Blog | Yadkin Riverkeeper

Conservation Easement Secured for 339 Acres in Union County to Offset Harm from Monroe Bypass

MARSHVILLE, NC, November 1, 2018 - The Yadkin Riverkeeper, a nonprofit conservation group represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, in partnership with Catawba Lands Conservancy, today announced the purchase of a conservation easement for a 339-acre property near Marshville, NC. The purchase is the result of a million-dollar settlement with the North Carolina Departments of Transportation and Environmental Quality finalized in 2016 to conserve land and protect water quality in areas harmed by the Monroe Bypass, a nearly billion-dollar, 20-mile toll highway that will cut through rural Union County outside of Charlotte....

Op Ed: NC Lawmakers on Wrong Side of Hog Farm Nuisance Lawsuits

On June 15, the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation to cut off rural community members from their rights, protected by the common law since before North Carolina was a state. Influential lobbyists and campaign donations by Smithfield Food’s political action committee supported Rep. Jimmy Dixon and Sen. Brent Jackson when they amended an omnibus bill that would ban these citizens from filing nuisance suits against farm operations that harm their ability to enjoy their homes, a clear response to similar suits this summer.

Support Governor's Veto of Bill S711

UPDATE: On June 26, 2018, the NC Senate predictably voted to override by a wide margin. In the NC House, the vote to override passed 74-45 (a 3/5 majority is required to override a gubernatorial veto). Thanks to all of you for your valiant efforts in this legislative fight. More Information on S711: On Monday, June 25, 2018, NC Governor Cooper took action on 39 bills that were passed by the General Assembly and brought to his desk for approval. He VETOED Bill S711, the bill that is intended to limit hog nuisance suits. Please contact the Governor and your legislators and show your support to maintain the veto.

A Community of River Keepers by Elise Wallace

After following a friend’s paddling trip through Patagonia via email updates and pictures, I felt a pull to get back on a river. I decided on a trip down the Yadkin River Trail from West Kerr Scott Damn to High Rock Lake. The trip would cover 125 miles over 5-7 days.

Visit the New Yadkin Riverkeeper Store!!!

Yadkin Riverkeeper has a new online store! A PORTION OF ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORTS CLEAN WATER IN NORTH CAROLINA.

SECOND PERFORMANCE & SEMINARS ADDED FOR "DANCE FOR THE RIVER"

Winston-Salem, NC, January 30, 2018 – Yadkin Riverkeeper announced today that a second film showing and dance performance have been added for the opening of DANCE FOR THE RIVER by Photographer Christine Rucker on Thursday, February 8 at 8PM. The dance performance will feature dancers from UNC School of the Arts School of Dance. Yadkin Riverkeeper also announced a series of seminars that will take place during the exhibit through March 11. All events are at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, NC, and are free, but require tickets. Visit YadkinRiverkeeper.org to register.

Photographer Christine Rucker's Dance for the River Opens Feb 8 at SECCA

DANCE FOR THE RIVER, presented by Yadkin Riverkeeper, is a traveling multimedia exhibit that connects audiences with the Yadkin River, the region’s primary water source, through dance, photography, and video. Photographer Christine Rucker who lives on the Yadkin River, photographed dancers as they improvised to the river’s diverse landscapes. The exhibit will be on display at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, NC, from February 8 through March 11.

Stop the "Garbage Juice" Bill (H576)

Urge General Assembly to Sustain Veto - H576 so that spraying of landfill wastewater into the air (known as Leachate Aerosolization) is NOT ALLOWED without a permit.

ACTION ALERT: Call your NC State Legislators. Tell them to VOTE NO to H347!

Once again, Duke Energy is looking to get out of its commitments! Contact your state legislator today and ask them to VOTE NO to H347! House Bill H347 removes the existing coal ash recycling requirement if the entire recycling process is not profitable for Duke Energy. That places Duke’s profit margins over protecting North Carolina families and drinking water from coal ash pollution; and deprives our state’s construction industry of much-needed recycled ash.