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Suite 61029 N Market StreetAsheville NC 28801
Phone: (828) 258-8737Fax: (828) 258-9141
www.wnca.org
Western Office: 16 Stewart StreetFranklin NC 28734
Phone: (828) 524-3899Fax: (828) 349-1549
Join WNCA Now! Membership levels:
___$30 Individual ___$50 Household___$60 Supporting/Business___$100 Sponsoring
MAJOR DONOR:___$250___$500___$1000$_____Other Amount
Clip and mail to: WNCA, Suite 610, 29 N. Market St, Asheville, NC 28801
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Asheville, NC
www.wnca.org
I’d like to givethrough: ☐ Gift of Stock☐ Vehicle Donation☐ Scheduled givingvia credit card
STAFFJulie Mayfield, Executive DirectorBob Gale, EcologistErica Palmer, Community Outreach ManagerHartwell Carson, French Broad RiverkeeperLori Wilkins, AmeriCorps Project Conserve Outings and Education CoordinatorAklea Althoff, Outreach Volunteer
STEERING COMMITTEELinda Tatsapaugh, ChairTim Malone, First Vice-ChairEdward Pritchett, Second Vice-ChairGreg Kidd, Secretary Matt Raker, Treasurer Teresa Buckwalter, Watauga River Conservation PartnersBill Crawford, Macon County ChapterNorma Ivey, Macon County At-LargeJulie Lehman, Buncombe County At-LargeTom Lowe, Haywood Community AllianceCallie Moore, Clay County At-LargeStan Schnitzer, Buncombe County At-LargeRobin Smith, Yancey County At-LargeJulie White, Forest Task ForceEric Zentino, Buncombe County At-Large
2011 MAJOR SUPPORTERSZ. Smith Reynolds Foundation
March 24Waste Water Treatment Facility Tour
April 16Earth Day Fair
April 17Hike with a FunGuy!
May 5 Intro to Birding
June 11-19Save the French Broad Paddle Trip
●CHAPTER MEETINGS●Buncombe County ChapterThird Tuesday of each month6:30 pm at the main officeContact (828) 231-1926;[email protected]
Haywood Community AllianceContact (828) 258-8737; [email protected]
Macon County ChapterContact (828) 524-2280; [email protected]
Save Madison ChapterContact (828) 778-1286; [email protected]
Watauga River Conservation Partners (Avery, Ashe, and Watauga Counties)Contact (828) 264-3061; [email protected]
Tusquittee Chapter (Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties)Contact (828) 835-8473;[email protected]
Tuckaseegee Community Alliance (Jackson County)Contact (828) 506-9163; [email protected]
A Swain County Chapter is forming! Contact (828) 777-4683; [email protected] if you are interested in joining!
●TASK FORCES●Forest Task ForceLast Tuesday of every month 4:00 pm at the main officeContact Bob (828) 258-8737;[email protected]
Public Parks Task ForceContact Bob at (828) 258-8737; [email protected]
●COMMITTEE MEETINGS●Steering Committee3rd Tuesday of every other month Contact Julie at (828) 258-8737; [email protected]
Save the Date!
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Join us for environmental discussions every Wednesday at 6:30; Posana Cafe
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For more information, contact [email protected] or (828) 258-8737
Even as Western North Carolinians continue to battle winter, it won’t be long before the ground thaws and many of us will once again be making our way to local rivers to swim, boat, fish and otherwise enjoy the scenic beauty of our mountain streams. As we wade into them, however, we’ll confront the harsh reality that some of our favorite swimming holes and waterways are overrun with bacteria, such as E. coli and fecal coliform.
Bacterial pollution is prevalent throughout the French Broad River watershed, but it’s largely unmonitored and therefore unresolved. This poses significant health concerns, because while nothing makes people happier than a nice refreshing dip in the river on a hot day, bacteria can make people sick, causing vomiting and fever. They can also rob the stream of critical amounts of oxygen, killing fish and other aquatic life.
For this reason, the Western North Carolina Alliance and the French Broad Riverkeeper have launched the "Get the Poop Out" campaign. This comprehensive effort aims to reduce bacterial pollution in our streams via a three-pronged approach: conducting water-quality monitoring, identifying and trying to eliminate any pollution sources we find, and working with the state on improving stream classification to better protect human health.The first step involves volunteers taking samples from streams that are frequently used for swimming; we then analyze them to determine the amount of bacterial pollution. The goal isn’t simply pinpointing pollution hot spots but actually cleaning them up. It is clearly illegal to discharge sewage at levels that will contaminate a stream, and we intend to identify the sources of the problems we find and then work with all parties concerned to eliminate the pollution.
The first three rounds of sampling occurred on the Swannanoa River and its tributaries in December and January, when several volunteers braved the cold to take more than 100 samples between Black Mountain and the French Broad River. Most of these samples were free of E. coli, but several showed low levels and a few had very high levels.
Meanwhile, we’re also working with the Division of Water Quality to improve stream classification. Many streams used for swimming and other recreational purposes aren’t currently managed for those types of activity. This project will work to upgrade the state’s classification system to truly meet the Clean Water Act’s stated goal: to have all waters fishable and
swimmable.
But it all starts with our dedicated volunteers, and we invite you to help us achieve this key objective!The next round of sampling is slated for Monday, March 7 and Wednesdays, April 6 and 20. To help us get the poop out, RSVP to the French Broad Riverkeeper ([email protected] or 828-258-8737).●
Getting the Poop Out of the Swannanoa River
Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, Community Member Tim Malone, and a volunteer take water samples of the Swannanoa River.
Printed on 100% recycled paper
AccentIssue 89 Volume XXX Number 4 ● WINTER 2010-2011
Protecting Western North Carolina’s mountains, rivers, and forests
www.wnca.org
Globe Old Growth Protected From Logging
WNCA ● 2 WNCA ● 3
Save Madison Chapter• Met with officials from French Broad Electric
Management Cooperative about their plans for renewable energy, and gained information about power usage and management.
Macon Chapter• The Transition Town Group has been meeting
since December and completed its final study session February 14. Study groups are planned for Highlands and Scaly Mountain.
Watauga River Conservation Partners• Recently received $247,000 in EPA §319 funds
to prepare a management plan and implement best management practices in a sub watershed of the Watauga River.
Tuckasegee Community Alliance• In the wake of the recent election, TCA is
working with local groups to develop a stategy to keep in place the county’s progressive land use regulations.
Tusquitee Chapter• The long fight over the Clay Shooting Range
has resulted in the decision being retracted and sent back to the drawing board.
Forest Task Force• Participated in a collaborative partnership with
the Grandfather Ranger District, Nature Conservancy, WildLaw and others, to pursue funding for ecological restoration in the District, including invasive plant control in the Wilson Creek National Wild and Scenic Corridor
Public Parks Task Force• Working with Chimney Rock State Park to
inventory invasive plants.
By Bob Gale
By Julie Mayfield
From the Executive Director2011 Save the French Broad Paddle Trip
By Hartwell Carson
the North and West Forks of the French Broad River and wind through farmland under a canopy of trees before widening to reveal the stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. The river cuts through the Biltmore Estate, and paddlers will catch a unique view of the majestic house.
We also hope to have an afternoon to explore the Biltmore Estate grounds. Just past the Biltmore Estate, the river flows through the city of Asheville before beginning a slow tumble into its whitewater section. Mountains and cliffs rise straight from the water’s edge as the river dissects Pisgah National Forest. Finally, a series of class II, III, and IV rapids rumble their way into Hot Springs, just a few miles from the border of Tennessee.
Camping has been arranged for each night of the trip, providing a rare opportunity to canoe down and sleep next to the entire French Broad River in North Carolina. There will also be multiple evening events with Sweetwater Brewery, you can catch your fill of small mouth bass, and you will enjoy the company of other paddlers on the river and around the fire. ●
Register now at www.savethefrenchbroad.com
Space will fill up fast!
The Muddy Water Watch program is designed to monitor and reduce sediment pollution in area waterways. The program has trained over 700 volunteers around the state to focus primarily on sediment pollution from construction sites on private lands, but we are now working with the Forest Service in targeted areas to train volunteers, and to monitor and document problem areas associated with eroding roads, culverts, all terrain vehicle (ATV) areas, and logging operations.
With its trained volunteers, Muddy Water Watch will greatly expand the ability of the Forest Service to identify erosion control concerns, document those concerns, and address areas in need of improvements.Volunteer trainings will happen this spring, so contact the French Broad Riverkeeper ([email protected]; 828-258-8737) for more information. ●
Happy Spring everyone! As we welcome the warm breezes, wildflowers, and bright green growth on trees, let me also extend a warm welcome to WNCA’s newest staffer, Erica Palmer. Erica is our new community outreach manager and is in charge of chapters, communications, and our membership database. Erica is a WNC native, has a master’s degree in political science from Appalachian State, and comes to us with environmental organizing and political campaign fundraising experience. Please join me in welcoming Erica to your community!
