Sustainability for the French Broad River Runs Deep for Plēb Urban Winery

Asheville’s River Arts District continues to thrive, drawing in tourists who eagerly explore its offerings on weekends. Amidst the buzz of activity, Plēb Urban Winery stands as a beacon, nestled in the heart of the action just off the greenway and overlooking the scenic French Broad River. While their laid-back atmosphere might suggest a casual approach, behind the scenes, Plēb is dedicated to producing high-quality wines, setting themselves apart with their hands-on approach to winemaking.

Beyond crafting exceptional wines, Plēb distinguishes itself by cultivating its own grapes, harvesting them, and even stomping them the old-fashioned way — barefoot. This commitment to authenticity is matched by a deep-rooted focus on sustainability and inclusivity. Regardless of attire or background, everyone who walks through their doors is warmly welcomed.

Plēb’s dedication to sustainability extends to their grape cultivation practices. At their vineyard located just north of Asheville along the French Broad River, they employ organic methods and prioritize eco-friendly initiatives such as kegging most of their wine, which has significantly reduced their carbon footprint by saving over 8,000 glass bottles. Furthermore, Plēb actively supports organizations like MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper, contributing a portion of proceeds from a dedicated wine to help protect and preserve the river.

“We’re deeply committed to collaborating with MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper because, as farmers, safeguarding our waterways is paramount. Hailing from California, where water is revered due to its scarcity, I’ve developed a profound appreciation for its significance. In Western North Carolina and many other places, the downstream repercussions of water pollution are often overlooked while water quality is taken for granted; but this doesn’t mean that everyone mistreats or doesn’t appreciate local waterways. In my experience, once landowners and rural farmers grasp the importance of adopting sustainable practices, it becomes a shared priority. Supporting MountainTrue and Hartwell as the French Broad Riverkeeper was a natural choice for us. Situated along the river, our winery recognizes the urgent need to address pollution stemming from irresponsible farming practices. The alignment between the riverkeeper’s mission and ours is unmistakable, driving our unwavering commitment to their cause.”

-Chris Denesha, Plēb Co-Founder

Founded in 2017 by Chris Denesha and Lauren Turpin, Plēb embodies the essence of Asheville’s spirit, blending urban charm with countryside roots. Denesha oversees much of the winemaking process, tending to grapevines without synthetic chemicals and experimenting with hybrid cultivars alongside native varieties like catawba and muscadine. Their winemaking techniques combine classic strategies with innovative use of local materials, resulting in a diverse selection of wines that reflect the region’s terroir.

Plēb’s approach to winemaking redefines domestic wine, embracing local resources and accessibility. Their wines, ranging from traditional varietals to experimental blends infused with local flavors like shagbark hickory bark, embody a harmonious balance that captivates the palate.

Each year, Plēb hosts the Acid on the River event to celebrate their partnership with MountainTrue — a wine party like no other. Featuring food, music, and of course, wine, the event also offers unique experiences such as tattooing and fly tying, showcasing the eclectic spirit of Asheville’s River Arts District.

Asheville’s brewing scene may be well-known, but Plēb Urban Winery invites visitors to discover a different side of the city’s beverage culture; one that celebrates local craftsmanship, sustainability, and community. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or a curious traveler, a visit to Plēb promises an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Asheville’s vibrant spirit. Join the festivities at Acid on the River on June 1 and immerse yourself in the magic of Plēb Winery and its partnership with MountainTrue!

Help Us Thank the Boone Town Council for Taking Action Against Plastic Pollution

The Earth Day celebration continues: we have exciting news to share!

The Town of Boone has passed a groundbreaking proclamation committing to eliminating single-use plastics and styrofoam from all municipal operations by the end of 2025. This bold move sets a significant precedent for environmental stewardship and sustainability in our region.

As members of MountainTrue, an organization deeply dedicated to protecting the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s crucial that we acknowledge and support the positive steps taken by our local leaders. Their commitment not only helps reduce waste and pollution but also sets a sustainable example for other communities to follow.

We need your help to thank the Boone Town Council for their leadership and commitment to a healthier environment.

