N.C. DENR News Releases

STATE COASTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE TO MEET ON TERMINAL GROIN FEASIBILITY STUDY

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission terminal groin study steering committee will meet March 18 to develop draft recommendations based on a study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device in coastal North Carolina.

The meeting will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 18 in the soil and water auditorium at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern. The meeting is open to the public.

The steering committee consists of five members of the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission and five members of the Coastal Resources Advisory Council. The steering committee will present its draft recommendations to the full CRC at a meeting in Wilmington on March 25.

A terminal groin is a long, low structure, typically made of rock or concrete, which extends out into the ocean at the end of an island, and is intended to trap sand and prevent beach erosion.

The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and General Assembly by April 1.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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North Carolinians Urged To Check Pantries Following Recall Of Flavoring Ingredient

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH - State environmental health officials are urging people to make sure they do not consume recalled products flavored with hydrolyzed vegetable protein, following a nationwide recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after Salmonella Tennessee was identified in one company’s HVP supply.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is a common ingredient used most frequently as a flavor enhancer in many processed foods, including soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressings.

“It is important to take this recall seriously as this ingredient is used to flavor foods commonly found in households across the state,” said Larry Michael, head of the Food Protection Branch in the Division of Environmental Health. “So far, several products have been recalled, and this has the potential to expand rapidly. It is important to monitor the recall list to know which products are safe to consume.”

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most healthy people recover from Salmonella infections within four to seven days without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), infection of the lining of the heart and arthritis.

No reports of illness associated with HVP have been reported in North Carolina. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been no reports of illness in other states as well.

Only HVP manufactured by Basic Food Flavors Inc. in Las Vegas, Nev., is involved in this recall. After collecting and analyzing samples at the facility, the FDA confirmed the presence of Salmonella Tennessee in the company’s processing equipment. The company is recalling all hydrolyzed vegetable protein in powder and paste form that it has produced since Sept. 17, 2009. The full list of recalled products can be found online at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/HVPCP/.

In coordination with the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies and state health departments, the FDA is closely monitoring and assessing the potential risks of illness from affected products. The Division of Environmental Health along with other state agencies are working together with industry and local health departments to inform and monitor restaurants, child care centers, long-term care facilities, schools and other regulated facilities where the recalled product may be found.

If you have the recalled product, you may dispose of it or contact the place of purchase to ask about a refund. The FDA is recommending that consumers should:
• Check www.foodsafety.gov for a list of recalled products.
• Remember to follow cooking instructions for all foods.
• Report symptoms of Salmonella or other food-related illness to your local health care provider.

For more information, contact Larry Michael at (919) 715-0927 or visit the FDA Web site dedicated to the recall at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/MajorProductRecalls/HVP/default.htm.
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Statewide "Love-A-Tree" Environmental Education Program Kicks Off Tomorrow

Marty Wiggins

CHARLOTTE - Children and local students visiting the Charlotte Nature Museum tomorrow at 11 a.m. will join guests from International Paper, the Environmental Education Fund and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to participate in activities from this year's statewide "Love-A-Tree" Environmental Education Program.

The N.C. Office of Environmental Education has distributed materials from the “Love-A-Tree” Environmental Education Program to more than 2,000 teachers and environmental educators from across North Carolina, and estimates that a total of 3,000 will be circulated by year’s end. The kits are designed for 4th and 5th grade teachers and are correlated to the state standard course of study for science, social studies and healthful living. The materials are also adaptable to other grade levels and curricula. Love-A-Tree is provided at no cost through funds provided by the International Paper Foundation to the Environmental Education Fund, a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina. The program is managed and distributed by the Office of Environmental Education.

The theme of this year’s packet is “Healthy Trees, Healthy People,” and integrates environmental education, health and physical fitness. The packet includes a lesson plan book with activities provided by agencies within DENR, including: the Office of Environmental Education, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, the N.C. Zoo, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, Coastal Management, Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, the N.C. Aquariums, Forest Resources and Soil and Water Conservation. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. Project WET, N.C. Project Learning Tree and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Healthy Schools Section also contributed to the booklet.

“We are grateful to the International Paper Foundation and the Environmental Education Fund for their support of this program,” said Lisa Tolley, director of the Office of Environmental Education. “We would be unable to distribute such a large number of these valuable resources without their support.”

"This marks the 12th year of our partnership with the Office of Environmental Education and the Environmental Education Fund,” said Deano Orr, International Paper’s regional government relations manager for North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. “This successful program exemplifies International Paper's commitment to our communities and the environment.”

The packet also includes a copy of the Guide to Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina. This publication features 190 environmental education centers located throughout the state. The Office of Environmental Education produced the guide to assist teachers, afterschool program providers and other educators with finding quality local field trip destinations. The Charlotte Nature Museum is one of the facilities featured in the guide.

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Many Roads, Trails Closed at DuPont State Forest Due to Recent Storm Damage

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – Many of the roads and trails in DuPont State Forest will be closed starting Saturday and will not reopen to the public until weather conditions improve and debris downed during recent ice storms can be removed, state forestry officials said Friday.

Wet and cold weather this winter has damaged trails and delayed cleanup of debris on roads and trails in the 10,400-acre state forest near Hendersonville.

David Brown, DuPont State Forest supervisor, has ordered that some of the 80 miles of roads and trails be closed until conditions improve. All forest visitors are asked to abide by the posted trail closures. The roads and trails in DuPont State Forest, which is managed by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian users.

Many trails that are not closed also have debris in them. For that reason, people are warned to use those trails at their own risk. The list of trail closures is listed below and will be updated on a weekly basis at the N.C. Division of Forest Resources’ Web site, http://dfr.nc.gov. Just follow the links to DuPont State Forest under the quick links section.

To learn more, call the forest at (828) 877-6527, or Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828. People should report problems on trails to Brown’s office at (828) 877-6527.

Trail #	Road or Trail Name	Closed To	Trail #	Road or Trail Name	Closed To
49	LAUREL TRAIL	All Users	11	BURN MOUNTAIN TR East	Bikes & Horses
50	LITTLE BRIERY TRAIL	All Users	11	BURN MOUNTAIN TR West	Bikes & Horses
53	LONGSIDE TRAIL	All Users	14	CART TRAIL	Bikes & Horses
59	PINE TREE TRAIL	All Users	19	CORN MILL SHOALS TR From Shelter Rock Trail to Little River	Bikes & Horses
62	POPLAR HILL LOOP	All Users	19	CORN MILL SHOALS TR From Shelter Rock Trail to Little River	Bikes & Horses
64	REASONOVER CR TR	All Users	48	LAUREL RIDGE TRAIL	Bikes & Horses
69	ROCKY RIDGE TRAIL	All Users	55	MINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL	Bikes & Horses
77	STONE MOUNTAIN TR	All Users	57	NOOKS TRAIL	Bikes & Horses
78	SWITCHBACK TRAIL	All Users	75	SHOALS TRAIL	Bikes & Horses
83	TURKEY KNOB ROAD	All Users	8	BUCK FOREST ROAD Lake Imaging Rd to Hickory Mt Rd	Motor Vehicles
85	TWIXT TRAIL	All Users	8	BUCK FOREST ROAD Lake Imaging Rd to Hickory Mt Rd	Motor Vehicles

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CRC Science Panel to Meet on Final Terminal Groin Study Report, Inlet Hazard Areas

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The state Science Panel on Coastal Hazards will meet March 12 in Raleigh to discuss the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device in coastal North Carolina.

The panel, which provides scientific advice to the CRC, will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 1H120, 2728 Capitol Boulevard, Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

Following the terminal groin study discussion, the science panel will resume its discussion of revised inlet hazard area boundaries and risk lines.

The CRC has asked the science panel to serve as a scientific review group for the terminal groin study, which has been contracted to the engineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol.

During this meeting, the science panel will discuss the final terminal groin study report from Moffatt & Nichol. The final report, which was submitted to the CRC on March 1, is available on the N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/finalreport.html.

The CRC, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting the study on the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device, as mandated by Session Law 2009-479.

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member science panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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No Discharge Zone for Coastal Waters along New Hanover County Now in Effect

Susan Masssengale

RALEIGH - The Division of Water Quality received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its petition to designate coastal waters along the entire length of New Hanover County as a No Discharge Zone – an area where the discharge of boat vessel sewage, both treated and untreated, is prohibited. The approval appeared in the federal register on Feb. 22 and the NDZ designation is now activated.

Waters affected by the prohibition include waters extending three nautical miles into the Atlantic Ocean along the entire length of New Hanover County. Included are Futch Creek, Pages Creek, Bradley Creek, Hewlett’s Creek, Howe Creek, Whiskey Creek, Snow’s Cut and all unnamed tributaries and tidal creeks to those waters.

Under federal regulations, states can prohibit the discharge of any sewage, whether treated or not, if they determine that greater protections for water quality are needed. As part of the process, petitioners must demonstrate in a petition to EPA that an adequate number of reasonably available pumpout facilities exist. Nine marinas are located within the New Hanover NDZ and two are located within seven nautical miles of the zone.

Toilets on boats, also called marine sanitary devices or MSDs, generally come in three types. MSD Type I and Type II are designed to discharge into the waterway at each use. This is prohibited in a No Discharge Zone. Type III MSDs, which store waste for later disposal, must be emptied at a marina pumpout.

The total vessel population for New Hanover County as of August 2008 was 13,940, according to registrations with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. This number reflected an increase from 2006 registrations of nearly 15 percent. Boats with MSD equipment, both locally registered and transient, were estimated in 2008 at 2,194 or approximately 244 boats per each of the nine pumpout facilities within the NDZ.

For more information about federal No Discharge Zone regulations, go to the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/vsdarticle.html.

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Communities in the Broad, Neuse and Pasquotank Basins to Implement Water Quality Protections

Susan Masssengale

RALEIGH – State officials have determined that 12 communities in the Broad, Pasquotank and Neuse river basins must implement more effective measures to prevent stormwater pollution.

The state Environmental Management Commission considered recommendations from the Division of Water Quality for increased stormwater controls for the communities and nearby areas to limit stormwater pollution, a leading cause of stream impairment in the state. Stormwater controls would include eliminating untreated discharges to creeks, public education about stormwater pollution prevention, public involvement, good housekeeping programs and stormwater control requirements for new development.

The 12 communities that were designated under the Phase II Stormwater program are:
• Broad River Basin: Rutherfordton, Shelby, Spindale
• Pasquotank River Basin: Elizabeth City
• Neuse River Basin: Benson, Butner, Clayton, Creedmoor, Roxboro, Trent Woods, Wendell, Zebulon

Based on the DWQ’s recommendation, the EMC agreed to delay decision on five communities in the Neuse River basin – Havelock, Kinston, New Bern, Smithfield and Wilson – until staff can evaluate the stormwater management programs already in place. The division intends to bring final recommendations on those cities to the EMC meeting on March 11. Designated communities have 12 to 18 months to apply for a Phase II NPDES permit from the division.

The EMC also approved “regulated coverage areas” surrounding several of the newly designated communities that will be affected by expanded stormwater requirements. The recent Phase II program designations will affect all or part of the towns of Boiling Springs, Kingstown, Lattimore, Patterson Springs, River Bend and Ruth, as well as Cleveland, Granville, Greene, Johnston, Jones, Person and Rutherford counties. Maps of the areas affected by designation under the Phase II stormwater program can be found at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ws/su/phase2.

Under state law, stormwater controls on new development projects are required in unincorporated areas near designated Phase II municipalities. Depending on the area covered by the Phase II program in a given county, new development stormwater requirements may affect the entire county.

The more stringent controls are part of the federally-mandated Phase II Stormwater Management Program. The federal Phase I and Phase II Stormwater Management programs were initiated in the 1990s. The programs address stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems, land-disturbing activities, certain industrial activities and unregulated stormwater discharges that have the greatest potential to cause continued environmental degradation. Communities are evaluated every five years for inclusion in the Phase II program as part of the update of each river basin’s water quality plan.

For more information, contact the DWQ Stormwater Permitting Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617, or e-mail Mike Randall at Mike.Randall@ncdenr.gov or Bethany Georgoulias at Bethany.Georgoulias@ncdenr.gov.

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STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES COME TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State and federal agencies will come together for the first time in March to discuss the need to plan for climate change, its impacts on North Carolina and how the state can adapt policies to address those impacts.

“Planning for North Carolina’s Future: Ask the Climate Question” will be held March 2-3 at the McKimmon Center for Extension & Continuing Education, 1101 Gorman St., Raleigh. The climate change adaptation workshop is hosted by the N.C. Interagency Leadership Team, a group of federal and state agencies that are planning, developing and implementing an integrated transportation system for North Carolina. The media is invited to attend.

“Issues surrounding the development of climate policy are already having an impact in North Carolina,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “To begin the dialogue on how the state pragmatically can position itself to address these concerns, the department was led to “Ask the Climate Question” as North Carolina plans for its future. This issue will impact the health and quality of life for all of us. It’s important that we start discussing how climate should be taken into consideration as we integrate climate as an integral part of policy making.”

The workshop will accommodate planners as well as policy and decision-makers at the local, regional and state levels. The meeting will examine how governments should plan for changing climates. The impacts of climate change will affect land use planning, road construction, environmental review of development projects and many other areas involving state and local decision-making, Freeman said.

Some topics will include what leading states are doing to address climate change, how North Carolina can reduce its vulnerability and enhance its resilience to climate change and the importance of education in developing plans.

Attendees will hear from the leaders from the state departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation, Commerce, Cultural Resources and Insurance and several other experts on climate change. Tom Karl, Nobel Prize-winning member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and one of the editors-in-chief of the report “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States,” will share lessons from the 2009 report. Also, Scott Shuford, Onslow County’s planning and development director, will discuss his new book “Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future.”

The N.C. Interagency Leadership Team includes state and federal agencies. The team includes six state agencies: the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation, Commerce, Cultural Resources, Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Wildlife Resources Commission. The five federal agencies are: the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Major funding for the workshop was provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the EPA. Other workshop partners include: the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, the N.C. League of Municipalities, Rural Economic Development Center, the N.C. American Planning Association, NOAA - National Climate Data Center, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, UNC System with Renaissance Computing Institute, Center for Transportation and Environment, N.C. Emergency Management and N.C. Sea Grant.

For more information on registration and workshop sessions, please visit www.climatechange.nc.gov.

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NEW STATE RULES ENABLE CLOSURE OF PUBLIC POOLS NOT MEETING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – A North Carolina health board on Wednesday adopted rules that will soon give local health departments and others the authority to close public swimming pools with drains that don’t meet certain safety requirements.

The N.C. Commission for Public Health adopted amendments to the “North Carolina Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools.” The new amendments, which take effect May 1, will enable local health departments to enforce federal pool drain requirements established under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007.

The federal pool drain requirements established new design and construction standards to prevent bather entrapment on submerged suction outlets and required all public pools nationwide to install the new safety drains by Dec. 19, 2008.

“The federal law identified new safety measures but lacked sufficient enforcement provisions for state regulatory agencies to assure compliance,” said Jim Hayes, head of the Public Swimming Pool Program in the N.C. Division of Environmental Health. “The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission relies on the states for enforcement of the act.”

The state amendments adopted Wednesday will require drains smaller than 18-inches-by-23-inches to have raised covers to prevent people from becoming trapped in the bottom of the pool. This measure adds to the state’s previous rules aimed at preventing people from becoming trapped or getting their hair caught on pool drains.

Under the new rules, state and local health authorities can close public swimming pools that do not meet the new drain requirements starting May 1.

“Despite efforts to inform pool owners of these requirements, it is anticipated that there will be more than the usual number of pool closures this summer as some pools have not yet complied,” Hayes said.

The state rule requires pool owners to prove that new drain covers meet the national standard, are installed in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions and sized to handle the pump flow safely when one drain is completely blocked. This will apply to all public pools regardless of when they were constructed.

The new rule amendments apply only to public swimming pools. The N.C. Division of Environmental Health does not regulate residential swimming pools.

Additional information is available on the Division of Environmental Health’s Web site at: http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/pti_DrainSafetyCompliance.html. For more information, contact Hayes at (919) 715-0924 or send him an e-mail at jim.hayes@ncdenr.gov.

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Meeting Scheduled on Jordan Lake Water Allocation

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State officials are giving local governments an opportunity to apply for water supplies from B. Everett Jordan Lake, the water source for many Triangle communities.

The N.C. Division of Water Resources will host a meeting Feb. 24 to explain the process local governments can use to apply for water from Jordan Lake. The meeting is at 10 a.m. in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury St., Raleigh. The meeting is open to all interested parties.

Jordan Lake was constructed as a multi-purpose reservoir in the early 1980s and provides drinking water for numerous communities, including Durham and Cary. The reservoir is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but the state purchased water supply storage from the federal government and now state law gives the N.C. Environmental Management Commission the authority to allocate the water supply storage to local governments.

The 19-member commission adopts rules to protect, preserve and enhance air and water resources. The commission at their Jan. 14 meeting gave the N.C. Division of Water Resources the go-ahead to open the application process for water supply storage allocations from Jordan Lake. This marks the fourth time the state has opened Jordan Lake up for new water allocations.

The division, which provides technical assistance to the commission and carries out the rules the commission adopts, notified public water systems and other water users in the Cape Fear River Basin about the Jordan Lake water supply allocations and the update to the Cape Fear Water Resources Plan. Water users from the Cape Fear River Basin and a 50-mile buffer around Jordan Lake were notified about the meeting.

The lake, most of which sits in Chatham County, is used for water supply, flood control, recreation, fishing and downstream water quality flows.

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North Carolina Environmental Agency Meets Deadline for Economic Recovery Projects

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources has met today’s important federal deadline by committing all of the economic recovery funds devoted to drinking water and wastewater projects.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources had until today to commit all of the $131 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for drinking water and wastewater projects. A total of 129 of these projects will be funded using economic recovery money.

Failure to meet today’s deadline would have meant the state agency would have to return any uncommitted funds to the Environmental Protection Agency for possible reallocation to other states. Since North Carolina met its deadline, the state is now eligible to receive a portion of funds from states that did not meet the deadline.

“This great news means that all of these economic recovery funds will be used to help employ North Carolinians and improve the environment,” said Dee Freeman, secretary for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “This money will improve drinking water and wastewater systems throughout the state, create many jobs and bolster the economic outlook in North Carolina communities.”

A total of $67.8 million was committed for 56 projects for improvements to wastewater collection and treatment. Another $64 million was committed for 73 projects that will help provide safe drinking water in some communities andstrengthen water supplies in others.

Three rounds of wastewater and drinking water projects were funded. The first two rounds of funding for projects came last spring and summer. A third round of projects came about as a result of funds from the first two rounds that were either declined or returned because the project’s expenses were lower than initial projections. Construction has already started on some projects.

The federal economic recovery program provided the funds in 2009, and the state required that spending on individual projects not exceed $3 million. Priority was given to those projects that were considered “shovel ready,” meaning they had been granted all necessary permits and any additional funding was in place. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act required that 20 percent of the projects be “green” – those that promote environmentally-friendly practices such as improved energy generation and water efficiency.

The state Division of Environmental Health is administering the drinking water contracts. The following list represents some of those projects:

· The Fork Township Sanitary District in Wayne County was awarded $532,155 for installation of raw-water transmission mains to connect four new wells to the district’s existing water treatment plant. This project is necessary to address mandatory Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area aquifer withdrawal reductions, which require coastal systems to reduce the amount of water withdrawn from certain aquifers over time.

· Perquimans County received $3 million to replace an existing water storage tank with a new 1 million gallon tank, high-service pump station and chemical feed systems for improved water quality.

· Princeville in Edgecombe County was awarded $307,648 to replace its existing water meters with a new water and energy efficient metering system.

· Sanford in Lee County was awarded approximately $1.8 million to rehabilitate a 2 million gallon water storage tank by replacing its roof and dividing it into two storage components.

· Green Level in Alamance County received nearly $1.9 million to build a new 300,000-gallon elevated water storage tank and install water lines associated with its use.

· Johnston County received $3 million to construct a new magnetic ion exchange water pre-treatment system, which is an innovative and “green” technology for drinking water systems to improve treated water quality.

· Spring Lake in Cumberland County was awarded $64,032 to install a solar water tank mixing system to resolve compliance issues with disinfection byproducts.

· Clay County was awarded nearly $1.1 million to construct a 200,000-gallon water storage tank, booster pump station, master meter vault and water lines to enable the county’s water system to interconnect with Towns County Water and Sewer Authority in Georgia. This will supplement an inadequate water supply.

· Mitchell County was awarded nearly $1.6 million to consolidate the failing water system for Mitchell County High School by adding a water tank and water lines from Spruce Pine to the high school.

· Blowing Rock in Watauga County received $2 million to create a nearly five-mile water line interconnection with Boone to provide a supplemental water supply during drought or other emergencies.

· The Maggie Valley Sanitary District in Haywood County received $768,588 to develop an interconnection with the town of Waynesville and related water lines to provide supplemental water during drought or other emergencies.

The state Division of Water Quality is administering the contracts for wastewater improvements. The following list represents some of the projects funded for wastewater improvements:

· Raleigh received $465,735 for rain water harvesting and reuse. This “green” project will be put in place at 11 fire stations and one animal shelter. Collected water will be used for irrigation, vehicle washing and kennel cleaning.

· Trinity in Randolph County received $3 million to build sewer system extensions to areas with failing septic systems.

· Murphy in Cherokee County received $771,500 for improvements to the Cherokee Hills pump station and the pump station for the Murphy Medical Center. Both pump stations will get emergency generators, automatic transfer switches and submersible pumps.

· Hertford in Perquimans County received $854,187 to repair and rehabilitate the town’s sanitary sewer system.

· Cove City in Craven County received $1.25 million to provide sewage lines to 39 homes.

· Charlotte received $2.1 million to restore and enhance parts of a stream and 6.1 acres of wetlands along Muddy Creek and Eastland Branch, tributaries to Campbell Creek in the McAlpine Creek watershed. Four stormwater management projects will address pollutants carried by rainwater in an older, urbanized area. Streamside forested areas also will be protected and enhanced.

The complete list of projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for wastewater improvements can be found on the N.C. Division of Water Quality’s Web site at http://www.nccgl.net/Stimulus.html.

The complete list of projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for public drinking water improvements can be found on the N.C. Division of Environmental Health’s Web site at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/recovery.htm.

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N.C. PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RELEASED

Lisa Tolley

RALEIGH – The Office of Environmental Education today released the plan that serves as the state’s guiding document for environmental education efforts.

The North Carolina Plan for Environmental Education outlines strategies for increasing environmental literacy and natural resource stewardship in North Carolina.

There has been a recent surge of interest in environmental literacy, especially on the federal level. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills now recognizes environmental literacy as one of the five interdisciplinary themes essential to student success. Moreover, environmental literacy was recently included in the President’s 2010 education budget, and federal legislation has been proposed that would provide states with funding for teachers’ professional development and programming in environmental education through the No Child Left Inside Act.

“Environmental education has a long history in North Carolina, and the renewed focus on increasing environmental literacy makes this a very exciting time for our state,” said Lisa Tolley, director for the Office of Environmental Education.

The goal of environmental education is increased environmental literacy, but there are many benefits to being outside and engaged with the natural environment. Environmental education also fosters an environmental ethic and encourages civic responsibility while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Although the previous plans performed extremely well as a guiding framework for the office and other environmental educators in North Carolina, many of the original goals have been accomplished. Demographic and economic changes in the state, advances in the environmental education field and technological innovations necessitated an updated plan.

Members of the N.C. Environmental Education Advisory Council, a volunteer body comprised of representatives from the academic, business, economic development and environmental communities, were crucial in drafting the third edition of the plan. While the third edition retains the core goals and definition of environmental education reflected in previous plans, it is enhanced by the perspectives and ideas of a broader selection of academic, environmental, cultural arts, business and agricultural contributors. The result is an effective guidebook for environmental education in the 21st century.

“This is a pivotal time for environmental education in our country,” said Dee Freeman, secretary for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Citizens will be required to address and solve complex environmental issues affecting the economy, public health and shared natural resources. I think this plan will help bring our state closer to its goals for environmental literacy.”

The plan is available online at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/ee_plan_web_spread.pdf (low resolution print version http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/ee_plan_web_print.pdf . You can view members of the N.C. Environmental Education Advisory Council at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/eeadvisorycouncil.htm.

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NORTH CAROLINA RECYCLING DATA SHOWS POSITIVE TRENDS

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH – As detailed in the North Carolina Solid Waste Annual Report, the total amount of material recycled last year by North Carolina municipalities and counties increased by 40,000 tons from the previous fiscal year.

The tonnage increase represents a 3.2 percent rise during a year in which total landfill disposal fell by 12.2 percent.

“It is remarkable to see this kind of increase during a recession, and it bodes well for North Carolina’s ability to create jobs and grow the economy around the recovery of materials,” said Scott Mouw, chief of Community and Business Assistance in the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance.

The opposite trajectory of recycling and waste disposal tonnages produced the first rise in the ratio of recycling to disposal in many years from 0.11 to 0.13. This result may indicate that, in addition to a poor economy, increased recycling is part of the reason why disposal declined.

Factors that helped account for improved recycling performance include a nine percent jump in paper and a 22 percent leap in glass recovery, driven mostly by local government collection of bar and restaurant containers under the ABC recycling program. An 11 percent increase in plastic recycling and a doubling of oil filter collection programs helped local governments get ahead of the disposal bans that took effect on those materials in October 2009. Local governments also boosted electronics recycling efforts by 64 percent, with total recovery approaching 4,000 tons. The number of households receiving curbside recycling service also grew slightly.

Last year’s figures are still down from the high water mark of 1.35 million tons collected the previous year. A partial explanation for last year’s numbers falling short of the previous year is the effect of the recession, which dampened consumption and the generation of recyclable materials. Yard waste totals were also down last year from the previous year, likely due to the lingering effects of the drought that resulted in the generation of less grass, leaves and other yard wastes.

As a supplement to the recycling data in the state Solid Waste Management Annual Report, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, or DENR, today released the rankings of counties and their recycling performances for last year. The totals include tonnage recycled by both county and municipal programs within the county.

The rankings show the wide range of performance across the state and once again challenge some conventional thinking about why some counties do better than others. For example, although poorer, rural counties might be expected to struggle with recycling, the top 10 counties include some remote jurisdictions that have consistently performed well in the state rankings.

“As DENR has done these rankings over the years, it has become clear that a number of other factors besides location and economic conditions really help determine any given county’s performance,” said Paul Crissman, chief of the Solid Waste Section of the N.C. Division of Waste Management. “It often has as much to do with the commitment and leadership of local decision-makers with respect to offering excellent recycling services as it does with a local government’s geographical spot on the state map.”

Examples of small rural counties performing consistently well in the recycling rankings include Swain, Macon, Pamlico, Polk, Dare and Watauga counties. The performance of Haywood County, another rural western county, showed the effects of a new level of effort and range of recycling programs implemented in the past two years, almost doubling its per capita recovery from two years ago to last year. Medium-sized counties such as Pitt, Catawba and Orange continued their ranking in the top 10, consistently out-performing their larger, urban counterparts.

A list detailing per capita annual recycling rates for each North Carolina county is provided below. Yard waste, tires and some special wastes are excluded from the totals to allow consistent comparisons from year-to-year. For more information, contact Mouw, with the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, at (919) 715-6512.

Rank	County Name	Total Tonnage	Population	Per Capita Recovery (lbs)
1	PITT COUNTY	47,467	155,570	610.24
2	CATAWBA COUNTY	43,653	154,941	563.49
3	DARE COUNTY	8,326	33,955	490.41
4	BUNCOMBE COUNTY	50,515	227,875	443.36
5	ORANGE COUNTY	18,577	129,296	287.36
6	SWAIN COUNTY	1,888	13,982	270.00
7	MACON COUNTY	4,326	34,227	252.78
8	WATAUGA COUNTY	5,419	45,319	239.16
9	GUILFORD COUNTY	50,601	468,344	216.09
10	PAMLICO COUNTY	1,372	12,892	212.88
11	HAYWOOD COUNTY	6,078	57,108	212.87
12	NEW HANOVER COUNTY	18,642	192,235	193.95
13	CRAVEN COUNTY	9,069	97,757	185.55
14	MECKLENBURG COUNTY	78,375	877,007	178.73
15	TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY	2,271	30,991	146.58
16	CURRITUCK COUNTY	1,725	23,773	145.16
17	JACKSON COUNTY	2,597	36,990	140.44
18	POLK COUNTY	1,325	18,992	139.57
19	YANCEY COUNTY	1,288	18,592	138.52
20	BRUNSWICK COUNTY	7,119	102,857	138.43
21	ALLEGHANY COUNTY	762	11,125	137.02
22	GASTON COUNTY	13,760	204,971	134.27
23	IREDELL COUNTY	10,238	154,135	132.84
24	MADISON COUNTY	1,360	20,810	130.66
25	BURKE COUNTY	5,805	89,259	130.07
26	ALEXANDER COUNTY	2,387	36,953	129.19
27	CARTERET COUNTY	4,042	63,520	127.26
28	CHOWAN COUNTY	933	14,687	127.09
29	MCDOWELL COUNTY	2,746	44,562	123.26
30	WAKE COUNTY	52,078	864,429	120.49
31	PASQUOTANK COUNTY	2,390	41,330	115.64
32	ASHE COUNTY	1,487	26,319	112.96
33	DURHAM COUNTY	14,599	260,420	112.12
34	HYDE COUNTY	308	5,516	111.52
35	PERQUIMANS COUNTY	721	12,962	111.17
36	CAMDEN COUNTY	525	9,730	107.87
37	UNION COUNTY	9,880	191,108	103.40
38	MITCHELL COUNTY	791	16,034	98.66
39	CUMBERLAND COUNTY	15,513	316,914	97.90
40	CABARRUS COUNTY	8,184	170,406	96.05
41	FORSYTH COUNTY	16,301	343,704	94.85
42	AVERY COUNTY	828	18,428	89.91
43	HENDERSON COUNTY	4,572	103,836	88.06
44	CHATHAM COUNTY	2,579	60,881	84.71
45	MOORE COUNTY	3,559	85,280	83.46
46	ALAMANCE COUNTY	6,039	145,995	82.73
47	DAVIE COUNTY	1,673	40,970	81.67
48	MARTIN COUNTY	973	23,870	81.50
49	LINCOLN COUNTY	3,018	74,538	80.97
50	SCOTLAND COUNTY	1,396	37,064	75.36
51	WAYNE COUNTY	4,299	115,696	74.32
52	SURRY COUNTY	2,722	73,388	74.19
53	GATES COUNTY	437	11,836	73.81
54	ROCKINGHAM COUNTY	3,370	91,691	73.50
55	GRAHAM COUNTY	294	8,087	72.68
56	BEAUFORT COUNTY	1,644	46,590	70.57
57	PENDER COUNTY	1,798	51,853	69.37
58	HOKE COUNTY	1,502	44,432	67.62
59	NASH COUNTY	3,160	93,981	67.24
60	YADKIN COUNTY	1,248	38,162	65.41
61	LEE COUNTY	1,796	57,500	62.46
62	JONES COUNTY	321	10,292	62.29
63	WILSON COUNTY	2,428	78,917	61.55
64	RUTHERFORD COUNTY	1,927	63,555	60.65
65	GRANVILLE COUNTY	1,701	56,250	60.46
66	DUPLIN COUNTY	1,576	53,431	58.99
67	DAVIDSON COUNTY	4,528	158,866	57.00
68	CALDWELL COUNTY	2,051	80,020	51.26
69	FRANKLIN COUNTY	1,415	57,923	48.86
70	ROWAN COUNTY	3,374	138,512	48.72
71	CLEVELAND COUNTY	2,343	97,936	47.84
72	LENOIR COUNTY	1,254	57,521	43.60
73	BLADEN COUNTY	688	32,153	42.81
74	WILKES COUNTY	1,440	67,297	42.80
75	EDGECOMBE COUNTY	1,030	51,800	39.78
76	RANDOLPH COUNTY	2,804	140,980	39.78
77	MONTGOMERY COUNTY	537	27,651	38.83
78	HERTFORD COUNTY	456	23,764	38.40
79	WASHINGTON COUNTY	251	13,172	38.11
80	WARREN COUNTY	366	19,918	36.75
81	VANCE COUNTY	723	43,502	33.23
82	ONSLOW COUNTY	2,812	176,004	31.96
83	CLAY COUNTY	162	10,458	30.89
84	JOHNSTON COUNTY	2,493	162,746	30.63
85	CHEROKEE COUNTY	390	27,128	28.73
86	SAMPSON COUNTY	937	65,396	28.65
87	PERSON COUNTY	516	37,510	27.53
88	GREENE COUNTY	283	21,205	26.68
89	ANSON COUNTY	323	25,368	25.49
90	STOKES COUNTY	576	46,638	24.69
91	CASWELL COUNTY	244	23,422	20.84
92	RICHMOND COUNTY	485	46,842	20.72
93	STANLY COUNTY	583	59,714	19.53
94	HARNETT COUNTY	919	109,637	16.76
95	BERTIE COUNTY	123	20,074	12.28
96	HALIFAX COUNTY	332	55,217	12.03
97	COLUMBUS COUNTY	322	54,758	11.75
98	ROBESON COUNTY	686	130,316	10.53
99	NORTHAMPTON COUNTY	100	21,168	9.49
100	TYRRELL COUNTY	14	4,280	6.45

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N.C. Coastal Resources Commission Will Discuss Terminal Groin Study Feb. 17

Jim Gregson

RALEIGH – The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will discuss its study of the feasibility and advisability of the terminal groin use as an erosion control device and hear public comments about the study during its Feb. 17 meeting in Wilmington.

The CRC’s regular meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 17 at the New Hanover County Government Complex, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington. The meeting is open to the public. The terminal groin study public hearing will take place at 4:30 p.m. This is the fourth of five scheduled public hearings for the study.

The meeting will focus almost exclusively on the CRC’s terminal groin study, including discussion of a working draft report prepared by contractor Moffatt & Nichol and a discussion of potential recommendations based on the study findings. A study steering committee will present draft recommendations developed at a Feb. 15 meeting to the full commission for discussion.

The terminal groin study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and General Assembly by April 1.

The CRC will also vote on the following pending rule amendments:

· 15A NCAC 7H .2302 General Permit for the Replacement of Existing Bridges and Culverts – Approval Procedures

· 15A NCAC 7H .2303 General Permit for the Replacement of Existing Bridges and Culverts – Permit Fee

· 15A NCAC 7H .2304 General Permit for the Replacement of Existing Bridges and Culverts – General Conditions

· 15A NCAC 7H .2305 General Permit for the Replacement of Existing Bridges and Culverts – Specific Conditions

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STATE PARKS WARNING HIKERS AND SIGHTSEERS ABOUT ENTERING CLOSED AREAS

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Some state parks and facilities in western North Carolina remain closed due to snow and ice accumulation, and with more severe weather in the forecast, rangers are reminding people that hikers and sightseers should not venture into areas considered dangerous, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The potential for winds gusting to 55 miles per hour in much of the state on Wednesday increases the danger of falling trees and limbs.

“Some parks are still clearing away fallen trees from recent ice storms. The high winds combined with weakened trees and saturated soils can make for dangerous conditions in state parks, and we’ll be monitoring that closely,” said Mike Lambert, chief of operations for the state parks system.

In many of the state parks, trails are obscured, falling trees and limbs are a real threat and emergency vehicles can have a difficult time responding because of road conditions. Hikers and sightseers entering closed areas can expose themselves to unnecessary risk and even trigger a dangerous rescue operation.

During harsh winter weather, flooding can also be a problem. Currently, state recreation areas as Jordan, Falls and Kerr lakes have closed some shoreline facilities. Also, prolonged wet weather can force the closure of low-lying or fragile trails.

Current conditions for each state park and recreation area are reported on the division’s Web site, www.ncparks.gov. Visitors should check the Web site or call the park office to determine a park’s status before heading out.

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PUBLIC HEARING SET ON RULES FOR ANIMALS AT FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Environmental Health has scheduled a public hearing to gather comments on the proposed clarification to state rules regarding the presence of animals at food service establishments.

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 16 in Room AQ 526, 2728 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh. Sign-in to speak at this hearing starts at 9:30 a.m.

The proposal states that live animals shall not be allowed on the premises of a food service establishment except in specific situations such as patrol dogs and service animals. It also includes amendments to the rules for two additional exceptions: sentry dogs in outside fenced areas and pets in outdoor dining areas.

The proposed amendment allows for pets in outdoor dining areas, provided that pets do not pass through any indoor areas of the food service establishment and do not come into contact with utensils, other items that may result in contamination of food or food contact surfaces, or employees engaged in the preparation or handling of food.

The proposed amendment does not require owners of food service establishments to allow pets. Food establishment owners will be able to use their own discretion on whether to allow pets in outdoor dining areas.

Oral and written comments may be presented at the hearing. Time for oral comments may be limited in order to allow all individuals an opportunity to speak. Individuals who make oral comments longer than three minutes should provide a written copy of their comments to the hearing officer, so all comments can be considered. The comment period ends April 5.

Written comments may be submitted to: Larry Michael, Food Protection Branch head, at 1632 Mail Service Center; 2728 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh NC 27604-1630, or e-mailed to Larry.Michael@ncdenr.gov.

