MountainStrong Hurricane Recovery Fund

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, MountainTrue is dedicated to addressing the urgent needs of our community.

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

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

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

June 30, 2025

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

 

Progress on Disaster Recovery for WNC

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

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

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

 

Budget Impasse Continues

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

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

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

 

What’s Next

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

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

Resilient Forests Organizer

Resilient Forests Organizer

Resilient Forests Organizer
Western North Carolina
Apply Now

Position Summary

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

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

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


Key Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Qualifications: Required

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

Additional Preferred Experience

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

Location & Travel

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


Compensation

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


 

How to apply

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

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

Application deadline: Friday, July 25, 2025

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

Take Action: Protect Lake Chatuge Shoreline Wetlands

Take Action: Protect Lake Chatuge Shoreline Wetlands

Take Action: Protect Lake Chatuge Shoreline Wetlands

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

 

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

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

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

There are two parcels involved in the development on either side of the road, one of which is upland that is currently forested with moderately steep slopes; the other is lowland on the Lake Chatuge shoreline. At the heart of the lowlands is approximately 0.36 acres of stream and 0.26 acres of wetlands. Developers propose to build a dam below the uppermost part of the wetlands to create a water feature and permanently destroy 0.16 acres61.5% of the total amount of wetlands on the parcel. Construction of 39 housing units in the small watershed of the intermittent stream would likely significantly degrade the remaining wetlands as well.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Let’s build on that success.

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

 

Join MountainTrue’s Board of Directors!

Join MountainTrue’s Board of Directors!

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, 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!

MountainTrue’s Comments: Lake Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications Scoping Period

MountainTrue’s Comments: Lake Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications Scoping Period

MountainTrue’s Comments: Lake Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications Scoping Period

May 27, 2025

Erica McLamb, NEPA Project Manager / 1101 Market St. Chattanooga, TN 37402

Re: Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications Scoping Period Comments

Dear Ms. McLamb,

I am submitting these comments on behalf of MountainTrue and our 12,000 members and supporters across the Southern Blue Ridge, approximately 600 of whom have homes and/or businesses in Towns County, Georgia or Clay County, North Carolina, and many more who regularly visit the area to use Lake Chatuge for camping, boating and other water-based recreation activities.

First and foremost, we recognize the need for the Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications Project to take place and fully support TVA’s goals of “reducing the potential risk and ensuring the dam’s long-term safe operations.” We have appreciated working with TVA staff during the scoping phase of the project. TVA dam safety project manager Chris Saucier, in particular, has been so respectful of all the many repeated questions and complaints, patiently addressing them during interview after interview and in hours of public meetings. The level of engagement with the public and elected officials has been excellent so far. We hope our comments will be helpful in order to further refine this project and avoid or minimize any adverse impacts to the environment and our communities.

In my past experience with scoping for federal projects, alternatives are typically not presented yet and information received during scoping is used to craft the alternatives that are then presented in the Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Study. However, since alternatives have been presented during scoping, provided our concerns outlined in this letter about a very deep and prolonged drawdown can be adequately addressed, MountainTrue supports “Alternative E: New Spillway and Repairs to Existing Spillway.” Since storms haved occured more frequently and are often more intense in recent years, and since these trends are likely to continue with continued warming of the planet, having a new spillway with similar capacity to the existing spillway and repairing the existing spillway for use during rare, extreme weather events would provide more resilience for dam operations going forward. While this alternative will likely be the most expensive one, the fact that Lake Chatuge is so high in the Hiwassee River headwaters and is the first dam the system might justify this added expense.

MountainTrue champions clean water, resilient forests, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge. We and our predecessor organization the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition have been monitoring Lake Chatuge and the streams flowing into it for more than 20 years. We have also successfully reduced inputs of excess nitrogen and phosphorus into the lake following an extensive study that was conducted jointly with TVA in 2001 & 2002 showing that excess nutrients were a primary cause of poor ecological health ratings in the lake. Lake Chatuge continues to be a priority of our clean water program. However, MountainTrue is also committed to maintaining healthy human communities across our region. These comments reflect both programmatic goals.

