Nitrogen Pollution In Nolichucky River: A Troubling Concern

The Nolichucky River, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and flows into Tennessee, is facing a new threat from US Nitrogen, an industrial explosives manufacturer. The company has been granted permits to pump up to 1.9 million gallons of water daily from the river to its ammonium nitrate plant and return 500,000 gallons of effluent to the river. This has raised concerns among environmentalists and local communities about the potential impact on the river's biodiversity, including endangered mollusks, and the availability of fresh water. While US Nitrogen claims that its operations will not affect mussel populations, citizens and organizations like Save the Nolichucky and Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee (CWEET) have rallied against the construction, citing the company's history of environmentally detrimental practices and the potential for increased pollution in the river.

US Nitrogen's plan to pump water from the river to their chemical plant

The Nolichucky River, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and flows into Tennessee, is home to a variety of wildlife, including at least three types of endangered mollusks. In 2011, US Nitrogen, an industrial explosives manufacturer, proposed a plan to construct a 12-mile dual pipeline to pump up to 1.9 million gallons of water daily from the river to its ammonium nitrate plant in Greene County, Tennessee. The company claimed that the water would be treated before being returned to the river, with state-accepted levels of nitrogen, ammonia, and nitric acid.

This plan has faced strong opposition from local communities and environmental activists, who are concerned about the potential impact on the river's ecosystem and water supply. They argue that the pipeline could lead to a crisis of water supply and biodiversity, with possible consequences for the endangered mussels and other biological life downstream. In response to these concerns, a stream monitoring project on the Nolichucky River was initiated by Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee (CWEET), with funding from Patagonia.

US Nitrogen, however, maintains that there are no mussels occupying the area of the intake/discharge site at the Conway Bridge, and that mussel populations downstream will not be affected. The company welcomes monitoring from official agencies and claims that the industry is regulated. Hollie Binkley, the environmental manager at US Nitrogen, stated that the company is committed to environmental responsibility and welcomes oversight.

Despite the opposition and concerns, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation granted air and water permits for the project, allowing the discharge of treated water into the river. This decision has sparked further outrage and led to a pending lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Transportation, US Nitrogen, and the Greene County Industrial Development Board, questioning the legality of the permits.

As of 2024, construction on the pipeline has begun, with workers from US Nitrogen installing the pipeline on private land. The future of the Nolichucky River remains uncertain, with communities and activists continuing to rally against what they perceive as a threat to the environment and their way of life.

The river's importance to residents and wildlife

The Nolichucky River is a 115-mile river that flows through western North Carolina and East Tennessee in the United States. The river is an integral part of the communities that reside alongside it and is a legendary destination for outdoor adventurers. The river is also an important habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

The river has hosted outdoor adventurers for centuries and has been part of the history and culture of the region. It is a popular destination for fishing, rafting, and white water sports enthusiasts. The whitewater sections of the river can vary from Class II to Class IV, depending on the time of year and flow rates. The river also offers excellent fishing opportunities, with the chance to catch various species of bass and trout. The natural beauty and secluded feeling of the river add to the draw of these sports.

The Nolichucky River is also an important commerce route, with the Clinchfield Railroad constructed along its banks in 1890. The river flows through the Blue Ridge Mountains and joins the French Broad River, making it a main route for transportation and trade. The river is impounded by the Nolichucky Dam, which was constructed as a hydroelectric project in 1912. The dam is now used for flood control and recreational purposes, such as paddle boarding, canoeing, and floating.

The river is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including at least three types of endangered mollusks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claims that a five-mile stretch of the river is one of the last habitats for these endangered species. The river also flows through the Pisgah National Forest and the Cherokee National Forest, providing a habitat for various plant and animal species. The river's watershed includes some of the highest mountains in the Appalachians, such as Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States.

The river's existing nitrogen pollution from nearby agriculture

The Nolichucky River, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and flows into Tennessee, is a vital waterway that supports a diverse range of ecosystems and communities. However, it has faced various threats to its water quality and ecological integrity, including existing nitrogen pollution from nearby agricultural practices.

Agricultural activities in the vicinity of the Nolichucky River have contributed to the existing levels of nitrogen pollution in the waterway. Poor agricultural practices, including the use of excessive fertilizers and the improper management of livestock waste, can result in nitrogen runoff into the river. Nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates and ammonia, can contaminate water sources when agricultural runoff enters the river without proper treatment. This form of pollution can have significant ecological consequences, as excess nitrogen can fuel the growth of algae and lead to harmful algal blooms. These blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive, posing a threat to the river's biodiversity.

