National Committee for the New River

Mission

LAND PROTECTION: NCNR protects land critical for preserving important wildlife habitat, rare and endangered species, cornerstones of biodiversity, and working farmland along the New River and its tributaries, through voluntary acquisitions and conservation easements.

RESTORATION: NCNR works with private landowners to stabilize eroding stream banks, restore riparian buffers to preventing further erosion, and to create healthy riparian habitat for wildlife and aquatic life.

ADVOCACY: NCNR works to increase citizens’ capacity to defend and protect the New River watershed, by working with local citizens to identify and address specific land and water use activities that threaten the New River’s health, wildlife, and scenery.

 

Geographic Area

The New River Watershed in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, including Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga Counties in North Carolina.

 

Contact Info

Web: http://www.ncnr.org/
Email: info@ncnr.org

Address: PO Box 1480, West Jefferson, NC 28694

TEL: 336-982-NCNR (6267)
Toll Free: 866-481-6267
FAX: 336-982-6433

About Us

NCNR was organized in 1974 to stop the construction of two dams on the New River. The proposed projects would have flooded 42,000 acres in North Carolina and southwestern Virginia, displacing at least 2,700 people, 893 dwellings, 42 summer cabins, 10 industrial establishments, 23 commercial facilities, five post offices, 15 churches, and 12 cemeteries. With the destruction of so much land and property - and untold damage to the New River itself - the fight became a national one.

NCNR was successful in 1976, when a 26.5-mile section of the River was designated a Federal Scenic River. NCNR continued to function as an advocate for the New as a volunteer organization. Over the years NCNR has worked with citizen groups to stop other ill-conceived projects on the River, such as a power plant, flood plain development and a prison.

In 1991, NCNR reorganized and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The reorganization expanded NCNR’s mission by adding a land protection dimension to river advocacy. NCNR acquired its first conservation easement in 1993. To date, NCNR has protected over 5,000 acres of land important to the health and natural resource values of the New River.

In response to rapid development and concerns about water quality, in 1998 NCNR began the River Builder program to help landowners stabilize eroding stream and riverbanks. The program has continued to expand; NCNR is now doing full restoration projects in addition to the stabilization work. To date NCNR has stabilized or restored more than 66 miles of stream and riverbank.