20210902_S-Bryant

From:
S Bryant
To:
Parr, Adam
Subject:
[External] Hood Creek Soils Public hearing
Date:
Thursday, September 2, 2021 11:31:50 AM
Attachments:
Doc 1 NorthCarolina2018 Caldwell Social Vun Mao.odf
Doc 2 E0143-Addressing-the-Disproportionate-Impact-of-COVID-19-on-Communities-of-Color Exec Order 143.pdf
Doc 3 map of area.docx
Doc 4 email to city.docx
Doc 5 zoning of land.docx
Doc 6 Impaired streams near Bryant Road.html.docx
Doc 7 newsiaper article about fly-rock.docx
Doc 8 DENR"s response to fly-rock.docx
Doc 9 distance to blastina.docx
Doc 10 Sharon"s oral comments.docx
Doc 11 Jimmie"s comments about propsed mine..docx
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an
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Mr. Parr,
I would like to add some comments to the oral comments made during the public
hearing and provide some documentation.
The first topic I would like to address is the fact that this is a disenfranchised
community (Doc 1). Governor Cooper's Executive order addresses the pandemic,
how it affects these communities and how the state should address the issues (Doc 2
with passages highlighted that address this situation). The virtual hearing further
disenfranchised this group because they are reluctant to participate in this type of
meeting, have little or no internet or cell phone access, and are hesitant to advocate
for themselves. I found it difficult to access via internet and had difficulty hearing and
understanding speakers. DEQ received a petition with 117 names of citizens that
opposed this quarry.
This community is already home to a large landfill. An abandoned landfill is not far
away (Doc 3). Environmental Justice is not served by placing a rock quarry in this
community. It already has its share of undesirable, polluting activities.
The Mining Act requires notification of municipalities of the intent to apply for a mining
permit. Part of this property lies in Lenoir's ETJ. The applicant did not notify the city
of the application although he was aware of the city's jurisdiction during the meeting
held in June 2020 to consider rezoning the land (Doc 4). No land has been rezoned
by either the city or the county (Doc5).
The Mining Act states that no mining shall occur without a permit. An access road
was constructed and grading has been done. The applicant had every intention of
ignoring that part of the mining act. I sent pictures to your department and a violation
was issued on July 30, 2021. This alone is reason to deny a permit.
An Erosion and Sedimentation Plan is to be submitted for a permit. I visited the

Asheville Regional Office to view the files. (I was told that they did not make copies
and I would have to make an appointment to meet someone to make copies at an off -
site copy place and pay for the copies. When I asked about having them emailed, I
was told to make an appointment and I would have to bring a thumb drive to copy the
files.) I asked about the erosion plan and then asked to see the erosion plan from the
prior operation. I explained to Mr. Smith there was supposed to be another permit as
I had a copy. Mr. Smith sent an email to the applicant immediately after I left telling
him to contact him. Have the issues with these erosion and sedimentation permits
been resolved? Who holds the permit? Preston Contractors or Hood Creek Soils? If
it is the later, why did Preston not reclaim the land? An example of no oversight of
these operations. If a permit cannot be properly monitored, it should not be issued.
The Division of Water Resources completed an application review form. The form
does not have the date it was completed, only the due date of June 30, 2021. The
form clearly states that no land disturbing activities have started. I sent DEQ an email
on June 23, 2021 with pictures dating back to June 8, 2021 showing activity on this
land. The date of the cover letter is May 28, 2021. How/when did this person
determine that there was no activity on this property? Do any of the people that sign
these documents make any site visits? If they do not, how can they accurately
complete the forms?
A July 14, 2021 email from Shawna Riddle states many things wrong with the permit.
Have these been resolved?
A map with streams shows Bryant Creek is a clean stream but becomes impaired just
after it joins Greasy Creek (Doc 6). Erosion from the mining operation will produce
sediment, especially during downpours. While the Mining Act says it cannot consider
the use of the public road to deny a permit, the dust and dirt that trucks will drag out
onto this road must be considered. After all, it would not be there if it wasn't for the
mine! All of those sediments will be washed into the creeks during hard rains. I guess
we will just have to live with driving through the mud during the light rains.
Houses and vehicles are in danger of being hit by fly -rock. As mentioned before, we
currently live beside the rock quarry on Southwest Boulevard. There have been
documented and undocumented incidents of fly -rock and damage to homes. These
have occurred at around 800ft from blasts. Vehicles have been damaged while
driving down the road. (Doc 7, Doc 8) Our house is a little over 300ft from the area
proposed for blasting. How are you going to ensure the safety of our daughter and
our property? (Doc 9) You can't. This site is too close to occupied homes and
presents a danger to the occupants. Is DEQ willing to accept responsibility for the
damages and/or injuries that occur if this permit is granted?
I have also attached our oral comments for your records (Doc 10, Doc 11)
Thank you for considering our additional comments.
Sharon and Jimmie Bryant

181
126
Overall Social Vulnerability'
C A L
90
TaY/orsville Rd
diiiiiiiiiiii
SVI I SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX
70 /
® Data Unavailable 3 0 1.25 2.5 5 7.5
Highest Vulnerability Lowest Miles
(Top 4th) (SVI 2018)2 (Bottom 4th)
MAP PRODUCED 3/12/202(
mm"M
Social vulnerability refers to a
community's capacity to prepare for
and respond to the stress of
hazardous events ranging from
natural disasters, such as tornadoes
or disease outbreaks, to human -
caused threats, such as toxic chemical
spills. The CDC Social Vulnerability
Index (CDC SVI 2018)4 County Map
depicts the social vulnerability of
communities, at census tract level,
within a specified county. CDC SVI
FINAL - FOR EXTERNAL USE
2018 groups fifteen census -derived
factors into four themes that
summarize the extent to which the
area is socially vulnerable to disaster.
The factors include economic data as
well as data regarding education,
family characteristics, housing,
language ability, ethnicity, and vehicle
access. Overall Social Vulnerability
combines all the variables to provide
a comprehensive assessment.
Socioeconomic Status5
Highest Vulnerability Lowest
(Top 4th) (SVI 2018)2 (Bottom 4th)
Race/Ethnicity/Language?
i
Highest Vulnerability Lowest
(Top 4th) (SVI 2018)2 (Bottom 4th)
CDC SVI Themes
Household Composition/Disability6
Highest Vulnerability Lowest
(Top 4th) (SVI 2018)2 (Bottom 4th)
Housing Type/Transportation8
Highest Vulnerability Lowest
(Top 4th) (SVI 2018)2 (Bottom 4th)
Data Sources: CDC ATSDR GRASP U.S. Census Bureau Esri9 StreetMa TM Premium.
Notes: 'Overall Social Vulnerability: All 15 variables. 'Census tracts with 0 population. "The CDC SVI combines percentile rankings of US Census American Community Survey (ACS)
2014-2018 variables, for the state, at the census tract level. 'Socioeconomic Status: Poverty, Unemployed, Per Capita Income, No High School Diploma. 6Household Composition/
Disability: Aged 65 and Over, Aged 17 and Younger, Single -parent Household, Aged 5 and over with a Disability.'Race/Ethnicity/Language: Minority, English Language Ability. 'Housing
Type/Transportation: Multi -unit, Mobile Homes, Crowding, No Vehicle, Group Quarters.
Projection: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina HIPS 3200.
References: Flanagan, B.E., et al., A Social Vulnerability Index for Disaster Management. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 2011. 8(1).
CDC SVI web page: http://svi.cdc.gov.
FINAL - FOR EXTERNAL USE

CALDWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA County Home Page I "ister of Deeds I
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Wheelock, Jen
From: McKinney, Lauren 4Imckinney 6.lenoir.nc.us>
Sent: Thu rsdayr May 28, 2020 11.23 AM
To: Wheelock, Jenny
Subject, 1395 Hoods Creek Rd- rezoning?
Jenny,
Raymond Hoffman called about 1395 Hoods Creek Rd, he is planning to rezone to industrial through the county. It's in
the ETJ and a small portion is R-R in the city. He Is wanting to make it a soil quark+, what needs to happen for the city
part? Here is his number if you need it: 704-464-6800
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Jan 22, 1992
Rock blast sends
boulders into
neighborhood
113 ISItI F L IILL.1}f:KS
tirowr Nan 45 ru.q
LZNOIR -- ResWents on Ibe Bradford Muunta i i i
Roadareexpreming co ern tads} alter b miders
repactedfy as lV& IN 5 feel In iiiMeter ,acre
I#arOr�m tntp their Ise &borhood from a rack gLuIrr%-
blut W&Iftisday al ldve-11 Siam Co-
Une of the bugdera ctoi bed Lbrvujgh an Wyesr•
old ma n's I*drnnm wall while anal her $snacked a
wheel Of a truck that wuu driving ty ore ft Brad.
ford hlouniain Road.
Dale taldwell, 1 v*mer of Oildwril Slow, &esd
Lhim marrLlrig that tit+ is Wth "scared" and cm-
ec-reed Wwut the Ily rack ineident. iand%*:Ij %did
Ow bloating contrMctor, Piedmont Exp[4Atym Of
StatesYIJlr,Cohdaxted the Wait
Ste RJAST an page I3 A
F-a Mitc"P, 60, loans agalrlst the Iron) of nia
dohm i w auihouse woor eiday *114"1G4 4.

IIA LENOIR lows -TOPIC f THURSDAY, JANIUAFtY 2 .1992
SkAIIati IT 4rerww AirwrF
A tmtaa from a rock b1ni on Wwriosday cr6aled a 5400t cra-
torbordOng I Bradford Mourllaln Road,

Blast- Coritinuridlramp:it;raknr
"Tho p-n-&K ;!omppnv i9 go.
ing to have to ea lain NVFWI had
pened,'' Gnldwel] &aid.
Officials with Flieelnternt 1-.:ni0lo-
eivsa were unavailable for ram-
ment thin rnarning
Officials wiLh like N.C. l]rrierd-
menl of Enviranmitni tl stealth
and Naluraf Resources' 1)lvision
d Land ltmaxtrces and the N.C.
tobetr Depariment's [Mleision of
Mining Owfi iortu regutat& rack
quarries. Imand llesouyens regu-
lates the safety of nearby rest•
dents while the Labor
DDparimeat rig (4% the safety
of quarry workem-
Of(IciaLs with both agencies
maid today they wi11 be inwe�ti-
gating the incident.
Caldwel] said the company la
soiling to do whalover is neces-
mary to prewtnt &ueh occur-
rences and protect the ulety of
reEidtrtts nr mf+torists.
David Greer, who lives near
where the rack fe3l, said Oti&
Inotting that he. heard the blaxt
and then wilni'saed fly rack
crash in around the hatrme Of F d
Mitchell,10. Gr+_Ltr htlpn ca re for
Citchell.
"I saw the rock came up Oyer
his (Mitchell's) hmme like a big
'ale eloud," Greer said. "I
Ihmght he was dated."
MItehell sold thus InorniOy, he
fee Ls lucky.
Fie said his Pf"LLely, which
8lts in p yma It Valley byelaw the
rack quarry, wis hit at apprGxi-
MaWy 1 p.m, In additlorr to the
hale In his hetuse, the blast
caused damage to the top and
note fide of a shed. It a Iso hurt a
mLrror La the lxelruum.
The windshield d IL ear be,
Ion& to Mitelwil'r daughter
wati m hit
Ow bla9ting.
Ballck said Im. "tip Why
Iraffiv along the Bradford Moun-
tain Hoed isn't blocked when
bleating ks taldng place, lie aaLd
#rafNe On the SmLhwe9t Boule.
vard, which also rum aallacent
to the quarry, i& bl-ackv.4 at
tint%.
Fie said the Llradfnra -Moun-
lain Wed Is aI: etow to thp quar.
ry as Southwest "award.
t'nldwell said Ihis morning
that he is willing to bike whatev-
er action is netommry to prataxt
reeidenis or motorists. Fie said
he will be IaWng with N.C- ❑t.
partment of 7�roli-ip4)rtalion offi•
cials about pre rwitlonr, for the
BridFord Mountain Ftwcl,
Caldwell said the: blastin&& has
mver posed much of a probltm
far the Bradford Mountain Road
section
Caldwell Bald he rexaltr. nnly
one other incident Own a rock
hII a home,
(freer, said The quarry owner
bkornmil the bla&tLttg compatty
for an incident four weekA ago
the t covered seyeral hnLLy� with
dirt.
Caldwell said Ihis tnorning
there wpm an ineid"t a hour four
weeks ago in whJrh Borne dust
urata blown from a blast opera -
Hon. fir. said he km" od no way
to prevent -dust in a blanL.
Greer said Ihis marnmgg riot
safety ptecautimz for msJdenur
must include mare than list
posting warmni sips.
it'lr'- It problem," Crocr
an id, "It's hLI_n �raa�J�erty- It's gAr
ing to kill somebody. 1 don't
want to cause him any trouble.
Ile jugs ne,e4 la ' his dirt and
reeks, rue his aide."
CaklPwetk Stone workers fx.%an

71he witiftleld of a ear Iw.-
Jongin to ]VIRshell's daughter
was asa hit
"it seared the pretty bad,' -
Mitchell said. fie soil he wma in
his home's Irene living roam
when a rock about i fnat dp dd$m-
eter came crashing through the
Ixdrosorn wall and into his�tkleh-
er�
MiteheTs ekeiricity w s also
knneked out As a rv.su.lt of the
aockknt. Duke Power cmploy-
#+ea were working to redttort pow-
er &l hLbsxtt f p.m, Wednmduy.
