RIVER WHITE OAK BASIN ucked between the eastern portions of the Neuse and Cape Fear river basins, the T White Oak River Basin abounds with coastal and freshwater wetlands. The basin includes four separate river systems, or subbasins, that feed into highly productive estuaries of Back, Core and Bogue sounds. profile: Core Sound produces the most valuable Total miles of streams and rivers: seafood catch in the basin, followed by 446 Bogue Sound and the Newport River. Municipalities The New River subbasin is the largest and most within basin: 16 populated, containing the city of Jacksonville Counties and the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune. But the basin draws its name from the White within basin: 4 Oak River, a remote, scenic, 48-mile river that spills into Bogue Sound past the picturesque Size: 1,264 town of Swansboro. The river is under consideration as a National Wild and Scenic River. Still square miles farther east is the basin’s Newport River, which begins near Havelock and flows into the eastern Population: end of Bogue Sound. The shortest and easternmost river in the basin is the North River, which 150,501 (2000) empties into Back Sound near Harkers Island. Forest and wetlands—both privately and publicly owned—cover almost half the basin. The basin contains over half of the 160,000-acre Croatan National Forest, which hosts the largest population of carnivorous plants of any national forest and is the second largest habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The Croatan is the only coastal forest in the national forest system. Its saltwater paddle trail circles more than 100 miles of tidal marshes and flats and unique coastal forests. The forest’s wetland communities are home to rare and unusual insect- Ward Creek flows through eating plants like the Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, bladderworts, butterworts and sundews. A a marsh near Otway in stunning array of lilies, orchids and other wildflowers grace the forest edges. Carteret County. BILL LEA GEORGE HUMPHRIES Sundew and butterwort in moss BILL LEA BILL LEA Hooded pitcher plant Venus flytrap WILD & SCENIC he White Oak River has attributes that T qualify it for a federal Wild and Scenic River designation. Such rivers have "outstandingly remarkable" values, including unpolluted water, scenic and recreational value, and free-flowing waters. The White Oak is eligible due to its scenic, botanical, wildlife, historical and cultural values. A Wild and Scenic designation would protect the river from projects that might degrade its waters and diminish its outstanding qualities. The river supports five distinct plant commu- nities, including the rare tidal-red-cedar forest. This type of forest occurs only around the New and White Oak rivers. At least 70 important his- BILL LEA torical and archaeological sites lie along the wading birds and abundant waterfowl. For more Tidal estuary-salt White Oak’s path. Its waters draw canoeists and information about community efforts in support of marsh at Cedar other recreational boaters, anglers and shell- the designation, call the N.C. Coastal Federation Point in Croatan fishermen. Birdwatchers flock to see osprey, at 1-(800)232-6210. National Forest BILL LEA Camp Lejeune harbors some of the highest quality longleaf pine and American alligator pocosin habitats remaining in North Carolina. Pocosins are raised bogs with a thick layer of peat. The deep soils absorb rainwater and release it slowly into adjacent estuaries. This filtering function helps to preserve the correct balance of saltwater and fresh water that estuarine organisms, including fish and shellfish, need to survive. BILL LEA Several rare or endangered animals are found in the waters of the Fragrant white lily White Oak basin, including the American alligator, which is state- listed as threatened; two federally listed endangered sea turtles— the loggerhead and leatherback; the Carolina BILL LEA diamondback terrapin, a state-listed species Trumpet pitcher plant of special concern; and the federally listed endangered manatee. Increasing population density in the basin is BILL LEA putting pressure on water quality in streams, Green-backed heron rivers and estuaries. Population nearly doubled between 1970 and 1990, and beach com- munities, particularly Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle, are growing rapidly. Population in the New River subbasin is expected to increase by 15,000 people by 2010. Overall basin population is expected to increase by 40,000 in the next 15 years. Due to persistent algae blooms in the New River in 1991, the state classified the headwaters of the New River, Southwest Creek and Northeast Creek as “nutrient sensitive waters” and WHITE OAK RIVER BASIN placed restrictions on nutrients in wastewater treatment plant discharges. Since that time, dramatic improvements in wastewater treatment have occurred, including elimination of the You may notice "White City of Jacksonville’s discharge into the river and consolidation of seven separate treatment Oak River Basin" signs systems at Camp Lejeune into