{"id":21100,"date":"2014-02-26T11:06:50","date_gmt":"2014-02-26T16:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/raleighpublicrecord.org\/?p=21100"},"modified":"2014-02-26T11:08:42","modified_gmt":"2014-02-26T16:08:42","slug":"riverkeeper-denr-slow-to-act-as-riverwood-development-pollutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/environment-news\/2014\/02\/26\/riverkeeper-denr-slow-to-act-as-riverwood-development-pollutes\/","title":{"rendered":"Riverkeeper: DENR Slow to Act as Riverwood Development Pollutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite repeated complaints and filings from the Upper Neuse Riverkeeper to the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources<\/a>, a development in Johnston County continues to pollute Mark’s Creek with sediment.<\/p>\n

That particular pollution is likely not the only one not receiving attention: DENR issued its last fine for sediment pollution in April of 2013<\/a> \u2014 the only fine assessed since the Gov. Pat McCrory-appointed Secretary of DENR John Skvarla started his term.<\/p>\n

\"Sediment<\/a>

Matthew Starr \/ Upper Neuse Riverkeeper<\/p>

Sediment flows into the woods near the Riverwood development. Sediment is supposed to be contained on site.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Riverwood development in Johnston County, owned by the Fred Smith Company, has been polluting Mark\u2019s Creek with sediment since May. Caviness and Cates, a company developing some of the Riverwood sites, has also failed inspections.<\/p>\n

Neuse Riverkeeper Matthew Starr described it as a \u201cmud river,\u201d flowing off of the property and into Mark\u2019s Creek, a tributary of the Neuse.<\/p>\n

Starr said, in spite of filing repeated complaints with DENR since May of 2013 the pollution continues.<\/p>\n

Starr said, \u201cI\u2019m not sure if DENR lacks the resources or the will\u201d to enforce the state\u2019s Sediment Pollution Control Act of 1973<\/a>, the act that regulates mud, dirt, and silt flow from land-disturbing activities. Sediment is still the number one pollutant in NC rivers, as it was when the Act was passed into law.<\/p>\n

Fine revenue, which helps fund public education, has dropped from $1 million per year prior to 2012 to less than $100,000 per year in 2012 and 2013.<\/p>\n

\"fines\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sediment pollution occurs when land is disturbed, usually by agriculture or construction, and rain washes the exposed dirt downhill into nearby streams. The law requires that all sediment be retained on site.<\/p>\n

Sediment reduces the holding capacity of drinking water reservoirs, making them less resilient in times of drought. It can destroy aquatic life and habitat, adding the stream to the state\u2019s list of impaired waters<\/a>. Sediment can clog and wear out drinking water intake pumps. Its effects cost the tax and rate payers of North Carolina money.<\/p>\n

The Riverwood Development<\/strong>
\nAt Riverwood, sediment has reached \u201cthe streams and waters of the state,\u201d according to John Holley, regional engineer with the Land Quality Section of DENR. \u201cThose become water quality violations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Donnie Adams, president of Adams Engineering and spokesperson for the Fred Smith Company, and David Orringer, the community representative in Clayton for Caviness and Cates, both said that they are doing their best to follow the law. But DENR records show repeated violations.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Matthew Starr \/ Upper Neuse Riverkeeper<\/p>

A sediment catch pond near the Riverwood development is full.<\/p><\/div>\n

Will Hendrick, associate attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said, \u201cthe most egregious violation was that development began before the developers had the required erosion control plan approved.\u201d<\/p>\n

A plan is required anytime more than an acre will be disturbed.<\/p>\n

The Fred Smith Company received an approved plan in August, months after starting work.<\/p>\n