Once again your support is needed to help prevent possible damage to the fragile Green Swamp environment. In late November 2010 we learned that the NC Division of Solid Waste (DSW) had issued a draft permit to Waste Management of Wilmington that would allow them to use 41.8 acres of Riegel Ridge’s Green Swamp property to dispose of up to 1.3 million gallons of septage waste annually. Septage is defined as a fluid mixture of untreated and partially treated sewage solids, liquids, and sludge of human or domestic origin from septic tanks, grease traps, portable toilets and commercial/industrial septage from septic tanks where water-carried waste results from the process of industry. Efforts to fight this proposal are already underway and there has been enough of a public response that DSW has agreed to hold a public hearing on the project at a time and place not yet announced. It is interesting to note that a public hearing is not a requirement of the permitting process, but thanks to the letter writing efforts of many individuals, a letter from the Columbus County Commissioners, and a resolution from the Lake Waccamaw Board of Commissioners, DSW was made aware that the project was the subject of considerable public concern.
What can you do to help? Plan to attend a meeting of Friends of the Green Swamp at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Waccamaw Town Hall on Thursday, January 27, 2011. The meeting will provide the latest information on the status of the Waste Management septage project and give everyone present an opportunity to discuss possible strategies for successful opposition to the project.
When the public hearing is scheduled, please make an effort to attend and if you are so inclined speak in opposition to the project. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.
Learn what you can about the project by researching the rules and regulations related to septage disposal. DSW’s website at www.wastenotnc.org is a good starting point and Nicole Cartrette had several excellent articles about this project in the News Reporter during December.
Also, your support of Friends of the Green Swamp through your paid membership and donations is vital to our continuing efforts to fulfill our mission to protect this wonderful environment in which we live, work and play.
Click here for a FOGS membership form .