Send a Thank You Email to the Boone Town Council:

Express your appreciation for their decision to phase out single-use plastics and styrofoam. Our email form is editable, so consider sharing your personal connection to the mountains, waters, and forests of our region and why this decision matters to you. Encourage them to continue exploring and implementing sustainable practices.

Take Action

Spread the Message:

Amplify our call to action on social media using #PlanetVsPlastics and #BanSingleUseNC, and encourage North Carolina’s legislators to join this critical fight.

This is a momentous step forward in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the environment. Let’s show the Boone Town Council that their actions are supported and appreciated by the community they serve.

Thank you for your commitment to our mission and for taking action today.

Warm regards,

Andy Hill, Watauga Riverkeeper

Taking Action Against Plastic Pollution on Earth Day

Pictured: Local elected officials, MountainTrue staff, and community advocates pose with the French Broad Mermaid and the Plastic Bag Monster after the April 22 press conference in Woodfin, NC. Photo by Paul King.

On Earth Day, April 22, a coalition of local elected officials and community advocates gathered at Silverline Park in Woodfin, NC, to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution. In a united front, representatives from Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the towns of Weaverville and Woodfin announced local initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on harmful single-use plastics.

At the heart of their announcement was a commitment to phase out plastic bags, single-use plastics, and styrofoam, backed by new proclamations from local leaders. Speakers also called on residents and businesses to reduce their plastic footprint. This collective effort underscored the region’s dedication to the Earth Day 2024 theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” emphasizing the urgent need for a clean and healthy environment in Western North Carolina.

The event featured a lineup of influential speakers, including Mayor Esther Manheimer and Councilwoman Maggie Ullman of the City of Asheville, Parker Sloan of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Eric Ager State Representative from District 114, Caleb Rudow State Representative from District 116, Mayor Jim McAllister of Woodfin and Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons of Weaverville, among others. Their presence highlighted the significance of collaborative action in tackling plastic pollution at both the local and state levels.

Why this issue is so important:

Plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a public health crisis. Studies have linked plastic exposure to critical health risks, including heart disease, infertility, and various cancers.

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to global ecosystems and public health. Recent studies have highlighted the pervasive impact of microplastics in terrestrial and marine environments, including their presence in the human food chain and bodies, with concerning concentrations detected in the French Broad River and other local waterways.

“We know that a significant volume of single-use plastic is discarded and becomes litter found in rivers, roadways, and other public and private areas throughout Asheville,” Mayor Esther Manheimer said.

Local efforts in cities like Asheville and counties like Buncombe to limit single-use plastics have been blocked by state-level preemptions. Now, with public support at our back, it’s time for statewide legislation that bans harmful plastics once and for all. Our health, our ecosystems, and the beauty of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains depend on it.

We can reduce that pollution by passing common-sense laws. During Earth Month 2024, the local governments of Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the towns of Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Woodfin have taken meaningful steps to reduce their use of single-use plastics.

The Plastic-Free WNC coalition worked with Mason-Dixon Polling & Research to find out what North Carolina voters think about plastic; a significant majority expressed concern about the health impacts of plastics and said state lawmakers should take action to reduce single-use plastics. Support for state government action to reduce single-use plastics was widespread and bipartisan: More than eight out of ten (82%) North Carolinians support enacting policies to protect human health and the environment. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Republican and 91% of Democratic voters support reducing single-use plastics.

Recent studies and media reports have linked the presence of plastics in the human body to obesity, heart attack, stroke, falling sperm counts, infertility, premature births, birth defects, developmental disorders, and possibly Parkinson’s and dementia. Nearly nine out of ten (88%) North Carolinians said they were concerned about the health effects of plastic, with 50 percent of those saying they were very concerned.

“Ensuring that our food, water, and environment are safe and free of dangerous plastic pollution is widely supported by young and old, women and men, and Republicans and Democrats,” said French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson. “With a resounding 82% of North Carolinians calling for action, it’s imperative that corporations quit forcing single-use plastics on us. We don’t want it. Sound policy can move us away from the detrimental impacts single-use plastics cause. In the meantime, businesses should be working to phase them out.”

