Protect Public Lands in Cherokee County: Public Lands Are For The People – Not Private Developers

About the issue

On April 21, 2025, the Cherokee County Commissioners unanimously adopted a Petition for Redress of Grievances to the US Government that states in part: “Lakefront land should be made available for private and commercial development such as private homes and commercial development to enhance the property tax base of Cherokee County and to support revenue generation for the benefit of the citizens of the county.”

The “lakefront land” to which the petition refers is comprised of hundreds of acres, including popular hunting areas and beloved recreation areas like Cherokee Lake, Hanging Dog, and Panther Top, just to name a few.

Privatizing the national forest around Lake Hiwassee would be a devastating loss for the people of Cherokee County. These public lands belong to all of us — they’re where we hunt, fish, hike, and make memories with our families. Selling them off to developers or out-of-state investors threatens our way of life and turns shared treasures into exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy. Once this land is gone, we’ll never get it back.

MountainTrue is opposed to the sale of public lands, particularly for the purpose of private development.

We recognize the need for better access to public lands and more developed recreation facilities in Cherokee County, including a campground on Hiwassee Lake. We are willing to advocate for this, as well as for development of a state park, as long as public lands are not relinquished in the process.

Get involved:

The next Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting is set for Tuesday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to speak, you must arrive early and sign up in advance.

To receive future updates from MountainTrue on this project and other local happenings, click here to sign up for communications from MountainTrue.

Comment from MountainTrue member and former Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition board chair, Jason Chambers:

“To my friends in Cherokee County, NC, including deer hunters, bear hunters, coon hunters, fishermen, hikers, and anyone who enjoys our National Forest Land. In case you weren’t aware, our local commissioners signed a petition stating their desire to sell the National Forest land surrounding Lake Hiwassee. It would be sold not to you and me, but to rich developers.

We cannot let this happen. If the rich get a single inch of the land we all own, they will take a mile. Soon, it will only be the rich who will be able to hunt and fish because they will own all the land.

If you think I’m being silly, read the paragraph below. The big beautiful bill you’re hearing about in the news contains a provision you may not know about. And yes, North Carolina is not on the list of states affected, but if this happens, it will set a precedent and we will be next.

‘According to a budget blueprint released Wednesday evening by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the federal government would be required to sell off between 2.2 and 3.3 million acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service over the next five years… The 11 states that would be affected by the proposal are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.’

So please tell your friends, call your congressman, representatives, commissioners, whoever. But make your voice heard. Tell whoever will listen that our public lands are Not. For. Sale.“

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Local Hiwassee Lake Popular Recreation Areas/Beloved Places

Cherokee Lake/Persimmon Creek Dam

Popular among locals for fishing in Cherokee Lake and Hiwassee Lake on both sides of the dam, camping on the shores, swimming and paddling in both Hiwassee Lake and Cherokee Lake, and hunting in adjacent USFS-owned land. Picnic area at Cherokee Lake is also heavily used.

Hiwassee Dam Recreation Area

Local swimming, fishing, and picnics at the pavilion on Hiwassee Dam Access Road at the dam.

Mickens Branch Boating Access

A WRC-managed boating access and some primitive camping sites managed by TVA. Located just before Hiwassee Dam on the access road.

Alabama Rock

A popular local swimming hole off Joe Brown Highway.

Shooks Marina

Locally run marina business off Joe Brown Highway offering boat rentals and slips, gas and supplies, and used by locals as a fishing access.

Dukes Hideaway Marina

Locally run marina business off Joe Brown Highway offering boat and slip rentals, gas, fishing, swimming, and a mini store.

Grape Creek Boating Access

Off Joe Brown Highway, WRC-managed boating access.

Shoal Creek Falls

Waterfall within short hiking distance of Hawassee Lake on Talking Trees Road.

Panther Top and Seed Orchard

Large expanse of USFS land bordering Hiwassee Lake and Nottely River, popular with locals for hiking, hunting, and other forest activities. Some primitive camping along the Forest Service roads in more remote areas adjacent to Hiwassee Lake. Panther Top Fire Tower is open in the fall for views of fall foliage and is very popular.

Hanging Dog Recreation Area

Once a campground run by the USFS, now a recreation area with hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, and two boat ramps – one for low water access and the other for higher water access. Picnic pavilion, swimming, a WRC fishing pier, and bank fishing are also popular with locals.

