2024 Western North Carolina Conservation Priorities

Support and Protect our Mountain Waters – and the Jobs and Businesses that they Sustain

Mountain rivers and streams are big business. A recent report conducted by economists at Western Carolina University found the total economic impact of the French Broad River is $3.8 billion annually, and river-reliant businesses create or maintain 38,554 jobs each year. Similarly, each dollar anglers spend to fish for mountain trout in Western North Carolina returns $1.93 to our economy and results in a $1.38 billion impact, according to new data from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Unfortunately, stormwater pollution, man-made barriers like dams, and development pressure threaten this economic engine by making our waters unsafe for the thousands of recreational users and unsuitable habitat for a thriving fishery. One of the most popular areas for recreation, a 19-mile section of the French Broad River – from the Asheville Regional Airport, through the Biltmore Estate and the River Arts District in downtown Asheville – was added to NC’s list of impaired waterways in 2022.

To support our mountain waters and the local economy, MountainTrue supports the following:

Help property owners reduce stormwater pollution – The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) allows local soil and water districts to help property owners reduce stormwater pollution. Unfortunately, demand for CCAP far outstrips its funding. $500,000 nonrecurring for CCAP program in the French Broad River watershed will significantly reduce stormwater pollution in an area that is heavily used for recreation.
Help rural families repair failing septic systems – MountainTrue and NC DHHS recently partnered to administer funding to fix failing septic systems in WNC, and the effort spurred Buncombe County to launch its own program. Help rural counties in WNC (outside of Buncombe County) administer their own septic repair programs with an appropriation of $400,000 nonrecurring to NC DHHS for grants to local health departments.
Expand Real-time E. coli Monitoring in the French Broad River – Recently, NCDEQ launched the first real-time sensor in the French Broad River in Buncombe County to give river users an up-to-date picture of bacteria levels. Two more sites in Henderson and Transylvania Counties are needed to automate bacteria monitoring across the upper watershed. Legislators can help by providing $100,000 nonrecurring for modeling and equipment to expand this service.
State Trail Designation for Two State Paddle Trails – The First Broad River (Cleveland County) and Watauga River (Watauga County) are popular paddling and fishing destinations with opportunities to expand access. State Trail designation will accelerate the development of paddle trails on these rivers and boost recreational and economic opportunities for local communities.

WNC Public Access, Restoration, and Recreation Investments:

Old Fort Finishing Dam Removal design phase is underway, but funds are still needed for the demolition phase ($350,000 nonrecurring to American Rivers). McDowell County
Craggy and Cullowhee Dam Removal projects need funding for required feasibility studies ($100,000 nonrecurring to American Rivers). Buncombe and Jackson Counties
Expand the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail to include one site in each WNC county and promotional materials ($150,000 nonrecurring to Mainspring Conservation Trust). All WNC Counties
Improve River Walk in downtown Murphy to extend the path to an affordable housing development ($250,000 nonrecurring to the Town of Murphy). Cherokee County
Improve public access to the Watauga River Paddle Trail by purchasing an additional access point in Watauga County ($500,000 nonrecurring to Watauga County). Watauga County
Develop a new public access point and riverwalk on Green River ($250,000 nonrecurring to Polk County Community Foundation, providing $250,000 match). Polk County
Enhance Chestnut Mountain Nature Park by expanding trails and improving the playground and creekside park ($450,000 nonrecurring to the Town of Canton). Haywood County
Complete the Wave and Riverside Park addition to the $32 million Woodfin Greenway and Blueway ($250,000 nonrecurring to the Town of Woodfin). Buncombe County

Other policy and funding initiatives that MountainTrue supports:

Support Abundant Housing Legislation – Opportunities for dense, energy-efficient housing located close to jobs reduces energy demand and transportation emissions. HB 409 passed the House in 2023, which would allow homeowners more freedom to build accessory dwelling units and add to available housing supply. MountainTrue supports the final approval of this bill by the General Assembly in 2024.\
Reduce Plastic Pollution – North Carolina took a step backward in addressing plastic pollution with language in the state budget prohibiting local governments from taking action. However, HB 28 – approved by the House in 2023, would initiate a study of plastic reduction opportunities. We encourage the Senate to pass this bill in 2024.
Plant Native – Non-native invasive plants harm ecosystems across the state, but SB 318 would require the use of native plants and seeds in state parks and on state highways. This bill passed the Senate in 2023, and we encourage the House to approve it in 2024.

MT Raleigh Report: MountainTrue Advocates for Environmental Progress Amid North Carolina’s 2024 Legislative Session

This week marks the beginning of the 2024 session of the North Carolina General Assembly. With elections looming in the fall, many lawmakers would like to see the legislature get in and out of session as quickly as possible and avoid taking up controversial issues that will slow the session down – or make campaigning more difficult.

Adjusting the second year of the state’s two-year budget is one of the legislature’s key tasks this year. Lawmakers got some good news on the budget front earlier this month when analysts reported that the state will enjoy higher-than-budgeted revenues for both the current 2023-24 fiscal year and the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25.

For MountainTrue, the legislative session provides another opportunity to speak up for the mountains, rivers, and communities of western North Carolina. Some of our priorities this year include:

Helping property owners reduce stormwater pollution.
The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) allows local soil and water districts to help property owners reduce stormwater pollution. Unfortunately, demand for CCAP far outstrips its funding. By targeting dedicated funding for the CCAP program in the French Broad River watershed, we can reduce stormwater pollution in areas that are heavily used for recreation.

