You are here: / Uncategorized /
kingsport logo

Using plants to filter out pollution

As part of the permitting process, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mandates the City of Kingsport offer educational and outreach activities regarding stormwater, the city’s various control measures and why those measures are important to the general public.

The following article discusses bioretention basins and how they use plants to filter out pollution.

A bioretention basin is a type of Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) that addresses both stormwater quantity and quality.

These basins are designed to hold water for 48 hours after a rain event, which helps prevent flooding. They also allow for stormwater infiltration and uptake by plants, thereby filtering out pollution.

Most bioretention basins have the same basic components to help them function properly, including:

  • Inlets: pipes, channels or curb cuts that convey drainage into the basin from the surrounding area during a rain.
  • Outlet Structure: Allows water to exit the basin in case the basin fills up.
  • Pretreatment Areas: Typically consist of stones or grass to slow water entering the basin and thus catch trash, debris and sediment.
  • The Main Basin: Consists of an engineered soil media to allow for infiltration, plants for stormwater uptake and an underdrain to convey excess water into the stormwater system.
  • Cleanouts: Allow for maintenance of the underdrain.

Bioretention basins may be inspected by the local municipality to ensure they are functioning correctly. However, all maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.

In order for the bioretention basin to work efficiently, vegetation needs to be kept healthy and watered in times of drought. All trash, debris and sediment should be removed from the basin at regular intervals. Any erosion should be repaired and mulched areas should be refreshed.

Excess sediment can clog the soil media and prevent the bioretention basin from functioning properly. The underdrain should be inspected for clogging and the basin should be observed during and after rain events to ensure it is functioning correctly.

If you have a concern about a specific bioretention basin in Kingsport, you may call Water Services at 423-229-9454 or email wsengineers@kingsporttn.gov.  You can also report any possible issues with bioretention basins by using the ConnectKingsport app.

Notice of Public Meeting

,

There will be a Public Meeting of the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) Executive Board on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 1:30 pm in the Kingsport City Hall Board Room at 415 Broad Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. Copies of the agenda and supporting documentation can be found in the MTPO office or here. The primary items for this meeting include a presentation by Butch Eley – Deputy Governor & Commissioner of Transportation for TN, consideration of PM1 (safety) targets, consideration of transit safety targets, and consideration of transit asset management targets. Time is also allotted for the Executive Board to receive comments on these or other items pertaining to the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. The meeting will be in-person and members of the public are welcome to attend. We also plan to offer live public access to the meeting through a Zoom webinar. Members of the public who are interested in attending remotely should send an email to MTPO@KingsportTN.gov to request the log in information for the meeting. In order to allow time to respond, your request must be received by 12:00 pm on February 8, 2023. Disabled citizens wishing to attend and needing special accommodations or anyone seeking further information on the MTPO meeting should contact the MTPO at (423) 224-2670. For persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 804-786-2085 or by mail 1401 E Broad St, Richmond, Virginia 23219. In Tennessee you may contact TDOT’s Civil Rights Office at (615) 714-3169. If you have a hearing or speech disability or use a TTD please use the FCC 711 dialing code to access a Telecommunications Relay Service to forward your comment. Kingsport MTPO ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Si usted necesita la traducción por favor entre en contacto con el MTPO en por el teléfono en 423-224-2670.

Property

a:7:{s:8:”location”;a:1:{i:0;a:1:{i:0;a:3:{s:5:”param”;s:9:”post_type”;s:8:”operator”;s:2:”==”;s:5:”value”;s:8:”property”;}}}s:8:”position”;s:6:”normal”;s:5:”style”;s:7:”default”;s:15:”label_placement”;s:3:”top”;s:21:”instruction_placement”;s:5:”label”;s:14:”hide_on_screen”;a:11:{i:0;s:7:”excerpt”;i:1;s:10:”discussion”;i:2;s:8:”comments”;i:3;s:9:”revisions”;i:4;s:4:”slug”;i:5;s:6:”author”;i:6;s:6:”format”;i:7;s:15:”page_attributes”;i:8;s:10:”categories”;i:9;s:4:”tags”;i:10;s:15:”send-trackbacks”;}s:11:”description”;s:0:””;}

Kingsport Public Library to Return to Curbside Service Only

Due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases in the Kingsport community, the Kingsport Public Library building will be closed to the public, effective Monday, December 14. The status of the building closure will be evaluated again at the end of the month.

Curbside pickup for materials, including hotspots, will be available by appointment Monday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments can be made by visiting the event calendar at www.kingsportlibrary.org or by calling 423-229-9465. Same day appointments MUST be made by 3:30 p.m. for same day pickup. If you are not sure what books to request, try the Next Read service available on the library’s website.