These poll results mirror surveys conducted by the City of Asheville in 2023, which found that more than 80% of respondents supported a citywide plastic bag ban, and by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce (2017), in which all but two of 500 respondents opposed overturning a popular local bag ban.

The North Carolina General Assembly stripped local governments of their right to ban single-use plastic bags.

In 2023, Durham was on the cusp of passing a 10-cent fee on disposable plastic and paper bags. In Western North Carolina, Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the towns of Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Woodfin were moving toward enacting local ordinances that would ban single-use plastic shopping bags at the checkout aisle and styrofoam takeout containers.

As those local laws moved forward, Senate Leaders conspired with special interest lobbyists from the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association to insert language into the state budget blocking local governments from enacting any regulations on “the use, disposition, or sale of an auxiliary container (153A-145.11)”, including styrofoam containers and single-use plastic bags. The omnibus budget containing these new limits on local governments was released to the public and to the House and Senate for an up-or-down vote without opportunity for debate or amendment. Governor Roy Cooper later allowed it to become law without his signature.

Environmental and public health advocates around the state regrouped and are now focusing their efforts on building support for and passing a state-wide ban on single-use plastic bags and takeout containers.

“Our legislators have a constitutional duty to safeguard the health and well-being of the people of North Carolina. It’s time for North Carolina to join the more than 500 state and local governments across the United States that have already passed commonsense laws to reduce single-use plastics. This is not just an environmental imperative — it’s a public health necessity,” said Steve Wall, MD, a retired pediatrician and member of the Plastic-Free WNC Health Working Group.

Take action: stand up for a better future!

Every member of our community can play a part in this vital environmental endeavor; let’s continue to work together for a cleaner, healthier planet!

Contact Your State Legislators: It’s crucial that our voices are heard. Click here to email your NC Senators and Representatives and let them know that you stand with the majority of voters who demand urgent action on single-use plastics.

Spread the Message: Amplify our call to action on social media using #PlanetVsPlastics and #BanSingleUseNC, and encourage others to join this critical fight.

Learn more about Plastic-Free WNC

Press Release: MountainTrue Announces Kid’s Merchandise Design Contest in Celebration of Earth Day 2024

For immediate release: April 22, 2024

Western North Carolina – MountainTrue is thrilled to announce its first-ever Kid’s Merchandise Design Contest, inviting budding artists aged 10-14 to showcase their creativity and love for the mountains. With the aim of fostering appreciation for the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains and promoting environmental stewardship, the contest encourages young minds to express their passion for nature through art. The contest launches on Earth Day, April 22, and runs through May 24, 2024.

The theme of the contest is “I Love Mountains,” inviting participants to illustrate what makes these majestic landscapes special to them. Designs that celebrate the beauty and biodiversity of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains will be favored, along with those that inspire others to share in the love for our mountains and region.

“We are excited to see the unique perspectives and creative expressions of young artists as they showcase their love for mountains,” said Amy Finkler, Development and Engagement Manager at MountainTrue. “This contest provides a platform for youth to connect with nature and share their environmental enthusiasm with the region.”

The winner of the contest will have the exclusive opportunity to collaborate with a professional designer to refine their design and prepare it for merchandise production. Additionally, the winning design will be featured on wearable merchandise, allowing the artist to proudly showcase their creation. The winner will also receive recognition in a MountainTrue e-newsletter as the contest champion.

Complete guidelines and requirements for the contest are as follows:

Theme: I Love Mountains

Preference given to designs showcasing the beauty and biodiversity of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Preference given to designs that encourage others to share their love for mountains and the region.

Rules:

Designs must not contain offensive material or profanity.
Participants must be within the age range of 10-14 at the time of submission.
Winners must be available in August 2024 for a virtual meeting with the designer.
No restrictions on the number of colors or entries submitted.

Submission Deadline: May 24, 2024

The winner selection process will involve MountainTrue staff selecting three finalists on June 3, whose designs will be showcased to MountainTrue supporters and the general public for voting until June 30. The final winner will be notified during the first week of July. Parents or guardians must provide permission for participants to enter the contest. For more information on how to enter the contest and submission guidelines, visit mountaintrue.org/event/earth-day-kids-merchandise-design-contest/.

