JULY 2026 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY SUMMER!
This is the season when we all use our waterways the most. Tennessee Riverkeeper cannot do this difficult work without you!
1,208 LBS OF TRASH REMOVED AT JULY CLEANUP
Here is a 60 second highlight video:
FOX NASHVILLE: Tennessee Riverkeeper removes over 1,000 pounds of trash from Sulphur Creek
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee Riverkeeper removed approximately 1,208 pounds of trash from Sulphur Creek on July 8. Sulphur Creek is a tributary of the Cumberland River, and the river's tributaries were often collection zones for litter. Now, thanks to Tennessee Riverkeeper, it is much cleaner. It was quite an adventure, as it turned out, getting a heavy appliance out of a creek, but we prevailed." said Barry Sulkin, scientist for Tennessee Riverkeeper, "This was a great use of my pickup with logging chains. The most common trash items found were plastic, mostly polyethylene bottles and shopping bags. There was also a dishwasher and heavy metal debris that were left there by a previous landowner and a tornado. READ MORE.
TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER INTENDS TO SUE PILOT TRAVEL CENTER IN LA VERGNE
On June 9, 2026, Tennessee Riverkeeper sent a notice of intent to sue to Pilot Travel Center LLC (“Pilot”) for violations of the Clean Water Act. Pilot is in violation because it is discharging wastewater and storm water runoff in violation of its permit from a large Travel Center – consisting of a truck stop, gas station, and market – at 535 Waldron Road, La Vergne, Rutherford County, Tennessee. The facility discharges into East Branch Hurricane Creek, which flows to Percy Priest Lake at a cove where a public boat launch and the Four Corners marina are located. The discharge periodically contains elevated levels of Oil and Grease, Total Suspended Solids, a petroleum sheen, and visible bottom deposits and growth, and the discharge of petroleum appears to worsen during rain.
Problems have persisted for some time, with self-monitoring reports, violation notices from the state, and responses from the company going back and forth for the past several years. The communications generally show the company attributing the problems to excess rains and inadequate cleaning of their treatment system, offering to increase the frequency of cleaning the system to twice a year, then later to quarterly. Apparently, more is needed. The Pilot facility is part of a chain of hundreds of stations across the country, operated by Pilot Travel Centers, LLC, which previously did business under the name Pilot Flying J Travel Centers. It was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in stages starting several years ago, and now is fully owned by them.
East Branch Hurricane Creek flows northwards into Hurricane Creek, which flows into Percy Priest Lake. Hurricane Creek runs along the La Vergne Greenway, a popular 4.2-mile recreational pathway through a mostly forested area that ends near Percy Priest Lake, which is a reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spanning 14,200 acres. The lake is heavily used for recreation, including fishing, swimming, and boating, with amenities such as marinas, parks, boat ramps, and bank fishing sites accessible to the public. Percy Priest Lake’s significance cannot be overstated. The lake attracts numerous visitors each year, due to the appeal of its recreational activities and close proximity to Nashville. In addition, the reservoir provides water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.
Tennessee Riverkeeper intends to pursue action to address the violations and stop the pollution, including filing a citizen suit as needed to assure corrections.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Our Outreach Program, lead by Brandon Hayes, is seeking volunteer s for the following dates and concerts. Please email: Volunteeer@TennesseeRiver.org if you can help!
July 31 ~ Orion Amphitheater for Lord Huron (AL)
August 6 ~ Orion Amphitheater for Levity X Tape B (AL)
August 15 ~ The Caverns for Andy Frasco (TN)
August 18 ~ Orion Amphitheater for Goo Goo Dolls
August 22 ~ Orion Amphitheater for Parker McCullom (AL)
September 25 ~ Orion Amphitheater for Koe Wetzel (AL)
DATA CENTERS COMING TO TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA
AI data centers are being proposed all over Tennessee and Alabama. Citizens are concerned about water usage, power rates, noise, and other issues.
RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEADLINES
TENNESSEE: Public Input Sought For McDonald Farm As New State Park
East Tennessee Cities Are Gearing Up To Fight Data Centers
ALABAMA: Public Can Read Alabama Power's Data Center Contracts, Just Not The Parts That Affect The Bill
NATIONAL: Energy, Water Use and Pollution of AI and Data Centers Rival Most Countries
3,000 on TikTok! Almost 10,000 on Instagram!
Thanks to you, Tennessee Riverkeeper is growing as fast as ever on almost every social media platform. Our email list is growing faster than ever, thanks to concert tabling and the outreach program.
We recently reached 3,000 people on TikTok, our fastest growing platform. We are close to 10,000 on Instagram, although we are disappointed in Meta showing our content to our audience.
You help represent approximately 53,000+ supporters across Tennessee Riverkeeper's social media channels. We've grown by approximately 700 people on social media in July, or about 23 people per day,
Social media, the press, and this newsletter are very important methods for the organization to educate the public about water and the pollution that threatens our communities.
Please join us on these sites if you are not already.
Please share and encourage your friends and family to join as well:
NEW VIDEO BY DELANEY ROYER
NEW VIDEOS BY @HUNTSVILLE ADVENTURER
Click the image below to learn from David Whiteside and NBC Huntsville on how to better protect your health from PFAS Forever Chemicals:
Get Involved
Tennessee Riverkeeper protects the water supply for more than 6.3 Million Southerners. Together we are stronger!
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