Insurance company repres"-
tativea Inspected the+ d1mage
weslrwiday. Mitchell said lie
said they don't have a darnao
estimate yet and are waiting to
zsft i€ there are any shoran I n the
homc'a ekeirical wiring.
J41it�hell nayF Insurahce WW
pay for the dpnlage on his
d-FmOler'ii car.
Randy Winkler uu9 d.rivinnggby
1n a dump truck When «a(tht
boulders strwk the rearrwheeJ
section of the trunk. it k caked a
w},rrl oat taws truck.
"It WA& Almost Ioslant death,"
Wm k.L" rjld a New&Topic pho,
Zopher. "When I saw the big
rock go by,C ducker."
Hit l►ardEratrds. It ['atdwtli
'atone ernpJ" says he alwa}'r
Worms Mktdwll anal rdlidartr
la aurrqxuld1ng hdrnea th:al the
blasts are abqul to wcur-
"It don't 1l9601Jy do this,"
wsf& said'WednNwUy- "I don't
kww what hahappened,"om Bul se residents imy
OW are oot not ihed trhw bUm.
of ispl rsnrxt
771atn" FWWtc, whoa ]ixft a
oiler# dlatance west of the Mitch-
GH bNom. aayn hiY Iarniily a T&x
notified. He maw his wyfe is
afraid to walk atang the Brad-
F3p jsr�t needs to key hu dirt and
r+x'ks on hla skit...
Cnlfteil Slone workers began
rernntiing the rock de.hris i mme-
diateJy €otlDwing the incident.
I'_ corropnriy is requrrod to re-
( the incident to the slate's
Land itavreea Division and
Labor Deµ rlmesat's Mknir4 DI-
Viskon
Iliwold Itiegredy, with tho La-
bor D"rtment, said his agency
was notified of the incident
wednesdlay,
Beth Glreasom, wilts the state
Land ResouYras Division off1pe.
in Raleigh, said she was not
aware a€ ODy nuldicaticm to her
office. lion Holbrook. with the
Laois itcnuurCes DJvLstnn's Ashe-
vilUe olficr, "id he also was rsol
aware of any natifle-Ov m.
However, Caldwell said he
called the band IteseumfS Ia,
leigh office nn Wedntadeyy and
wa_s to CsiJ division head 7�-,,Z
Davis back at 10 a.m. tway.
Chewun said her r2en da
not show any pmvioua reports odF
fly rwk or oc her c wnpimint% in
Coldwril Stooe's file.
Chps%m said ii is nal n(wMMl
procedure for h caMptlny to rr-
moae the fly rock botere state
Irrve%lkgalurx drHve, exMpt la
cases wroad
are a ad must be
elcu or rmka need to he re•
moved Irorn a house.
CaldweJi Stone worketa not
orlfy removal the roeiy from the
rwd and home, but they trans•
porlod ahem back 10 the quarry.
"f couldn't say *I*Lhor it w94
doge to guar a -
somdlriog up, �mocl cnlnpa-
nies MU W immediately and +rc
neFpDin A h-1nrre the fly rack IF re-
mevw," shim yi said.
-5wf Welw &q y

Officials
reviewing
blasting
accident
L#r JIMENT t'lllIDERS
Sr*", Uqft 4�iit+t
LENOIR — A Mat{-4ville ex-
plMivt$ 4minpany and ita imur,
a nee compariy today declined to
a newer quiallarla perm Ling to a
Z91 last week at Lhe Cgldwell
Stowe Co. 1w, tack wary Mat
showtred p NW6VAt s property
wJth boulder.
A rack Mart We(hwaday at the
quemy writ a 1 fnat wJde rock
through an Oderly +can's house
and another damaged the whotl
seetrun of a truck are the Israd•
ford Mountain Road.
kiwk yinrry workers immedl-
ately u{rit to lice "m an4 re-
moved 1 he st ray boLdders. One ut
the boulders That landed ail the
Ictmperly of Fred Mitchell, 0.
IL an ImPrOulm Ln the puurld
that MC44Ured ahaul s:fget ip d4-
arnetcr.
Dale Caldwell. owarw of Cald-
weJl Stonp, mid Inset wenk Lhit
his oathpa ny eon tracts the 6last-
ing to Pic-drnm Explosivea of
SlateKviIk, He said the blar.ting
mhteartar would have to explain
what rent wrong.
The ouwr of ncd.munt Ex*F
xlwes eauld real be rmohrrl fqr
cogs meal lwtt week or th Is morr-
ing.