###

Press Release: Asheville Celebrates the Eighth Anniversary of Michael Franti’s Support for the French Broad River with a Special Two-Night Music Event

For immediate release: April 16, 2024

Asheville, NC – This June, Asheville’s cherished summer tradition returns to the scenic banks of the French Broad River for its eighth year. Music icon Michael Franti, renowned for his global performances and deep commitment to social causes, will headline a two-night musical extravaganza at the Salvage Station, continuing his support for the environmental efforts of the French Broad Riverkeeper.

The event, set for June 28 and 29, promises an unforgettable experience with a stellar lineup of artists. The Friday show features Trevor Hall & The Great In-Between, Bombargo, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. The following night, attendees can look forward to performances by Niko Moon, Bombargo, and once again, Michael Franti & Spearhead. Tickets for both single and two-night passes are currently available at salvagestation.com/events/michael-franti-spearhead-4/

“We continue to support MountainTrue through live music and community outreach because we believe care about the health of the French Broad River,” said Katie Hild with the Salvage Station.

Over the past decade, Michael Franti has been a staunch supporter of the French Broad Riverkeeper, a program housed by MountainTrue. This enduring partnership has significantly benefited the organization, raising over $150,000 to aid in the preservation and protection of the local river ecosystem.

As French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson explains, “It isn’t just the money that has been used to monitor the river, track pollution sources, advocate for improved policies, and improve river recreation; it’s the connection with the community. Asheville loves Michael Franti, and his brand of positivity and connection to environmental protection are the perfect matches for our work.”

Anna Alsobrook, MountainTrue’s Watershed Science and Policy Manager, explains that “Franti helped us push a plastic bag ban to the one-yard line by rallying the sold-out crowd two years in a row to take action, but the Retail Merchants Association overruled the will of the public and got a state law in place that now prevents action. Well, we aren’t just going to stand by and let plastic choke our waterways and poison our fish and families; we have a fresh set of actions for the public to take so we can tackle single-use plastic pollution.”

MountainTrue Deputy Director and General Counsel Gray Jernigan explains, “Every year, Franti not only shows up to headline the benefit show, he really gets behind the cause. He’s always willing to go the extra mile by giving a heartfelt shout-out to MountainTrue, recording videos encouraging the crowd to take action, donating, and getting involved. He even floated down the river to see what we have been working so hard to protect. Want to hear good music for a good cause? Come out to one or both of Michael Franti’s Asheville shows this June!”

Join us in celebrating this unique fusion of music and environmental activism at the Salvage Station for a cause that impacts us all. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an inspiring and joyful event!

###

Will You Help Us Protect the Places We Share?

We are incredibly lucky to be in the Southern Blue Ridge mountains, with natural treasures like native brook trout streams, just like the one near my childhood home in Madison County. Like many of you, I fell in love with the outdoors and any opportunity to play in the water or fish at a young age. Once you’ve experienced the beauty of catching trout, it’s not hard to understand why it’s a tradition for so many in these mountains we call home.

Photo: MountainTrue’s Josh Kelly fly fishing in a stream in Pisgah National Forest.

One stream I grew up fishing was Fall Branch, and it was loaded with brook trout until an upstream landowner logged the forest in the headwaters. Two hundred and twenty acres of mature forest protected those streams, but they were gone in an instant. The logging job was done with the goal of making a profit, without regard for the native species that relied on this clean mountain stream.

Miles of poorly built logging roads eroded into the creek, clogging it with silt and smothering any chance for many native species to reproduce and thrive. There are no longer any native brook trout in Fall Branch, and there may never be again.

This story is being played out all across our Nantahala Pisgah National Forests. Roads are being built but not maintained, and forests are being cut in sensitive ecosystems that are important to us all. We need you to help us protect these places. Please consider making a donation today.

Donate

With your donation, we can continue to work to protect these ecosystems so others can experience the same joy of growing up in the Southern Blue Ridge. Your donation directly allows the longevity of these forests to continue through the monitoring of logging projects and forest studies on how to protect the places we share. You can help fund our biologists and water quality specialists to collect the data necessary to persuade our local and state governments. Your support allows our volunteers and communication team to inform the public and rally support for protecting the forests that sustain us all.

