Albemarle Environmental Association (c/o Carolyn Hess, Box 5349, Hertford 27944; 919/426-9563): Conducts public education, water quality monitoring, and other activities in northeastern N.C. Publishes a quarterly newsletter, Soundings, and various fact sheets on rivers.
Audubon Council of N.C. (c/o Ed Harrison, 58 Newton Dr., Durham 27707-9744; 919/490-1566): The Council is composed of representatives from each of the eight Audubon Society chapters across the state. Ed Harrison, state representative and liaison to other organizations and agencies, can make referrals for council members and individual chapters. The council and chapters conduct public education, lobbying, and research on issues of water quality, wildlife/endangered species, and habitat protection.
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) (P.O. Box 878, Glendale Springs 28629; 910/982-2691): A network of 24 chapters across N.C., three in Virginia, and some in other southeastern states. Works on a variety of issues including groundwater and surface water contamination. Provides sample letters and technical assistance in using the Freedom of Information Act and in examining state documents. Conducts research.
Citizens for Safe Drinking Water (c/o Hazel Fobes, P.O. Box 18418, Asheville 28814; 704/253-5383): Works to increase and empower citizen involvement in decisions concerning drinking water in Buncombe and adjacent counties. Acts as a watchdog. Promotes regional cooperation in the protection of potential sources of drinking water.
Clean Water Fund of N.C. (P.O. Box 1008, Raleigh 27602; 919/832-7491; and 29 1/2 Page Ave, Asheville 28801; 704/251-0518): Works with citizens across N.C. on small and large projects regarding surface and groundwater protection. Conducts community organizing. Helps communities investigate local water quality problems, compose reports which document the problems, and conduct clean-up campaigns.
Published a report in 1992 on the French Broad river basin which includes information on water quality and permitted surface water dischargers. Co-published a report in 1990, Trouble on the Neuse: A Review of the 23 Major Dischargers in the Neuse River Basin, with the Neuse River Foundation and the N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club. Publication list available.
Conservation Council (P.O. Box 37564, Raleigh 27627; 919/851-5870): A coalition of groups and individuals which monitors legislation and lobbies at the General Assembly and U.S. Congress. Cooperates with N.C. administrative agencies, boards, and commissions. Works on a number of issues, including water quality.
EcoForce (P.O. Box 2688, Wilson 27894-2688; 919/291-6851): Conducts advocacy and educational programs for low-income and minority persons. Works on issues of well and surface water quality, sewage, and other topics.
N.C. Environmental Defense Fund (128 E. Hargett St., Ste. 202, Raleigh 27601; 919/821-7793): Conducts research and advocacy on various issues including water quality. Co-published a 1989 report, From Oxford to Aurora: Publicly-Owned Treatment Plants in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
N.C. Fisheries Association (P.O. Box 12303, New Bern 28561; 919/633-2288): A non-profit trade association representing the commercial fishing industry. Forms policy positions, makes policy recommendations to the General Assembly, and works with people in the industry on specific technical problems. Involved in related water quality issues. A member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
French Broad River Foundation (70 Woodfin Place, Ste. 327, Asheville 28801; 704/252-1097): Coordinates a volunteer network which monitors the water quality of streams feeding into the French Broad River. Develops and maintains parks with access to the river. Conducts public education on water quality. Publishes a quarterly newsletter and an annual report on the French Broad's water quality and pollutant locations (UNC-Asheville compiles results of monitoring).
Haw River Assembly (P.O. Box 187, Bynum 27228; 919/542-5790): Works to restore the Haw River and protect Jordan Lake. Supports conservation and wise use of the land and wildlife along the river by conducting advocacy and public education and commenting to the state on legislative initiatives affecting water quality. Organizes events including the Haw River Festival, clean-up-a-thons, and Meadowfest.
League of Women Voters (801 Oberlin Rd., Ste. 325, Raleigh 27605; 919/839-5532 or 800/851-VOTE): Produces educational materials, lobbies, conducts research, and organizes speaking engagements on water quality. There are 14 county Leagues in addition to the Raleigh office (a list is available).
MooreFORCE (c/o Harry Hubert, P.O. Box 514, Southern Pines 28388; 910/692-5331): Works on issues of groundwater and the watershed regulatory process. Focuses on Moore County but supports statewide groups. Published a report on Moore County's groundwater. Publishes a monthly newsletter.
