Big Update: MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup effort expands into Tennessee

Dear MountainTrue Members & Friends,

MountainTrue’s significant River Debris Cleanup Program is expanding!

MountainTrue has received a $750,000 grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s (CDP) Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund (the Fund) to expand its regional debris cleanup and river restoration program — a historic recovery effort employing displaced workers, restoring damaged waterways, and strengthening communities across the southern Blue Ridge.

This new investment will supplement existing funding from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), enabling MountainTrue to work longer, in a larger area and with more crew members to clean up rivers, streams and streambanks after Hurricane Helene.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Truist Foundation and CDP, we’ll be able to expand the reach of our debris cleanup program — putting more people to work cleaning up more rivers and streams, including in the hardest-to-reach areas and into eastern Tennessee,” said Hartwell Carson, Clean Waters Director for MountainTrue.

With the funding, the nonprofit will add a crew with more technical expertise to navigate exceptionally hard-to-reach areas of whitewater and wield handheld power tools to help with particularly tricky debris piles. The support will allow MountainTrue to operate for 24 months and expand its footprint to the upper French Broad and Nolichucky watersheds in eastern Tennessee.

“Rivers don’t stop at state lines,” noted Jon Stamper, MountainTrue’s River Cleanup Program Manager. “Every bag of trash removed, every streambank stabilized, and every pollution source addressed is one more step toward ecological and economic recovery for our entire region,” he added.

Proven success

MountainTrue launched its River Debris Cleanup Program in July, standing up nine cleanup crews — consisting of 75 employees from 11 counties — to work across 25 WNC counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Qualla Boundary.

Since Hurricane Helene ravaged our region, MountainTrue volunteers, Riverkeepers, and crew members have removed more than 4 million pounds of debris from the Broad, French Broad, Catawba, Green, North Toe, Rocky Broad, South Toe, Swannanoa and Watauga rivers and their tributaries — restoring vital habitat and protecting downstream communities. Crews focus on removing hand-pickable debris, avoiding trees and shrubs that should be left to maintain streambank integrity.

“At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. Supporting MountainTrue’s river debris cleanup program is a powerful way to put that purpose into action — creating local jobs, fostering sustainable recovery, and strengthening the economic foundation of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee,” said Lynette Bell, Truist’s Head of Philanthropy and President of Truist Foundation. “We’re proud to stand alongside MountainTrue and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, helping communities recover and prepare for a more resilient future.”

“We are so fortunate to have partners with unique technical expertise and deep community roots to undertake this significant initiative,” added Christine Laporte, program manager for the Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resilience Fund at CDP. “Ecological recovery and clean waterways contribute to everyone’s well-being and are key drivers for our region’s economic recovery. We are grateful for MountainTrue’s committed action supporting the resilience of our rivers and our mountain communities.”

MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup Program is re-envisioning post-disaster environmental recovery efforts in a way that centers the people and ecology of the Southern Appalachians. With support from state and private partners, the organization is leading a long-term effort in 25 WNC counties and beyond to clean up storm debris, restore ecosystems, and rebuild river-based economies impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“Western North Carolina’s rivers are central to our identity, our recreation, and our economy,” said Gray Jernigan, deputy director and general counsel of MountainTrue. “We’re deeply grateful to CDP and Truist Foundation for recognizing that recovery isn’t just about rebuilding what was lost — it’s about restoring the natural systems that sustain us.”

Work funded by the Fund will begin immediately and continue through August 2027.

For more information, or to volunteer or apply for a cleanup job, visit cleanupwncrivers.com.

Seeking landowners

One key to the program’s success is the participation of private landowners along rivers and streams. MountainTrue is seeking landowners with river access throughout the region willing to allow debris removal teams access to waterways through their property. MountainTrue is conducting cleanups on streambanks at no cost with a signed landowner access agreement. Interested parties should go to cleanupwncrivers.com for more information.

About MountainTrue

MountainTrue champions resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities. We are committed to keeping our mountain region a beautiful place to live, work, and play. Our members protect forests, clean up rivers, plan vibrant and livable communities, and advocate for a sustainable future for all. MountainTrue is home to the Broad Riverkeeper, French Broad Riverkeeper, Green Riverkeeper, and Watauga Riverkeeper, and is active across Western North Carolina and parts of East Tennessee. Learn more at mountaintrue.org.

