To paraphrase a line from the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge, “Water, water everywhere and not a drop fit to drink.”
This appears to be the goal of the N.C. Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the supervision of Secretary John Skvarla and Division of Water Resources (DWR) Division director, Tom Reeder. They are moving quickly and without public comment to reorganize and reframe the work of the Departments of Water Quality and Water Resources. Simultaneously, they are implementing drastic reductions in force across the division and changing course in their permitting and enforcement approaches.
While these organizational shifts occur without careful study, we must consider the consequences that are intended and unintended. “Customers” are being defined as businesses or individuals with financial agendas. Citizens John and Jane Q. Public do not appear to meet the definition of customer, which Reeder made clear in a recent YouTube video.
His instructions and intent are clear. The division will be in the business of issuing permits apparently with little or no consideration for the environmental impact.
So what does this new agenda mean for you? It means more tax money will be spent on water treatment. It means more chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals and animal waste will be part of the drinking water that reaches our homes and businesses.
This ever-increasing pollution is not generally removed by the treatment of our drinking water across the state. Their present irresponsible course will harm the economy, environment, and human health. The actions of state government must demonstrate an understanding of the fact that our health and economic recovery is directly linked to the protections afforded to our water.
If DENR is not going to represent the best interest of all customers, including every North Carolinian and the environment, it is up to organizations, like the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation, to look out for our water resources. For years, the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation has been working relentlessly to advocate, educate, and protect our water resources throughout the Neuse River Basin to ensure safe water for drinking and recreation.
We encourage you to join the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation and citizens throughout the Basin in the fight to protect our clean water by letting our governor, elected officials, as well as the DENR administration know that they must act to maintain and strengthen the existing protection of our water, not destroy all reasonable protections.
Molly McKinley is a senior at Peace College, a 2010 graduate of North Lenoir High School and a member of the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation. You can reach her at mmckinley@email.peace.edu. The opinions of the guest columnist are not necessarily those of The Free Press.
The Free Press guest columnist feature is published every other Wednesday. Would you like to be considered as a guest columnist? Contact Editor Bryan Hanks at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com.