Summary
On 19 April 2023, a bill was introduced in the 2023-2024 session of the North Carolina General Assembly to amend Chapter 77 of the General Statutes by adding a new Article to recognize and protect the rights of the Haw River to “exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve.” The bill also recognizes the people of North Carolina’s right to a healthy ecosystem, while protecting “the collective and individual rights of indigenous people residing in the State” (2), and would allow any North Carolinian to sue a polluter or a government agency on the river’s behalf (1).
The 2023 bill did not make it to the floor for a vote. A revised bill was introduced in the NC state legislature in the 2025-2026 Session that recognizes the rights of both the Haw River and the Dan River ecosystems, which had individual bills submitted in the 2023-2024 session.
Ecosystem and Community Context
The Haw River is a sacred waterbody of the Sissipaw and Occaneechi-Saponi peoples. In 2014, the Haw River was named a Most Endangered River by American Rivers due to the impact of decades of industrial pollution, runoff, dams, sewage spills, algae blooms, and other human activities.
Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck (citizen of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation) and the Indigenous-led NGO 7 Directions of Service co-authored the bill along with the Native American Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party and the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER). Indigenous advocates at 7 Directions of Service are leading the campaign for Rights for the Haw River and have outlined a long-term vision for advancing Rights of Nature laws and policies at the state and municipal level in NC, which “starts with education, bipartisan outreach, and relationship-building across differences.”
Involved Organizations
Related Initiatives
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/north-carolina-u-s-rights-of-the-haw-river-ecosystem-act/.
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