North Carolina State (USA) Law: rights of the Haw River ecosystem

Summary

On April 18, a bill was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly to recognize the legal rights of the Haw River. The Rights of the Haw River Ecosystem Act recognizes the rights of the Haw River to “exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve,” and would allow any North Carolinian to sue a polluter or a government agency on the river’s behalf (1). The bill also recognizes the people of North Carolina’s right to a healthy Haw River ecosystem, while protecting “the collective and individual rights of indigenous people residing in the State” (2). If passed, the legislation would be the first state-level Rights of Nature law in the U.S. The bill has not made it to the floor for a vote.

Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck (a citizen of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation) and 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.”

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.

Involved Organizations