Since 1999, HRWC has brought more than $5.2 million in grant funding for water quality improvements into the upper Hiwassee River watershed.  Nearly 90% has been spent on stream restoration work in the North Carolina portion of the watershed using funds from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.  Approximately $3.2 million went directly into the local economy to pay contractors, materials suppliers, and labor associated with the work.  We appreciate your interest in what we do and potentially working with us in the future. 

Relevant HRWC Policies:

S        To the extent practical, goods and services should be procured from within the Hiwassee River watershed and from locally owned/operated providers.

S        Because stream restoration work is funded by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund for work in the Hiwassee River basin in North Carolina, preference is given by HRWC to drivers and equipment operators whose primary residence lies within Cherokee and Clay counties, NC.  Secondary preference is given to drivers and operators from the immediate surrounding counties in NC and GA.

S        Because there now exists a large pool of local equipment operators with stream restoration experience, HRWC only hires construction contractors that can provide references for stream or bank restoration work conducted using natural channel design principles over the past five years.

S        Because this work is being conducted voluntarily on private lands, the major landowner(s) for each individual project will have the opportunity to recommend qualified contractors for the work.

S        Membership in HRWC is not required to bid a job and will not factor into the decision as to who to hire.  However, HRWC staff will only recommend contractors for outside work that are members of the organization. If a landowner has experience operating heavy equipment and can do the work for no more than 10% more than the bid that would otherwise be selected; he/she can do the work.

Qualification Procedure:

If you are interested in hand labor, seeding, tree planting or providing materials and supplies, simply email your name and contact information (including a mailing address) to: restore@hrwc.net.  Our restoration coordinator will contact you regarding any upcoming projects.

If you are interested in hauling materials only, complete and return the qualification form; the references section of the form is not required.  Once the form is processed by HRWC, you will receive a letter confirming that you are listed as an approved contractor.  You will also receive direct notification when a project is going out to bid.

If you are interested in heavy equipment work, complete and return the qualification form; the references section is required and references will be checked.  Once the form is processed by HRWC, you will receive a letter confirming that you are listed as an approved contractor.  You will also receive direct notification when a project is going out to bid.

Choose a watershed below to view photos and information about our past restoration projects: