MountainTrue

AVL folks: the City of Asheville is offering free lead test kits for city water customers. If you'd like a test kit, request one here: https://lnkd.in/eVx6meiw

Protect the Broad River Basin: comment on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan for the future of our rivers, lakes, & streams?? Now is your chance to make your voice heard and help influence our Department of Environmental Quality in planning for a healthy Broad River Watershed. The 2024 Broad River Basin Plan is being developed for the Broad River Basin by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR). DWR wants to hear from you - take action here: https://lnkd.in/etNx2JHY

Take Action! Protect the Nolichucky River - urge CSX to rebuild responsibly without damaging public lands: https://lnkd.in/ep-Pzncj Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, CSX is rebuilding its railroad through the Nolichucky Gorge, but their methods are causing irreparable harm to this ecologically rich and economically vital river. Instead of hauling in necessary materials, CSX is mining rock directly from the Nolichucky riverbed—a choice that threatens wildlife habitat, water quality, and the thriving outdoor recreation industry that East Tennessee and Western North Carolina communities rely on. Act now to protect the Nolichucky River!

MountainTrue continues to survey the impact of Hurricane Helene on the French Broad River and its tributaries. We recently received another batch of test results back from the lab and we believe the news is overwhelmingly good. Here are the latest results from Cane Creek in Fletcher, the French Broad River in Hot Springs, French Broad River in Marshall, the French Broad River in Asheville, and Hominy Creek at Hominy Creek Greenway: Out of ~185 chemical pollutants that we tested for, we found almost none of the pollutants present in any of our samples. The only pollutants we found in these latest samples were metals. Each sample contained some level of metals, but the vast majority of the metals consisted of more benign metals such as iron, manganese, zinc, strontium, and aluminum. While some of these do have drinking water standards, for the most part, the levels we found in our samples were below those standards, and we were not testing drinking water. We did find lead, chromium, and mercury in our soil sample from Marshall. The levels of Chromium and Mercury were below the drinking water standard. The levels of lead were 28.9 mg/kg, which is below EPA's safe level for soil of 400 mg/kg. We believe this is good news for the quality of the water around the French Broad Watershed. We're still awaiting several more samples and we'll continue to take samples throughout the watershed, but are very encouraged with the pollution levels found so far in our waterways and river sediment.

We're hiring: River Clean-Up Coordinator based out of Asheville, NC?? This is a 6-month full-time contract position based in Asheville but will work across areas of Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. The position is focused on leading the clean-up of garbage and debris from our region’s rivers following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Our collective goal for the clean-up is to engage volunteers in restoring river health, paddler safety, and community pride, while also supporting our region’s outdoor recreation economy by helping renew our rivers’ accessibility and scenery for commercial outfitting and public use. While the position will be based in Asheville, the River Clean-Up Coordinator will work in all impacted watersheds (alongside MountainTrue’s Riverkeepers) including the French Broad, Watauga, Nolichucky, North and South Toe, Broad, Green, and others. Learn more + apply: https://lnkd.in/ez5iT4Np

?Support an Eviction Moratorium and Boost Housing Aid for Helene Survivors? Please join us in urging Governor Cooper to take immediate action to protect those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Many residents are facing eviction and displacement, and we need decisive action. By enacting an eviction moratorium and increasing housing funding, we can help vulnerable families stay in their homes and begin to rebuild. Take a moment to email the governor and ask for his support. Visit Neighbors For More Neighbors WNC's action page to learn more + make your voice heard: https://lnkd.in/eMYS5nfz

NC folks: it's election day! Have you voted yet? Get voting resources, find your voting location + more: https://lnkd.in/eA7GCiGX

NC folks: early voting ends tomorrow, November 2. Check out voting resources and important election dates: https://lnkd.in/eA7GCiGX

MountainTrue's Riverkeepers will continue to host river cleanups in the coming weeks. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date info (@mtntrue, @fbriverkeeper, @wataugariverkeeper). Upcoming cleanups: ?? Asheville, NC/Buncombe County: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Thursday, October 31. Learn more + register for the MountainTrue x RiverLink cleanup: https://lnkd.in/ejPYmH3j ?? Sugar Grove, NC/Watauga County: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Friday, November 1. Learn more + register: https://lnkd.in/eYzz4fTq

?Riverkeeper Fundraiser? Join Nantahala Outdoor Center at their annual Guest Appreciation Festival this weekend! NRS is generously sponsoring a raffle to win an NRS Slice, paddles and more! All proceeds benefit our MountainStrong Recovery Fund. Raffle is Friday and Saturday on the Nantahala River at NOC. Winner will be announced Saturday at 5pm. Enter the raffle: https://lnkd.in/e-dJM3vi