PM Percy. a 9pnkeswoman for
Piedmont Exptmiyw, said thLe
xnororng that the company
See BLAST on pour i'

Blau
Wuuld not UW1110 Any sirriler'rteflt
regarding the incident. %1& said
any statement would I:ave to
eumP from the COMPUy 9 lnsur•
aria vwnlrany, $iltr►o Insuralwe
Co, of Olarlotie.
[Diane }fart- a CUStiwlift ser.
VkV rv.pn-SCVIativr' far $i&U,
Said this m4)"Ing that the lnsur•
once company would nol make a
statemenl In pnyllne except
those tptrrarred in a claim.
The N.0 Pepartmcot of Envl-
ronment, Health and Natural
Rexourom' DivLaien 4 Land Re.
mwrres and lire l+rt:. lf l ri-
menl of TAhor's Mining Division
arwr rulrenih invesUpting the
tncidem.
71re Lobar 13epartrnMt regu-
latee Safety in .relation to Cald-
well Stony emptoye@A while the
[Tivialon of Lsnd FLeSfiurt'es re.,-
ulates sofEty at it relaters to
nearby propmy awiiem
The coinpony is required by
stale refutation to repwt ilyrot*
incidents to bah agencift.
'flee incident hut week senl a
bimWr through Mitchell's bead.
room will. Another houldr.r
damaged the wheel on a Wink ter
Grading Go. truck ftl w" dely-
ing by.
Hoch Mitchell and the truck
drly" sold Ism wqirek they were
lucky not to retalve injiff+`s.
Raatrtenis living along Ilse
pradlmd Mountain Road, which
runs adjacent the rack quarry
property, comptakwd last week
that the company should provide
additiumh sarety preca<ullons.
Caldwell said lost Thurmby
that the bta,sting hitd never
posed much it probilem for the
Dradfmd Mountain Road area
although he did rwap woe other
incident iii which a rock landpri
on a nearby home.
Csldwel l said n4mont Explo
slues waa not lhr t4agling "Pi-
Irsetor Al Owt twine.
Harty WtzfA-. a Ilrydtord Road
reisidrid. said I*st week It was
her hnmtL that r rvjFk IsndeJ on
In hilt$. he said R \kRFnfflwked a
hrrie in the root,
Sr' euer said theanotherincidentill IM ilk biotic
5*nl flyrurk onto her pritperty-
She said the 1%4 1,6,1enF tlidir'#
daimoge her homn hul did dam.
Age r fence iwr her}11'opwiy.
Reth Chinon. asaLstant lain.
trig dlreetor in ties 111vilion of
Land ittwumra' Raleigh orfk'e,
said taal week that the saw na
record of tweviom flyrork tnrb
dents in Cardwell 5torie's file.
Flory Flolhrixk mn rnvironmen-
tal englneer tccnnicran with the
frem page +rue
P10PLICn ni I,aerl IWINAtrrfiei'
Aaheville office, said the morn•
4% thal be rovkrweii hit o[fice's
files and the cgenry's ftkwes-
vilie files hnvk w Im and foLmd
no romird of reported flyrock In.
cident&
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Comments during public hearing.
My name is Sharon Bryant. My family owns the property at 1020 Bryant Road
which is the closest dwelling to the proposed rock quarry. My daughter lives in this
home. Since my time is limited, I would like to address a few of my concerns and
then follow up with a letter to your department detailing concerns and
documentation.
This is a disenfranchised community that is already home to a 645acre landfill that
serves Caldwell and surrounding counties. Environmental Justice prevents
permitting another activity that endangers the healthy and safety of this
community.
A decision to hold this hearing virtually was made before the recent covid
outbreak. This has further disenfranchised this community.
According to some recent documents, this permit application is not complete but
yet a decision will be made about granting a permit within 30 days of this hearing?
According to your letter there are 7 reasons to deny a permit.
It is impossible for people and rock quarries to exist in close proximity to each
other- especially a quarry as close to houses and public roads as this proposed
quarry. The 25acre site does not allow enough room for proper buffers to ensure
the safety of surrounding neighbors or traffic. If property owners within 1000ft are
notified of this permit application, blasting should not occur within 1000ft of a
dwelling or public road. Are neighbors supposed leave home and travel to another
location during a blast to prevent being injured or even killed by fly -rock?
