Before the hellbender can be listed officially as an endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must open a 60-day public comment period, which began Dec. 13.
Nowhere to hide: Microplastics are polluting western North Carolina watersheds
Researchers discovered that roughly 90% of the microplastics were fibers, with three primary types of plastic present: polystyrene, polyamides and polyethylene. These plastics are used to make items such as sportswear and other types of clothing, takeout food containers, foam packaging and water bottles.
Critics say outdated flood maps provide an inaccurate picture of future threats
FEMA says a quarter of all insurance claims for flood damage occur outside the 100-year floodplain — even though homeowners in those areas aren’t required to buy flood insurance and often don’t.
Regulators order CSX to stop dredging rock from Nolichucky River
The Army Corps of Engineers has ordered CSX to stop mining the Nolichucky riverbed for material used in railroad repairs, according to a copy of a letter shared by The Southern Environmental Law Center, which has sued over the issue.
Carmen Atwater discusses the impact Helene has had on local bees
“Fall is already a nectar scarce time of year, and the storm was immediately followed by our first frost, so it really was a triple whammy,” says Carmen Atwater, founder of Feral Farms.
Unstoppable: Clearing trees and developing new bonds
“We have real concerns about how the downed debris could impact the severity of wildfires,” says Lang Hornthal, co-executive director of EcoForesters. “We also know that nonnative invasive species will take advantage of this newly created growing space and will be a big problem come spring.”
New Soil & Water supervisor talks Helene recovery
Blair Thompson is joining the Buncombe Soil & Water Conservation District board at a time when its work is in the public mind due to Tropical Storm Helene.
Green roundup: Storm delays Woodfin’s Riverside Park improvements
Despite minimal damage from Tropical Storm Helene, improvements to Woodfin’s Riverside Park and a manufactured whitewater Taylor’s Wave are delayed while waiting for water levels to fall.
Waterway protectors reflect on Helene, look to the future
Erica Shanks was in Milwaukee, Wis., for a water and climate conference Sept. 26, but all she could think about was the weather back home. She needed to get home.
Unstoppable: A special place
“We are dedicated to providing key resources so that Pisgah remains the beloved place that it is for WNC residents and all who pass through these mountains,” says Marielle DeJong, donor engagement officer at The Pisgah Conservancy.
Buncombe air quality post-Helene has not been affected greatly by dust, but smoke risk rises, agency says
“What we’re particularly concerned about is the fine particles from open burning that we expect we’re going to see more of,” AB Air Quality Agency Director Ashley Featherstone said.
Smart Bets: Lake Logan benefit concert and volunteer weekend
A weekend of music and food combines with post-Helene river and lake cleanup efforts in Haywood County.
Asheville halts plans to dump debris in residential areas
The City of Asheville suspends dumping post-Helene debris, including trees, drywall, computers, televisions, pesticides and paint, in residential areas.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality looking into reports of toxins in French Broad River
The N.C. Emergency Management Joint Information Center confirmed Oct. 4 that state and federal agencies have received reports of potentially toxic mud on the banks of the French Broad River in Madison County near Marshall.
Drivers invited to test out electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) from 13 automakers, including Ford, Tesla, Chevrolet, Kia, Hyundai and Nissan will be at the free event, where EV owners will answer questions about the environmentally friendly vehicles and even offer test drives.
Team works to protect ice-age era Roan Mountain ecosystem
Mountain-top berry bushes are pushing out the rare species. UNCA and SAHC are trying to push back.
Green Roundup: ASAP’s Farm Tour spotlights local growers
The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is gearing up for its annual Farm Tour in September. Also in local green news, a new solar lending program from Sugar Hollow Solar, the West Asheville Garden Stroll spotlights the Horney Heights neighborhood, N.C. Arboretum hosts Monarch Butterfly Day and more.
WNC grapples with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Since January of this year, Buncombe County has received 104 reports of Lyme, says Buncombe County spokesperson Stacey Wood. Of those, 19 have been confirmed cases, five met the definition for suspect or probable cases and 23 are currently under investigation.
Confusion abounds in Buncombe about what trash can be recycled. Here’s why.
Most Buncombe County residents, and most Americans, assume that anything with a little triangular recycling symbol on it is recyclable. But that’s not the case.
Buncombe residents use millions of recyclable plastic bags a year; nearly all end up in landfills, Watchdog finds
“Based on national numbers, we think there are about 132 million plastic shopping bags [used] per year within Buncombe County,” said Anna Alsobrook, the French Broad watershed science and policy manager at MountainTrue.
A look at the candidates running for the Buncombe Soil & Water Conservation District board and why it matters
If you don’t know what a Soil & Water Conservation District supervisor does, you are not alone. Here’s a quick primer on the position, which Buncombe County voters will decide on this fall.