The proposed amendments and the public notice can be found online at: http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/Food/15a%20ncac%2018a%20%202633_FINAL%20DRAFT.pdf. This information can also be obtained by contacting Michael at (919) 715-0927.

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PUBLIC HEARING SET ON RULES FOR ANIMALS AT FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Laura Leonard

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 16 in Room AQ 526, 2728 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh. Sign-in to speak at this hearing starts at 9:30 a.m.

Written comments may be submitted to: Larry Michael, Food Protection Branch head, at 1632 Mail Service Center; 2728 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh NC 27604-1630, or e-mailed to Larry.Michael@ncdenr.gov.

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N.C. COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TERMINAL GROIN FEASIBILITY STUDY

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission terminal groin study steering committee will meet Feb. 15 to develop draft recommendations based on a study of the feasibility and advisability of terminal groin use as an erosion control device in coastal North Carolina.

The meeting will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Soil and Water auditorium at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern. The meeting is open to the public.

The steering committee consists of five members of the Coastal Resources Commission and five members of the Coastal Resources Advisory Council. The steering committee will present its draft recommendations to the full CRC at a meeting in Wilmington on Feb. 17.

A terminal groin is a long, low structure, typically made of rock or concrete, which extends out into the ocean at the end of an island, and is intended to trap sand and prevent beach erosion.

The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and General Assembly by April 1.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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Gov. Perdue Proclaims Feb. 7-13 Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue and state parks and forestry officials want people to be aware that some fires are good for the environment and can be a useful tool for managing forests and preventing wildfires.

As such, Perdue has proclaimed Feb. 7-13 as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week,” North Carolina’s first statewide recognition of the importance of prescribed burning.

The governor’s declaration coincides with the state parks system’s launch this week of its 2010 Wildland Fire Management Program. State parks officials conducted prescribed burns on a record 1,879 acres in 2009 and have set a goal to burn 2,500 acres in the state parks to improve habitat and reduce wildfire dangers in 2010.

This is the 26^th year of wildland fire management in North Carolina’s state parks.

“Over time, state parks have been testament to the value of low-intensity prescribed burning in improving ecosystems and habitat and in lessening the danger of uncontrolled wildfires,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “As stewards of some of the most treasured natural resources in North Carolina, we have a responsibility to ensure our prescribed burn program is effective.”

Officials in the state parks system and state Division of Forest Resources burn thousands of acres of state-managed land each year as a way to reduce fuel loads and promote healthy forests.

For thousands of years, lightning ignited the fires necessary to maintain habitats for plants, trees and wildlife, but past fire suppression efforts as well as road construction and development disrupted the natural fire cycles and patterns of plant succession. By conducting prescribed burning, fire managers enable plants and wildlife to thrive. Prescribed burns also limit the amount of dead wood and other natural fuels on the forest floor, making it easier to fight wildfires. This helps protect people and property should lightning, arson or carelessness spark a wildfire.

During a prescribed fire, trained burn bosses follow a plan that outlines the weather conditions, how a fire will be controlled and the reason the fire is being conducted. A burn boss usually conducts prescribed burns during winter months when conditions are most safe but will cancel a burn if the weather is too dry or windy.

State forestry officials are also working to promote prescribed burning this week with a display of posters and other materials that promote prescribed fire in the third floor visitor’s lobby of the state Legislative Office Building in Raleigh.

People interested in knowing more about prescribed burning can contact Charlie Peek, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, at (919) 715-8709 or Brian Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 218-9728. People also can check out the N.C. Prescribed Fire Council’s Web site at www.ncprescribedfirecouncil.org, or contact Cynthia Van Der Wiele at (919) 545-8394.

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NEW DRAFT STATE IMPAIRED WATERS LIST AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality has released the draft 2010 impaired waters list and is requesting public comment.

Every two years, states are required by section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act to list those streams, rivers and other bodies of water that do not meet water quality standards or are otherwise not able to support intended best uses. Possible best uses include aquatic life or biological integrity, recreation or swimming, fish consumption, shellfish harvesting and water supply.

The draft 2010 list may be downloaded from the Division of Water Quality’s Web site at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/. General questions about the list or about specific listings may be sent to Kathy Stecker at Kathy.stecker@ncdenr.gov. Written comments should be submitted to: Jennifer Everett, NC DWQ, Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617 or by e-mail to Jennifer.everett@ncdenr.gov.

The comment period ends March 3. The draft list may be modified based on comments received. The final list will be available on the division’s Web site after it is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

CHICKEN PROCESSING PLANT FINED FOR AMMONIA RELEASE

Tom Mather

RALEIGH Â¿ Air quality officials have fined a Robeson County chicken processing plant $27,410 for improper handling of hazardous materials that led to a fatal ammonia release. The N.C. Division of Air Quality assessed Mountaire Farms Inc. of Lumber Bridge with the penalty for violations that contributed to the release of anhydrous ammonia at the plant on June 20, 2009. Ammonia is a toxic gas used in many industrial processes. The Mountaire Farms release killed one employee and injured three others. The state Division of Air Quality cited the company for violating rules aimed at ensuring the safe handling and storage of hazardous materials, as specified under Section 112(r) of the federal Clean Air Act. The rules require affected companies to develop a Risk Management Program to make sure they properly store hazardous materials, train their employees on safe handling methods, and prepare plans for responding to emergency releases. Based on its investigation, the state Division of Air Quality cited Mountaire the maximum penalty that it can assess for a single violation, $25,000, due to the severity of the incident and previous problems at the facility. The assessment also included $2,410 to cover the division's investigative costs. The division's investigation found that Mountaire did not have a complete and proper Risk Management Program even though the division had cited the company for RMP shortcomings the previous year. In March 2008, DAQ assessed the company $4,506 for earlier violations of risk management rules. More information about air quality issues can be found at the division's Web site: www.ncair.org. ###

Local Water/Wastewater Projects Receive Reallocated Economic Recovery Funds

Susan Massengale/Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – State officials today announced the reallocation of more than $4 million in economic recovery funding to five communities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects as a part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards. This funding allocation was originally earmarked for other projects but became available when final project costs were less than original estimates.

The new wastewater infrastructure improvement project slated to benefit from ARRA funding – administered by the Division of Water Quality – is an additional “green” project of about $1.3 million to the city of Charlotte for the Wilora Lake restoration project. Rehabilitation of Wilora Lake will consist of construction of a new dam and spillway, creation of two sediment control areas adjacent to the reservoir openings and a shallow rim for aquatic habitat and erosion control, riparian plantings and replacement of approximately 586 linear feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer.
Recent ARRA awards to drinking water infrastructure projects, administered by the Division of Environmental Health, include:
• $310,000 to the town of Princeville for a green project to replace conventional water meters with automated water meters.
• $355,000 to the town of Maysville for improvements to its water treatment plant.
• $239,700 to the town of Sawmills to replace 3,400 linear feet of asbestos cement pipe with PVC to prevent water loss, low press and frequent system failure.
• $2.2 million to the town of Blowing Rock for construction of a 4.9 mile interconnection with the town of Boone to address water shortages during the recent drought.
Project awards are not final until the Local Government Commission approves the recipient’s financial qualifications and all ARRA and other federal requirements have been met. Funds will be awarded as 50 percent zero-interest loans and 50 percent principal forgiveness loans. All drinking water and wastewater infrastructure ARRA projects must be under contract by Feb. 17, 2010.
The Division of Water Quality’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program received an ARRA grant of $70.7 million to fund wastewater system improvements throughout the state. The Division of Environmental Health’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program received an ARRA grant of $65.6 million to fund public drinking water infrastructure improvements throughout the state.

For additional information on wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project funding and criteria – along with other types of economic recovery projects administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home. Information about federal recovery funding throughout North Carolina can be found at www.ncrecovery.gov.

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STATE PANEL TO DISCUSS DRAFT TERMINAL GROIN STUDY REPORT FEB. 8

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The state Science Panel on Coastal Hazards will meet Feb. 8 in Raleigh to discuss the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device in coastal North Carolina.

A terminal groin is a long, low structure, typically made of rock or concrete, which extends out into the ocean at the end of an island, and is intended to trap sand and prevent beach erosion.

The panel, which provides scientific advice to the commission, will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 1H120, 2728 Capitol Blvd., Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

The CRC has asked the science panel to serve as a peer review group for the study, which has been contracted to the engineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol.

During this meeting, the panel will review and provide comments on the draft terminal groin study report from Moffatt & Nichol, the contract company conducting the study. The working draft, which was submitted to the CRC Feb. 1, is available on the N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/draft%20report.html.

The CRC, in consultation with state divisions of Coastal Management, Land Resources, and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting the study on the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device, as mandated by Session Law 2009-479.

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member science panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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Solid Waste Disposal in N.C. Reaches Historic Low

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – A state report finds that people disposed of less solid waste in North Carolina landfills last year than any previous year in nearly two decades, due largely to the economic recession.

Solid waste was disposed of at a rate of 1.07 tons per capita in 2008-09 – a sharp decline from the previous year and the lowest disposal rate since 1995-96, according to the “North Carolina Solid Waste Management Annual Report.”

“Our analysis indicates that the reduction in disposal is a direct result of the economic recession,” said Dexter Matthews, director of the state Division of Waste Management. “Waste previously created by the housing and building markets is not being produced and, therefore, is not ending up in North Carolina landfills.”

The annual report uses data and other information collected from 655 local governments, 371 solid waste management facilities and 152 state agencies, institutions and schools. Information gathered by the state includes how many tons of materials counties recycled, and how counties and facilities disposed of solid waste. The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, with assistance from the state departments of Administration and Transportation, generate the report each year, as required by the General Assembly. The current report represents activities from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009.

The report also found that:

· more glass, plastic and aluminum containers were recovered for recycling than in any previous fiscal year. More than 110,000 tons of containers were recovered and sent to recycling facilities due to strong curbside recycling and drop-off measures already in place and a Jan. 1, 2008, law requiring businesses with Alcoholic Beverage Commission permits to recycle glass, plastic and aluminum.

· curbside recycling programs contributed more to recycling in North Carolina than did recycling at drop-off centers. This finding marked a first in North Carolina since local governments started providing the state with reports about their recycling programs in the early 1990s.

The report recommends increasing state oversight of disposal facilities and transfer stations to prevent the disposal in landfills of banned materials. North Carolina has increased the number of banned items to encourage greater recycling and keep harmful materials out of landfills. To prevent contamination, the annual report also calls for actions to reduce the amount of mercury-containing waste from being placed in unlined landfills.

State officials say that less waste generation this year is good news, but much still must be done to meet recycling needs and limit the expansion of the waste stream in the future.

“We certainly generated less waste in fiscal 2008-09,” said Scott Mouw, an environmental supervisor with the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “But we’re still throwing away a lot of commodities that produce jobs and products North Carolinians use every day.”

You can see the solid waste report by clicking on the following link in the state Division of Waste Management’s Web site, http://www.wastenotnc.org/swhome/AR08_09/AR08_09.pdf.

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JANET PEARSON IS SUPERINTENDENT OF CARVERS CREEK STATE PARK

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Janet Pearson, a veteran ranger at Pilot Mountain State Park, has been named the first superintendent of Carvers Creek State Park in Cumberland County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

A superintendent is the chief of operations and administration at a state park or state recreation area with wide-ranging responsibilities for staffing, training, law enforcement, visitor services, natural resource protection and environmental education.

“Janet gained broad experience in both protection of natural resources and the conservation and interpretation of cultural resources at Pilot Mountain, and she is adept at forging good relationships with the community,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “Her skill and experience will be valuable as we move forward with plans for the new state park at Carvers Creek in partnership with land conservancies, Cumberland County, Fayetteville and Ft. Bragg.”

Carvers Creek State Park was authorized in 2005 upon the acquisition of 1,173 acres off U.S. 401 north of Fayetteville with the help of The Nature Conservancy. Additional property now held by the conservancy, including the 1,380-acre James Stillman Rockefeller estate, will likely expand the park to about 4,500 acres. The state parks system is drafting a master plan for initial park development.

Pearson is a native of the Pilot Mountain area and a 2000 graduate of Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management. She worked in seasonal positions for the state parks system and as an interpreter for the Horne Creek Living Historical Farm before becoming a full-time ranger at Pilot Mountain in 2000. She holds certifications in environmental education and intermediate law enforcement and was the lead natural resource ranger and volunteer coordinator at the park.

As the first park superintendent at Carvers Creek, Pearson will be involved in forming a citizens park advisory committee, hiring initial park staff and developing a long-range master plan and general management plan. She will establish an interim park office at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve in Moore County.

(EDITORS: A jpeg image of Pearson is available on our Web site www.ncparks.gov under “News.”)

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Public Hearing Scheduled for Blue Ridge Paper Products Proposed Permit Renewal

Jeff Poupart

RALEIGH – The N.C. Environmental Management Commission has scheduled a public hearing to gather comments on the proposed issuance of a federal discharge permit for the Blue Ridge Paper Products facility in Canton.

The permit will allow the company to discharge treated industrial and domestic wastewater into the Pigeon River.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Tuscola High School, 564 Tuscola Road, Waynesville. Registration for the meeting starts at 6 p.m.

The facility was established in 1908 to produce pulp for the Champion paper mill in Hamilton, Ohio. Blue Ridge Paper acquired ownership of the mill in May 1999 from Champion International. In 2007, the facility was purchased by the Rank Group and now operates as a subsidiary of Evergreen Packaging. The company employs about 1,500 people in North Carolina.

In 1990, Champion International Corporation initiated a $300 million project termed the Canton Modernization Project. The project eliminated the use of elemental chlorine and implemented significant changes to both the pine and hardwood bleaching lines.

Under Champion Paper, the environmental impacts of the Canton Mill were noted by concerned residents, environmental groups, the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The issues raised by these individuals and groups contributed to the Canton Mill’s improved environmental performance and resulted in a settlement agreement on Jan. 8, 1998. All the conditions in the settlement agreement have been met.

This permit has focused on two main issues associated with the mill’s discharge: color and temperature. These issues are covered in a fact sheet available at the N.C. Division of Water Quality’s Web site at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/event-calendar by clicking the Blue Ridge Paper hearing event.

Comments, statements, data and other information relating to permit reissuance may be submitted in writing before, during or after the hearing. Oral comments made at the hearing may be time-limited at the discretion of the hearing officer so everyone has an opportunity to speak. Oral presentations that exceed three minutes should be accompanied by three written copies, which will be filed with staff members with the N.C. Division of Water Quality at the time of registration.

The hearing record will remain open at least 30 days after the Jan. 26 public hearing to enable people to submit written comments to the state Division of Water Quality. Mail all written comments to: Dina Sprinkle, NC DWQ, NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617.

A copy of the draft permit, the draft permit fact sheet, a map showing the discharge location and the public notice are available at the following link on the division’s Web site, http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/event-calendar. People can also get this information by contacting Sprinkle at (919) 807-6304.

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Public Hearing Set for Reclassification of Catawba River and Headwaters

Adriene Weaver

Public Hearing Set for Reclassification of Catawba River and Headwaters

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Water Quality will hold a public hearing Jan. 25 in Old Fort to gather comments on the proposed reclassification of the headwaters of the Catawba River.

Reclassifying the river would protect about 39 stream miles in a 6,000-acre watershed by placing more stringent rules on wastewater and stormwater discharges as well as erosion and sedimentation control practices.

The segments of the Catawba River that could be reclassified as “High Quality Waters,” or HQW, include the mainstem of the river and the headwater tributaries starting at the river’s source and ending at the river’s confluence with the Left Prong Catawba River. The Left Prong Catawba River is upstream of Old Fort in McDowell County. The tributaries that drain to this portion of the Catawba River include Chestnut Branch (Fork), Clover Patch Branch, Youngs Fork Creek, Spring Branch and the Left Prong Catawba River.

The High Quality Waters classification provides protection to waters with high quality. In order to qualify for this classification, waters must be of excellent quality based on physical, chemical or biological information. Biological sampling conducted in 2007 by the state Division of Water Quality shows that these waters have excellent water quality.

If the subject waters are reclassified, the HQW regulations would require stormwater and erosion and sedimentation controls for transportation and new development projects that disturb 1 acre or more of land. Stricter treatment standards for new and expanded wastewater treatment facilities would be required, and new wastewater discharges from single family residences would be prohibited.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Old Fort Elementary School Auditorium, 128 Mauney Ave., Old Fort, N.C. The hearing is being held on behalf of the Environmental Management Commission.

Copies of the public hearing announcement and a fact sheet can be found at the state Division of Water Quality’s Web site, http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/event-calendar. People who want copies of these documents can also mail a request to: Adriene Weaver, DWQ Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 17699-1617. People can also make a request by sending an e-mail to adriene.weaver@ncdenr.gov or calling Weaver at (919) 807-6414.

Written comments may also be submitted to the address above. Oral and written comments may be presented at the hearing. Time for oral comments may be limited in order to allow people an opportunity to speak. People who make oral comments longer than three minutes should provide a written copy of their comments to the hearing officers so all comments can be considered. The comment period ends Feb. 15.

The N.C. Division of Water Quality will gather all oral and written comments for the Environmental Management Commission. The Environmental Management Commission, the rulemaking body responsible for deciding whether to reclassify the river, will consider public comments, biological data, land use information and other relevant information before making a decision.

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COASTAL HAZARDS SCIENCE PANEL TO DISCUSS TERMINAL GROINS AT JAN. 19 MEETING IN RALEIGH

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The state Science Panel on Coastal Hazards will meet Jan. 19 in Raleigh to discuss the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device in coastal North Carolina.

The panel, which provides scientific advice to the CRC, will meet at 10 a.m. in Room 1H120, 2728 Capitol Blvd., Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

The CRC has asked the science panel to serve as a peer review group for the study, which has been contracted to the engineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol.

During this meeting, the science panel will examine and provide comments on the preliminary analysis results from Moffatt & Nichol. A draft report is scheduled to be delivered to the CRC on Feb. 1.

The CRC, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources, and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting the study on the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device, as mandated by Session Law 2009-479.

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member science panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: NCDENR to Host Science Forum on Sea Level Rise

Michele Walker

WHAT: Sea Level Rise Science Forum
WHEN: Jan. 14-15, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Hilton North Raleigh, 3415 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management will host a Science Forum on Sea Level Rise featuring distinguished speakers from North Carolina, as well as invited speakers from other states.
The forum will be the vehicle through which the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will release a preliminary report on the current and projected rates of sea level rise in North Carolina. The report will project sea level rise ranges in 25-year intervals through 2100. The CRC, along with other DENR agencies, can use these metrics as the foundation for policy development and adaptation planning.
The meeting will begin Jan. 14 at 8:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks from DENR Secretary Dee Freeman and DENR assistant secretary Robin Smith.
Presentations include a history of sea level and shoreline change in N.C. by Dr. Stanley Riggs, East Carolina University; a primer on how sea level rise is measured by Dr. Benjamin Horton, University of Pennsylvania; and a special presentation on understanding climate and sea level rise projections by Dr. Virginia Burkett, chief scientist for Global Change Research and co-lead author of the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third and Fourth Assessment Reports.
The forum will also feature a poster reception from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 14, which highlights sea level rise research in North Carolina and the United States.
For a complete agenda, list of speakers and poster abstracts, please visit the N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/slr.html.

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N.C. Coastal Resources Commission to Meet Jan. 13 in Raleigh

Michele Walker

RALEIGH - The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will hear public comments regarding its study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of a terminal groin as an erosion control device during its next meeting, Jan. 13, at the Hilton North Raleigh, 3415 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh. The terminal groin study public hearing will take place at 4:30 p.m. This is the third of five scheduled public hearings for the study.

The CRC’s regular meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Hilton North Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

The following items are also on the CRC’s agenda:

• CRC Study of the Use of Terminal Groins – Division of Coastal Management director Jim Gregson and a representative from contractor Moffatt & Nichol will update the commission on the progress of the terminal groin feasibility study.
• Static Vegetation Line Exception Request – The commission will hear a request for a static vegetation line exception from the town of Ocean Isle Beach. If the request is granted, the exception could allow limited development on lots that cannot meet the setback from the static vegetation line put in place following large-scale beach nourishment projects.
• Draft Wind Energy Facility Amendments to 15A NCAC 7M .0400 Coastal Energy Policies; 15A NCAC 7H .0208 Use Standards and 15A NCAC 7H .0106 General Definitions – DCM staff will discuss potential amendments to CRC rules regarding wind turbines in N.C. coastal waters.
• Land Use Plan Certifications – Commissioners will consider certification of CAMA Land Use Plans for Onslow, Tyrell and Beaufort counties.
• Public Input and Comment (12 p.m.) – Members of the public may comment on any issue not on the current agenda.
• Public Hearings (4:30 p.m.) – Members of the public may provide comments on two issues: amendments to 15A NCAC 7H .2300 General Permit for Replacement of Existing Bridges and Culverts, and the CRC’s terminal groin study.
• Rule Adoptions – The commission will vote on the following pending rule changes:
1. • 15A NCAC 7H .0208 General and Specific Use Standards
2. • 15A NCAC 7H .0309 Use Standards for Ocean Hazard Areas: Exceptions – Structure Limitations; Pier Houses; and Electrical Transmission Lines from Energy Producing Facilities
3. • 15A NCAC 7H .1704 General Conditions - Temporary Erosion Control Structures
4. • 15A NCAC 7H .1705 Specific Conditions – Temporary Erosion Control Structures

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January is National Radon Action Month: North Carolina Health Officials Urge Citizens to Test for Ra

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH - State environmental health officials have recognized January as Radon Action Month and are encouraging people to learn more about radon exposure and its health effects.

Radon is a naturally-occurring, invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

“Nearly seven percent of homes in North Carolina have elevated levels of radon,” said Terry L. Pierce, director of the Division of Environmental Health. “Nationally, approximately 20,000 deaths each year are attributed to radon-related lung cancer. Therefore, it is important to test your home for radon as radon gas poses a serious health risk.”

The state’s Radon Program is offering free test kits throughout this month to enable North Carolina homeowners to test their homes for elevated levels of radon. Citizens involved in real estate transactions are encouraged to use certified testing professionals to test their homes. To receive a free test kit or find a list of certified professionals, go to the program’s Web site, http://www.ncradon.org.

“Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive,” Pierce added, “and radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors. It is the only way to determine if you and your family are being exposed to radon gas.”

Although supplies are limited for the free test kits from the N.C. Radon Program, they can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, directly from radon testing companies or through Internet test kit distributors for $25 or less.

For more information about radon or to request a free radon test kit, please visit the program’s Web site. You may also call Catherine Rosfjord, radon coordinator in western North Carolina, at (828) 274-1717 for additional details.

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Sue McBean is Superintendent of Grandfather Mountain State Park

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - Sue McBean, formerly superintendent of Haw River State Park, has been named the first superintendent of the newly authorized Grandfather Mountain State Park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

“Sue has done an outstanding job of guiding the development of Haw River State Park, created in 2005. She was directly involved in developing staff and creating a draft master plan and building a close relationship with the local community,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “Her skill and experience will be invaluable as we fashion our newest state park on one of the most beloved landmarks in the state.”

Grandfather Mountain State Park was authorized in June following the acquisition of 2,456 acres along the crest of the famous mountain from the Morton family’s Grandfather Mountain Inc., which continues to operate its famous attraction alongside the new state park. The scenic property in Watauga, Avery and Caldwell counties is laced with a 12-mile network of popular hiking trails and a series of remote campsites.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, McBean graduated in 1987 from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management. She worked in seasonal positions for the U.S. Forest Service and for state parks systems in Ohio, South Dakota, Massachusetts, California, Colorado and Alaska before joining North Carolina’s state parks system in 1993.

She worked as ranger at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area before being promoted as superintendent at Haw River in June 2006. She holds certifications in environmental education and advanced law enforcement and has been a law enforcement instructor for the division.

As the first park superintendent at Grandfather Mountain, McBean will be involved in forming a citizen park advisory committee, hiring initial park staff and developing management plans in conjunction with the Grandfather Mountain attraction staff.

(EDITORS: A jpeg image of McBean is available on our Web site under “News”.)

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS DECLARE 2010 Â¿YEAR OF THE BIRDSÂ¿

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – North Carolina’s state parks will pay tribute to its winged residents and visitors in 2010 by celebrating the “Year of the Birds,” according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Throughout the year, birds and bird-watching will be the focus of special education programs and activities in the state parks, many of them in partnership with Audubon North Carolina, which works with the state parks system on research and management projects involving bird habitats. The state parks system is also making available a special bandana of some of the signature birds found in the parks.

Whether they are wild turkeys in the mountains, bald eagles in the Piedmont or piping plovers on the coast, birds greatly contribute to the nature experience in state parks. They’re also “indicator species,” reflecting the health of the natural resources and ecosystems on North Carolina’s publicly-held lands.

“Putting this special emphasis on birds in 2010 can give added depth and clarity to our interpretive programs and education efforts,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “They’re a beloved part of the natural resource mosaic in our state parks.”

State parks are regularly involved in annual bird counts, and the parks are among Audubon’s Important Bird Areas, sites for research about the health of bird populations and habitats. Audubon North Carolina, the state parks and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission were also among partners that are establishing three distinct birding trails in North Carolina in an effort to combine eco-tourism and natural resource protection (http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/).

“Birds and state parks share some of the most important habitats in our state,” said Chris Canfield, executive director of Audubon North Carolina. “They also share the distinction of providing a pathway for people to connect with nature. I’m excited by this focus for 2010 and hope all North Carolinians take advantage of it.”

In addition to preparing interpretive programs, state park rangers and natural resource biologists are actively involved in projects to protect and restore habitats for some of our rare and threatened birds, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and colonial nesting shorebirds. Park rangers and biologists also participate in multi-year bird tagging projects.

State park educational programs hope to appeal to North Carolina’s bird enthusiasts, as well as inspire new bird-watching families. A 2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report estimated one of every five Americans is a “bird-watcher,” defined as someone who took a trip of at least one mile for the primary purpose of observing birds, or someone who closely observed and tried to identify birds around their home. These enthusiasts contributed $36 billion to the national economy in 2006, according to the report.

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Revised State Impaired Waterways List Available for Public Comment

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Water Quality has released the revised draft 2008 impaired waters list and is requesting public comment.

The North Carolina draft 2008 303(d) list has been in the review process with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to resolve issues relating to copper and zinc – two metals often found in N.C. waters, potentially due to natural geological conditions. As a result of these discussions, North Carolina will list stream segments as being impaired for copper and zinc where sampling and biological integrity indicate a problem and no natural cause for exceedances has been found.

Copper and zinc can be carried in stormwater runoff from numerous sources including worn tires and brake linings, moving engine parts, motor oil, galvanized or plated metal sheeting, insecticides and fungicides. North Carolina addresses the potential contribution of the metals from wastewater treatment processes through its permitting program for systems that discharge to waterbodies.

The revised draft 2008 list may be downloaded from the DWQ Web site. General questions about the list or about specific listings may be sent to Kathy Stecker at: Kathy.stecker@ncdenr.gov. Written comments should be submitted to: Jennifer Everett, NC DWQ, Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617 or by e-mail to Jennifer.everett@ncdenr.gov.

The comment period ends Jan. 25, 2010. For those who have previously submitted comments on the 2008 draft list, those comments remain part of the current record and will be evaluated along with any new comments received. The draft list may be modified based on comments received by the end of the comment period. The final list will be available on the DWQ Web site after EPA approval.

Drought aid, infrastructure funding and sustainable development highlight 2009 environmental achieve

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources has compiled its annual list of accomplishments to help editors and reporters with holiday stories.

Economic recovery money creates jobs, helps environment
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources received more than $157 million as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The department is using the money to stimulate the economy, create jobs and help cities, towns and counties with a host of environmental improvements. The economic recovery projects include:

• $70.7 million to fund wastewater improvements such as infrastructure projects that aid wastewater reuse, stormwater management, water efficiency and energy generation. Another $251,000 has been awarded to regional councils of government for planning and to assess water quality and develop plans to control water pollution.
• $65.6 million for public drinking water infrastructure improvements. The money will improve water quality in cities and towns by building interconnections between towns and replacing aging water lines. It has also been used to install more efficient residential water meters.
• $1.73 million for reducing emissions from diesel engines, a significant contributor to air pollution. The money is being used to retrofit school buses with controls to curb diesel emissions, repower trucks and ships with cleaner-burning engines, and offset costs for using biodiesel fuel.
• $7.55 million to assess and cleanup petroleum leaking from underground storage tanks. The grant will fund assessments and cleanups at 172 sites where the responsible parties are unable or unwilling to conduct the cleanups.
• $4.6 million to help communities reduce wildfire hazards. Funds will be used to conduct prescribed burning and to educate people about protecting their homes and property from wildfires. Another $1.7 million will be put toward restoring longleaf pine forests in North Carolina.
• $5 million to put private industry and commercial fisherman to work helping restore the state’s oyster habitat. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is overseeing the construction of two large oyster reefs in the Pamlico Sound, and the state will pay fishermen $2 per bushel to distribute 40,000 bushels of oyster shells on 19 cultch planting sites on the coast. The project is creating or retaining 140 jobs.

To learn more, please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home .

Drought assistance
With much of the state’s worst recorded drought behind us, the department worked to help farmers who suffered significant crop damage and came to the aid of cities, towns and counties as they prepared for future droughts.

As such, the state Division of Soil and Water Conservation helped nearly 2,000 North Carolina farmers. The agency administered nearly $9 million in grants from conservation partners to help farmers establish alternative water supplies and restore drought-damaged pastures. In addition, the agency provided pasture management training to improve the resilience of pastures during future droughts.

The Division of Water Resources, the N.C. League of Municipalities and the N.C. Association of County Commissioners
provided technical assistance to help municipalities and counties develop water shortage response plans. Required by law,

the plans outline how a public water system will continue to supply residents and industries with water during a serious drought or water shortage. Also, the division created a publication, “The Water Connection – Water Resources, Drought and the Hydrologic Cycle in North Carolina,” to explain how people can protect water supplies, as well as the relationship between surface and groundwater and the impact drought has on water resources. The publication is online at http://www.ncwater.org/Reports_and_Publications/primer/.

Land, soil and water conservation and parks
Following formal authorization of Grandfather Mountain State Park by the legislature and governor, the division began to integrate this high-profile acquisition into the state parks system. The formal closing on 2,456 acres of the famed attraction’s “backcountry” was in June, and the Division of Parks and Recreation entered a partnership agreement with Grandfather Mountain Inc. for interim joint management of the property, providing uninterrupted public access to its popular trail and camping facilities.

The 8.5 mile Ridgeline Trail was completed at Crowder’s Mountain State Park, linking it with Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. The trail, built in part with volunteer help, also ties together more than 15,000 acres of conservation lands and a 45-mile network of trails in both states.

A new observation deck was completed at the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States and the centerpiece of North Carolina’s oldest state park. The low-profile deck offers 360-degree views and has a stone faÃ§ade and stonework accents to blend into the rugged surroundings.

More than 800 acres was acquired at key junctions in Guilford, Alamance and Johnston counties for eventual dedication to the 1,000-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail, through funding allocated in 2008 from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Partnership agreements have been prepared with local governments to share management of these first state properties acquired for the trail.

A new visitor center at Merchants Millpond State park and a coastal education and visitor center at Fort Macon State Park opened. Both are likely to earn full certification by the U.S. Green Building Council through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Visitor centers are dedicated to environmental education with auditoriums, classrooms and exhibit halls that showcase the parks’ natural and cultural resources.

The N.C. Geological Survey completed landslide hazard maps for Buncombe County. The maps are designed for mountain counties as a planning tool. They show where landslides have happened and what areas have the highest potential for landslides. Landslide hazard maps have also been completed in Macon and Watauga counties, and staff members are working on maps for Henderson and Jackson counties.

Protecting water quality, water resources, wetlands, public water supplies and public health
Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law the last part of the legislation aimed at restoring and maintaining water quality in Jordan Lake. The Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy creates rules to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the lake due to wastewater, stormwater from new and existing development, and agricultural and commercial landscaping activities.

Groundwater levels in parts of eastern North Carolina are improving dramatically for the first time in years, apparently due to the efforts of a local water and sewer authority and attentive regulation and regular monitoring by state water resources officials. Groundwater levels in the15-county central coastal plain capacity use area have been declining for years because many public water systems have depended upon deep aquifers that were losing water faster than they could be replenished. State law now requires public water systems in the region to reduce their reliance upon the aquifers because overuse of the diminishing water source was damaging the aquifers' capability to provide water. As such, the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority started operating a water treatment plant and intake facility last fall to draw supplemental water supplies from the Neuse River. Groundwater levels have risen by as much as 23 feet since the new water treatment plant and intake facility started operating last fall. The water treatment plant and intake facility required an investment of more than $140 million and serves the eight members of the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority – Ayden, Pink Hill, Grifton, Kinston, the Deep Run Water Corp., North Lenoir Water Corp., Eastern Pines Water Corp. and Bell Arthur Water Corp.

The General Assembly amended the state’s Dam Safety Law to give the state Division of Land Resources authority over the coal ash pond dikes and other utility company dams. The General Assembly’s action came about after a massive coal ash spill in Tennessee. The law takes effect Jan. 1. But the Division of Land Resources has already collected dam inventory and engineering reports from utility companies and is making arrangements to inspect all dams in the first quarter of 2010.

A state and federal initiative makes $1.1 million available so swine farmers can convert conventional hog waste lagoons and sprayfield systems to more innovative animal waste management technologies that provide greater water quality protection. The initiative is a partnership between the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Services.

Environmental rules came into effect in March that protect the federally-endangered Carolina heelsplitter mussel in the Goose Creek watershed in Union and Mecklenburg counties. The new requirements govern wastewater discharges, stormwater management, streamside buffer protection and the control of toxic substances.

The divisions of Coastal Management and Water Quality streamlined environmental permitting in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins. The agencies agreed to allow Coastal Management permitting staff to review and approve requests for Buffer Authorization Certificates for development projects that also require a Coastal Area Management Act general or minor permit. The change, which was the result of public feedback and discussions between the two agencies, will allow people to get the required development permits from one source.

State officials started a program this year to assess and cleanup hazards from solid waste landfills that were used before laws were enacted regulating landfills. Staff members are nearing completion of the location and property use research on the 674 landfills and will next start the process of assessing and cleaning up the landfills. The program is funded by part of the revenue generated by the 2008 tax imposed on solid waste disposed of in North Carolina landfills.

State public health officials expanded their tick surveillance work in 2009 and found a species of tick new to North Carolina that has great potential to transmit Lyme disease or a related disease. Staff with the state’s public health pest management section also launched a project to determine tick types and their distribution. The project calls on local health departments to collect ticks that have been found on people and submit them to the state for identification and testing.

State and federal public water supply and water quality officials investigated wrongdoing on the part of a town water official in Mocksville after a tip from a former town employee. The investigation led to the arrest of the former Mocksville public works director. The former public works director pleaded guilty in 2008 on several charges, including ordering employees to falsify reports on the quality of the town’s drinking water. He was sentenced to one year and a day in prison in March 2009.
Staff in the state Division of Environmental Health participated in a national project called Enabling Source Water Protection, which aims to protect drinking water resources through local land planning, land conservation and watershed protection activities.

Protecting the coast and marine fisheries
The Division of Coastal Management amended the rules governing setbacks for oceanfront structures and static setback lines for communities with large-scale beach nourishment projects. The setback rule changes base oceanfront setbacks on the structure’s size rather than use, and incrementally increases the setback distances for large-scale oceanfront structures. The static line rule changes develop separate management strategies for beaches that receive ongoing long-term, large-scale sand nourishment versus those that do not.

State officials conducted a survey to gauge public perception of the impacts of sea level rise in North Carolina. The cooperative efforts between environmental groups and agencies in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources address potential responses to sea level rise on a state level.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission awarded the first grants from the Marine Resources Fund, which receives proceeds from the Coastal Recreational Fishing License. The commissions awarded 11 grants totaling $1.99 million for the 2009 cycle and 23 grants totaling $3.2 million for the 2010 cycle.

A November 2009 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission stock assessment found that red drum populations on the East Coast are relatively stable and in its northern range, which includes North Carolina, overfishing is no longer occurring. North Carolina shares in this success story, having led the East Coast states in recovery efforts.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting a study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of terminal groins as erosion control devices in North Carolina inlets. The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and the General Assembly by April 1, 2010.

Protecting air quality
North Carolina experienced its lowest ozone levels since state-monitoring of air quality began in the early 1970s, due to weather patterns and declining emissions from industries and automobiles, state air quality officials say. North Carolina had only six days in 2009 when ozone levels exceeded the eight-hour standard of 0.075 parts per million. The previous lowest year was 2004, when 27 days exceeded the same standard for ozone levels. The low ozone levels can be attributed to the state’s stronger air quality initiatives as well as people driving less and carpooling more. Ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, is unhealthy to breathe and damages trees and crops.

North Carolina submitted recommendations in March for areas that appear not to be meeting the new ozone standard adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2008. The recommendations propose that EPA designated non-attainment areas for 24 counties and parts of 17 others. However, EPA has postponed the designation process while reconsidering adoption of a more stringent ozone standard.