Payne Street and the “Backwaters”

Payne Street has full pool boating access in town, and the road follows the lake/river bank past the boat ramp. A local fishing favorite due to access to the fluctuating backwaters as the lake levels rise and fall, and its tendency to congregate game fish.

Hiwassee Street Boating Access

Just across from Murphy Fire Department in the downtown area is a high water boating access that gives year-round boating access to paddlers and summer access to motorized boats.

Murphy Riverwalk and Canoe Trail

Run by Heritage Partners and the Town of Murphy, this greenway system follows the Hiwassee and Valley Rivers and offers canoe and kayak access in several areas along with boardwalks and the locally popular “Leech Place” from Cherokee Folklore. Used by locals for walking, fishing, boating access, and education. The greenway goes through a large portion of Downtown Murphy and has several access points along its four-mile length from Murphy High School to Konehete Park and on to the L&N Depot.

Recent News

Read more about the issue in this article, published July 22 by News Channel 9.

Click here

More info & important insight

Read relevant news articles published in the Cherokee Scout.

Click here

View the map

View a map of the Tusquitee Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest

Click here

View Photos

Big News: MountainTrue Launches Major River Cleanup Effort Across WNC

Dear MountainTrue Members & Friends,

We’re thrilled to share a major milestone in our region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the largest river cleanup efforts Western North Carolina has ever seen. Backed by $10 million in state funding through the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), this program will put people back to work, restore our rivers, and bring our communities together.

This is more than a cleanup—it’s a recovery effort grounded in our core values: clean water, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities.

About the Program

After Helene, federal aid helped address major rivers and large debris, but smaller streams and tributaries were left behind — still clogged with trash, broken infrastructure, and storm debris. That’s where we come in.

Over the next year and a half, MountainTrue will:

Deploy paid cleanup crews across Western North Carolina
Remove debris from rivers and streams across our region
Continue to grow our network of volunteers
Work directly with landowners to access and restore hard-to-reach areas

In our pilot phase alone, our staff and volunteers have already removed nearly 3 million pounds of debris. This new program lets us scale that success across 26 counties and the Qualla Boundary.

How You Can Get Involved

Apply for a job: We’re hiring! Visit cleanupwncrivers.com for good, steady work with real impact.
Volunteer: Check out our volunteer events to lend a hand. To organize a cleanup day with your church, hiking club, or civic group, contact cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org
Landowner? If you own riverfront property, we may be able to help clean it up — at no cost to you. Contact us at cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org
Donate: Your support helps us go further, reach more places, and restore rivers faster. Every gift matters.

Why This Matters

It’s creating jobs for people displaced by the storm.
It’s protecting water quality and public safety.
It’s helping revive WNC’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy.
And it shows what’s possible when communities come together.

This is a proud moment for MountainTrue—and a powerful example of what we can achieve with your support. In the weeks ahead, we’ll share more ways you can help spread the word, volunteer, and celebrate the impact we’re making together.

Thank you for being part of this important work. You make all of this possible.

With gratitude,

Bob Wagner, MountainTrue Executive Director

MountainTrue’s Helene Cleanup Crews: FAQ

MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup Program

After Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is leading a monumental effort to help Western North Carolina recover and return to being a thriving economy — by cleaning up the rivers, putting people back to work, and bringing communities together.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the biggest river cleanups the region has ever seen. This effort is creating good, steady jobs for people who were displaced by the storm and it’s giving thousands of volunteers a chance to make a real difference in their own backyards.

Clean rivers mean healthier communities, safer neighborhoods, a better environment and a stronger outdoor recreation economy – no one is better equipped to lead this work than MountainTrue. We’re the only grassroots environmental group that serves all of WNC and we’ve already proven this model works. In our pilot program, we removed more than 3 million pounds of trash and debris from local rivers and streams.

With your help, we can accelerate this effort and make sure our rivers—and our region—come back stronger than ever.

What is the program?

MountainTrue is partnering with the NC Department of Environmental Quality to lead a major river debris cleanup effort across Western North Carolina.
The program is funded by $10 million in state recovery funds allocated after Hurricane Helene.

Why is this needed?

Hurricane Helene left significant debris in smaller rivers and tributaries—many of which federal programs like FEMA couldn’t fully address.
Debris increases flood risk, harms water quality, and threatens our recreation and tourism economy.

