State officials protect pristine river in Rutherford County
After nearly three years of deliberation, water quality testing and public input, last January state officials moved to protect one of the state’s last unspoiled waters, the North Fork First Broad River, from development.

Nestled in northeast Rutherford County, the North Fork First Broad River and the surrounding South Mountain Gamelands are home to dozens of species of rare wildlife. Its waters are in pristine condition, harboring native crayfish and brook trout, despite encroaching development nearby.

Environment North Carolina partnered with the Concerned Citizens of Rutherford County to petition state officials to give the river an “Outstanding Resource Water” classification. The designation will limit future pollution discharges into a portion of the river and its tributaries, and require vegetative buffers to filter pollutants.

Officials are expected to take up similar petitions from Environment North Carolina and the Pisgah Group of the Sierra Club to protect Horsepasture River in the coming months. Stay posted on our progress through e-mail action alerts or by going to our Web site.

Governor, other state leaders save Chimney Rock Park
Gov. Easley and other state leaders announced in January an agreement to purchase and permanently protect Chimney Rock Park, the 1,000-acre centerpiece of Hickory Nut Gorge in western North Carolina.

The park boasts rare animal and plant species, spectacular vistas and a variety of hiking trails. Its future had been uncertain since former owners announced last year that they would sell the property. The state’s agreement to purchase Chimney Rock will help form one of North Carolina’s premier state parks.

Environment North Carolina applauded the state’s decision to purchase the land, and renewed its call to the state Legislature and the governor to support the recommendations of the Land and Water Conservation Study Commission and the Land for Tomorrow coalition, which would increase funding to protect other critical natural areas across the state.

Environment North Carolina takes on soot-forming diesel pollution
Partnering with the American Lung Association of North Carolina, the Clean Air Task Force and others, Environment North Carolina is working this legislative session to take the first step towards reducing soot-forming diesel pollution from trucks, buses and construction equipment.

Emissions from diesel vehicles create soot, or fine particle, pollution. When inhaled, this type of pollution triggers respiratory problems, heart attacks and even early death. Last year, an Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center study found that air pollution, including fine particle pollution, shortens as many as 3,000 lives each year in the state.