The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway was
the first large water
resource
project ever designed and constructed  under the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act. Many of the engineering and construction techniques first used for the
Tenn-Tom to minimize environmental effects later became common practice for public works projects.
Wildlife Mitigation
Careful attention has also been given to preserving the natural beauty along the
waterway corridor. In addition to the project’s lands, some 88,000 acres were
purchased to provide prime habitat for wildlife. The Alabama and Mississippi conservation
departments intensively manage these lands which are open to the public.There is more
wildlife residing along the waterway than before its construction. Bird species are now so prevalent that organized bird watching tours have
become popular.
Stewardship Continues
 The economic growth generated by the
waterway has not degraded the impacted region’s natural environment or quality of
life.
Stringent state and federal environmental laws and regulations help ensure that
economic progress does not necessarily come at the expense of the environment.
Two environmental education centers that were
built in conjunction with the waterway will help future generations appreciate
the importance of protecting the environment. These two facilities are available to the
public for workshops, seminars, or retreats. For more information contact: Plymouth Bluff
· Email: sspencer@muw.ed or HomePage: www.plymouthbluff.com. For Crow's Neck
Environmental Center call (601) 438-6751.
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