News About the Charlotte Area of the Catawba River Basin
Soil runoff from Target project still damaging stream
Catawba Riverkeeper volunteers have been closely monitoring the development of the new Target store near Cox Road and I-85. This project required moving a large portion of a hillside and rerouting a stream. As reported in the article, it is questionable about whether it is feasible to limit sedimentation in the short-term and whether the site will be stable over the long term.
Catawba River One of Top 10 Endangered Places in the South
On January 26, 2012, the Southern Environmental Law Center announced its annual list of the Top 10 Endangered Places in the Solutheastern U.S. The Catawba-Wateree River was back on the list as the 3rd most endangered place in the Southeast because of the threats from coal ash, power plant water use and unnecessary reservoirs.
Coal Ash Dumping on the Rise
The Environmental Integrity Project reports that toxic coal ash dumping on the rise in the South.
Report Documents Stress to Catawba River from Power Plants
According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), water used to cool power plants that generate electicity are stressing freshwater resources around the country, and particularly the Catawba River basin. The staff of Catawba Riverkeeper and the scientists involved in researching the report have been meeting with public officials about the implications of the report in the Catawba River basin.
Catawba River Running Out of Water
Catawba River deadline has experts banding together. Projections show demand for river's water to exceed yield in 37 years and Lake Wylie to be out of water sooner.
2011 Riversweep and Big Sweep Events
Lake wylie riversweep and other clean-up events net huge totals of waste removed and volunteer participation
Big Sweep Stream Cleanups
As part of the Big Sweep cleanup efforts throughout the basin, volunteers turned out to cleanup various creeks throughout the basin.
Riverkeeper Says Construction Project is Hurting Environment
Crews are moving mountains of earth and one small creek to make room for a new Target store on Cox Road. Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman said they are destroying the environment in the process.
Volunteers Begin Water Quality Tests
You can help with the tests of water quality and clarity. Info below on how to get a “Secchi Disk” test kit
Development Along Banks of Lake Wylie
The Catawba Riverkeeper would rather see trees and natural vegetation along the banks of 129 acres stretching along the Catawba River east of Mount Holly.
Mtn Island Lake Cluttered with Garbage
Dirty diapers, beer bottles and tangled fishing line makes up just some of the garbage piling up along Mountain Island Lake, Charlotte's primary drinking supply.
Boater/Swimmer Incident on Lake Norman
The driver of a boat that critically injured a passenger at a Lake Norman "rafting" event Saturday had never driven a boat when he rented the 24-foot Chaparral and steered it into a cove with hundreds of other boats.
EPA draws questions about ReVenture site
Concerns voiced at meeting over oversight, liability and safety. Excerpts from article in The Charlotte Observer by Bruce Henderson bhenderson@charlotteobserver.com Posted: Friday, May. 13, 2011
How Safe is the Catawba Nuclear Plant
Excerpt from article published in the Rock Hill Herald. Drills, inspections and emergency plans aim to protect the public. During an emergency, the county will also provide transportation and other services for residents with special needs. 2011.
New Rates Proposed for Charlotte Water Users
Heavy water users would get a break under the new rate structure proposed by Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities.
Catawba Riverkeeper Comments on Final Environmental Impact Statement for Garden Parkway
On February 22, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed comments on behalf of Catawba Riverkeeper and Clean Air Carolina questioning the adequacy of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the need for the Gaston East-West Connector Project (Garden Parkway).
Coal Ash Amendments May Prevent EPA from Regulating Coal Ash
The U.S. House of Representatives is considering two amendments that would force EPA to exempt coal ash from hazardous waste requlations and effectively prevent EPA from adopting regulations needed to prevent continued use of unlined coal ash ponds discharging into drinking water reservoirs along the Catawba River and other rivers.
Crescent Asks Mt. Holly to Rezone Land Near Lake Wylie from Residential to Heavy Industrial
Crescent Resources is asking Mt. Holly to rezone property near the upper section of Lake Wylie from residential to heavy industrial.
Catawba Riverkeeper Fights Sewage Permit
Tega Cay Water Service has been exceeding its permit limits and harming Lake Wylie for more than two years. Catawba Riverkeeper has asked for a hearing on DHEC's recommendation to allow Tega Cay Water Service to continue to pollute.
Cities and Citizens Raise Concerns About Impact of Coal Plants on Catawba Lakes
On October 19, North Carolina held a public hearing on the water pollution permits for the Allen, Riverbend and Marshall coal-fired powerplants which are on Lake Wylie, Mtn. Island Lake and Lake Norman respectively.
