INC NEWS - Summary of First DWQ Public Hearing

[David Harris]

Summary of First Division of Water Quality (DWQ)
Public Hearing Held Last Week, July 12th in Carrboro 
Jordon Lake Rules 
Background: The Division of Water Quality is holding a series of public hearing hearings regarding the Jordon Lake Rules. On July 12th, DWQ held the first public hearing in Carrboro, NC. The proposed rules would be costly, rigorous to implement, and unfairly place a disproportionate share of the burden of cleaning up Jordon Lake on new development, homeowners and local governments. 

What Happen at the First Public Hearing? 
Here’s a quick summary of the meeting: 
• Around 150 people, including DWQ staff, attended the meeting on July 12th. 
• Approximately 48 people spoke at the hearing. 
• 25 of the 48 who spoke expressed opposition to the proposed rules; 23 spoke in favor of the rules. TCC, The Triad Real Estate Building Coalition, the HBA of Durham Orange and Chatham Counties as well as Lisa Martin, of the NC Home Builders Association all spoke out against the rules as proposed. 
• The environmental activist groups (Haw River Assembly, Environment NC, and the Sierra Club) all spoke in favor of the rules---and asked that the DWQ implement the rules as planned and faster, if possible. 
• All of those in favor of the rules based their arguments on emotions. 
• Chatham County was the only elected board that spoke in FAVOR of the rules. 
• The Town of Graham and the City of Greensboro both spoke AGAISNT the rules. 
• All of the arguments AGAINST the proposed rules were based on logic, data, and facts. 
Next Steps---Speak or Write 
There are two more public hearings on July 17th at Elon University at 1:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Also, 
citizens can submit written comments to DWQ by August 14, 2007. 

Please send your comments to: 
Rich Gannon or Jason Robinson 
DENR-Division of Water Quality, Planning Section 
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 
Phone (919) 733-5083, ext. 356 or 537, Fax (919) 715-5637 
Rich.Gannon at ncmail.net or Jason.T.Robinson at ncmail.net 

 David Harris
919-906-2023
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