Southern Environmental Law Center

A proposed legal agreement between GFL and SELC on behalf of EJCAN will benefit the community near one of the largest landfills on the east coast. The agreement promises to reduce toxic PFAS discharges, establish an air monitoring system for the landfill’s gas emissions, create a community fund, and more. Testing found toxic chemicals, known as PFAS, in nearby groundwater, surface water, and residential drinking water wells. GFL and SELC entered into negotiations this summer in order to reach this settlement, coming together to make this important step forward to protect the Snow Hill community. "This is an opportunity to stop the pollution and have some accountability and create something that works for the community going forward." - SELC Staff Attorney Maia Hutt. Learn more from WUNC: https://selc.link/3ZyXMxa #EnvironmentalJustice #PFAS #CleanWater #Pollution

Last week, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was officially restored to its original name: Kuwohi, which means "mulberry place" in Cherokee. The exciting move comes after years of advocacy from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Read more: https://selc.link/3zgIaDL

As the South grapples with the historic flooding and storm damage devastating our region, our hearts are with those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Take action by donating to the Red Cross’ Hurricane Helene fund or by supporting organizations leading local response efforts if you can: https://lnkd.in/eXJ2RdhS

DEADLINE: Submit your book or article for the Reed Environmental Writing Award. The Reed Award celebrates writers who achieve literary excellence and offer extraordinary insight into the South’s natural treasures and environmental challenges. Nominations are welcome from anyone, including readers, authors, and publishers. Make your submission here: https://lnkd.in/eu2kGbq9

Great news for wildlife! Last week, a federal court dismissed the state of South Carolina’s lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s authority to manage commercial horseshoe crab harvesting and protected wildlife in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. "'This idea that the state has unfettered control over a commercial activity in a national wildlife refuge is just not at all supported by the law,' said Carl Brzorad, an attorney with the Southern Environmental law Center."

Lessons from Appalachia can change the world. Join SELC on October 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET. for a live conversation with Jay Leutze, an author and public lands advocate who shares the story of a mountain community that that stood up to save a beloved natural treasure from a mining operation. REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/dgyZSenc #Webinar #PublicLands #EnvironmentalPolicy

“These trees up there were saplings when George Washington was president of the United States.” Right now, a critical patch of old-growth forest on Brushy Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest is being cut and put on the back of logging trucks. The reckless logging project is a sad example of the devastating impact the Forest Service’s timber targets have on our beloved landscapes. Read more about how we’re fighting the backward incentives that encourage reckless logging projects like this one. Each year, the Forest Service and Department of Agriculture set timber targets, which Forest Service staff are required to meet. In fiscal year 2024, the target was set at a staggering 3.4 billion board feet – enough lumber to circle the globe more than 30 times. Even worse, internal Forest Service documents show that timber targets are set to go even higher in 2025 and 2026. “For years, SELC and our partners have warned the Forest Service about the irreversible damage logging here will do to this ecosystem, rare animals, and the climate.” - Patrick Hunter, Managing Attorney of SELC’s Asheville Office Read more about how we are fighting back against this misguided policy that encourage reckless logging projects like on Brushy Mountain: https://selc.link/4diUpxf #OldGrowth #Forest #Forests #Conservation #Logging #EnvironmentalPolicy #NationalForests #NationalForest

NEW REPORT: Our nation has recently experienced an unprecedented surge of federal investments in projects and programs to address the climate crisis. The landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act have earmarked a staggering $370B to address climate change. To date, over $18B has been secured by the six states in SELC’s region and many more grant opportunities remain. Our report illustrates how this transformative funding is being implemented in five cities in the South – Knoxville, TN, Birmingham, AL, Columbia, SC, Brunswick, GA, Memphis, TN - to address longstanding equity issues, mitigate climate pollution, and get our communities ready for a changing climate. These stories can inspire other Southern leaders to offer bold proposals to draw more investment to our region. Learn more and get the report here: https://lnkd.in/eHwy6fF9 Photo by Phuong Tran #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #InflationReductionAct

Without wetlands there would be no seafood.  Few understand this better than James Beard Award-winning chef and Saltbox Seafood Joint owner, Ricky Moore. Growing up in New Bern, North Carolina, Moore harvested wild mussels and sea beans from the wetlands in his own backyard. “My biggest concern is water quality. If that’s not good, the fish won’t be there. Without wetlands, there’s no place for fish to reproduce and grow,” says Moore.  But today, our wetlands are in danger.  A United States Supreme Court ruling last year dismantled protections that safeguarded wetlands for more than 50 years. Learn more from Chef Ricky Moore, Captain John Mallette, and SELC Water Program Leader Kelly Moser about why we need to protect our wetlands for future generations: https://lnkd.in/eqjjrcJy We are proud to be a longtime partner of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. No wetlands, no seafood is a registered trademark of North Carolina Coastal Federation. Video by Julia Wall. #NoWetlandsNoSeafood #Conservation #Wetlands #CleanWaterAct #CleanWater #Foodie #Seafood #CommercialFishing The James Beard Foundation

We will continue to fight to protect clean drinking water in North Carolina communities. North Carolina families depend on elected officials to protect us from pollution, but the legislature continues to ignore the need to regulate water contaminants like toxic PFAS- putting our communities’ health in danger. “It’s just been going on for years and we finally feel that it is our duty to try to get some help for the citizens of North Carolina to keep their drinking water safe and clean,” said Mary Maclean Asbill, the director of SELC’s North Carolina office. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/enJ-5nMC