The support you bring directly impacts the change you see. With you by our side, we will continue to fight to protect these valuable, deep-rooted traditions and the forests that allow them to exist.

Thank you for your commitment to our shared mission of protecting the places we share.

Josh Kelly, MountainTrue Public Lands Field Biologist

P.S. Consider making a monthly recurring donation. Even a gift of $5 each month can make a big impact over time. Select the “Make my donation recurring!” box when making your donation. Join as a monthly donor and you will receive our limited edition bat pin (while supplies last). We hope that you will wear your support for our Resilient Forests work proudly!

MountainTrue’s April 2024 E-Newsletter

MountainTrue’s

April 2024 E-Newsletter

April news from MountainTrue’s four regional offices:

Central Region News

Click here to read

High Country News

Click here to read

Southern Region News

Click here to read

Western Region News

Click here to read

Central Region News

A message from Executive Director Bob Wagner:

While many are dealing with personal or societal grief for any number of reasons, it’s an excellent time to take in the anticipation and vibrancy springing forth outside our windows, on the trails near our house, and on our morning rides to work. We don’t have to go far to see cherry blossoms, redbuds, and daffodils, with dogwoods and rhododendrons on deck. They’re a reminder that life, beauty, and goodness are tenacious. This Earth Month, I hope we can embrace and celebrate that goodness. Come join us at one of our spring events as we take a moment to acknowledge and give thanks for the natural gifts all around us.

Photo: Single-use plastic bags tangled in the streambank brush on the French Broad River.

Enjoy lunch + learn about our plastics advocacy at Green Sage on April 17

Want to learn what MountainTrue is doing to address the single-use plastics problem and how you can help? Join us for a lunch + learn hosted by MountainTrue and Green Sage Cafe on Wednesday, April 17. Lunch will be purchased separately by participants — to make ordering easier, Green Sage will have a designated cash register for event participants. Please arrive between 11:10 and 11:25 a.m. so you can order and get settled before the presentation. Learn more and register.

Celebrate Earth Day with MountainTrue in Asheville!

Join us as we raise a glass to Earth Day and MountainTrue supporters from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at The Funkatorium in Asheville, NC. MountainTrue volunteers in the month of April will receive a complimentary beer, wine or n/a beverage courtesy of Wicked Weed, so make sure you check out our volunteer opportunities! And that’s not all: Sugar Hollow Solar will also celebrate with us on-site. Homeowners or business owners can bring in their power bill for one complimentary drink ticket (good for beer, wine, or n/a drinks) on behalf of Sugar Hollow Solar.

Help save native habitat on our Earth Day Garlic Mustard Pull

Join us outside on Earth Day, April 22, for a day spent enjoying and protecting the fantastic botanical diversity of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The wildflowers should be at their peak as we pull garlic mustard and listen to the birds sing near Hot Springs, NC. Sign up soon, this one is filling up fast! Register here.

Call for tabling volunteers

Love talking to people and want to volunteer with MountainTrue? Consider being a volunteer at tabling events! Contact amy@mountaintrue.org for more information.

MountainTrue member spotlight: meet the Bairds

Ross and Bess Baird have been MountainTrue members for more than a decade. Recently, they’ve focused on supporting the Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC program. When asked why this project has inspired them to give, they said, “We want to support systemic work that makes an impact at the local level. Neighbors for More Neighbors WNC is promoting dense development that can reduce urban sprawl in the counties. We’re currently crowding single-family homes onto smaller acreage with little to no erosion controls and building outwards rather than up. In the process, we’re destroying farmlands and forests. We want to treat the cause of suburban sprawl, and MountainTrue is working to do that.” Read more on our blog.

5Point Adventure Film Fest returns May 21

Tickets are on sale now! Join us on Tuesday, May 21, for the 5Point Adventure Film Screening in Asheville, NC, presented by Mosaic Realty and benefiting MountainTrue. Learn more.