Sustainability, pollution prevention, recycling and energy efficiency
Plastic bottles, oil filters and wooden pallets were banned from disposal in North Carolina landfills starting Oct. 1. The recycling of all three materials will help create jobs, conserve resources and reduce the amount of space needed for these materials in solid waste landfills. The Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance prepared North Carolinians by training local government recycling programs, communicating to businesses and institutions statewide, and conducting events to raise awareness about the bans. The bans have only been in place a few months, but already local governments are reporting increases in the recycling of the banned materials.

The N.C. Zoo in Asheboro opened a Constructed Wetlands Exhibit. The exhibit features wooden boardwalks over a lake with numerous native water plants. It filters stormwater runoff from the nearby North America parking area and educates visitors about how important wetlands preservation is to the protection of the environment.

Ground was broken in Raleigh this week on the office building portion of the Green Square Complex, which will bring together many of the state’s environmental offices and a Nature Research Center with learning opportunities focused on scientific research. The complex, scheduled for completion in 2011, will serve as a model of environmental and cost-efficiency, as officials have designed the complex to be state government’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified building in downtown Raleigh. A $4 million grant from the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation will fund the Daily Planet, a three-story multimedia program area in the Nature Research Center.

Emergency response, preparedness
In June, state agencies participated in North Carolina’s first training involving multiple agencies’ ability to move resources such as food and emergency crews in and out of the state after a major disaster. The four-day exercise in Winston-Salem involved about 600 people from state and local emergency response agencies such as the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and the U.S. Army National Guard.

A district ranger with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources was honored by the National Fire Protection Association for his efforts to reduce the loss of lives, property and resources from wildfires. Mike Hardison, a district ranger in Whiteville, won a local level 2009 Firewise Leadership Award. Firewise is a national program aimed at educating people about how to protect their communities from wildfires. The division has helped 16 North Carolina communities join the Firewise program.

Environmental education and outreach
The state parks system put in place a full-service, Internet- and call center-based reservations system for its nearly 3,000 campsites as well as picnic shelters, community buildings, conference rooms and auditoriums. The reservations system has been the most requested amenity in recent years by visitors to the state parks. Beyond helping residents plan visits to state parks, the system provides valuable information about visitor demographics and preferences.

The Division of Soil and Water Conservation helped put on the 2009 Canon Envirothon, the world’s largest high school environmental science competition. Professional staff, volunteers, mentors and parents from the United States and Canada came to UNC-Asheville in August to support 54 participating teams. Students competed in soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues. North Carolina’s team, The Sequoias, took second place.

Some DENR attractions saw increased attendance. The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences welcomed 750,000 visitors in 2009, making it the most-visited museum and the No. 1 field trip attraction in the state. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher saw a 16 percent increase in attendance from June to August after opening the albino alligator exhibit. The North Carolina Zoo set an attendance record for Easter Saturday with 10,681 visitors. The previous record of 10,437 was in 1995.

The Office of Environmental Education published a comprehensive guide to the state’s environmental education centers. The Guide to Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina is at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/eecenters.htm. It profiles more than 180 facilities that provide environmental education learning opportunities for the public. The centers include state-owned facilities and federal, local and nonprofit parks, visitor centers, nature centers and museums.

The state Ecosystem Enhancement Program worked with staff from the internationally syndicated television show “Aqua Kids” for the second straight year. The show showcases water quality protection efforts in the Tar Heel State. Program staff worked with “Aqua Kids” in Alleghany County to film segments on stream restoration and mountain stream ecology at Roaring River in Stone Mountain State Park, and on mountain bog ecosystems and the endangered bog turtle in Sparta. The shows are set to run in early 2010 on cable systems statewide.

In May, the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island broke ground on a new educational ocean fishing pier, Jennette’s Pier. The pier is one of three proposed new hurricane-resistant concrete structures, one near each of the three North Carolina aquariums. All three piers will provide family-oriented educational sites from which aquarium staff can conduct programs such as recreational fishing and do research.

More than 100 teachers and environmental educators attended North Carolina’s first Outdoor Classroom Symposium at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, thanks to hard work from department staff from the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, the state Office of Environmental Education and their partners. The symposium focused on techniques for creating, maintaining and using outdoor classrooms and integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum.

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Ground broken on office building for Green Square Complex

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – Ground was broken today in Raleigh on the office building that will serve as the main headquarters for the state’s environmental offices.

The Green Square Complex includes an office building that will house several agencies in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as a Nature Research Center aimed at providing children and adults with experiential learning opportunities focused on scientific research. The complex will serve as a model of environmental and cost-efficiency, as officials have designed the complex to be state government’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified building in downtown Raleigh.

“We’re excited about what Green Square will offer the people of North Carolina,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “The complex will make it easier for people to access our department, serve as a model for environmental design and become a place where all North Carolinians can learn firsthand about science.”

The complex, which will occupy two square blocks along Jones Street, is scheduled for completion in 2011. The complex will house the office of the department’s secretary and its administrative offices as well as the offices of Environmental Education and Natural Resource Planning and Conservation, the Customer Service Center, Information Technology Services, and the divisions of Air Quality, Parks and Recreation, Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance and Waste Management. The department’s other agencies will be housed in the nearby Archdale Building, where many DENR offices are now.

The office building will be attached by a walking bridge to the Nature Research Center, a wing of the current N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. The Nature Research Center will feature live presentations, interactive exhibits and hands-on laboratories. Construction on the Nature Research Center is set to begin next year.

Among its “green” features, the majority of the complex will have light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting fixtures with occupancy sensors and daylight dimmers so the building will rely upon natural lighting and use far less electricity. Also, Green Square will be constructed with cisterns and stormwater detention pipes so rain water can be reused to flush toilets and irrigate plants. Native and adaptive plants will be grown on the roofs and will cool the buildings and the surrounding environment.

Since fall 2007, architectural designs have been completed and three buildings have been demolished to make way for the complex. Almost all of the materials from the demolition will be reused or recycled in the Green Square Complex or other places. Also, construction has nearly been completed on an underground parking deck. To see the latest on Green Square’s progress, please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/greensquare/home.

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State Parks Reservations System Prepared For 2010

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - More than 1,300 reservations have already been made for 2010 for campsites, picnic shelters and other facilities in North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The state parks system implemented a full-service Internet- and call center-based reservations system in July, which allows reservations to be made up to 11 months in advance at any park. The length of stay at a campsite can range from one night to two weeks.

The reservations system will allow popular state recreation areas at Kerr, Jordan and Falls lakes to avoid what was once a January rush for reservations. Under the old system, the more than 2,000 campsites at those parks could only be rented for one week and by paying in person at the parks or by mail.

“In the past, visitors wanting to reserve a week’s camping for the summer often lined up in their cars on Jan. 1 to get their choice of a campsite at these state recreation areas. It was stressful for the visitors and our staff,” said Mike Lambert, state parks chief of operations. “They now have the luxury of studying their options on our Web site or by talking to specialists in our call center any day.”

Questions about the reservations system can be directed to specialists at the call center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Specific details and instructions on how to reserve a campsite or other facility also can be found on the parks system’s Web site.

Advance reservations aren’t required for a campsite or picnic shelter at a state park if the facility is available, and at many parks, some campsites are set aside for walk-in registration. Without an advance reservation, most available campsites and picnic shelters are on a first come, first served basis as in the past.

There are 38 state parks and state recreation areas in the state parks system, with 12.8 million visitors reported in 2008.

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Public Hearing Set On Air Permit Renewal For Duke Power Plant

Tom Mather

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Air Quality has scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 14 on the renewal of the air quality permit for the Duke Cliffside power plant in Rutherford County.

Duke Energy Carolinas has applied for the air permit renewal to continue operating its coal-fired boilers and associated pollution control equipment at the Cliffside Steam Station, 573 Duke Power Road, in Rutherford County. Duke has operated power plants at this site since the early 1940s.

The public hearing will be held from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 14 at Chase High School, 1603 Chase High Road, Forest City. Individuals may register to speak at the hearing and/or submit written comments. Participants will be allowed to speak up to three minutes, but the hearing officer will have discretion to reduce speaking times if it is necessary to accommodate the number of speakers.

Participants also may submit written comments at the hearing or send them to DAQ, postmarked no later than Jan. 22. Written comments should be mailed to Donald van der Vaart, NC Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641, or e-mailed to donald.vandervaart@ncdenr.gov

The permit renewal concerns all of the air emissions sources at Cliffside, including the existing Units 1-5 and the new Unit 6 Duke is now constructing at the site. DAQ issued a permit for Unit 6 in January 2008 and has held three public hearings on that facility, which is scheduled to begin operating in 2012.

Under the permit, Duke must demonstrate that it can comply with state and federal rules for controlling particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, visible emissions, volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. The plant would use various air pollution control devices, including a wet scrubber, electrostatic precipitators and a selective catalytic reduction system. Other permit conditions require the facility operators to:

• Monitor air pollution control equipment.
• Conduct periodic stack testing of emissions from recovery furnaces and boilers annually.
• Operate continuous emission monitors for nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and visible emissions.

The permit may be viewed online at http://daq.state.nc.us/cgi-bin/perm_draftrev.cgi or at the following locations: DAQ Asheville Regional Office, 2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa. The office phone number is (828) 296-4500. It may also be seen at the division’s central office in the permits section, Parker Lincoln Building, 2728 Capital Blvd., Raleigh. The central office’s phone number is (919) 715-6255.

By law, the DAQ must review permits for compliance with air quality regulations. The division has no authority over zoning, land use or where a company decides to locate a facility. Local governments are responsible for regulating land use. More information about other air quality issues can be found at the DAQ Web site.

State Program Expanding To Help Businesses Go Green

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH - In an effort to reach more facilities and reduce overall negative environmental impacts, the N.C. Environmental Stewardship Initiative is offering a two-year pilot program for businesses, institutions and government agencies that are not typically regulated by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

For purposes of this pilot program, facilities that have only stormwater permits, active Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Identification numbers, or are subject to landfill bans and other local ordinances are considered non-regulated.

DENR's Environmental Stewardship Initiative is a voluntary program designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance by North Carolina’s regulated community. The program seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits. The ESI provides benefits and technical assistance to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and exceed regulatory requirements. For more information about the program, visit http://www.p2pays.org/esi/.

Participants in this pilot program will be expected to make a commitment to continuous environmental improvement, participate in training and networking opportunities, and report annually on progress made toward at least two measureable goals.

“ESI members have made impressive environmental reductions over the years, resulting in more than $30 million in savings," said DENR Secretary Dee Freeman. "We wanted to be able to reach out to more businesses in North Carolina to help them become more sustainable and stay competitive in today’s economy.”

ESI wants to recruit facilities that are willing to lead and provide input into the development and implementation of the program. In return, participants will be offered free technical assistance, including water, waste and energy assessments and the opportunity for networking with and being mentored by ESI members from the regulated community. Participants in this pilot program will be instrumental in creating a sustainable structure for a potential statewide program.

For more information or to apply, go to www.p2pays.org/esi/PilotProgram.asp or contact Stacy Givens at (919) 715-6534.

DROUGHT OFFICIALS: CONDITIONS NORMAL FOR FIRST TIME IN ALMOST THREE YEARS

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – No county in the Tar Heel State is experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions for the first time in nearly three years, according to Thursday’s map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The last time North Carolina experienced normal conditions was Jan. 30, 2007.

A copy of the drought map, which can be found at www.ncdrought.org, shows a plain depiction of North Carolina. During most of the past three years, parts of the state have been color coded on the drought map, indicating conditions that ranged from abnormally dry to exceptional drought.

The state experienced its worst drought on record in the summer, fall and winter of 2007.

North Carolina has seen great improvements since then, as above average rainfall helped replenish streams, rivers and reservoirs to normal and above-normal levels. The past month has been unusually wet across North Carolina, with many locations experiencing record-setting rainfall amounts. Based on preliminary data from the state climatologist at N.C. State University, the one-month period ending Dec. 9 was the wettest for this time of the year for many areas. Those areas include Asheville, Chapel Hill, Durham, Elizabethtown, Greensboro, Hickory, Kinston, Lewiston, New Bern, Plymouth, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Whiteville, Wilkesboro and Wilmington.

The last counties moving from abnormally dry conditions to normal conditions this week are in the Sandhills region, where the groundwater table began the upward seasonal swing later in the season compared to wells in other parts of the state.

North Carolinians remain mindful of the importance of conserving water whenever possible. As of Thursday, 3.64 million people, or 51 percent of the people who receive water from public systems the state tracks, are subject to voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions. For more information on water conservation, see the state’s official Web site devoted to the topic, www.savewaternc.org.

To see the recent drought history, go to
http://www.ncwater.org/Drought_Monitoring/dmhistory/?startdate=2006-11-07&enddate=2009-12-08&label=false.

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PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED AT CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation will conduct a prescribed burn at Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County between Jan. 22 and Feb. 2, according to Larry Hyde, the park's superintendent.

The burn will be conducted in the summit area of the Crowders Mountain as weather permits, and some areas of the park will be closed to the public during the event.

Prescribed burns are used as a resource management tool by the state parks system. Some plant communities and animal species rely on periodic fire for their existence. For thousands of years, lightning ignited the fires necessary to maintain the habitats of these species. But in the last century, fire suppression, road construction and development have disrupted the natural fire cycles.

The prescribed burn will also reduce the amount of potential wildfire fuel in an area on Crowders Mountain where lightning strikes and wildfires have been prevalent. The prescribed burn will help protect the park’s resources and neighboring landowners if lightning, arson or carelessness spark a wildfire.

The low-intensity, prescribed burn will be conducted in cooperation with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources. In order to minimize smoke and assure the fire is properly managed, the prescribed burn will only be carried out under strictly defined weather conditions of a fire management plan.

On the selected day, the burn will likely begin in the late morning and will end by late afternoon. Follow-up operations could last for several days or possibly weeks. Until the park staff determines the area is safe for visitors, all areas on or around Kings Pinnacle will be closed, including the Sparrow Springs Access Area and visitor center, Pinnacle, Turnback, Fern and Lake trails, the portions of the Crowders Trail west of Sparrow Springs Road and the portions of the Ridgeline Trail north of Pinnacle Road.

For further information, call the park office at (704) 853-5375.

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N.C. COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO HOLD DEC. 16 PUBLIC MEETING ON TERMINAL GROIN FEASIBILITY STUDY

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will hear public comments regarding its study of the feasibility and advisability of using terminal groins at North Carolina inlets during a Dec. 16 meeting at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall, 102 Town Hall Drive, Kill Devil Hills. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m.

The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and the General Assembly by April 1, 2010. The Environmental Review Commission is a joint legislative study committee.

The CRC has contracted the engineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol to conduct the study.

The bill directs the CRC to consider the following:

Scientific data regarding the effectiveness of terminal groins constructed in North Carolina and other states in controlling erosion. Such data will include consideration of the effect of terminal groins on adjacent areas of the coastline.
Scientific data regarding the impact of terminal groins on the environment and natural wildlife habitats.
Information regarding the engineering techniques used to construct terminal groins, including technological advances and techniques that minimize the impact on adjacent shorelines.
Information regarding the current and projected economic impact to the state, local governments and the private sector from erosion caused by shifting inlets, including loss of property, public infrastructure and tax base.
Information regarding the public and private monetary costs of the construction and maintenance of terminal groins.
Whether the potential use of terminal groins should be limited to navigable, dredged inlet channels.

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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS SOUGHT ON HAW RIVER STATE PARK MASTER PLAN

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – An additional public comment period through Dec. 18 has been established on a proposed master plan for Haw River State Park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The additional comment period follows a public meeting, in which details of the plan were presented, and revisions made to the plan by Swanson and Associates P.A., a Carrboro-based landscape architecture firm responsible for completing the plan. A state park’s master plan is essentially a blueprint for long-term development of facilities and recreation opportunities and a guide for protection of natural resources.

The N.C. General Assembly authorized Haw River State Park in 2003. It now encompasses 1,334 acres, including the 200-acre campus of The Summit, formerly operated by the Episcopal Diocese, and which now operates as an environmental education, conference and training center.

The revised plan can be reviewed at the division’s Web site (www.ncparks.gov) by navigating to the Haw River State Park home page. Comments can be directed to dpr.masterplancomments@ncdenr.gov or mailed to: Haw River State Park Master Planning, N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, 1615 MSC, Raleigh, NC, 27699.

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Public hearing scheduled in January on draft permit for composting facility

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State officials have scheduled a Jan. 7 public hearing and comment period on whether to renew a Mecklenburg County composting facility’s operating permit.

Wallace Farm is seeking to renew its state permit to operate a large, type three composting facility at its 14410 Eastfield Road, Huntersville location. A large, type three permit allows for the composting of manure, post-consumer food waste, other source separated specialty wastes and yard waste such as grass and leaves. Such permits are valid for five years.

The N.C. Division of Waste Management, the state agency responsible for issuing the permit, scheduled the public hearing for 7 p.m. Jan. 7 in the North Mecklenburg High School auditorium, 11201 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville.

In August, the state Division of Waste Management reached an agreement with Wallace Farm that sought to reduce or eliminate strong odors coming from the composting facility. The settlement agreement called for an immediate change in Wallace Farm’s operational practices and the elimination of one waste stream and the possibility that other waste streams be removed if the odors recur or persist.

The terms of the settlement agreement will continue as long as Wallace Farm continues operating a large, type three composting facility at the site. Also, the draft permit being considered for renewal includes the operational requirements outlined in the settlement agreement.

Staff with the state Division of Waste Management will be at the public hearing. People will be given an opportunity to speak at the hearing. Also, people have until Feb. 8 to send written comments to Michael Scott, an environmental program supervisor with the state agency, at Michael.Scott@ncdenr.gov or Michael Scott, N.C. Division of Waste Management, 1646 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1646.

Staff with the state Division of Waste Management will consider verbal and written comments before deciding whether to grant the permit.

To view a copy of the draft permit online, go to the division’s Web site, www.wastenotnc.org, and click on “Wallace Farm Draft Permit” under the Quick Links heading.

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STATE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE THREE WINNERS OF STATEWIDE RADON POSTER CONTEST

Laura Leonard

Raleigh – North Carolina officials today announced the winners of the third-annual statewide radon poster contest at an awards ceremony at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.

First-place winner, Maya Gouw, is in eighth grade at Carrington Middle School in Durham. Second place winner, Melissa Moreno, is an eighth grade student at Guilford Middle School in Greensboro. The third-place winner, Erica Perine, is an eighth grade student at The Academy at Lincoln in Greensboro.

Students recognized with an honorable mention are:

§ Alejandra Luna, a seventh grader at Neal Middle School in Durham

§ Andre Jimenez, an eighth grader at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem

§ Nick Boyles, an eighth grader at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem

§ Conor Britton, a seventh grader at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School in Asheville

§ Rachel Utz, an eighth grader at Rainbow Mountain Children’s School in Asheville

§ Jessica Gleaves, a seventh grader at Reid Ross Classical School in Fayetteville.

All winners and honorable mention recipients will receive a cash prize. The winning entries from Gouw, Moreno and Perine will be entered in to the National Radon Poster Contest. Winners of the national contest will be announced by Jan. 1, 2010. Later today, you can find photographs of the winners at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pressimages.htm.

“The interest and creativity that these students have demonstrated regarding radon gas awareness and education is astounding,” said Terry L. Pierce, director of the N.C. Division of Environmental Health, which houses the state’s Radon Program. “I congratulate them on their achievement, as well as the more than 205 other students who submitted posters. The goal of this contest was to generate increased interest in science, as well as motivate students to take action regarding the harmful effects of radon gas.”

The statewide Radon Poster Contest was held for students between nine and 14, and the winning entries were submitted for the National Radon Poster Contest, which is sponsored by the National Safety Council in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency. The contest’s purpose is to raise awareness about the harmful effects of elevated levels of indoor radon gas and to increase the number of homes tested for radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the decay of radium in the soil, rock and water. It can get into the air of buildings, offices, schools and homes, and become trapped. Radon is a carcinogen that is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Testing of a home is the only way to determine the level of risk from radon exposure. Testing is easy and inexpensive. Test kits can be purchased from home improvement stores or online, and prices range from $10 to $20. Testing usually takes between three days and seven days, with only a few minutes to set up the kit. You can test your home yourself or you can consult with a certified radon tester.

The geology of North Carolina suggests many areas could have elevated indoor radon levels, especially in the Piedmont and mountains. Based on a state survey, 6.7 percent, or 1 out of 15 homes, have radon levels exceeding the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.

Radon decays into radioactive materials that can become trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As these materials break down, they emit alpha particles, which are radioactive and can cause damage to the delicate tissue in your lungs. This damage can lead to lung cancer.

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REDUCE HOLIDAY WASTE AND HAVE A GREEN HOLIDAY SEASON

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH – With the holiday season upon us, the Recycle Guys (www.recycleguys.org) hope that North Carolinians will do their part to ensure family celebrations are safe, happy and not harmful to the environment. Studies show holiday preparations, including gift giving, holiday decorations and food preparation, increase the nation’s trash by an extra 1 million tons per week during the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The following tips will help consumers reduce waste and care for the environment while enjoying the merriment of the holiday season.

Don’t let the “Grease Goblin” (http://www.p2pays.org/ref/13/12327.pdf) spoil your holiday fun. With deep-fried turkey fast becoming a Southern tradition, the proper disposal of deep-fryer oil is essential. Be sure to pour or scrape the oil into cans or bottles and apply lids. A number of municipalities in North Carolina have collection programs for residential fryer oil. Contact your trash collection provider for the availability of services.
Give home-baked goodies in reusable containers like baskets, tins or jars. Or give non-materialistic “green” gifts that do not require wrapping, such as gift certificates for massages, to restaurants, cooking classes, sailing lessons, etc.
Use decorative, reusable boxes and bags for gift giving instead of wrapping paper. If you must wrap, use comics, old calendars or fabric. After unwrapping, save the ribbons, bows and decorative wrappings for future use.
Use reusable plates, cups and silverware instead of disposable ones.
If a tree is part of your celebration, buy one that can be replanted in your yard. If you can’t replant your tree, compost it after the holidays along with wreaths and other live decorations. Contact your local recycling office (find yours at http://www.p2pays.org/payt/ncwaste.asp) to find out how.

Staying green during the holiday season involves more than trees, gifts and wrapping paper. Other ways to help the environment during the holidays include:

Use LED holiday lights. They use about 99 percent less energy than larger, traditional holiday bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors.
Avoid placing food scraps such as turkey bones, potato peels and celery down the drain. Potato peels swell when wet, blocking the drain, and celery strands can jam the blades of in-sink garbage disposals. Instead, use a backyard compost bin to convert vegetable scraps into compost.
Defrost frozen items in the refrigerator, not under running water.
Purchase rechargeable batteries.
Call toll-free numbers on unwanted holiday catalogs and have your name taken off their mailing list.

For additional tips on reducing holiday waste, please visit the Recycle Guys’ Web site at: http://www.recycleguys.org/generalholidaywaste.html.

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STATE OFFICIALS DISTRIBUTE BLOOD LEAD TESTING SUMMARY REPORTS

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – North Carolina environmental health officials have distributed updated blood lead testing summary reports to 641 health care providers indicating the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children tested at their practice.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program developed these reports for providers to encourage increased blood lead testing among Medicaid-enrolled children.

“The best way to minimize harm is to identify children exposed to lead and have them tested when they are young,” said Terry Pierce, director of the Division of Environmental Health. “Comparing statewide Medicaid encounter data to blood lead testing data reported to the program showed that 77.6 percent of Medicaid children received a blood lead test in 2008 from their physician as part of their annual HealthCheck visit.”

Pierce added that there were 21 counties in which more than 90 percent of the one- and two-year-old Medicaid children were tested compared to only eight in 2007. In addition, 90 out of 100 counties increased their Medicaid blood lead testing rate in 2008. However, 31,306 children statewide do not have evidence of receiving the appropriate testing.

Federal policy requires children enrolled in Medicaid to receive a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months of age and between three and five years of age if the child has not been previously tested. Testing is required regardless of the presence or absence of recognized lead exposure risks.

This report was generated using Medicaid encounter data and blood lead testing data reported to the CLPP program by laboratories. The N.C. State Center for Health Statistics then matched and analyzed children’s records from these two databases.

The reports include a comparison of rates with other providers within the same county. The reports also indicate the number of one- and two-year-old Medicaid children seen by the provider compared with the number of children actually tested. Pierce added that the top priority is prevention.

“When a child is found to have an elevated blood lead level, it is important to visit the child’s home to identify the source of exposure and recommend methods to make the home lead safe,” he said.

Children are exposed to lead primarily through lead-based paint, which is commonly found in homes built before 1978. Although not used in homes anymore, lead-based paint can be found on toys manufactured in other countries.

Without proper precautions, disturbing lead paint allows dust to settle on toys, windowsills and floors. Children can then easily swallow bits of dust and paint chips. Children may also be exposed to lead through older vinyl mini-blinds, traditional or folk remedies, homemade ceramic ware, imported candies, toys and jewelry.

Lead may cause a range of health effects in children from impaired growth, behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death. Children under six years old are at greatest risk because their brains are still developing and hand-to-mouth activity is the major route of exposure.

For more information, contact Ed Norman, N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program manager, at (919) 715-3293 or ed.norman@ncdenr.gov. # # #

PUBLIC MEETINGS ON N.C NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SCHEDULED

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will hold two public meetings this month to receive comments on the operation and management of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The federal agency is holding the meetings in conjunction with its periodic review of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve and its four sites: Currituck Banks on the Outer Banks, Rachel Carson near Beaufort, and Masonboro Island and Zeke’s Island near Wilmington.

Each meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The schedule follows:

Dec. 8 – UNC-Wilmington, Center for Marine Science Auditorium, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington.
Dec. 9 – NOAA/NCNERR Administration Building Auditorium, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort.

Written comments may be sent to Gregory Gervais, NOAA/NOS/OCRM, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or via email to greg.gervais@noaa.gov, no later than Dec. 28.

For additional information, contact N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve manager Rebecca Ellin at (252) 838-0880.

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PILOT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK REPORTS SEWAGE SPILL

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County has reported a sewage spill of about 2,000 gallons, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The spill in an undeveloped area of the park near U.S. 52 has been contained, and the park staff is working to repair a failed sewer line that serves the park’s campground. The park has closed the campground and has notified the N.C. Division of Water Quality.

The spill was discovered about 8 a.m. Monday by which time effluent had traveled about 200 yards along a ditch near the highway. No surface waters were affected.

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THE COMMUNITY OF POINT HARBOR BEACH BECAME FIREWISE

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – Residents of the Point Harbor Beach community in Currituck County are celebrating becoming the state’s most recent member of a program that involves protecting communities from wildfires.

Point Harbor Beach is the 16^th North Carolina community to become Firewise. With help from state forestry officials, residents removed dried vegetation near homes, trimmed overgrown trees to enable easier access to the community for emergency vehicles and secured a grant for dry fire hydrants that could be used if a wildfire starts. Aaron Gay, the Currituck County ranger with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, helped educate residents on becoming Firewise.

“This is a diverse community of approximately 100 permanent homes and small weekend cottages on private, narrow sand roads, which is bordered by the Currituck Sound, a county park, a farm field and a residential area,” Gay said. “It is unlike other communities in that the primary fire threat is not the surrounding forests or marshes but inside the community where a fire could easily spread to structures.”

The Point Harbor Beach Community began its Firewise initiative in November 2008 by forming a task force of six interested residents, including the chairwoman Peg Bartolotta. The Division of Forest Resources, the Currituck County Fire and EMS, the Currituck County Fire Marshal, and the Lower Currituck Volunteer Fire Department conducted an assessment in March that showed there was a moderate-to-high risk of wildfire damage if a fire started in the community.

Using the assessment, the task force recommended educating homeowners about the benefits of removing yard debris and Firewise landscaping. The task force sent out literature packets, coordinated cutting back overgrown trees and shrubs along the private road network that impeded larger fire and emergency medical service vehicles, and worked with the Lower Currituck Volunteer Fire Department to secure a grant for the installation of the dry hydrants. The hydrants are expected to be installed soon. Residents have volunteered almost 300 hours.

About 50 residents from the Point Harbor Beach community in Currituck County gathered at their annual oyster roast to celebrate becoming a Firewise community last weekend. To honor them, Mike Petruncio, the district ranger with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, presented the property owners association with a plaque and two commemorative road signs.

“Getting this community to be Firewise was a team effort,” Gay said. “It included everyone from division personnel such as Gary Wood, John Willis and Mike Petruncio to the Currituck Fire Marshal James Mims, the Lower Currituck Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Moseman to the Point Harbor Beach Community task force and residents.”

Future plans include additional grants for reflective address markers, constructing a gated emergency entrance, establishing a dedicated cleanup week and free confidential home assessments.

The Firewise program provides homeowners with knowledge needed to minimize damage from a wildfire if no fire suppression resources are present. Typically, a county forest ranger will help communities develop a plan for eliminating or reducing fire hazards and creating a survivable space around homes. For more information, go to www.ncfirewise.org or call Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

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State encouraged by improving groundwater levels in eastern N.C.

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State officials are encouraged by evidence that groundwater levels in eastern North Carolina are improving dramatically for the first time in years due to the efforts of a local water and sewer authority.

Groundwater levels in a 15-county area of the central coastal plain have been declining for years because many public water systems have depended upon deep aquifers that were losing water faster than they could be replenished. State law now requires public water systems in the region to reduce their reliance upon the aquifers because overuse of the diminishing water source was damaging the aquifers' capability to provide water.

As such, the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority started operating a water treatment plant and intake facility last fall to draw water supplies from the Neuse River and supplement the water the members of the regional authority were taking from the aquifers.

The water treatment plant and intake facility required an investment of more than $140 million and serves the eight members of the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority – Ayden, Pink Hill, Grifton, Kinston, the Deep Run Water Corporation, North Lenoir Water Corporation, Eastern Pines Water Corporation and Bell Arthur Water Corporation. Those communities now rely mostly upon the water they receive from the Neuse River, thanks to the new facility.

Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources who regulate groundwater withdrawals in the 15-county Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area say water levels in monitoring wells in the region have risen by as much as 23 feet since the new water treatment plant and intake facility started operating last fall.

“What’s impressed us is that these water levels had been falling for decades and now we’ve started to see them rise,” said Tom Reeder, director of the N.C. Division of Water Resources. “This is good news since we’ve seen no major water users leaving the area or anything other than the new plant and intake facility to explain why water levels have risen so much.”

The state Division of Water Resources has been tracking declining groundwater levels in the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area since rules took effect in 2002 regulating the use of groundwater. Aside from depleting an important water resource, the declining groundwater levels can result in saltwater encroachment, making it far more expensive for public water systems to treat. To learn about the Coastal Plain Central Capacity Use Area, go to http://www.ncwater.org/Permits_and_Registration/Capacity_Use/Central_Coastal_Plain/.

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TIPS FOR A SAFE THANKSGIVING FEAST

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH — State health officials are reminding North Carolinians to be safe during the holidays by taking precautions while preparing meals for Thanksgiving and other holiday feasts.

“It is time to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, but improper food preparation can put a damper on festive times,” said Larry Michael, head of the Food Protection Branch in the state Division of Environmental Health. “Holiday food preparation often involves cooking special foods and cooking for large numbers of people, so it is important to keep food safety in mind.”

The following tips will help keep your food safe as well as delicious:

Clean — Wash your hands and cutting surfaces with soap and water often. Clean your food thermometer after using it. Bacteria can spread from knives, cutting boards and hands. Use paper towels to clean countertops rather than sponges.
Separate — Separate raw and cooked/ready-to-eat foods to prevent the spread of bacteria during preparation and serving. If you have used a cutting board, platter or utensil on raw food, do not use it on cooked or ready-to-eat food unless you have first washed it in hot, soapy water.

· Cook — Cooking foods to a high enough temperature for a long enough time will kill harmful bacteria and prevent food-borne illness especially for raw meats, poultry and shellfish. Use a food thermometer when cooking meats and poultry to ensure they reach proper temperatures. Never partially cook food for finishing later because it may increase the risk of bacterial growth. Turkey needs to be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Casseroles containing eggs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F. Letting food temperatures drop below 135 F can allow bacteria to grow rapidly.

· Chill — Refrigerate foods within two hours; this will prevent bacteria from growing rapidly. This includes meats, cooked vegetables, custard pies such as sweet potato or pumpkin, and custard filled cakes and pastries. Refrigerators should be set at 40 F and freezers at zero degrees. Large portions of meat, such as turkey, should be carved into smaller portions in order to cool more rapidly. Portions will cool quickly if they are not thicker than four inches.

· Discard— Food left out at room temperature for more than four hours should be discarded. Leftovers should be placed in shallow containers and refrigerated immediately.

Other holiday cooking tips include:

If preparing pumpkin, sweet potato or other custard pies in advance, make sure they are cooled and stored properly (See “Chill” above).
Do not partially cook food and hold food items for cooking later.
Store food items appropriately as soon as possible.
Do not eat raw cookie dough or batter made with raw eggs as raw eggs may contain bacteria that cause salmonellosis. Thorough cooking kills this bacteria.
Do not drink eggnog made with raw eggs or unpasteurized cider or juices.
If you are ill with sore throat, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, do not prepare food as you may have a disease that can be transmitted through food.

Turkey Tips

Thawing and storing – Buying a fresh or frozen turkey is a personal preference, and there are different safety tips to keep in mind for each. Buy a fresh turkey no more than two days ahead of time and make sure you have space in

the refrigerator to store it without contaminating other food with the juices from the bird. If you choose to buy a frozen turkey, defrost it in the refrigerator, allowing 24 hours for every five pounds. When storing and defrosting a turkey in the refrigerator, always make sure the juices cannot contaminate other items by placing it on a platter or in a container that will catch any juices that may leak. Never defrost it on the kitchen counter. A securely wrapped frozen turkey can also be thawed in cold water, but be sure to change the water every 30 minutes and cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.

Cooking – Thawing a turkey completely before cooking is important. If it’s not thawed, the outside of the turkey will be done before the inside is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria. The safest way to cook stuffing is separately from the turkey, but remember a stuffed turkey will require different cooking times. Regardless of whether it’s inside or outside the turkey, however, the stuffing must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 F when measured in the center with a food thermometer.

If you develop symptoms of food-borne illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever, contact your health care provider or local health department. Very young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of developing serious illness, and should visit a health care provider immediately if they develop these symptoms.

From other questions, the following hotlines are ready to answer questions:

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (800) 674-4555 www.fsis.usda.gov

Butterball Turkey Hotline (800) 288-8372 www.butterball.com

Empire Kosher Poultry Hotline (800) 367-4734 www.empirekosher.com

Foster Farms Turkey Help Line (800) 255-7227 www.fosterfarms.com

HoneySuckle White Turkey (800) 810-6325 www.honeysucklewhite.com

Reynolds Turkey Tip Line (800) 745-4000 www.reynoldskitchens.com

For general food safety questions contact the following:

FDA Hotline (888) 723-3366 www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm188807.htm

Food Safety www.foodsafety.gov

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COASTAL HAZARDS SCIENCE PANEL TO DISCUSS TERMINAL GROINS AT DEC. 1 MEETING IN RALEIGH

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The state Science Panel on Coastal Hazards will meet Dec. 1 in Raleigh to discuss the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s study of the feasibility of terminal groins in coastal North Carolina.

The panel, which provides scientific advice to the CRC, will meet at 10 a.m. at the N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education, 1101 Gorman St., Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.

The CRC has asked the science panel to serve as a peer review group for the study, which has been contracted to the engineering firm of Moffatt and Nichol.

During this meeting, the science panel will discuss the methodology that will be used for major portions of the study, including an analysis of the effectiveness and impacts of terminal groins; potential environmental impacts; potential economic impacts; and the geologic framework of North Carolina inlets.

The CRC, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting the study on the use of terminal groins as erosion control devices, as mandated by Session Law 2009-479.

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member science panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists.

For more information on the terminal groin study, please visit the study Web site at http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/CRC/tgs/terminal%20groin%20study.html.

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District forest ranger wins award from national fire agency

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH – A district ranger with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources has received an award from the National Fire Protection Association for his efforts to protect people and property from wildfires.

Mike Hardison, a district ranger in Whiteville, won a local level 2009 Firewise Leadership Award from the national association. Firewise is a national program aimed at educating people about how to protect their communities from wildfires.

“The efforts at educating the public to mitigate wildfire hazards around their homes and communities are an integral part of the jobs of all employees with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources,” said Gary C. Wood, who coordinates the Firewise program for the N.C. Division of Forest Resources. “The work by Mike Hardison to educate and assist local NCDFR personnel, residents, community leaders and fire service personnel on the Firewise program and concepts will allow for better protection of property from the losses and risk of wildfires.”

Hardison won for his work with residents of River Run Plantation and St. James Plantation. Hardison helped residents develop plans to reduce wildfire hazards by removing downed timber and developing better access for emergency vehicles to the communities.

The state ranks fifth in the nation in the number of homes in the areas where homes are built close to or within forested areas. More than 1,400 North Carolina communities are considered to be at risk from wildfire.

The recipients of the awards were selected based on the impacts their work had at local, state and regional levels. The winners included people who encouraged homeowners to practice the Firewise strategies on their property and others who educated children about wildfire safety or enhanced emergency response coordination. The awards also recognize the most significant local efforts in forwarding the mission of NFPA’s National Firewise Communities Program.

