White Oak-New Riverkeeper Updates http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com Most recent posts at White Oak-New Riverkeeper Updates posterous.com Wed, 16 May 2012 09:37:00 -0700 Economy vs Environtment http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/economy-vs-environtment http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/economy-vs-environtment

Oftentimes, legislators refer to the economy as to why there is a lack of pro-conservation and environmental policy voting. It is imperative to understand that a healthy environment goes hand-in-hand with a healthy economy.  In fact, NC is ranked by national business publications, like Forbes, as “one of the top places to do business.”  Rankings account for important environmental criteria including quality of life (and access to natural areas) and fairness of the regulatory environment.  One exciting example of how NC allures new business is the recent announcement of popular brewing company Sierra Nevada announcing its second brewery location in Western NC.

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Even if you don’t like beer, there are lots of people that drink it. Not only do these people like beer, but they like touring breweries and visiting the unique locations that offer a distinct “microbrew” culture. This “beer tourism” certainly doesn’t hurt our state’s economy. The 95 full-time jobs and 80 part-time positions the brewery will bring over the next five years will surely help as well. The founder of Sierra Nevada, Ken Grossman explains why they picked NC for their East Coast location: “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent.” Following Sierra Nevada, this past April the Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing company announced plans to also build a new brewery in Asheville, NC. There you have it! A clear cut example of how good environmental regulation leads to economic success.

To hit a little more closely to home: NC seafood contributes $67million a year. 95% of all seafood consumed spends a portion of its life in salt marsh habitats. Our White Oak basin encompasses 140,000 acres of salt marshes (About 35% of the size of Onslow County).  There is a message here signaling that the money we make from our seafood industry is directly affected by the health of our environment (salt marshes). The message becomes even more alerting by the fact that since the 1900s, NC’s oyster harvesting has declined by 90%. Today, the White Oak River has permanently closed 42% of its shellfish harvesting due to polluted storm water runoff (toxins, fecal coliform, nitrates, and various metals). It is now common for oysters to be imported from other states in the Gulf region. Last month, Louisiana waters were closed and ordered a recall of oysters after 14 people became ill with the norovirus from consuming oysters that were contaminated by sewage dumped from a boat in the harvesting area.

No, I am not saying drink more beer and eat less oysters. Hopefully we can have both, and even more options in the future that could bring us more products from business that our state’s environmental regulations and water quality can attract. It is important for us citizens to help make sure we have representatives in the General Assembly that understand Economy and Environment work together rather than against. You can visit the NC League of Conservation Voters, a statewide advocacy organization that educates citizens about how state leaders vote on selected bills, particularly focusing on electing those who make public health and conservation a priority for NC’s economy and quality of life.

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Thu, 10 May 2012 09:53:00 -0700 River Rally 2012 http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/river-rally-2012 http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/river-rally-2012

Hello again, North Carolina! I have just returned from Portland, Oregon where I attended the River Rally conference. This year, River Network and Waterkeeper® Alliance partnered together for the first time ever in honor of 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Being a part of the largest international gathering of water advocates, it is hard not to leave awe and inspired after being amongst 750 like-minded people who dedicate their time to the same thing you do: clean water.

 Our issues are different and unique to our watersheds. The L.A. River was once not protected by the EPA because of its mostly concrete bottom; it was considered non-navigable.  L.A. River Expeditions led the way in preserving Clean Water Act protections for the L.A. River watershed by proving that all of the river was indeed navigable. With their canoes and kayaks, they turned its perception from a storm drain to a real river. This makes me so grateful that we are lucky enough to live in an area with beautiful paddling trails right in our own backyard.

Many watersheds in the Northwest Pacific region are dealing with coal plants including Columbia Riverkeeper® in Portland, Cook Inletkeeper® in Alaska, and Puget Soundkeeper® in Seattle. Another area that you would not think of that is protecting its waters from coal is the Qiantang River Waterkeeper® in China, the dumping grounds where the coal is exported to. Waterkeepers® from around the country (and the world) came together in downtown Portland on May 7th to rally against coal export projects headed to the PNW area. Robert F Kennedy Jr., Waterkeeper® Alliance’s Chairman, spoke at the rally with more than 400 people in attendance.

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So, while I have returned to the White Oak and the New to work on our own specific issues, I am motivated by the many battles that all of us Waterkeepers® face and the one important campaign we all strive to defend: clean water. 

 

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Tue, 01 May 2012 11:02:00 -0700 Conservation Cuts http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/conservation-cuts http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/conservation-cuts

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The Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) was established by the General Assembly in 1996 to “help finance projects that specifically address water pollution problems and focus on upgrading surface waters, eliminating pollution, and protecting, preserving, and conserving unpolluted surface waters, including enhancement or development of drinking water supplies.” The GA has also focused on the importance of establishing a network of riparian buffers and greenways along with the protection of wildlife and marine fisheries habitats.

You can thank the CWMTF for several important and beneficial projects that have occurred right here on our coast. Since 1999, nine projects have been funded within our White Oak River basin totaling over 10 million dollars. One of these projects includes the restoration of salt marsh adjacent to Wilson Bay to treat polluted water runoff as it enters the bay, which was once a raw sewage dead zone before the Wilson Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant was shut down and turned into an environmental education facility.  Along with storm-water improvements, money has been allocated for land acquisition buffers on military bases and wastewater treatment plant enhancements.

It is no surprise that in recent years, the state allocations contributing to the CWMTF have dropped, especially within the last 3 years. This year will be the second year in a row for the trust fund to be operating with the lowest annual allotment ever at just $11.25 million (a 90% reduction from the previous year). Required in its statutes, the fund should be annually contributing $100 million.

This news has drawn much attention from conservation organizations as well as local governments. Over 100 NC sporting groups came together to voice their concerns for conservation funding in a signed joint letter asking the General Assembly to restore funding for the CWMTF to $40 million. Many game and sports organizations have good reason to considering the US Fish and Wildlife Service contribute $4.3 billion to our state’s economy and support over 46,000 jobs.

