Waterworks Visual Art Center to Host Panel Discussion on the Future of the Yadkin River and High Rock Lake in Conjunction With the “Dance for the River” Exhibit

Waterworks Visual Art Center will host a panel discussion on the future of the Yadkin River and High Rock Lake on Wednesday, December 11, from 5:30 – 7:30. Yadkin Riverkeeper organized the panel discussion in conjunction with Christine Rucker’s Dance for the River photography exhibit that is on display through February 7, as part of the “That Which Sustains: Earth.Body.Soul show. Panelists for the discussion include:

Christine Rucker, artist/photographer

Brian Fannon, Yadkin Riverkeeper

Jim Behmer, Salisbury-Rowan Utilities

Travis Morehead, Three Rivers Land Trust

Former Salisbury Mayor and Secretary of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Susan Kluttz, will moderate the panel discussion, which will take place from 6-7 PM.

“We hope to highlight the importance of the Yadkin River and High Rock Lake to our local communities and the economy, as well as the challenges we face in keeping the River and Lake safe for drinking water and as a public recreational resource,” said Kluttz. “Salisbury and Rowan County depend on the Yadkin River for their drinking water and the Lake is an important economic asset impacting property tax revenues, real estate markets and tourism,” she continued.

Anne Scott Clement, Waterworks’ Executive Director, said she hopes the panel discussion will not only bring in more people to see the “Dance for the River” exhibit, but also make people more aware of the need to protect water quality and the environment. “Protecting the River and High Rock Lake is critically important for future generations,” she said.

Edgar Miller, executive director of Yadkin Riverkeeper said, “Salisbury and Rowan County are important communities along the River and Lake, and we hope this event will help local residents better understand the Riverkeeper’s mission and programs to protect the River and Lake.” Yadkin Riverkeeper currently has 350 members throughout the 7,200 square mile Yadkin River watershed. Its top priorities include protecting the River from agricultural runoff, stormwater pollution, inactive hazardous waste sites, coal ash and sedimentation, as well as getting people on the River for fun and educational paddles.