Alice Broderick

Here in the Southeast, drought is no stranger, and this summer it is impacting communities and rivers in the region just as in many other parts of the country. In North Carolina, much of the state has been in severe or extreme drought conditions for months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and stream and river flows are near record-low levels in much of the state.

Communities across North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Basin are facing renewed uncertainty after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rollback of drinking water protections for several PFAS chemicals, commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The EPA recently announced two proposed rules on May 18, 2026. One would roll back protections for several PFAS compounds, while the other would delay implementation of existing standards.

By Alice Broderick | June 18, 2026 Colorado River, Texas | Reagan, Adobe Summer is here! That means longer days for fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming – more daylight for all of your favorite river activities. Summer is my favorite time of year. To me, nothing compares to creating memories with friends and loved ones during group paddles and river hangs.