| Cleaning up our rivers in the wake of Hurricane Helene is a number one priority, and doing so safely and sustainably will ensure the long-term health of our waterways. Contractors are currently cleaning up the Broad River along with others, and we are incredibly thankful for their efforts. Severe damage to riverbanks and excessive removal of trees, however, poses a serious threat to river ecosystems.
MountainTrue states that key issues to watch for and report are:
-Lack of timber matting beneath vehicles and machines entering waterways.
-Spilled petroleum products or any other hazardous waste.
-Any form of excavation (digging) of soil or woody debris (versus pulling).
-Removal of live trees leaning less than 30%.
-Removal of rootballs with less than 50% exposure.
-Intact clumps of soil attached to the roots of removed trees.
-Removal of downed trees existing prior to the storm.
-Use of vehicles or machines in wetlands.
If you witness any of the above, please document with pictures and submit a violation report here. Together, we can work towards repairing the devastation left by Helene with the future of our river in mind. |
