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NC Wildlife Refuge In Danger
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, April 05, 2007 @ 07:52:53 EDT (575 reads)
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NC Wildlife Refuge In Danger
New Public Hearing to be held in Charlotte
The U.S. Navy has proposed once again to put a jet landing field right next to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern North Carolina, winter home to 100,000 swans and geese. It is also home to numerous black bears, and the country’s only population of endangered red wolves, as well as Bald Eagles and millions of other birds. The conflict between jets and birds is inevitable at this site. The recent court-ordered supplemental report reveals just how far the Navy may have to go to try to make the site work: stripping forage crops from 20,000 acres and harassing, even poisoning, birds that might interfere with the jets.
Please act now before it is too late by either:
1) Submit your written comment online now to the U.S. Navy and NC's Congressional Delegation, click here.
-OR-
2) Attending one of the following public hearings to give your written and/or verbal comments to the U.S. Navy. Click on a city below for more details:
TONIGHT Tuesday, April 3rd-Beaufort Community College Washington, NC
Wednesday, April 4th-Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center NCSU Plymouth, NC
NEW Tuesday, April 17th-Charlotte Convention Center Ballroom A Charlotte, NC
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Navy Persists in Threatening National Refuge With Jet Landing Field
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, March 15, 2007 @ 06:48:47 EDT (532 reads)
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Navy Persists in Threatening National Refuge With Jet Landing Field
The U.S. Navy has proposed once again to put a jet landing field right next to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern North Carolina, winter home to 100,000 swans and geese. It is also home to numerous black bears, and the country’s only population of endangered red wolves, as well as Bald Eagles and millions of other birds. The conflict between jets and birds is inevitable. The recent court-ordered supplemental report reveals just how far the Navy may have to go to try to make the site work: stripping forage crops from 20,000 acres and harassing, even poisoning, birds that might interfere with the jets.
Please act now before it is too late by either:
1) Submit your written comment online now to the U.S. Navy and NC's Congressional Delegation, click here.
-OR-
2) Attending one of the following six public hearings to give your written and/or verbal comments to the U.S. Navy. Click on a city below for more details:
Monday, March 19th-Mattamuskeet Elementary School Swan Quarter, NC
Tuesday, March 20th-Bertie High School Windsor, NC
Wednesday, March 21st-Perquimans County High School Hertford, NC
Thursday, March 22nd-Craven County Community College New Bern, NC
Tuesday, April 3rd-Beaufort Community College Washington, NC
Wednesday, April 4th-Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center NCSU Plymouth, NC
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Mercury pollution is a threat to public health
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Posted by Dawg on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 @ 04:28:35 EST (655 reads)
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Mercury pollution is a threat to public health
North Carolina should reduce mercury emissions from coal plants, now.
Here’s what we know: North Carolina has a mercury problem.
70% of the mercury released in the state comes from coal-fired power plants.
According to EPA’s best study, most mercury falls to earth near where it is released.
North Carolina’s rivers and estuaries are particularly sensitive to mercury, and North Carolina’s fish are contaminated. The state has tested over 1,000 largemouth bass across the state and found unsafe levels of mercury everywhere. The State Health Director lists 22 species of fish in North Carolina as unsafe for women of childbearing age and children to eat.
Young children and the babies of pregnant mothers who eat mercury-laden fish are at risk of neurological damage – lowered intelligence, permanent learning and thinking problems.
The solution is within reach: 90% reductions for all coal plants.
Current rules will cut plant emissions roughly 65% by 2013; that’s not enough.
Controls are available to cut over 90% of mercury emissions by 2010.
If borne entirely by residential customers – no cost to industry – a 90% cut would cost just 33 cents to 77 cents per household per month (or less than $10 a year).
If borne entirely by the utilities, a 90% cut would cost less than 2 percent of their annual profits.
It may take years for reductions to result in cleaner rivers and fish. We need to start now.
What is North Carolina’s record on mercury emissions?
North Carolina ranks 10th in the United States for the highest mercury emissions, with 3,038 pounds of mercury emitted in 2003.
Both Duke Power and Progress Energy appear on the list of the top 20 mercury emitting energy companies in the nation.
Under the 2002 Clean Smokestacks Act, North Carolina utilities will reduce mercury emissions by as much as 65% as a side benefit of other pollution controls.
Why is exposure to mercury harmful?
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, heart and immune system.
Mercury poses particular risks for developing fetuses and children. Even low-level exposure can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and other serious problems.
Scientists estimate that 10% of women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their bodies to put a child at risk should they become pregnant.
How can I become exposed to mercury?
Eating contaminated fish is the primary pathway for human exposure to mercury.
Mercury is released into the air by power plant smokestacks. It is then washed out of the air and into our waterways by rain, snow and dust.
Mercury accumulates in fish, typically reaching its highest concentration in predator fish at the top of the food-chain.
