COURTESY OF STEVE POPE into a cesspool of industrial and household refuse. She addressed the waterway's slow, untimely death in her evocative text, " The French Broad, " arguing that the only way forward was for everyone to " shoulder his share of the responsibility. " Because, " just as the river belongs to no one, it belongs to everyone and everyone is held accountable for its health and condition. " A revolution ensued. In 1974, Transylvania County added a tax to the county budget to be used for cleaning up river trash. In 1975, Buncombe County began a river cleanup project using public works impact funds administered through the Tennessee Valley Authority. That same year, Madison County followed suit. Make your Moments that Matter with us. Plan Your Trip atVisitNCSmallTowns.com JULY / AUGUST 2022 49 PHOTO PUBLIC DOMAIN Buddy Morrison Photographyhttps://www.visitncsmalltowns.com/