Significant adverse impacts to our economy. Lake Chatuge is unique among the 47 reservoirs TVA owns and manages. In fact, Lake Chatuge is very different from the other five reservoirs in the Southern Blue Ridge in that it’s the lifeblood of Towns County, Georgia. Towns County’s County seat — the City of Hiawassee — is literally “on the lake,” bounded by miles of shoreline on its western side. Also, unlike other mountain reservoirs like Hiwassee, Apalachia, and Fontana, the vast majority of Lake Chatuge’s 132-mile shoreline is privately owned, with many campgrounds, marinas, and tourist lodging.

In an area where lake-based home ownership, tourism and recreation drive local employment, small business, and county tax revenues, even a single summer of a deep drawdown to the proposed 1908 elevation could result in economic collapse, particularly in Hiawassee, Georgia at the upper end of the lake. According to a 2021 University of Georgia assessment, Towns County alone derives $117.4 million annually from tourism, supporting 1,362 jobs, which constitutes 24% of the county’s employment.

We strongly urge TVA to develop and adopt new plans for accomplishing this project that maintain reasonable summer pool levels during construction. Our communities are accustomed to winter drawdowns and deeper drawdowns during the winter could likely be tolerated without much adverse economic impact; however, impacts on marinas from a record low drawdown (even in winter) should absolutely be analyzed. Significant drawdowns between Memorial Day and Labor Day are what should be avoided to prevent severe community economic impacts. While TVA may not presently classify this situation as a structural emergency, our communities are already experiencing negative economic impacts, particularly in the real estate market just from the announcement of the proposed implementation of this project, due to the fear of summertime deep drawdowns over several years.

Adverse Impacts to the City of Hiawassee’s public drinking water supply. The City of Hiawassee and surrounding commercial businesses and residents of Towns County rely on Lake Chatuge for their drinking water supply. Prolonged low lake levels may reduce intake efficiency, increase sediment and turbidity loads, and strain filtration and treatment systems. Officials in Hiawassee have already expressed serious concern about the capacity of their municipal water plant to function under sustained deep drawdown conditions. The system experiences maximum pressure during the summer months, so limiting summertime drawdowns may also alleviate some of these concerns.

Adverse impacts to water quality in both the lake and river downstream. The City of Hiawassee’s municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges into Lake Chatuge under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. NPDES permit limits are developed based in part on the assimilation capacity of the receiving water “to ensure that the discharge does not hurt water quality or people’s health.” A prolonged very deep drawdown would change the lake conditions under which the permit was issued, which could result in water quality problems in the vicinity of the discharge, even when the plant is operating within permit requirements.

MountainTrue also has concerns about downstream fish and aquatic life communities due to possible changes in water temperature and turbidity associated with the drawdown. Although downstream waters don’t carry the supplemental trout classification and are not stocked by NC Wildlife Resources Commission, there is a significant trout population and the river is regularly fished by locals and tourists alike, and at least two professional guide services operate regularly on the river downstream.

Adverse impacts to littoral and riparian habitat. MountainTrue is concerned about impacts to wildlife during a yearslong deep drawdown of Lake Chatuge, including wading birds and overwintering waterfowl. Threatened and endangered species of wildlife and plants like bald eagles, bog turtles & green pitcher plants, the latter two of which are found in marshy shallows around Lake Chatuge could also be negatively impacted by an extensive drawdown.

TVA has always been a reliable partner in our communities for both clean water and economic development. We are counting on TVA to thoroughly analyze these and other potential impacts and to chart a new path for completing this project that avoids or minimizes them.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. We look forward to the draft EIS and more public engagement by TVA.

Sincerely,

Callie Moore, MountainTrue Western Regional Director