MountainTrue

ICYMI: Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC blogs ? Development Project Evaluation Guide: https://bit.ly/3CBXITE ? Unnecessary Parking Makes Homes More Expensive: https://bit.ly/3AKHBCW

MountainTrue is partnering with Thrive Asheville and other partners to host a program called Mold Matters next Monday, November 25 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This program invites you to learn about the health risks associated with mold after flooding and provides guidance and options for how to remediate mold risks in a home. Information on accessing mold kits will also be provided to assist with ongoing monitoring and prevention. RSVP to attend in person or RSVP to attend virtually: https://lnkd.in/ge8VM_E5

Join us at the 2024 Asheville Holiday Jamboree tomorrow! ??? 11am - 5pm in Pack Square Park ? We need volunteers to engage with folks and hand out native seed packets! Sign up for a volunteer shift: https://lnkd.in/d8qA-Bh3

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