The Environmental Quality Institute’s Stream Monitoring Information Exchange program is currently seeking volunteers to attend a volunteer training on Saturday, March 29th, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at UNC Asheville. Once trained, volunteers work in small groups to sample a couple sites, two times per year (about 10 hours of annual service). Volunteer opportunities are open to anyone (11th grade and up) with any level of experience or identification skills.
About 100 people gathered tonight for a forum updating locals on the dispute over the fate of the city’s water system from local government and activists. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said the public has given city leaders a clear mandate to continue its lawsuit and fight to preserve local control of the water system against state legislation seeking to seize it and turn it over to a regional authority.
It wasn’t quite a toxic argument, but Buncombe County Commissioners fiercely debated a resolution extolling the virtues of green cleaning Feb. 18.
Asheville on Bikes is on a roll. Since its birth in 2006, the organization has been a key advocate for a more bicycle-friendly city. And it seems poised for growth as it prepares to celebrate Bike Love — a fundraiser and membership drive featuring a range of speakers and musical acts.
Yesterday, Feb. 14, thousands of gallons of oil spilled into Hominy Creek. Since then, local individuals and organizations have posted videos investigating the impact of the spill, including questioning if the measures erected to stop the spill from spreading are effective and showing oil entering the French Broad River.
The League of Conservation Voters released its National Environmental Scorecard Feb. 11, giving local congressmen Patrick McHenry and Mark Meadows some of the lowest scores in the country.
This new video by Lloyd Hammarlund takes viewers on a bicycle tour of Asheville, from West Asheville neighborhoods to downtown and the surrounding hills along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At the Jan. 13 WNC Regional Air Quality meeting, the agency approved a permit modification for Day International, Inc. dba Flint Group, a fabricated rubber and urethane manufacturer that makes products for the printing industry.
It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.
As part of an ongoing effort to encourage energy-saving behaviors, the local Green Opportunities nonprofit has released a catchy hip hop music video,“Turn Off the Lights.”
A group of citizens will deliver a petition to regional supermarket chain Ingles asking the store to label genetically modified food products.
The international debate over climate change came home Dec. 3, as the Buncombe County commissioners butted heads over a proposal to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent over time. Now, county staff is trying to figure out how to begin implementing the directive and determine how to measure the progress.
At their Dec. 3 meeting, the majority of Buncombe County Commissioners endorsed a goal of reducing the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent. The plan calls for cutting its emissions by 2 percent each year until the final target is met.
At their Dec. 3 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposed Energy Independence Initiative that would commit the county to achieving an 80 percent reduction in its carbon footprint. Commissioners will also elect a new vice chair to succeed Commissioner Holly Jones, who is finishing up a one-year term in the role.
Local nonprofit Green Opportunities coordinates everything from community gardens to the renovation of the Reid Center. The organization’s recently released annual report provides a glimpse at the scale of its efforts and funding.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners voted to spend $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominy area.
As a massive fire continues to engulf parts of Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, photographer William Mauney posted a stunning video to YouTube documenting the flames.
About 50 people gathered at the Skyland Fire Department this afternoon to see an in-depth WLOS report on the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site. Many, residents of the Mills Gap Road area, have lived with the specter of the nearby pollution for more than a decade. They expressed their hope for a clean-up, an investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s handling of the matter and renewed pressure on legislators.
Yesterday’s rain helped reduce the size of the raging fire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area from 2,700 acres to about 2,275 acres, but the blaze continues to blanket a popular site for hiking, climbing and camping. Officials are now worried that an upcoming week of warm, dry weather could challenge containment efforts.
Residents of the Mills Gap Road area, who live near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site will hold a viewing of WLOS’ hour-long investigative report on the issue this afternoon. The residents, many active for years in bringing attention to the problem, will renew their call for accountability from the Environmental Protection Agency and a full clean-up.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners will consider spending $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominey area.