About the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP)

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and educational resources, supports diverse coalitions, and manages domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. Find out more at disasterphilanthropy.org and on LinkedIn.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

MountainTrue’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year & Esther Cunningham Awards

Every year, MountainTrue recognizes five individuals from across the Southern Blue Ridge as our regional Volunteer of the Year and Esther Cunningham award winners. We celebrated these exceptional MountainTrue volunteers at our 2025 Annual Member Gathering – Stronger Than the Storm – on Thursday, October 2, at Asheville Yards in Asheville, NC.

MountainTrue’s regional Volunteer of the Year Award winners include:

High Country Region: Hope Thingelstad

For Hope Thingelstad, Western North Carolina isn’t just a place to live —it’s a passion. While she professionally promotes the area as a tourism destination for the Watauga County TDA, her love for the region extends far beyond her work. A graduate of Appalachian State University’s Sustainable Development program, Hope is a familiar face on local trails, often hiking with her dog, hitting the disc golf course, or finding a peaceful spot by the river to read. She also has a deep appreciation for the area’s rich live music and arts culture. Hope is committed to helping others discover and care for the same beautiful environment and creative community that she cherishes.

Central Region: Eric Wolf

Eric Wolf has been a steadfast ally to the French Broad Riverkeeper team, rolling up his sleeves to protect our rivers time and time again. He’s hauled out countless pounds of debris, collected multiple rounds of water samples, and never shied away from the hard work it takes to safeguard clean water. His dedication has been a true force in supporting MountainTrue’s mission.

Western Region: David Best

David has been a monthly Adopt-A-Stream volunteer for 13 years, and he is also a weekly Swim Guide volunteer in the summer. He serves on MountainTrue’s Hiwassee Watershed Advisory Council and has been a critical liaison with the Towns County Civic Association. In his capacity on that board, he attends planning board meetings and has been super helpful in keeping MountainTrue’s Western Region staff aware of what’s happening in Towns County, Georgia. Recently, David also helped spread our message by presenting about MountainTrue’s work to a local organization. He’s a true ambassador for MountainTrue!

Southern Region: David Rikard

David was born and raised in Western North Carolina. David, his wife Carol, and their kids, Josie and Grady, love the outdoors. They especially enjoy floating the river, camping, and counting how many blue herons they see on their river adventures. David’s favorite pastime is fishing for smallmouth bass. He’s a dedicated volunteer who cares deeply for clean water.

2025 Esther Cunningham Award Winner: Katherine Taaffe

This award is given each year in honor of one of our organization’s founders, Esther Cunningham. In many ways, Esther was an ordinary person – born and raised in Macon County, a mother and a grandmother, a teacher, a beauty shop owner, and an active community volunteer. Then one day she learned about plans the Forest Service had to explore for oil and gas in her beloved mountains, which prompted her to become a full-time crusader for her mountains and the larger environment. From then on, she bravely stood up, rallied her community, and tirelessly fought to protect and defend the forests of Western North Carolina. All of us here today represent her legacy.

So we give this award to people who have fought the fight, often dedicating their lives to these battles, who win some, lose some, but always keep fighting.

This year’s recipient, Katherine Taaffe, has been involved with the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition and MountainTrue for the past 15 years. She served on the Coalition board of directors for five years, then on the merger team, and since 2019, she’s served on both the MountainTrue Board of Directors and the Hiwassee Watershed Advisory Council. She has served as the MountainTrue Board Treasurer for two years. She is also part of our volunteer monthly water quality monitoring program. But beyond these formal credentials, she is a passionate advocate for the environment across all of MountainTrue’s program areas! In addition to her water quality work, she’s also written letters to the editor on forest planning topics, and is looking into developing workforce housing on her property in Murphy. And, she talks to many of her dog grooming customers about our work. She is truly a champion and ambassador for MountainTrue.

Stronger Than the Storm: Reflecting on a Year of Recovery After Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends,

One year ago, Hurricane Helene changed everything.