“The people and programs being honored this year are responsible for saving lives and property all across the country,” said Firewise Communities Program Director Michele Steinberg. “Citizens are better protected, and they and their property are more prepared to survive a wildfire due to our winners’ proactive actions and guidance.”

“The national Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters and others. The program is managed by the National Fire Protection Association and sponsored by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a consortium of wildfire fighting agencies. For more information, visit www.firewise.org.

Winners came from Texas, Washington, Arkansas, Alaska, North Carolina, Montana and Idaho.

For more information, call Brian R. Haines, public information officer at (919) 857-4828.

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STATE AGENCY LOOKING TO HELP SCHOOLS, OTHERS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Lori Brinn

RALEIGH – A state and federal cooperative program is requesting proposals from schools and other groups that need grant funds to assist in projects that benefit the environment in parts of North Carolina and Virginia.

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, or APNEP, is seeking proposals for amounts up to $20,000 per project. Grants will be awarded by APNEP, which protects water quality and other natural resources in a 36-county area of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and institutions in the APNEP region are eligible to apply for grant money.

“We’ve had very successful projects in partnerships with schools and local communities to address environmental issues and provide learning opportunities,” said APNEP Director Bill Crowell. “It’s a win-win opportunity for our youth, the community and the environment.”

The projects must have a direct environmental benefit and occur on public lands in the APNEP region. They also must have a constructed component or vegetative planting on-site, feature a strong public outreach or education element, allow for permanent public access and have methods that may be applied in other locations. Past projects included outdoor classrooms, nature trails, rain gardens, green roofs and schoolyard wetlands.

Each project may receive up to $20,000 in funding from APNEP. The APNEP Citizen’s Advisory Committee will select the proposals to be funded and determine funding amounts. Prospective grant recipients are encouraged to partner with others to leverage additional funds. The application deadline is Dec. 31. Awards will be announced in January. All awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.

The APNEP region includes five major river basins: the Chowan, Pasquotank, Roanoke, Tar-Pamlico and Neuse river basins as well as lands that drain into Core and Bogue sounds. The estuarine system comprised by these basins was designated an "estuary of national significance" in 1987 by the Environmental Protection Agency.

For more detailed information or to download an application, visit the APNEP Web site at http://www.apnep.org, and click on “What's New - Request for Proposals.” If you have questions about the application or eligibility requirements, contact Lori Brinn at (919) 715-4196 or lori.brinn@ncdenr.gov.

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Local Wastewater Projects Receive Reallocated Economic Recovery Funds

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH – State officials today announced the reallocation of about $4 million in economic recovery funding to two communities for wastewater infrastructure projects as a part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards.

The new wastewater infrastructure improvement projects slated to benefit from ARRA funding – administered by the Division of Water Quality – are located in Taylorsville in Alexander County and Trinity in Randolph County. Formal award offers will be extended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources within two weeks. These funding allocations were originally earmarked for other projects but became available when final project costs were less than original estimates.

Taylorsville will receive $1,017,923 for rehabilitation and replacement of more than two miles of sewers, relining of 96 manholes and rehabilitation of the Macedonia pump station. Trinity will receive $3 million to provide sewer service to homes with failing septic systems.

Project awards are not final until the Local Government Commission approves the recipient’s financial qualifications – which has occurred for these two communities—and all ARRA and other federal requirements have been met. Funds will be awarded as 50 percent zero-interest loans and 50 percent principal forgiveness loans. In accordance with ARRA requirements, priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.

The Division of Water Quality’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program received a grant of $70.7 million to fund wastewater system improvements throughout the state. First-round project awards – made on April 24 – were awarded to 39 communities and totaled nearly $45.9 million. Second-round project awards totaling $21.3 million were made on July 20 and went to 12 communities for wastewater and stormwater projects. Two additional projects totaling $3.79 million were awarded in September from funding reallocated from earlier project awards.

For additional information on wastewater infrastructure project funding and criteria – along with other types of economic recovery projects administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home. Information about federal recovery funding throughout North Carolina can be found at www.ncrecovery.gov.

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N.C. Division of Forest Resources is Asking for Your Help With Cedar Seeds

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Forest Resources wants people to help the state's population of Eastern and Southern Red Cedars by allowing state forestry officials to gather seedlings on their property.

State forestry officials say there is a shortage of red cedar seeds needed to grow a healthy crop of the trees at its Goldsboro nursery. Forestry officials say they would prefer cedar seeds come from property on the state’s coastal plain.

The Eastern Red Cedar, also called red juniper or savin, is actually a juniper and is the most widely distributed native conifer in the Eastern United States because it can grow in a variety of climate and soil conditions. It is found in every state in the Eastern United States with a range that extends as far north as Ontario and Quebec. The Eastern Red Cedar has commercial value in a limited market for specialty uses because of its beauty, durability and workability. It also provides cedarwood oil for fragrance compounds, food and shelter for wildlife, and protective vegetation for fragile soils.

There is also another variety of Eastern Red Cedar found on the Outer Banks. It is also known as Southern Red Cedar. The Southern Red Cedar is a more slender tree than the Eastern Red Cedar and has a higher tolerance for a saline environment. It grows on the coastal fringe from the Outer Banks to Texas. The windy and saline environment usually contorts the stems and limits the tree’s growth to the point that the tree is of little to no value as a commercial product. However, the division is collecting seeds for the Southern Red Cedar because it controls erosion and provides wildlife habitats.

If you have Eastern or Southern Red Cedar on your property, and would like to participate in this project, please contact your local county ranger to arrange for staff members with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources to collect seeds from those trees.

The seeds will be grown at the state nursery. As the seedlings grow, they will be made available to the public. To learn more, visit http://dfr.nc.gov/ or contact Brian R. Haines, the agency’s public information officer, at (919) 857-4828.

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Participate in an America Recycles Day Event Beginning This Weekend

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH - Take some time this weekend to participate in America Recycles Day, the only nationally-recognized day encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled content products.

Events are being coordinated on college campuses, military bases, churches, retail establishments, train stations and many other locations. Not only will recycling information be distributed at these events but many also include paper shredding, e-waste recycling or environmental crafts.

Find an event in your hometown – Albemarle, Asheville, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greenville, High Point, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Salisbury, Selma, Tarboro and Wilmington.

America Recycles Day in North Carolina is being coordinated by the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, along with the Carolina Recycling Association and North Carolina Keep America Beautiful.

“North Carolina Keep America Beautiful is a proud supporter of America Recycles Day and congratulates the outstanding work of its 31 affiliates in engaging North Carolinians to take greater responsibility for recycling in their communities,” said Brenda Ewadinger, NC Keep America Beautiful Executive Director.

N.C. DPPEA has a Web site for North Carolinians who wish to get detailed information about ARD events in their community: http://www.p2pays.org/ARD.html. A list of events is also shown below.

N.C. State ARD event
Friday, Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Event at the Reynolds Coliseum Carriage features e-recycling, paper shredding/recycling, recycling games, a Prius display and more.

UNC – Chapel Hill ARD event
Friday, Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Visit the Pit for opportunities to make video pledges, get your picture taken with Can Guy, learn about junk mail reduction, and participate in our swap shop.

*Asheville Green Works ARD event
Saturday, Nov. 14 & Sunday, Nov. 15, noon - 4 p.m.
Bring your children to enjoy the art of making recycled craft projects during the River Arts District Studio Stroll (357 Depot Street, Asheville).

Edgecombe County E-Waste Drive
Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m. - noon
Bring old electronics, including computer monitors and TVs, for recycling at the Edgecombe County Landfill (1601 Colonial Road, Tarboro).

Fort Bragg ARD event
Saturday, Nov. 14
Provide an education and outreach table at the North and South PX. Educate the military on where/how/what they can do to recycle plastic bottles and the QRP Incentives Program.

*New Hanover County Keep America Beautiful Recycling Booth
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Participate in a recycling booth at Halyburton Park (4099 S. 17th Street, Wilmington).

Orange County Solid Waste Shred-A-Thon
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Shred-A-Thon to recycle confidential paper at the Hampton Pointe drop-off recycling site in Hillsborough, behind Home Depot.

Raleigh Shred & Recycle Event
Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. - noon
Bring old documents for shredding and any other recyclables including household alkaline batteries to the Oak Park Shopping Center (6001 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh).

Stanly County ARD event
Saturday, Nov. 14
Bring recyclable materials such as aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard and glass to Stanly Community College (141 College Drive, Albemarle).

*Greenville and East Carolina University
Nov. 15-21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A recycle trailer will stop at different locations throughout the city of Greenville.
- Nov. 15 – Faith Assembly of God (Cory Road)
- Nov. 16 – Walmart (Greenville Blvd.)
- Nov. 17 – Best Buy (Greenville Blvd.)
- Nov. 18 – Greenville Mall (Greenville Blvd.)
- Nov. 19 – Apartment Complex (TBA)
- Nov. 20 – Freeboot Friday
- Nov. 21 – ECU Game

North Carolina Train Station Recycling Kick-Off
Sunday, Nov. 15 in Burlington, High Point, Salisbury, Kannapolis, Selma
- Burlington Station (101 North Main Street, 336-570-7043); 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 7:30p.m.
- High Point Station (100 W. High Avenue, 336-884-0878); 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Kannapolis Station (201 South Main Street, 704-932-1591); 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Salisbury Station (215 Depot Street, 704-639-7728); 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Selma Station (500 East Railroad Street, 919-965-6971); 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

South East Raleigh's Going Green Celebration!
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The event will offer fun recycling-themed family activities, games and crafts, organizational booths with information on 'going green' as well as free cake and refreshments. The event will be held at the new Walnut Creek Wetland Park Facility (950 Peterson Street, Raleigh) across from Carnage Magnet Middle School in Raleigh.

*Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful Compost Bin Sale
Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hal Marshall Service Center, 700 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte

Wake PTA 5k Run/Walk and Shred-A-Thon
Sunday, Nov. 22, 3:30 p.m.
Join the Wake PTA for its Healthy Lifestyles Run/Walk 5K event (NC State’s Centennial Campus, Raleigh) featuring a shred-a-thon sponsored by Shred-it.

*= KAB Affiliate Event

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Hearing To Collect Public Comments On Draft Revised Randleman Lake Watershed Rules

Amy Chapman

RALEIGH - Proposed changes to existing rules and a proposed new rule to govern land development activities in waterside vegetated areas in the Randleman Lake watershed will be the subject of a public hearing on Nov. 19.

The Randleman Lake Reservoir watershed includes parts of three of the state’s Piedmont counties – Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph. Rules to protect riparian buffers in the Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed first became effective in April 1999.

Since then, buffer protection rules have been developed for the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins, along the Catawba River mainstem and for the Jordan Lake Reservoir. Over the years, the rules have become easier for local governments and the regulated community to understand and to implement, and they provide greater flexibility. As a result, the N.C. Environmental Management Commission is holding a public hearing on draft amendments and a new rule that would bring the Randleman Lake Reservoir rules more in line with the other buffer protection programs.

Among the proposed changes to the current Randleman Lake Watershed Program:
• A table of uses that clearly defines activities that are exempt from the rules; potentially allowable depending on local government or state Division of Water Quality review; or potentially allowable but will also require mitigation for impacts to vegetated buffer areas along streams, rivers and lakes.
• A variance application process for activities that are prohibited - that is, they do not appear in the table of uses - as long as they meet certain criteria.
• DWQ review and approval of local ordinances required by the rules. This change should result in a more efficient process with improved implementation. DWQ will also periodically audit local government programs.
• Specific map references to determine where rule requirements should be implemented
• Mitigation as a requirement for activities allowable with mitigation and activities that require a variance.

A link to the full text of the existing rules, the proposed rule amendments and the proposed new rule can be found on the DWQ Calendar Page of the Web site (http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/DWQPubInfoCalendar.htm) under the Nov. 19 public hearing description.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. and be held in the council chambers of the High Point Municipal Building, 211 South Hamilton St., High Point. Written and oral comments on the proposed rules may be presented at the public hearing. Oral comments may be time limited in order that all who wish to speak have the opportunity to do so. Three written copies of statements longer than three minutes are requested. Written comments also may be sent to: Adriene Weaver, DENR-DWQ Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617. The comment period for the proposed rule and rule amendments ends Dec. 14, 2009.

For more information on the rules or the public hearing, please contact Amy Chapman at Amy.Chapman@ncdenr.gov, or by calling (919) 733-1786.
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Pledge To Recycle For America Recycles Day

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, along with the Carolina Recycling Association and North Carolina Keep America Beautiful, reminds the public that America Recycles Day is Nov. 15, 2009. America Recycles Day is the only nationally-recognized day encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled content products.

North Carolinians can pledge their commitment to recycling and buying recycled content items two ways: electronically on the America Recycles Day Web site or at participating ARD events. Those that pledge will be entered to win recycled content prize packs. Select prizes include a fire pit made from recycled steel, a pet bed made from recycled plastic bottles and a soaker hose and welcome mat made from recycled tires.

“America Recycles Day is a great reminder about the importance of recycling, especially this year since plastic bottles are now banned from landfill disposal,” said Kelley Dennings, NC ARD Coordinator. “Plastic bottles collected within the Carolinas stay in the area and are made into new bottles, creating local North Carolina jobs.”

This year’s ARD theme is “It All Comes Back To You.” The slogan presents multiple messages:
- a recycled product or material can return to consumers as another new product;
- recycling comes back to consumers as an improved environment, preservation of resources and economic well-being of the country; and
- it’s everyone’s responsibility to recycle.

N.C. DPPEA has a Web site for North Carolinians who wish to pledge and learn more about ARD, the recycling cycle and to find events in their community: http://www.p2pays.org/ARD.html.

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Use Local Firewood and Keep Invasive Species from Killing North Carolina Trees

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH – North Carolina forestry officials say people should use local firewood because evidence suggests that several tree-killing insects are being carried into the region by people toting firewood from other states.

The redbay ambrosia beetle, which transmits the destructive laurel wilt, and the gypsy moth have been discovered along the borders of North Carolina. Laurel wilt has been confirmed in northern South Carolina by state and federal forestry officials. The European gypsy moth has been found in some northeastern counties of our state.

The insects, known as non-native invasive species, are making their way across state borders in a number of ways but the biggest culprit is firewood, forestry officials say.

The gypsy moth lays egg masses on firewood. Other invasive insects, including the redbay ambrosia beetle, the emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, and the Asian longhorned beetle, can complete their life cycle within the firewood and emerge as adults at a new location. Invasive pathogens can also be present on firewood and produce spores that infect and kill oaks.

North Carolina residents and visitors should use local firewood that comes from within a 50 miles radius of where it was cut. Firewood should never be brought into North Carolina from other states. If firewood has unknowingly been brought into our state or has been moved long distances across the state, make sure to burn all the firewood as soon as possible. Campers should never leave unburned firewood at a campsite.

Also, homeowners with dead redbay trees should keep cut trees on their property. Proper disposal of redbay includes leaving wood on-site, cutting or chipping wood on-site, or burning wood on-site in compliance with local ordinances. Dead trees should not be taken to a landfill or somewhere else to be used as firewood.

To learn more, go to www.dontmovefirewood.org/ or http://dfr.nc.gov. For more information, call Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

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William B. Umstead State Park to Improve Sycamore Creek Trail Access

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – William B. Umstead State Park will expand and improve access to the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead and multi-use trails in accordance with its general management plan and will explore ways to improve access to the park’s U.S. 70 entrance, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The state parks system dropped consideration of a third vehicle park entrance and parking area in the Graylyn Drive/Ebenezer Church Road area. That alternative had been proposed in response to concerns from park users about restrictions on parking near the Graylyn Drive pedestrian entrance.

The park maintains vehicle entrances and primary parking areas off U.S. 70 and at Harrison Avenue near Interstate 40.

“Our overriding philosophy must be to minimize the development footprint at Umstead as one way to protect the wild and natural landscape of this state park,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division.

State parks system planners determined that a third park entrance for vehicles would raise security issues, increase traffic in adjacent neighborhoods, invite unauthorized, after-hours entry into the park and threaten natural areas with pressure to enlarge the entrance in the future.

In recent years, demand for access to multi-use trails on the park’s eastern side has increased dramatically. The park will widen and improve an existing road to the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead from the U.S. 70 entrance. Equestrian and day-use parking at the trailhead will be separated and enlarged, and a new multi-use trail segment will connect the parking areas to the existing trails system.

The park’s general management plan calls for the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead to eventually become an expanded day-use area.

Late in 2008, the park began opening the U.S. 70 entrance one hour earlier at 7 a.m. to provide better trail access and has begun design of an expanded parking area at the visitor center. To address general access issues, park administrators will explore the possibility of a stoplight at the U.S. 70 entrance or a new access road from an existing stoplight, and will request a sidewalk be installed on Ebenezer Church Road for safer pedestrian access. The park will also work closely with the city of Raleigh to improve greenway connections to the park.

Public comment on three proposed access alternatives was invited in 2008, and 249 responses were useful in determining park visitor priorities. An alternative proposing a parking area on or near Graylyn Drive proved to be the most controversial, receiving both the greatest number of positive comments and the greatest number of objections. The other alternatives were to follow the recommendations of the general management plan and to leave existing access and facilities in place.

(EDITORS: A map in pdf format illustrating plans for William B. Umstead State Park is available on our Web site www.ncparks.gov by clicking the “News” tab.)
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N.C. Division of Environmental Health Receives Grant To Enhance Food Protection Surveillance And Eme

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Environmental Health has received an Innovative Food Defense grant, totaling $60,416, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enhance its food protection capabilities.

The grant focuses on enhancing the state tracking database, called Best Environmental Technology System. This includes the development of BETSmap, a Web-based GIS mapping system designed to improve surveillance and emergency response capabilities for food protection for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other state, federal and local partners.

“Boosting the state’s facility tracking database to incorporate the ability to map the location of each DEH-regulated facility and capture complaint information will allow agencies to quickly identify areas affected and track similar complaints or illnesses,” said Larry Michael, head of the division’s Food Protection Branch. “These measures enable state, federal and local partners to better target and streamline their response to food-related emergencies, which further reduces threats to public health.”

The grant period began Oct. 1 and lasts through Sept. 30, 2010. The project consists of two phases and will be accessible for local, state and federal agency use.

The first phase, currently being implemented by the department, creates a complaint database and prepares the BETS database for the integration of GIS technology by geo-coding the physical addresses of all facilities within the BETS database. The creation of a complaint database will provide federal, state and local food protection programs with access to timely information originating at the consumer level as reported by local environmental health staff. It also will contain information pertaining to food tampering, emergency events, illnesses and other public health-related issues linked to regulated food products and establishments statewide.

The second phase will integrate GIS mapping technology into BETS to enhance surveillance and emergency response. The mapping system (BETSmap) will provide a visual representation of relationships between establishment locations, complaints and illnesses, thereby improving emergency response by decreasing response time as well as establishing a more efficient means to cross-reference complaints of illness to facility location.

For more information, please contact Cris Harrelson, food defense and this project’s coordinator in the Division of Environmental Health, at (910) 863-4930 or via e-mail at Cris.Harrelson@ncdenr.gov.

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COMMENTS SOUGHT ON STORMWATER PHASE II COMMUNITY CANDIDATES

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH – State officials are seeking public comments on whether 22 communities in the Broad, Chowan, Pasquotank and Neuse river basins should be required to implement more stringent controls to prevent stormwater pollution.

The state Division of Water Quality is considering stormwater measures for the communities and nearby areas to limit stormwater pollution, a leading cause of stream impairment in the state. Stormwater controls would include eliminating untreated wastewater discharges to creeks, campaigns to educate the public about stormwater pollution prevention, and stormwater control requirements for new development.

The 22 communities that are candidates for being added to the Phase II stormwater program are:

· Broad River Basin: Forest City, Rutherfordton, Shelby, Spindale

· Chowan and Pasquotank River Basin: Elizabeth City, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head

· Neuse River Basin: Benson, Butner, Clayton, Creedmoor, Farmville, Havelock, Kinston, New Bern, Roxboro, Smithfield, Stem, Trent Woods, Wendell, Wilson, Zebulon

Comments also are sought regarding areas surrounding the candidate communities that may be affected by the expanded stormwater requirements. The proposed phase II program designations may also affect all or part of the towns of Black Creek, Boiling Springs, Bostic, Bridgeton, Elm City, Four Oaks, Kingston, Lattimore, Patterson Springs, Pine Level, River Bend, Ruth, Selma, Sims and Wilson’s Mills as well as Cleveland, Granville, Greene, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Person, Rutherford and Wilson counties. Maps of the areas potentially affected by designation under the phase II program can be found at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/su/2009PhII_Designation_Candidates.htm.

The more stringent controls are part of the federally-designated Phase II Stormwater Management Program. The federal Phase I and Phase II Stormwater Management Programs were created in the 1990s. They address stormwater runoff from municipal separate storm sewer systems (or MS4s), land-disturbing activities, certain industrial activities and unregulated sources of stormwater discharges that have the greatest likelihood of causing continued environmental degradation. Communities are evaluated for inclusion in the phase II program as part of the update of each river basin’s water quality plan every five years.

A community can come under the federal stormwater management program through automatic designation due to population number or density; in response to a petition for designation of the jurisdiction based on significant water quality concerns; or when the municipality’s storm sewer system has been determined to be a cause of water quality impairment. The state can also place a community in the stormwater program based on population growth or if the stormwater discharge adversely impacts water quality or contributes significant pollutants to receiving waters.

Comments must be received by Nov. 30. Submit comments to: DWQ Stormwater Permitting Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617, attn: Mike Randall or Bethany Georgoulias or to Mike.Randall@ncdenr.gov or Bethany.Georgoulias@ncdenr.gov. # # #

Public hearing upcoming on water transfer permit in eastern N.C.

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – A state commission will host a public hearing in Winterville next week on a water transfer permit the Greenville Utility Commission is seeking.

The Environmental Management Commission, or EMC, will receive comments on the water transfer certificate at the 7 p.m. Nov. 5 meeting at Pitt Community College’s Goess Student Center in Winterville. As part of its role in making rules to protect the environment, the EMC is the state regulatory agency that carries out the interbasin transfer law.

The Greenville Utility Commission is seeking a permit to transfer up to 12.3 million gallons of water a day from the Tar River basin to the Contentnea Creek and Neuse River basins and sell that water to the towns of Farmville and Winterville, and Greene County.

The three communities now rely upon a groundwater aquifer for their water supplies, but are required by state law to reduce their reliance upon the aquifer because of the effects that using the declining water source is having on the environment and downstream water users. A 15-county region in eastern North Carolina has experienced declining water levels and saltwater encroachment as a result of the region’s reliance on the groundwater aquifer.

Farmville, Winterville and Greene County requested to buy water from Greenville to meet the state law as well as their demands for water through 2030.

The Greenville Utility Commission anticipates minimal or no impact to water quality or existing stream flows in the Tar River basin, based on the results of an environmental impact analysis. That impact analysis accounted for existing and expected withdrawals from the Tar River and discharges from the river. The utility commission also anticipates that the proposed transfer of water will not result in increased growth or wastewater discharges in the Contentnea Creek and Neuse River basins.

The public can see the Greenville Utility Commission’s draft petition and the final environmental assessment at www.ncwater.org/Permits_and_Registration/Interbasin_Transfer/Status/Greenville. The documents may also be viewed at the Nov. 5 public hearing or during normal business hours at the Raleigh offices of the N.C. Division of Water Resources, 512 North Salisbury Street in Room 1106 of the Archdale Building.

At the public hearing, staff members with the state Division of Water Resources will be available from 6:30-7 p.m.at the Pitt Community College’s Goess Student Center to answer questions about the proposed interbasin transfer of water. People who attend the public hearing will be able to provide written and verbal comments during the hearing. People unable to attend the hearing can mail comments to Toya Ogallo, N.C. Division of Water Resources, DENR, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611. Comments may also be submitted electronically to Toya.F.Ogallo@ncdenr.gov. All comments must be postmarked or e-mailed by Dec. 4.

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State agency has new publication on water and drought

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State officials have created a publication to explain how people can protect our state’s water supplies, the relationship between surface and groundwater, and the impact drought has on North Carolina’s most precious natural resource.

The N.C. Division of Water Resources created “The Water Connection” and posted it earlier this month to its Web site, www.ncwater.org. People can download and print a copy of “The Water Connection” at the Web site.

“The Water Connection” seeks to better explain many of the questions that arose during North Carolina’s worst-ever drought in 2007-08 such as how water conservation can help extend our available water supplies if severe drought conditions return.

“North Carolina is rich in water,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “But as the drought has shown us, we can no longer take it for granted. We all need to understand where water comes from, how it replenishes itself, the responsibility we have to protect it and how we can cope when water supplies are too low.”

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NORTH CAROLINA LAUNCHES ORGANICS TRADING WEB SITE

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance announces a new online commodity trading Web site for organic materials to help expand the development of the biomass economy in North Carolina.

NC BiomassTrader (www.ncbiomasstrader.com) is a convenient, free online waste exchange for surplus and waste biomass materials such as waste vegetable oil, restaurant grease, wood waste, manures, food waste, forest products and byproducts and agricultural products and byproducts. The trading site is available to individuals, organizations and businesses that have biomass commodities others need or are looking for biomass commodities.

Although NC BiomassTrader is not a sales tool for commercial ventures to advertise products, it is a platform for trading valuable materials that may otherwise be discarded, buried in landfills, discharged to sewers or otherwise disposed.

The Web site is a spin-off from the free commodity trading site, NC WasteTrader, and is a joint project of the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance and the State Energy Office. Since 2003, NC WasteTrader has steadily grown with numerous entries from users listing all kinds of commodities. Over the years, NC WasteTrader listings became heavily populated with listings for biomass materials, so the natural move was to develop a free, online trader specifically for biomass.

Biomass is becoming an increasingly important source of alternative fuels and feedstock for manufacturing and new products. North Carolina is rich in biomass resources, including resources that are often discarded but may have a value-added use. NC BiomassTrader is designed to facilitate the development of biomass markets in North Carolina and increase job creation in the state’s biomass economy.

Examples of products that can be listed in NC BiomassTrader include, but are not limited to:

Sawdust, wood chips and shavings
Industrial pallets and crates
Waste vegetable oil and grease
Old corrugated cardboard containers and paper waste
Surplus and discarded food items
Glycerin and other biodiesel production byproducts

Contact Brian Rosa at (919) 715-6524 or Tom Rhodes at (919) 715-6516 at the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance for more information about NC BiomassTrader. You may also visit its Web site at www.ncbiomasstrader.com.

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Fort Macon to Dedicate New Coastal Education and Visitor Center

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - A new 22,547-square-foot coastal education and visitor center at Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County will be formally dedicated Oct. 31 by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The 1 p.m. ceremony is open to the public and marks an important milestone in the history of North Carolina’s second-oldest state park.

Similar in function to visitor centers built at 18 state parks and state recreation areas since 1994, the Fort Macon facility is devoted to environmental education about North Carolina’s fragile coastal ecology, offering 4,000 square feet of exhibit space, a teaching auditorium and conference room along with administrative offices.

“Fort Macon has a unique place in North Carolina and in the state parks system, and this facility will nicely complement the fort itself in presenting both the natural resource and cultural history of our prized coastal environment,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division. “It will also be a tremendous asset in managing more than a million visitors who enjoy the state park each year.”

The coastal education and visitor center was designed to meet sustainability standards of the U.S. Green Building Council through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. It offers features such as rainwater collection and low-flow water systems, recycled construction materials and preferred parking for alternative fuel vehicles.

The brick-and-block facility designed by Hobbs Architecture of Pittsboro and built by general contractor Daniels & Daniels Construction Co. of Goldsboro reflects the style of the 183-year-old fort, which was fully restored from 1999-2003. The project represents an investment of $8.2 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the principal funding source for state park capital projects and land acquisition.

The project has had strong support from Friends of Fort Macon, a nonprofit group instrumental in upgrading many of the fort’s exhibits and in managing a volunteer program to conduct fort tours.

Fort Macon became the second North Carolina state park in 1924 and the first to conduct regular operations as a state park. It encompasses 424 acres and recorded visitation in 2008 of 1.1 million.

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Natural Resource Agencies Participate in Annual American Indian Mothers Conference

Brian Haines

RALEIGH - State and federal agencies are partnering with the American Indian Mothers Incorporated in its annual conference beginning on Nov. 5 on the campus of UNC-Pembroke.

The intertribal conference is designed to build bridges by empowering Native Americans with quality health information, education, professional agribusiness development and spiritual awakening. Natural resource professionals from North Carolina A&T University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Carolina Farm Transition Network, and the N.C. Division of Forest Resources will discuss issues such as organic farming, estate planning, forest management and programs that are available to assist landowners.

“We encourage farmers and forest landowners to come out and gather information on topics that will assist them in managing and diversifying their farm and in learning to keep the farm in the family through estate planning,” said Alton Perry, outreach coordinator for the N.C. Division of Forest Resources.

The conference is designed to educate landowners on how to grow their agricultural business. Many farmers are unaware of the farm programs, technology and technical assistance available to them through their local natural resource agencies. This conference will assist landowners in navigating through the system of federal and state programs.

Agencies hosting the workshop include the American Indian Mothers Inc., N.C. Division of Forest Resources, the U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency, U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service and UNC-Pembroke.

To register, please contact Beverly Collins-Hall at (910) 843-9911. For more information, call Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

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First N.C. Outdoor Classroom Symposium Opens Tomorrow

Lisa Tolley

CHAPEL HILL - The first-ever statewide North Carolina Outdoor Classroom Symposium opens Friday at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.

The symposium will provide teachers, school administrators, parent volunteers and non-formal educators with techniques for creating, maintaining and using outdoor classrooms. Presenters from around the state will offer strategies for integrating outdoor learning and place-based education into public and private school curricula, including sessions on creating school gardens, designing school nature trails and establishing farm-to-school programs. Pre-symposium environmental education workshops will be offered today, and a series of mobile workshops on Saturday will give participants the opportunity to visit school and community gardens in the greater Triangle area.

“A wide body of peer-reviewed research shows that outdoor learning experiences have positive and measureable academic, health and behavioral benefits for students,” according to Lisa Tolley, director of the N.C. Office of Environmental Education. “The overwhelming response to this symposium shows that a growing number of schools see the value of using the outdoors to teach across the curriculum.”

Friday’s featured speakers include Dr. Dilafruz Williams, founding director of the Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning program at Portland State University; Brian Day, executive director of the North American Association for Environmental Education; Cam Collyer, director of the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program; Beverly G. Vance, Interim Section Chief K-12 Science, N.C. Department of Public Instruction; and Dr. Robin Moore, professor of landscape architecture at N.C. State University and an internationally-recognized researcher and author on outdoor learning environments. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Dee Freeman will finish out Friday’s activities with closing remarks.

The symposium will be held in the N.C. Botanical Garden's new sustainably-built education center. The center was designed to meet platinum LEED standards, the highest level of certification for green buildings. The building incorporates many sustainable technologies such as geothermal heating and air-conditioning, photovoltaics, rainwater cisterns, natural daylighting and more.

The symposium is a cooperative effort by the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, the N.C. Botanical Garden, the Environmental Education Fund, the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and the Natural Learning Initiative at N.C. State University.

Teachers can earn continuing education credits and all participants can earn credit towards their N.C. Environmental Education Certification. For more information about the symposium and to learn more about the benefits of environmental education, visit www.eenorthcarolina.org.

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N.C. Division of Forest Resources Announces Arbor Day Poster Contest

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Forest Resources is inviting schools with 5^th grade students to be part of the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest sponsored by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Students are encouraged to design an original poster depicting the 2010 contest theme, “Trees are Terrific… and Energy Wise!”

The contest is designed to increase 5^th grade students’ knowledge about the importance of diversity in forest ecosystems. The contest also provides teachers with a creative way to introduce new concepts that correlate with national teaching standards.

Each participating school will choose one winner to compete in the state competition. Those students selected for the state competition will compete for a chance to represent North Carolina at the national contest. The winner of the state poster contest will win a $250 U.S. Savings Bond. The teacher of the winning student will receive a $200 check to purchase school supplies. The winner will then compete nationally for a $1,000 savings bond and a National Arbor Day Foundation lifetime membership. The teacher of the winning national entry will receive a $200 check.

Free packets are available from the National Arbor Day Foundation with guides containing lesson plans centered on the theme “Trees are Terrific… and Energy Wise!” online at www.arborday.org/postercontest. Packets with the school’s winning posters must be received by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources by Jan. 29.

To find out more about the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest, you may contact Jennifer Rall, state poster contest coordinator, at (919) 857-4849 or jennifer.rall@ncdenr.gov.

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N.C. Coastal Resources Commission to Meet Oct. 29-30 in Atlantic Beach

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will hear public comments regarding its study of the feasibility and advisability of using terminal groins at North Carolina inlets during its next meeting, Oct. 29, at the Sheraton in Atlantic Beach, N.C. The terminal groin study public hearing will take place at 5 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Ballroom of the Sheraton.

The CRC’s regular meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 29, and continue at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 30. The meeting is open to the public.

The following items are also on the CRC’s agenda:

CRC Study of the Use of Terminal Groins (10:30 a.m., Thursday) – DCM director Jim Gregson and a representative from Moffatt and Nichol will update the commission on the progress of the terminal groin feasibility study.
Amendments to 15A NCAC 7O .0202 Reserve Use Requirements (10:30 a.m., Thursday) – Coastal reserve staff will discuss possible amendments to coastal reserve rules regarding use requirements.

· DCM Sea Level Rise Initiative Update (8:30 a.m., Friday) – Staff members with the Division of Coastal Management will present updates on the division’s recent sea level rise survey and plans for a science forum and a policy summit next year.

Wind Turbines and Water Dependent Structure Issues (8:30 a.m., Friday) – DCM staff will discuss current CRC rules regarding wind turbines in the state’s coastal waters.

· Land Use Plan Certifications (8:30 a.m., Friday) – Commissioners will consider certification of land use plans for Craven County, the town of Swansboro and the city of Havelock; and a land use plan amendment for Brunswick County.

· Public Input and Comment (12 p.m., Thursday) – Members of the public may comment on any issue not on the current agenda.

The Coastal Resources Advisory Council, a group that provides the CRC with local government perspectives and technical advice, will meet at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the N.C. Division of Coastal Management office, 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City.

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PUBLIC NOTICE ON AIR PERMIT RENEWAL FOR DUKE POWER PLANT

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Air Quality will issue a public notice today on the renewal of the air quality permit for the Duke Cliffside plant in Rutherford County.

Duke Energy Carolinas has applied for the air permit to continue operating its coal fired boilers and associated pollution control equipment at the Cliffside Steam Station, 573 Duke Power Road, in Rutherford County. Duke has operated power plants at this site since the early 1940s.

The permit renewal concerns all of the air emissions sources at Cliffside, including the existing Units 1-5 and the new Unit 6 that Duke is now constructing at the site. DAQ issued a permit for Unit 6 in January 2008 and has held three public hearings on that facility, which is scheduled to begin operating in 2012.

Persons wishing to comment on the permit renewal or request a public hearing on the renewal should submit their remarks in writing, postmarked no later than Nov. 18. Comments should be sent to Michael Gordon, N.C. Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641. Remarks sent by e-mail should be sent to: mike.gordon@ncdenr.gov.

· Monitor air pollution control equipment.

· Conduct periodic stack testing of emissions from recovery furnaces and boilers annually.

· Operate continuous emission monitors for nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and visible emissions.

The draft permit may be viewed online at http://daq.state.nc.us/cgi-bin/perm_draftrev.cgi, or at the following locations: Haynes Branch Library in Henrietta; DAQ Asheville Regional Office, 2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, phone (828) 296-4500; and the DAQ Central Office, Permits Section, Parker Lincoln Building, 2728 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, phone (919) 715-6255.

By law, the division must review permits for compliance with air quality regulations. The division has no authority over zoning, land use or where a company decides to locate a facility. Local governments are responsible for regulating land use. More information about other air quality issues can be found at the DAQ Web site, www.ncair.org.

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MERCHANTS MILLPOND STATE PARK TO DEDICATE NEW VISITOR CENTER

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – A new 9,500-square-foot visitor center at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, which was designed to national green building standards, will be formally dedicated Oct. 24 by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The 10 a.m. ceremony is open to the public and will celebrate an important milestone in the history of the state park.

Similar to visitor centers built at 18 state parks and state recreation areas since 1994, the facility at Merchants Millpond State Park offers a unique design reflecting the park’s character and represents an investment of $2.8 million by the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The trust fund is the principal funding source for capital improvements and land acquisition in the state parks system.

“More than 200,000 visitors make their way into this unique state park each year, and this facility will add to their experience,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation. “Beyond being a focal point for the park and a gathering place for visitors, the center will serve an important educational role with an integrated exhibit hall, auditorium and classrooms.”

Museum-quality exhibits explore the importance of the millpond in the community’s history and the park’s natural resources, including four distinct natural communities around the millpond and the adjoining Lassiter Swamp. The project also includes a freestanding, 600-square-foot outdoor classroom that will provide a natural setting for the park’s environmental education programs.

The state parks system increased its commitment to sustainability in 2008 by seeking certification for all large projects by the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. Features at the Merchants Millpond visitor center that target certification include ground source heating and cooling, maximum open space and day lighting, energy efficient lights, waterless urinals and rainwater harvest cisterns. The building’s Atlantic white cedar siding came from naturally felled trees in Dismal Swamp State Park.

The structure was designed in a “Down East” tradition by Frank Harmon, a Raleigh architect, and the general contractor was SEVAC Corporation of Portsmouth, Va. The exhibits were designed by Riggs Ward Design of Richmond, Va. and constructed by Color Ad of Manassas, Va.

Merchants Millpond State Park was established in 1973 and now encompasses 3,352 acres.

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N.C. Divisions of Coastal Management and Water Quality Work to Streamline Environmental Permits in R

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The state divisions of Coastal Management and Water Quality are working together to streamline environmental permitting in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins.
The agencies have an agreement that will allow Coastal Management permitting staff to review and approve certain activities within the Neuse River and Tar-Pamlico River riparian buffer areas.
The memorandum of agreement grants the Division of Coastal Management the authority, on behalf of the state Division of Water Quality, to review and approve requests for Buffer Authorization Certificates for development projects that also require a Coastal Area Management Act general or minor permit.
“This is a terrific example of Governor Perdue’s commitment to have a state government that works for the people,” said N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Secretary Dee Freeman. “You have two environmental programs working together to improve efficiency of permitting protections for these sensitive areas and simplify the permitting process for the regulated community.”
Specifically, this agreement applies to development activities consistent with CAMA general permits for bulkheads, riprap, docks and piers as well as boat ramps, groins, maintenance excavation activities, installation of aerial and subaqueous utility lines, emergency CAMA and/or dredge and fill projects, temporary structures, replacement of existing bridges and culverts, riprap revetments, the emergency storm permit and riprap sills. This agreement also applies to all minor development activity that is exempt under the state Division of Water Quality’s riparian buffer rules Table of Uses.
The agreement does not apply to projects that require an individual 401 Water Quality Certification or a non-404 wetlands and waters permit.
When requested, staff in the state Division of Water Quality will continue to track and report authorizations and offer technical assistance to permitting staff in the state Division of Coastal Management.
Riparian buffer protection programs were established by the state Division of Water Quality for the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins in 2000, and are intended to limit activities in vegetated areas adjacent to surface waters in these basins to maintain their nutrient removal functions.
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REBATES AVAILABLE FOR EQUIPMENT THAT REDUCES DIESEL TRUCK EMISSIONS

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – State environmental officials have $517,500 available for rebates on equipment and new long-haul trucks that reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines, with funds provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

The Environmental Protection Agency allocated ARRA - Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, or DERA, funding to the states as part of the national economic stimulus plan. The N.C. Division of Air Quality is coordinating the rebate program in North Carolina. DAQ is administering more than $1.7 million in ARRA funds for various air-related projects.

The rebates are available for qualified truckers who purchase auxiliary power units, or APUs, or replace heavy-duty diesel trucks with 2010 compliant vehicles. APUs are electric or low-emission engines that truckers can use to power heaters, air conditioners and other in-cab accessories rather than idling their diesel engines.

The ARRA-DERA funds are directed at older vehicles and equipment with diesel engines because they often lack the most up-to-date air pollution controls. Older diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution in North Carolina and other states.

“This rebate program is part of our efforts to reduce pollution from diesel-powered highway vehicles,” said Keith Overcash, director of the N.C. Division of Air Quality. “Diesel engines are significant sources of emissions that contribute to ozone and particle pollution in North Carolina.”

Rebates will be available until the funds are expended or Sept. 30, 2010, whichever comes first. Individual rebates may total up to $2,500 for APUs purchased and installed in North Carolina after Jan. 1, 2009. Rebates for heavy-duty diesel trucks may total up to $5,000 for 2010 compliant vehicles registered in North Carolina. Companies are allowed up to three APU rebates and two compliant truck rebates.

For further information and applications for the ARRA-DERA rebates for diesel equipment, visit the state Division of Air Quality’s Web site at: http://www.ncair.org/motor/Rebates/ . For further information on economic recovery funding for environmental efforts, please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home .

More information about other air quality issues in North Carolina can be found at the DAQ Web site, www.ncair.org.

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N.C. Division of Forest Resources Encourages Safety During Fall Fire Season

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5-11, and the N.C. Division of Forest Resources is urging residents throughout the state to be careful with fire, especially during the upcoming fall fire season.

Fall wildfire season typically lasts from mid-October until mid-December. During the fall, people do a lot of yard work that includes burning leaves and yard debris. Sometimes, those yard fires escape and start wildfires. In fact, debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in North Carolina.

There are many factors to consider before doing any debris burning. The state Division of Forest Resources urges people to adhere to the following tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

• Never burn trash, paper, plastics and other man-materials. It is illegal to burn man-made materials in North Carolina because the smoke pollutes the air and can be harmful to breathe.
• Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burning permit at any N.C. Division of Forest Resources office or permitting agent, or online at http://dfr.nc.gov/.
• Check with local officials. Outside burning may be prohibited.
• Check the weather. Don't burn on dry, windy days.
• Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don't pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, it should be placed in a cleared area and contained in a screened receptacle, away from overhead branches and wires.
• Check local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
• Consider the alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass, and stubble may be of more value if they are not burned, but used for mulch instead. Household trash should be hauled away to a recycling station.
• Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
• Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed debris burning.
• Stay with your fire until it is completely out.

Studies have shown that adhering to these and other measures can reduce the possibility for wildfires.

For more information, contact Brian Haines, public information officer with the state Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

LOWEST OZONE LEVELS ON RECORD THIS YEAR

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – North Carolina’s ozone levels in 2009 are the lowest since the state began monitoring air quality in the 1970s, due to weather patterns and declining emissions from industry and motor vehicles, N.C. Division of Air Quality data show.

Through last Wednesday, which marked the end of the ozone forecast season, North Carolina had only six days in 2009 when ozone levels exceeded the eight-hour standard of 0.075 parts per million. The previous lowest year was 2004, when 27 days exceeded the same standard for ozone levels. Since 2000, there have been an average of 51 days per year when the ozone levels exceeded the standard.

“We are encouraged by the drop in ozone levels,” said Keith Overcash, director of the N.C. Division of Air Quality. “North Carolina has strong air quality initiatives in place, but there is still more to do. Citizens are also helping by taking actions to reduce air pollution, such as driving less, carpooling and conserving energy.”

Ozone levels have declined substantially across North Carolina during the past decade, due in part to lower emissions from coal-fired power plants, other industry and motor vehicles. From 1999 to 2008, annual ozone-forming emissions from North Carolina power plants declined by 73 percent (from 201,428 tons to 54,398 tons). Estimated annual emissions from cars, trucks and other mobile sources declined 38 percent from 2002 to 2009 (from 327,239 tons to 201,609 tons).

Ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, is unhealthy to breathe and damages trees and crops. It is most prevalent in the summer months, when pollutants react in the air on hot, sunny days with little wind. North Carolina typically has more high ozone days in hot, dry summers and fewer bad days in cool, wet summers. This summer was cooler but drier than normal across most of the state.

Contributing to the decline in high-ozone days are state and federal actions to reduce ozone-forming emissions from power plants, other industry and motor vehicles. These measures include:

- The N.C. Clean Smokestacks Act of 2002, which required the state’s 14 coal-fired power plants to cut by three-fourths their emissions of ozone, haze and particle-forming emissions by the end of 2012.
- Rules adopted in 2000 by the state Environmental Management Commission, as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, which required a two-thirds reduction in ozone-forming emissions by 2006.
- Legislation that expanded the motor vehicle emissions testing program from the state’s nine most urban counties to 48 counties by 2006.
- Stricter federal and state standards for gasoline and diesel engines in new cars, trucks and construction equipment.
- Federal requirements for cleaner-burning, low-sulfur gasoline and diesel fuel starting in 2006.
- Air quality forecasts in seven metro areas.

DAQ and local programs issue air quality forecasts for the Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Hickory, Rocky Mount, the Triad and the Triangle metro areas.

Forecasts are issued daily for ozone from April through September, when ozone levels are highest, and year-round for particle pollution. The forecasts enable residents to take precautions on bad air days and take actions to help reduce air pollution.

Areas not meeting the ozone standard are periodically classified as “non-attainment” by the EPA. DAQ must develop plans for improving air quality in non-attainment areas, and such areas can face tighter restrictions on industrial emissions and additional reviews for new highway projects.

Under the ozone standard that EPA adopted in 2008, North Carolina has about 40 counties that could potentially be designated as non-attainment. The EPA had planned to designate new non-attainment areas in March 2010, but has postponed that decision pending the possible adoption of a more stringent ozone standard.

To see tables showing statewide ozone levels and the reduction in emissions, you can check out the state Division of Air Quality’s Web site, www.ncair.org.

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OCTOBER ACTIVITIES TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF ELIMINATING CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

Laura J. Leonard

RALEIGH – This month, the N.C. Division of Environmental Health’s Children’s Environmental Health Branch and other health and housing agencies are conducting a series of events to recognize North Carolina’s Lead Awareness Month in conjunction with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 25-31.

In North Carolina, events will be held statewide and will include informational sessions on elimination efforts, workshops for property owners, health fairs and workshops for parents, and free blood lead tests for young children.

“Childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States, and it is preventable,” said Ed Norman, program manager for the Children’s Environmental Health Branch. “In 2008, there were 217 children in this state who had confirmed elevated blood lead levels from exposure in their homes and surrounding environment. Help prevent children’s exposure to lead hazards among your family by having your child tested for lead poisoning.”

During the past 14 years, North Carolina has seen a dramatic 93 percent decrease in the prevalence of elevated lead exposure among children tested, from seven percent in 1995 to 0.5 percent in 2008. This momentum must be maintained in order to reach the ultimate goal of elimination by 2010.

Children are exposed to lead primarily through lead-based paint, which is commonly found in homes built before 1978.
Without proper precautions, disturbing the lead paint in homes allows dust to settle on toys, windowsills and floors. Children can then easily swallow bits of dust and paint chips.

Children may also be exposed to lead through water from lead-soldered plumbing, vinyl mini-blinds made before 1997, home health remedies like azarcon and greta, imported candies, toys and costume jewelry.

Lead poisoning can affect nearly every system in the body and is especially detrimental to the brain. Lead poisoning often occurs with no obvious symptoms, and it frequently goes unrecognized. The only way to test for lead poisoning is to ask your health care provider for a blood lead test.

Local health departments and some housing agencies have educational materials and information about childhood lead poisoning elimination efforts in your area and ways to prevent lead poisoning among young children.

For information about eliminating childhood lead poisoning or Lead Awareness Month activities in your area, call your local health department or the N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Hotline at 1-888-774-0071. Additional information can be found online at the Children’s Environmental Health Branch Web site at http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/Children_Health/index.html, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Web site, www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead.

For more information about North Carolina activities throughout October, contact Amy MacDonald, grant coordinator for the N.C. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, at (919) 966-2463 or via e-mail at amyjmac@email.unc.edu.
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Local Water Projects Receive Reallocated Economic Recovery Funds

Diana Kees

RALEIGH - State officials today announced the reallocation of about $7.7 million in economic recovery funding to 12 communities for “green” drinking water projects and two communities for wastewater infrastructure projects as a part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards.

The new economic recovery drinking water project awards, administered by the Division of Environmental Health, totaled $3.97 million. The projects include:
• Water systems in the towns of Pollocksville, Montreat, Littleton, Taylorsville, Rutherford College, Murphy and Cramerton, as well as Burke, Warren and Wayne counties all received funding for replacing existing water meters with innovative, automatic meter reading systems.
• The Riegelwood Sanitary District received funding to install master meters on existing supply transmission mains.
Complete, revised list of drinking water ARRA award recipients

According to staff with the Division of Environmental Health, as round one and two projects progressed, some applicants initially awarded funding either declined their recovery funds or decreased the scope of their projects. These funds were used for the 12 projects.

The new wastewater infrastructure improvement projects slated to benefit from ARRA funding – administered by the Division of Water Quality – are located in Caswell Beach in Brunswick County and Spindale in Rutherford County. Following approval from the Local Government Commission, which Caswell Beach has already received, both will receive allocations that were already earmarked for other projects but were made available when final projects costs were less than the original estimates.

Caswell Beach will receive $3 million to partially fund a new collection system that will take two small plants off-line. The wastewater will go to the West Brunswick Wastewater Treatment Plant via Oak Island’s system. West Brunswick treats wastewater to reuse levels and some reuse water will be returned to Caswell Beach for irrigation needs.

Spindale will receive $791,941 to rehabilitate approximately one mile of sewer lines and to upgrade the Oak Street Pump Station. These improvements will help to eliminate overflows from the pump station.

Project awards are not final until all ARRA and other federal requirements have been met and the Local Government Commission approves the recipient’s financial qualifications. Funds will be awarded as 50 percent zero-interest loans and 50 percent principal forgiveness loans. In accordance with ARRA requirements, priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.

The Division of Environmental Health’s Public Water Supply Section received a federal capitalization grant of $65.6 million on April 15. The initial round of projects, funded in April, awarded $40.4 million in drinking water funds to 35 local systems. In July, nearly $23.9 million in recovery funds was awarded in the second round of funding to 28 communities for public water supply projects.

The Division of Water Quality’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program received a grant of $70.7 million to fund wastewater system improvements throughout the state. First-round project awards – made on April 24 – were awarded to 36 communities in 30 counties, and totaled nearly $45.9 million. Second-round project awards totaling $21.3 million were made on July 20 and went to 12 communities in nine counties for wastewater and stormwater projects.

For additional information on both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure project funding and criteria – along with other types of economic recovery projects administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home. Information about federal recovery funding throughout North Carolina can be found at www.ncrecovery.gov.

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Coastal landowners encouraged to attend workshops

Brian Haines

GREENVILLE – The N.C. Division of Forest Resources wants coastal landowners to attend the Biltmore Forest School Coastal Woodland Steward Series, a workshop that promotes good land management.

The first in the series workshops, Discovering Your Land: Basic Land Management Skills, will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Exchange Nature Center, 401 West Caswell Street, Kinston.

Participants will learn skills and information useful in managing their land, including setting goals for their land that benefit the ecosystem. The presentations will touch on basic land management skills such as plant identification, map and compass usage, soil types and the benefits of using geographic information systems and global positioning systems. Participants will receive equipment to help manage their land and will meet agency representatives and others available to help them accomplish their goals.

A second workshop, Native Landscaping & Water Management, will be in the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle, Greenville, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 9 and 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 10. This workshop will help land managers in coastal North Carolina with stormwater, riparian or wetland areas and landscaping using native plants. Participants will tour the agricultural center’s arboretum and learn how to fight non-native invasive species. Protection, care and planting of landscape trees will be discussed.

The cost is $50 per person per workshop. Spouses or other family member may attend each workshop at $25 per person. Registration includes lunch and snacks on the first day of each workshop as well as workshop-related materials. Registration for the first workshop has passed, but some seats still remain so people who wish to participate should contact the Amy Garascia, program coordinator, at amysworkshopinfo@aol.com or (828) 884-5713 ext. 26. For more information on the first workshop, visit www.cradleofforestry.org.

Registration for the second workshop will be accepted through Oct. 2.

People who attend either workshop can receive credits toward their North Carolina environmental education certification as well as continuing education units and continuing forest education credits.

The workshops are being sponsored by the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association, N.C. Division of Forest Resources, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Forest Service, Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department, N.C. Tree Farm Program, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Weyerhaeuser Company.

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Hearing Scheduled on Three Water Quality Permits in the Neuse River Basin

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH - The Division of Water Quality has scheduled a public hearing next week to collect public comment on permits for three wastewater treatment plants that discharge to the Neuse River basin.

The hearing will be held Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Gertrude Weil Auditorium at the Wayne County Public Library, 1001 East Ash St. in Goldsboro. The hearing will collect information regarding the proposed renewal of two wastewater discharge permits and one proposed permit modification. Significant issues include the trading of nitrogen allocations among the permittees.

The E.I DuPont de Nemours and Co. has applied for renewal of the permit for its Kinston facility. The facility currently discharges treated industrial wastewater into the Neuse River and discharges stormwater and cooling water into the Beaverdam Branch and unnamed tributaries.

The town of Clayton has applied for renewal of its permit for the Little Creek Wastewater Reclamation Facility. The facility currently discharges treated municipal wastewater into the Neuse River.

Johnston County has requested modification of its permit for the Central Johnston County Wastewater Treatment Facility located near Smithfield. The plant discharges treated municipal wastewater into the Neuse River.

During the hearing, following an explanation of the permitting procedure and information about the proposed permits, the public will be invited to present oral comments. Because time for oral presentations may be limited in order to allow all those who wish to speak that opportunity, three written copies of oral presentations that exceed three minutes are requested. Written comments may be presented to the hearing officers, as well, either before or during the hearing. The comment period may close at the end of the hearing.

Those who wish to mail their comments before the close of the comment period should send them to: DWQ/NPDES Unit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.

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State forests: a good destination for Take a Child Outside Week

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Forest Resources is encouraging families to visit one of its six educational state forests during “Take A Child Outside Week” Sept. 24-30.

“The Division of Forest Resources has a long-standing commitment to developing love, understanding and knowledge about the great outdoors for children and adults through programs such as the North Carolina educational state forest system,” said Wib Owen, North Carolina’s state forester.

Each of the six educational state forests teach the public - especially school children - about the forest environment and to encourage them to get out and enjoy the benefits of nature. Many experts agree that there are physical and psychological benefits to exploring nature, including stress reduction.

Clemmons Educational State Forest in Clayton has become such a popular program that teachers must make reservations months in advance to bring their students to the forest for environmental education classes. The Clemmons became North Carolina’s first educational state forest when it opened in Johnston County in 1976. Each of the educational state forests features a self-guided trail that includes exhibits, tree identification signs, a forest education center and a talking tree trail. The division is working to open its seventh state educational forest, Mountain Island Educational State Forest in Mount Holly.

Specially trained rangers are available to conduct classes for school and other youth groups. Teachers or group leaders choose from a selection of 30-minute programs that cover all aspects of the forest environment - from soil, water and wildlife to timber and forest management.

To find out more information about North Carolina's educational state forests, follow the links on the state Division of Forest Resources’ Web site, http://dfr.nc.gov. For additional information, call your county ranger or Brian R. Haines, the agency’s public information officer, at (919) 857-4828.

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State surveying public on shoreline stabilization

Jill Fegley

BEAUFORT – The N.C. Coastal Reserve and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management are interested in coastal landowners’ input on estuarine shoreline stabilization methods.

The division is conducting a needs assessment survey to determine the public’s knowledge and perceptions of estuarine shoreline stabilization structures and the services they provide. The survey results will guide and inform educational programs and coastal policy.

If you own estuarine waterfront property, the state Division of Coastal Management would appreciate your input. Please visit the N.C. Coastal Reserve Web site, www.nccoastalreserve.net, and follow the “estuarine shoreline stabilization survey” link to complete the survey.

This needs assessment survey is part of a broader cooperative research project, “Sustainable estuarine shoreline stabilization: Research, education, and public policy in North Carolina,” which seeks to quantify ecosystem service tradeoffs as a consequence of habitat alteration and to develop an approach for evaluating ecological and socioeconomic costs and benefits of estuarine shoreline erosion and protection alternatives.

The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology awarded a grant to the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and the NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research to examine the impact of vertical bulkheads on ecosystem services in sheltered coastlines.

Survey responses will be collected until Oct. 15, then the link will be deactivated and results compiled. The results will be made available on the reserve’s Web site.

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Rain garden to be planted for celebration

Lori Brinn

MOREHEAD CITY - To celebrate National Estuaries Day, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program will partner with the N.C. Coastal Federation, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve on Saturday to plant a rain garden on the property outside the state Division of Marine Fisheries’ office.

Volunteers will be on site at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries site at 3441 Arendell Street in Morehead City to plant the rain garden from 10 a.m.- noon Saturday.

The rain garden will be used to educate homeowners, elected officials, land use planners, regulatory personnel and coastal managers about the use of stormwater best management practices in conjunction with N.C. NERR’s Coastal Training Program.

National Estuaries Day is an annual event on the last Saturday in September to celebrate estuaries and the need to protect them. Estuaries refer to the places where the rivers meet the sea.

According to APNEP director Bill Crowell, construction of this rain garden provides a great opportunity for the community to improve water quality at this site.

The Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds are irreplaceable resources that contribute more than $1 billion annually to the nation’s economy, protect coastal communities against storms and flooding and provide invaluable habitat to plants and animals. North Carolina has some of the country’s largest and most productive estuaries.

“Nearly all species important to North Carolina commercial and recreational fisheries spend some part of their life in the estuaries,” said Louis Daniel, director of the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. “Maintaining healthy estuaries serves a vital role in maintaining a healthy fishery.”

Unfortunately, many of these areas are being damaged and destroyed, and remaining habitats are shrinking fast, threatening an extraordinary diversity of species and the fishing and tourism industries.

“We believe it is important for us to set an example for private businesses in retrofitting older developed property, like ours, for stormwater control,” Daniel said. “The rain garden is just one of several initiatives that have been taken at the Division of Marine Fisheries toward this end.”

Todd Miller, executive director of the N.C. Coastal Federation and a policy board member with APNEP, added: “It takes everybody doing their part to restore and protect our estuaries. This project lets people know that there are simple things they can do that will make a big difference.”

If you have questions about this event, contact Lori Brinn, APNEP community specialist, at (919) 715-4196 or lori.brinn@ncdenr.gov. For more information about estuaries, please visit www.apnep.org.

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Celebrate Take a Child Outside Week by bringing your children to a state park

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – A reptile roundup, a stream safari, an astronomy extravaganza and a sand dunes treasure hunt are among more than 80 special programs scheduled at North Carolina’s state parks during Take a Child Outside Week Sept. 24-30.

Many programs are offered by park rangers in late afternoons and at sunset so that adults can spend quality time with children throughout the week in the 36 state parks and state recreation areas.

State parks also offer exciting Get Outside! kits during the special week for families and small groups. The kits prompt do-it-yourself activities to rediscover nature’s wonders, and the first 50 parents or adult leaders to use them with children will receive a gift certificate for a free night’s camping.

Research has shown that engaging children in nature promotes learning, creativity and healthy lifestyles. Children who learn to play in natural settings are often more physically fit, score higher on tests of concentration and often enjoy life more fully.

Take a Child Outside Week originated in 2007 with environmental educators at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and was sparked by Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. The book suggests that opportunities for children to explore forests, fields and wetlands are disappearing in favor of afternoons spent playing video games. Now in its third year, the annual celebration has spread across the world with international partners in Canada, the United Kingdom and Belize.

“State parks have always been safe but exciting places for people to rediscover nature, offering miles of trails, free interpretive programs by rangers and museum-quality exhibits as well as opportunities just to explore independently,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director.

The Web site www.takeachildoutside.com helps parents, teachers and other caregivers find places, activities and ideas for outdoor discovery. For more information about North Carolina state parks and their environmental education programs and events, go to www.ncparks.gov.

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(Editors: High-resolution images of past Take a Child Outside Week events are available by contacting the public information office of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation at (919)715-8709.)

MEDOC MOUNTAIN STATE PARK INTRODUCES BRIDLE TRAIL SYSTEM

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County will formally introduce its new bridle trail system during a public reception at 2 p.m. Oct. 3, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The 11-mile network of bridle trails was built by volunteers and park staff since 2007, when the park added about 1,200 acres as part of the state’s acquisition of lands from International Paper Corp. More than three dozen volunteers, including the Cowboys for Christ chapter based in Nash County, contributed hundreds of man-hours of labor, and the project was completed in July.

“In these times of tight budgets, improvements to our state parks, such as this bridle trail system, are so often the product of valuable partnerships,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation. “The volunteer equestrians, The Nature Conservancy, which helped us secure the property and the community at large all deserve credit for a lasting contribution to recreation in the region.”

The bridle trailhead is off Medoc Mountain Road (S.R. 1002) just west of the Little Fishing Creek Bridge and includes a trailer parking area of nearly two acres, a shelter, a well-water facility for horses, a picnic area and a large outdoor grill. Improvements to the trailhead were funded by the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

Equestrians visiting the park are required to carry current Coggins papers and are permitted only on marked bridle trails. Riders are not required to stop at the park office, but may access the trails directly during normal operating hours beginning at 8 a.m.

The Halifax County Tourism Authority is co-hosting the reception. The event will offer the public a chance to ask additional questions of park staff and an opportunity to join the park’s bridle volunteer group.

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September is National Food Safety Education Month

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Environmental Health, working with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, reminds North Carolinians that food safety starts at home as North Carolina joins other states across the nation to observe National Food Safety Education Month.

“It is estimated that food-borne diseases cause 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths each year in the United States,” said Larry Michael, head of the Food Protection Branch in the Division of Environmental Health. “Food safety includes simple practices such as washing produce before eating it and separating raw meats from other food items. Knowing about food safety will protect you and your family from food-borne illnesses.”

This year’s theme, Food Safety Thrives When You Focus On Five, focuses on five important measures to reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses, such as cooking food to correct temperatures, practicing good personal hygiene and purchasing food from safe sources.

Environmental health and agriculture officials highlight the five primary food safety techniques that everyone should know and follow:
• practice good hand-washing habits,
• wash produce thoroughly before consumption,
• separate raw meats and poultry from ready-to-eat foods and foods that will be eaten raw (such as fresh vegetables),
• keep foods at the appropriate temperatures (below 40 F and above 135 F) and,
• know when to dispose of foods.

Michael notes that a good rule of thumb for any type of food product is when you are in doubt, throw it out.

National Food Safety Education Month, created in 1994, was established by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's International Food Safety Council. It was developed to heighten the awareness about the importance of food safety education as well as increase consumer awareness about the importance of food safety.

For more information about North Carolina activities during NFSEM, contact Larry Michael at (919) 715-0927 or Wendy Campbell at (919) 733-7366. To obtain information about NFSEM, visit the North Carolina NFSEM Web site or the national NFSEM Web site.

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Coastal Hazards Science Panel to Discuss Terminal Groins At Sept. 29 Meeting In Raleigh

Michele Walker

RALEIGH - The state Science Panel on Coastal Hazards will meet Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Raleigh to discuss the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s study of the feasibility of terminal groins in coastal North Carolina.

The panel, which provides scientific advice to the Coastal Resources Commission, will meet at 9 a.m. in room AQ526 (Division of Air Quality Training Room) at 2728 Capital Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.

The CRC, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, is conducting a study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of terminal groins as erosion control devices. The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and the General Assembly by April 1, 2010.

The CRC has asked the Science Panel to serve as a peer review group for the study, which has been contracted to the engineering firm of Moffatt and Nichol. The panel will help to direct and finalize the scope of work associated with the CRC effort.

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member Science Panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists.

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State Park Attendance Jumps In 2009

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - Attendance at North Carolina’s state parks has jumped significantly during 2009, with a third of the state parks and state recreation areas reporting visitation up at least 20 percent, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Through August – the latest reporting period – the state parks recorded 10.6 million visitors, up 14 percent from a year ago and surpassing visitation during the same eight-month period of 2007, which was a record year for state parks visitation. The report includes 35 state parks and state recreation areas along with Weymouth Woods State Nature Preserve.

“Citizens in North Carolina traditionally have turned to state parks for affordable family recreation during difficult economic times, and these attendance numbers reflect that,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “Despite tight budgets and reduced staffs, the state parks have worked extra hard to maintain the facilities and the visitor experience so people can relax and enjoy the outdoors this year.”

Aside from the economy, state park attendance can be strongly affected by weather events such as ice storms, hurricanes, heavy downpours or drought. Conditions in 2009 have been relatively normal. And, large construction projects that interrupted operations at a few parks have been completed, including a new summit viewing area at Mount Mitchell State Park and new roads and infrastructure at Gorges State Park in Transylvania County.

Some of the state parks that reported very strong increases in visitation included: Stone Mountain, 23 percent; Pilot Mountain, 31 percent; Cliffs of the Neuse, 40 percent; Crowders Mountain, 78 percent; Fort Macon, 25 percent; Lake Waccamaw, 35 percent; and, Raven Rock, 50 percent. Falls Lake and Jordan Lake state recreation areas reported increases of 24 percent and 52 percent respectively.

The record for attendance in the state parks was set in 2007 with 13.4 million visitors, and that record could be broken in 2009 depending on weather conditions during the autumn months, when cool weather and fall leaf colors traditionally lure hikers, campers and sightseers to the parks.

A university study completed in 2008 revealed that the state parks system contributes significantly to North Carolina’s economy in all seasons, with an annual economic impact of more than $400 million, including $124 million each year in direct contributions to local tourism economies. The complete study was conducted by North Carolina State University’s department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

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Update On Neuse Fish Kill

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH - The Division of Water Quality’s Neuse River Response Team yesterday counted a total of 6.5-million fish that have died over the last 48 hours on the river and in the Northwest Creek area. According to division staff, this brings the total fish kill on the Neuse since the last week of August to approximately 12.3 million.

This large-scale fish kill involves one species – juvenile Atlantic Menhaden – none of which had lesions. Very large, dense schools of live Menhaden were also observed along the entire length of the kill. Staff reports that fish near New Bern appeared lethargic, while schools further downstream appeared more active and healthier in appearance.

Of the fish counted yesterday, 650,000 were found in the Northwest Creek and Fairfield Harbor, an area somewhat separated from the rest of the river. The remaining 5.8-million were counted in the Neuse River from New Bern to Carolina Pines.

Division staff say low levels of dissolved oxygen, the type of oxygen used by fish and other aquatic animals, are still thought to be the cause of the kill. Water samples were collected yesterday where algae blooms were observed. Results from previous samples have not identified any water quality problems beyond the low-oxygen levels.

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Public Meeting Scheduled To Discuss Public Use Of Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve

Michele Walker

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Coastal Management and the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program will hold a public meeting Oct. 8 to discuss appropriate public use of the Masonboro Island component of the reserve. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the UNC Center for Marine Science at 5600 Marvin Moss Lane, Wilmington (note corrected address).

Reserve staff will provide information on how the Reserve is managed, the Reserve program’s primary goals of research and education, and how traditional public uses can be compatible with these goals. The meeting will also discuss options for managing holiday weekend crowds on the Reserve property, to ensure public safety and protection of the Reserve’s natural resources.

“The division is considering several options for managing the issue of large crowds on the island on summer holiday weekends,” said Jim Gregson, director of the Division of Coastal Management. “We are actively seeking input from the public in making these decisions.”

The Masonboro Reserve is one of 10 components in the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program, which protects coastal lands and marshes for research, education and compatible traditional uses.

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National Award Recognizes Morton Family For Conservation Effort

PRESS RELEASE FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PARK DIRECTORS

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – A national organization dedicated to supporting the goals and operations of state parks systems across the nation has recognized the outstanding efforts of the Hugh Morton Family for its longtime natural resource stewardship efforts and critical role in the creation of North Carolina’s newest state park at Grandfather Mountain.

The National Association of State Park Directors, an organization which advises state park systems on effective administration and management, presented its President’s Award to Julia, Catherine, Jim and Crae Morton at its annual meeting Sept. 10.

The Morton Family was recognized for working with state officials in North Carolina to preserve Grandfather Mountain, a family-owned property affording rich natural resources and recreational opportunities for visitors and residents. Valued at $25 million, the property was sold to the state for $12 million, due to the generosity and conservation ethic of the family. In 2008, the Morton Family approached the North Carolina state parks system about the long-term preservation and conservation of the property and creation of a state park to provide a source of perpetual management and public access of the property.

“Generations of our family have loved this mountain,” said Jim Morton, “so we are heartened to know that many other families will be able to enjoy this beautiful land for generations to come.”

In September 2008, the state announced plans to acquire 2,456 acres on the landmark mountain for $12 million from the Morton family and Grandfather Mountain Inc. The acquisition also includes a conservation easement on 749 acres that will be retained by the heirs of Hugh Morton, the family patriarch who inherited the mountain in 1952 and is credited with developing the park as a tourist destination and endowing it with a strong conservation ethic. Morton died in 2006. The 2009 North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed and Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law legislation authorizing the new park.

“The Morton Family has built upon the natural resource stewardship and the conservation ethic exemplified by Hugh Morton,” Lewis Ledford, North Carolina state parks system director said at the awards ceremony. “The family is an inspiration to citizens of every state and to those of us charged with the stewardship of natural resources.”

The award to the Morton Family marks the third time in the last four years that North Carolina land conservationists have received NASPD recognition. In 2007, Dick Ludington and Mike Leonard of The Conservation Fund and Lt. Gov. (then state senator) Walter Dalton received the President’s Award for their work in the preservation of Chimney Rock. Susie Hamrick Jones and the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina received the award in 2006 for her organization’s efforts to secure 4,300 acres for the expansion of Lake James State Park in Burke and McDowell counties.

“The altruism, selflessness and sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the Morton Family are quite worthy of recognition,” said Priscilla Geigis, Massachusetts state park director and NASPD president. “Their efforts, combined with other recent award recipients from North Carolina, have set the conservation bar exceptionally high in our parks and recreation communities.”

Others receiving NASPD awards this year included the Blackstone Valley Maple Sugaring Association of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. Ron Blome of Blome Productions in Arkansas won the organization’s award for historical work.

The National Association of State Parks Directors is composed of park directors from all 50 states. NASPD meets annually in September to share ideas about operations, budgets, and other issues. This year’s meeting focused on balancing budget challenges with meeting operational needs and visitor expectations.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Re3.Org Hosts Landfill Ban Awareness Tour

Kelley Dennings

WHAT: The BANneD Tour rolls into Winston-Salem this weekend with a coffeehouse concert. RE3.org will have a booth and distribute information on the plastic bottle ban to concert attendees.

In preparation for the upcoming plastic bottle landfill ban going into effect Oct. 1, RE3.org is hosting a “BANneD” Tour across North Carolina. The tour will bring information on the plastic bottle landfill ban to numerous local music venues and coffee shops in the upcoming months.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19 – Show begins at 5:30 p.m.

WHO: Bands scheduled to appear: Return the Hero, Though He Slay Me, For I Desire Mercy, Safe in the Arms, Lewis vs. Clark, Shotgun Saints, Surviving the Silence

WHERE: Confluence Coffee Shop 12394 N. NC Hwy 150, Winston-Salem. ALL AGES SHOW $7 admission.

More dates will be added soon. Please visit www.RE3.org for more information. You can also track the BANneD tour by visiting RE3.org’s Facebook page.

For more information on banned items, please contact DPPEA at (919) 715-6500 or (800) 763-0136. You can also visit the Web site.

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Environmental Commission Approves New Groundwater Pollution Standards

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH – The state Environmental Management Commission on Thursday approved proposed revisions to state regulations of pollutants in groundwater.

Groundwater standards establish the maximum level of chemical concentrations which can be tolerated without creating a threat to human health or making the groundwater unsuitable for drinking or other intended uses. Every three years the state is required to review groundwater standards to ensure that they are based on the most recent health and toxicological information and, if needed, to make changes to achieve that goal.

Proposals for this cycle of the review process included:
• a decrease in the allowable concentrations for 15 standards: arsenic; barium, chromium; 1,1-dichloroethane; 1,4-dioxane; lindane; methyl tert-butyl ether; naphthalene; petroleum aliphatic carbon fraction class C9-C18; petroleum aliphatic carbon fraction class C19-C36; phenol; selenium; styrene; tetrachloroethylene; toluene
• an increase in the allowable concentrations for 12 standards: acetone; boron; butylbenzyl phthalate; 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane; 1,4-dichlorobenzene; 1,2-dichloropropane; 1,3-dichloropropene; ethylene dibromide; 2-methylnaphthalene; 3-methylphenol; 4-methylphenol; vinyl chloride
• the addition of a standard for formaldehyde
• standardization of units of measure to micrograms per liter (parts per billion)
• an update of 10 chemical names

Three public hearings were held in April and written comments were collected until the close of the comment period on June 22. Based on the comments collected through the hearings and the comment period, the hearing officers recommended that the EMC adopt the changes to the groundwater standards as proposed with some exceptions. The proposed change for the arsenic standard was modified to 10 parts per billion – the same standard that is currently used for drinking water. The standard for tetrachloroethylene (also called perchloroethylene) will remain unchanged. Both standards will be evaluated again during the next triennial review; by then new information from the federal Environmental Protection Agency should be finalized.

The standards will now be submitted to the Rules Review Commission for their approval. To view the entire hearing officer’s report, go to the DWQ Web site.

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Public Hearings Set On Draft Air Permit For Proposed Cement Plant

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Air Quality has scheduled two public hearings for Oct. 20 on a draft air quality permit for a proposed cement manufacturing plant in New Hanover County.

Titan America/Carolinas Cement Co. LLC has applied for an air quality permit to construct and operate a Portland cement manufacturing plant at 6411 Ideal Cement Road in Castle Hayne. The Division of Air Quality has prepared a draft permit that sets limits for all applicable air quality standards for the proposed facility. In addition, the project still must receive environmental permits not related to air quality from other state and federal agencies.

The public hearings are scheduled for 2-5 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 20 at Cape Fear Community College, North Campus, BB&T Auditorium, McKeithan Center, 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne. Individuals may register to speak at one of the hearings and/or submit written comments. Due to time constraints, speakers will be limited to 3 minutes each. The comment period will end Oct. 30, and DAQ will accept written comments postmarked by that date.

People attending the afternoon hearing should park only in non-numbered parking spaces at Cape Fear Community College. They also should display a parking pass in their windshield, which they can obtain at the hearing.

