We protect streams for good.
Appalachian Groundswell is a stream mitigation company that preserves, enhances, establishes and restores the streams and wetlands of Kentucky’s eastern coalfields. Although our mitigation techniques apply to all waters in the United States, we are focusing on the watersheds of Eastern Kentucky because it is our home, and our streams have suffered the consequences of heavy industry for over a century and are among the most impaired waterways in the state.
Appalachian Groundswell plans not only to restore streams in Central Appalachia but also to jump-start an industry based on mitigation and reclamation of the environment. Our corporate headquarters in Whitesburg, KY is working to diversify an economy dominated by a century of mineral extraction.
By restoring streams, we plan to start the process to heal the environment, as well as create sustainable jobs for the region.
Our Team
James Stapleton
Stream/Wetland Mitigation Director
James is an Environmental Scientist with 20 years of field experience in aquatic biology, fluvial geomorphology and stream restoration with an emphasis on watershed assessment, monitoring and management. James has worked in 15 states assessing and monitoring issues that affect the physical and biological conditions of stream health and function.
His goal is to provide protection for pristine streams and to restore the dimension, pattern and profile of streams that have been adversely affected by anthropogenic impacts. Since 1999, James has provided technical consulting for hundreds of stream projects involving the private sector, as well as state and federal agencies. Throughout his professional career, James has worked to provide quantitative analysis to facilitate natural stream design in a wide variety of river and valley types.
Valerie Horn
Community Engagement
Valerie Horn is a community leader who works with the Cowan Community Action Group, Whitesburg Farmers Market and Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises Inc. (CANE Kitchen) to grow a healthier community. Valerie believes ailing communities have the power to heal from within. As Chair of the City of Whitesburg Farmers Market, she has developed partnerships that have resulted in a Farmers Market with nationally recognized incentive programs including a fruit/vegetable prescription program, a USDA SFSP and University of Kentucky research project. Valerie is a retired school counselor and now does community development and is a partner in Appalachian Groundswell.
Bill Precious
Sales
Bill has spent the past 30 years working for in the finance/investment arena for a variety of institutions including large national banks and brokerage firms and has spent the past 9 years in the surety bond business. Bill specializes in working with coal clients and large real estate developers in creating surety solutions and understands the mitigation landscape as it pertains to these industries.
Brook Smith
Managing Partner
Brook Smith is an entrepreneur, contemporary art collector, and philanthropist who catalyzes and supports community capacity building. He is president of Smith Manus, a leading provider of surety bonds on behalf of numerous industries throughout the United States and Canada. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Brook has long supported creative and artistic projects locally and nationally.
A passionate advocate for the people and natural environment of Appalachia, Brook and his wife Pam founded the Appalachian Impact Fund to support economic transition and community investment in Eastern Kentucky that is directed by the local community. AIF gives grants to nonprofit partners active in the region and funds downtown revitalization and housing projects.
