In late summer of 2019, the Nature Conservancy closed on a $20.1 million loan through the Clean Water Revolving Loan Program to finance the acquisition of a permanent and perpetual conservation easement on over 20,000 acres in Russell County. This important project will help bolster the economy of the Clinch River Valley, a region that has been significantly impacted by the decline of the coal industry. The project represents a major investment in the region’s natural and recreational resources, and it will support the local economy by creating jobs in the sustainable forestry industry and by expanding the outdoor recreation sector. The project was selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as the 2020 PISCES Award in the “Environmental and Public Health Protection” category. The award provides national recognition to projects funded by the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund.