Several species of fish in North Carolina, including king mackerel and swordfish, are listed as unsafe for children and pregnant women to eat because of mercury contamination.
Scientists found that a drop of mercury, deposited in a mid-sized Wisconsin lake over the course of a year, was enough to contaminate all of the fish in the lake.
Other states are showing leadership. Why aren’t we?
Other states have proposed strong rules: Illinois (90% by 2009); Massachusetts (85% by 2008, 95% by 2012); New Jersey (90% by 2007); Connecticut (90% by 2008); Georgia (80% by 2010, 90% by 2015); Pennsylvania (80% by 2010, 90% by 2015); Maryland (80% by 2010, 90% by 2013); Michigan (90% by 2015).
The national association of state & local air pollution officials has recommended a 90% - 95% cut by 2012.
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Stop the Slimy Bills!
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Posted by Dawg on Thursday, June 29, 2006 @ 07:03:06 EDT (598 reads)
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Stop the Slimy Bills!
As the NC General Assembly reaches the tail end of its 2006 legislative session, the pollution lobbyists – from developers to power companies - are hoping to take advantage of the chaos of the legislature’s final days in order to move several damaging special interest bills.
Each of these interests has powerful influence, thanks to campaign contributions, but sending the message below can help inspire legislators to finish the session without enacting the following bills.
* S. 1862, Reducing Nutrient Offset Payments, will benefit developers by allowing them to increase pollution flowing into the Neuse River basin without paying the true cost to offset the damage done.
* H. 2162/ S.1600, Land Disturbing Activities Near Trout Waters. This bill would weaken existing state law to allow developments to permanently destroy trout streams.
* H. 2884, Disapprove Air Rule/Older Plant’s Emissions. Apparently designed to benefit Duke Power, this bill would weaken the air quality standards applied to a proposed expansion to the Cliffside coal-fired power plant.
* H. 1778, Risk-Based Environmental Remediation. Solicited by the chemical industry, this bill would let polluters pay a small fee and walk away from groundwater and soil contamination without cleaning it up.
* Billboard amendment to H. 1827, General Contractor Licensing. This amendment to an unrelated bill would require extensive clearing of trees to increase the visibility of privately owned billboards – and would excuse billboard companies from paying for public trees they cut down.
Recent stories of sketchy campaign and lobbying practices means legislators are trying hard to keep a clean record. Act now and tell your legislators to stay on the straight and narrow path by opposing these 5 special interest bills!
Click here to read more about the five bills by going to our 'What's At Stake' page.
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North Carolina has a mercury problem.
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Posted by Dawg on Sunday, May 14, 2006 @ 07:32:49 EDT (611 reads)
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North Carolina has a mercury problem.
Mercury is a known neurotoxin that is particularly damaging to fetuses (exposed through their mothers) and young children. The main path of exposure for humans is eating fish with high levels of mercury. Nationally, one in eight women of childbearing age has high mercury levels. In North Carolina all waters east of I-85 are under fish advisories for mercury, and there is now a statewide adisory for large mouth bass. North Carolina's 14 coal-fired power plants account for 70% of mercury emissions.
North Carolina has the opportunity to adopt stronger mercury reduction rules but so far the State has not stepped up to the plate. The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC), the appointed state rulemaking body, has proposed a weak mercury rule. The proposed state rule requires no further reductions beyond the Clean Smokestacks Act until after 2013, and with any further reductions to be determined after that date. Environmental advocates argue the technology is available to achieve a 90% reduction by 2010 or sooner. A national association of state and local air pollution control officials has called for 90% reductions by 2012. CLICK HERE FOR MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
The choice is clear: we can protect public health and our children’s future; or we can allow power plants to delay further mercury reductions for years to come.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
The state is seeking public comments on this issue, click here to submit yours now!
Attend an upcoming public hearing in Charlotte, Raleigh or Winterville and ask for stronger reductions in NC's mercury emissions.
Public hearings on are being held across NC providing an opportunity for citizens to speak out about North Carolina’s mercury problem. We need folks to attend and ask for a 90% reduction in mercury emissions from North Carolina’s power plants and preserve our state’s tradition of protecting public health. You probably have a story to tell as a concerned citizen, parent, fisherman, health professional, etc. The state of North Carolina needs to hear from you! CLICK HERE FOR TALKING POINTS.
Charlotte Public Hearing on NC's Proposed Mercury Controls
May 25, 2006 7pm
Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center
Chamber Room CH-14
600 East 4th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Click here for more information or to attend the Charlotte hearing.
Raleigh Public Hearing on NC's Proposed Mercury Controls
June 1, 2006 7pm
The Archdale Building
Ground Floor Hearing Room
512 N. Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27604
Click here for more information or to attend the Raleigh hearing.
Winterville Public Hearing on NC's Proposed Mercury Controls
June 8, 2006 7pm
Pitt Community College
Lessie Building, Room 143
1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville, NC 28590
Click here for more information or to attend the Winterville public hearing.
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