What will MountainTrue do?

Over the next 18 months, we’ll deploy paid cleanup crews and volunteers to restore more than 150 miles of rivers and streams.
We’re also working with landowners to gain access to hard-to-reach areas and offering free cleanups of affected riverfront property.

What impact will this have?

We’re creating jobs for people displaced by Helene.
We’re protecting clean water, improving public safety, and supporting the recovery of local economies that rely on river-based recreation.
So far, we’ve already removed nearly 3 million pounds of debris through our pilot efforts.

How can people get involved?

Volunteer – we’re hosting river cleanups across WNC. If you’d like to volunteer with us, find an upcoming cleanup on our events calendar – advance registration is preferred and greatly appreciated!
Join the cleanup crew – click the button below to apply for a position in one of our cleanup crews.

Join the cleanup crew - apply here

More info:

What happens to the trash & storm debris collected from cleanup sites?

All debris and trash are removed by MountainTrue as quickly as possible. At times, we may make piles of trash over several days. We will remove everything we have collected before moving to a new site. We follow county guidelines when disposing of the trash we’ve collected from waterways. When possible, we make every effort to recycle or repurpose what we pick up. If our crews find important items in the storm debris, we also work to identify and return lost items to their owners.

Other ways to support this program:

Donate to our MountainStrong Recovery & Resilience Fund, sign up to volunteer with us, and support your WNC Riverkeepers! You can follow MountainTrue and our four Riverkeepers on Facebook & Instagram:

MountainTrue: Instagram & Facebook
Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell: Instagram & Facebook
French Broad Riverkeeper Anna Alsobrook: Instagram & Facebook
Green Riverkeeper Erica Shanks: Instagram & Facebook
Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill: Instagram & Facebook

MountainTrue Cleanup Crew

Various locations in WNC

Apply Now

Join the MountainTrue Cleanup Crew

Good, honest work — for our rivers and our communities.

After Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is leading a monumental effort to help Western North Carolina recover and return to being a thriving economy — by cleaning up the rivers, putting people back to work, and bringing communities together.

MountainTrue is partnering with the State of North Carolina to launch one of the biggest river cleanups the region has ever seen. This effort is creating good, steady jobs for people who were displaced by the storm and it’s giving thousands of volunteers a chance to make a real difference in their own backyards.

The Job

Paid, part-time and full-time positions available
Work outdoors removing storm debris from rivers and streams
Clean up sites in Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, Mitchell, Yancey, Watauga, and more
Training and safety equipment provided
Positions available through December 2026

We’re especially looking for people who:

Lost work due to Hurricane Helene
Have experience in hospitality, outdoor rec, or hands-on labor
Want to get back to work doing something that matters

What you’ll need:

A strong work ethic and ability to work on a team
Comfort working outside in various weather conditions
Ability to lift at least 40 lbs
Transportation to job sites (we may be able to help)

Apply Today

Join a crew that’s restoring our rivers, one stream at a time. Fill out the quick application below, and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Apply Now

Questions?

Reach out to us at cleanupprogram@mountaintrue.org.

Let’s bring our rivers—and our region—back stronger than ever.

Take Action: Tell DEQ to Enforce Its Own Rules

31 Tips for Plastic-Free July

31 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution for Plastic-Free July

Carry reusable shopping bags

Bring containers to a restaurant with you for leftovers.

Compost waste scraps

Bring your own reusable utensils / at food trucks or takeout, refuse bags, plastic cutlery, and condiment pouches.

BYO coffee cup

Participate in a river or roadside cleanup

Avoid individually wrapped items

Replace beauty/hygiene products with natural alternatives like bamboo or cotton

BYO water bottle.

Opt for produce not wrapped in plastic, or shop from a farmers’ market.

Avoid plastic condiment packets

Shop from the bulk bins, and bring your own containers or bags.

Avoid straws.

Choose products with no or minimal plastic packaging.

Try bar soap or shampoo.

Choose glass or metal food storage containers

Line trash cans with paper or compostable bags

Avoid synthetic fibers

Try toothpaste tablets

Repair something instead of replacing it.

Use washcloths instead of sponges or loofahs.

Advocate for policy change

Shop refill stores when and where you can.

Make DIY cleaning products with vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

Use laundry sheets and dryer balls.

Make your own salad dressing or buy condiments and dressings in glass.