Many groups, like the Land for Tomorrow and NC Wildlife Federation are calling for the people to take action by urging state representatives to support natural resource trust funds. The CWMTF is only one of four in NC: Natural Heritage, Parks and Recreation and Agricultural Development, and Farmland Preservation. For every dollar invested, the state receives at least $4 of natural goods and services like protection for our drinking water. It is not surprising to understand why these trust funds are often tapped into when budget gaps are trying to be filled; yet, it is hard to ignore the fact that their investment increases its output value. NC parks also saw a record attendance of more than 14 million in 2011, making about $409 million.

Here at home, we have local government that count on such trust funds to help offset the high costs of restoring our water basin, which contributes to our tourism, seafood industry, and quality of life. It will be even harder now to compete with the ongoing development of our basin, which has increased along with our population growth.  On top of fund cuts, new provisions set in place for the first time require how and where the trust fund must spend its money. A quarter must be spent on administration and debt service, about 13% on buffer acquisition around military bases and the rest on water infrastructure and conservation easements.

This year, 161 applicants have asked for money from the trust fund (57 from the east), totaling a request of $125 million, just 25 million more than what was originally allocated. Now only 8% of that amount requested will be distributed. 

 

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Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:26:00 -0700 Our Basin's Namesake: The White Oak http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/our-basins-namesake-the-white-oak http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/our-basins-namesake-the-white-oak

It is easy to get confused about which rivers we serve and what river belongs to which basin. This past Saturday I paddled on the White Oak River with our friends from Second Wind Eco Tours. The White Oak River basin includes both the White Oak and the New River. It isn’t called the New River basin because there is already a New River basin (confused, yet?). The other New River is part of the Ohio River watershed and is a tributary of the Kanawha River (which is 320 miles long). While our New River is the only river in the country to start and end in the same county, this other New River flows through many counties…and 3 states: North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Ok. So, now you know that a river can be a part of another river’s watershed. So what is a watershed? Everyone lives in one, even if you aren’t near any water! It is basically an area of land where all the water drains. It can be big (like the Mississippi River’s) or small…like ours!

So the White Oak River basin is home to two very important rivers that both share similarities (they lie within the coastal plain and face a lot of pollution) but are also very unique!

One thing I like to point out about issues regarding the rivers is that they both have high levels of nutrients and fecal coliform concentrations. The New River has a lot of farming operations located near its tributaries. When there are a lot of farm animals, there is a lot of animal waste. And when there is a lot of waste located near wet ditches and drainages, you’ve got yourself a river with high levels of bacteria.

The White Oak River also has high levels of bacteria. Although there are some large farming operations near its tributaries, the issue is mostly due to development. The primary sources of the bacteria are from wildlife and pets. The populations of wildlife species and pets have not increased as of recent times, but developments including roads, pavements, and buildings have. Forests and vegetative buffers that used to soak rain water into the ground and absorb runoff are now replaced with impervious surfaces that quickly move runoff into nearby creeks and streams.  

Because of this increase in bacteria concentrations (with the addition of other pollutants like sedimentation), many of the White Oak's oyster beds have had to permanently close down. This is devastating since oysters are known to provide many ecological services by filtering up to 50 gallons of water a day. They also support NC's seafood industry. However, with the steady decline of shellfish beds many oysters are now being shipped from Texas. Lets make sure we take care of our waters....and those tasty oysters!


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Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:37:00 -0700 How will you celebrate Earth Day? http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/how-will-you-celebrate-earth-day http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/how-will-you-celebrate-earth-day

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Though I like to think every day is Earth Day, it is officially April 22nd. We are already in the midst of a full blown Earth Day celebration though because this past Monday kicked off Earth Week (April 16th through the 22nd).  This year marks the 42nd Anniversary and we have a man named Gaylord Nelson to thank because of it.  Before the 70s there were no regulations to dumping trash and/or toxins into backyards, waters, wherever. Rivers caught on fire and DDT was used to treat lice. Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson was a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who channeled the emerging environmentally-conscious energy that labored from multiple events including the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California and the success of Rachel Carson’s bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. It was simple—he called for a national “teach-in” about the environment, resulting in 20 million Americans taking it up a notch. Students, colleagues, families, Republicans, Democrats: they all unified to celebrate the Earth.

Thanks to Earth Day, the US Environmental Protection Agency was formed in December of that year. This led the foundation for vital legislation in protecting our environment and health: The Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974. All one really needs to do to honor Earth Day is be thankful each and every time you use your water for cooking, bathing, washing, drinking, etc. As Waterkeepers, we make sure the Clean Water Act is being upheld and enforced to not only protect the river (or other water bodies) but to make sure the citizens that use its resources are protected as well.

Now that you are caught up to speed on the history behind Earth Day, what will you do in the present? There will be many trash pick-up events, which are great. Challenge yourself to pick up trash daily, even if it is just a receipt on the ground (if lucky, you may find some change!). A different approach is to get yourself outside. Try to find where the nearest body of water is to where you live. Where does the storm drain next to your road lead? Appreciating the environment is just as important as celebrating and protecting it. This Saturday, the White Oak-New Riverkeeper Alliance is partnering up with Second Wind Eco Tours and Yoga to host an Eco Tour on the White Oak River in honor of Earth Day.  This is a wonderful opportunity for people to get on the water and learn about their environment hands-on. And it is FUN! We will be departing from the boat launch in the Croatan National Forest off of Highway 58; paddle equipent and kayaks are provided as well as a lunch and you will receive a membership to the White Oak-New riverkeeper Alliance. Register here! We hope to see you on the water, but if not-make sure to celebrate in your own way, even if it is enjoying a nice glass of cold water from the tap!