Join MountainTrue’s Board of Directors

MountainTrue seeks a diverse board representing its service areas, including different areas of expertise and life experiences. The Governance and Equity Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, and the full board considers new members at its August meeting. If interested, please complete the board member application and attach your CV/bio. Review the board member job description and apply here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Kid’s merch contest

Calling all budding artists aged 10-14 — MountainTrue Kid’s Merchandise Contest Launches on Earth Day (April 22)! Learn more here.

Print-on-demand merch options

Looking for a more responsible way to support MountainTrue’s mission and our environment while raising critical dollars for our ongoing work? We’ve partnered with Recover Brands to offer a mix of sustainable apparel throughout the month of April. All items in our temporary online store are printed on-demand when you place your order, which eliminates waste and relieves us from dealing with the expense and hassle of excess inventory. These items will ship straight to your door and Recover will send MountainTrue a check at the end of the month. Join us this Earth Month in making more intentional decisions for our organization and our earth. Place your order now!

MountainTrue hellbender hoodies & t-shirts are back in stock!

Proceeds fund the work of MountainTrue, including our clean water team. We are excited to announce that our Hellbender shirts are now 100% organic cotton. These have sold out fast so don’t wait — get yours today!

Rural Transportation Workshop: Building Clean Connected Communities

We’re excited to announce a free workshop charting the course for improved transportation in rural Western North Carolina on April 13. Through community-led sessions, peer discussions, and connections with resources and supporting organizations, we’ll gain insights and tools to address your community’s unique transportation challenges and bring sustainable mobility solutions home. Please join us to be a part of this transformative journey. Register here.

May 4 pollinator garden workshop

Looking for a family-friendly outing? Stop by the Olivette Pollinator Garden Workshop in Asheville on May 4 to learn about native plants and pollinators. This event is hosted by MountainTrue’s organizational partner, Sugar Hollow Solar.

Clean up the French Broad with Headwaters Outfitters this May

Join French Broad Paddle Trail Manager Jack Henderson for Headwaters Outfitters’ Annual Upper French Broad River Clean-Up Day on May 18 in Rosman, NC! This is not a MountainTrue-hosted event — Headwaters Outfitters supports MountainTrue, and we would love to help them in return. Space is limited and advance registration is required, so sign up today! Contact Danielle for more information or questions regarding this event at danielle@headwatersoutfitters.com.

MountainTrue Annual Gathering: save the date!

Mark your calendars and join us for our Annual Member Gathering in Asheville, NC on September 14, 2024!

Septic system repair grants available for qualifying property owners

MountainTrue has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and local health departments to provide septic system repair grants to qualifying property owners in Buncombe, Cherokee, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, as well as several other counties across WNC. Residents of rural areas outside of town are highly likely to have onsite septic systems. Problems with septic systems usually arise as systems age or when maintenance is neglected. Property owners: review eligibility requirements and apply for the repair program here.

Madison County advocacy updates

On April 9, Madison County Commissioners will take up two significant ordinances to regulate industrial activity in the county upon recommendations from the Planning Board, while kicking the can down the road with another potentially harmful revision to an existing ordinance.

Biomass facilities: In response to public feedback, the Madison County Planning Board has significantly revised the definition of what constitutes a large biomass facility, requires they obtain a special permit, and restricts their operations to industrial-zoned areas of the county. MountainTrue supports the revised ordinance, although, to be clear, MountainTrue opposes industrial-sized biomass facilities in Madison County, as they would emit more climate-changing carbon into the atmosphere, cause significant air pollution, and pose serious fire risks to nearby residents. So, while the Planning Board has moved in the right direction, we encourage the Board to reconsider whether large biomass facilities are appropriate for Madison County at all.

Cryptocurrency mining: The Planning Board also recommended the adoption of an ordinance to regulate the siting of data processing centers (aka, cryptocurrency mines) to industrial and commercially zoned districts. Cryptocurrency mining and the processes necessary to maintain and validate cryptocurrency transactions are incredibly energy-intensive. Because the fans needed to cool crypto storage units/warehouses full of computers are so loud, crypto companies look for locations with few or weak land-use protections when deciding where to build data processing centers. They also produce copious amounts of electronic waste and non-compactable styrofoam. MountainTrue applauds Madison County for stepping up to address this issue and protect citizens from this industrial nuisance.

