Winyah Rivers Alliance is the “boots on the ground” for the Winyah Bay Watershed in NC and SC! The staff and Riverkeepers work hard for wetland conservation, litter cleanups, clean water and protections for the communities that live along the rivers. The motto for the organization is “clean hearts, dirty hands”. The staff works hard and they do it because they care.
I logged on recently and was disappointed to see only two dated and negative reviews. One of the reviews posits that The Waccamaw River is clean. It is no accident that the River is clean. We fought to remove old shacks from the river eliminating pollution, including human waste, from being discharged directly into the river. We have, with Coastal Carolina University, our partner, monitored the river’s water quality for over a decade, investigating and resolving issues to protect clean water.
We with partners,convinced Santee Cooper to commit to excavate and remove its toxic coal ash from the old Granger Power Plant in Conway, SC in order to eliminate decades of ongoing pollution to the river.
We continue to monitor this cleanup as well as the recently announced plans to drain Lake Busbee, and will advocate for proper closure of the coal plant’s former cooling pond that has known pollution.
We have removed over 30 tons of trash this year our rivers, riverbanks and wetlands, engaging 1,650 volunteers who covered over 200 miles at over 140 locations.
Check our website for all that we do to protect the Waccamaw and all the waters of our greater Winyah Bay Watershed. I invite both former and new supporters to sign up to get our monthly email newsletter and action alerts and join us to protect clean water in these challenging times.
Rev Ronald Hartman, President, Winyah Rivers Foundation
Review from Guidestar
I have to agree with the previous review. I don't see where my money is making a difference with river protection. From most indications the water quality in the river is currently good, and I see other organizations doing more or at least are better at keeping me informed of conservation efforts. I'm going to watch closely over the next few months to see if activities are those I want to support.
I have been donating for a few years, however I haven't heard much from the organization as to what the current activities are. I just can't get enough information on what the organization is doing to satisfy my curiosity about how my donation is helping the river. I haven't seen a newsletter in about a year, which is in stark contract to other organizations I donate to. As a Santee Cooper retiree, I'd like more information on the environmental concerns that have led to the lawsuit. There is nothing on the website and it's been months since the lawsuit began. The only communication I ever see is concerning events where there will be a table or trash picks along the river. I'd much rather hear about specifics concerning the lawsuit to validate the organization's involvement and continue my donation. The Riverkeeper is perfectly nice, but I'm not getting enough information from the organization to justify endless donations.
Riverkeeper 08/01/2013
Dear Tigerfan, The sentiments I express in the reply to Palmettoproud are also sentiments I want to express to you...your donation is very much appreciated and provides some of the general operating support the Riverkeeper needs to maintain our education and advocacy programs. I'm going to try to do better with communications both through e-mail, written newsletters and better updates on our website. Regarding the lawsuit, our position is that the toxic coal ash needs to be removed from the wetlands of the Waccamaw. Why? Because there is existing pollution of our groundwater and our surface water due to the coal ash lagoons. DHEC knows that, Santee Cooper knows that and, as a result of our Freedom of Information Act request, we know that. We are the lead party to that lawsuit in our role as Riverkeeper but unlike other conservation organizations with staff we only have 1 1/2 staff members handling all of our issues and our communications have suffered. I do apologize for that and want to assure you that I will try to do a better job communicating our information through written newsletters, e-mail, social media and our website. In addition, I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly if you desire. Again, thank you for your past support of our organization. It is very much appreciated! Regards, Your Waccamaw Riverkeeper Fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for our families and our future.
Riverkeeper 08/01/2013
Dear Palmettoproud, First, let me assure you that your donation is very impactful. It represents unrestricted funding for one full time and one part time employee of the organization to develop and implement our community engagement programs, including our volunteer water quality monitoring program on the Waccamaw River, our youth environmental stewardship programs anywhere within the greater Winyah Bay watershed, our paddle trail efforts using recreation to promote conservation within the Waccamaw watershed and beyond, and our advocacy efforts to convince Santee Cooper to remove its coal ash from the wetlands of the Waccamaw River and clean up the existing pollution of our groundwater and our surface water. That being said, I agree that I don't do a good job at keeping folks informed directly since I haven't written and mailed a newsletter for some time now. Last October I sent out an e-mail newsletter but I don't have e-mails for all of our members. I just wrote a short newsletter and have sent it by mail to all of our members. I hope you have received that. In the meantime, I have been more active through social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) but even I don't think that's enough. I hope you will continue to support our activities as your donation is making a difference with river protection and is truly appreciated! Thank you for your past support and I hope you will continue to support us. Regards, Your Waccamaw Riverkeeper Fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for our families and our future.