If approved and constructed, the facility would be the only cement manufacturing plant in North Carolina. Ideal Cement Co. previously operated a cement plant at the proposed site until it closed in 1982.

Under the draft air permit, Carolinas Cement must demonstrate that it can comply with state and federal rules for controlling carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, visible emissions, volatile organic compounds, mercury and other hazardous air pollutants. The plant must use state-of-the-art air pollution control devices, including bag filters, a selective non-catalytic reduction system and lime injection. Other permit conditions require the facility operators to:

♦Monitor and inspect air pollution control equipment on a set schedule;
♦Conduct periodic stack testing of emissions from the kiln system;
♦Operate continuous emission monitors for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, total hydrocarbons and visible emissions; and
♦Comply with state limits on air toxics.

The draft permit may be viewed online or at the following locations: DAQ Wilmington Regional Office, 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, (910) 796-7215; and the DAQ Central Office, Permits Section, Parker Lincoln Building, 2728 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, at (919) 715-6255.

The hearing is for a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit. The PSD process ensures that the construction and operation of new major sources will not significantly degrade air quality.

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National, State Leaders Discuss Protection Of Public Drinking Water

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH – More than 40 national and state leaders in water protection, land conservation and local planning met last week to discuss strategies for protecting approximately 9,300 sources of public drinking water in North Carolina.
The effort is a component of the N.C. Enabling Source Water Protection Project, which aims to align state water quality protection, land use programs and policy decisions to enhance and protect drinking water sources.
“North Carolina is expected to grow in population by as much as 30 percent by the year 2030,” said Robin Smith, assistant secretary of the environment in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “That makes both water quantity and quality vitally important to the future of the state. This effort to protect drinking water sources is an effort to bring together local, state and federal partners to protect and restore North Carolina’s water sources to ensure those resources can support growth and economic development as well as a healthy environment.”
The N.C. Public Water Supply Section’s Source Water Protection Program was selected in April as one of three states to participate in a national drinking water protection project, titled “Enabling Source Water Protection: Aligning State Land Use and Water Protection Programs.” As part of the project, a team of committed state partners will receive technical assistance from national experts to identify incentives and develop strategies to support and enable drinking water protection at the local level.
The project was created and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is administered by the Trust for Public Land and the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the River Network.
“Between our national perspective and the local perspective, we hope to come up with some innovative strategies to implement at both the local and state levels to move source water protection to the next level,” said Caryn Ernst, consultant for the Trust for Public Land.
The state’s Source Water Protection Program resulted from 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. As part of this program, the state’s Public Water Supply Section developed an interactive mapping application that delineates drinking water source boundaries, inventories potential contaminant sources and rates the susceptibility of nearly 9,300 public drinking water sources for potential contamination.
For an overview of the project, visit http://www.landuseandwater.org. For details about North Carolina’s participation in the project, please contact Jay Frick, Source Water Protection Program coordinator, at (919) 715-0827 or by e-mail at jay.frick@ncdenr.gov.

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Public Meeting Set On Public Use Of Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve

Michele Walker

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the UNC Center for Marine Science, 601 South College Road, Wilmington.

Reserve staff will provide information on how the reserve is managed, the reserve program’s primary goals of research and education, and how traditional public uses can be compatible with these goals. The meeting will also be used to discuss options for managing holiday weekend crowds on the reserve property, to ensure public safety and protection of the reserve’s natural resources.

“The division is considering several options for managing the issue of large crowds on the island on summer holiday weekends,” said Jim Gregson, director of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. “And, we are actively seeking input from the public in making these decisions.”

The Masonboro reserve is one of 10 components in the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program, which protects coastal lands and marshes for research, education and compatible traditional uses.

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With Plastic Bottle Ban Approaching, Orange County Leads Recovery Effort

Chris Frazier

RALEIGH – Starting Oct. 1, plastic bottles, oil filters and wooden pallets are banned from disposal in North Carolina’s landfills.

North Carolina recovers less than one out of every five plastic bottles generated in the state, despite hosting some of the largest processors of these materials. The new ban is intended to boost the recovery of bottles, in large part to meet the growing demand for these materials.

An example of the appetite for recovered plastic bottles is the Clear Path facility being built in Fayetteville, which will have the capacity to use 280 million pounds of polyethlene terephthalate (PET #1) bottles annually. Envision Plastics, the nation’s second largest recycler of high-density polyethlene (HDPE #2) bottles, also operates a facility in Reidsville. According to the National Association of PET Container Resources, end users of recycled PET in 11 southeastern states have the capacity for 1.439 billion pounds per year. HDPE reclaimers in the United States can use more than 1 billion pounds annually, but due to poor recovery rates are operating at 69 percent capacity.

“Widespread compliance with the plastic bottle disposal ban will ensure a flow of plastic bottles to meet market demand for the materials and will result in additional job creation through the expansion of recycling collection companies,” said Scott Mouw, environmental supervisor for the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. “The law represents a major growth opportunity for the state’s recycling businesses and for local government recycling collection programs as well.”

State officials are educating public and private solid waste management facilities to separate the banned items from the waste stream before those items arrive at a disposal facility. If necessary, enforcement of the disposal bans will be applied primarily at disposal facilities such as landfills and transfer stations by the N.C. Division of Waste Management. The law does allow for accidental or occasional disposal of small amounts of banned materials. However, starting a recycling program for the banned materials is the simplest and easiest way to ensure compliance.

Moreover, such recycling programs are good for the environment. If all the plastic bottles generated in the state were recycled, more than 2.4 billion additional plastic bottles would be kept out of landfills annually. Data from the N.C. Solid Waste Annual Report shows that some North Carolina counties are recycling plastic bottles at much higher rates than others.

Orange County has a comprehensive program and claims the top spot in the county-by-county rankings. With a recovery rate of more than 29 pounds of plastic bottles per person, Orange County recycled more than seven times the state average on a per capita basis. The average county per capita recovery is 3.81 pounds per person. Caswell, Graham, Martin and Warren counties do not collect plastic as part of their recycling programs.

A list detailing per capita plastic bottle recycling rates for each county can be found below. The totals include tonnage recycled by county and municipal programs in the county. Local collection programs typically target residential recyclables; additional plastic bottle recovery may be occurring through private recycling efforts. For more information regarding the data, contact Jim Hickman, DPPEA local government assistance team leader at (919) 715-6528.
The statutory reference for the disposal ban can be found at: http://www.p2pays.org/ref/38/37984.pdf.

County Population 2007-08 Per Capita Plastic

Bottle Recovery (lbs)

ORANGE COUNTY................. 127,344........................ 29.42

PAMLICO COUNTY................. 12,947......................... 14.76

CRAVEN COUNTY................... 96,406......................... 12.98

MITCHELL COUNTY................. 15,950......................... 10.53

DAVIE COUNTY....................... 40,447......................... 10.48

CATAWBA COUNTY............... 153,404........................ 10.04

GUILFORD COUNTY............... 460,780......................... 8.40

YANCEY COUNTY................... 18,550.......................... 7.50

CURRITUCK COUNTY.............. 23,731.......................... 7.45

DARE COUNTY......................... 34,272.......................... 7.39

BEAUFORT COUNTY................ 46,070.......................... 7.30

DURHAM COUNTY................. 254,740......................... 6.94

CARTERET COUNTY................. 63,294.......................... 6.83

WATAUGA COUNTY............... 44,696.......................... 6.78

NEW HANOVER COUNTY...... 189,922......................... 6.71

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY....... 30,758.......................... 6.69

MECKLENBURG COUNTY...... 863,147......................... 6.68

JACKSON COUNTY................. 36,815.......................... 6.42

WAKE COUNTY....................... 832,590......................... 6.05

CHOWAN COUNTY................. 14,660.......................... 5.93

LENOIR COUNTY..................... 57,642.......................... 5.92

UNION COUNTY..................... 182,344......................... 5.86

MCDOWELL COUNTY............. 44,064.......................... 5.79

SWAIN COUNTY...................... 13,889.......................... 5.53

PERQUIMANS COUNTY.......... 12,722.......................... 5.50

SCOTLAND COUNTY............... 36,830.......................... 5.36

WAYNE COUNTY.................... 115,225......................... 5.02

ALLEGHANY COUNTY............. 11,088.......................... 5.01

ALEXANDER COUNTY............. 36,656.......................... 4.97

FORSYTH COUNTY.................. 338,679......................... 4.80

ALAMANCE COUNTY............ 143,154......................... 4.75

RUTHERFORD COUNTY........... 62,926.......................... 4.65

BRUNSWICK COUNTY............. 99,440.......................... 4.52

ASHE COUNTY......................... 26,003.......................... 4.38

HENDERSON COUNTY........... 102,142......................... 4.33

BUNCOMBE COUNTY............ 225,609......................... 4.10

GATES COUNTY....................... 11,819.......................... 4.09

HAYWOOD COUNTY.............. 57,031.......................... 3.99

HYDE COUNTY.......................... 5,447........................... 3.98

YADKIN COUNTY..................... 37,850.......................... 3.98

LEE COUNTY............................. 56,376.......................... 3.83

CABARRUS COUNTY.............. 164,384......................... 3.67

CALDWELL COUNTY............... 79,376.......................... 3.66

CAMDEN COUNTY................... 9,519........................... 3.66

GASTON COUNTY.................. 200,972......................... 3.65

MACON COUNTY................... 33,626.......................... 3.65

CHATHAM COUNTY................ 59,168.......................... 3.38

PITT COUNTY........................... 151,970......................... 3.36

LINCOLN COUNTY.................. 72,776.......................... 3.33

DUPLIN COUNTY...................... 53,133.......................... 3.26

MOORE COUNTY.................... 83,932.......................... 3.02

WILKES COUNTY...................... 67,182.......................... 3.00

WILSON COUNTY.................... 77,970.......................... 2.97

ROWAN COUNTY................... 136,486......................... 2.80

DAVIDSON COUNTY............. 156,400......................... 2.78

PENDER COUNTY..................... 50,430.......................... 2.46

FRANKLIN COUNTY................. 56,456.......................... 2.23

BURKE COUNTY....................... 88,439.......................... 2.22

STOKES COUNTY..................... 46,257.......................... 2.12

MADISON COUNTY................ 20,495.......................... 2.10

MONTGOMERY COUNTY....... 27,588.......................... 2.01

NASH COUNTY........................ 92,915.......................... 1.94

POLK COUNTY......................... 19,040.......................... 1.93

HERTFORD COUNTY................ 23,730.......................... 1.90

TYRRELL COUNTY...................... 4,290........................... 1.83

PERSON COUNTY.................... 37,640.......................... 1.82

ONSLOW COUNTY................. 169,302......................... 1.62

CLAY COUNTY......................... 10,326.......................... 1.61

JOHNSTON COUNTY.............. 157,296......................... 1.55

GRANVILLE COUNTY.............. 55,667.......................... 1.54

STANLY COUNTY..................... 59,158.......................... 1.54

CLEVELAND COUNTY............. 97,144.......................... 1.51

AVERY COUNTY...................... 18,292.......................... 1.46

PASQUOTANK COUNTY......... 40,880.......................... 1.41

VANCE COUNTY..................... 43,583.......................... 1.39

RANDOLPH COUNTY............. 139,422......................... 1.37

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY........ 91,646.......................... 1.25

IREDELL COUNTY.................... 150,421......................... 1.24

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY...... 21,235.......................... 1.18

EDGECOMBE COUNTY.......... 51,813.......................... 1.07

SURRY COUNTY....................... 73,150.......................... 1.06

WASHINGTON COUNTY......... 13,214.......................... 0.95

GREENE COUNTY.................... 21,110.......................... 0.92

CHEROKEE COUNTY............... 27,026.......................... 0.76

BERTIE COUNTY....................... 19,971.......................... 0.60

SAMPSON COUNTY................ 64,522.......................... 0.59

CUMBERLAND COUNTY........ 313,616......................... 0.57

BLADEN COUNTY.................... 32,500.......................... 0.46

COLUMBUS COUNTY.............. 54,460.......................... 0.24

ANSON COUNTY..................... 25,332.......................... 0.22

RICHMOND COUNTY............. 46,672.......................... 0.21

JONES COUNTY....................... 10,315.......................... 0.15

ROBESON COUNTY................ 129,425......................... 0.11

HOKE COUNTY........................ 42,932.......................... 0.09

HALIFAX COUNTY................... 55,352.......................... 0.03

HARNETT COUNTY.................. 106,506......................... 0.03

*CASWELL COUNTY................ 23,508............................. 0

*GRAHAM COUNTY................. 8,144.............................. 0

*MARTIN COUNTY................... 23,906............................. 0

*WARREN COUNTY................. 19,919............................. 0

* Plastic bottle collection opportunities do not exist in these counties or they failed to report tonnage.

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Masonboro Island Local Advisory Committee To Meet Sept. 17

Michele Walke

WHAT: Local Advisory Committee Meeting for the Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sept. 17
WHERE: Habitat Room, UNC Center for Marine Science, 601 South College Road, Wilmington

RALEIGH – The advisory committee for the Masonboro Island component of the N. C. National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Habitat Room of the UNC Center for Marine Science. The meeting is open to the public. The committee of local residents, partners and leaders provides the N.C. Coastal Reserve staff with guidance and feedback regarding management of the reserve. Masonboro Island is one of 10 components in the N.C. Coastal Reserve, which protects coastal lands and marshes for research, education and compatible traditional uses.

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NEUSE RIVER FISH KILL ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR 2 MILLION

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH – Approximately 1.9 million fish were found washed-up along the southern shoreline of the Neuse River from Black Beacon Point to Carolina Pines in Craven County, a distance of about 10 miles.

The Division of Water Quality was notified of the fish kill through calls from the public. The fish – juvenile Atlantic Menhaden – were 2-6 inches long. No sores or lesions were observed.

There are two lines, or wracks, of dead fish along the southern shoreline and two stages of fish decay. Fish in one wrack appear to have died 2-3 days ago, while those in the other appear to have died within the last 24 hours.

According to DWQ staff, weather conditions may have caused an upwelling event similar to the recent Aug. 21 fish kill. For the past several days, wind velocities averaging a consistent 10-25 miles per hour have blown across the river from north to south. The wind pushes the surface water toward the other shore, pulling up deeper water in its place. The deeper parts of the river do not carry as much oxygen due to the stratification caused by salty water. Fish swimming in the area during the upwelling event are caught in this zone – which contain low levels of oxygen – and die.

Dead fish will most likely continue to float from the north side of the river towards the south shore if the north winds continue bringing up low-oxygen waters to the surface.

Water samples were collected and will be sent to the division’s laboratory in Raleigh for analysis.

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N.C. COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO HOLD INITIAL MEETING ON TERMINAL GROIN FEASIBILITY STUDY

Michele Walker

RALEIGH - The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, in consultation with N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Division of Land Resources, and the N.C. Coastal Resources Advisory Council, will hold its first meeting related to a study of the feasibility and advisability of the use of terminal groins as erosion control devices.
The meeting will be held from 1-5 p.m., Sept. 14 in the Soil and Water auditorium at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at 300 Industrial Drive in New Bern. The meeting is open to the public.
The study was mandated by Session Law 2009-479, which requires the CRC to conduct the study and present a report to the Environmental Review Commission and the General Assembly by April 1, 2010. The Environmental Review Commission is a joint legislative study committee.
The bill directs the CRC to consider the following:

• Scientific data regarding the effectiveness of terminal groins constructed in North Carolina and other states in controlling erosion. Such data will include consideration of the effect of terminal groins on adjacent areas of the coastline.
• Scientific data regarding the impact of terminal groins on the environment and natural wildlife habitats.
• Information regarding the engineering techniques used to construct terminal groins, including technological advances and techniques that minimize the impact on adjacent shorelines.
• Information regarding the current and projected economic impact to the state, local governments and the private sector from erosion caused by shifting inlets, including loss of property, public infrastructure and tax base.
• Information regarding the public and private monetary costs of the construction and maintenance of terminal groins.
• Whether the potential use of terminal groins should be limited to navigable, dredged inlet channels.

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PUBLIC HEARING TO GATHER COMMENTS ON RALEIGH WASTEWATER VARIANCE

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH - The Environmental Management Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Sept. 9 to gather comments concerning a request from the city of Raleigh for permission to allow nitrates that have migrated off-site from the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant to dissipate over time without additional treatment - a process called natural attenuation. State groundwater rules do not allow natural attenuation as a cleanup method by permitted facilities unless a variance to those requirements is granted by the commission.

The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building at 512 Salisbury St. in Raleigh. Oral and written comments may be presented; a written copy of all oral comments is requested. All comments received by Oct. 9 will be made part of the variance application file and will be considered by the hearing officers before making a recommendation to the EMC. Comments may be submitted or e-mailed to Gary Kreiser, DWQ Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617 or gary.kreiser@ncdenr.gov.

The area for which the variance is requested is approximately 1,466 acres of land at the wastewater plant and 37 parcels of land adjacent to the property along Old Baucom Road, Mial Plantation Road, Shotwell Road and Battlebridge Road. The Raleigh Public Utility Department used the land to apply wastewater treatment plant residuals. Currently, no residuals are being applied to this property.

Land surrounding this site consists of residential properties, farmland, commercial properties and state-owned forest land. Nearby wells that were impacted by nitrates associated with the over-application of residuals have either been abandoned per the state’s well construction rules, or are no longer in use as a drinking water supply. Private well owners who abandoned wells as a result of the pollution are now served by water from the city of Raleigh.

With the variance, the city proposes to take certain measures (including installation of subsurface flow wetlands) to mitigate for the nitrate contamination in the groundwater that is impacting several streams that discharge to the Neuse River. In addition, the wastewater treatment plant’s permit limit for nitrogen will be adjusted to account for predicted contributions of groundwater nitrate to the Neuse River from the application site.

The city has already installed a system to actively remove the nitrate from the groundwater near the Mial Plantation Road and Baucom Road.

Additional information is on file and can be inspected Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. by calling Lori Skidmore (919) 791-4200 at the DENR-DWQ Raleigh Regional Office, Aquifer Protection Section, 3800 Barrett Drive in Raleigh.

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RETAILER'S GRANT TO HELP HAW RIVER STATE PARK

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – Haw River State Park in Rockingham and Guilford counties will benefit from a $5,000 grant for environmental education equipment that outdoors outfitter Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) presented to the nonprofit Friends of State Parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The state park’s Summit Environmental Education Center will enhance its programming with microprojectors that can display microscopic aquatic organisms, a bat detector, a telemetry kit for eastern box turtles and canoeing equipment, said Susan McBean, the park’s superintendent

Friends of State Parks was nominated for the grant by the employees of REI of Greensboro. Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities and encourage involvement in responsible outdoor recreation. During 2008, REI granted $3.7 million to more than 395 community partners.

“This grant will directly help Haw River State Park improve its environmental education programs, particularly for young people, and that’s always been one of the principal goals of Friends of State Parks,” said David Pearson, president of the organization. “It’s a great example of partnership between our support group, the state parks system and the business community.”

Washington State-based REI awarded a similar grant to Haw River State Park in 2007, which was used to expand the park’s canoeing programs.

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Gov. Perdue Signs Final Part of the Jordan Nutrient Rules

Jason Robinson

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law on Wednesday the last part of the legislation to complete passage of the Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy – a set of rules designed to restore and maintain water quality and protect the lake by reducing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the reservoir.

Jordan Lake serves as a vital water supply and recreational area for communities in central North Carolina.

The strategy consists of 13 rules adopted by the Environmental Management Commission in May 2008. The regulations address a wide range of potential contributors of nitrogen and phosphorus including wastewater, stormwater from new and existing development, agriculture and commercial landscaping activities. A requirement for 50-foot waterside buffers throughout the watershed and options for offsetting nutrient loads are also included.

Eight of the rules were not changed and became effective Aug. 11. Four of the remaining rules – those regulating wastewater discharges, stormwater management for new development, buffer protection and stormwater management for state and federal development – were changed but also became effective Aug. 11. The rule requiring reductions in nutrient loading from existing development was replaced by legislation that became effective June 30.

Implementation dates for existing development requirements for local, state and federal entities, as well as the wastewater nitrogen compliance date, are set out in the new legislation. Otherwise, implementation timelines set out in each of the rules are now in effect.

The Jordan Lake watershed includes parts of 10 counties in the rapidly developing Triangle and Triad: Rockingham, Caswell, Guilford, Alamance, Orange, Chatham, Durham, Wake and small areas of Randolph and Forsyth. There are 26 municipalities in the watershed including Greensboro, Burlington, Haw River, Mebane, Chapel Hill and Durham.

Jordan Lake has been troubled by excessive nutrients since its impoundment in 1983. Nitrogen and phosphorus make their way to the lake from wastewater discharges, rainfall runoff from agriculture and stormwater runoff from new and existing development throughout the watershed. An abundance of nutrients drives excessive growth of microscopic algae that give the water a green, murky appearance. It also causes taste and odor problems in potable water and robs the water of oxygen. These impacts increase the costs associated with drinking water treatment, make the water unattractive for recreational uses and may cause fish kills.

The rules represent the first comprehensive program to deal with nutrient impacts from this area and will be implemented during the next few decades.

Workshops are scheduled for Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 for local government staff, consultants, engineers, surveyors and landscape architects. To learn more about the workshops and the rules, visit the DWQ Web site at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/JordanNutrientStrategy.htm.

SECRETARY FREEMAN TO VOLUNTEER WITH AMERICORPS GROUP AT JORDAN LAKE STATE RECREATIONAL AREA

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – As part of the national “United We Serve” campaign, Secretary Dee Freeman will join a team of AmeriCorps volunteers with the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation on Monday morning in removing invasive plants at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

Secretary Freeman will pitch in with the volunteers at the Robeson Creek canoe access area (off Hanks Chapel Road) at 10 a.m. to assist in the removal of an infestation of Chinese privet and Autumn olive. These invasive shrubs have established themselves on the edge of the forest near the parking lot, and state parks system staff seeks to eradicate them before they spread into the forest understory and crowd out native species. The Robeson Creek area contains some high quality natural communities, including mature forest and an upland depression wetland that provides habitat for salamander breeding.

“United We Serve” is a national volunteer effort announced earlier this summer by President Obama and supported by Gov. Bev Perdue, which aims to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, an ideal location for camping, boating, swimming, hiking and fishing, is operated by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Jordan Lake contains nearly 14,000 acres of water, and the state parks system operates nine recreation sites on the lake, located in Chatham County, 21 miles southwest of Raleigh. For information about North Carolina’s state parks, please visit http://www.ncparks.gov/ .

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18–24. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and faith-based and other community organizations, members complete service projects in the region to which they are assigned. The team assigned to state parks is working at five parks: Carolina Beach, William B. Umstead, Jordan Lake, Morrow Mountain and Pilot Mountain. The Natural Resource Management program of the state parks system initiated this summer’s AmeriCorps partnership.

For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, please visit http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/nccc.asp. For information about “United We Serve,” including finding a volunteer activity near your home or registering your individual or group volunteer activities, visit www.serve.gov.
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Directions from Raleigh: Cross Jordan Lake on Highway 64; turn south onto Foxfire Trace, continue for .4 of a mile. Turn left onto Dee Ferrell Road and continue for .6 of a mile. Turn left onto Hanks Chapel Road, continuing one mile to the canoe access entrance, or 1.2 miles to the boat ramp.

Epa Gathering Comments On New Hanover County No Discharge Zone

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH - The Environmental Protection Agency is gathering comments on a petition filed by the state Division of Water Quality that proposes a no-discharge zone for treated or untreated sewage from vessels in coastal waters in New Hanover County and extending three nautical miles into the Atlantic Ocean.

The petition was filed on behalf of the towns of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington and New Hanover County. Included in the proposed area are Futch Creek, Pages Creek, Bradley Creek, Hewlett’s Creek, Howe Creek, Whiskey Creek, Snow’s Cut, and all tributaries and tidal creeks to those waters.

Based on active registrations from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the total vessel population for New Hanover County as of August 2008 was 13,940. That number had increased by nearly 15 percent in the previous two years, with the largest increase occurring in boats between 16-feet and 25-feet in length. According to EPA estimates, approximately 10 percent of boats in the 16-25 foot range are equipped with a marine sanitary device. About 8 percent of smaller boats have the devices.

In accordance with no-discharge zone requirements, EPA concurs with the state Division of Water Quality that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for the waters to which the discharge prohibition would apply. There are nine facilities for pumping out vessel holding tanks in New Hanover County and they have state-approved and regulated septic tanks, on-site waste treatment or holding tanks for transport to a waste treatment plant.

To review the full EPA notice in the Federal Register, go to: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2009/August/Day-24/. For questions or additional information, please contact Jeff Manning at jeff.manning@ncdenr.gov or (919) 807-6415.

All comments should be submitted to David Parker, chief of the Coastal Section of EPA Region 4, Water Protection Division, 61 Forsyth St., Atlanta, Ga. 30303. The comment period ends Sept. 23.

Americorps Volunteers Lend A Hand At Five State Parks

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - Five North Carolina state parks are benefiting from the work of a team of AmeriCorps volunteers as part of the national “United We Serve” campaign, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The “Wolf 3” team of eight young adults is spending a week camping in each of the state parks. Under the guidance of the state parks system’s natural resource management program, they’ll work to eradicate invasive species and shore up hiking trails at Carolina Beach, William B. Umstead, Morrow Mountain and Pilot Mountain state parks and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

“Volunteers are always welcome in our state parks and that’s especially true now that the recession and necessary budget controls have stretched our staff in a busy summer season,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “We’re confident that the volunteers will benefit from the experience as well as our state parks and the natural resources they protect.”

The “United We Serve” initiative is a national volunteer effort, announced earlier this summer by President Obama and supported by Gov. Bev. Perdue, which aims to engage more Americans in serving their communities. AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18-24, which works to strengthen communities and develop leaders in partnership with government agencies and nonprofits.

The “Wolf 3” team comes to the state parks after working in Louisiana communities damaged by Hurricane Katrina and rebuilding a women’s shelter in western North Carolina. After their service each will receive an education stipend.

Emily Parisher, a state parks biologist coordinating their work, said invasive plant removal will take much of their time and is important because invasive exotic species are a serious threat to biodiversity. When exotic plants grow unchecked, they can out-compete fragile native species for habitat space and resources. The trail work that the team will perform will help curb erosion and sedimentation during storm events, which in turn, helps protect water quality in the parks’ streams.

The team members can hone some skills that may help them in natural resource careers, such as invasive plant identity and control methods, prescribed fire monitoring protocols and GPS use for natural resource management.

Secretary Freeman To Work With Volunteer Group At Dupont State Forest

Diana Kees

RALEIGH – Secretary Dee Freeman will join volunteers with the Friends of DuPont Forest tomorrow afternoon in building a fence alongside a hiking trail within DuPont State Forest, as part of the national “United We Serve” campaign.

The volunteers will gather near DuPont State Forest’s Hooker Falls access area on Staton Road at 1:30 p.m. to begin the project, which consists of building about 90 feet of hemlock rail fence.

United We Serve is a national volunteer effort announced earlier this summer by President Obama and supported by Gov. Bev Perdue, which aims to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer.

DuPont State Forest is operated by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources. The 10,400 acre forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties between the towns of Hendersonville and Brevard. The Friends of DuPont Forest is a volunteer service organization working to enhance the public use and enjoyment of the DuPont State Forest while protecting its natural resources. For information about DuPont State Forest, please visit http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/Contacts/dsf.htm . For more information about the Friends of DuPont Forest, please visit http://www.dupontforest.com/ .

For information about United We Serve, including finding a volunteer activity near your home or registering your individual or group volunteer activities, visit www.serve.gov.

Settlement Agreement Reached Between State and Composting Facility

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH - State environmental officials have reached an agreement that resolves a dispute with a composting facility in Huntersville.

Last fall, the N.C. Division of Waste Management issued Wallace Farm Inc. a notice of violation and a compliance order for alleged violations of the state’s solid waste management rules and laws and the facility’s operating permit. The alleged violations came about in connection with complaints that strong odors were coming from the Wallace Farm site at 14410 Eastfield Road, Huntersville.

The settlement agreement seeks to reduce or eliminate the strong odors by calling for an immediate change in operational practices at Wallace Farm and the elimination of one waste stream and the possibility that other waste streams will be removed if the odors recur or persist.

“Without enduring a lengthy court battle, we have reached an agreement that benefits the community, the facility and the state because we are able to immediately start addressing the problems the state identified at the facility,” said Dexter Matthews, director of the N.C. Division of Waste Management.

Composting is a managed aerobic process that uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi at temperatures above 110 degrees to break down raw, organic materials such as food, yard and agricultural wastes. Breaking down those wastes produces a relatively stable, humus-like product that can be used to improve soils or as mulch for plants. State rules require a permit to operate a facility such as Wallace Farm that composts solid wastes.

The state imposed a $10,500 administrative penalty as part of last fall’s compliance order. Wallace Farm agreed to pay the state-imposed penalty if it didn’t fulfill the conditions of the agreement. Upon satisfaction of the conditions outlined in the settlement agreement, the state agreed that no administrative penalty would be due. Wallace Farm has fulfilled those conditions.

For a copy of the settlement agreement or more information, check out the Web link, http://www.wastenotnc.org/swhome/Wallace_Farm_Settlement_Agreement.pdf, or contact Jamie Kritzer at Jamie.Kritzer@ncdenr.gov or (919) 715-7357.

New Interactive Web Site Provides Visitors With Insight Into Coastal Water Quality

Laura Leonard

MOREHEAD CITY - The Division of Environmental Health’s Recreational Water Quality Program has unveiled a new, interactive Web site that simplifies the task of locating swimming advisories along North Carolina’s coast.

“Notifying the public of when coastal waters are unsafe for swimming is our top priority,” said J.D. Potts, manager of the Recreational Water Quality Program. “With changing technology, the program now has the ability to get these notifications to people in a quicker, easier fashion. The new site not only offers people a chance to pinpoint the exact location of an advisory, but it also allows users to search archived advisories and sampling data.”

The site (http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/shellfish/Water_Monitoring/RWQweb/index.htm) now features a geographic interface through a Google map that allows visitors to easily identify the exact locations of beaches under advisory while zooming and panning from one beach site to another. Beaches that are under advisory are easily identified by the red marker pointing to the site.

Potts added that the site’s new, interactive features enable beachgoers, nonprofit agencies and local governments to track the swim advisory status of a particular beach.

The Web site also has a dynamic component that allows the public to view the most recent recreational water quality data of their favorite beach or vacation spot. The sample results are posted to the Web site immediately after the lab analysis has been completed for a particular sampling site. Current and historical water quality data for each site can be viewed.

“The site’s new features make it a useful tool for the program’s staff to quickly access beach water quality information,” said Potts. “In the past, the data was manually entered onto spreadsheets and provided electronically when requested. This same information, dating back to 1997, is now available on the program’s Web site for anyone to quickly access.”

The program monitors 240 swimming sites, which are located on ocean beaches, sounds and coastal rivers. The North Carolina swimming season begins in April, and sampling is primarily performed on a weekly basis through September. All sites are tested either monthly or bi-monthly from October through March.

For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program, visit its Web site at: http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/shellfish/Water_Monitoring/RWQweb/index.htm.

Drought Emerges Again in North Carolina

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – Drought conditions have reemerged in parts of North Carolina for the first time since early May.

A lack of rainfall thrust seven central North Carolina counties from abnormally dry conditions into moderate drought, according to Thursday’s map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor. It is the first time since May 5 that any part of the Tar Heel State has experienced drought. The map can be found at www.ncdrought.org.

“We’re certainly not out of the woods,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “All North Carolinians need to conserve water whenever possible. One of the best ways to reduce the effects of any drought or dry conditions is by making water conservation part of your daily routine.”

At least some part of North Carolina had experienced drought for a two-year period until May 12. That’s when significant rainfall replenished streams, reservoirs and groundwater supplies and moved the only remaining counties experiencing moderate drought into the abnormally dry category. From best-to-worst, the drought categories are: moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional. Abnormally dry indicates drought is not present but could return if dry conditions persist.

Abnormally dry conditions spread into the Charlotte area this week. However, the news was not bad for all North Carolina counties, as conditions in northeastern North Carolina improved from abnormally dry to normal. As of Thursday, 67 counties – three fewer than last week – are experiencing abnormally dry conditions while 26 counties are experiencing normal conditions for this time of year. The seven counties in moderate drought are Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Guilford, Lee, Orange and Randolph.

The drought of 2007-08 was the worst in North Carolina since recordkeeping began on the subject in 1895. The drought started Feb. 13, 2007, creeping from the mountains to the coast as a lack of rainfall depleted streamflows and reservoirs to record low levels. The drought prompted many towns to enact mandatory and voluntary water conservation restrictions and helped bring about a state law that makes state and local officials better prepared to respond to future droughts.

Many people in North Carolina are still subject to water conservation restrictions. More than 3.72 million people in North Carolina, or 52 percent of the people who receive water from public systems the state tracks, are under mandatory or voluntary water use restrictions.

During the record-breaking drought, the state launched a Web site on simple ways businesses, residents and others can conserve water. To learn more about water conservation steps, please check out www.savewaternc.org.
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Funds From American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Will Help North Carolina Forests

Brian Haines

RALEIGH - State forestry officials will receive more than $6 million in federal economic recovery funds to reduce the spread of wildfires and help restore some of the state’s once-abundant longleaf pine forests.

The N.C. Division of Forest Resources will receive the funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In total, $4.6 million will be used to reduce the amount of dried vegetation in forests that help wildfires spread. The state agency will hire five people to identify areas where loads of forest fuels such as downed trees could help spread wildfires. In addition, ARRA funds will be used to hire private contractors for wildfire mitigation and prevention education, and to complete community wildfire protection plans. The wildfire protection plans promote the Firewise program, a statewide effort to inform people about steps they can take to protect their homes and property from wildfires. On average, North Carolina experiences about 5,000 wildfires each year.

The division will also receive $1.7 million in ARRA funding for the Regional Longleaf Pine Restoration.
Using the economic recovery funds, the state will hire temporary employees and private contractors to perform most of the restoration efforts at Bladen Lakes State Forest. Work may be conducted on other state-managed land, if ARRA money is still available. Part of the $1.7 million will also be used to hire private contractors to construct a new irrigation system to produce more containerized longleaf pine seedlings at the state Division of Forest Resources’ nursery in Goldsboro.

Part of the more than $6 million in ARRA funds also will be used to:

• Create a new grant administrative assistant position for the Division of Forest Resources.
• Retain an existing staff forester position to serve as the ARRA longleaf program coordinator, and hire an outreach and education coordinator to develop a series of educational workshops on the longleaf pine.
• Provide tuition and travel scholarships for up to 25 foresters and natural resource professionals to attend Longleaf Academies in Alabama.
• Produce promotional and educational materials that support longleaf pine restoration and management.

For more information, contact Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the state Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

Three New Landfill Bans Added To Current State List

Chris Frazier

Motor Oil Filters, Plastic Bottles and Wooden Pallets Face Landfill Disposal Ban as of October 2009

RALEIGH - State environmental officials encourage North Carolina residents to do their part to keep motor oil filters, wooden pallets and plastic bottles out of landfills. Effective Oct. 1, 2009, these items are banned from solid waste disposal in North Carolina.

This disposal ban on oil filters, pallets and plastic bottles recognizes that the recovery of these materials will contribute to the state’s environmental and economic development goals. North Carolina is home to a wide range of companies that collect, process and recycle the banned materials back into a wide range of products.

“We encourage North Carolinians to help these disposal bans succeed by expanding and starting new recycling efforts,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Recycling is a proven job creator in North Carolina and if we do our best to recycle the newly banned materials, we will not only grow businesses in the state, but also protect disposal capacity, recover valuable resources, save energy and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

To help ensure the success of the disposal bans, DENR is strongly recommending that all generators of oil filters, plastic bottles and wooden pallets take steps to initiate recycling efforts. The Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance has posted information on how to start a recycling program for the banned materials at: http://p2pays.org/BannedMaterials/index.asp. Additional assistance is available from the DPPEA at (919) 715-6500.

Enforcement of the disposal bans will chiefly be applied at disposal facilities such as landfills and transfer stations by the N.C. Division of Waste Management. It is unlikely that enforcement will take place at individual businesses or other generating facilities. Depending on the type of violator and the severity of the violation, the Division of Waste Management may, at its discretion, assess a range of administrative and/or civil penalties for violation of the disposal bans. The law does allow for accidental or occasional disposal of small amounts of banned materials. Starting a recycling program for the banned materials is the simplest and easiest way to ensure compliance.

The disposal bans will also reinforce DENR’s “2 Million Tons by 2012” goal, announced in 2008. 2 Million Tons by 2012 challenges local governments to improve the performance of their recycling programs to achieve an annual recovery rate of two million tons of recycling.

Oil filters, pallets and plastic bottles join a list of previously banned materials and other items (computer equipment and televisions) with disposal ban dates approaching on Jan. 1, 2011. The full list of banned materials can be found in the North Carolina General Statutes at http://www.p2pays.org/ref/38/37984.pdf.

For more information on banned items, please contact DPPEA at (919) 715-6500 or (800) 763-0136. You can also visit the Web site at www.p2pays.org.

