One of the longest, most controversial struggles under the Clean Water Act has reached an important crossroads. The Pigeon River, its wildlife, and local downstream communities need our help.

A draft permit from the N.C. Division of Water Quality allows Blue Ridge Paper Company in Canton, NC to spew thousands of tons of toxic pollution directly into the Pigeon River. Wild South, on behalf of our members, submitted comments to the agency urging them to protect public health and environmental quality instead of our state’s largest polluters. In February, EPA Region 4 upped the ante by formally objecting to NC’s permit for Blue Ridge Paper Products on the basis of both color and temperature, along with other parameters.