A federal judge recently awarded citizens living near a large (15,000 head) hog-rearing factory in rural North Carolina damages for the nuisance caused by the facility’s open-air waste management processes, in which hog manure and urine is liquefied, stored in giant outdoor cesspools and then sprayed on land near their properties. The lawsuit targeted the […]
Author: cleanwatermattersnc
The NC Budget and GenX: How does it all add up?
Our democracy is confusing. And our state is muddying the waters even more by altering the way it ‘normally’ works. We break it all down for you in this post. We hope this information helps you assess whether or not the General Assembly is adequately fulfilling their duty to protect your health and the health of […]
Three GenX Bills and a Call to Action
The General Assembly introduced three bills on managing the water quality crisis we are facing due to emerging contaminants like GenX. Representatives Davis, Grange, Iler, and Brisson introduced House Bill 972. Senators Lee, Rabon, and Meredith introduced Senate Bill 724. They are identical. Representatives Butler, Harrison, W. Richardson, and Floyd introduced House Bill 968. It is […]
Huge Win – This Time
New to Industrial Farming? Check out our “Introduction Post.” All caught up? Read on… On April 26, jurors awarded 10 citizens living near a 15,000-head swine operation $750,000 in compensatory damages and hit Smithfield Foods, which owns the animals, with $50 million in punitive damages. This was the first trial of a suit filed by […]
The Smell of Money: Hint, it Stinks
New here? Wondering what an industrial farm, or a CAFO is? Check out our Introductory post. If you’re up-to-speed, here’s what matters these days on this issue: On April 4, the first in a series of groundbreaking lawsuits against the country’s largest pork producer, Murphy-Brown LLC, began in federal court in Raleigh. More than 500 […]
State Rallies on GenX Response
The state has been busy this week on actions addressing GenX! Here’s a quick rundown … April 6 NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued Chemours a 60-day notice requiring they do one of the following by April 27, 2018: respond to the NC Division of Air Quality (DAQ) in writing and demonstrate to DAQ’s […]
At the Mercy of the Feds? EPA May Provide GenX Standard Ahead of State
Among Governor Cooper’s Science Advisory Board’s (SAB) primary objectives is to “act as consultants on DEQ’s determinations to regulate releases of contaminants,” i.e. provide a recommendation on a health goal that is enforceable by law. They have held four meetings since October, 2017 and based on the most recent meeting’s discussion this past Monday, they […]
Introduction: Clean & Dirty NC Laws
The North Carolina General Assembly (NC House and NC Senate) has immense power in protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the state’s water quality. We will highlight actions in the General Assembly that directly affect our state’s water quality. To start with: Here are a few vital laws currently being considered: HB162 passed the Senate and has […]
Introduction: Clean Water Act & Clean Water Rule
Since it was signed into law by President Nixon in 1972, the Clean Water Act has protected America’s families and communities by preventing unchecked pollution from contaminating our waterways and drinking water sources. It has been one of the most successful environmental protections in our history. Every day, our families count on clean water for […]
Introduction: Cape Fear Swamp?
Water quality management plans generally aim to attain, maintain or enhance water quality, but a recent such plan for managing a portion of the Lower Cape Fear River (LCFR) does the opposite. The LCFR is designated as a “Primary Nursery Area” and is therefore entitled to a higher level of protection due to its vital […]