Welcome also to our new steering committee members. From the far west, we welcome Callie Moore, Executive Director of the Hiawassee River Watershed Coalition, and Norma Ivey, WNCA’s longtime organizer both in Asheville and Franklin. From the middle of our region, we welcome Julie Lehman, a fundraiser with Warren Wilson College; Robin Smith with the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters; and Eric Zenteno with Apex Construction. And from the north, we welcome Teresa Buckwalter, representing the Watauga River Conservation Partners. Welcome also to our new chair, Linda Tatsapaugh, and many thanks to outgoing chair, Phillip Gibson.
This promises to be an exciting year at WNCA, as we are undertaking several important initiatives. First, we are doing an in-depth analysis of our chapter structure to identify how we can strengthen that all-important aspect of our grassroots work. Next, we are investing in both fundraising and communications expertise to help us make a big jump to the next level of outreach and effectiveness. Finally, we are putting some resources into professionalizing our office spaces to better serve our staff, volunteers, and programs. Stay tuned to Accent and e-Accent for more information on these projects.
Finally, a word about the new North Carolina General Assembly. Though the session is young, we are already seeing evidence that many of those in the majority party are not favorably inclined toward environmental regulations aimed at protecting human health and environmental quality. We must be vigilant to maintain the protections we have in place, and I urge you to bookmark our legislative page and go there for weekly updates and action opportunities. Join us in raising our collective voices to protect the natural environmental treasures of this region. ●
WNCA Forest Task Force members have reached an agreement over the Globe Timber project in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, six years after the project was first announced. Major issues were that the logging would be visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the town of Blowing Rock; it would result in the cutting of 300 year-old trees; and several miles of permanent and temporary logging roads would be cut through the forest.
Over 1800 comments were received from citizens, the vast majority in opposition to the project, and the issue spawned an effort to push for National Scenic Area designation for the area, due to its proximity to Grandfather Mountain, Moses Cone Park, and Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.
The old growth trees were originally delineated in the WNCA Old Growth study for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. Whenever a proposed timber sale has involved areas identified in the study, WNCA’s Forest Task Force has gone to the mat to protect them, and we did so here, as well. WNCA coordinated data gathering on the site using CVS (Carolina Vegetation Survey) protocols. This intensive method was developed by scientists at major universities from the Carolinas and lent scientific credibility to our old growth field data.
Survey funding was provided by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, and FTF members conducted the field work.
The Task Force’s inventory and its perseverance through numerous meetings with the Forest Service finally paid off, even though the project is going forward. The old growth community will be protected from timbering, modifications were made to reduce visibility of the project, no new permanent roads will be built, and only a half mile of temporary roads will now be constructed. Thanks are due to all WNCA members and forest watch allies who have worked to bring this agreement about and to the Forest Service officials who ultimately listened to public concerns. ●
www.wnca.org
Protecting Western North Carolina’s mountains, rivers, and forests
Chapter News
Sign up today for our Muddy Water Watch training to help monitor and document sediment-filled
waterways in your community!
WNCA ecologist Bob Gale and Executive Director of the Asheville Design Center Chris Joyell stand among old growth
trees of the Globe Timber project.
Muddy Water Watch Training
This year, the paddle will start at the confluence of
By Hartwell Carson
We would like to recognize and thank the New Morning Gallery in Biltmore Village for being a long time supporter of WNCA. New Morning Gallery owner John Cram says that preserving the natural beauty of Western North Carolina is important, and taking that extra step to help out local environmental nonprofits is one way he contributes to that effort.
The gallery, which displays various types of American crafts and functional wear, also goes the extra mile to recycle waste. The gallery is located within a business district that does not pick up recycling, but at the urging of the gallery employees, now all recyclables are taken to a nearby recycling center. Thanks John and the New Morning Gallery for 16 years of support for WNCA and the natural environment of Western North Carolina! ●
Business Member Profile
New Morning GalleryOwner John Cram
7 Boston WayAsheville, NC 28803-2681
(828) 274-2831
WNCA Member since 1995
By Elle Henderson
