Broad Riverkeeper
Keep the Broad River Basin Clean
You can help the Broad River Alliance keep the Green, the Second Broad, and the First Broad rivers clean by volunteering with a clean up day or another river event. If you are interested in volunteering, contact David Caldwell at david@mountaintrue.org
Interested in Exploring the Broad River?
Our Broad Riverkeeper is always willing to take folks out on the Broad and First Broad Rivers for half or full day paddles. A limited number of boats can be provided and no experience is necessary. If you’re interested in scheduling a paddle, email David Caldwell at david@mountaintrue.org.
David Caldwell
Broad Riverkeeper
David Caldwell is the Broad Riverkeeper. David moved into the Broad River watershed in 1987, after receiving an Engineering degree from Clemson University, and worked in manufacturing for several years in Shelby, NC. He has been fishing, paddling, and exploring the Broad River waterways for 27 years now.
Broad River Alliance News
Update NC’s Spill Notification System to Keep People and Waterways Safe
The public has the right to know about major pollution spills that impact our waterways as soon as possible, and through the technology the public uses today. Sign the petition below to tell the NC Department of Environmental Quality: Update your spill notification system for modern times to keep North Carolina’s people and waterways safe.
Historic Settlement Results In Largest Coal Ash Cleanup In America
On January 2, MountainTrue, other community partners and our legal counsel the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) announced a historic settlement with Duke Energy and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The agreement mandates that 80 million tons of coal ash will be excavated from six Duke Energy coal ash sites: Allen, Belews Creek, Cliffside, Marshall, Mayo, and Roxboro. Prior settlements and court orders require cleanups and excavation of coal ash at the eight other Duke Energy sites in North Carolina for the excavation of 46 million tons of coal ash. This agreement now puts in place a comprehensive cleanup plan for all coal ash lagoons at all 14 Duke Energy sites in North Carolina under which 126 million tons of ash has been or will be excavated across the state and will result in the largest coal ash cleanup in America to date.
Healthy Forests = Good Fishing
Fred Mix has been an avid fisherman since before he could speak. In all his time fishing, he’s never been as concerned about the health of our rivers and streams as he is now.
The Broad River Gets Its Own Riverkeeper
MountainTrue is pleased to announce that David Caldwell, MountainTrue’s program director for the Broad River Alliance, is now the new Broad Riverkeeper and will serve as a fundamental protector of the Broad River watershed. MountainTrue’s riverkeeper programs are key to our endeavors to monitor and protect the quality of our region’s waterways. MountainTrue is one of the few organizations in the nation with four Riverkeeper programs.
How Clean Is Your River? Check Swim Guide
Before you head out onto the water, don’t forget to check theswimguide.org. MountainTrue’s four Riverkeepers post up-to-date water monitoring results for the Broad, French Broad, Green and Watauga rivers just in time for the weekend. The Swim Guide is the public’s best resource for knowing which streams and river recreation areas are safe to swim in, and which have failed to meet safe water quality standards for bacteria pollution.
MountainTrue, Other Community Groups Intervene In Duke’s Appeal of Coal Ash Order
MountainTrue and several other community groups in North Carolina are intervening in Duke Energy’s appeal of the order requiring the company to clean up its toxic coal ash pollution.
Celebrate Earth Day with MountainTrue
For six years, MountainTrue members kept the pressure on Duke Energy and the state Department of Environmental Quality. You are part of that legacy. Your support held Duke Energy accountable. Recent victories are an important reminder that your activism can change the course of history.
MountainTrue’s Statement on DEQ’s Announcement to Order Full Excavation of Duke Energy’s Coal Ash Pits in North Carolina
On April 1, North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced that they will require full excavation of all coal ash impoundments in NC. As a result, a total of nine coal ash pits at six coal-burning plants – Allen, Belews, Cliffside/Rogers, Marshall, Mayo and Roxboro – must be fully excavated and moved to lined landfills. Below are statements from MountainTrue’s Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, and MountainTrue’s Co-Director, Julie Mayfield.
Protect the Clean Water Act from Industry Polluters!
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposal that would gut the Clean Water Act, a bedrock environmental law that has protected America’s waters for generations. Time is running out before the comment period closes on April 15. Take the action below to show that Western North Carolina will not stand for our waterways and communities being put at risk.
Public Input Session on Cliffside Coal Ash Closure Options
On January 22, the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) will host an information session and receive public input about coal ash pond closure options for Duke’s Cliffside plant. The input they receive at this meeting and through public comments will help decide whether NCDEQ enforces a full cleanup of Duke Energy’s coal ash or allows them to leave it “capped in place” at the site.
