Pete Roe, a resident of Rabun County, has been cleaning up the Chattooga River and the surrounding Earls Ford Road for the past 15 years. In the beginning, he would take back two entire truck loads worth of trash. Now, he’s only picking up about half of a bag a week.
The Chattooga River became protected after earning National Wild and Scenic River designation in 1974. However, it has since suffered from vehicular traffic and dumping of trash, car oil and human waste. Earls Ford Road, which surrounds the Chattooga River, has also suffered from vehicular erosion.
“People were not self policing, and it was turning into, you know, just a raucous dump on public lands,” Nicole Hayler, executive director of the Chattooga Conservancy, said.
While the river is nationally protected, the road is owned by the Rabun County government. Many Rabun County residents and tourists enjoy camping and jeeping along Earls Ford Road and into the river for recreational purposes. The local government and activists have been at odds on how to manage the road and the river.
However, the U.S. Forest Service, Chattooga Conservancy and Rabun County government collaborated to implement new solutions in fall 2024 that would alert visitors about the Chattooga River and surrounding land along Earls Ford Road’s protection.
Now, there are boulders blocking vehicles from entering campsites, as well as signs along the road reading “no motor vehicles” and by the river reading “wild and scenic river.” There is also a “kiosk,” as Roe and Hayler call it, that shows the designated campsites and rules for campers to follow. Otherwise, “violations subject to fines.”
“It remains somewhat puzzling that there can’t be more collaboration between the public and private interests here along the road,” Hayler said. “We’re encouraged, very encouraged, by what we’ve seen so far. It can’t be overstated how long it’s taken.”
“For me, 15 years,” Roe replied.
This story was produced by Libby Hobbs as part of the 2025 Woodall Weekend Workshop.
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