As is their nature, quarries produce dust, chemicals such as ammonium nitrate,
silicate dust, concussions, vibrations, noise, and fly -rock. These result in breathing
difficulty for most people, the possibility of developing silicosis- a deadly lung
disease much like black lung, damage to surrounding homes and buildings,
invasion of the tranquility of a quite neighborhood, devaluing of property, not to
mention the hazard of exposing nearby homes, school buses and other vehicles
traveling the nearby road to high velocity fly -rock. All of these dangers have been

documented around quarries in Caldwell County. Homes over 800ft away from a
blast and vehicles traveling down a road have been hit.
Bryant Road is a narrow dead-end road. If the road is blocked due to a blast,
equipment loading/unloading or even accumulated mud, how would it be possible
for an ambulance or fire truck to reach a home in time to make a difference? This
impacts the health and safety of every individual living in this community and even
those traveling through the community. This alone should be reason enough to
deny a permit.
Due to the topography of the site, water will run into one of the creeks that
surrounds 3 sides of the property. This will affect the quality of the fresh water
and will affect the waters of the Catawba River which provides drinking water to
many communities. The maps do not denote springs or the creek that runs along
Bryant Road and crosses under Hoods Creek Road to meet with Greasy Creek.
The cover letter with the application states that the land is designated as heavy
industrial in the county plan as approved by the county commissioners. Part of
this affected area is in Lenoir's ETJ. The parcel is zoned Rural by both entities.
Neither the county or the city have zoned this parcel Industrial.
Hood Creek Soils signed an application to mine on this property. While a permit is
under review, no activity is to occur on the property. Hood Creek Soils decided to
ignore this and began grading and moving dirt. That is, they started mining
without a permit- a clear violation.
This permit should be denied because it presents a danger to the health and safety
of the community, it will affect the quality of freshwater streams and
groundwater, parts of the application are not correct, and there have already been
violations of the permit. Hood Creek Soils have not abided by the Mining Act thus
far which indicates they will not abide by the Mining Act in the future.
do not see how a permit can be issued for a rock quarry for the reasons given.

Jimmie's presentation about the rock quarry
am Jimmie Bryant. I own the property at 1020 Bryant Road-300 feet
from proposed blasting by Hood Creek Soils.
We have survived 36 years as adjoining property owners to the
Caldwell Quarry off the Southwest Boulevard. Over the 36 years, seven
houses on Bradford Mountain Road have been severely damaged by
fly -rock up to 5 feet in diameter from the quarry. All these properties
were bought at a reduced price by the quarry -but not our property.
4 different incidents produced fly -rock, one of which traveled 850 feet,
landing on my property. A service truck manned by quarry workers
trespassed onto our private property to gather up the fly -rock. When
ordered them off our property, they tried to run me over. Seven broken
windows, a cracked foundation and cracked sheetrock resulted from
the last fly -rock incident. Where was DEQ? Hanging out in Asheville,
Raleigh, Winston-Salem office- not on Bradford Mountain Road. When
sent this information to DEQ, they informed me that the overpressure
and peak particle velocities were both under the limit allowed. DEQ did
not provide a copy of the report prepared by the quarry. When we
refused to accept this as correct, DEQ offered to place a seismograph
on our property without the quarry's knowledge. We believe that -
right? After installation of the seismograph and several weekly blasts,
called DEQ to ask for a report about the seismographic activity. DEQ
removed the seismograph and told me that either the seismograph had
not been turned on or the batteries were dead. Without this report, we
had no case. We were paid nothing for the damages to our home. In
the 36 years of violations, DEQ has defended the mine and done
nothing for the adjoining property owners.

Common sense tells me that if the quarry's 250+ acres and my 18 acres
that the quarry uses as their buffer, and being 850 feet away from the
blast, produces the horrendous damage we experienced on Bradford
Mountain Road, we do not stand a chance with a mere 25 acres and
300 ft distance on Bryant Road.
If you issue this permit, we will have to leave our property during blasts
to drive to a safe location. I will not be able to work or enjoy my
property for fear of being overcome by dynamite smoke and cancer
causing rock dust that will settle on my property. Adverse publicity on
social media and news coverage, will devalue my property making it
impossible to sell or rent. All of these things will amount to a taking of
my property by the quarry and will be done with DEQ's blessing.
have a constitutional right, for which I fought, to live in safety and
without fear in my own home and on my own property.
DEQ and Hood Creek Soils cannot guarantee that the health, safety and
well-being of the residents will be protected if a permit is issued. The
location and size of this mine will endanger lives. Please do what is
right by resisting the urge to have one more mine and protect our
community.

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ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
June 4, 2020
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 143
ADDRESSING THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the undersigned issued Executive Order No. 116 which
declared a State of Emergency to coordinate the state's response and protective actions to address the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency and to provide for the health, safety,
and welfare of residents and visitors located in North Carolina ("Declaration of a State of Emergency");
and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global
pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared the ongoing
COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency
declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia pursuant to Section 501(b) of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5121-5207 (the
"Stafford Act"); and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States pursuant to Sections
201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq. and consistent with
Section 1135 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 1320b-5), declared that the
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States constitutes a national emergency, retroactive to March 1,
2020;and
WHEREAS, the undersigned has issued Executive Order Nos. 117-122, 124-125, 129-131,
133-36 and 138-142 for the purposes of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of North
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the President of the United States, pursuant to Section 401
of the Stafford Act, approved a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-4487-DR, for the State of North
Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States of America has enacted The Coronavirus Aid,
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes the appropriation of funds to the State
of North Carolina to be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-
19 public health emergency during the period March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, according to the "Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local,
and Tribal Governments' issued by the U.S. Treasury on April 22, 2020 and related U.S. Treasury
FAQs updated on May 4, 2020 (the "Guidance"), permissible uses of CARES Act funding include
expenditures that are reasonably necessary for their intended use in the reasonable judgment of the
government officials responsible for spending CARES Act payments and such government officials
do not need to submit proposed expenditures to the U.S. Treasury for approval; and
WHEREAS, community health centers, free and charitable clinics, local health departments
and rural health centers provide crucial health services to vulnerable populations in North Carolina.
With communities of color being at higher risk of the impact of COVID-19, these organizations are
essential to North Carolina's fight against COVID-19; and
WHERAS, these health care provided services and associated costs during this pandemic have
been substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency;
and
WHEREAS, in order to continue providing health services while also reducing exposure to
COVID-19 with in -person visits, access to telehealth services is essential to North Carolina's fight
against COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the overall wellbeing and management of underlying health conditions is crucial
for high risk communities; and
WHEREAS, according to the North Carolina Justice Center, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,
North Carolina's uninsured rate was approximately 13 percent and during the last two (2) weeks of
March, over 105,000 North Carolinians lost their employer -sponsored health insurance due to job loss;
and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ("NCDHHS") has
confirmed the number of cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina continues to rise, in part due to
community spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, more than thirty-one thousand people in North Carolina have had laboratory -
confirmed cases of COVID-19, and over nine hundred people in North Carolina have died from the
disease; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina was one of the first states to compile and release demographic
data including incidence of COVID-19 by race, ethnicity, age, and gender and NCDHHS publishes
these COVID-19-related statistics; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the efforts mentioned above, as of June 1, 2020, African
Americans make up 22 percent of North Carolina's population, but account for 30 percent of confirmed
COVID-19 cases and 34 percent of COVID-19 deaths in cases where race is known in the state; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the efforts mentioned above, Hispanics make up 39 percent of
COVID-19 confirmed cases, in cases where ethnicity is known, while only accounting for about 10
percent of the population; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") acknowledges that
social and economic differences often create health differences in communities of color, and that public
health emergencies can isolate communities of colors from necessary resources; and
WHEREAS, Historically Underutilized Businesses account for 58 percent of North Carolina's
small business community; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Administration conducted a 2020 COVID-19
Business Survey of Historically Underutilized Businesses, which surveyed nearly 400 of these
minority and women owned businesses, and 90 percent of the surveyed businesses reported that their
business had been impacted by COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing racial disparities that are entrenched in our
health care and economic institutions for communities of color; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned has taken executive action to address the health and economic
impact of COVID-19 on high -risk communities, including but not limited to, directing NCDHHS to
work with health insurance plans to identify burdens for COVID-19 testing in order to reduce cost -
sharing, ceasing disconnection of utilities and discouraging disconnection of telecommunication
services, broadening unemployment insurance benefits, prohibiting residential and commercial
evictions, vigorously encouraging social distancing, and providing for childcare for essential workers;
and
WHEREAS, social determinants of health influence all aspects of human life and in order to
improve health or eliminate health disparities, there must be a greater focus on all social determinants
of health by the medical community in the state; and
WHEREAS, environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of
all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concludes that "many minority, low-
income, tribal, and indigenous people in the United States have experienced higher levels of
