The Dead Pigeon River Council formed in late 1985 for the purpose of achieving the cleaning and restoration of the Big Pigeon River which had been used for the industrial waste of Champion International since 1906. The Council sought new headquarters in 1998 and therefore the CO.N.T.A.C.T. Council Office, at the time of its establishment, was privileged to receive the files and archives of the DPRC. Since that time, the office has served as a communications center for the continuing efforts towards a Big Pigeon River for Tennessee which is as crystal clean as it is above Canton NC. DPRC communications across the state line resulted in a local endorsement of a chlorine-free employee-owned mill.

As The Dead Pigeon River Council spokesperson Gay Webb is quoted, "You can pollute in areas of poverty, not in affluent areas. Crime, pollution and poverty all go together. We are the best example of this in the world." Although the DPRC has contributed to a drastic improvement in the quality of water in the Big Pigeon River (after nearly a century of being used as an industrial dioxin-laden sewer flowing through and contaminating the farms, homesteads and communities of Cocke County), the efforts to address the need for constant monitoring, appropriate compensation, sediment removal, etc. demands continued dedication. Prior to the establishment of the CO.N.T.A.C.T. Council Office, the DPRC relied entirely on volunteer work coordination and service. The DPRC archives are now accessible to students of environmental science and social action, researchers, media, citizens and agencies. The victims of ecological injustice unite to reduce the violation perpetrated against them, thereby protecting and empowering of all Cocke County citizens.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gay Webb Bob Seay Cindie Runnion Nelson Ross Judy Webb Jamie Kridler Parke Overall

For any questions concerning the above subject matter please send e-mail to: deadpigeonriver@easttncontact.org