This is the story of Blounts Creek, a pristine, peaceful tributary of the Pamlico River in Beaufort County, North Carolina, and the decade-long battle to prevent a mining company from destroying it.
In 2011, environmental nonprofit Sound Rivers' staff discovered plans for a limestone mine — plans that included using Blounts Creek to discharge up to 12 million gallons of fresh water into the brackish headwaters of the creek every day.
At risk was an entire ecosystem.
In this episode, you'll hear about the grassroots movement founded to protect the creek, its habitats, fisheries and wildlife for future generations and the legal battle that would start on the banks of the creek and end in the highest court in North Carolina.
Featuring Blounts Creek resident Bob Daw, one of the founders of Save Blounts Creek, and former Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper, now Sound Rivers executive director, Heather Deck, the Story of Blounts Creek takes on decisions made by the state to potentially destroy what it's meant to protect, in direct conflict with the Clean Water Act; the efforts by a giant corporation to deprive North Carolina residents of access to the courts; and how a community continues to rise up against what could be a devastating wrong.

You can join the fight to keep the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico fishable, swimmable and drinkable for all.

• Visit soundrivers.org to learn more about what we do and how you can help protect clean water.
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Founded in 1980-81, Sound Rivers is one of the oldest grassroots conservation organizations in North Carolina. Sound Rivers monitors and protects two watersheds, covering nearly a quarter of the state. With Riverkeepers on the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rivers, our mission is to preserve the waterways’ health and the health of the people who rely on them through science-based advocacy and environmental justice.