YADKIN RIVERKEEPER INC

RIVER PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING - YADKIN RIVERKEEPER MONITORS WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS THROUGHOUT THE YADKIN RIVER WATERSHED TO ASSESS THE HEALTH OF RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES AND LAKES. THE YADKIN PEE DEE WATERSHED IS THE SECOND LARGEST IN NORTH CAROLINA AND PROVIDES DRINKING WATER FOR MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE. BASED ON THIS MONITORING, AERIAL SURVEYS AND WATER-BASED PATROLS, YRK IDENTIFIES AND ADDRESSES THREATS TO THE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES POSED BY INACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES, COAL ASH DISPOSAL, LAND CLEARING FOR DEVELOPMENT, URBAN STORMWATER, MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGES, CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF. YRK SAMPLED MORE THAN 26 SITES DURING THE SUMMER RECREATIONAL SEASON (MEMORIAL DAY - LABOR DAY) FOR HARMFUL E. COLI LEVELS AND PROVIDES THAT INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND THE INTERNATIONAL SWIM GUIDE WEBSITE TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF WHERE IT IS SAFE TO SWIM AND PADDLE ON THE RIVER AND YADKIN LAKES. YRK ALSO INTENSIVELY SAMPLES HIGH ROCK LAKE, THE LARGEST RESERVOIR ON THE YADKIN LAKES, DURING THE "ALGAE GROWING SEASON," APRIL TO OCTOBER, FOR NUTRIENT AND BACTERIA POLLUTION AND CHLOROPHYLL-A LEVELS TO IDENTIFY WATER QUALITY CONCERNS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS OR HABS, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS, PETS AND WILDLIFE. YRK ALSO INSTALLED A LITTER COLLECTION DEVICE OR "TRASH TROUT" IN SILAS CREEK COLLECT AND DIVERT PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM WASTE AND OTHER TRASH FROM THE CREEK. YRK STAFF RESPONDS TO NUMEROUS POLLUTION INCIDENT REPORTS AND PROVIDES RESOURCES TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON HOW TO PROTECT ITS WATER RESOURCES. YRK IS DEVELOPING A WATERSHED RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE SOUTH YADKIN RIVER THAT WILL IDENTIFY SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION - YRK ENGAGES COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIVER TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. YRK SPONSORS CREEK WEEK AWARENESS BUILDING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, HOLDS COMMUNITY FORUMS AND ORGANIZES RIVER/STREAM CLEANUP PROGRAMS. YRK STAFF MAKE PRESENTATION TO 10 -12 CIVIC CLUBS, SCHOOL GROUPS, CHURCHES AND OTHER GROUPS ANNUALLY. YRK WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST WITH PUBLIC OUTREACH TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITY.