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North Carolina
Following an extensive fire at the Environmental Control hazardous waste facility in Apex last October, Clean Water Fund of North Carolina is joining others in calling for changes in state and federal regulations to increase reporting requirements for stored chemicals. The massive fire caused thousands to be evacuated and sent dozens of first responders to the hospital because no one knew what chemicals were burning in the blaze. This lack of information also hampered medical treatment efforts. Current laws exempt companies that store hazardous materials for less than 30 days from reporting requirements. Unless community right-to-know laws are strengthened to address this lack of information, the safety of communities where hazardous waste is treated and stored will continue to be in jeopardy.
The Granville Non-Violent Action Team (GNAT) originally formed in 1990 to fight the Thermalkem hazardous waste incinerator was activated last September to address the siting by the Department of Homeland Security of the proposed National Bio Agro Defense Facility in Burner, just north of Durham. The lab will conduct bio-hazard research in the center of a highly populated community. GNAT is distributing educational materials and holding meetings to explain the plan to area residents. Most people are bewildered why this location was selected for the site. (Spring 2008)
Growing groundwater contamination near the local DuPont plant in Fayetteville, has sent the Southern Cumberland County Concerned Citizens into action. The Teflon-rated chemical, C8, is manufactured at the plant. SCCCC is investigating local emergency response planning and talking to DuPont shareholders. They have also joined together with the NC C8 Working Group to pressure state environmental regulators to conduct a complete investigation of the concentrations of C8, a “likely carcinogen,” in groundwater around the Fayetteville Works facility and in the blood of DuPont workers. Pam Carter and Tracy Eaton, co-presidents of the citizen’s group, traveled to the DuPont Shareholders Annual Meeting in Delaware to inform them of the company’s growing liability. Their effort was successful in raising shareholder support by 20% for a resolution to shut down C8 production completely.
Residents living near the South Atlantic Galvanizing plant in Graham are organizing to address concerns about emissions from the plant. A day care center is located next to the plant. Soil testing on the day care center’s property identified heavy metals. CHEJ is helping the residents interpret the test results. (Spring 2008)
The Granville Non-Violent Action Team (GNAT) continues to build support to stop plans by the office of Homeland Security to build a National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at an undefined location near Raleigh. Hundreds of local and regional residents attended a public hearing this past summer to send a clear message to the government: Stay away from our community! Speakers raised concerns about the possibility of accidents that could release organisms, threats to nearby water supplies, and the potential development of bio-weapons at the facility. Many local officials who initially supported the plan are now backing off in the face of growing public opposition. Go GNATs! (Winter 2008)
(Winter 2008) photo from www.nobio.com.
Local residents in Richmond County are concerned about contamination of well water by chemicals leaching from a former peach orchard. Initial test results prompted state officials to advise residents to limit their time bathing in the water. The group is getting organized and preparing for a public hearing. CHEJ has been providing organizing support and technical assistance. (Winter 2008)
Citizens for a Safe and Vibrant Community, the NC Environmental Justice Network, and the NC Conservation Network teamed up in May to co-host an Anti-Landfill rally in Sandyfield. The groups protested five large proposed landfills – “mega-landfills” – that, if approved, would make NC the fourth largest waste-importing state in the nation. They argue that importing out of state trash is no more than a short-term revenue fix for communities that could be devastated by long-term environmental problems caused by the waste.
Residents of Scotland County continued their efforts opposing construction of a Megadump in their county by wearing t-shirts that carried their message - “Citizens for a Safe Vibrant Community” - and carrying signs to a recent meeting of the Scotland County commissioners. The protesters were so effective that the chairman refused to allow any of the protesters to address the Board, even though many had signed up in advance to speak. Scotland County of Tomorrow (SCT), working with other local groups and the statewide Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, helped pass a one year state-wide moratorium on construction of new landfills last summer, but the commissioners in this county seem bent on pushing one through. SCT will not rest until Waste Management, the waste hauler and potential landfill operator, “closes up shop in Scotland County.”
Scotland County of Tomorrow (SCT) is gearing up to continue a landfill battle they thought they’d already won. Not long after Waste Management, Inc. initially proposed a new bioreactor landfill, county commissioners voted NOT to consider any new landfill proposals in the county. However, Waste Management changed its tactics and a new “local” group emerged supporting the landfill and forcing the commissioners to reconsider their decision, forming a committee charged with assessing landfill proposals. The committee includes members of SCT and the new group that SCT suspects may be tied to Waste Management – an “astro- turf” group. CHEJ is providing organizing assistance to SCT.
In conjunction with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), CHEJ is planning a series of visioning workshops to bring together community members to brainstorm positive economic development alternatives that will generate jobs without threatening the area’s health and environment. These sessions will attempt to answer the question, “If not the nasty incinerator, or mega dump, then what?” The discussions will focus on developing a sustainable and precaution-based solid waste plan for the county or town with a goal of “zero waste.” In addition, BREDL will host regional meetings, help develop precautionary action plans and provide organizing assistance for activists working on sludge, landfills and waste-to-energy plants in the state. For more information, contact BREDL at bredl@ skybest.com. (Fall 2008)
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