National Committee for the New River (P.O. Box 1107, Jefferson 28640; 910/982-9090): A land trust working for the conservation and wise use of natural and cultural resources of the New River valley watershed in N.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. Conducts research, advocacy, and public education.
Neuse River Foundation (P.O. Box 5451, New Bern 28561; 919/637-7972): The Neuse River Keeper, Richard Dove, serves as an interface between the general public, regulatory agencies, and violators of regulations. Responds to and investigates Lower Neuse water quality problems and advocates for regulation and enforcement. Produces educational materials. Publishes the quarterly Neuse River Notes. Co-published a report called Trouble on the Neuse: A Review of the 23 Major Dischargers in the Neuse River Basin with the Clean Water Fund of N.C. and the N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation (P.O. Box 1854, Washington 27889; 919/946-7211 or 9492): Produces educational materials, gives talks, and conducts advocacy regarding water quality. Maintains a library of materials on natural resources and environmental issues, primarily pertaining to the coast. Publishes the quarterly newsletter Currents. Published a booklet called A River of Opportunity and co-published a report with the N.C. Environmental Defense Fund, From Oxford to Aurora: Publicly-Owned Treatment Plants in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
Pender Watch and Conservancy (c/o Howard Stern, P.O. Box 662, Hampstead 28443; 910/270-9733): Works on various issues including water quality. Conducts advocacy, provides technical assistance, produces educational materials, lobbies, and organizes outings. Does water quality testing in area streams and estuaries. Publishes the quarterly newsletter Pender Watch.
People's Alliance (P.O. Box 3053, Durham 27715-3053; 919/682-7777): Conducts public education, lobbying, community organizing, and research on water quality and other topics. Focuses on the Durham area but sometimes works on statewide issues. Publishes the monthly People's Alliance Newsletter.
Save Our Rivers (c/o Peg Jones, P.O. Box 122, Franklin 28734; 704/369-7877): Dedicated to the preservation of rivers and streams. Provides information; initiates programs; encourages public awareness; and promotes coordination of services, activities, resources, and opportunities regarding rivers. Conducts public education on water quality and makes referrals.
Sierra Club - N.C. Chapter - Chuck Sams, Water Quality Issues Chair (2229 Parkway Dr., Winston-Salem 27103; 910/727-8060): In 1990 the chapter co-published a report called Trouble on the Neuse: A Review of the 23 Major Dischargers in the Neuse River Basin with the Clean Water Fund of N.C. and the Neuse River Foundation.
Trout Unlimited (c/o Buzz Bryson, N.C. Council Chairman; 114 Queensferry Rd., Cary 27511; 919/460-0256): Works to protect and enhance N.C. coldwater resources. Cleans up waters and educates the public through workshops and seminars. Cooperates with the N.C. Wildlife Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. 15 chapters across N.C. Publishes The Fly Line, a newsletter.
N.C. Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (N.C. WARN) (5301 Rolling Hill Rd., Sanford 27330; 919/774-9566): A coalition of 58 statewide, regional, single-county, multi-issue, and single-issue member organizations which are either based in N.C. or have an office in N.C., some of which work on water quality issues. Acts as a clearinghouse for information. Conducts policy planning, reports, analyses of existing policies and plans, and community organizing.
Western N.C. Alliance (70 Woodfin Place, #03, Asheville 28801; 704/258-8737): Conducts research and community organizing on issues of water quality and aquatic biodiversity in western N.C. Composed of numerous member organizations which are organized into chapters and task forces. Publishes the quarterly newsletter Accent.
Western N.C. Tomorrow (WNCT) (c/o Susan Smith, P.O. Box 222, Cullowhee 28723; 704/227-7492): Works to develop a leadership base that effectively addresses issues of concern to the region, including water quality protection and management. Provides a framework through which individuals and organizations can meet to examine problems and possibilities and share information. Encourages greater citizen participation in policy and program development. Published WCNT Water Quality and Sedimentation Task Force Report No. 1.
N.C. Wildlife Federation (1022 Washington St., Raleigh 27605; 919/833-1923): Lobbies at the General Assembly and conducts occasional seminars on water quality. Publishes the bimonthly newsletter Friend of Wildlife. Intermittently produces other publications.