Use beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap

Use reusable bags and jars instead of plastic baggies

Avoid disposable razors

Use powder or plastic-free dishwasher and laundry detergent

Audit your own plastic use.

Extra tips:

Buy bulk mulch vs. bagged.

Bring your own produce bags to the store, instead of using the single-use plastic ones offered.

MT Raleigh Report: NC General Assembly Wraps Up for Summer – With Key Wins for WNC Disaster Recovery

June 30, 2025

Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up what is expected to be the bulk of its work for the 2025 legislative session — with one major exception. Here’s a look at what lawmakers accomplished, what remains unresolved, and how MountainTrue’s advocacy made a difference for Western North Carolina and the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Progress on Disaster Recovery for WNC

Despite failing to pass a full state budget (more on that below), House and Senate leaders came together at the last minute to approve nearly $500 million in disaster relief funding — including several items MountainTrue directly advocated for and supported:

$10 million to repair, modify, or remove dams damaged by Hurricane Helene
$3 million for landslide hazard mapping in Western North Carolina
$15 million for the NC Forest Service to strengthen wildfire preparedness, including equipment and contract services
$16 million for the Town of Canton, including:
- $2 million in emergency operating support to maintain wastewater treatment services
- $14 million for acquisition and development of a new regional wastewater treatment facility outside the floodplain — a major step forward for long-term resilience and environmental protection

These critical investments represent real progress for our region and reflect the strength of your support and our collective advocacy efforts.

Budget Impasse Continues

Unfortunately, the General Assembly adjourned without approving a new state budget. At the heart of the deadlock: a bitter standoff between House and Senate Republicans over tax policy.

House Republicans want to freeze previously approved tax cuts that are just now taking effect, citing warnings from nonpartisan economists about future budget shortfalls.
Senate Republicans dismiss those concerns and are pushing to accelerate the cuts.

Until this impasse is resolved, negotiations over the rest of the $32 billion state budget — including funding for schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental protection — remain on hold.

What’s Next

The legislature is expected to take most of the summer off, returning sporadically until one side gives ground. In the meantime, MountainTrue’s advocacy team will be ready, continuing to push for smart investments and policies that protect our rivers, forests, and mountain communities.

We couldn’t do this work without you — thank you for standing with us.

Resilient Forests Organizer

Western North Carolina

Apply Now

Position Summary

MountainTrue is seeking a Resilient Forests Organizer. This is a full-time position (40hrs/week) based in western North Carolina that reports to the Organizing Manager. They are tasked with:

60% – Organizing, advocacy, and outreach to engage the public to address threats and seek opportunities to protect, invest in, and better steward local, state, and federal public lands in the region.

40% – Manage volunteers to steward public lands and build a sense of ownership and appreciation for our public lands through activities such as non-native species control, ecological restoration, and monitoring and maintenance of trail and road infrastructure on public lands.

Key Responsibilities

Work with the Resilient Forests Program Director, Organizing Manager, Deputy Directors, Regional Directors, and partner organizations to organize the public around campaigns to protect public lands from exploitation.
Support the Resilient Forests Program Director, the Organizing Manager, and Regional Directors to organize MountainTrue members and the general public to steward public lands by controlling invasive species, maintaining trails, monitoring road conditions, and helping to accomplish ecological restoration projects.
Educate the public about their rights and responsibilities through curricula, blog posts, social media, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces related to public lands.

Qualifications

Organizing Experience: Proven experience working with communities on issue campaigns through on-the-ground grassroots organizing and online mobilization.

Project Leadership: Experience in planning, leading, and managing projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior managers.

Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences.

Collaboration: Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives.

Relationship Building: Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers, across different levels of the organization and externally. Proven ability to establish strong relationships with community members.

Additional Qualifications: Required

Familiarity with Western North Carolina and the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Demonstrated excellence in organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Proficiency and comfort with public speaking.
Experience and ability to work outdoors, including in steep terrain and inclement weather.
Willingness to learn new skills and grow.

Additional Preferred Experience

Experience with online advocacy tools or CRMs such as EveryAction, Bonterra, Action Network, Salsa Labs, Blue State Digital, or Nationbuilder
Proficiency in basic computer applications and software
Fundraising experience
Project management tools such as Asana, Monday, or Zoho
Leading groups in outdoor settings
Knowledge of public lands and local conservation issues
Knowledge of local flora, fauna, and ecology
Experience with wilderness first aid

Location & Travel

This position is based in Western North Carolina. This position utilizes frequent virtual meetings and phone calls. Travel costs are covered by the organization.

