BOONE, N.C. - A damn restoration project set to start next month in western North Carolina is expected to improve water quality for thousands of local residents and enhance wildlife habitat in the Boone area.

Years of damage and deterioration of the 100-year-old Payne Branch Dam along the Middle Fork of the New River have meant high sediment levels and more storm water flowing downstream to Boone.

Charles Anderson, project developer with the conservation group Resource Institute, says this pooling has contaminated water for wildlife and affected both recreation and drinking water supplies in Boone.

"Our objective is to go in and remove the dam completely, and take out all the sediment that we possibly can remove," says Anderson. "In order to provide better protection downstream - to the water resources, to the aquatic habitat and for recreational use as well."

The renovation will be part of the future extension of Boone's Greenway Trail, which provides outdoor recreational space to thousands of North Carolinians.

Payne Branch Dam, built by New River Light and Power, was the first electricity source to serve the northwest mountains of North Carolina. It was decommissioned in the early 1970s, says NRLP engineering supervisor Matt Makdad, who's working on the new project.

He points out that when the dam was shut down, silt and debris settled, causing damage to fish and animal habitats.

"By taking the dam out, opening the river up a little bit more, that creates a better environment, cooler water temperatures, that better support the natural habitat," says Makdad.

As of 2018, more than 1,500 dams have been removed in the U.S, according to a report by the group American Rivers. As a result, communities in 18 states have successfully reconnected more than 1,200 river miles to restore fish passage and access to natural habitat.

Amid U.S. Forest Service firings and layoffs by the Trump administration, conservationists are honoring a former employee this week considered by many to be the "father of wildlife ecology." Aldo Leopold was a supervisor of New Mexico's Carson National Forest before his eventual relocation to Wisconsin.

Each year a foundation named in his honor hosts "Leopold Week" -- a three-day event featuring acclaimed authors who, like Leopold, write about the natural world.

Richard Rubin, former New Mexico medical doctor and Forest Service volunteer, has seen firsthand the importance of forest management.

"The local Forest Service people are really devoted; a lot of good people doing the best they can," Rubin explained. "It's been tough work. Even before all these firings, the Carson Forest had 40% open positions they couldn't fill."

New Mexico's federal lawmakers have spoken out about the Trump administration's firing of federal workers, including the state's 2,200 federal employees in probationary periods. In addition to the Forest Service, those agencies include the Veterans Health Administration, the Bureau of Land Management and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.

Rubin volunteered with others to help restore Leopold's craftsman bungalow in Tres Piedras, N.M., which became a national historic site in 1993.

"So the status of the place became significant then, and then completely restored in 2005-06, to the original appearance as Aldo built it," he explained.

Leopold wrote several books over the course of his life, but Rubin favors a quote from his most well-known -- "A Sand County Almanac," published in 1949: "That the situation is hopeless should not prevent us from doing our best."

In addition to his writings, Leopold is credited with the idea to create a protected area on the Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico, which was 100 years old in 2024.

New legislation would help build more wildlife crossings across Oregon highways to make roads safer for people and animals.

Research shows that Oregon has the highest likelihood of wildlife crashes among West Coast states, with nearly 5,000 damaging or deadly collisions in 2022.

Wildlife collisions are costly and dangerous for drivers and take their toll on wildlife as well.

New legislation would help build more wildlife crossings across Oregon highways to make roads safer for people and animals.

Research shows that Oregon has the highest likelihood of wildlife crashes among West Coast states, with nearly 5,000 damaging or deadly collisions in 2022.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that nearly 15 million animals are killed on Oregon's roads each year.

Karl J. Findling is on the board for the Oregon Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He said it is time for Oregon to do more to address the problem.

"Oregon is behind nearly all Western states, with only five and a potentially new sixth crossing," said Findling, "where some states such as Colorado have 50."

Crossings have been shown to significantly reduce wildlife collisions. For example, an underpass near Bend cut them by more than 85%.

Findling said that along with driving population declines in many species, when you factor in medical and vehicle repair costs, collisions with wildlife are pricey.

"I've seen numbers around $7,000 per collision with a deer," said Findling, "but what's striking is $73,000 when someone hits an elk."

Although polls show wildlife crossings have broad, bipartisan support across the state, Findling said funding wildlife crossings remains a challenge due to high costs.

But, said Findling, with all the money they save, crossings pay for themselves within 15 years.

"When we see these crossings go in," said Findling, "the returns are close to $3 for every dollar invested."

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.




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Concerns are growing in Ohio over the use of oil and gas waste for dust control on rural roads, a practice some environmental groups argued is exposing communities to radioactive materials without their knowledge.

An informational symposium is coming up at the Ohio Statehouse March 6, featuring experts and activists discussing the potential risks.

Anton Krieger, symposium organizer for the Buckeye Environmental Network, said the event aims to raise awareness among lawmakers and the public.

"It's a public education campaign," Krieger explained. "We're willing to work with everybody. They may not even know the full health ramifications of oil and gas waste brine. They may not even know that they're being exposed themselves. We're going to be educating our legislators about why radioactive waste doesn't belong on our roadways in Ohio."

Current Ohio law allows brine from oil and gas drilling to be used as a dust suppressant on roads. Supporters argued regulated brine application is practical and cost-effective, particularly for rural areas with unpaved roads. However, environmental advocates said state testing has shown the waste contains radioactive elements, raising concerns about long-term exposure.

Roxanne Groff, a former Athens County commissioner and longtime environmental advocate, thinks many people are unaware of what is being spread on their roads.

"It's radioactive. It's radioactive. It's radioactive. And the State of Ohio knows this," Groff asserted. "They admit it. They've tested it. They've said it's radioactive."

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which oversees oil and gas waste regulations, maintains its brine management policies align with state law. The agency has said it continues to review environmental and public health concerns while working within legislative directives.