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Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:02:00 -0700 Pure Farms, Pure Waters http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/121819282 http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/121819282

I am not sure what most people think of when they hear the word “hog farm” or even “poultry farm”. I know that the first thing comes to my mind is poop. Granted, I read and study farms in terms of how their waste is regulated and how it affects our surface water. Growing up I probably thought of Wilbur and Charlotte running around happily in the barn yard. The word “farm” can be used equivocally with the term CAFO in NC. CAFO stands for concentrated animal feeding operation. Farms have become so intensive with their animal operations that in the past 30 years, the number of individual hog farms in the US has declined by 70%; yet the number of hogs remains almost the same (Natural Resources Defense Council).  Now, 2% of livestock farms raise 40% of all animals in the US. This is because many of the smaller sized farms that were geographically dispersed throughout the country have conglomerated under huge meat producing companies like Smithfield.  Smithfield Foods Inc. is the largest pork producer and processor in the country. Smithfield has purchased several meat-producing farms such as ConAgra Foods, Butterball, Murphy Farms, and Premium Standard Farms. In fact, Smithfield now controls approximately 90% of the hog market in NC alone. It is evident that Charlotte’s Web is history and has been long gone for some time now.

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NC has more hogs than they do people. One hog produces 10 times more fecal waste than one person. Now you know why I automatically think about poop when I hear the word “farm.” Enough about that. Do you have an idea to how many farms you live in a 50 mile radius of? 25 miles? 10 miles?! I bet it would surprise you. I randomly picked a house on Google Earth in the Raintree neighborhood off of Gum Branch Rd. There are four farms (3 hogs and 1 poultry) all within a 1.25 mile radius! The Jacksonville Airport includes 15 farms within only a 5 mile radius. It makes sense when you think about how small our watershed is compared to others like the Neuse and the Cape Fear. Because our river is small, it means we have the opportunity to make a huge difference in our river since we do not have to worry about other issues going on upstream and out of our hands. Yet that means if these farms are not adhering to proper waste management regulations set by the Clean Water Act, our river will feel the effects full force!

 I am one of many NC Riverkeepers making sure our farms abide by the Clean Water Act. Pure Farms = Pure Waters! This past February, the president of Freedman Farms, Inc. was sentenced in federal court to five years probation and fined $1.5 million dollars for violating the Clean Water Act when his farm discharged hog waste into the Waccamaw River back in December 2007. There will be much more information to come in the next few months regarding CAFOs in eastern NC and the work being done to protect our water. Stay tuned!

 

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Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:53:00 -0700 Don't Be Trashy! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/dont-be-trashy http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/dont-be-trashy

Don’t worry. This isn’t one of those “What do you do if your see a piece of trash and it’s not yours?” type of blog posts. Even though we should all agree that the answer is to pick it up anyway! I don’t want to spend much time addressing the fact that we all need to take environmental responsibility and do our part to take care of our resources. I feel like an elementary school teacher telling everyone to pick up trash because it should be an inherent reaction we all know by now.

Instead, I am going to focus on the not so obvious issues that our community faces because of trash. Why not? Earth Day is around the corner and this morning while driving down the road to go to work I saw a patch of dense smoke fuming from a cigarette butt someone threw out their car window. I am sure that person didn’t think about the fact that cigarette butts are the number 1 litter item in the US. They are probably more prevalent than seashells on our beaches (definitely more so than shark’s teeth!).  The filters of cigarettes look harmless and fluffy but they are made out of a type of plastic material that takes a very long time to degrade. They are specifically designed to accumulate smoke and toxins. Besides threatening wildlife by ingestion of the filters, they leach toxins within the waterways and pose risk of contaminating our water.

I could go on and on about cigarette butts, however I want to address the economical downsides of littering. Being trashy is expensive!

  • The US spends $11.5 billion each year on road-side cleaning programs.
  • In 2007, North Carolina alone spent $16.6 million on taxpayer’s money solely on roadside litter cleaning.
  • Houses in littered neighborhoods have a decreased value of approximately 7% than those in cleaner areas.
  • 1,100 Americans are killed annually in litter/debris-caused vehicle accidents, increasing auto insurance rates, repair costs, and traffic/court fees.

 We already know littering is bad; actually, it is illegal—hopefully these interesting notes about the disadvantages littering can have on our economy and our bills may give you a new sense of inspiration to stop our trashiness at its root. How do we stop litter before it happens? Tough question! It would be hard to rebound a piece of gum spitting out of someone’s mouth (and gross, too). Being an example is what I aspire to be. There was a research study conducted using a control group and an experimental group at a river camp site documenting how groups reacted to those picking up trash and those that didn’t. Their results found that groups were more likely to pick up trash when others around them (even strangers) led by example.  Be the example! Participate in one (or all) of our Tour de Trash events this summer. They take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month from June to September.

You can also swat a litter bug! The Swat-A-Litterbug Program is run by NC Department of Transportation. It allows you to hold litterbugs accountable of their actions. It may be a bit tricky, especially while on the road where you will encounter most litterbugs.  Keep a notepad nearby so you are able to jot down important information you may need to remember (license plate number, time of day, road) and enter it in here.

Although my biggest pet peeve is watching someone throw away a recyclable item into a trash can (especially when the two containers are side by side), I am happy to see the alternative. Most Americans live within a mile of a river or stream (and we all live in a watershed), so throwing trash anywhere but a trash can is refutable when 18% of all littered items end up in streams and waterways. I won’t allow myself to quit without saying that we should all recycle when we can! 70% of our trash is recyclable! So, please, don't be trashy....it's too expensive, anyway.

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Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:47:00 -0700 Spring "Greening" http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/spring-greening http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/spring-greening

Though it feels like Spring has been with us since the New Year, the official first day of Spring arrived last week on March 20th. One of my favorite things to do to this time of year is Spring Cleaning. I don’t know why I look forward to my annual weekend of dusting, vacuuming, washing, and organizing. Maybe it is because I finally get to keep the windows open and let the sun illuminate all the rooms while the birds chirp, providing me with plenty of background music. I also love the fact that at the end of the day my winter sweaters and scarves are boxed away and tank tops and flip flops replace the room in my closet confirming that I am ready for not only Spring, but Summer as well.

Maybe you don’t look forward to Spring Cleaning as much as I do, but nonetheless, you will clean a room in your house or maybe even wash your car sooner or later. When you do, you can make a difference to your environment and waterways by being a little more “green” as you clean this year. These tips will not only help you conserve, but maybe even put a little more green (the other kind) back in your wallet.

-Soaps: Make sure you are using Phosphate-free soaps whether it is laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. Phosphorous has been a main ingredient in detergents for decades. Recently, this key cleaning player has become notorious for its harmful effects on rivers, lakes and streams. Phosphorous is one of those elements that is naturally important for plant growth, which in turn, makes it vital for the health of a waterway. However, too much of a good thing is bad. Higher than normal phosphate levels create too much plant growth and lead to harmful algal blooms, which increase the water’s turbidity and decrease its Dissolved Oxygen levels. Fortunately, US legislation became aware of this huge problem and enacted laws and regulations limiting the use of phosphates in laundry detergents. Phosphates have been replaced with alternatives in laundry detergent, but other soaps like dishwashing liquids have not been regulated. Use soaps that will have a less harmful effect on our environment like Seventh Generation (one of our favorites), Method, and Green Works by Clorox.

-Laundry: Now that you know more than you want to about using phosphate-free detergents while laundering, make sure to use cold water when you can and to never wash a load that is not full. After washing, try to dry your clothes outside (weather-permitting, of course). Drying your clothes in an electric dryer isn’t just hard on your clothes; it’s also hard on the environment. Use a line instead of a dryer and you will reduce pollution, cut your energy bill, get more exercise and increase your wardrobe’s lifespan. Plus, they’ll smell like a clean breeze, not a fake “clean breeze scent.”

 

-Clean out your closet: If you are like me, I tend to hang onto clothes I haven’t worn in years…just in case that rare opportunity presents itself for that specific article of clothing I can’t find for anything else. Hey, I am not anywhere near getting my hour on Hoarders, but if it is pretty, I want to keep it. Recently, I have vowed to get rid of anything I haven’t worn within a year (with a few exceptions). I surprisingly had a trash bag full of clothes when I finished de-cluttering my wardrobe. I took them to my local consignment shop and made $30 bucks that next month!  You can give your clothes a second life even if they are torn and stained, by adding them to your rag collection and using them as re-usable paper towels and dusters. This is my favorite thing to do with my old socks that have holes in them, because I can use them as a duster while wearing them over my hands to keep my palms clean!

 

- Vehicles. Taking your car to a nearby Carwash is your best bet to saving water and decreasing stormwater runoff. Washing your car at home leads to soapy runoff entering the nearest storm drain where it discharges right into creaks, streams, and rivers full all of the pollutants from the road it has picked up along the way. Any licensed carwash in the US (and Canada) requires facilities to drain their wastewater into sewer systems, so it gets treated before discharging. Car washes also use controlled systems that minimize water usage and they also recycle and re-use their rinse water to save money! There are ways to still be green while washing your car at home. If you must wash, avoid the drive way.  Use bio-degradable soaps and wash on your lawn so that toxic waste water can be naturally absorbed and filtered in your soil instead of flowing into the storm drain.

 

- Kitchen: While cleaning up after a meal you have just cooked; make sure to not drain fats, oils, or grease (FOGs) down the sink! They solidify and clog drain pipes. Once these pipes have been blocked, sewage oftentimes becomes backed up and can lead to wastewater discharge without treatment, causing water contamination. Instead, wait for the FOGs to solidify; then use a napkin to wipe the grease and discard in the trash. Also, when washing dishes it is more efficient to use the dishwasher (fully loaded) rather than washing the dishes in the sink with the water continuously running.  Make sure to use those phosphate-free soaps!

 

- Food: If you are cleaning out your fridge making more space for those Spring seasonal beers that just came out and you notice your fruits and vegetables are going bad, compost them instead of throwing them out! Fruits, vegetables, coffee grinds, tea bags, egg shells, paper, leaves and yard-trimmings are just some items that can be composted that most people throw out without thinking twice. Not only are you reducing your waste, but you will be producing nutrient-rich soil that will help your gardens grow without having to use harsh fertilizers.

 

-Medicine Cabinet: Does this one sound familiar? It should! After our Operation Medicine Drop that took place this past Saturday (March 24th)¸we have successfully collected almost 175,000 pills and medicines from circulation. These pills have been kept from flushing into our waterways and have been taken out of the hands of abusers.  If your medicine cabinet needs some Spring Cleaning and you missed our Operation Medicine Drop, it is not too late. There is a permanent drug drop-off box located in the JPD lobby. Happy cleaning!

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Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:33:00 -0700 OMD coming to a Food Lion and Walgreens near you! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/omd-coming-to-a-food-lion-and-walgreens-near http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/omd-coming-to-a-food-lion-and-walgreens-near

 

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Operation Medicine Drop is set for this coming Saturday, March 24th to help celebrate National Poison Prevention Week. This is a program that helps take care of everyone in one way or another.  The average North Carolinian fills 14 prescriptions a year. Now for those of you out there who don’t fill more than one…or even that many; how does this help you? Prescription drug misuse and abuse is the second leading cause of death in NC (and in the US). The Center for Disease Control is now identifying prescription drug overdose as an epidemic. Why is drug abuse so prevalent and how are people getting the drugs??

Well, it is simple really….there’s a lot of drugs out there. In fact, 40% of prescriptions dispensed are never used. We all have them right in our medicine cabinets. The fact that these drugs have legitimate uses for those they are prescribed to can give them a “safe” image to easily experiment with. 75% of teens who abuse prescription drugs report that they get the drugs from family and friends.  

OMD keeps our waters safe as well. Flushing medications down the toilet and draining them in the sink is a common misconception. Sewer systems and septic tanks are not designed to filter out the trace levels of pharmaceuticals, easily slipping through to our waterways, groundwater, and posing risks to our drinking water supply. In fact, most drinking water supplies are already showing the presence of pharmaceutical pollution. In August 2008, the Associated Press (AP) reported that at least 41 million American’s drinking water is contaminated with pharmaceutical drugs. Not to mention certain amphibious animals are showing signs of developmental disabilities in streams and rivers with high pharmaceutical pollution such as frogs and largemouth bass.

So, how do you get rid of them? That’s where we come in. Operation Medicine Drop was founded in Onslow County in 2010 with the partnership of White Oak-New Riverkeeper Alliance, Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff, and Swansboro Police and SafeKidsNC. Law enforcement officers provide assistance at each drop off location to ensure safety and proper disposal of medications. At the end of the day, the medications are then taken to be appropriately incinerated.  OMD is now successfully run state-wide!

Come take part in OMD at any Onslow County Food Lion or Walgreens location from 10am-2pm this Saturday. If you don't have any drugs to get rid of-tell your neighbors and your friends! And tell tell them to tell their neighbors and friends! You will help keep your community safe from the misuse of drugs as well as helping to protect our waters! It’s a win-win! Special thanks to all of the volunteers who have signed up to help! We cannot successfully function without you! I look forward to experiencing my first OMD and meeting as many of you as I can! Here's to safe communitites and safe water!

 

 

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Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:09:00 -0700 Martin Marietta Update! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/martin-marietta-update http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/martin-marietta-update

Noquarry

For those of you who have been keeping up with the Martin Marietta Rock Quarry issue (and those who haven’t), the Jacksonville Daily News reported last Friday that Martin Marietta had pulled its application for a special use permit one day after its public information meeting that took place last Tuesday, the 6th. Because the company withdrew their application voluntarily, they are able to resubmit it as many times as they want. The company did not give a statement as to why they pulled out their application. I know many Maple Hill/Haws Run residents who are happy to hear about their withdrawal; however, it is very important to remember that this company will come back. Though they met a very tough crowd last Tuesday evening, they have already invested years of time and lots of money into this quarry proposal.

With that said, I want to thank each and every individual who did show up Tuesday evening at the Jacksonville Conference Center. It was my first public meeting and I wasn't sure what to expect--fingers crossed I wouldn't be one of a handful sitting in a sea empty chairs. I was truly amazed at the community support that was felt throughout the entire room. Each person asked a different question that challenged the multi-million dollar mine company. It was evident and clearly written all over the representative's face that this was going to be a much bumpier road than initially expected. It is events like the coming together of a strong community that motivate and inspire me to be the best Riverkeeper I can be. Though MM will show up again, most likely after the election, I know that we have the strength to challenge them once more with the defense of this passionate network of neighbors. Let us speak with even louder voices next time!

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Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:31:00 -0800 Martin Marietta, Round 2 http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/martin-marietta-round-2 http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/martin-marietta-round-2

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. presented their new and "improved" site plan for their rock quarry proposal yesterday evening. To update those who have not followed along: the mining company did not get enough of the votes they needed back in November 2010 to obtain a special use permit from the Onslow County Zoning Board of Adjustment. They needed 4 out of 6 votes on 4 different issues and they missed by 1 vote on 2 issues. After making very few changes to their initial proposal, the multi-million dollar company has come back with a plan that has yet to address the serious problems that are concerning community members within the Maple Hill/Haws Run area. 

Paxton Badham, representing Martin Marietta, insists that this rock quarry is a "necessity" to the county. He highlights that the rock quarry will ignite job growth while keeping the local economy inexpensive by providing an "indispensable construction material." This is all fluff. When asked how many jobs the rock quarry would employ, Mr. Badham ball parked “around 30.” When asked out of those 30 jobs, how many would be sought within the county, he was not able to give a straight answer since there would be managerial positions hired internally within the company. 

The proposal calls for the same acreage, the same amount of discharge, and the same location as before: 1,831 acres of limestone mine, 9-12 million gallons of water a day, and located right off N.C. 50 near Haws Run Road--within feet of people’s homes and yards. Every resident in this area should be very concerned with the likely possibilities of your ponds drying up, your gardens dying, and even your driveways caving in from sinkhole formation. Mr. Badham was quick to point out at yesterday's meeting that previous sinkholes may or may not have been from their other active quarries since sinkholes are a natural phenomenon. Yes, he is right. Sinkholes can either be human-induced or naturally-causing. However, natural sinkholes do not form within a human lifetime, they occur over periods of long geologic time. To learn more about this natural phenomenon you can read the USGS Literature Review on the Potential Environmental Impacts of Quarrying Stone

Many of last night's questions from community members were deflected and referred to a Hydro-geology study that has been conducted, yet not released. Mr. Badham could not answer many of the questions addressed about the effects of decreasing the water table, but assured us that Dr. Richard Spruill from ECU would be able to. However he has not given us a date of when that study will be released nor when the public hearing of its results will take place.

If you are not concerned yet, there is also a hog farm located within a few hundred feet of the quarry site. The "revamped" proposal has only changed to increase the buffers around the perimeter of the quarry from 60 feet to 125 feet and has left more buffers around the hog lagoon. Mr. Badham himself stated that the buffer was only added "more for show" since they do not see a pressing issue that their proposed site map is neighboring a 35 million gallon hog lagoon. It is important to remember that when water is pumped from the ground in one site, the effects can be felt miles away. There is absolutely no way to guarantee a way to keep a sinkhole from forming from underneath the lagoon, causing raw pig sewage to leak and contaminate our drinking water supply. When considering the potential public health risks and the decreasing property values for residents, would you agree with Mr. Badham that this rock is really such a necessary commodity he believes it to be for the community?

