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More sewage discharges reported: 76K gallons in Brevard, 54K at Sierra Nevada Brewing

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More sewage discharges reported: 76K gallons in Brevard, 54K at Sierra Nevada Brewing


Following reports of the recent untreated wastewater discharges into the French Broad River caused by the flooding in Western North Carolina on Jan. 9, the Times-News reached out to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and found out there were more reports of discharges in the area.

One of the largest in WNC was 76,350 gallons at 273 Gallimore Road in Brevard, discharged into the French Broad River. The second-largest was 54,000 gallons at 100 Sierra Nevada Way at Sierra Nevada Brewing in Fletcher, which also went into the French Broad, according to the NCDEQ’s wastewater discharge dashboard.

For the Sierra Nevada discharge, the NCDEQ reported the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County investigated the incident and found the manhole leaking from around the top of the lid. After the flow subsided around 1 a.m. Jan. 10, fecal samples were taken upstream and downstream of the spill site.

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“The area was remediated with lime and straw once the river had crested on Jan. 11,” the NCDEQ report said.

There were two more discharges in Transylvania County that discharged into the French Broad River: 287 College Plaza in Brevard (16,100 gallons) and 31 Burnette Drive in Brevard (10,650 gallons). Other WNC discharges previously reported by the Times-News were in Tryon (more than 35,000 gallons) and Hendersonville (more than 16,000 gallons).

More: More than 16K gallons of untreated wastewater discharged in Hendersonville; more than 35K in Tryon

NCDEQ public information officer for the Division of Water Services, Laura Oleniacz, told the Times-News on Jan. 12 residents didn’t need to be concerned.

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“Sewer system overflows, called SSOs, are not unusual following a large rain event,” she said. “The NCDEQ Division of Water Resources staff will review the 24-hour and the five-day reports. They may request additional information, as needed, and will determine the next regulatory response, as appropriate.”

The Division of Water Resources requires sewer system operators to submit two reports: One within 24 hours and one within five days of any sewage spill that reaches surface water, or one that’s more than 1,000 gallons.

Oleniacz said discharges are typically caused by pumps and sewer lines being overwhelmed by the volume of rainwater entering sewers through inflow and infiltration. On Jan. 9, many parts of WNC received 4-6 inches of rain over a 12-hour period.

“Rainwater is not supposed to enter sanitary sewers, but it does through cracks and holes in the sewer collection. This is called infiltration,” Oleniacz said. “During flooding, water levels may submerge manholes and enter the sewer lines that way — this is called inflow.”

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More rain of up to one-half to three-quarters of an inch was expected for WNC on Jan. 12, with precipitation to begin after 1 p.m. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Buncombe and Henderson counties that was set to expire at 7 p.m. Jan. 13.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.



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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires


After decades of cheatgrass-fueled wildfires across Nevada, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno are testing whether cattle can help restore damaged rangelands by spreading native seeds as they graze.

Cheatgrass, an invasive plant common across the Great Basin, dries out early and can fuel larger wildfires, making it harder for native vegetation to return. UNR postdoctoral scholar William Richardson said the plant helps create a self-reinforcing cycle.

“Cheatgrass grows, it creates more wildfires, that allows more cheatgrass to grow, and it becomes a bigger and bigger issue. That’s why we’re seeing all these mega fires spreading across the Great Basin,” Richardson said.

The challenge continues after flames are out. In Nevada’s arid climate, native plants can struggle to reestablish, while cheatgrass often returns quickly.

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“We struggle with getting five to eight inches of rain a year. Trying to restore a native community in those very arid conditions are extremely difficult,” Richardson said.

Ewe won’t believe it: Sheep munch away at Reno’s wildfire worries in Arrowcreek area

Ranchers already use targeted grazing to reduce cheatgrass. Now, UNR researchers are studying whether cattle can also help reseed the landscape. The approach mixes native grass seeds into protein supplements cattle already eat. Researchers then track whether the seeds can survive digestion and be spread naturally across the range after being deposited in manure.

“We’re already using cattle to combat cheatgrass through targeted grazing, and the ultimate goal is to bring native species back across the landscape, so why don’t we combine those two ideas?” Richardson said.

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In lab testing, researchers evaluated special seed coatings designed to help some seeds survive a cow’s digestive system. The results showed certain species could make it through the process and still germinate after being deposited in manure, Richardson said, though some seeds need more protection than others.

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“Some species naturally have a very thin seed coat and require more protection, while others can go through the gut of a cow easy peasy lemon squeezy,” he said.

The project is expected to move into field testing this fall at Horseshoe Ranch near Eureka, where researchers will track whether seeds can not only survive digestion but also establish new plants on the landscape.

“It’s a passive way to restore the landscape. Instead of having to go in with a tractor or seed from an airplane, you can use cows that are already there,” Richardson said.

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

Researchers said the method is not intended to replace traditional restoration work, but to add another tool for land managers and ranchers. If the field trials are successful, they said the approach could eventually help restore thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of acres across the Great Basin.



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As temperatures rise, HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts

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As temperatures rise, HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts












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HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts | Local Las Vegas | Local























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