Across Western North Carolina, more than 100 lives were lost. Homes and businesses were destroyed. Entire communities were left without power, food, and running water for weeks.

In those first hours and days, people came together. Neighbors helped neighbors. And MountainTrue joined first responders, community groups, and churches to meet urgent needs. We organized supply deliveries. Carried medicines and essentials into areas cut off by the storm. Even fired up a mobile grilling operation to serve thousands of hot meals to families in the hardest-hit communities.

As days turned into weeks, people’s needs kept changing. So we stayed flexible. We tested wells, water, and soil for contamination. Partnered with Wine to Water to distribute water filters and well-testing kits. Sent chainsaw crews to clear roads and homes. And even helped set up a mobile laundry station in the Emma community.

But recovery isn’t just about today—it’s about tomorrow.

That’s why we launched the Appalachian Design Center to help communities like Swannanoa, Hot Springs, and Marshall rebuild stronger. We partnered with American Rivers and the Pew Charitable Trusts to secure $10 million from the state to remove hazardous dams damaged by the storm.

And we piloted an ambitious debris-cleanup program that put people back to work restoring our rivers—out-of-work guides, hospitality staff, and others hit hardest by the storm. With the help of volunteers, that program removed more than 3 million pounds of trash from local waterways.

Now, with support from the State of North Carolina, we’re expanding the program to provide more jobs and mobilize even more volunteers to clean up rivers, lakes, and streamfronts across Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary.

As we look back on this past year, we know the work isn’t over. Recovery means building a safer, healthier, and more resilient future for all of us.

And we want to mark this moment together.

On Thursday, October 2, please join us in Asheville for Stronger Than the Storm: A MountainTrue Gathering Honoring the Challenge, the Recovery, and the People Making It Happen. This will be a time to reflect, to honor the lives and communities forever changed, and to celebrate the resilience, generosity, and determination that make Western North Carolina strong.

Thank you for being MountainTrue. Together, we will protect the places we share.

With gratitude,
Bob Wagner, Executive Director
MountainTrue

Join Us for Stronger Than the Storm

Join us on October 2 for Stronger Than the Storm: A MountainTrue Gathering. Together we’ll reflect, honor our communities, and celebrate the resilience and generosity that make WNC strong.

RSVP

Help Us Rebuild Better Than Ever

Discover how communities are rebuilding stronger and smarter in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene—visit appalachiandesign.org

Volunteer

Help Us Clean Up Our Rivers

Want to help restore our rivers? Visit cleanupwncrivers.com to volunteer, donate, or learn more about how you can make a difference today.

Learn More

Support the Work of MountainTrue

Your gift powers clean rivers, resilient forests, and healthy communities. Donate to MountainTrue today and help us build a safer, stronger, and more resilient future together.

Donate

Debris cleanup update: How debris cleanup is progressing in Madison County

Many have seen heavy machinery in Madison County waterways and have expressed concerns about excessive woody debris removal and impacts to wildlife in the French Broad River. MountainTrue shares those concerns. We wanted to share an update for how this cleanup is going and how you can help ensure it goes smoothly.

MountainTrue, funded by a grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, is focused on removing small, hand-pickable trash from waterways that machines can’t reach. Our work focuses on extracting man-made debris from areas inaccessible to machinery and restoring stream banks to help prevent erosion. MountainTrue will not be removing woody debris.

Meanwhile, with funding from FEMA, Madison County has hired Southern Debris Removal (SDR) to conduct larger debris removal using heavy machinery from bank to bank on the French Broad River, up to the traditional high water mark (Not the Helene flood mark.) SDR’s work is overseen by the Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District, the local government agency responsible for directing their efforts.

MountainTrue is working closely with Madison County Soil & Water to protect the river from unnecessary disturbance and ensure that dangerous debris is removed. To ensure that this complicated process is done as safely and effectively as possible, we could use your help.

How You Can Help

As residents and members of the local boating community, you have more eyes on this process than anyone. We’re calling on you to help guide this operation toward the best possible outcome by witnessing, documenting and reporting what you see.

SDR, like all contractors paid with FEMA funding, is required to follow FEMA Waterway Debris Removal Guidelines.

What actions would violate those guidelines?

