The Environmental Journal of Southern Appalachia

Displaying items by tag: bryson city

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BRYSON CITY  The National Park Service is seeking tips from the public to aid in the ongoing investigation of an assault that occurred in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
 
At about 5:40 p.m. Dec. 22, an individual approached two vehicles believed to have been involved in a collision near the Deep Creek Picnic Area.
 
As the individual approached, one of the vehicles — described as a white SUV — drove away. A second vehicle — described as a newer silver or gray four-door pickup truck equipped with a lift kit and bearing a weighted North Carolina registration—motioned for the person to approach.
 
When the individual approached, the driver of the vehicle pointed a handgun at them. The individual fled from the scene and heard multiple gunshots being fired from the area where the encounter occurred.

Both the SUV and pickup truck, as well as a gray sedan believed to be associated with the group, were seen fleeing the area toward Bryson City.

The suspect was described as a thin male in his late teens or early 20s with tan skin, a thin mustache, and wearing a hooded jacket. 
 
He and a group of about 10 individuals who are believed to be associated with the suspect, were observed in the Deep Creek area prior to the assault and are believed to have been there for most of the late afternoon.

Although no additional details are available at this time, information from other visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you were in the Deep Creek area during the late afternoon of Dec. 22 contact the NPS.

-CALL the NPS Tip Line  888-653-0009 
-Report ONLINE  go.nps.gov/SubmitATip 
-EMAIL  e-mail us  

-National Park Service
Published in Feedbag

Ela-Dam_Oconaluftee-River_Erin-McCombs28-1-2048x1536.jpgEla Dam on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. The dam is slated for removal to benefit aquatic species and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.  Erin McCombs

Ela Dam Removal Coalition moving forward after $4 million grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to commence river restoration project 

Erin McCombs is the Southeast Conservation Director of American Rivers.

CHEROKEEAmerican Rivers is working with a team on a massive effort to remove the Ela dam and restore the land and Oconaluftee River to its natural condition. Partnering with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), American Rivers is part of a coalition of federal, state, public, private, and non-profit organizations that has formed to remove the Ela dam.

Truly a village effort, the Ela Dam Coalition includes the EBCI, American Rivers, Mainspring Conservation Trust, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, American Whitewater, Swain County, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Northbrook Carolina Hydro II.

“Healthy rivers are essential to all life, and removing a dam is the fastest way to restore a river’s health. We appreciate this initial investment by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in  the restoration of the Oconaluftee River. We look forward to working with them to leverage this investment to fully realize this project to revitalize fish and wildlife habitat and restore vital cultural connections. We are grateful to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their leadership, and for the partnership of Mainspring Conservation Trust,” said Tom Kiernan, American Rivers President and CEO.  

Blocking the Oconaluftee River’s natural flow impacts the aquatic habitats of many native fish, mussels, birds, and other wildlife which require it for sheltering, feeding, reproducing, and thriving in their natural environment. The removal of Ela dam will result in a cultural reconnection of the Oconaluftee River to the Cherokee people and the Qualla Boundary. 

The Oconaluftee River is home to 11 sensitive and rare aquatic species, some of which are only found in a few streams and rivers in western North Carolina, including the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe freshwater mussel, the Sicklefin Redhorse (NC Threatened), and Eastern Hellbender (NC Special Concern). Once complete, 549 miles of the Oconaluftee River watershed will be restored and expand habitat for these species. 

Published in News