Catawba Riverkeepers Speak About Charlotte’s Coal Ash. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/waterkeeperalliance/9355500454/in/photolist-eRzVQG-eRzVHb-eRzVSb-eRoy4R-ffHokY-ffHnFh-fftayt-ffHp9Y-fftaeg-ffHpV9-fft9xF-ffHq9E-ffHn9C/
With the mission to “advocate for the health, protection, and enjoyment of the Catawba River Watershed” the Catawba River Keepers have been leaders in protecting the local watershed since the organization was chartered in 1997. As a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, the Catawba works with over 200 other organization chapters to protect watersheds worldwide. The Catawba River Keepers work closely with the other chapters to address statewide issues such as particulate pollution from non-pointsource runoff. As North Carolina (and particularly the Charlotte area) continues to develop and urbanize, the risk of erosion increases. Because soil particulates can reduce water quality and threaten wildlife, it is important to keep a close watch on the issue. The Riverkeepers are working to address this issue The Catawba River Keepers oversee the 24 counties that make up the watershed, which spans two states. http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/our-work/muddy-water-watch/
On a more local level, there are subchapters of the organization that carryout the organization’s mission on the lakes in the watershed. The Lake Norman Covekeepers are responsible for Lake Normand the four counties that surround it. The Covekeepers train volunteers to participate in the larger chapter initiatives, such as the Muddy Water Watch. Additionally, however, the Covekeepers work directly on local projects such as litter pickups on Lake Norman. The Covekeepers have cleaned up trash on all 42 islands in Lake Norman, and hold annual events to ensure the water is as free of trash as possible.
These are just two examples of the diverse work conducted by the Catawba River Keepers. In the last 17 years, the organization has worked to promote community education, fight water contamination, establish buffer zones in critical areas, and inform residents of current threats to local rivers and lakes.
References
- Lake Norman Covekeepers — Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/our-work/covekeepers/lake-norman-covekeepers