Water Resources

The common bond of all living creatures poses uncommonly complex challenges. North Carolina's blessings of water - mountain streams, Piedmont reservoirs, rivers, swamps, wetlands, and Atlantic shore - demands inspired, insightful conservation planning and advocacy.

Project: Yadkin/PeeDee and Catawba hydroelectric relicensing

The Action:
NCWF works as a stakeholder in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hydroelectric relicensing process for a fish, wildlife, and habitat enhancement, protection, and mitigation package. This will improve access for bank fishing and non-motorized boats; improve waterfowl impoundments; increase gamelands;maintain and protect wildlife corridors and riparian buffers; develop new public use areas for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation; protect and enhance acreage for wildlife; improve recreational flow information; and protect wetlands and tributaries.

Project: Upper Chattooga

The Action:
The Chattooga is a Wild and Scenic River. Increased public use by whitewater paddlers has led to interest to open the upper river stretches for paddling access. NCWF will work as part of a "Friends of Upper Chattooga" coalition to maintain the protection of 23 miles of Wild and Scenic River. The US Forest Service is reviewing alternatives for management of the ecosystem and the NCWF position is to support no change in current management. NCWF opposes removal of woody debris habitat or increased water releases.

Project: Carolina Heelsplitter mussel

The Action:
The Goose Creek watershed near Charlotte is rapidly urbanizing. It is home to the endangered Carolina Heelsplitter mussel, which along with other aquatic species is highly sensitive to sediment and pollution carried by runoff. NCWF will work for the protection of the heelsplitter, through federal, state, and local authorities, to ensure appropriate guidelines are implemented, and, that our watersheds and landscapes will show significant improvement as habitat for all aquatic species.

Project: Wilson Creek

The Action:
NCWF will work to keep this Wild and Scenic River a mountain aquatic jewel for quality trout fishing and riparian-dependant flora and fauna. NCWF will work for a large-scale protection plan combining easements, publicly protected lands, and conservation zoning.

Project: Carbonton dam Removal

The Action:
There are 5,281 dams registered in North Carolina. The Carbonton Dam on the Deep River in Chatham County blocked 19 miles of habitat to American shad, and also prevented the federally endangered Cape Fear shiner from repopulating historic habitat. NCWF supported the dismantling of the dam, which improved habitat for anadromous and endangered fishes. NCWF will continue to work for the restoration of the Deep River and for the identification of additional river restoration sites.

Project: Waterway Access

The Action:
Public access to public waters is rapidly diminishing as traditional boat ramp sites are being converted to private developments. Soaring land coasts hobble state efforts to provide access. NCWF will support the work of the Waterfront Access Study Committee and the Wildlife Resources Commission in its efforts to secure additional funding sources for public access to public waters, and work with the state legislature to press for improvements in funding and permitting process.

Project: Stream Buffers

The Action:
NCWF will continue its efforts to protect riparian buffers. Stream buffers provide wildlife habitat and movement corridors, and are an effective natural means of curbing sediment run-off and providing pollution filtration.

Project: Clean Water Act

The Action:
NCWF will work for continued improvements to the federal Clean Water Act to ensure that wetlands and important fish nurseries, waterfowl, and aquatic-habitat dependant species receive the necessary protections this important legislature provides.