More than 100 vessels and 200 people turned out for a second Save Blounts Creek rally on the creek Saturday. The grassroots group sprang up after the state issued a permit in 2013 that would allow millions of gallons of fresh water to be discharged into the headwaters of Blounts Creek by a limestone mining company. The Save Blounts Creek group —a consortium of Blounts Creek business owners, residents, fishermen, boaters and environmentalists — has backed the environmental advocacy group Sound Rivers’ challenge to the permit, which has bounced around the North Carolina court system for the past four years. Another hearing will be held this month to decide whether the Sound Rivers, along with North Carolina Coastal Federation, have the right to contest a state permit. (Bob Daw photos)