This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has joined a growing number of North Carolina communities enacting restrictions on data centers. The Tribal Council’s recent decision to impose an indefinite moratorium reflects concerns shared by neighboring counties and communities over potential environmental impacts.
Mary “Missy” Crowe, an active resident of the Qualla Boundary and advocate for energy transition within the Indigenous Environmental Network, highlighted the increasing worry. “Swain county just passed a moratorium,” Crowe noted, referring to similar actions in Haywood County and other regions.
Residents of Marble have reportedly faced challenges linked to data centers, according to Crowe. In response, she and the Eastern Cherokee Organization held a community event on April 25 aimed at raising awareness about the environmental implications of these facilities.
The Tribal Council deliberated the moratorium after initial discussions in early April, seeking further information before making a decision. Shennelle Feather, a council member representing the Yellow Hill community, voiced particular concern regarding the potential threats to water resources, noting the tribe’s reliance on fishing traditions.
Earlier this year, the tribe reinforced its commitment to environmental protection by passing a resolution that acknowledges the rivers on their historic lands as living entities. Known as the Long Person or Long Man, these waterways are considered sacred and interconnected.
“I believe that if we’re not supporting this it goes against who we are as indigenous people and Cherokee people in our community, and protecting our assets and natural resources,” Feather stated, emphasizing the importance of the tribe’s environmental values.
While some community members expressed concerns about the moratorium’s impact on tribal sovereignty, the council clarified that data storage facilities related to this issue would not be affected by the ordinance.