In addition to agricultural pollution, the river has also faced the prospect of industrial pollution. US Nitrogen, an industrial chemical company, has sought to construct a pipeline to pump water from the Nolichucky River to its ammonium nitrate plant in Greene County, Tennessee. The plan includes returning up to 500,000 gallons of effluent, containing state-accepted levels of nitrogen, ammonia, and nitric acid, back into the river daily. This proposal has sparked concerns among local communities, environmentalists, and organizations like Save the Nolichucky and Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee (CWEET). They fear that the additional nitrogen pollution from the company's operations could exacerbate the existing nitrogen pollution in the river and have detrimental effects on the endangered mussels and biological life that depend on the river.

CWEET, in particular, has been actively monitoring the Nolichucky River and advocating against the US Nitrogen project. They argue that the company's track record and practices, such as mountaintop removal coal mining, demonstrate a lack of concern for the river's health and the well-being of the surrounding communities. The organization has questioned the legality of permits and rallied citizens to oppose the construction of the pipeline. Their efforts, along with those of other concerned groups and individuals, reflect a united front in the face of threats to the Nolichucky River's ecological integrity and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

The existing nitrogen pollution in the Nolichucky River, stemming from nearby agricultural practices, poses a significant challenge. It underscores the need for improved agricultural land management practices, stricter regulations, and collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact of nitrogen runoff on the river's delicate ecosystems and the endangered species that call it home.

The endangered status of the river's mollusks and mussels

Mussels are important indicators of the health of entire ecosystems. They are also a food source for otters, egrets, raccoons, and other animals. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that of the 300 species of freshwater mussels found in the United States, around 70% are extinct, endangered, or in need of special protection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified a five-mile stretch of the Nolichucky River as one of the last habitats for at least three types of endangered mollusks. The river, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and flows into Tennessee before joining the French Broad River, is now under threat from US Nitrogen, an industrial explosives manufacturer that seeks to pump water from the river to its ammonium nitrate plant and return effluent to the river.

The company's actions have caused concern among local communities, who have battled against the construction of the pipeline, and environmental groups, who have questioned the legality of the permits that allowed the pipeline to be installed. The river's waters have long been troubled by sediment and runoff from poor agricultural practices, radioactive waste from the Nuclear Fuels Systems plant in Erwin, Tennessee, and pollution from other human impacts.

The decline in mussel populations in the Nolichucky River and elsewhere has been attributed to several factors, including coal ash discharge, invasive species, and an influx of pollutants creating toxic environments lacking oxygen. Coal ash discharge, a waste product created from coal combustion, has been linked to the decline of mussel populations, with environmental groups suing the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to restrict coal ash discharges. Invasive zebra and quagga mussels, native to Eastern Europe, have also contributed to the decline of native freshwater mussels in the United States by outcompeting them and increasing water acidity and decreasing oxygen levels.

The history of pollution from US Nitrogen's wastewater discharge

The Nolichucky River, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and flows into Tennessee, has long faced threats from pollution. The river is an integral part of the communities that reside alongside it and is also home to a variety of wildlife, including endangered mollusks.

In 2011, US Nitrogen, an industrial explosives manufacturer, proposed a 12-mile dual pipeline that would pump up to 1.9 million gallons of water daily from the river to its ammonium nitrate plant and return 500,000 gallons of effluent. This plan sparked concerns among local residents and environmental activists, who feared that the treated water returned to the river would be polluted. US Nitrogen held its groundbreaking ceremony in February 2012, but faced multiple setbacks as citizens from nearby counties rallied against what they called a "pollution pipeline."

The controversy surrounding US Nitrogen's plans centers around the potential impact on the river's water quality and the endangered species that depend on it. The company intends to discharge water containing state-accepted levels of nitrogen, ammonia, and nitric acid back into the river. However, there are concerns that the utilities may not be able to treat the water sufficiently to remove all harmful substances, particularly ammonia.

CWEET (Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee), an organization dedicated to protecting the Nolichucky River, has been actively monitoring the situation. They argue that US Nitrogen, owned by Austin Powder Co., a company with a history of environmentally devastating practices, is solely profit-driven and does not prioritize the well-being of the river or the surrounding communities.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has granted permits for the discharge, but this decision has been met with opposition and legal challenges. Ann Calfee, a director of Save the Nolichucky, is a plaintiff in a pending lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Transportation, US Nitrogen, and the Greene County Industrial Development Board, questioning the legality of the permits.

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