A program on mercury pollution in mountain waters will be held by the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at the historic courthouse in Sylva adjacent to the new Jackson County Public Library.

Susan Sachs, park ranger and educator for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will be the featured speaker for the program, held in conjunction with the group’s annual meeting.

Sachs will discuss mercury levels found in the Smokies and elsewhere in the Tuckasegee watershed. Mercury levels have been measured in significant levels in the higher elevations of the park, and in fish in Fontana Lake, and are blamed primarily on coal-fired power plants and factories upwind.

Prior to the main presentation, there will be brief  reports from WATR teams and highlights of the group’s recent accomplishments and future plans.

The get-together starts with a potluck meal at 5:30 p.m.

WATR will hold its fifth-annual Double Green Party and fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Nantahala Brewery in Bryson City. The band Beansidhe (pronounced in Celtic as Banshee) will play.

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