Q: What is a Riverkeeper?
A: A Riverkeeper is a private citizen acting as a resource to the community in finding solutions to issues of the French Broad River. RiverLink will provide the administrative resources and oversight to ensure the success of the program.

Q: What does the Riverkeeper do?
A: The Riverkeeper works to build community support, develop cooperative solutions to water quality issues and works with all parties to ensure the health and vitality of water resources. These activities can be accomplished through a variety of means. The Riverkeeper maintains an active presence on the water, talking to local residents and businesses and identifying common concerns. This approach helps build bridges between different parties and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving.

Q: Does the Riverkeeper have the authority to levy and collect fines on property owners or businesses?
A: No. The Riverkeeper is not sanctioned by the government or by any other controlling legal authority. The Riverkeeper does not have the power to judge or penalize. The Keeper exercises the same rights that all private citizens enjoy — no more and no less.

Q: Does the Riverkeeper have the right to trespass on public or private property to investigate allegations of pollution?
A: No. The Riverkeeper is subject to the same laws and regulations that apply to all citizens. The Riverkeeper is not a River Policeman.

Q: Is the French Broad Riverkeeper program controlled by the Water Alliance?
A: No. The Water Alliance owns the trademark on the “Riverkeeper” title and licenses organizations and individuals to use that title. While different programs often cooperate on common concerns, individual Riverkeepers do not report to the Water Alliance or any other national authority.

Q: Does the Riverkeeper receive funding from the Water Alliance?
A: No. While the Water Alliance issues licenses to use the “Riverkeeper” title, it does not fund individual programs. Riverkeeper programs are funded by the local sponsoring organization.

Q: Are all Riverkeeper programs the same?
A: No. Individual Riverkeeper programs are structured to reflect the unique environment in which they operate. Obviously, rivers like the Hudson in New York and even the Neuse in North Carolina face far different challenges than the French Broad River. Because of this, there is no uniform operating procedure for individual programs.

 

Back to Top
The Smoky Mountain News