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission to Meet August 27 in Beaufort

Michele Walker

RALEIGH - The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet at 10 a.m. August 27 at the NOAA/NCNERR Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Road, in Beaufort.
The commission will hear requests for static vegetation line exceptions from the towns of Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach. If the requests are granted, the exception could allow limited development on lots that cannot meet the setback from the static vegetation line put in place following large-scale beach nourishment projects.
The following items are also on the CRC’s agenda:
• Feasibility of Wind Turbines in the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and in Ocean Waters off the North Carolina Coast - Dr. Pete Peterson, of the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, will discuss the feasibility of wind turbines in coastal waters.
• Amendments to 15A NCAC 7H.0104 Development Initiated Prior To Adoption by the CRC - Staff with the Division of Coastal Management will present suggested amendments to the “grandfather” rule for lots platted prior to the January 2004 adoption of the most recent long-term average annual erosion rates.
• Amendments to 15A NCAC 7H .2300 Existing Bridge Replacement General Permit - DCM staff will present suggested changes to streamline the Coastal Area Management Act general permit process for replacing existing bridges.
• DCM Sea Level Rise Initiative Update - DCM staff will present updates on the division’s recent sea level rise survey and plans for a science forum and a policy summit next year.
• Land Use Plan Certifications - Commissioners will consider certification of land use plans for Onslow County and the towns of North Topsail Beach and Windsor.
• Public Input and Comment - Members of the public may comment on any issue not on the current agenda.

A full meeting agenda is posted on the N.C. Division of Coastal Management's Web site at
www.nccoastalmanagement.net.

Guidelines Set For Acceptable Agricultural Burning

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – Farmers will have more specific guidelines for acceptable outdoor burning under an agreement that state environmental and agricultural officials signed recently.

The memorandum of understanding between the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of Air Quality and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) sets guidelines for acceptable burning at farms, primarily to control diseases or pests as well as some crop residues. Although it remains illegal to burn man-made materials, the state open burning rule allows some exceptions for the burning of plant materials – such as land-clearing and acceptable agricultural practices.

“The purpose of this agreement is to better manage agricultural burning so we can minimize the effects of air pollution on people,” said DAQ Director Keith Overcash. “Smoke is unhealthy to breathe and harms the environment, but we recognize that there are situations where farmers may need to burn crop debris in order to control diseases, pests and other problems.”

Under the state open burning rule, it is always illegal to burn man-made materials such as trash, paper, lumber, tires, plastics and chemicals. The rule allows exceptions for certain burning of trees, crop residues and other vegetative matter but doesn’t provide specific guidelines on acceptable agricultural burning.

Under the new agreement signed by DAQ and NCDA&CS, it remains illegal for anyone to burn man-made materials. However, farmers may burn crop residues, tree trimmings and other vegetative matter to control diseases and pests. Farmers also may be able to burn crop residues when NCDA&CS considers it an acceptable practice, but the agreement discourages burning when better alternatives such as no-till agriculture are available.

“This agreement provides clear guidance about the acceptable uses of burning for agronomic purposes,” said Dewitt Hardee, NCDA&CS environmental programs manager, who worked on the agreement with DAQ staff.

North Carolina law prohibits most open burning because the smoke from outdoor fires can cause serious health problems and pollute the air. For example, a recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that backyard burning of trash from a family of four can emit as much of some toxic pollutants, such as dioxin and furan, as a well-controlled municipal incinerator serving tens of thousands of households.

Homeowners can burn yard trimmings – excluding stumps and logs over 6 inches in diameter – if it’s allowed under local ordinances, no public pickup is available and it doesn’t cause a public nuisance. Other allowable burning includes fireplaces, campfires, outdoor barbecues and bonfires for festive occasions. Landowners may be allowed to burn vegetation to clear land or clean up storm debris, but they should check first with the nearest DAQ regional office. People seeking to burn also may need permits from the Division of Forest Resources.

Under the open burning rule, the DAQ can assess fines as high as $25,000 per violation, but most fines are less than $1,000 for first-time offenders. Larger fines can be assessed in cases involving repeat violations, and people who knowingly violate the law.

A free brochure describing what is allowed and prohibited under the open burning rule can be obtained by calling (919) 733-3340, or writing to the Division of Air Quality at 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641, or visiting the DAQ Web site at www.ncair.org.

Economic Recovery Grants Awarded For Diesel Emissions Reduction Projects

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – State environmental officials have awarded nearly $1.2 million in grants for 24 projects aimed at reducing air pollution from diesel-powered vehicles, equipment and ships, with funds provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allocated ARRA funding to the states as part of the national economic stimulus plan, and the N.C. Division of Air Quality coordinated the grants program in North Carolina.

The grants cover a range of projects, such as retrofitting school buses with controls to curb diesel emissions, repowering trucks and ships with cleaner-burning engines, and offsetting costs for using biodiesel fuel. A complete list of project recipients, locations and amounts of grants is attached.

The ARRA funds are directed at older vehicles and equipment with diesel engines, which often lack the most up-to-date air pollution controls. Older diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution in North Carolina and other states.

“North Carolina has a number of efforts underway to reduce ozone and particle-forming emissions from industry, power plants and gasoline-powered highway vehicles,” DAQ Director Keith Overcash said. “These grants will target diesel buses, trucks, ships and equipment that lack modern emissions controls.”

Mobile sources such as cars, trucks, ships and construction equipment contribute about 69 percent of the nitrogen oxides (NOx), 63 percent of the man-made volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 8 percent of the direct fine-particle emissions (PM 2.5) in North Carolina. NOx and VOCs are the main contributors to ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe and is the state’s most widespread air quality problem in the summer months. Particle pollution is unhealthy to breathe and contributes to haze.

For further information on the ARRA diesel emissions reductions project funds, visit the Division of Air Quality Web site at: http://www.daq.state.nc.us/motor/NCDEER/ . For further information on economic recovery funding for environmental efforts, please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home.

For more information about air quality issues in North Carolina, visit the DAQ Web site at www.ncair.org.

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ARRA Grants for Diesel Emissions Reduction Projects in North Carolina

Motor Vehicles

• City of Asheville, Buncombe County, biodiesel offsets, $30,000
• DPI/Piedmont/Potter, Wake County, biodiesel offsets, $50,000
• Western NC Regional Air Quality Agency, Buncombe County, diesel controls on fire trucks, $31,500
• City of Raleigh, Wake County, diesel particulate filters and repowering, $80,000
• City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, diesel particulate filters, $80,000
• City of Thomasville, Davidson County, replacement vehicle, $51,250
• Triangle J County of Governments, Triangle metro area, replacement trucks, $50,000
• Craven County Schools, diesel retrofits, $50,000
• Cumberland County Schools, diesel retrofits, $50,000
• Currituck County Schools, diesel retrofits, $24,000
• Edenton-Chowan County Schools, diesel retrofits, $24,000
• Jackson County Schools, diesel retrofits, $48,000
• Martin County Schools, diesel retrofits, $48,000
• Stokes County Schools, diesel retrofits, $50,000
• Vance County Schools, diesel retrofits, $50,000

Ships and Marine Equipment

• Perry W. Beasley, Perry W. Beasley & Son Commercial Fishing, Tyrrell County, $13,150
• Brian Todd, Big Daddy, Pender County, $15,643
• Jay Kavanagh, Bite Me Sportfishing, Dare County, $65,886
• Myron G. Harris, Harris Charters, Carteret County, $47,500
• Bradley C. Gilliam, BUDDGilliam Adventures Inc., Hertford County, $42,100
• W.W. Winner, The Skeets Winner Corp., New Hanover County, $102,381
• Mayhew C. Williams Jr., Mayhew Clafton Williams Jr., Hyde County, $51,550
• Mike Daniels, Fisherman’s Wharf Fillet, Dare County, $92,000
• Brent Fulcher, Tammy & Tracey Inc., Craven County, $28,300

Revised Oceanfront Setback And Static Line Rules Become Effective Today

Michele Walker

RALEIGH - Amendments to the Coastal Resources Commission’s rules governing setbacks for oceanfront structures and static setback lines for communities with large-scale beach nourishment projects will become effective today.

The rules - 15A NCAC 7H .0306 General Use Standards for Ocean Hazard Areas – were adopted by the CRC in September 2008, but were subject to legislative review. No bills affecting the rules were acted on during this year’s legislative session, which means the rules become effective at the end of the session.

The setback rule changes increase setback distances for large-scale oceanfront structures. Under the previous rule, single-family structures on the oceanfront, regardless of size, had a setback of 30 times the long-term average annual erosion rate, with a minimum setback of 60 feet landward of the first line of stable and natural vegetation. In addition, multi-family (four units and greater) and commercial buildings greater than 5,000 square feet required a setback of 60 times the long-term average annual erosion rate, with a minimum setback of 120 feet.

The new oceanfront setbacks are based on total square footage regardless of whether the structure is single-family, multi-family or commercial. In the new policy, the minimum setback factor remains 30 times the erosion rate for all structures less than 5,000 square feet, regardless of use. The setback factor for all structures between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet is 60 times the erosion rate and increases incrementally with structure size, reaching a maximum setback at 90 times the erosion rate for structures 100,000 square feet and greater. Additional rule changes will no longer allow cantilevering oceanward of the applicable setback.

The static line rule changes develop separate management strategies for beaches that receive ongoing long-term, large-scale beach nourishment versus those that do not. The static line represents the location of stable, natural vegetation at the time of beach fill construction and, when put in place, is used as the line from which oceanfront setbacks are measured. The rule change would allow limited development on lots that cannot meet the setback from the static vegetation line if a community applies for a static line exception. To qualify for the exception, a community must have a long-term (at least 25 years) beach fill program in place that includes identifying beach compatible sand and a financial plan to build and maintain the project for its design life. Exceptions are granted by the CRC for periods of five years, at which time a community must reapply. If an exception is granted, development under the exception must meet the applicable oceanfront setback from the first line of stable and natural vegetation, buildings can be no further oceanward than the landward-most adjacent building, and total floor area is limited to 2,500 square feet. Additionally, a static line exception establishes a maximum setback for all structures greater than 5,000 square feet at 60 times the erosion rate, similar to the previous setback policy.

Economic recovery money will go toward priority contamination sites

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – State environmental officials soon will oversee assessment and cleanup actions at dozens of North Carolina’s most significant contamination sites, using funds awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded North Carolina in July $7.55 million in economic recovery funds to begin assessing and cleaning up fuel leaking into the environment from underground storage tanks.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources will use the money to hire environmental companies to assess and clean up about 172 sites (listing attached) identified as priorities due to their risk to people and the environment. As required by federal guidelines, at these sites the parties responsible for the release of contamination are unable or unwilling to conduct cleanups, or cannot be located.

“This economic recovery money will protect public health and clean up the environment,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Until now, we have only been able to conduct limited site assessments and partial cleanups at many of these contamination sites due to a lack of financial resources.”

This award is part of more than $150 million North Carolina is set to receive in ARRA funding to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reduce diesel engine emissions, restore beaches and waterways and improve the state’s forest resources.

The money for leaking underground storage tanks will include state oversight of assessment and cleanup activities at the following priority sites:

• Berry Brothers (closed country store that formerly sold motor fuel) in Camden County – The ARRA funds will be used to remove additional petroleum floating on the water table and contaminated soil in attempts to completely clean and close the site. Past funding enabled a limited site assessment and removal of underground fuel storage tanks and some petroleum.

• Lewis Grocery in Wake County – Economic recovery funding will be used to extend a waterline to a nearby neighborhood to ensure clean water to people with water supply wells who live in homes at-risk from the leaking underground fuel tanks. Until now, funding enabled the state to pursue limited site assessment, remove the fuel tanks, provide people with alternate water and monitor adjacent water supply wells.

• Brown's Grocery in Randolph County – ARRA money will be used for a comprehensive site assessment as well as the removal of any remaining contaminated soil, free product petroleum and groundwater and closure of the site. Until now, state officials have provided alternate water, removed fuel tanks and conducted limited site assessment and the removal of some fuel floating on the water table.

• A& H Used Auto in Gaston County – ARRA money will be used for a comprehensive site assessment and cleanup to try to reduce the risk from contamination and close the site. Since 2003, state officials have overseen the provision of alternate water, the removal of some contaminated soil and leaking petroleum floating on the water table. Adjacent water supply wells have also been monitored.

As required by state law, DENR advertised the cleanup work and will start accepting bid proposals later this month from companies that specialize in environmental cleanups. The state agency expects to award contracts to four environmental cleanup companies and two laboratory service providers. Also, the state will use part of the funding to hire two scientists to oversee the assessment and cleanup actions and make sure those actions comply with federal and state guidelines. All economic recovery funds for underground storage tank cleanup are expected to be obligated by Sept. 30.

For further information on economic recovery funding for environmental efforts, please visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/arra/home.

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Media advisory: Journalists invited to cover prestigious environmental science competition

Cindy Draughon

What: The Canon Envirothon, an environmental science competition
Where: UNC-Asheville campus
When: Aug. 2-8
Who: The competition is organized by the National Association of Conservation Districts, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Journalists are invited to UNC-Asheville next week to cover the Canon Envirothon, one of North America’s largest high school environmental science competitions. The Canon Envirothon is the culmination of a series of competitions that began during the past school year and involved more than 500,000 teenagers in the United States and Canada. Five-member student teams were judged on their environmental science and natural resource management knowledge, based on written tests and oral presentations. The teams at next week’s Canon Envirothon won local, regional and state competitions and now have a chance to compete for recognition and a share of more than $125,000 in educational scholarships and Canon products.

The best time to interview students participating in the event and take photographs is 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 3. For on-site contact information, call (828) 350-4582 or April Smith, public relations specialist for Canon Envirothon, at (601) 259-8485. You may also contact Cindy Draughon, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, at (919) 715-6680.

New Research Profiles North Carolina's Paddling Community

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH - The Neuse, Cape Fear and Nantahala are the most popular among North Carolina rivers for the fast-growing sport of paddling, with more kayakers and canoeists originating in the piedmont than any other region, according to a study released by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

And, the principal concerns of paddlers, who most often enjoy the sport within 50 miles of their homes, are the safety and convenience of access sites and water quality.

Those are among a broad range of findings from the 2008 Paddle Tourism Study conducted by the division’s State Trails Program in partnership with North Carolina State University’s School of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. More than 2,000 online responses were collected from paddling enthusiasts and outdoor outfitters.

“Due to the popularity of paddling, local governments looking to develop ecotourism are asking us for technical help in developing sustainable paddle trails and about grant assistance. That’s part of our mission,” said Darrell McBane, head of the State Trails Program. “There’s a need to research the sport more thoroughly and gain a better understanding of the paddling community, which primarily communicates through the Internet and by word-of-mouth.”

The study was funded by a federal Recreational Trails Program grant, which established an internship at the university. The study’s author is Jennifer Beedle, who devised about a dozen methods of getting the survey to paddlers through informal networks.

The respondents listed 40 rivers and coastal sounds where they prefer to paddle, and almost 75 percent classify themselves as novice or recreational paddlers between 31 and 60 years of age. Eighty-six percent of the respondents live in the piedmont. The piedmont was the most frequently paddled region of North Carolina, visited by 40 percent of respondents. The mountains drew 28 percent and coastal areas 27 percent while 5 percent of paddlers visited areas outside North Carolina.

The study found that North Carolina is a destination for paddlers from other states, primarily Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and revealed that respondents who consider themselves avid paddlers took an average 17 paddle trips last year within 50 miles of home, with most paddlers preferring camping for overnight accommodations.

The results of the study will help the State Trails Program devise consistent standards for access areas and paddling trails, develop educational materials for local governments and create a forum for enthusiasts to share information and feedback on issues related to the sport.

(EDITORS: The complete 2008 Paddle Tourism Study is posted at www.ncparks.gov linked from this media release. Click “News”.)

Grants Awarded For Emissions Cuts From Construction Equipment

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – State environmental officials have awarded $750,000 in grants for nine projects to reduce air pollution from diesel-powered construction vehicles, with funds provided by the Environmental Protection Agency under the national Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2008.

The grants cover a range of projects, such as retrofitting construction equipment with controls to curb diesel emissions, repowering off-road equipment with cleaner-burning engines, and purchasing new clean-diesel construction vehicles.

The competitive DERA grant is coordinated by the N.C. Division of Air Quality. Project recipients, locations and amounts of grants are:

• Cape Fear Siteworks, Fayetteville, equipment replacement and repowering, $21,750
• Carolina CAT, Charlotte, equipment upgrades and repowering, $105,000
• City of Kannapolis, equipment retrofits, $3,548
• Duke Energy, Charlotte, equipment repowering, $45,120
• Gaston County Solid Waste and Recycling Division, equipment replacement and repowering, Dallas, $149,992
• Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC, Triangle, Wilson and Rocky Mount metro areas, equipment repowering, $372,336
• Jim Lynch Grading, Pilot Mountain, equipment repowering, $16,012
• Sparks Contracting, Clemmons, equipment repowering, $17,850
• Thalle Construction Co., equipment retrofit, Hillsborough, $18,392

The DERA grants were aimed at older off-road construction equipment with diesel engines, which often lack up-to-date air pollution controls. Older diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution in North Carolina and other states.

“North Carolina has a number of efforts underway to reduce ozone and particle-forming emissions from industry, power plants and highway vehicles,” DAQ Director Keith Overcash said. “These DERA grants will target off-road sources that lack modern emissions controls.”

Off-road mobile sources such as construction equipment contribute about 18 percent of the nitrogen oxides (NOx), 16 percent of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 5 percent of the fine particle pollution (PM 2.5) in North Carolina. NOx and VOCs are the main contributors to ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe and is the state’s most widespread air quality problem in the summer months. Particle pollution is unhealthy to breathe and contributes to haze.

For additional information about air quality issues in North Carolina, visit the DAQ Web site at www.ncair.org

Partnership efforts weight heavily in upcoming environmental competition

Cindy Draughon

RALEIGH – Staff with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation and local soil and water conservation districts were instrumental in organizing next week’s Canon Envirothon, an annual academic competition.

“Had not Manly Wilder, DENR’s chief deputy secretary, and Pat Harris, (state) Division of Soil and Water Conservation director, gotten on board, the 2009 Canon Envirothon would not have happened in North Carolina,” said Bruce Miller, president of the Envirothon Core Committee.

The Canon Envirothon, one of North America’s largest environmental science competitions for high school students, will be held Aug. 2-8 at UNC-Asheville.

Teams of five students from 45 states and seven Canadian provinces will compete for recognition and scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, biodiversity and other environmental science topics. Among those competitors are the Sequoias, a team from West Johnston High School in Benson that advanced to the North American competition by beating 49 other North Carolina teams at local, regional and state level competitions.

Local planning for the event has been three years in the making. The core committee consists of staff members from the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and local soil and water conservation districts. In all, 185 volunteers, natural resource professionals and mentors will be providing services for the 469 students and visitors registered for the event.

“Awesome is the word I have to describe the dedication the core committee demonstrated in planning this event,” Miller said. “Every moment of every day has been thought out, always asking ‘What can we do to provide the best possible experience here in North Carolina?’”

The Canon Envirothon gives high school students the opportunity to compete for a share of more than $125,000 in educational scholarships and Canon products. The competition is organized by the National Association of Conservation Districts in the United States, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

State and federal authorities to determine cleanup process for former CTS site in Asheville

Jamie Kritzer

Raleigh -- State and federal environmental officials are working together to determine how to most effectively clean up contamination at a former industrial site in Asheville.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources will allow the Environmental Protection Agency to make a decision about federal oversight of cleanup before acting on any proposed agreement for cleanup of contamination at the former CTS Corporation in Asheville. The EPA decision is expected in the next few months.

The EPA is conducting an investigation at the former CTS Corporation site and surrounding community to determine if the site qualifies for the National Priorities List, or NPL. Placing the site on the NPL would make federal funds available for site cleanup if responsible parties refuse the cleanup or don’t have resources to complete the cleanup. If responsible parties refuse an EPA cleanup order, the EPA can clean up the site with federal funds and then sue the responsible parties for up to three times the cleanup costs.

The EPA is expected to decide this fall if groundwater or other contamination qualifies the site for the NPL. Under federal authority, the EPA decides if the site in Asheville qualifies for the NPL by using its numerical scoring system to determine the human health risks posed by exposure to site contamination through groundwater, surface water, soils or air pollution.

“If the EPA determines that the site qualifies for the National Priorities List, we will support that decision,” said DENR Secretary Dee Freeman. “If the site does not qualify for the National Priorities List, then the state is prepared to use its authority to seek cleanup of the site.”

Under state authority, the N.C. Division of Waste Management has proposed an administrative cleanup agreement with CTS that would call for the company to voluntarily clean up the site under the supervision of the state agency. By state law, cleanup actions performed for the division’s Inactive Hazardous Sites branch must be done under a voluntary administrative agreement if the responsible party is willing to cooperate.

During the EPA’s evaluation of the site, the state will continue to oversee CTS’s comprehensive assessment of contamination at the site. That assessment, which is being supervised by the state Division of Waste Management, must be completed and approved by the state before cleanup can begin.

CTS ran an electroplating plant at the site from 1959 until 1984 and has been identified as the primary responsible party for contamination at the site. Samples of groundwater at the site have revealed contamination levels of the chlorinated solvent trichloroethylene, which is also known as trichloroethene, or TCE, that far exceed the federal safe drinking water standards. TCE is used primarily in industrial processes to remove grease from metal parts. Long-term exposure to TCE in the air or drinking water can be harmful to peoples’ health.

For more information about the state’s assessment of contamination at the CTS site, check out the state Division of Waste Management’s Web site, http://www.wastenotnc.org/CTSMillsGapRoad/. Want more detailed information about EPA’s National Priority List? Go to http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/.

Councils Of Government To Receive Pollution Prevention Funds

Susan Massengale

Raleigh – Seven state councils of government will receive a total of $251,000 in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to assess water quality and develop plans to control water pollution.

The money is awarded through the N.C. Division of Water Quality, in concurrence with the Environmental Protection Agency. North Carolina is the first state in the EPA’s Southeast region to be able to make these awards. Projects to be funded are:

Project	Grantees	Grant Amount
Neuse River Basin Comprehensive Water Management Study	Triangle J Council of Government (TJCOG) and Eastern Carolina Council	$40,350
Tar-Pamlico River Basin water quality project	Upper Coastal Plain COG	$41,709
A water resources management planning initiative for the French Broad River Basin in North Carolina	Land-of-Sky Regional Council, Southwestern Commission & High County COG	$26,108
Development of a Catawba River Basin Wide Water Education and Awareness Program for Water Efficiency, Conservation and Drought Preparation and Response. The program aims to maintain adequate in-stream flow to support water quality	Western Piedmont COG & Centralina COG (CCOG)	$28,698
Jordan Lake Nutrient Reduction Strategy	Piedmont Triad COG & TJCOG	$40,480
Interconnectivity/Sustainability/Stewardship Alliance for the Middle & Lower Cape Fear River Basin	Cape Fear COG, Mid Carolinas COG, Lumber River COG	$22,555
Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin Restoration Strategies Initiative	CCOG & PTCOG	$51,100
	Total	$251,000

With the passage of the ARRA in April, the N.C. Division of Water Quality received $714,400 to determine the nature and extent of water pollution and to develop management plans to control it. About 40 percent of the ARRA money, or $289,760, will be distributed as grants to eligible regional public planning organizations for water quality planning. A second round of awards, for the remaining $34,760, will be issued by Sept.1

The full North Carolina ARRA Work Plan is available on the DWQ Web site at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/pb/2009ARRA205j604bGrant.htm

State Survey To Gauge Public Perceptions Of Sea Level Rise

Michele Walker

RALEIGH — The N.C. Division of Coastal Management is inviting people to take an online survey designed to gain insight into public perceptions of sea level rise impacts in North Carolina.

The survey is the first part of a larger effort by the state Division of Coastal Management, the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to address potential responses to sea level rise on a state level.

The survey will help identify perceptions of risk from sea level rise, what stakeholders believe should be done to address the potential impacts, and who should be responsible for addressing those impacts. The answers also will help the state agency prepare a written Coastal Resources Commission policy on sea level rise, and offer assistance to coastal governments, partner agencies and other stakeholders.

“We are seeking responses from a diverse audience,” said Tancred Miller, coastal policy analyst for the state Division of Coastal Management and the primary author of the survey. “Whatever an individual’s knowledge or belief about sea level rise, everyone’s perceptions are of great interest to us.”

Survey responses will be collected until Aug. 31, after which time the link will be deactivated and results compiled. The results will be presented at a future Coastal Resources Commission meeting, and posted online at the division’s Web site.
The state agency also is working with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to co-host a sea level rise science forum early next year, followed by a policy summit next summer.

To take the survey, visit www.nccoastalmanagement.net and select the first link under “What’s New.”

Conference to Focus on North Carolina's Growing Urban Forests

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – People have until the end of July to register early for a conference this fall to address the effects of North Carolina’s rapid population growth on urban forests.

"Building Your Urban Forest Infrastructure; Developing Working Partnerships and Technologies for Your Community," will be Sept. 15-17 at the Marriott Hotel, 425 North Cherry St., Winston-Salem. People who register by July 31 will be eligible to pay the early registration fee of $130. After July 31, registration fees increase $35. The cutoff for registration is Sept. 10.

This second annual conference will be hosted by the N.C. Urban Forest Council, the N.C. Division of Forest Resources and N.C. State University’s College of Natural Resources.

The conference will cover environmental, policy and educational issues as well as the technical tools and resources needed to assure urban forest quality in the nation’s sixth-fastest growing state. Field tours, exhibits and speakers will focus on planning and maintaining environmentally sustainable urban environments.

The conference will feature keynote speakers Dan Lambe, of the National Arbor Day Foundation, and Bob Miller, emeritus professor of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Henry Wallace, N.C. Urban Forest Council chairman, will give the opening address.

About 200 people are expected to attend, including elected officials, members of local tree boards as well as planning and appearance commissions, developers, municipal staff, landscape architects and other state agencies. There will be a variety of exhibitors at the conference including arborist services, urban forestry educators, nonprofit organizations focused on urban and community forestry, municipalities with success stories and researchers. Conference sponsorships and continuing education credits are available.

The agenda and registration information can be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/feop/urbanforest/, or by calling officials at N.C. State University at (919) 515-9563.

For more information call Jennifer Rall, urban forestry program assistant with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4849.

Forestry Officials Provide Independence Day Safety Tips

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH – Officials with the state Division of Forest Resources encourage people to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend by viewing public fireworks displays rather than risk setting wildfires with their own fireworks.

Many wildfires that occur during this time of the year start due to the careless use of fireworks such as sparklers, fountains, glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers and other Class C fireworks.

Each year, wildfires in North Carolina endanger peoples’ lives, destroy millions of dollars worth of timber and property, and damage the environment. Wildfires often take valuable human resources to fight and consume significant amounts of water to extinguish.

If people choose to take the risk of using their own fireworks, here are some simple ways to help keep the holiday safe:

• Don’t use fireworks such as ground spinners, firecrackers, round spinners, Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars, which are not legal in North Carolina.
• Do not use fireworks near woods or any combustible material.
• Make sure fireworks are always used with adult supervision.
• Follow the instructions provided with the fireworks.
• Do not use while you are under the influence of alcohol.
• Always use in a large open – preferably paved – area or near a body of water.
• Have a rake or shovel as well as bucket or two of water on hand.
• Monitor the area for several hours after use.

Since an increased number of homes are being built in North Carolina’s wooded areas, officials with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources stress the need to take extra precautions to prevent wildfires in residential areas. In addition to taking measures to use fireworks safely, campfires or grills should never be left unattended and should never be started with gasoline. It is also important when disposing of ashes to never put them in a paper bag or other flammable container, but instead place them in an outside metal container or bury them in mineral soil in your garden. If you live in an area with organic soils, however, keep in mind that peat can catch fire. Never store ashes in your garage, on your deck or in a wooded area. Remember to double-check the ashes and coals before throwing them away to make sure they won’t start a fire.

For more information, contact your county ranger or Brian R. Haines, public information officer, at (919) 857-4828. For more information on fire safety, visit www.ncfirewise.org or www.dfr.state.nc.us.

North Carolina Hosts Regional Meeting To Discuss Forestry Issues

Brian Haines

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Forest Resources is hosting this year’s meeting of the Southern Group of State Foresters, which starts Sunday in Wilmington.

Hosted by a different state or territory each year, these annual meetings give group members an opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues affecting forestry and its future in the region. Topics expected to be discussed at this year’s meeting, which runs from June 14-17, include ways to better manage and protect forestland, urban forestry, fighting forest pests such as the southern pine beetle and working cooperatively to fight wildfires.

The Southern Group of State Foresters will pay for expenses associated with the meeting. The Southern Group of State Foresters is comprised of representatives from the state forestry agencies of the 13 southern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as the USDA Forest Service and other key partners in the delivery of forestry programs across the South.

For more information, please contact Brian Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828.

N.C. Coastal Reserve Program celebrates 20th anniversary June 19

Michele Walker

In June 1989, the North Carolina General Assembly created the North Carolina Coastal Reserve Program to acquire, improve and maintain undeveloped coastal land and water areas in a natural state. Twenty years later, that seemingly simple act of legislation has led to the preservation of more than 41,000 acres of unique environments on 10 coastal reserve sites along the entire length of our coast. Four of the sites are also part of NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), a state-federal partnership program designed to improve coastal management and scientific understanding of the nation's estuarine and coastal habitats.

From Currituck Banks in the north, to Bird Island on our southern border, North Carolina's coastal reserve system has become an unparalleled resource for education, research and stewardship of these precious and irreplaceable habitats.

Help us celebrate the reserve program's 20th anniversary by getting to know some of North Carolina's most beautiful and unspoiled placesÂ¿visit one (or more!) of our 10 reserve sites and discover some of our coastal treasures:

Currituck Banks National Estuarine Research Reserve: Just north of Corolla in Currituck County, this reserve features 960 acres of beach, dune, maritime forest and marsh. Visitors to the site enjoy a 2,000-foot boardwalk and hiking trail.
Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve: This is an 1,800-acre complex of maritime forest and wetlands. The site features isolated swamp forests dominated by bald cypress.
Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve: This 968-acre portion of the largest remaining maritime forest in the state is located near Buxton on Hatteras Island.
Emily & Richardson Preyer Buckridge Reserve: Located on the Alligator River in Tyrrell County, this site features more than 27,000 acres of sprawling swamp forest, making it the largest of the 10 coastal reserves and home to the largest contiguous tract of Atlantic white cedar in the state.
Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve: This 2,600-acre complex, featuring salt marsh, tidal flat, beach, and maritime forest habitats, is located near Beaufort in Carteret County and is accessible only by boat. During the summer, staff and volunteers lead weekly field trips through the site.
Permuda Island Coastal Reserve: Located near Topsail Island in Onslow County, this reserve protects a 50-acre island and valuable shellfish waters in Stump Sound.
Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve: Located between Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach in New Hanover County, this 5,000-acre pristine barrier island/estuarine complex is accessible only by boat.
Zeke's Island National Estuarine Research Reserve: Located south of Fort Fisher in New Hanover County and featuring 1,200-acres of barrier island and marsh bordered by a rock jetty, this site has access by a public boat ramp and an off-road vehicle trail.
Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve: Located on north central Bald Head Island, this 173-acre maritime forest reserve is distinguished by the presence of cabbage palmetto trees, which are not found in other North Carolina maritime forests.
Bird Island Coastal Reserve: Located near Sunset Beach in Brunswick County, this site features nearly 1,300 acres of marsh, wetlands and sandy beach. It is accessible by foot from Sunset Beach, and by boat from the Little River Inlet in South Carolina and from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

For more information on North Carolina's Coastal Reserve Program, please visit www.nccoastalreserve.net.

Air Quality Officials Issue Code Orange Health Notice

Tom Mather

RALEIGH Â¿ Air quality officials issued a health notice today for air pollution in the Charlotte and Triad metropolitan areas, as well as high-elevation areas near Asheville on Tuesday. Forecasters have predicted Code Orange conditions, which means that air quality in these areas is likely to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Code Orange forecast means people who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid moderate exertion outdoors. Sensitive groups include children and the elderly who are active outside, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those with heart conditions and respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

In Charlotte and the Triad and in high-elevation areas near Asheville, the primary pollutant of concern is ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen. Ozone can be unhealthy to breathe, damage plants and reduce crop yields. High ozone levels generally occur in the afternoons on hot sunny days with stagnant air, when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react in the lower atmosphere.

The air pollution forecast for Tuesday predicts that ozone levels in these areas will exceed the new federal standard of 0.075 parts per million (ppm) averaged over 8 hours. High ozone levels can impair breathing and aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems, and irritate the lungs in healthy individuals. People with chronic lung ailments, the elderly and children should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity in the afternoon, when ozone levels are highest. High particle levels could be present throughout the day in areas where there is smoke from wildfires.

The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues daily air forecasts for the Triangle, Charlotte, Asheville, Hickory, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount metropolitan areas. In the Triad, forecasts are issued by the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department. The forecasts are part of the N.C. Air Awareness Program, a voluntary effort aimed at reducing air pollution in the state's major metro areas. As part of this program, air quality officials are asking residents of Wake, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Catawba, Cumberland, Forsyth, Nash, Edgecombe and surrounding counties to help reduce air pollution by taking some of the following actions:

Limit driving by riding the bus, walking, bicycling or postponing trips.
If you drive, avoid idling for long periods of time, stay within speed limits, combine errands to reduce the number of small trips, and use vehicles with higher fuel economies.
Conserve electricity by setting thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature and turning off appliances that are not in use.

In addition, residents of affected areas should refrain from outdoor burning on Code Orange and Red days. It is always illegal to burn paper, trash, construction materials and other non-vegetative matter in North Carolina.

The DAQ estimates that more than half of North Carolina's citizens live in counties where ozone levels exceed the standard during warmer months. In 1999, the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation aimed at reducing ozone-forming emissions from cars and trucks, including an expansion of the motor vehicle emissions inspection program from nine to 48 counties. In 2002, the General Assembly enacted legislation that will require the state's coal-fired power plants to reduce their ozone- and haze-forming emissions by three-fourths over the next decade.

For additional information about air quality forecasts, open burning restrictions and other air issues, visit the DAQ web site at www.ncair.org or call 1-888-RU4NCAIR (1-888-784-6224). Information about air quality in the Triad can be found at Forsyth County's web site, http://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/EnvAffairs/

Water Quality Certification With Conditions Issued To Alcoa

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH Â¿ The state Division of Water Quality today issued a water quality certification to Alcoa Power Generating Inc. with conditions to ensure that operation of the hydroelectric generating system will protect state water quality standards, including guaranteed financial support for upgrades related to water quality improvements. This certification does not address issues raised in Gov. Perdue's intervention in the FERC relicensing procedure.

DWQ's review for the certification considered potential water quality impacts from all aspects of the hydroelectric operation that includes facilities at Badin Lake Dam, Falls Dam, High Rock Reservoir and the Tuckertown hydroelectric complex. The evaluation included water quality testing of discharges from the dams; potential movement of sediments and contaminants as a result of the operation of the dams; and low-flow conditions and other potential impacts to aquatic life.

To protect surface water quality in the Yadkin River system, the 401 Water Quality Certification includes the following requirements:

Sediment removal at the city of Salisbury raw water intake facilities to promote the continued functioning of the intake and use of the waters as related to the designated use for water supply.
Monitoring of the discharge from the four power generating stations to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
Monitoring of sediment in the Badin Lake swim/picnic area and Badin Lake boat access area down to the Badin Lake dam for heavy metals, PCBs and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons to ensure that the project operation does not result in the downstream transport of contamination.
Plan to monitor and regulate reservoir levels and flows of power-generating station operations. The plan must include low-flow protocols for the lakes in the APGI Yadkin River system project in case of drought.
A plan to increase dissolved oxygen levels in order to meet water quality standards done in accordance with the settlement agreement schedule. An additional in-depth engineering study will be done this summer by APGI to demonstrate the effect of recent turbine upgrades.
A continuing compliance provision (reopener clause) to ensure that the Division of Water Quality can modify the 401 Certification if water quality-related problems develop in the future that can be remedied in the 401 Certification.
Portions of the Relicensing Settlement Agreement that are relevant to water quality along with additional site-specific conditions.
A surety bond in the amount of $240 million to guarantee that financial resources are available to make improvements to the hydroelectric turbine system in order to improve dissolved oxygen levels in the discharges.

The 401 Certification and hearing officer's report can be found online at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/pubinfo/DWQPubInfoNewsReleases.htm.

Fourteen Students Win Cash Prizes In State Soil And Water Competitions

Cindy Draughon

RALEIGH Â¿ Fourteen North Carolina elementary and middle school students have been named 1st and 2nd place winners in the state's 2009 soil and water poster, essay and public speaking contests.

Students designed posters, wrote essays or gave public speaking presentations based on a theme promoting soil and water conservation. Participants and entries that won at the local and then regional levels made it to the state competitions. Judges from the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and area toastmaster clubs selected winners who best conveyed this year's theme "Soil and Water, Yours for Life."

