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Hello!
We hope you're well and enjoying this beautiful Autumn. The colors of the trees are amazing, reminding us of the special beauty of our region and renewing our inspiration to protect and enjoy our natural heritage.
This newsletter has updates on TRVW's projects and other important events and issues that affect our environment. We hope you can join us for our Member's Meeting next month, which is also open to the public.
We'll also be contacting you to make a donation and renew your membership (or join as a new member) with TRVW. Your support is essential and greatly appreciated!
Thank you to all our friends and members who help keep our Toe River Valley watershed a healthy and beautiful place to live - for all creatures.
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TRVW Members and Community Invited to Our Annual Members Meeting
The Annual TRVW Members Meeting is Sunday Nov. 15. 2pm-4pm.
Location: Penland School of Crafts - Ridgeway Hall.
We'll have drinks and delicious homemade snacks to enjoy.
Come meet your fellow members and welcome new members!
The Penland Gallery is open from 12-5 so you may also enjoy visiting it before or after the Members Meeting. Or leave time to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful view!
Agenda:
1. Membership vote on by-law change:
At the January 14, 2009 board meeting in Burnsville, a motion was made and passed by the board recommending that the membership renewal be changed to an annual schedule. (Currently, we do not have a provision for renewal of TRVW membership.)
2. Development of Focus Groups
TRVW depends on Focus Groups within the organization to develop and manage our various programs. Presently, only the Water Quality group is active. We will be a more effective organization with organized member participation in such areas as Energy, Membership Development, Wild Lands Protection, and other areas the membership wishes to work on. Members are encouraged to join a Focus Group or lead one themselves!
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Pensacola Mining Alert
As we informed you this month, a permit is being requested to create a rock quarry in the upper water shed of the Cane River and Cattail creek. The permit is a request to mine a 20 acre field in one of the most pristine valleys anywhere. Some mining has already begun.
This land is part of the original Wilson Property on Mount Mitchell and is a new field that has not been mined before. The field is bordered by the Cane River and is above the town of Burnsville's public water supply intake. The town of Burnsville is also writing a letter requesting a public hearing prior to issuing the permit.
There was an informative article in the Yancey Times last week that we encourage you to read for more information.
We don't know when the public hearing about the mining permit will be yet, but the County Manager Nathan Bennett is making a list of names of people who are concerned about the mining permit for Pensacola and will be given to DENR (Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources). His secretary will add your name to the list of concerned citizens if you call the office. Watch the paper for the public hearing date and to call the county manager at 682-9735 or 682-3971.
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Ongoing Water Quality Projects
Penland - N. Toe Mining spill
Starli has been in contact with the Department of Water Quality (DWQ) about the July 13 pollution spill in the North Toe near Penland on a regular basis. An EPA investigation is ongoing.
Mining Waste Storage pollution
There are three small tributaries that are being impacted by the mining waste storage dump which was noted while we were removing the Spruce Pine dam. Theses streams were tested and the impacts that were noted were traced back to the mining industry. The mining industry then made changes to their sediment control plans, but Starli has observed that these tributaties continue to be impacted. She has again made contact with the DWQ about the situation. Residents of the affected area are staying alert to the situation and will be taking water samples and pictures. If you are interested in helping, please let us know.
Cane River Dam
TRVW is applying for additional funding to assist with the removal of the Cane River Dam.
Burnsville WWTP
The WWTP has been improved, but the town's infrastructure is in very poor condition and needs repairs. Stay tuned for an article in the Yancey paper.
VWIN
The Volunteer Water Information Network Water Quality testing at UNCA was discontinued in August but through Environmental Testing Solutions in Asheville, TRVW continues to test six local sites on a monthly basis. These sites include the North Toe River at Redhill, the South Toe River just below Carolina Hemlock, the Cane River at MHHS, Cane creek at Bakersville and Loafers Glory and Bald creek on 19E. We hope to add sites to our testing as funding allows.
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Wind Energy Forums scheduled for the Mountains
These forums are November 11 at UNCA Alumni Center in Asheville at 6:00 PM and November 12 at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine at 6:00 PM.
The forums are free to the public and are being held to give citizens the opportunity to learn more about the wind potential here in the mountains. A panel of experts will be available to answer questions and the presentation will include an overview of a potential Wind Energy Project proposed for Mitchell County.
A thorough discussion of the pros and cons is the only way we can make an informed decision about this important issue. Please plan to come and learn more about the two specific projects in our region.
These forums are sponsored by Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development, Mountain Valley Resource Conservation and Development and Toe River Valley Watch.
Please call Russell Blevins 828-649-3313 ext. 5 or Starli McDowell 828-675-4311 for more information.
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Setting out to clean up the S. Toe
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NC Big Sweep
The NC Big Sweep was a success! A couple of neighborhood groups had a clean-up on the South Toe pulling over 300 pounds of trash off the banks and roadsides. 25 + volunteers met at Loafers Glory Rafting and proceeded to clean up the section of the Toe River from near Red hill to Green Mountain. The Eco-Club from Mountain Heritage high school helped again this year and we removed 41 Tires, 40 bags of trash and a variety of metal scrap. The Eco-club kids are so tough and left no tire or piece of trash in their path! They are great!!
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Local Foods Potlucks
TRVW would like to thank the officers from the MHHS Future Farmers of America for the wonderful presentation at the Burnsville Local Foods Potluck and for the work that Chad Ayers and the FFA do in our community. They are a wonderful group of kids. We had several suggestions for next years Local Foods Potluck events which will be held at the Burnsville and Bakersville Farmers Markets in the spring. We will be asking for volunteers to help plan these events.
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NC Environmental Legislation Update
From the Newsletter of Rep. Ray Rapp:
_ House Bill 512 extends the sunset on the renewable energy tax credit through 2016 and expands the list of items eligible for the credit to include geothermal heat pumps and equipment.
_ House Bill 1236 encourages voluntary water conservation efforts by setting out procedures for an energy efficiency certification program for car washes. The bill does not require participation by any business or individual, but sets standards for those who wish to advertise their certification.
_ House Bill 1389, of which Rapp was a primary sponsor with Representatives Susan Fisher and Pricey Harrison, allows local governments to finance energy efficiency projects for homeowners. The House passed the bill earlier in July and the most recent vote was to agree with the changes made by the Senate.
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Local Foods - Fall Recipe
Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
2 tablespoons oil (olive, coconut, safflower, etc.)
2/3 cup diced carrot (about 1 (8-inch) large carrot)
1/2 cup diced celery (about 1 (11-inch) large stalk)
2/3 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
4 cups cubed (peeled) butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
4 to 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Method
Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butternut squash and thyme. Stir to combine with vegetables. Stir in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully puree in batches in a traditional blender.
Garnish with chopped apples, toasted walnuts, crumbled bleu cheese, etc.
Adapted from www.wholefoodsmarket.com
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Calendar of Events
November 12 - Wind Energy Forum
November 15 - Annual Membership Meeting
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Volunteer Opportunities!
Help out with ongoing TRVW Projects like:
Muddy Water Watch
Water Quality Testing
2010 Toe River Valley Festival
Membership
Grassroots Action
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Contact Us to Volunteer!
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