Ridgetop protection: Responding to the desires of a single landowner, the Madison County Planning Board put aside the best interests of the wider community and recommended doing away with the rule that would prevent the construction of homes and buildings within 50 feet of ridgelines. This change would completely undercut Madison County’s Mountain Ridge Protection ordinance and open the door to unfettered home construction along mountaintops. County Commissioners have now called on an in-house staff task force to explore the ordinance revision, with no pending deadline for their findings. Allowing development on our ridgetops would threaten Madison County’s irreplaceable natural beauty, environmental health, economic vitality, and community well-being. MountainTrue will continue to monitor this development and keep our members updated when it’s time to act.

Buncombe County advocacy updates

Regulating short-term rentals: The Buncombe County Planning Board is considering amendments to regulate short-term rentals (STRs), including limiting the location of STRs, clarifying definitions, and creating special requirements. Ensuring that short-term rentals are appropriately regulated and located can create more opportunities for long-term rental and owner-occupied housing in our county. There are over 5,000 STRs in Buncombe County, accounting for about 5% of the county’s total housing stock. The Planning Board continues determining what STR regulations would allow pre-existing STRs to remain in operation. Homestays will be taken up at a later date. View the full list of the discussed STR regulations and watch the meeting video on the county’s website. We’ll keep you posted as county officials continue to develop their regulations.

Public transit: When public transit is efficient and reliable, people can choose to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking the bus to meet daily needs. The transportation sector is the country’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from personal vehicles. Take action to encourage Asheville and Buncombe County to commit to increased bus service frequency in South Asheville and give our community cleaner transportation options.

High Country News

A message from High Country Regional Director & Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill:

Happy spring and Happy Earth Month! We’re encouraged by the warmer weather and new life. We’ve been busy planting trees and celebrating World Water Day with our friends at Appalachian Mountain Brewery here in Boone. Thank you to all the old and new friends who came out to volunteer and support our work! We look forward to getting out on the water with you this spring. Scroll down + check out our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Hope to see y’all at the Fly Fishing Film Fest to celebrate Earth Day on April 20!

Mark your calendars for the Trout Derby on April 6!

Join MountainTrue and your Watauga Riverkeeper for the annual Trout Derby in Blowing Rock, NC, on Saturday, April 6. Whether you want to compete or enjoy a day outside filled with food, games, and music, it’ll be a fun Saturday for your whole crew! This family-friendly event has been happening for over four decades and is sure to impress. See you there!

Fly Fishing Film Fest returns to Boone on April 20

To continue Earth Day celebrations this year, the Watauga Riverkeeper is joining the party at the Appalachian Theater to see this year’s International Fly Fishing Film Festival! Make sure you and your crew mark your calendars for Saturday, April 20, to enjoy a night of films produced by professional filmmakers from around the globe showcasing the passion, lifestyle, and culture of fly fishing. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and showtime is at 7 p.m. Pre-ordered adult tickets are $10/each, and day-of-show tickets will be $15/each. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase at the door — the raffle winner will be announced at intermission and receive gear donated by Boone’s Fly Shop and Watauga Riverkeeper/MountainTrue merch. Raffle proceeds support the continued work of the Watauga Riverkeeper. Purchase tickets here.

Photo: Volunteers prepare live stakes for planting along the banks of the Watauga River.

That’s a wrap on our winter ‘23-24 live staking season!

As temperatures rise and plants emerge from their dormant season, our winter 2023-24 live staking season came to a bittersweet end on Saturday, March 23. With the largest turn-out in High Country live staking history and the weather clearing up right on time, we planted over 2,500 live stakes along Rominger Road, just upstream from the old Ward’s Mill dam site. We’re so excited to see how these live stakes revegetate the riparian buffer and continue to shade and protect our river. A huge thank you to all of our trusty workday volunteers this season — we couldn’t have done it without y’all! And shout out to Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee River Basin Network’s Shade Your Stream Grant for providing much-appreciated live staking funding.