A Letter from the Chairman of the Board...

Well, here we have the 2007-2008 Annual Report and methinks to call it good. The Compact’s tenets of being nonconfrontational and nonadversarial are not just vindicated but are spreading well beyond our focus of the Cumberland River Basin – nationally and internationally. Is it possible that this idea – to demonstrate, educate, and bring many, many people together to seek solutions – is one whose time has come? Does the recent election indicate that this is the message of how times are changing? Any politician’s main concern is getting reelected, therefore, if enough, thousands and thousands of people indicate that they expect their waters and the lands be protected – viola, it will happen.

If this strikes you as impossible, consider this: the Cumberland Basin has roughly 2 million people; the Compact has spawned vigorous water associations in over half of its 17,690 square miles, and is hoping to start another in early ’09; these local groups are increasingly spreading the word in their own tributary basins.

You, I – all of us – are fighting the good fight, gaining much ground. With your continuing support and taking personal responsibility in your own way – we’re on a roll!

With affection, Shirley Caldwell-Patterson, Chairman of the Board

A Letter From Doug Hausken, Executive Director...

I am happy to bring you this edition of the Cumberland River Compact’s Annual Report for 2007-2008! In the following pages you will see many of the things we have accomplished and some of the current projects that we are working on to enhance the water quality of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. I am proud of what we have done and I am very excited about the multitude of possibilities for the future of the Compact!

We are focused on our two main objectives to educate and promote cooperation amongcitizens, businesses, and agencies through out the Cumberland River Basin to enhance water quality. We have educated thousands of people and organizations like neighborhood and civic groups, businesses, mayors, stormwater managers, builders, and developers about how they can improve their quality of life by enhancing water quality. We have also had the pleasure of working alongside agencies and groups like the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Metropolitan Nashville Parks, World Wildlife Fund, Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, River Network, Tennessee Valley Authority, Kentucky Division of Water, and, of course, the seven tremendous watershed organizations that make up the Cumberland Basin Council.

I hope you enjoy reading about all that the Compact has going on – what we have done and what we are doing. Make sure you also visit our website (www.cumberlandrivercompact.org) to keep up with the latest news and initiatives. Thank you for your support, without it, none of the stories in the following pages would have been possible. The Compact is lucky to have a very talented and dedicated staff that continuously works to fulfill our mission. But we know that the accomplishments of the organization are really the result of your commitment to it.

Sincerely, Doug Hausken, Executive Director