New River RIVERKEEPER


	Brian Wheat, New RIVERKEEEPER™


		A Message from The RIVERKEEPER

	The landscape along the shores of the New River and its tributaries is rapidly changing and with that change has come many negative impacts. All too often the development of this land is accomplished without the employment of proper sedimentation control measures, resulting in tons of soil and other contaminates being washed into or waters. As more and more sediments enter our waters the potential for flooding is increased and recreational opportunities will be reduced or completely eliminated. I spend much of my time seeking points of potential erosion, recording them and reporting them to the responsible government agency in an attempt to protect our waters. I cannot do this alone and ask anyone who sees an erosion problem to contact me as soon as possible. The quality of our waters is a huge attraction but can easily become a huge detraction if we are not careful. The urbanization of Onslow County must be accomplished in a properly planned manner. Developers must be required to do all that is necessary to protect our waters. Home owners must become aware of how to prevent damaging storm water runoff. Every level of government and every citizen must be responsible for the environment. Only through proper education and enforcement of laws can we protect our environment. I am actively involved in educating the public and I’m in regular contact with the various regulatory and enforcement agencies in an ongoing effort to restore and protect our waters. I am available to speak to organizations or groups interested in helping to protect the New River. Call me at (910) 526-3933 or email me for scheduling.

“One of the primary reasons for the urban growth of our county is our waterfront, be it creek, river or ocean. We must protect our waters from pollution and sedimentation before that waterfront becomes a detraction.”

-- Brian Wheat

The New River Foundation is proud to sponsor Brian Wheat as its RIVERKEEPER. Personable and knowledgeable about the New River, Brian is both a proper educator and a dedicated role model for water quality efforts in our area.

Brian Wheat

As RIVERKEEPER, Brian’s primary mission is to restore and protect the New River. In an effort to accomplish this mission he has become an advocating voice for the river and its tributaries. Not only will you encounter him on the river, but in the halls of the city, county and state governments as well.

In pursuit of his goal to restore and protect the New River and its tributaries, Brian regularly patrols them in support of his mission. His mode of travel varies from power boat, canoe and kayak to walking.

Though the New River is small, the impacts to its water quality are many and require a constant presence to keep pollution in check. He works with regulatory agencies to enforce environmental laws specifically targeting water pollution problems. Brian also spends a great deal of time educating the public about water pollution; how to avoid it as well as how to detect and report it

Successfully advocating for the New River cannot be accomplished by one person.
Identifying the sources of pollution entering our waters cannot be accomplished by one person.
Educating the public about water pollution cannot be conducted by one person.

Brian needs and wants your help to ensure our the New River is a clean river. Volunteers are needed to help keep the New River a river everyone can enjoy. Please consider being one of those volunteers and join in this most rewarding effort.

Restoring and Protecting New River

Right:Talking to a group of Dixon Students about the Aquatic Weed problems. Brian posted the Aquatic signs around Onslow County to help educate the public on these environmental problem plants and their effect on the New River.

The New RIVERKEEPER educates local high school students about the impact of aquatic weeds on our rivers

Below: The students paddled along the river getting a closer look and better appreciation of the need to protect against water pollution.

Planting to avoid further erosion along the New River at Richlands, NC

You might find Brian in a variety of places, i.e: Above: watchfully cruising the New River, or Left: working with local agencies to problem solve. Brian and NRF Volunteers spent a cold January morning helping Bill Norris (Onslow Extension Office) work on a problem creek in Richlands to avoid further erosion by planting willows.