ACA state and local volunteers have worked together and in partnership with American Whitewater to help you reach more elected officials more readily to tell them your concerns about construction on the Nolichucky River by CSX Transportation, a major railroad company.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, railroad construction on the Nolichucky River in Tennessee and North Carolina is raising paddler concerns about future flooding, new human caused environmental damage, and risks to the whitewater paddling industry that is a major economic driver for these rural Appalachian communities. Right now, CSX is mining the riverbed without regard for environmental impact. Dozens of excavators and dump trucks are pushing their way ever-deeper into the Nolichucky River Gorge, removing massive amounts of rock and soil from the river’s bed and banks in an unregulated rush to rebuild the railroad without required oversight.
In addition to being a haven for river recreation and the outdoor recreation economy, this is also an important river for training regional swiftwater rescue personnel.
The two action alerts below make it easy for you to reach all federal, state, and local elected officials. Please add your own words to the body of the email to personalize your passion for the Nolichucky River.
- American Whitewater Congressional Action Alert: Don’t Let Railroad Rebuild Destroy the Nolichucky Gorge
- ACA State and Local Action Alert (Tennessee & North Carolina): Don’t Let Railroad Rebuild Destroy the Nolichucky Gorge
So far, as a result of these emails from paddlers, there is now a form on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation website you can fill out to submit photos, evidence and concerns about CSX construction on the Nolichucky River (Nolichucky River Comment Form). This information is critical for the state of Tennessee to be able to hold CSX and the USACE accountable to the environmental standards included in the construction permits.
American Whitewater has filed suit against the federal agencies who are charged with oversight of these activities, read more in their press release, “American Whitewater Sues Agencies for Allowing Mining in Nolichucky River“.
Filling out both action alerts and sending your photos and evidence of concerns to state officials will make sure we continue to elevate the visibility of this issue.