The following articles were written by retired newsman and HRWC member and volunteer, Tom Bennett of the Martins Creek Community near Murphy. E-mail him at farblumtn07@gmail.com
Articles may be reprinted if the following requirements are met: (1) the article is printed as it appears, including headlines, with no additions, deletions, or changes and (2) the article is printed in its entirety in one publication. For permission to reprint a modified version of an article, submit the request via email to the HRWC Executive Director and allow 3-5 business days for approval.
HRWC attempts to insure accuracy of all of its web content. However, the organization is not responsible for inaccuracies, falsehoods, or any other types of misinformation in posted articles. HRWC does not necessarily endorse or promote the views, opinions or advice given neither by those who are interviewed nor the general content of the articles. Their purpose is to generate community discussions around issues that affect water quality in our rivers, lakes and streams.
An exacting, uncompromising scientist and her staff doggedly interpolate data from disparate sources in order to reach accurate conclusions. This they do as they measure water quality – a key indicator for how healthy is a place – in a U.S. watershed of especially rare beauty, rimmed by low peaks at the top of Georgia […]
By Tom Bennett Special to Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition MURPHY, N.C., June 16, 2018 – What critics term Scott Pruitt’s brazen acts of extravagance as 14th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency are what sparked multiple investigations, according to the river of Internet coverage. Pruitt is an ambitious 50-year-old former Oklahoma attorney general who was […]
The Solid Waste principles of Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris of a county government in the state of Georgia, USA We human beings are trashing the third rock from the sun. Here is a model for all local governments on it to follow, especially U.S. rural counties By Tom Bennett Special to Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition […]
On 1,006 square miles of the Appalachian Mountains in America, where dense forests and their lacy web of bright tributaries drain into federal storage lakes, there is in place a prototype of an essential science. It’s a model for others large and small around the world doing water testing. It’s not-for-profit, serving no pharmaceutical giant. […]
Laurel Creek is 3,900 feet above sea level in the Nantahala National Forest in far western North Carolina, and 1,000 feet above any roadway It’s a stream draining an inholding…a word meaning private property that’s completely inside a block of public land It flows into Rockhouse Creek, which itself then feeds the Outstanding Resource Waters […]
The startling contrasts at Georgia’s Mining Gap: a grand, panoramic view of Lake Chatuge enjoyed while standing amidst gross graffiti at 3,420’ By Tom Bennett Special to Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition TOWNS COUNTY, GA., June 29, 2017 – “Crist is king” “No. 25 innocent” “You really rock my (unintelligible)” “RIP R.T.” THESE DECIDEDLY non-essential bursts […]
The “State of the Water” in the Hiwassee River watershed in the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina A water scientist who is consistently helpful and non-confrontational ‘We work with the developer or the contractor or the farmer to help them meet their goals, while using best management practices to protect water quality’ […]
Gracious annual ad valorem and fire taxes are in place for a private inholding high in a western N.C. national forest What’s TOBBLL LLC’s true intent up there? Is it to build and enjoy primitive cabins? Or to do commercial logging for a wood chip mill? By Tom Bennett Special to Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition […]
Across a watershed, natural commonalities of interest Blairsville, Ga., Feb. 20, 2016 – Living together in a watershed unites people from all over who find they share a desire to protect its beauty and health. Nancy Troxler is a North Carolina Master Gardener who honed further her knowledge of plant science at Georgia’s Experiment Station, […]
Little-known tributary of Hiwassee vaults to gaming fame Murphy, N.C., Feb. 19, 2016 – The Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition is the sole entity I know of that’s working on cleaning up the Valley River. Near here along the river’s banks, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened its Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel […]