Hartwell Carson, the French Broad Riverkeeper, paddled in with his position’s past, present and future today as the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) announced that the Waterkeeper Alliance has placed the Riverkeeper’s license with the 28-year-old grassroots environmental advocacy group.

As the WNCA made its announcement at the Asheville Outdoor Center, Carson paddled to the event in his new canoe, joined by Donna Lisenby, the Upper Watauga Riverkeeper and member of the Waterkeeper Alliance board of directors. They joined Phillip Gibson, chairman of the WNCA, who served as the original French Broad Riverkeeper from 2001 to 2006 before being succeeded by Carson.

“I am really excited to bring the French Broad Riverkeeper into the Western North Carolina Alliance,” Gibson said. “The French Broad River is important to so much of this area for drinking water and recreation – and the Riverkeeper role has a special place in my heart. I served as the first French Broad Riverkeeper from 2001 to 2006 and still get great satisfaction from all the Riverkeeper contributes to the river’s improvement.”

  Bringing the French Broad Riverkeeper under its umbrella will enable WNCA to add a robust water-quality program and water expertise and activities  to its existing land-use planning and public lands programs.   “The Waterkeeper Alliance believes WNCA’s grassroots network and advocacy focus are the perfect match for the French Broad Riverkeeper, Lisenby said. “The Riverkeeper will be able to continue its educational efforts and focus on sediment pollution, and it will be able to expand its scope of work to address the full range of critical issues that face the French Broad River watershed. Despite the success of the Clean Water Act, our waterways remain threatened, and Waterkeepers, such as Hartwell Carson, are vital to protecting and defending our rivers.”  

Tying that toWNCA’s mission, Julie Mayfield, WNCA executive director, said, “Hartwell as the Riverkeeper will continue to educate the public about the threats to the river, but will take on an expanded role to monitor and address other pollution sources, including coal ash, hazardous waste sites, bacteria pollution from sewage and animal waste, industrial point sources and pharmaceutical waste from improperly disposed of pills and medicines. We are just getting this work off the ground and are excited about the opportunities to improve rivers and streams throughout the watershed.”

  Carson, a native of Macon, GA, holds a degree in Recreation and Resource Management from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Science from the University of Montana. An avid canoer, biker and hiker, he plans to lead a number of hands-on initiatives throughout Western North Carolina to educate citizens and governmental officials about pollution causes and solutions. One of his activities will be “Save the French Broad River,” a canoe-and-camping trip the length of the French Broad River, June 19 to 27, to monitor water conditions and teach people about the river’s ecosystem. 

“I want everyone who lives, works and plays in the French Broad watershed to understand the important role the river plays as the lifeline of our region, and to be ready to meet the challenges that face the health of the river,” Carson said. “We invite all who can to paddle with us, camp along the riverbanks and learn about all we can do to preserve our precious natural resources for us, our children and grandchildren.”

About Waterkeeper Alliance

Established by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2000, the Waterkeeper Alliance (www.waterkeeper.org) is an international non-profit that licenses Riverkeepers on over 190 waterways around the world. Today, Waterkeepes patrol more than 100,000 miles of rivers, streams, and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Part scientist, teacher and legal advocate, Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge of their waterways with an unwavering commitment to the rights of their communities and the power of the law. Whether on the water, in a classroom or in a courtroom, Waterkeepers speak for the waters they defend - with the backing of local citizens and the collective strength of Waterkeeper Alliance.