North Carolina's Pristine Rivers: Preserving Our Last Unspoiled Waters

10/26/2006

Executive Summary

From the Little Tennessee River in the West to the Tar River in the East, North Carolina is home to breathtaking rivers, lakes, and streams, important for drinking water, fishing, swimming, and recreation. Unfortunately, our waters are at risk.  North Carolina is developing at the fifth fastest rate in the nation. As this development increases, so do the demands and stresses placed on our rivers and streams.

The primary threat facing our waters is polluted runoff. This pollution occurs when rain hits paved surfaces and carries pollutants including oil, gas, pesticides, and sediment into our rivers and streams. This runoff smothers wildlife, erodes stream banks, and degrades water quality. Polluted water means a loss of clean drinking water, clear swimming holes, healthy fish, and recreational tourism. Fortunately, North Carolina has the ability to protect our remaining pristine rivers and streams.

Unspoiled waters can be safeguarded by implementing special classifications aimed at preserving water quality. There are over 75 rivers and streams in the state that qualify for these designations, but are still left unprotected.  This report highlights the beauty and importance of several of these unspoiled rivers.

Recommendations

There are a number of important steps North Carolina should take to protect our waters, including improving enforcement of existing laws, protecting our open spaces, and requiring more safeguards on development. Perhaps the most powerful tool available to citizens, however, is the reclassification of pristine rivers and streams.

Classifying rivers and streams as “High Quality Waters” and “Outstanding Resource Waters” is an important means of preserving the health and beauty of our waters. To ensure the protection of our pristine waters, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should:

• &bul;Propose rules to the Environmental Management Commission for the protection of pristine waters as quickly as possible.
• &bul;Put a hold on permits for discharges into these rivers and streams until the rule making process for individual waterways is complete.
• &bul;Develop a timetable for the protection of the state's remaining unspoiled waterways.

There are many beautiful rivers and streams needing protection--the report highlights some of the most pristine waters in the state, all needing public support to ensure their unspoiled nature is preserved.