Continuing to help rural families fix failing septic systems
MountainTrue and NC DHHS recently partnered to administer funding to fix failing septic systems in WNC, and the effort spurred Buncombe County to launch its own program. Funding for grants to local health departments in WNC will allow other counties to administer their own septic repair programs.

Expanding E. coli Monitoring in the French Broad River
By expanding the state’s real-time E. coli bacteria detection program in the French Broad, we can provide the public with an up-to-date picture of bacteria pollution levels in a river that is heavily used for river recreation.

State Trail Designation for Two Paddle Trails
By securing State Trail designations for the First Broad River (Cleveland County) and Watauga River (Watauga County), we can accelerate the development of paddle trails on these rivers and boost recreational and economic opportunities for local communities.

MountainTrue is actively seeking funding for several local projects, including dam removals, trails, and greenways throughout the WNC region. Additionally, we are advocating for lawmakers to pass legislation that would mandate local governments to adopt ordinances permitting the construction of “accessory dwelling units” in residential areas. This initiative aims to promote smart infill development and alleviate the housing shortage throughout our region while addressing the climate impacts of commuting and protecting rural areas from sprawling development.

MountainTrue is the only WNC environmental organization with a full-time presence in Raleigh. Your support ensures that our region has a strong voice for the environment in the General Assembly. Thank you so much for your part in this effort.

Read our full 2024 Western North Carolina Conservation Priorities.

Press Release: 82% of North Carolina voters support state action to reduce single-use plastics

82% of North Carolina voters support state action to reduce single-use plastics

RALEIGH, NC — In a new statewide poll of North Carolina voters, 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.

Statement from Hartwell Carson, French Broad Riverkeeper with the Western North Carolina-based conservation organization MountainTrue:

“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. 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.

Special Interests Blocked Popular Local Laws. Now, It’s Time for the State to Act

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.

Statement from Steve Wall, MD, a retired pediatrician and member of the Plastic-Free WNC Health Working Group:

“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.”

The Rise of the Plasticene Era: Plastics’ Significant Impact on Human Health

The theme of Earth Day 2024 is Plastic vs. Planet, and environmental and health advocates worldwide are calling for a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 for the sake of human and planetary health.

The production of plastics has seen an exponential increase since the 1950s, now accounting for 20% of global fossil fuel usage—surpassing its use in vehicles and electricity generation. This shift marks the dawn of what many scientists are calling the “Plasticene” era, characterized by significant environmental and health impacts due to pervasive plastic production and waste.

Despite the common practice of recycling, the reality remains stark; less than 6% of plastic waste in America is recycled. The lower cost of producing new plastics compared to recycling only exacerbates the issue, leading to increased plastic waste that often ends up in landfills and natural environments. Over time, these materials break down into microplastics that infiltrate the air, water, and even our food supply.

Research indicates that the average individual inhales approximately 22 million plastic particles each year. Studies have confirmed the presence of plastics in various human tissues and bodily fluids, including blood, brain, lungs, colon, liver, placenta, breast milk, and carotid arteries.

The impact of plastics on human health is becoming increasingly clear. Microplastics can penetrate cellular structures, disrupting energy production and promoting inflammation. They also interfere with hormonal functions, impacting brain communication, immune responses, and organ function. The consequences are severe, linking plastic pollution to a range of health issues including infertility, premature births, various cancers, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Research has shown that plastics in arterial plaques could increase the risk of severe cardiovascular events by up to 4.5 times within a three-year period.

The economic burden is also significant, with diseases related to plastic exposure costing approximately 1% of the US GDP annually. As the problem of plastic pollution grows, its pace is outstripping our ability to fully understand and mitigate its impacts on human health and the environment.

About the Poll

This poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida from April 9 through April 13, 2024. A total of 625 registered North Carolina voters were interviewed statewide by telephone.

Those interviewed were randomly selected from a phone-matched North Carolina voter registration list that included both land-line and cell phone numbers. Quotas were assigned to reflect voter registration by county.

The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than ± 4 percentage points. This means that there is a 95 percent probability that the “true” figure would fall within that range if all voters were surveyed. The margin for error is higher for any subgroup, such as a gender or age grouping.

About Plastic-Free WNC

Plastic-Free WNC is a coalition of environmental organizations, advocates, and citizens dedicated to reducing plastic pollution in our environment. Members include MountainTrue, Sierra Club of WNC, Environmental Action Community of Western North Carolina, Riverlink, Creation Care Alliance of WNC, Beloved Asheville, Asheville En Espanol, NRDC, NCPIRG, and the North Carolina Plastics Coalition. Learn more at PlasticFreeWNC.com.

Media Contact:
Karim Olaechea, MountainTrue
Phone: 828-400-0768 E-mail: karim@mountaintrue.org

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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

Join MountainTrue’s Board of Directors!

MountainTrue seeks a diverse board representing its service areas, including different areas of expertise and life experiences.

If interested, please complete the board member application and attach your CV/bio. Click here to apply. The Governance and Equity Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis until June 1, and the full board considers new members at its August meeting. Click here to view the board member job description.

We look forward to hearing from you!