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Clean Water Reports
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Executive Summary
The Southeast is home to breathtakingly beautiful rivers,
lakes, and streams. Despite the pollution and degradation of many waterways in
the region, the Southeast still holds some of the most pristine, biologically
diverse, and beautiful waterways anywhere in the nation.
However, as sprawling residential and commercial development
continues to spread into previously remote corners of the Southeast, many of
the region’s most special waterways face new threats. Runoff pollution from new
development, excessive water withdrawals, and continuing exposure to
agricultural and industrial pollution pose challenges to the delicate
ecological balance in many of the Southeast’s most pristine waterways.
This report identifies 10 special rivers in the Southeast of
exceptional beauty, recreational value and ecological importance. Each of these
waterways faces significant challenges. And all of them deserve the highest
level of protection the Clean Water Act affords – designation as Outstanding
National Resource Waters.
The waterways profiled in this report include:
- Apalachicola River, Florida:
The Apalachicola River is one of the most biologically diverse
and ecologically important rivers in Florida.
- Conasauga and Jacks
Rivers, Georgia: These two mountain streams combine to
form the Conasauga, which supports more than 90 different fish species and
25 species of freshwater mussels, making it one of the 10 most
biologically diverse rivers in the nation.
- Chattahoochee River, Georgia:
The Chattahoochee is the best-known and most beloved waterway in Georgia,
providing drinking water for much of the Metro-Atlanta area, recreational
opportunities, and habitat for several rare fish species.
- Dragon Run, Virginia: The river meanders
through wetlands virtually untouched by human influence and is to home to
bald eagles and 15 rare species.
- Eastatoe River, South Carolina:
The Eastatoe
River descends from
its headwaters through a dramatic gorge, providing excellent trout fishing
and hiking opportunities, containing extraordinary biodiversity, and
contributing to a major regional source of drinking water.
- Eno River, North Carolina:
Lined with popular state and local parks, the Eno River
sustains a variety of rare and sensitive species including nationally
significant mussels, snails, salamanders and fish.
- Hazel River,
Virginia: Surrounded by woods, the Hazel River
is scenic, wild, and largely unpolluted. It has been nominated three times
for protection as an “exceptional state water.”
- Middle Saluda River, South Carolina: The state’s
first river to receive a Wild and Scenic designation, the Middle Saluda’s
clear, cold water supports reproducing trout populations and is surrounded
by 400 species of plants, including some that are endangered.
- Suwannee River, Florida:
The Suwannee River is the only undisturbed major river system
in the southeastern United
States, without any dams, and supports
a wide variety of wildlife.
- Tar River, North Carolina:
The Tar River, home to many rare and endangered species, provides drinking
water for the town of Tarboro,
and is a favorite recreation spot.
States in the Southeast have the tools available to protect
these and other exceptional waterways. The federal Clean Water Act allows
states to designate waterways as “Outstanding National Resource Waters.” Under that
designation, no degradation of water quality is permitted – meaning that these
special waterways will be maintained for generations of Southerners to enjoy.
For each of the waterways profiled in this report, and other
exceptional waterways, the states should:
- Designate
the waterways as Outstanding National Resource Waters and propose rules
for the protection of these waters as quickly as possible.
- Put a
hold on permits for discharges into these rivers and streams until the
rule making process for individual waterways is complete.
- Develop
a timetable for the protection of the state’s remaining unspoiled
waterways.
There are many beautiful rivers and streams needing
protection. This report highlights some of the most pristine waters in the
southeastern United States,
all needing public support to ensure their unspoiled nature is preserved.
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