There are other endless issues including the noise from the blasting of rock, dust pollution, and the drying up of wetlands causing to kill very important and rare species like the Venus fly trap and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. White Oak-New Riverkeeper Alliance has joined with Maple Hill-area residents to form the Maple Hill/Haws Run Community Protection Network. If you are interested in joining or receiving updates via email please contact mhcpn1@gmail.com or you can call our office at (910) 382-1370. Even if all of the potential risks that affect our health and property out of the equation...would it matter if this is what you had to look at every day on your way to work? I think it would.

Quarrypit



 

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Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:25:00 -0800 Did you see it? http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/did-you-see-it http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/did-you-see-it

Camp_lejeune

Last Friday, MSNBC aired the award-winning documentary Semper Fi: Always Faithful. I was so excited to watch it; however I can hardly stay past 10pm on most nights, so I DVR'd it just in case. I finally got around to watching it and was so glad I did. It was the documentary's first TV premiere on Lawrence O'Donnel's "The Last Word."

The Lejeune Water Contamination is an environmental health case in its own unique category. The first environmental health catastrophe I learned about was the Love Canal. Love Canal was the American dream model community built over an abandoned hazardous waste site that had been covered up and sold to the city for a buck in the 1950s near Niagara Falls, New York. About a decade and a half later, the dumpsite was discovered and investigated. High rates of miscarriages, birth defects, and cancers were brought to light. In August 1978, President Carter announced a state of emergency, the first time ever funds had been allocated other than for a natural disaster. Residents were also evacuated. Love Canal was added to the EPA's Superfund list, a federal law designed to clean up hazardous sites and to hold polluters accountable. The site has since been cleaned up and deleted from its National Priority List in 2004. You can read more about the Love Canal on the EPA's website

What is unique about the Lejeune Water Contamination, pointed out by male breast cancer survivor, Mike Partain is that unlike Love Canal, whose victims most likely lived in the same small neighborhood all their lives, their houses still standing in the same spot abandoned; Camp Lejeune is huge and its residents who had come into contact with its contaminated water (estimated to be between 750,000 to 1,000,000 people) have since left and probably only lived within their community for a few years before leaving. They now live all over the country and may not even know that they had consumed contaminated drinking water. The drinking water on Camp Lejeune was contaminated from 1957 to 1987. I moved onto the base with my family as a kindergartener in 1992. It is so mind-boggling to think of how just 4 years after contamination, I drank the water from the sink of the kitchen in our base home. I am sure this is true for thousands of others. 

If you haven't seen the documentary, it gives a face and personal story to what most view the contamination as only numbers and statistics. It also tells an incredible story of an environmental health catastrophe that took place right in the heart of where we live. Camp Lejeune is currently on the EPA's National Priority List, added in 1989.You can view the Camp Lejeune's Superfund information and progress updates at its EPA website. As Riverkeeper, I serve on the Restoration Advisory Board, an initiative with the Department of Defense, NCDENR, and the EPA, to increase community participation in the cleanup process on military installations. Community members as well as state and federal members serve on this board. If you are interested in participating, you can find out more information at their website.

There are currently two bills pending legislation in Congress that would provide health care to affected veterans and their families with exposure-related illnesses or disabilitites. Currently, the Department of Veterans' Affairs provides no benefits relating to the exposure. The bills are the Janey Ensminger Act (H.R. 1742) and the Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act (S. 277). You can contact your elected official and ask them to support these bills. Sample letters and contact information is available at http://semperfialwaysfaithful.com/take-action. >

 

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Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:59:00 -0800 Save your gas, your money, & your waters! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/save-your-gas-your-money-your-waters http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/save-your-gas-your-money-your-waters

Gas

I woke up this morning and saw the headline covering the front page of the Jacksonville Daily News in big bold letters: "Going up" I knew exactly what the headline was referring to: gas prices. I am very aware of the gas prices, as I drive often back and forth from Wilmington to Jacksonville. As we enter a record seasonal high in gas prices this year, it is most likely in everyone's best interest (or at least everyone's pocket) for their cars to be as efficient as possible. I remember about 6 months ago I was very late in an oil change. I knew that I needed one, but I put it on the backburner; that is until I started to notice that my car was devouring my gas. A trip to downtown and back that would barely put a dent in my fuel gauge was now flying through to the left side reaching closer and closer to the big "E". It didn't take long after that for me to drive to the nearest auto shop to get my oil changed. 

Not only does keeping up with your car maintenance insure you are getting all of the bang out of your buck, but you will be keeping up with the health of our basin's waters. Routine tune-ups will prevent the leaking wastes of solvents (paints and paint thinners), antifreeze, brake fluid and brake lining, batteries, motor oils, fuels (gasoline, kerosene, diesel), and lubricating grease

Carleak

What does this have to do with our basin's waters? When these automotive chemicals hit the road pavement, they stay there until a rain event. Rainwater flows over these impervious surface areas (like the roads and parking lots) and are carried to the nearest storm drain where it then enters our waterways without any filtration system at all. The used oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of freshwater, and an estimated 180 million gallons of used oil is improperly disposed of each year. 

With that said, it may not be as important to you to keep up with your car for environmental reasons; rising gas prices may trump all. Whatever the reason, it is a win-win for us all to keep the check engine light from coming on. 

If you are interested in some more tips to save gas, check out some driving tips by greenercars.org

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Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:23:00 -0800 Beware the "Methane-Trapping-Hog Farm-Exploding Mystery Foam!" Seriously, no joke! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/beware-the-methane-trapping-hog-farm-explodin http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/beware-the-methane-trapping-hog-farm-explodin

The Midwest produces a lot of hogs. Iowa is the top leading state in hog production and Minnesota is the third. A few years ago, a mysterious foam had been discovered growing in Midwestern hog farms. Weird, right? Well, just wait--it gets weirder. Take a look at the "foam" taken from a screen shot of an ABC news report on February 10, 2012 below:

Now, it gets even weirder: this "gelatin-like material" can grow, reaching 4 feet high and traps gases, such as methane, causing catastrophic explosions when a spark ignites. If it wasn't for the numerous news articles that have written about this strange story, I would have thought that this came straight out of a science fiction short story. 

