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

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

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.“

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

High Country Watershed Outreach Assistant

High Country Watershed Outreach Assistant

High Country Watershed Outreach Assistant
Boone, NC
Apply Now

Position Description

The six-month, part-time position hosted by MountainTrue’s Watauga Riverkeeper/High Country team is designed to provide comprehensive support for post-Helene restoration and ongoing water quality programs. This multifaceted role offers a unique opportunity to engage in critical environmental work. The intern’s responsibilities will primarily revolve around three key areas, including water quality sampling support, community tabling and outreach, and streambank restoration projects to restore the areas to pre-Helene levels.

This role is based out of Boone, NC, but does require some travel throughout surrounding counties, including East Tennessee. It is important to note that the nature of this work requires occasional weekend availability, particularly for community outreach events and some field-based restoration activities. This flexibility is essential to maximize the internship’s impact and reach a wider audience for educational initiatives and to complete time-sensitive field work.

Reports to: MountainTrue’s High Country Outreach Coordinator and MountainTrue’s High Country Watershed Coordinator

This position is funded by the High Country Council of Governments Workforce Development Board. MountainTrue is the host organization for this position; the High Country Watershed Outreach Assistant will not be considered a MountainTrue employee. 

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with the collection, processing, and analysis of water samples from various points within the Watauga and New River watersheds. 
  • Utilize data to monitor the health of the river, identify potential pollutants, and assess the effectiveness of restoration efforts. 
  • Gain hands-on experience with scientific methodologies and equipment used in environmental monitoring. 
  • Engage with the public to raise awareness about water quality issues, the importance of health riparian zones, and the work the Watauga Riverkeeper is doing post-Helene to get to pre-Helene levels. 
  • Participate in local events, set up informational tables, and interact with community members. 
  • Will develop valuable communication and public speaking skills to foster community engagement in environmental stewardship. 
  • Actively participate in various on-the-ground restoration initiatives aimed at improving the ecological health of streambanks. 
  • Perform live staking, a technique using live plant cuttings to stabilize eroding banks and enhance riparian vegetation. 
  • Learn ecological restoration techniques by being involved in debris removal projects, clearing the river and it’s banks of harmful litter and unnatural obstructions that negatively impact water flow and aquatic habitats.
  • Follow instructions provided during daily and weekly assignments and provide reports as needed. 

Skill Requirements:

  • Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)
  • Excellent Verbal and Written Communication
  • Some Customer Service Skills

Compensation:

$18/hour, up to 28 hours a week. Payment comes from High Country Council of Governments Workforce Development Board.

Apply

Send resume and cover letter to MountainTrue’s High Country Watershed Outreach Coordinator, Emma Crider (emma@mountaintrue.org). Application deadline = Tuesday, August 5, 2025. 

Big News: MountainTrue Launches Major River Cleanup Effort Across WNC

Big News: MountainTrue Launches Major River Cleanup Effort Across WNC

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

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 Helene Cleanup Crews: FAQ

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:

High Country Watershed Outreach Assistant

MountainTrue Cleanup Crew

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

Take Action: Tell DEQ to Enforce Its Own Rules

Take Action: Tell DEQ to Enforce Its Own Rules