Steps for curbside pickup:

  • Materials must be placed on hold in order to be picked up. Place holds by logging in to your account on kingsportlibrary.org or by calling 423-229-9465.
    • Limited to 10 holds per card
    • Items placed on hold are not guaranteed to be available
  • Schedule an appointment for curbside pickup by visiting the event calendar at kingsportlibrary.org or by calling 423-229-9465
    • Offered Monday – Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Appointments must be scheduled by 3:30 p.m. for same day pickup
  • When you arrive at the Library, park in spot on New St. and call 423-229-9366 to let library staff know you have arrived
    • Be ready to provide the name the books are on hold for
    • Let us know the make, model, and color of the vehicle
    • Open your trunk
    • When the staff member brings out the books hold your driver’s license up to the window so they can verify your identity
    • Books will be placed in the trunk

**All returns, except hotspots, MUST be placed in the outside book returns. Staff members are ONLY able to take hotspot returns at curbside delivery. No donations will be accepted and staff are unable to collect fines at this time.

Even though the library building will be closed, your Kingsport Public Library card provides access to the many digital services offered through the library’s website. Explore e-books and e-audiobooks through Libby, Tumblebooks and hoopla, enjoy free access to digital magazines through Libby, get creative with Creativebug, learn a language with Transparent Language, watch a movie or TV show through hoopla or research your family history with Ancestry. If you need help getting started with the digital services or have any questions, staff will be available Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. by phone at 423-224-2539.

For up-to-date information about Kingsport Public Library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org or follow the library’s social media channels.

Road Closure – Whipoorwill Lane

City work crews will be making road repairs on Whipoorwill Lane on August 18 and 19 starting around 8:30 a.m. weather permitting.

During this time Whipoorwill Lane will be closed to thru traffic at the intersection of Mimosa Drive and closed at the intersection of Fain Avenue.

Motorists are urged to slow down, obey all traffic signs and use extreme caution when traveling in this area. If you have any questions, please contact (423)229-9451.

Whipoorwill Lane Closure Map

Notice of Public Review – 2040 Long Range Plan Amendment

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE KINGSPORT MTPO 2040 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

30 DAY PUBLIC REVIEW/COMMENT PERIOD (JULY 6, 2020 – AUGUST 4, 2020)

 

The Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) is responsible for long range transportation planning in the Kingsport urbanized area. Before regionally significant transportation projects can be undertaken, they must be included in the MTPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP is a 20+ year plan for transportation projects in the Kingsport area. The Kingsport MTPO Executive Board is seeking public comment on amendments to the current 2040 LRTP. Copies of the proposed amendments are available for public review at Kingsport City Hall, the Kingsport Public Library, and the Kingsport MTPO office, and can be viewed HERE. Comments received about the amendments will be considered by the MTPO Executive Board prior to final approval. Comments may be sent to MTPO@KingsportTN.gov by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on August 4, 2020. Comments can also be made at the MTPO Executive Board meeting on August 6, 2020 at 1:30 pm. This meeting will be held electronically, for information on how to access the meeting please send a request to MTPO@KingsportTN.gov.

KFD 2019 Annual Report

The Kingsport Fire Department has published it’s Annual Report for 2019.

 

KFD Annual Report. 2019

Interstate 26 Corridor Study – Public Meeting

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is conducting a study to investigate a range of multimodal solutions along the interstate corridors of 26, 75, 55, and I55. This 18-month study emphasizes congestion management, improving safety, maximizing the potential for freight diversion and preserving/enhancing each corridor’s economic benefits. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex/Eastman Foundation Conference Room, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport, TN 37660. Click here to view the flyer for more information.

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is closed November 28.

Cinema Under the Stars Returns to Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

Cinema Under the Stars is back this fall with two nights of family fun!

Visit the Bays Mountain Amphitheater for an outdoor movie, surrounded by natural beauty and the sounds of the park’s resident animals. Bring a blanket—and your friends and family too—and enjoy this movie night at the park!

Gates open an hour before the movie begins. Tickets are $5 each for ages 6 and above, and are available for purchase at the link. Ages 5 and under are free. The amphitheater is bleacher seating, so you won’t need to bring your own chair, but stadium seats are allowed. Please no food and drinks. Concessions will be available for purchase.

All proceeds will go to benefit Bays Mountain Park. Cinema Under the Stars is sponsored by Knoxville TVA Credit Union. Keep an eye out for info on our October double feature very soon!

Cinema Under the Stars 2019 Schedule

  • September 7 @ 8:30 p.m. – The Sandlot (rated PG)
  • October 5 @ 7 p.m. – Nanny McPhee and Hocus Pocus (double feature; rated PG)

To purchase tickets or to learn more about Bays Mountain Park, visit baysmountain.com.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee