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Thank You For Inviting Our Team Into Your Communities!
It's been an exciting few months! After over two years of remote Environmental Justice organizing, the Clean Water team is finally back on the road traveling the state to meet with different groups and community members at events, speaking engagements, and local gatherings! We are so appreciative to finally be back in touch with our communities and are looking forward to all the exciting direct advocacy activities we have planned this summer! The Clean Water team would like to say thank you to all the groups and institutions that have invited us to their communities this past year to present on our Environmental Justice advocacy work and opportunities to directly support our efforts. We've met so many new faces and look forward to continue reconnecting with community members and ally organizations. Thank you for promoting Environmental Justice and safe, affordable water for all North Carolinians! Celebrating Earth Day & Environmental Justice Across NC! A big thank you to Piedmont Environmental Alliance for their 2022 Earth Day fair! Clean Water for NC joined the event as an exhibitor and had a lot of fun meeting people, helping kids with a take-home groundwater project, and visiting other vendors. The support from the fair's volunteers was wonderful; they helped us set up and navigate the day! Earth Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art was a blast! Not only did we enjoy talking with community members about groundwater monitoring and our work on poultry operations, it was great to chat with so many other nonprofits also working towards equitable drinking water infrastructure, safe drinking water, and Environmental Justice for all! Educating About Our Work & Opportunities to Get Involved In March, Professor Kata Chillag at Davidson College invited our Environmental Justice Organizer and Researcher, Christine Diaz, to speak to a "Water and Health" class about her work at Clean Water for NC, Environmental Justice, and career opportunities in this field. The presentation focused on current EJ issues in Southeastern NC, including wood pellet production, landfills, concentrated animal feeding operations, and cumulative impacts on communities. Thank you Davidson College! The NC Public Health Association held their annual conference in April: Connectedness and Equity: Public Health Creates a Healthier North Carolina. The annual conference "gathers public health professionals . . from around the state to exchange information and create a healthier North Carolina through effective public health practice and engaged citizens." They invited our Executive Director, Veronica Oakler, to speak on Environmental Justice in NC and Public Health Implications. She focused on Sampson County as a case study of cumulative impacts from pollution and the disproportionate impacts borne by BIPOC communities, in particular health implications. The NC Student Environmental Education Coalition (SEEC) invited our Executive Director, Veronica Oakler, to speak on an EJ Panel to students of the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in April. SEEC engages with key environmental issues and inspires youth to take action for a cleaner world, for all. The panelists discussed the current state and future of environmental justice in NC and beyond, and the role of today's students for a better tomorrow! We spent a lovely Sunday in April with the Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle to discuss opportunities for their membership to get involved in Environmental Justice advocacy, specifically focused on how their group can contribute to the development of our "Community Toolkit". Thank you for the warm welcome, lively discussion, and enthusiasm in our work! Upcoming Clean Water for NC Engagements! Clean Water for NC is revamping our Community Toolkit to provide resources you can use to advocate for your neighborhood, learn about environmental justice and issues, and protect your rights for a clean environment regardless of time, funding, or previous knowledge. We will be hosting listening sessions in June and have plans for in-person events in Garysburg and Durham, as well as online options to hear better from community members, what would be helpful. Take the "Community Toolkit" survey today! Thank you to everyone who helped make these events possible and for inviting us to participate! If you'd like a member of our team to speak with your group, please fill out our General Inquiries form!
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Developing the Community Toolkit: A Grassroots Approach to Meaningful Environmental Advocacy
Last chance to participate in giving feedback on your needs and interests as we build our Community Toolkit! We will not be having the virtual session, so please make sure to submit your perspectives via our Survey down below or email us at info@cwfnc.org with an extended deadline of Fri 8/12. North Carolina communities have experienced years of limited opportunities to participate in state officials decision-making processes for environmental policy and permitting. This has been particularly difficult for historically marginalized and underserved communities under traditional power dynamics. It’s not to say that there are no opportunities to engage in state actions as a member of the public, just that there are some significant limitations. To promote all community voices, Clean Water for NC is revamping our Community Toolkit to provide resources you can use to advocate for your neighborhood, learn about environmental justice and issues, and protect your rights for a clean environment regardless of time, funding, or previous knowledge. We want to hear from YOU about what your needs are in being connected to resources and tools. Share your preferences, wants and needs by responding to our 15-question Community Toolkit Survey TODAY! Everyone who submits a survey will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card. We will also be holding Listening Sessions over the summer. Stay tuned for more information by signing up to our email list.
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Empower Yourself With DEQ’s Community Mapping System!
Clean Water for NC video tutorial for DEQ's Community Mapping System The NCDEQ Community Mapping System has a variety of features that can help you better understand what facilities, pollution sources, and information are available within an area! As part of our Community Empowerment Program, Clean Water for North Carolina has released two tutorial videos for the mapping system. Part 1 is an overview of the main mapping system, its layers and reporting features. Part 2 illustrates how to access and use the map’s Environmental Justice Tool. Read more about our Community Empowerment work in our newest edition of Clean Currents! Some useful features of the mapping system include the “Facility, Permit, and Incident Layers” list, as it has several map layers, such as air quality permit sites, animal feeding operations, coal ash structural fills, hazardous waste sites, underground storage tank incidents, and more. You can click on many individual facilities to access their permit files and ownership information. Another list, “Environmental Layers,” provides three options for selection, including NCDEQ’s selection of “Potentially Underserved Block Groups” from 2019, conservation areas, and flood zones in the state. Meanwhile, if you click on the map on a census block, the Environmental Justice Tool will open, which provides information on the map area’s facilities, and sensitive receptors (like nursing homes or schools), and demographics in comparison to the state. The tool also provides health information, such as heart disease deaths, birth rates, and asthma. The mapping system is on its second version, Version 1.0 after its beta release. It includes some updates and improvements based on community feedback. Stakeholder feedback is still being accepted on the tool, with a survey accessible on DEQ’s website. Community engagement is crucial to further develop this mapping system, so we at Clean Water for NC hope you’ll comment and push it to improve! Participate in DEQ's Community Mapping System Survey! Learn more about helpful tools and online resources at our Community Tools page!
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REPORT: “Advancing Well User Protections Through Policy”
Clean Water for NC is celebrating World Water Day this year with the release of our new report "Advancing Well User Protections Through Policy"! Read Our Report! This year's theme for International World Water Day 2022 is Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible. Acknowledging the importance of groundwater and the services it provides to individuals across the globe is essential to developing protective well user protection policies, including policies for North Carolina's nearly 3 million private well users! With assistance from NC Well Water Working Group members, UNC's Superfund Research Program, NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) and NC Department of Health and Human Service (NC DHHS) officials, we outlined the case for two well user protection proposals: 1. Increase Funding, Scope & Accessibility of the Bernard Allen Fund 2. Require Well Testing Prior to Real Estate Transactions We hope you find this report insightful and inspiring. Our team looks forward to continuing to develop these policy recommendations before introducing them to some "legislative champions" in Raleigh! Did you know that North Carolina has the second largest population of private well users in the U.S.? Not only that, but there are no federal protections for these individuals - it is complete up to private well users to ensure the safety of their drinking water. What can you do to advocate for well user protections in your own community? Reach out to your state representatives and urge them to support policies that promote safe drinking water protections for North Carolina well users Visit our Well User Protection page to learn more about your county's well program. (Your county's Environmental Health Director is your local resource for everything "wells" - they are there to assist you!) Connect with Clean Water for NC staff about any questions or concerns you have about your private well
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Celebrating 50 Years of the Clean Water Act
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, our nation's landmark water protection legislation that aims to maintain healthy surface waters, ensure the health of ecological resources, protect human health, and restore impaired waters. It provides all individuals within the United States the right to waterways that are clean, biologically intact, and safe for use. Federal authority for enforcement lies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which gives states and tribes the tools and guidance necessary to protect and maintain healthy waterways in cooperation with federal government agencies. This cornerstone legislation was signed into law by President Nixon on October 18, 1972, with the main goals of restoring and maintaining "the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s water,” eliminate pollutant discharges and provide for the “protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife” and “recreation in and on the water.” President Nixon signs the Clean Water Act into Law, October 18th 1972. Source: Science History Institute “The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 — the modern Clean Water Act — established a national commitment to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. The Clean Water Act has been instrumental in improving the health of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It has stopped billions of pounds of pollution from fouling the water, and dramatically increased the number of waterways that are safe for swimming and fishing.” Learn more about the history of the Clean Water Act: “A Brief History of the Clean Water Act”, from PBS’s NOW Robust protection of our nation's surface waters came under act attack in 2020 when the Trump administration dramatically reduced the amount of U.S. waterways receiving federal protection under the Clean Water Act in a bid to comply with industry interests and fast-track oil and gas pipelines. Of the many changes introduced by Trump's EPA, perhaps the biggest and most contentious was the controversial move to roll back federal pollution limits in wetlands and smaller waterways. All together, Trump gutted protections for 25% of surface waters in the country. The tides changed once again in 2021 when newly elected President Joe Biden announced his plans to undo the Trump-era rule and restore protections to streams and wetlands. While we await a formal rule proposal by the Biden administration, the 2015 Obama-era "Clean Water Rule" has been reinstated in the interim. This law provides a blanket definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS), allowing protections to approximately 60% of America's surface waters. Wetlands in North Carolina. Source: Department of Environmental Quality We love clean water and know you do, too! Keep up-to-date with all our work with communities to protect and restore North Carolina's beautiful water resources. Sign up today to receive our newest edition of Clean Currents to learn about our Water Justice & Polluter Accountability programs, membership & volunteer opportunities, and how YOU can become a clean water advocate in your own community. Sign up to receive our quarterly Clean Currents Newsletter! Our NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water in accordance with the Clean Water Act. The Division issues pollution control permits, monitors permit compliance, and carries out enforcement actions for violations of environmental regulations. Help protect the waters of North Carolina by getting informed and getting involved! Sign up to receive Division of Water Resources Press releases. Information on meetings regarding rulemakings, surface water quality standards, and committee meetings Sign up to receive information on draft permits for a proposed industry. Public notices straight to your inbox about opportunities to speak out and how to provide comments to the Division Check out River Network's comprehensive Clean Water Act overview for community manuals, toolkits, and much more!
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Making the Invisible Visible During World Water Day 2022
We may not be able to see it, hear it, or feel it, but groundwater is one of the most valuable resources our planet has to offer. This invisible treasure is a lifeline for millions of people across the globe who rely on it to sustain drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, farming, and ecosystems. Human activities and over-use by industries continue to threaten this precious resource at a time when sustainable groundwater management should be a priority for adapting to the climate crisis. World Water Day falls on March 22nd, and this year’s theme acknowledges the importance of groundwater and the work that needs to be done to protect it. Protecting NC’s groundwater resources is a focal point across our program work. Almost 3 million North Carolinians use unregulated private wells to access drinking water, especially in our most rural, low-income regions. By providing educational materials, policy recommendations, and testing resources for low-income individuals, our team is dedicated to safeguarding this community lifeline and “Making the Invisible Visible” year-round. Just a few ways you can become a groundwater advocate! Join our NC Well User Network! Receive weekly "Well Water Wisdoms" to read about common groundwater contaminants, testing & treatment options, policy updates, and more Check out our Well User Protection program! Learn about private well testing resources in your county, creating a testing schedule, and how to directly connect with state officials for treatment, maintenance and construction questions Become a CWFNC member! Help support our groundwater monitoring activities across the state - even the smallest gift amount can make a difference! This article is from our upcoming Clean Currents Newsletter! We'll be releasing our Spring edition at the end of March, so be sure you've signed up to receive our newest publication either by mail or straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive our quarterly Clean Currents Newsletter! World Water Day Events & Resources! WorldWaterDay.org: Official webpage for the global United Nations observance day held on March 22nd Clean Water for NC "Clean Currents" Newsletter! Our quarterly newsletter features news, updates, and opportunities to engage in our work promoting Environmental Justice! Get your copy today!March 19, Haw River Clean-Up-A-Thon: hawriver.org/river-cleanup/March 22, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, World Water Day Panel: Protecting the Human Right to Water. Hear from experts about how we can pass the WATER ACT, stop water privatization & ensure clean, affordable water for all. Register Today!March 26, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, World Water Day Celebration at Northgate Park in Durham! A family friendly water celebration including blessings of the water, water exploration, activities, and more! For more information, contact Lib Hutchby at libhutchby5@gmail.com A portion of all proceeds will help support our work at Clean Water for NC. Learn more about the Craft Happiness Project and where you can enjoy a can of the Global IPA!
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Celebrating & Investing In North Carolina’s Black-Owned Businesses Year Round
Sonyah Spencer's Urban Reader Bookstore contains over 3,000 books - all written by black authors One way Clean Water for NC staff honors Black History Month this February is by promoting just some of the amazing black-owned businesses and brands across our state! From frequenting bookstores and restaurants, community centers and boutiques, we can all support and invest in black-owned brands year round! What are some of your favorite black-owned businesses? Let us know in the comments! Want to learn about black-owned brands in your community? Check out The Nile List and Official Black Wall Street! Here are a handful of our staff's top picks: La Kitchen Delight Soul Food - 95 Old Highway Rd, Garysburg Bennett's Construction - 56 Longstreet Rd, Weldon 51 Sycamore Bar & Grill - 51 Sycamore St, Weldon The Grind AVL Coffee Shop - 346 Depot St, Asheville Different Wrld Culture House & Creative Hub - Asheville (OPENING SOON) Pretty Honest Candles - Order online through their website! The Urban Reader Bookstore - 440 East McCullough Drive, Suite A-130, Charlotte Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center - 4200 Lake Ridge Dr, Raleigh Saltbox Seafood Joint - 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham Boricua Soul - 705 Willard St, Durham Beyú Caffè - 341 W Main St, Durham Dame's Chicken & Waffles - Multiple locations! Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Cary The Chicken Hut - 3019 Fayetteville St, Durham Goorsha Ethiopian Cuisine - 910 W Main St, Durham Pure Soul Vegan - 4125 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd Suite 1, Durham Anissa's Spot Smoothie Café & Coffee Bar - 5111 NC-55 Suite 101, Durham Piri Catering - Visit website to place your order! Melanated Wine - 4608 Industry Ln f, Durham Rofhiwa Book Cafe - 406 S Driver St, Durham The ZEN Succulent Plant & Gift Shop - 123 Market St B, Durham Ky's Candles - Order online through their website! The Melanated Empath Candle Co. & Emporium - Order online through their website! Shawn Lea Funeral Home - 515 East 12th Street, Scotland Neck Cofield Funeral Home - 501 W 3rd St, Weldon T. L. Faison's Funeral Care - 301 Park St, Seaboard Coleman & McGee Funeral Home - 201 Old Highway Rd, Garysburg
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Black History Month Through Books!
Clean Water for NC celebrates Black History Month this year through the lens of published works exploring the central role Black people in America have had in shaping our country today. Explore our Black History Month Book Club selections below to read award winning historical accounts of slavery, segregation, and race and the Western mind: How the Word is…
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Clean Water for NC has a new NC Energy Digest!
Clean Water has introduced our new NC Energy Digest, with weekly news about North Carolina’s energy landscape. This digest will combine two of our existing digests into one, and explores news and events related to coal & coal ash; pipelines, oil & gas; biomass & biogas; plus utility rates, environmental justice, climate change, and more! What’s inside the NC Energy Digest? EVENTS: You can expect to find out about public hearings related to permits for energy facilities and utility rate cases. We’ll also let you know about any relevant events hosted by NC community or advocacy groups to help hold polluters and government agencies accountable. NEWS: The news digest will focus on NC specifically but also bring in federal items that could impact North Carolinians. We’ll keep everything organized into categories for you, and provide links and brief overviews. If it’s an opinion piece, we’ll be sure to indicate that it’s commentary. Our aim is to provide you with information on energy matters that could impact you and your NC neighbors! How do I sign up? If you are already signed up for our Coal Ash Updates or Fracking and Pipeline Updates, no need to register, as you have likely seen our January editions in your inbox. If you’d like to begin receiving our weekly NC Energy Digest, great! Just sign up here!
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Honoring Dr. King, His Legacy, and the Work that Remains
We recognize the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not only on the third Monday of January, but all year round. Environmental Justice is Social Justice, and this January 17th, we continue to acknowledge and reflect on the work that remains to be done for racial equity. Belinda Joyner, our Northeastern Organizer based in Garysburg, honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. below: As we approach the Birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. there's a sadness and happiness. Sad because he's no longer with us and happy for the LEGACY he left behind. The Dream that someday ALL GOD'S CHILDREN would come together as one and the INJUSTICE we face still today will one day be a thing of the past. That's why I can't set back and be silent. Like Dr. King, I have to be a VOICE for My People because those same INJUSTICES we faced then we are still facing them today. So we must continue the fight, we must continue to stand for those who feel like they can't. And I quote Dr. King as he sat in the Birmingham Jail from the letter that he wrote to his Fellow Clergymen "Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty" - Belinda Joyner, Clean Water for NC Northeastern Organizer
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