Catawba Riverkeeper, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, and Lake James Environmental Association have been closely following the Great Meadows Megasite Project in Burke and McDowell counties and have created a site conservation plan to offer guidance for the protection of the environment and the local community.

Proposed industrial development of the site in close proximity to Lake James, Muddy Creek, and the City of Morganton’s drinking water supply raises legitimate concerns. Lake James is a major economic driver for the region due to its excellent water quality, limitless recreational opportunities, and substantial tax base for Burke and McDowell counties.

This proposal contains a variety of guidelines and standards including, but not limited to, stream buffers, permanent land conservation, setbacks for the community and viewshed, and public recreation access all designed to protect the environment and local community. This plan was developed using a combination of publicly available GIS data and multi-disciplinary expertise from staff members of three respected environmental organizations.

Our goal is to present a plan that focuses on protecting the human and natural environments around the site while accommodating development.

Please read the full conservation proposal in its entirety here:

https://bit.ly/conservation-plan.