In all, 10 winners in the poster and essay contests were selected from among 32 posters and eight essays submitted by students in North Carolina. The grade level, placement, name, soil and water conservation district and the name of the school each poster contest winner attends and the school's location are as follows:

3rd grade

1st - Garrett Buchanan, McDowell County, Eastfield Elementary School in Marion
2nd-Nathan Jones, Lenoir County, Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston

4th grade

1st - John Duncan, Hoke County, Upchurch Elementary School in Red Springs
2nd-Josie Presnell, Haywood County, Riverbend Elementary School in Clyde

5th grade

1st - Nate Estus, Watauga County, Valle Crucis Middle School in Banner Elk
2nd-Nicholas Doll, Albemarle County, Moyock Elementary School in Moyock

6th grade

1st - Victoria Howell, Wilson County, Springfield Middle School in Wilson
2nd-Trey Pete, Duplin County, North Duplin Elementary School in Mt. Olive

This year's essay contest winners, including placement, name, soil and water conservation district and school name and location are:

1st - Jaclyn Farrior, Johnston County, Princeton School in Princeton
2nd-Johnathan Caicedo, Cumberland County, Pine Forest Middle School in Fayetteville

Four North Carolina middle school students earned top honors for their presentations on soil and water conservation during the public speaking contest May 1.

Among the seventh grade competitors, Nikita Chintalapudi, who is home-schooled in the Moore County town of Pinehurst, earned first place, and Eli Flynt, who attends West Yadkin Elementary School in the Yadkin County town of Hamptonville, took second place honors.

In the eighth grade competition, Seth Bollenbecker, who goes to Mt. Pleasant Middle School in the Cabarrus County town of Concord, took top honors, and Megan Stewart, a student at Jacobs Fork Middle School in the Catawba County town of Newton, placed second.

Chintalapudi, Flynt, Bollenbecker and Stewart were among 14 students who traveled to Raleigh for the public speaking competition. The young orators spoke in front of an audience of more than 60 soil and water conservation district specialists as well as family and friends.

Among those in attendance at the speaking competition was Dee Freeman, the secretary for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Freeman offered the group of public speakers a few words of encouragement and praised them for developing strong communication skills. Such skills are the foundation for leadership, Freeman told the group.

First place winners in all three contests received $200. The second place winners received $100. All other contestants received honorable mention certificates for advancing to the state competitions.

The N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts organized the contests. The contests develop natural resource awareness and promote stewardship in the upcoming generation.

Parks And Recreation Trust Fund Authority Meeting Cancelled

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH – The N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority has canceled its quarterly meeting scheduled for May 22 at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, due to restrictions on travel, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Aside from routine business, the 15-member authority was to consider local parks and recreation grant requests. The trust fund has been reduced by $6 million to help offset the state’s budget shortfall.

Thirty percent of the trust fund is set aside to provide matching grants for local government projects. The trust fund, established in 1994, also supports land acquisition and capital improvement projects for the state parks system and a coastal beach access program.

Consideration of the local grant applications is now scheduled for the authority’s next regular meeting July 24 in Raleigh.

No Drought in North Carolina for First Time in Two Years

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH ¿ For the first time in more than two years, no part of North Carolina is experiencing drought.

Thursday's federal drought map shows that widespread rainfall in recent weeks brought improvements throughout North Carolina, most notably in 14 mountain counties that had been the state's only area experiencing drought. Fifty-three counties on opposite ends of the state remain abnormally dry, which means an area could return to drought without adequate rainfall.

"Certainly, we're encouraged by the rainfall we've seen recently," said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "But it's safe to say we're cautiously optimistic about what this means for the weeks and months ahead. There's no reason people should not try to conserve water whenever possible."

"In the abnormally dry areas, a number of water table wells are below normal levels for this time of year. There is still the possibility that dry conditions can return, and we could have impacts from drought this summer."

In recent months, above average rainfall amounts have helped move much of North Carolina from a drought. That rainfall has created widespread improvements. Forty-seven North Carolina counties ¿ up from 36 counties last week ¿ are facing normal conditions for this time of year, according to Thursday's drought map.

Nevertheless, many North Carolina community water systems have left voluntary and mandatory water restrictions in place. Statewide, 3.94 million people, or 55 percent of the people who receive water from systems the N.C. Division of Water Resources tracks, are under mandatory or voluntary water use restrictions.

Drought conditions in North Carolina are updated weekly. The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council, a group of experts on climate, weather, geology, water supply, forestry and agriculture, meet via conference call each week to discuss the impact of rainfall on streams, groundwater, reservoirs, wildfire activity and crops. Based on that discussion, the council makes a recommendation to the U.S. Drought Monitor about how the state's drought map should look that week. The U.S. Drought Monitor uses the state's recommendation when it releases the final drought map each Thursday. To see or download a copy of the drought map, go to the state's official drought Web site, www.ncdrought.org.

North Carolina Health Officials Encourage Residents To 'Fight The Bite!'

Laura J. Leonard

RALEIGH ¿ State environmental and public health officials are reminding all North Carolinians that warmer weather and rain bring mosquitoes and ticks, which carry dangerous diseases.

All North Carolinians are urged to take simple steps to prevent the threat of biting insects and reduce insect breeding conditions around the home.

"Spring rains and warmer weather provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and ticks," said State Health Director Jeff Engel. "Ticks and mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance ¿ they can also make people seriously ill. Now is the time to fight the bite!"

Nolan Newton, chief of the Public Health Pest Management Section of the Division of Environmental Health, said that people can take steps to prevent illness.

"You can make your backyard a lot less tick-friendly," Newton said. "Keep grass short and remove plants that attract wild animals like deer and rodents, which carry ticks."

Newton said that removing any containers that hold water will take away mosquito breeding grounds.

"Take a good look at your environment now, before the mosquitoes really start biting," he added. "Things like bird baths, old tires, planters and even small containers like tin cans can give mosquitoes a place to thrive."

Newton added that people should remember to make sure they tightly secure screens on all openings on rain barrels used for water conservation. A window screen makes an excellent screening mechanism on rain barrels to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while allowing you to continue your conservation efforts.

Engel and Newton said that insect repellent also can be useful, particularly against mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellents against mosquitoes ¿ DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years old. Repellents containing permethrin provide excellent protection against ticks but may only be used on clothing. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients, and should read and follow all label instructions.

Exposure to both mosquitoes and ticks can be limited by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. People should also check themselves and their families for ticks when they are in tick-prone areas.

Proper and prompt removal of ticks is the key to preventing infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks, getting as far forward near the head as possible and pulling steadily. Note the day you removed the tick on a calendar. If you become ill in the next three weeks, be sure to tell your physician the date you removed the tick.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common tick-borne illness in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Division of Public Health, 515 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever were reported in North Carolina in 2008. The state also has other tick-borne illnesses. Last year, North Carolina had 59 reported cases of Lyme disease and 41 reported cases of ehrlichiosis. Tick-borne diseases occur statewide.

La Crosse virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness. La Crosse virus is found mostly in western North Carolina. Two other mosquito-borne diseases, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, are also found in North Carolina. While Eastern equine encephalitis is found largely in the eastern part of the state, West Nile virus is found statewide.

For additional information on mosquitoes and ticks, visit the following Web sites: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm, www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbovirus and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/tick.

North Carolina Joins Other States To Observe National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week

Laura Leonard

RALEIGH Â¿ North Carolina health officials are asking people to take certain precautions if they go swimming this spring or summer so they don't get sick or make others sick.

The reminder from the state's divisions of Environmental Health and Public Health comes as part of national Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, which is May 18-24.

"Awareness of recreational water illnesses and healthy swimming behaviors play an important role in stopping the transmission of these illnesses," said Terry L. Pierce, director of the N.C. Division of Environmental Health. "In addition to infectious agents from animals, which may cause human illness, infectious agents on and in swimmers' bodies can end up in the water and make other people sick."

Although healthy swimmers can get sick from recreational water illnesses, or RWIs, the young and elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, as well as pregnant women and diabetics, are especially at risk.

To avoid water-borne illnesses, follow these simple guidelines, Pierce said:

Do not swim or allow children to swim if you or they have diarrhea.
Do not swallow pool water or get pool water in your mouth.
Shower before swimming.
Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Place tight-fitting swim diapers on children. Check diapers before entering the water.
Take children on bathroom breaks.
Change childrens' diapers often and in a bathroom, not at the poolside.

Pierce also highlighted the importance of this year's theme, which focuses on injuries associated with pool chemicals.

"Pool chemicals make the water where you swim safer by protecting us from germs," Pierce said. "However, these same chemicals can also cause injuries if they are not properly handled. This type of preventable injury leads to numerous emergency room visits each year."

Public pool operators and residential pool owners can protect themselves and swimmers by taking the following steps:

Secure pool chemicals. Keep children and animals away.
Read the product's name and manufacturer's directions before each use.
Use appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when handling pool chemicals.
Never mix chlorine products with each other, acid or other substances.

Following simple health guidelines such as good hygiene can help protect swimmers from a variety of infectious illnesses.

North Carolina health officials and local health departments have investigated numerous cases of recreational water illnesses caused by Cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant parasite primarily associated with treated recreational water venues such as pools and water parks. It also can be found in natural bodies of water, soil, food or on surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces.

In North Carolina, 79 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported in 2008. Although cryptosporidiosis usually causes only mild gastroenteritis in healthy persons, it may cause serious illness in those with compromised immune systems. This parasite is able to survive and remain infectious for long periods of time, even in well-maintained pools. Marine vibrios can also cause illness in people who swim in recreational waters. Vibrios are naturally-occurring bacteria found in warm ocean and coastal waters such as bays, estuaries and rivers near the ocean. Although the risk of infection is low, once it occurs people must be diagnosed early and treated appropriately. People who have liver disease, diabetes or are immuno-compromised are particularly at risk for infection and death from this disease.

People may become infected by Vibrio vulnificus and other marine vibrios through injuries such as a puncture or laceration from finfish or shellfish or exposure of open wounds to coastal waters. Symptoms of infected wounds include pain, swelling and redness that may quickly spread or blister.

Water contamination by sewage or stormwater runoff also can cause problems. People also have an increased risk of becoming sick from swimming in natural waters in coastal and inland areas, especially in areas downstream from sewage treatment facilities and in all areas after storm events. Storm events are associated with increased runoff from cities as well as forests, farms and pasture lands, which can be sources of Cryptosporidium, fecal bacteria and viruses known to cause human illness.

"Summer and swimming go hand-in-hand in North Carolina," said Pierce. "And healthy swimming behaviors will go a long way in preventing water-borne illnesses. To make this summer a healthy swimming experience, swimmers are urged to adopt healthy swimming behaviors to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses while enjoying North Carolina's recreational water venues."

For more information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week and healthy swimming, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site at: www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming. For North Carolina specific information, visit www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/pti_healthyswimming.htm, or contact the N.C. Division of Environmental Health at (919) 733-2884.

Public Hearings On Water Quality Monitoring At Animal Farms Scheduled

Susan Massengale

RALEIGH Â¿ The state Division of Water Quality has scheduled four hearings in June to gather public comments on proposed rules to assess potential water quality impacts from animal feeding operations.

The division scheduled the meetings on behalf of the Environmental Management Commission.

The hearings will be held at 7 p.m. on the dates and at the North Carolina locations listed below:

June 9 Â¿ Iredell County center, 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville.
June 11 Â¿ Monk Auditorium, James Sprunt Community College, 133 James Sprunt Drive, Kenansville.
June 15 Â¿ Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 North Salisbury St., Raleigh.
June 18 Â¿ Martin Community College, 1161 Kehukee Park Road, Martin Community College, Williamston.

The proposed rules include requirements for routine monitoring of surface waters at animal feeding operations, conditions that require groundwater monitoring and sampling in the event of an unpermitted waste discharge to waters of the state. The program's goal is to ensure that permitted waste systems protect surface and groundwater and operate within permit limitations. Another goal is to document water quality in adjacent waterways.

The routine monitoring of surface waters would consist of three sampling events a year with up to three sampling locations per farm. One sampling site will establish background levels for water quality. Other locations will be determined after consideration of soil types, hydrogeology and application rates. Samples will be collected and analyzed for the following constituents: ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, fecal coliform and chloride.

According to the proposed rules, groundwater monitoring may be required if neighboring water supply wells are impacted as a result of activities at an animal feeding operation.

Copies of the rules are available on the state Division of Water Quality's Web site, www.ncwaterquality.org. Click on the "Hot Topics" link for Proposed Monitoring Rules at Animal Feeding Operations. Copies may also be obtained by writing to the following address: Keith Larick, DENR-DWQ Aquifer Protection Section, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1636. You may also request copies by sending Larick an e-mail at keith.larick@ncdenr.gov or by calling him at (919) 715-6697.

Written comments on the proposed rules may be sent to the mail and e-mail addresses listed above. Oral and written comments may be presented during the hearings. The length of oral comments may be limited to ensure that all who wish to speak have an opportunity to do so. Written copies of oral comments that exceed three minutes are requested. All written comments must be submitted by July 14 in order to be considered.

North Carolina Selected For National Drinking Water Protecton Project

Laura J. Leonard

RALEIGH – North Carolina has been selected as one of three states to participate in a national drinking water protection project designed to align state water quality protection, land use programs and policy decisions to better protect drinking water sources.

“Protecting North Carolina’s drinking water resources is vital to this state’s future,” said Jessica Miles, chief of the Public Water Supply Section in the Division of Environmental Health. “Having access to national experts will give North Carolina an extraordinary opportunity to better reach local officials and effectively support their drinking water protection initiatives.”

As part of the project, the N.C. Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAPP) has assembled a team of committed partners. This team will receive technical assistance from national experts in watershed protection, land conservation and local government interactions. The state and national project teams will then identify incentives and develop strategies to support and enable drinking water protection at the local level.

North Carolina’s participation in the project, titled “Enabling Source Water Protection: Aligning State Land Use and Water Protection Programs,” is slated to begin in next month and continue through February 2010.

The project was created and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is administered by the Trust for Public Land and the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the River Network.

The state’s Source Water Assessment and Protection Program resulted from 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. As part of this program, the state’s Public Water Supply Section developed an interactive mapping application that delineates drinking water source boundaries, inventories potential contaminant sources and rates the susceptibility of nearly 9,300 public drinking water sources for potential contamination.

Since its formation, the program has assisted local government entities in protecting their drinking water sources. A recent and notable example includes efforts in Lincoln County, where stakeholders identified land conservation as a major priority.

“The Source Water Assessment and Protection Program made the acquisition and conservation of a 116-acre nature preserve in Lincoln County a total success,” said Dave Cable, executive director of Catawba Lands Conservancy. “The staff’s assistance and leadership were instrumental in helping our team create a watershed protection plan and in raising awareness of the watershed’s vulnerabilities. The partnership among the SWAPP, community leaders and Catawba Lands Conservancy was the winning ticket.”

For an overview of the project, visit http://www.landuseandwater.org. For details about North Carolina’s participation in the project, please contact Jay Frick at (919) 715-0827 or by e-mail at jay.frick@ncmail.net.

Air Quality Officials Issue Code Orange Health Notice

Tom Mather

RALEIGH Â¿ Air quality officials issued a health notice today for air pollution in the Charlotte, Fayetteville and Triangle metropolitan areas on Saturday. Forecasters have predicted Code Orange conditions, which means that air quality in these areas is likely to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

In Charlotte and the Triangle, the primary pollutant of concern is ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen. Ozone can be unhealthy to breathe, damage plants and reduce crop yields. High ozone levels generally occur in the afternoons on hot sunny days with stagnant air, when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react in the lower atmosphere.

In Fayetteville and southeastern North Carolina, the primary pollutant of concern is fine particles from wildfires burning near Myrtle Beach, S.C. Particle pollution is unhealthy to breathe, particularly for those with heart conditions or respiratory ailments. People in areas with visible smoke should avoid strenuous outdoor activities throughout the day.

The air pollution forecast for Saturday predicts that ozone levels will exceed the new federal standard of 0.075 parts per million (ppm) averaged over 8 hours in Charlotte and the Triangle. High ozone levels can impair breathing and aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems, and irritate the lungs in healthy individuals. People with chronic lung ailments, the elderly and children should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity in the afternoon, when ozone levels are highest. High particle levels could be present throughout the day in areas where there is smoke from wildfires.

Limit driving by riding the bus, walking, bicycling or postponing trips.
If you drive, avoid idling for long periods of time, stay within speed limits, combine errands to reduce the number of small trips, and use vehicles with higher fuel economies.
Conserve electricity by setting thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature and turning off appliances that are not in use.

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission to Meet April 29 in Beaufort

Michele Walker

RALEIGH Â– The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet at 1 p.m. April 29 at the NOAA/NCNERR Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Road, in Beaufort, to address business related to contested cases and variance requests.

The CRC will also vote on the following pending rule changes:

15A NCAC 7H .0308(a)(2) Temporary Erosion Control Structures
15A NCAC 7H .1100 General Permit for the Construction of Bulkheads and the Placement of Riprap for Shoreline Protection in Estuarine and Public Trust Waters and Ocean Hazard Areas
15A NCAC 7H .1200 General Permit for the Construction of Piers: Docks: and Boat Houses in Estuarine and Public Trust Waters and Ocean Hazard Areas

A meeting agenda is posted on the N.C. Division of Coastal Management's Web site at www.nccoastalmanagement.net.

U.S. Forest Service Stages Firefighting Aircraft In Kinston

Brian R. Haines

RALEIGH – The U.S. Forest Service has relocated a large firefighting airtanker at the N.C. Division of Forest Resources’ Kinston facility in case the aircraft is needed to fight a large wildfire burning in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The N.C. Division of Forest Resources has provided a place at the Kinston Regional Jetport for the U.S. Forest Service to stage its P3 Orion Airtanker. Also, the N.C. Division of Forest Resources is supplying a crew to load flame retardant onto the airtanker, which can drop 2,550 gallons of flame retardant at one time.

Staff with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources has been in contact with the S.C. Forestry Commission to offer assistance with the 19,600-acre wildfire burning near North Myrtle Beach, S.C. The division has personnel and equipment available if the S.C. Forestry Commission requests help.

The wildfire in South Carolina has destroyed 69 homes and damaged another 100 homes. The wildfire also has forced the evacuation of 4,000 people.

North Carolina forestry officials have readied firefighting resources near the state’s border in case the wildfire approaches the Tar Heel State.

North Carolina forestry officials continue to urge residents, particularly along the coast, not to burn leaves, pine straw, twigs or other yard vegetation. Winds, high temperatures and dry, organic fuels in the area have increased the risk of wildfire.

For more information, call Brian R. Haines, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, at (919) 857-4828 or (919) 218-9728.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Natural Heritage Trust Fund Board Meeting Postponed

Jamie Kritzer

RALEIGH – The N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund has postponed its board’s spring business and award meeting scheduled for April 26-27 in Raleigh due to recent restrictions on travel and contracting.

In lieu of the regularly scheduled meeting, the board will have a special meeting via conference call from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 29. The board will use the special meeting to discuss extending the deadlines on projects, changes in the scope of projects, reviewing the status of projects and other critical business. For those interested in listening to the special meeting, the conference call phone number is (919) 733-2438.

The board will not make decisions during the special meeting on April 29 about awarding new projects funding. A notice will be sent to the Secretary of State and posted on the trust fund’s Web site, www.ncnhtf.org, when the regular award meeting is rescheduled.

The Natural Heritage Trust Fund is one of North Carolina’s four land conservation funding mechanisms. The trust fund provides supplemental funding to select state agencies for the acquisition and protection of important natural areas. The fund aims to preserve the state’s ecological diversity and cultural heritage and inventory the natural heritage resources of the state. For more information, contact Lisa Riegel, executive director for the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, at (919) 715-8014.

New initiative promotes swine lagoon conversion program

Cindy Draughon

RALEIGH – A new initiative between state and federal officials makes funding available to swine farmers who switch from hog lagoons to a more environmentally friendly and innovative waste management system.

The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative announced Monday creates a partnership between the state Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The initiative is expected to run five years and makes more than $1.1 million available for lagoon conversion projects in its first year. Funding comes from the Natural Resources Conservation Services’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

“We have a long history of working closely with our conservation partners at NRCS, and we appreciate their support in this initiative,” said Pat Harris, director of the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation. “It is important that North Carolina continue to pursue opportunities to promote improved technologies to protect the environment and also support our state’s agricultural economy.”

Harris praised the federal funding initiative, stressing the importance of finding innovative ways to meet conservation objectives during a severe economic recession.

The initiative gives highest priority to the installation of innovative swine waste management technologies consistent with the state’s Lagoon Conversion Program. The Lagoon Conversion Program was established by the General Assembly in 2007 to encourage the installation of new technologies to provide improved water quality protection and reduce odor and ammonia emissions more than existing lagoon and sprayfield systems. The initiative is intended to help non-federal partners address high-priority conservation objectives by targeting NRCS conservation program assistance, with special emphasis on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce renewable energy. As such, funds not used to install lagoon conversion technologies may be used to close existing swine waste lagoons or install other waste management technologies that yield renewable energy or greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Swine farmers who participate in the initiative may receive 75 percent of the typical cost of eligible practices. Producers classified as beginning, limited resource, small and socially-disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and Indian tribes may receive up to 90 percent of typical costs to install the waste management technologies. Participants must meet the federal program’s eligibility criteria to receive funding.

“We are excited about this opportunity to support North Carolina’s efforts to promote innovative waste management systems,” said Mary Combs, state conservationist for U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Carolina. “This initiative also fits well with USDA’s efforts to further the nation’s ability to increase renewable energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Interested producers must apply for designated federal initiative funds by the application deadline of June 26. To initiate the application process, producers should contact Vernon Cox, Technical Services section chief with the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation, at (919) 715-6810 or Vernon.Cox@ncdenr.gov.

Winners Of 2009 Recycling Commerical Contest Announced

Kelley Dennings

Top Prize Goes to Rocky Mount Student; Runner-Up from Charlotte

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance today announced the winners of the RE3.org High School Recycling Commercial Contest, to coincide with festivities surrounding Earth Day. Out of 33 submitted entries, Caleb Lipford, a student from Rocky Mount, won the inaugural contest, open to all North Carolina high school-aged students.

Lipford’s entry, entitled “Trash Fairy,” won the top prize of a $500 AMEX card, donated by Time Warner Cable, which will go to his home school association to purchase video equipment and fund field trips. The runner-up is the Library Science Class 4A from South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, with its entry entitled “No Styrofoam Please” – which was also voted Funniest Entry. The contest winners and honorable mentions are as follows:

Winner: Caleb Lipford, “Trash Fairy”

Runner-Up/Funniest Entry: South Mecklenburg High School, “No Styrofoam Please”

Best Recycling Message: South Mecklenburg High School, “It’s Baller”

Best Concept: South Mecklenburg High School, “Just One”

Most Entertaining: South Mecklenburg High School, “Trash Monster”

Best Stop Motion (tie): Lee Pham (Clemmons) “Recycle Origami”

Reade Daubin, (Greensboro) “Legos”

“We’re excited about the creativity of these high school students,” said Eric Evans, community development administrator with Edgecombe County. “Their effort to reinforce RE3.org’s mission to promote behavior change in others through their recycling message is outstanding.”

“Trash Fairy” and other top entries will air on Time Warner Cable channels. The commercials will also be available for local governments to air on public access channels throughout the state. To view the winning entries and other recycling videos, please visit RE3.org’s YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/re3org.

RE3.org is North Carolina’s second recycling campaign and the “older sibling” of the Recycle Guys. Using social marketing techniques, the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance designed RE3.org to increase participation in recycling through positive behavior change. For more information, please visit www.RE3.org.

State Parks System Launches Full-Service Reservations System

Charlie Peek

RALEIGH — The state parks system launched a full-service Internet- and call center-based reservations system today for its nearly 3,000 campsites as well as picnic shelters, cabins, community buildings and other facilities, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

Reservations can now be made for visits to state parks on July 15 and thereafter, either online at www.ncparks.gov or by calling toll-free 1-877-7 CAMPNC.

Visitors can reserve campsites at most state parks for a single night or more, and campsites and facilities can usually be reserved as quickly as 48 hours beforehand.

“This certainly is one of the most significant advances in terms of visitor service in the 93-year history of the state parks system,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “A reservations system has often been requested by our visitors, and we’re pleased to be able offer this service, especially at a time when economic conditions may prompt more North Carolinians to look to their state parks for family recreation opportunities.”

Infospherix, a Clarksburg, Md.-based company, is the state parks system’s partner in the development and management of the reservations system. Infospherix operates similar systems in several states including Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania and operates duplicate toll-free call centers in Maryland and Indiana.

Questions about the reservations system can be directed to specialists at the call centers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Specific details and instructions on how to reserve a campsite or other facility also can be found on the parks system’s Web site.

Advance reservations won’t be required for a campsite or picnic shelter at a state park if the facility is available, and at many parks, some campsites will be set aside for walk-in registration. Without an advance reservation, available campsites and picnic shelters are on a first come, first served basis as in the past.

Reservations for most facilities can be made up to 11 months ahead. There will be a $3 surcharge per night’s stay or per reservation to support the system.

“This state-of-the-art system can also help the state parks and its rangers manage ever-growing visitation and provide valuable insight into visitor preferences and demographics,” Ledford said.

On 2007, the system’s 37 state parks and state recreation areas had a record 13.4 million visitors.

State Environmental Officials Schedule Public Comment Period

Laura J. Leonard

/Public Hearing On Economic Recovery Public Water Supply Projects

RALEIGH – The public has the opportunity starting today to comment on the draft plan for distribution of money from the state’s allocation of nearly $66 million for public water supply projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

State environmental officials have announced a comment period beginning today and running through April 7 to gather public comments on the draft plan for distribution of money from the state’s allocation for public water supply infrastructure projects. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 3 at 10 a.m. in Room 1a224 at 2728 Capital Blvd in Raleigh.

The state has applied for a federal capitalization grant of $65,625,000. Approximately 503 projects with requests totaling more than $887 million are included on the draft project list.

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be awarded as loans, but the loans will be structured so that half of the principal will be “forgiven” and the other half of the loan will be repaid at zero percent interest with up to a 20-year payback. The principle forgiveness means that half of each loan will not need to be repaid. The other half of the money will need to be repaid at a zero percent interest rate. If a project's actual cost is lower than originally projected or the scope of the project is reduced, the same 50-50 split will be maintained.

If sufficient applications are received, at least 20 percent of the monies awarded must be spent on green projects – those that include environmentally innovative projects, energy and water efficiency, and interconnections. Priority is given to projects that can proceed quickly, already have any required permits and have additional funding committed, if needed.

The draft documents for consideration are the intended use plan and comprehensive project priority list. These documents can be found online at: http://ncdrinkingwater.state.nc.us.

Please mail written comments by April 7 to Sid Harrell, Public Water Supply Section/Division of Environmental Health, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1634 or call (919) 733-2321.

For further information on ARRA as it relates to drinking water, please visit the Public Water Supply Section’s Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Unit Web site at: http://ncdrinkingwater.state.nc.us.

DENR RESPONDS TO COURT ORDER FOR EXPEDITED DECISION ON CLIFFSIDE HAP EMISSIONS

Tom Mather

Classified as Minor Source of Hazardous Air Pollutants; Revised Air Quality Permit Issued

RALEIGH – In response to a recent order by U.S. District Judge Lacy Thornburg, the N.C. Division of Air Quality today announced its determination that the new coal-fired boiler that Duke Energy is building at its Cliffside plant in Rutherford County is a minor source of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

In a court decision about the Cliffside facility, Thornburg directed Duke to move quickly to resolve permitting issues related to emissions of hazardous air pollutants from the new unit. DAQ has now completed its expedited review of information submitted by Duke Energy, which asked DAQ to determine whether the new 800-megawatt boiler at Cliffside is a “major” or “minor” source of HAPs. With DAQ’s determination that it is a minor source of HAPs, the division has revised the air quality permit to require strict monitoring of hazardous air pollutants that will be emitted from the Cliffside plant.

Duke Energy Carolinas applied for the air permit modification to limit the release of HAPs from its new Unit 6 at the Cliffside Steam Station, 573 Duke Power Road, in Rutherford County. Duke received an air quality permit for the new 800-megawatt boiler at Cliffside in January 2008, and the company is now constructing that facility.

The permit amendment recognizes that the new unit’s emissions will contain less than 10 tons per year of any individual HAP and less than 25 tons per year of all HAPs combined. As a result, the unit will be classified as a minor source for HAPs.

“Under the revised air permit, Duke must ensure that the new Cliffside unit’s controls for removing hazardous air pollutants operate at high efficiency,” DAQ Director Keith Overcash said. “The permit revisions include strict new requirements for monitoring the efficiency and function of these controls. DAQ will aggressively monitor Cliffside’s emissions; if limits of this revised permit are exceeded, DAQ will take enforcement action and require Duke Energy to take any necessary steps to return to compliance with hazardous air pollutant rules, which could include reopening the permit.”

The new monitoring requirements include enhanced coal testing, more frequent and extensive analysis of stack emissions, and increased monitoring of scrubber operations.

DAQ held public hearings in Forest City and Statesville during January with regard to the proposed permit modifications, and more than 1,500 citizens submitted written or oral comments during the public comment period. The public hearings only dealt with the proposed changes in the HAP portion of the Cliffside permit, not other portions of the air quality permit that DAQ previously had issued for the new unit. The permit modifications and other information about the Cliffside facility are available for review online at http://daq.state.nc.us/permits/psd/cliffside.shtml.

Under the permit that DAQ issued in January 2008, Duke must install best available air pollution controls on the new unit and shut down four older units at the Cliffside facility. The permit will result in significant reductions in total emissions of key pollutants from the facility in spite of the increased power production. Under the permit, DAQ also has the ability to review the mercury emissions limit for Unit 6 in 2010 before the plant actually begins operation and impose a stricter limit if new information indicates that greater control of mercury emissions is possible.

As part of the permit, DAQ also required Duke to mitigate the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions, even though neither state nor federal regulations currently require industries to control their emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The permit includes conditions that will move Cliffside down the path to carbon neutrality by 2018. Plus, the permit requires Duke to comply with any CO2 emission control standards that the state or federal government may adopt in the future.

More information about other air quality issues can be found at the DAQ Web site, www.ncair.org/ .

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY NAMES LEADERSHIP TEAM

Diana Kees

RALEIGH – N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Dee Freeman today announced his selection of a new chief deputy/chief operating officer and new assistant secretary for natural resources, and the reorganization of the department’s information systems function, effective March 2, 2009.

Freeman promoted Manly Wilder, currently DENR’s assistant secretary for Natural Resources, as the department’s new chief deputy/chief operating officer. Responsibilities of the department’s chief deputy secretary include coordinating the agency's budget and management functions with its programmatic activities. Wilder replaces Chief Deputy Secretary Bill Laxton, who has served in that role since April 2007. Laxton has decided that his principal focus at this point in his life will be to spend time with his family; therefore, he will be leaving the department in order to enjoy his grandchildren and the opportunity to travel with his wife.

Wilder, who has a bachelor’s degree from N.C. State University and a master’s degree from George Washington University, began his work with DENR as the director of the Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Prior to working at DENR, he served in a variety of key roles – including deputy chief for strategic planning and budget analysis – during a 35-year career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Filling the assistant secretary for Natural Resources role will be David W. Knight, the current director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy. In his new role, Knight will provide supervision to the following divisions and work groups within the department: Soil and Water Conservation, Forest Resources, Marine Fisheries, Parks and Recreation, the Ecosystem Enhancement Program and Natural Resources Planning and Conservation.

Knight has a bachelor’s degree in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill and a law degree from Wake Forest University. Prior to working with The Nature Conservancy, he worked as an attorney, lobbyist and consultant before the General Assembly for such clients as the state chapter of the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, N.C. Wildlife Federation and N.C. Public Transportation Association. A native North Carolinian, Knight lives with his wife Avery in Raleigh.

The department’s information system technology function will be reorganized by combining two senior management positions. Mary Penny Thompson, the department’s general counsel, will serve a dual role by also becoming the assistant secretary of Information Technology. In this new position, she will oversee and manage the department’s information systems and legal functions.

Assistant Secretary for the Environment Robin W. Smith of Chapel Hill will continue in that role, providing oversight of the department’s regulatory function of environmental protection. She also will be charged with looking for ways to improve efficiencies and streamline the regulatory process. Elizabeth Biser will continue as the department’s director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs, and Diana Kees will remain as the department’s communications director.

“Looking ahead to the next four years and the issues facing North Carolina and the department, I feel this leadership team brings a wealth of knowledge, vision and enthusiasm to bear as we balance our mission of environmental protection with the needs of an ever-growing and diverse state,” said Freeman. “I appreciate my team’s willingness to take on the responsibility of public service.”

Coastal Resources Commission to Meet Feb. 11-12 in Morehead City

Michele Walker

RALEIGH — The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will hear from several local experts on the issue of terminal groins at their next meeting, Feb. 11-12, at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. The meeting is open to the public.

At 1 p.m. Feb. 11, the speakers will present information regarding the use of terminal groins as a means of oceanfront erosion control. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion. Speakers include Dr. Robert Dean, University of Florida; Dr. Paul Gayes, Coastal Carolina University; Dr. Stanley Riggs, East Carolina University; Dr. William Cleary, UNC-Wilmington; and Steve Benton, Coastal Resources Commission’s Science Panel on Coastal Hazards.

The following items are also on the CRC’s agenda:

Inlet Hazard Area Recommendations (1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12) – The CRC’s Science Panel chair will provide an update on the panel’s Inlet Hazard Area recommendations, and Division of Coastal Management staff will discuss proposed development policies for these areas.
Summary of Beach and Inlet Management Plan Public Meetings (1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12) – Coastal Management staff will present a summary of the Beach and Inlet Management Plan public meetings held in December.
Public Input and Comment (12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12) – Members of the public may comment on coastal issues not already on the commission’s agenda for this meeting.
Variance Requests (9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12) – The Commission will hear requests for variances from their coastal development rules.
Public Hearings (5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.11) – The CRC will hear public comments on the following proposed rule amendments:
- 15A NCAC 7H .0308(a)(2) Temporary Erosion Control Structures
- 15A NCAC 7H .1100 General Permit for the Construction of Bulkheads and the Placement of Riprap for Shoreline Protection in Estuarine and Public Trust Waters and Ocean Hazard Areas
- 15A NCAC 7H .1200 General Permit for the Construction of Piers: Docks: and Boat Houses in Estuarine and Public Trust Waters and Ocean Hazard Areas

The Coastal Resources Advisory Council, a group that provides the CRC with local government perspectives and technical advice, will meet at 11 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.

EASTERN N.C. MEETING RESCHEDULED ON OZONE NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS

Tom Mather

RALEIGH – A meeting has been rescheduled for Feb. 2 in Winterville for residents in Eastern North Carolina to learn about and comment on the designation of areas not attaining the federal ozone standard in the state. (The meeting previously had been scheduled for January 20, but was canceled due to inclement weather.)

The event will be the last in a series of public meetings to discuss the potential designation of non-attainment areas across the state. The Greenville/Eastern North Carolina meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Pitt Community College, Leslie Building, Room 143, 1986 Pitt Tech Road, Winterville. Other meetings previously were held for areas in and around Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville, Hickory, Rocky Mount, the Triad, the Triangle and Western North Carolina.

Non-attainment areas are regions that do not meet federal air quality standards for pollutants such as ozone, which is North Carolina's most widespread air pollution problem. The Environmental Protection Agency sets non-attainment boundaries based on recommendations from the states, and the designations can have important implications for growth and development.

At the meeting, the N.C. Division of Air Quality, or DAQ, is seeking input to help develop North Carolina's recommendations on non-attainment areas for the new, 8-hour ozone standard that EPA adopted in March 2008. Staff with the Division of Air Quality also will present information on air monitoring, motor vehicle use, population density, air quality modeling and other factors used in determining non-attainment areas. Gov. Beverly Perdue must submit recommendations to the EPA by March 12, and the EPA plans to designate non-attainment areas by March 12, 2010.

Ozone, the main component in urban smog, is unhealthy to breathe and can damage trees and crops. In March 2008, the EPA adopted a more stringent standard for ozone – lowering the allowable level from 0.08 to 0.075 parts per million measured over eight hours. Although most of North Carolina is attaining the old ozone standard, current levels exceed the new standard in 21 of the 30 counties where the DAQ operates monitors.

Non-attainment areas will be the focus of air quality plans for controlling ozone. These plans would include specific proposals for curbing ozone, such as measures to reduce emissions from cars, trucks, industries and power plants. The designations also give the EPA the authority to review proposed highway projects and long-range transportation plans.

North Carolina's non-attainment recommendations are likely to include the Charlotte, Triangle, Triad, Fayetteville, Hickory, Asheville, Rocky Mount and Greenville metropolitan areas as well as some outlying areas. Monitoring in these areas has found that ozone levels could exceed the new ozone standard.

Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides, or NOx, react with hydrocarbons in the air on hot, sunny days with little wind. The main sources of the pollutants that cause ozone are cars and trucks, coal-fired power plants and other industries.

North Carolina has taken substantial steps to control ozone and other key air quality problems in recent years. In 2002, the legislature passed the Clean Smokestacks Act, which requires coal-fired power plants to reduce their NOx and sulfur dioxide emissions by about three-fourths over the next five-to-10 years. The legislature also passed bills that enhanced and expanded the auto emissions testing program from nine to 48 counties.

The Division of Air Quality also will accept written comments on the non-attainment designations until February 9. For more information about other air issues, visit the DAQ Web site, www.ncair.org.