one large, modern wastewater treatment plant. posted along highways throughout the basin. The signs are part of a state- Many of the basin’s shellfish beds are closed to harvest due to contaminated runoff from con- wide educational pro- struction sites, developed areas, streets and yards, farmland and forestry operations. After heavy gram to raise public rains, fecal coliform, an indicator of harmful pathogens in shellfish associated with the wastes awareness that we all MICHAEL BRAGG of warm-blooded animals (including humans), is often live in a river basin and Manatee elevated in the estuaries. Twenty-four percent of the that our individual actions basin’s shellfish waters cannot completely fulfill their affect the quality of its use as a shellfish resource because of pollution. waters. Signs in all 17 river basins of the state are made possible by a Polluted runoff also includes nutrients like nitrogen partnership between the and phosphorus (from fertilizers, detergents and N.C. Department of animal waste) that can trigger overgrowth of algae Environment and Natural and cause fish kills. Runoff also contains oil, grease Resources and the N.C. and chemicals from nonporous surfaces like paved roads, parking lots, sidewalks and driveways. Department of Transpor- More techniques are now in place or available to reduce runoff by slowing water so it can be tation, along with funds from the Federal Trans- cleansed by plants and soil. New federal rules being phased in require cities of a certain size portation Enhancement to develop strategies to manage and treat stormwater runoff. Program. Individuals in the basin can help prevent polluted runoff and eroded soil from entering streams and BILL LEA estuaries by preserving buffers of trees and shrubs along the edges of waterfront property. Such vegetation can help filter harmful substances from runoff. And if landowners use paving alter- natives that allow rainwater to soak into the ground (crushed stones or permeable pavers, for example), they can limit runoff from their property along with the contaminants it carries. People also can help by limiting their use of fertilizers and pesticides on landscapes and making sure septic systems are maintained and working properly. Citizens also can get involved with conserva- tion groups in the basin that are working to preserve wetlands and vegetated buffers beside waterways. GEORGE HUMPHRIES Sunrise over Bogue Sound, Carteret County (left); red-cockaded woodpecker (above). WHERE What makes the White Oak River Basin so special? See for yourself. Visit these Environ- SHOULD mental Education Centers to discover more about your ecological address: I GO? Cape Lookout Environmental North Carolina Coastal Federation Education Center North Carolina Maritime Museum Cape Lookout National Seashore North Carolina National Estuarine Fort Macon State Park Research Reserve Hammocks Beach State Park Sturgeon City North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Trinity Center Sound to Sea Knoll Shores Environmental Education Program For more information about all the Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, Croatan National call the Office of Environmental Education at (919) 733-0711, or check out the Web site Forest at http://www.ee.enr.state.nc.us. BILL LEA WHAT Do your part to positively influence water quality in the White Oak River Basin. CAN Get involved in basinwide planning or a local organization interested in rivers and I DO? streams in the river basin. Take the time to learn about the environmental consequences of your actions. WHO The following contacts can provide information: SHOULD North Carolina Office of Environmental Education, Department of Environment and Nat- I CONTACT? ural Resources, (800) 482-8724 or (919) 733-0711, Web site http://www.ee.enr. state.nc.us G Stream Watch Program, Division of Water Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, (919) 733-4064, Web site http://www.ncwater.org G Friends of Newport River, (910) 223-3836 G New River Foundation/New Riverkeeper, (910) 937-0877, Web site http://www..newriverfoundation.org G Izaak Walton League-White Oak River Chapter, (252) 393-7315 G N.C. Coastal Federation, (800) 232-6210, Web site http://www.nccoast.org G N.C. Cooperative Extension Service—Carteret County, (252) 222-6352, Web site http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/carteret, Onslow County, (910) 455-5873, Web site http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/onslow Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Depart- ment of Environment and Natural Resources. Go to http://www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC for a listing of all county offices. Call (919) 733-2302 or check the county government listings in your local phone book. To find out more about water quality in the White Oak River Basin, contact the Division of Water Quality’s Basinwide Planning Program, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, at (919) 733-5083, Web site http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/. State of North Carolina: Governor Michael F.