River In Need | Priority Issues | In the News | Reports and Fact Sheets
The Tar-Pamlico River is a vital link to the communities residing along its banks in Eastern North Carolina. It is our source of drinking water, it holds our secret fishing holes, and is our playground. Join us in our work to protect, preserve, and monitor the Tar-Pamlico River.
The health and integrity of the Tar-Pamlico system is threatened due to years of neglect and the cumulative impacts of a growing population. PTRF is dedicated to the restoration of the Tar-Pamlico River by addressing and resolving the following issues that are impacting its health:
- Confined Animal Feeding Operations
- Water Withdrawals
- Polluted Stormwater Runoff and Sedimentation
- Nutrient Pollution
- Wetland Loss
- Loss of Riparian Areas
- Public Access
- Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Proposed mine in Beaufort County raises concerns
Martin Marietta Inc has applied for state and federal permits to develop a new 50-year open pit marine limestone mine in southern Beaufort County, east of Vanceboro, within the Blounts Creek watershed. Read more.
Legislature Overrides Governor Veto
Recent votes on damaging policies demonstrate that North Carolina legislative leaders do not believe clean water, clean air and public health are priorities. This week the legislature voted to override the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 781, Regulatory Reform Act, which is a polluter's wish list. Read More.
Communities, businesses speak out against Sanderson Processing Plant
Nash County is recruiting a Sanderson Farms poultry processing plant. The plant will spawn 500 new environmentally harmful chicken CAFOs. Read More.
City of Creedmoor looking to Upper Tar River for new Wastewater Discharge
PTRF has learned that the City of Creedmoor, located in the Neuse River basin,
is taking steps to build a new wastewater treatment plant and discharge pipe in the Tar River Basin in Granville County. Read More.
NC Legislature votes to weaken Buffer Rules
In a last second move, several coastal legislators were successful in ramming through a provision that weakens the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse buffer rules. Riparian buffers are cost-effective tools at protecting the quality of our drinking water, recreational and commercial fisheries and reduce flooding and shoreline loss.
Read More.
Cost-Effective Protections for Tar-Pamlico Streams Under Attack
Buffers of trees, shrubs and grass along waterways are the ideal way to slow runoff and filter contaminants. Streamside buffers are essential to protect water quality and they contribute numerous other ecological benefits. Read More.
Poultry Processing Plant in Nash County
Nash County is recruiting a Sanderson Farms poultry processing plant. The plant will spawn 500 new environmentally harmful chicken CAFOs. Read More.
Mine Permits on Agenda
PTRF Riverkeeper pleased the proposed Martin Marietta open pit mine has been granted a public hearing by the Division of Water Quality; reflective of citizen and PTRF concern. Read more.
PTRF Riverkeeper Sees Tar River Fuel Spill as Educational Opportunity - Watch the Video Here.
Groups Challenge Ammonia Emissions from Industrial Egg Farm in Hyde County, NC
Motion filed by Earthjustice and Lynch & Eatman on behalf of PTRF, Waterkeeper Alliance, and Friends of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Read more.
Service-Learning: Community Connections Steer Students in the Right Direction
East Carolina University highlights the beginnings of our Youth Kayakying Program and the volunteer that helped start it. Read more.
WRAL News Story Highlights Dangers of Flushing Drugs
WRAL created a short documentary on the dangers of flushing drugs and the impact to our water supplies. Watch Video.
Riverkeepers pan county's application for water, sewer grants tied to chicken plant.
Washington, NC- Nash County officials recently have come under fire by several water conservation groups for what they contend is a lack of transparency in the application process of certain water and sewer improvements. Read more.
PTRF Collaborated with Franklin County Soil and Water to Install Rain Garden
Volunteers installed a 250 square foot rain garden to treat stormwater runoff from the rooftop of a day care center in Louisburg, NC. Read More.
PTRF Launches Environmental Restoration Program
Several exciting projects are already in the works. Read more.
2010 Tar-Pamlico Basinwide Report: Executive Summary (NC DWQ)
Drug Tack-Back Programs: Safe Disposal of Unused, Expired, or Unwanted Medications in North Carolina
PEW Environmental Group Report: Big Chicken: Pollution and Industrial Poultry Production in America
Union of Concerned Scientists: CAFOs Uncovered: The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations
Sustainable Forest Bioenergy for North Carolina
Fact Sheets:
Tar Pamlico Buffer Rules
Sea Level Rise Elevation Map (EPA)
Stormwater and Your Rain Garden