According to a report by the Minnesota Daily, there have been about a half dozen barns in the Midwest that have exploded since the foam discovery in 2009. In mid-September 2011, a barn in Iowa had exploded, causing 1,5000 hogs to die and injured a worker. 

Even though we live over a thousand miles away from the Midwest, we should be worried. NC may not stand anywhere close to Iowa and Minnesota geographically, but we are ranked second in hog production which means we are sitting right in the middle between the two Midwestern states that have lost millions of dollars due to the mysterious foam-exploding hog farms. Are we next? 

Researchers from the University of Minnesota are now looking into what may be causing the methane-trapping, hog-exploding foam. The cause of the foam is still unknown. Thoughts have leaned towards the possibility of a new species of bacteria that has evolved within manure pits in recent years. Researchers have also noticed a correlation between increasing the feeding amount of dried distillers grains (a byproduct of ethanol production, which happens to be loaded with antibiotics) and the foam. 

I am already weary of the meat I consume and question where it comes from. I don't know about you, but even if you eat your little heart out in all the meat you hold, I would be concerned about it coming from a farm which also happens to house a mysterious growing foam that also happens to cause explosions. I also want to know what this may mean for our waters? There are already concerns with what happens to hog lagoons when hurricanes hit and flooding events occur...What about an on-site explosion?! Hopefully, researchers can get to the bottom of this while it is isolated in Minnesota and Iowa before this alien-like substance forms in one of our state's many manure pits. I would hate to say it, but we would be "pit" out of luck. 

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Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:34:43 -0800 First in Flight, so why not Wind? http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/first-in-flight-so-why-not-wind http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/first-in-flight-so-why-not-wind

NC Comparative Chart

This graph shows the total offshore wind capacity of the Eastern Seaboard,state by state. Way on the top is our Tarheel state, leading the way by more than 54 GW. After reading this graph it is dumbfounding why our state hasn't pushed for wind more strongly.

Now, here is another graph; wind is absent:

North Carolina's Mix of Electricity Sources

We currently get most of our energy from coal, a non-renewable resource. The term "fossil fuels" may come to mind when you think of coal. Coal-fired power plants release carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, into our atmosphere. Well, something that isn't as controversial as greenhouse gases that maybe should be are the links between coal and mercury. 

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in air, water, and soil. It is also found in many rocks, including coal. When coal is burned, mercury is released into the air and eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water. When mercury enters into the water, it transforms into methylmercury, a most toxic form. Small organisms consume it as they eat food in the water, which makes its way up the food chain and into our bodies when we consume contaminated fish and shellfish.  In NC, coal-fired power plants account for 70% of man-made airborne emissions of mercury; so it should be no surprise that both the White Oak and New Rivers are under a fish consumption advisory for mercury. You can read more about mercury at the EPA's website

It is urgent that our state, as well as our country, wean itself off of non-renewable energy sources. Not only is coal going to eventually run out, but it is clearly a public health issue. Wind not only offers our state a cleaner, safer future; but, economic opportunities as well. Executive Order Number 96, signed by Governor Bev Perdue in July 2011 established North Carolina's Offshore Wind Economic Development Task Force. The Order states that "studies have shown that the water off the NC coast have sufficient wind resources to generate 130% of the state's total energy use."  It has also been reported that "offshore wind would sustain 243 new long-term jobs and bring $21.1 million a year to local economies."

These opportunities for our state are being highlighted at an Offshore Wind Forum being held this evening at 7pm at the Carteret Community College in Morehead City. This is the third forum being held at a university in the past 5 months. You can learn more about the forum taking place this evening at the JDNews. These events being held show that offshore wind energy is a promising next step to be taken for our state. 

 

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:05:00 -0800 The 1% -- water, that is. http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/the-1-water-that-is http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/the-1-water-that-is

While collecting samples for water quality monitoring Tuesday along the White Oak River I began to think of how scarce our freshwater resources actually are. 

Samples

We know that the planet we live on is 70% water. But, most of that water is salt, actually 97% of it is. Out of the 3% that is freshwater, 2% is unavailable to us because it is frozen in ice caps. That means, only 1% of all the water on our blue planet is available for us to actually use. While traveling throughout Swansboro, Stella and even up towards Maysville to collect from different sites, I witnessed some awful pollution. Along White Oak River Road and Emmet Lane towards the Jones County line were heaps of garbage. It looked as though somebody didn't know what to do with their junk and decided to go far out of their way and leave it along the banks of the river. Others have told me that they have found old mattresses, couches, and even washer machines near these same locations. It is up to us how we take care of the 1% available water. 

I remember learning about the water cycle in elementary school. It seemed very simple and looked something like this:

 

The hydrological cycle is a closed system, meaning that we now have the same amount of water that our planet has always had. This should be good to hear. However, even though we still have the same amount of water; it is not available for us to use if it becomes contaminated. With that said, as population continues to grow exponentially and industry makes room for that growing population by building more houses, roads, and offices, we are threatening our drinking water supply from overusage and pollution. We get our drinking water from the ground. Once groundwater is polluted, it is almost impossible to restore. Prevention is the necessary solution.

