Dunlap resident Jeff Burgin already was a SMART guy. Now he has a special award for his volunteer work representing the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
The Union Sportsmen's Alliance recently honored Burgin as its 2019 SMART conservation steward of the year for his role in the major renovations to the Wolftever Creek boat ramp in Harrison. That was a USA Work Boots on the Ground project improving access to Chickamauga Lake.
Burgin, SMART Local 5's Chattanooga-area business representative, was a leader in the work that included a 104-foot-long, handicap-accessible floating pier and the restoration of a fishing pier next to the boat-launch area. UAW Local 42, IBEW Local 175 and Iron Workers Local 704 provided volunteer labor along with Burgin's local.
"Jeff was crucial to the Wolftever Creek fishing access project," USA conservation manager Rob Stroede said in an Alliance release. "He, along with the apprentices that he leads, donated their time on multiple weekends to see the restoration through to the end. Without his assistance and leadership, the project would have been difficult to complete. Now the renovated pier provides better access to the thousands of anglers and boaters who utilize the boat ramp, as well as to the many anglers who fish from the pier."
Burgin said his work was a labor of love.
"After hearing Stroede speak about the upcoming project and the USA's Work Boots on the Ground program at a Chattanooga Area Labor Council meeting, I was hooked and told him that we wanted to help," Burgin said in the release. "The USA is spot-on with their efforts to provide union labor with an outlet to serve their communities with meaningful conservation projects that positively impact the environment.
"I'm thankful to serve and look forward to working with the USA again in the future."