has secured $250,000 for the Ore Knob Aquatic Restoration Project in Ashe County, N.C. The funding was included in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2007, which passed the House last week.
“I am delighted that these vital funds I have been fighting for were included in this bill,” said Rep. Foxx. “The Army Corps of Engineers will now be able to restore the ecosystem along six miles of Ore Knob Branch Creek, Peak Creek and Little Peak Creek.”
Ore Knob Mine is a copper mine that was abandoned 30 years ago following nearly 100 years of mining activity. Since the mine was abandoned, acidic copper runoff has polluted Peak Creek, Ore Knob Branch, and Little Peak Creek leaving the watershed biologically sterile. The watershed has been an eye sore to Ashe County residents and poses a potential hazard to more streams and habitats.
The Army Corp of Engineers started cleanup of this project but ran into funding setbacks. The preliminary restoration report has been approved and the Army Corps is waiting on construction funding. The $250,000 that Foxx secured in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act will go a long way in cleaning up the Ore Knob watershed.
