Water conservation is as important as $150 million developments to a group of environmentalists in Knoxville.

Nelson Ross, executive director of the Tennessee Izaak Walton League, an organization devoted to protecting the nation's soil, air, forests, waters and wildlife, is working alongside a major development in Sevierville to ensure that a historic creek in the region is protected while construction ensues.

The organization has been granted a conservation easement by John Turley, a developer known for his 300-acre Turkey Creek project in West Knoxville. Turley is working on a smaller-scale version of Turkey Creek directly off I-40 at exit 407. The development will be called Dumplin Creek after the creek located on the property and will devote 1.2 million square feet to retail, entertainment and hospitality.

"Our organization really focuses on making a difference," Ross said. "But we wouldn't even have this opportunity if the developers hadn't made the commitment to set aside that easement. That would cost millions of dollars."

The easement consists of about 50 feet set aside between the edge of the creek and the development to be used for a natural wildlife habitat and trail. Ross also plans to incorporate conservation kiosks that he hopes will teach school children visiting the site to appreciate their environment.

Turley has set in place erosion control that will work to keep dirt, dust and oil that may origination from the construction site away from the creek. Ross believes that previous experience working with Turkey Creek's flood plains, where he believes Turley did a good job but could have done better by way of environmental conservation, has aided the developer in decided the creek's fate.

"We realize that the natural environment around our development is important," Turley said. "We're going to do everything we can to keep those waters clean."

Vulcan Materials Co. on the other side of the creek has already set aside a buffer between itself and the creek.

Separate from the development, Turley purchased a hotel located along Winfield Dunn Parkway to stop the hotel's harmful septic system which has added to the creek's contamination. The hotel will be torn down in order to build an entrance to the development.

Ross notes that creek waters are affected by more than people would think. He sites farms and interstate roads as major contributors to creek contamination.

Antifreeze, oil and petroleum are washed off the interstate into branches of the creek, according to Ross. Untreated storm waters are also dumped into the creek.

Ultimately, Ross is planning to meet with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences to plan a clean water system and natural plant plan for the site. He wants to install a catch-all in the middle of the interstate where water would be "sweetened." Ross said ultra violet rays will work to break up the hydrocarbon in the water before it drains to the creek.

This contamination is also dangerous to aquatic life in the creek. Ross said that he has noticed many farm sites along the creek where cows and other animals have been allowed to wade through the water contaminating it.

Another concern of the league is the amount of litter floating in the creek waters.

 "How easy is it to throw away your cup when you get home?" Ross asked. "I don't understand people throwing trash out of their car along the interstate, but that's how it gets into the creek."

As Ross walks along the creek, he notes the many different plants that have tried to take over the plants meant to grow in the area. These invasive plants include Japanese honeysuckle and turtlehead plants.

The department of plant sciences will work with the league to determine the natural plant life that should be growing along the creek.

Turley has also agreed to include vegetation in the development that will soak up water that would have drained directly into the creek.

"Water is the most significant aspect to society," Ross said. "We live on it, recreate on it and drink it. It's essential to our lives. So it's important that we take care of it."

Ross is also concerned with the amount of creek bank that has eroded due to contamination. Multiple trees have fallen down across the creek. Storm water has also caused an increased intensity to the flow of the creek, which Ross said has destroyed beaver dams along the waters.

Rus Townsend, historic preservation officer for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is in favor of the efforts made by the Izaak Walton Foundation in light of many developments that disregard the history of an area in order to make money. The recent boom of businesses in the Pigeon Rivers area has left the band concerned about the area's history and environment.

"We're happy that the developer is working with conservationists to ensure that the environment is preserved by the creek," Townsend said.

Ross would like to incorporate the history of the area into the habitat by placing special kiosks that detail the areas history along the creek as well. The league will work with both Jefferson County - where part of the creek flows - and Sevier County historical societies in scrolling through the area's extensive history.

Dumplin Creek began its chapter in Sevier County history books when European settlers first discovered Tennessee. Beside the creek, an Indian war path signifies the journey Native Americans would travel down the creek and onto the French Broad River.

Before it was named Tennessee, the state operated as the State of Franklin briefly after the American Revolution. A major treaty was signed in 1785 at Hugh Henry's fort located somewhere along the creek. Once the treaty was signed by Ancoo, chief of the Cherokees, and John Sevier, representing the State of Franklin, white settlers were able to move into Knox, Blount and Sevier counties without conflict from Cherokee Indians in the area.

Ross envisions schools in the area planning field trips to view the creek, learn about water conservation and protection and Sevier County history,

"We want to focus on making a difference in the future for America's environment," Ross said. "We want children to visit this habitat while in school, grow up and decide to do the right thing by way of low impact developing."