Clean Water Reports

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Executive Summary

The Southeast is home to breathtakingly beautiful rivers, lakes, and streams. Despite the pollution and degradation of many waterways in the region, the Southeast still holds some of the most pristine, biologically diverse, and beautiful waterways anywhere in the nation.

However, as sprawling residential and commercial development continues to spread into previously remote corners of the Southeast, many of the region’s most special waterways face new threats. Runoff pollution from new development, excessive water withdrawals, and continuing exposure to agricultural and industrial pollution pose challenges to the delicate ecological balance in many of the Southeast’s most pristine waterways.

This report identifies 10 special rivers in the Southeast of exceptional beauty, recreational value and ecological importance. Each of these waterways faces significant challenges. And all of them deserve the highest level of protection the Clean Water Act affords – designation as Outstanding National Resource Waters.

The waterways profiled in this report include:

1. Apalachicola River, Florida: The Apalachicola River is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically important rivers in Florida.

1. Conasauga and Jacks Rivers, Georgia: These two mountain streams combine to form the Conasauga, which supports more than 90 different fish species and 25 species of freshwater mussels, making it one of the 10 most biologically diverse rivers in the nation.

1. Chattahoochee River, Georgia: The Chattahoochee is the best-known and most beloved waterway in Georgia, providing drinking water for much of the Metro-Atlanta area, recreational opportunities, and habitat for several rare fish species.

1. Dragon Run, Virginia: The river meanders through wetlands virtually untouched by human influence and is to home to bald eagles and 15 rare species.

1. Eastatoe River, South Carolina: The Eastatoe River descends from its headwaters through a dramatic gorge, providing excellent trout fishing and hiking opportunities, containing extraordinary biodiversity, and contributing to a major regional source of drinking water.

1. Eno River, North Carolina: Lined with popular state and local parks, the Eno River sustains a variety of rare and sensitive species including nationally significant mussels, snails, salamanders and fish.

1. Hazel River, Virginia: Surrounded by woods, the Hazel River is scenic, wild, and largely unpolluted. It has been nominated three times for protection as an “exceptional state water.”

1. Middle Saluda River, South Carolina: The state’s first river to receive a Wild and Scenic designation, the Middle Saluda’s clear, cold water supports reproducing trout populations and is surrounded by 400 species of plants, including some that are endangered.

1. Suwannee River, Florida: The Suwannee River is the only undisturbed major river system in the southeastern United States, without any dams, and supports a wide variety of wildlife.

1. Tar River, North Carolina: The Tar River, home to many rare and endangered species, provides drinking water for the town of Tarboro, and is a favorite recreation spot.

States in the Southeast have the tools available to protect these and other exceptional waterways. The federal Clean Water Act allows states to designate waterways as “Outstanding National Resource Waters.” Under that designation, no degradation of water quality is permitted – meaning that these special waterways will be maintained for generations of Southerners to enjoy.

For each of the waterways profiled in this report, and other exceptional waterways, the states should:

• Designate the waterways as Outstanding National Resource Waters and propose rules for the protection of these waters as quickly as possible.

• Put a hold on permits for discharges into these rivers and streams until the rule making process for individual waterways is complete.

• Develop a timetable for the protection of the state’s remaining unspoiled waterways.

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