Thursday, September 28, 2000

WILMINGTON -- Putting the river back into Riverfest is the mission of several local non-profit, educational, and service organizations concerned about the Cape Fear River and water quality issues. The River Basin Station is a cooperative effort sponsored by the UNC Wilmington Lower Cape Fear River Program, the City of Wilmingtonís Storm Water Services, the Cape Fear Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Cape Fear River Watch, the N.C. Aquarium, the N.C. Coastal Federation, Keep America Beautiful, and Riverfest organizers.

More than 20 organizations will be represented at the River Basin Station to be located next to the river at the empty lot across from the City Market. The Basin Station will feature educational displays about the river and water quality in the lower basin. There will also be live music, educational demonstrations, and scientists who can answer questions about water quality. UNCW, CP&L Energy, Corning Inc., and International Paper are providing funding for this event. New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington have proclaimed October as "Cape Fear River Awareness Month."

The River Basin Station will be open during Riverfest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 and 8. At 11 a.m. and 2p.m. on both days, the NC Aquarium will present "Alligators and other denizens of the Cape Fear" featuring baby alligators. (Note: the alligators will be on display only during the program.)

The River Basin Station will offer festival attendees the opportunity to take a break from the crowds and learn more about the Cape Fear River. The Cape Fear River is North Carolina's largest river system stretching 200 miles from Moncure to the Atlantic Ocean at Southport; its basin encompasses streams in 29 of the stateís 100 counties.

The NC Aquarium will have a display featuring aquatic life in the basin. The City of Wilmington's Storm Water Services and Public Utilities will display information on the services and utilities that either depend on or work to protect the river. Non-profit advocacy organizations are also contributing to the River Basin Station. For example, the Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is a group of concerned wave lovers who are care about water quality near beaches and inlets. Surfrider members are coordinating the entertainment and presentations on the Basin Station stage. Other organizations represented in River Basin Station are: the Cape Fear River Assembly, the NC Division of Water Quality, the Society for Masonboro Island, the US Coast Guard, Cape Fear Community College's Environmental Technology and Marine Technology Programs, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and other invitees.

The Basin Station provides a one-stop spot for getting information about the Cape Fear River and water quality. The Basin Station has been a part of Riverfest for two years. It was originally sponsored by the Lower Cape Fear River Programís Education Committee. The Lower Cape Fear River Program conducts research and monitors water quality in the lower river and is supported by UNCW, local industries, the Cannon Foundation, the Z.Smith Reynolds Foundation, and local and state government. According to Marian T. McPhaul, executive director of the program, "The Lower Cape Fear River Program is a unique prototype for watershed-based research and cooperation."

One of the many interesting highlights of the Basin Station will be a display by the UNCW Students as Scientists Project, a program of the Watson School of Education. The UNCW Students as Scientist Project has provided water-testing equipment and training to 50 regional science teachers. These teachers and their classes test the ponds and tributaries flowing into the Cape Fear River and use the World Wide Web to share results. The Lower Cape Fear River Program and the UNCW Center for Marine Science will also have information on the water quality research conducted locally.

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For more information, contact Marian McPhaul at 910/962-2354.

Invited Participants



Lower Cape Fear River Program

UNCW Center for Marine Science

UNCW Students as Scientists

Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology

Audubon Society

Surfrider Foundation

Society for Masonboro Island

Cape Fear River Watch

NH Cooperative Extension Service

New Hanover County Planning Dept.

NC Rivers Assessment

NC Division of Water Quality

NC Division of Coastal Management

NC DENR Soil & Water Conservation

NC Coastal Federation

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

NC Wetlands Restoration Program

Keep America Beautiful

US Army Corps of Engineers

US Coast Guard

Cape Fear River Assembly

Cape Fear Resource, Conservation, and Development

Cape Fear Community College Environmental Technology