Compensation

$50,000 annual salary. The benefits package includes 20 vacation days per year, 12 holidays, sick leave, a sabbatical after five years, health insurance, and a simple IRA with an employer contribution of up to 3%. MountainTrue provides continuing education and professional development support.

How to apply

Email resume, cover letter, and three references to Organizing Manager Linda Tatsapaugh at linda@mountaintrue.org.

In your cover letter, describe your role in a past grassroots campaign and what you learned from the experience. Also, name your favorite protected species (flora or fauna) and why.

Application deadline: Sunday, July 20, 2025

MountainTrue values and respects all types of diversity and strongly encourages applicants from traditionally marginalized groups to apply. We prohibit discrimination and harassment and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to, and not limited to, ethnicity, religion, race, national origin, abilities, gender identity, age or genetic information. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting those from minority and disadvantaged groups.

Take Action: Protect Lake Chatuge Shoreline Wetlands

Photo: Wetlands around the shore of Lake Chatuge would be permanently impacted by a proposed new development.

One of our Swim Guide volunteers was wearing a t-shirt yesterday that said “Lake Chatuge is my happy place.” I’m sure many of you share that sentiment, especially given the number of comments submitted recently on the spillway repair project.

We need your help today to protect Lake Chatuge in a different way. A new residential development is being proposed off of Elf School Road in Clay County, NC. If it gets permitted as planned, the project will permanently alter the way water flows and is filtered before entering Lake Chatuge and wipe out more than 60% of the existing wetlands. Agencies are requesting public comments on this project by Friday, June 27.

Will you take action now to protect Lake Chatuge’s water quality & wildlife habitat?

Take Action

There are two parcels involved in the development on either side of the road, one of which is upland that is currently forested with moderately steep slopes; the other is lowland on the Lake Chatuge shoreline. At the heart of the lowlands is approximately 0.36 acres of stream and 0.26 acres of wetlands. Developers propose to build a dam below the uppermost part of the wetlands to create a water feature and permanently destroy 0.16 acres — 61.5% of the total amount of wetlands on the parcel. Construction of 39 housing units in the small watershed of the intermittent stream would likely significantly degrade the remaining wetlands as well.

Wetlands sustain a large number of plant and animal species, some of which are only found there. They can improve water quality; reduce erosion and flooding; and moderate the effects of warming water temperatures. They can also be beautiful places for people to enjoy the outdoors. Hundreds of acres of wetlands have been lost to development projects just like this one over the years. While MountainTrue is generally not opposed to development and we recognize the critical need for more homes in Clay County, we want to conserve the remaining wetlands we have, especially along lake shorelines where they help to improve water quality.

Please ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NC Division of Water Resources to protect the existing wetlands and water quality in Lake Chatuge during this permitting process. We can’t afford to lose any more! Be sure to submit your comments before Friday, June 27.

Take Action

Thank you for helping protect Lake Chatuge and the streams and wetlands around it.

Take Action: Tell NC Senate to Keep Funding for Dam Removal in HB1012 – Disaster Recovery Part II

Photo: American Rivers, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, MountainTrue, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the National Park Service (NPS) came together to remove an earthen dam from Cranberry Creek Preserve in the New River watershed this May.

Tell NC Senate: Let’s Keep the Momentum for Dam Removal

We’re grateful to members of the North Carolina House for including funding for dam removal in HB1012. Now it’s up to the Senate to support this investment to help keep our communities safer, restore rivers, and support local jobs and economies.

Take Action

When Hurricane Helene struck, 41 dams failed or were severely damaged, putting homes, roads, and lives at risk. Hundreds more outdated, unmaintained dams remain across the state—each one a potential hazard.

We’ve already seen the power of dam removal in action. The Shulls Mill Dam, removed in 2024 with state support, helped prevent infrastructure damage during Helene flooding on the Watauga River. Just downstream, the Wards Mill Dam removal protected neighbors and opened up miles of habitat for native species.

Let’s build on that success.

Take a moment to tell Senators to prioritize dam removal funding to continue supporting this life-saving, river-restoring work.