No timber matting under vehicles or machines entering/exiting waterways (these mats look like railroad ties embedded in the bank)
Spilled petroleum or hazardous substances
Excavation (digging) of soil or woody debris instead of pulling
Removal of live trees leaning less than 30%
Removal of root balls with less than 50% exposed
Clumps of soil still attached to tree roots
Removal of downed trees that were there before the storm
Use of vehicles or machinery in wetlands

SDR is contracted to work countywide and may enter any navigable waterway. However, they are not allowed to remove pre-storm debris. On creeks that didn’t flood (like Big Pine Creek), there should be little to no debris removal. If you see them working on our little creeks, it’s worth documenting. MountainTrue is funded to carefully remove debris from smaller tributaries impacted by Helene.

If you see anything that violates these guidelines, including actions that create unnecessary environmental or safety hazards, you can submit this form: Madison County Debris Removal Concerns.

When submitting, include as much of the following as you can:

Date, time, and location of the incident
Close-up photos or videos showing the issue
Zoomed-out photos or videos that give context to the location
If safe to obtain, a photo of the machine’s ID sticker (usually located on the side) can also be helpful, but it’s not required

What happens next?

MountainTrue staff will review your submissions and pass them along to the Madison County Soil and Water Department if we feel that there is strong evidence that SDR is in violation of the guidelines.

To be clear, this is a complicated and necessary process. We are not seeking confrontation with machine operators, just accountability. Please keep in mind that debris removal employees are doing tough work in challenging conditions. How we engage matters and how we approach them may shape how they care for our community in return.

Let us know what you see. With your help, we can advocate for this cleanup to be done right and protect our rivers. For more information on Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District’s work with SDR, see its post here.

Additional information about the debris removal process in Madison County

SDR’s work will occur in two phases.

Phase 1: Waterway Debris Removal (WDR)

During this stage, SDR may operate in the river channel (bank to bank) and remove debris up to the traditional high‑water line (not the Helene flood mark). Think of it like they are working on a highway right-of-way.
No landowner permission is required to remove debris up to the traditional high‑water line from within the river.
Machines may not operate above the high-water line unless the owner has signed a Right of Entry (ROE) during this phase.

If you see machines driving up the banks, tire tracks left above the traditional high water line, or debris that has been removed above the high water line during this stage, those are all causes for suspicion – please take a video and report it via the above form.

Phase 2: Personal Property Debris Removal (PPDR)

Begins after the WDR phase is completed for a given river section.
Some areas (like Sections 7 and 10) may enter this phase before others (like Sections 8 and 9)
Property owners must sign up for this phase to have debris removed above the traditional high‑water line, otherwise SDR is not allowed to enter the property.

Can I still access the river?

All public access points and river parks will remain open throughout SDR’s stay in Madison County.
You are absolutely within your rights to be present at river parks, observe work, and take videos.
SDR cannot ask you to leave public access points or parks.

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.“

[dipi_carousel columns=”1″ effect=”coverflow” loop_wide=”on” autoplay_wide=”on” pause_on_hover_wide=”on” autoplay_speed_wide=”1001″ admin_label=”Pixel Carousel – photos from folder” module_id=”photos” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_carousel_child label=”Cherokee Lake” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cherokee-Lake-July-2012_21-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Cherokee Lake in July” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Cherokee Lake Picnic Area” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Cherokee-Lake-picnic-area.jpg” title_text=”Cherokee Lake picnic area” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hiwassee Lake” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hiwassee-Lake_Callie-D-Moore.jpg” title_text=”Hiwassee Lake, photo by Callie Moore” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Joe Brown Hwy” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/21-Sept-2012-Joe-Brown-Hwy_0134-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”A view of the lake off Joe Brown Highway” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hiwassee Lake from Panther Top” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/View-Hiwassee-Lake-from-Panther-Top-Fire-Tower.jpg” title_text=”A view of Hiwassee Lake from Panther Top Fire Tower” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][dipi_carousel_child label=”Hanging Dog” img_src=”https://mountaintrue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2021-05-26-Hanging-Dog_1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Hanging Dog” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||on||||||” title_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_carousel_child][/dipi_carousel]

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