Other Lake James Watershed Organizations
Catawba Riverkeeper
Mission: The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation (CRF) is a local, community-based group of members and volunteers located throughout the 24-county river basin that dedicates time, talent and treasure to ensuring the protection of the Catawba-Wateree River. Our goal is to sustain plentiful, clean water for generations to come.
https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org
City of Marion Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Wastewater Treatment Department is composed of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Superintendent and eight employees, and is responsible for the treatment of wastewater prior to discharge to Corpening Creek. The department also maintains wastewater pump stations.
The City maintains the Corpening Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on NC 226 South in Marion. At present, the Corpening Creek Plant can treat up to 3,000,000 gallons per day (3 mgd). However, the Plant is currently operating at less than one-third of its permitted capacity, with an average daily flow of 900,000 gallons per day (0.9 mgd). The Plant provides wastewater treatment service within the City, and in some areas outside the City and has sufficient capacity to handle future industrial, commercial and residential growth.
In 2011, the City completed a $6.6 million Wastewater Improvements Project that involved repairs to wastewater lines to reduce inflow and infiltration of stormwater and surface water into watsewater lines, eliminated the City’s Catawba River Wastewater Treatment Plant and pumped wastewater flow from that facility to the Corpening Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, and also involved upgrades to the Corpening Creek Plant to make that facility a true 3 million gallon per day wastewater plant capable of meeting all current and future State and Federal regulations.
As of May 27, 2010, the City of Marion no longer discharges treated wastewater into the Catawba River upstream of Lake James.
The Department maintains 22 wastewater pump stations, and performs all treatment operations, testing, and reports, as required by State and Federal law. The Department also schedules the cleaning of sewer lines on a regular basis, and makes needed repairs to sewer lines.
http://marionnc.org/Marion/pages/water.html
Community of Lake James
Mission: The Community of Lake James (CLJ) was formed in 2004 to educate and represent Lake James area residents and/or property owners about issues and activities in Burke and McDowell counties. Past, current, and future activities and projects include environmental, safety, and governmental regulations that impact the lake and surrounding area.
http://www.communityoflakejames.org
Foothills Conservancy
Mission: Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that protects the fabric and character of Western North Carolina’s landscape forever and for the benefit of all. We preserve the natural and cultural heritage of our region by conserving scenic and recreational landscapes, productive farms and forests, healthy watersheds, rich biodiversity, and vital wildlife habitat.
Friends of Lake James State Park
Mission: The Friends of Lake James State Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering conservation, education and recreation efforts in support of Lake James State Park, assisting Lake James State Park in preserving and protecting its many natural, cultural and scenic features, and assisting Lake James State Park in providing quality recreational and interpretive experiences.
https://www.lakejamesstatepark.org
Lake James State Park
https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park
Lake James Area Wildlife & Nature Society
Mission: LJAWNS is a chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, whose mission is to protect, conserve and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitat.
The projects of LAWNS include:
- Annual cleanup of Lake James including the surrounding shoreline and islands as well as the roads that ring the Burke County portion of the Lake.
- Bass beds for spawning and protection
- Planting of milkweed plants and other vegetation that the Monarch butterflies depend on in their migration.
- Construction of wood duck boxes and placement on the Lake shore.
McDowell County
McDowell Trails Association
Mission: Building a better life for generations to come! A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving natural resources while creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation and non-motorized trails.
NC Soil & Water Conservation District- Burke
http://www.burkenc.org/departments/soil-and-water-conservation
NC Soil & Water Conservation District- McDowell
https://mcdowellswcd.wordpress.com
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
South Wings
Mission: Founded in 1996, SouthWings is a non-profit conservation organization that provides a network of volunteer pilots to advocate for the restoration and protection of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Southeast through flight. We have flown thousands of individuals and organizations to educate community leaders, policy-makers, and the media, and to collect scientific data on forests, watersheds, historic landmarks, and the globally significant ecosystems of the Southeast. SouthWings is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, with satellite offices in New Orleans, Louisiana and Annapolis, Maryland.
USDA Forest Service