With that said, there are things we can do. Trash is very visible to everyone. It gets blown away with the wind and thrown into our rivers. But there is more pollution that isn't so easy to see like the oil that leaks from our cars and collecst on the surfaces of the roads until it wash into our waterways when it rains. The chemicals from the fertilizers or weed killers we use in our gardens that saturate our soils and percolate to our water table underground. The old prescriptions that we flush down the toilet, entering the groundwater, increasing the concentration of hormones and other chemicals that threaten our drinking water supply as well as the wildlife. These examples are ones that offer easy solutions: Keep up with your automobile check ups - it will also save you money on gas when your car is efficiently working! Use natural fertilizer products that don't have phosphates in them - and compost! Composting reduces your waste and provides your gardens with nutrient-rich soils. And lastly, if you have old, unused prescriptions, dispose of them properly by dropping them off at the permanent drop off box located at the Jacksonville Police Department lobby or at one of our Operation Medicine Drop take back events (the first one of the year will be held on March 24th). It will not only keep our waters "drug-free"- but it will clear out your medicine cabinet and prevent drug abuse. 

Let us try to keep our 1% just that--not any less!

 

 

 

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Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:42:00 -0800 Cease the Grease! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/cease-the-grease http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/cease-the-grease


Grease

All of the "gunk" pictured above is one of the leading causes for sewage spills. Grease and oil that we put into our sinks. I visited the City of Jacksonville's Land Application Site where all of our water we use in our homes "flushes" to get treated. The grease gets filtered out and accumulates in its own pit (which is what you see above), where it eventually has to be emptied by a big machine which scoops it out. Now, if you do not live within the city limits you probably have a house with a septic tank buried in the ground. It is extremely important for homeowners who have a septic tank to also take care with discarding waste oil because your sewage will not get filtered out here. Instead, it can clog your sewer lines and lead to sewage backup in your home or backyard.

 

Yes, it's gross, but how does it affect my clean drinking water? When sewer backups and/or sewage spills occur, raw sewage flows to storm drains and creeks that feed into our rivers, contaminating our drinking water and threatening our health. 

FOG's are known as Fats, Oil, & Grease. We interact with these cooking byproducts in liquid form, which seem pretty innocent when they mix with water and easily disappear down the drain as we wash our dishes. However, as the FOG's cool, they congeal and can stick to the sewer pipes, leading to clogging and blockages. Using a garbage disposal or putting greasy dishes into the dishwater doesn't make it any better, in fact it still all travels through the same pipe. 

Here is a great diagram from New Castle County, Deleware's Sewer site.

So, what can we do to make sure we keep our sewage systems "fat-free?!" After cooking with fat, oils or grease, give it time to cool and congeal. Once it hardens, wipe it off with a paper towel and throw it in the trash to be taken to the landfill and disposed of properly. However, if you have a larger amount of grease, pour it into a coffee can while it is still at room temperature. Now you can store it in the fridge or freezer to be used for next time. EASY!

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Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:55:00 -0800 A farm near you! http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/a-farm-near-you http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/a-farm-near-you

Hello from Wilmington!

I just spent all of the mid-morning and afternoon meeting with fellow Riverkeepers discussing the important issue of factory farms to our state's watersheds. The White Oak and New Rivers are indeed affected by hog and poultry farm waste that runs off into our waterways, but this problem is not unique to just our watershed. North Carolina is the number 1 state in turkey production and the second largest in hog farming right behind Iowa. Unless you think about it, it is hard to imagine how many farms are truly scattered across the state. Anyone driving along Highway 24 can smell the aroma of its presence, but imagine the presence it takes in our water - which cannot be obviously noticed by smell or sight. 

Of course farms are here for a reason: to feed the growing population. I understand this and I am not asking us all to convert to being vegans (I tried being vegetarian and didn't last very long). But there are definitely little things we can do to help make a difference like: asking where our food comes from. Our nice frozen rib-eye didn't just come from the grocery store; its journey ended there. There are more and more places providing us with the opportunity to make better decisions as consumers. Next time your in downtown Jacksonville craving something meaty and juicy to cook for dinner, head over to the New Bridge Organic Market. Also, widespread grocery stores like Wal Mart and Food Lion offer a wide variety of organic and/or free-range meat products without paying a leg and an arm for it. 

If anyone knows of any other local businesses using local or organic meat products in the area, please let me know! 

 

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Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:57:00 -0800 Hitting the ground running http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/hitting-the-ground-running http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/hitting-the-ground-running

Newriversign

Hello friends!
First off, thank you everyone for the warm welcome as your new Riverkeeper! I am just so honored to have this wonderful opportunity and to work with you all in the protection of our water quality. I have certainly hit the ground running....fast. I am learning as much as I can while focusing on important issues we will be working hard on this year. I want to send out a big thank you to Larry Kent from the NC Cooperative Extension who was kind enough to take me out with him yesterday to go water sampling along the New River. We traveled to 14 different sites recording the dissolved oxygen concentrations, the salinity levels, and the temperatures. What is really interesting to note is that the salinity levels are much higher than they should be more inland. This has a lot to do with the lack of rainfall we have had. Because of this, the depth of the river is much lower than it has been. This is especially more obvious the more inland you go where the river is much more narrow. Let's hope for rain this Spring! 

I also met some wonderful homeowners in the Maple Hill/Haw's Run Community who are all concerned of a likely Rock Quarry site coming to their neighborhood. Rock Quarry's can pose serious environmental impacts like drainage of the water table, sink holes, and destruction of important wildlife species including The Cape Fear Threetooth (threatened species) and Venus Flytrap (species of concern). Read more about the Maple Hill Rock Quarry and to see the list of more rare plants and animals within 1 mile of the project can be found here.

Stay tuned for deveolping news in the coming weeks as I meet with fellow Riverkeepers, tackle on more issues, and get wet out on the water!

 

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Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:17:00 -0700 2011 Annual Meeting http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/2011-annual-meeting http://wonriverkeeper.posterous.com/2011-annual-meeting

We had a great time at the annual meeting on Saturday night. The weather was perfect and we were able to enjoy a beautiful view of the river out at the Wilson Bay Park. Some lucky members won some great items at the silent auction, and we had delicious seafood chowder prepared by Betty Clark from Panache. Overall, it was great to be able to spend some face time with some of you who have been supporting us throughout the year, and for that we thank you for coming! Below are a few pictures from the night. Enjoy!

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