environmental pollution and other social and economic burdens' that "have led to poorer health
outcomes, as well as fewer financial or advocacy opportunities;" and
WHEREAS, all North Carolinians have a right to clean air, clean water, clean soil, and a stable
climate, and they deserve an opportunity to participate fully and meaningfully in decisions that affect
their living environment; and
WHEREAS, further action is necessary to eliminate disparities and mitigate the impact of
COVID-19, through delivery of COVID-19 related health services and economic stimulus
opportunities for vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, Andrea Harris dedicated her life to eliminating disparities in North Carolina,
fighting for social, economic and racial equity for all North Carolinians, and
WHEREAS, as a Bennett College graduate, she taught school for a brief period before starting
her life's work — community advocacy in her hometown in Vance County; and
WHEREAS, wanting to do more and make a greater impact, Andrea Harris co-founded the
non-profit North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development to support minority and
women owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, she finished her career as a Senior Fellow at Self -Help Credit Union, and also
served in my administration on the Advisory Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses and on
the Board of Trustees for Vance -Granville Community College; and
WHEREAS, Andrea Harris left an indelible impression and the State of North Carolina is
forever grateful for her contributions which have helped to inspire these actions; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 116 invoked the Emergency Management Act, and
authorizes the undersigned to exercise the powers and duties set forth therein to direct and aid in the
response to, recovery from, and mitigation against emergencies; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-48(a), "[I]t is the policy of this State to
encourage and promote the use of small contractors, minority contractors, physically handicapped
contractors, and women contractors in State purchasing of goods and services"; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 143-48.4 and 143-128.4, the Secretary of the
North Carolina Department of Administration shall have the authority to develop and administer a
statewide uniform program for certification of a historically underutilized business and adopt rules and
procedures regarding the same; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-52(a), competitive bids on contracts shall be
received in accordance with rules and regulations to be adopted by the Secretary of the Department of
Administration; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A- 19. 1 0(b)(2), the undersigned may make,
amend, or rescind necessary orders, rules, and regulations within the limits of the authority conferred
upon the Governor in the Emergency Management Act; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A- 19. 1 0(b)(7), the officers and personnel of the
departments, offices, and agencies of the state and its political subdivisions are required to cooperate
with the undersigned and extend their services to the undersigned so that they can be utilized upon
request; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-I9.30(a)(1), the undersigned may utilize all
available state resources as reasonably necessary to cope with an emergency, including the transfer and
direction of personnel or functions of state agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or
facilitating emergency services.
NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in the undersigned as Governor by the
Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, IT IS ORDERED:
Section 1. The Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force
A. Establishment and Purpose
The Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force ("Task
Force") is hereby established. The mission of the Task Force is to create economic stability,
eliminate health disparities, and achieve environmental justice in North Carolina by convening
testimony, identifying best practices, and reporting this information to the Office of the Governor.
B. Duties
The Task Force shall focus on the following areas:
1. Access to healthcare for underserved communities.
a. Monitor and report best practices to increase access to telehealth and broadband internet-
based medical treatment;
b. Monitor and report whether North Carolinians have adequate insurance coverage in
responding to COVID-19 and managing underlying health conditions; and
c. Assess application of the "Medical Home" approach to providing comprehensive, family -
centered, and culturally -competent care that meets the social, cultural, and linguistic needs
of all North Carolinians.
2. Enhanced patient engagement in healthcare settings.
a. Encourage medical professionals to engage communities of color to gather information and
provide a platform for transparency and inclusion;
b. Support and identify opportunities to increase the number of minority health professionals
servicing communities of color; and
c. Encourage increased cultural competence in the provision of care for communities of color.
3. Economic opportunities in business development and employment.
a. Assess and report ways the state may further support historically underutilized businesses;
b. Advance economic recovery by prioritizing actions that create quality employment
opportunities for the North Carolina workforce;
c. Assess and report opportunities for organizational capability and capacity building; and

d. Prioritize workforce development across all sectors (including healthcare work force
development).
4. Environmental Justice and Inclusion.
a. Enhance public engagement and increase public participation by low income, minority
communities in Department decisions and actions;
b. Quantify health and welfare benefits of pollution reduction and identify opportunities to
increase the deployment of clean energy resources;
c. Advance climate justice by prioritizing actions that equitably reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change, and advance
sustainable economic and infrastructure recovery efforts for low-income, minority and
vulnerable communities; and
d. Encourage and enhance environmental justice, inclusion and equity education.
5. Create educational opportunities for communities of color in the following areas:
a. Health literacy;
b. Financial literacy; and
c. General academia.
d. In addition, the Task Force shall make recommendations on strategies to increase funding
for health education in community centers servicing vulnerable communities.
6. The Task Force shall advance these goals through community engagement, corporate
citizenship with North Carolina businesses and organizations, and policymaking.
7. By December 1, 2020, and every six (6) months thereafter, the Task Force shall provide to the
Office of the Governor a status report on the progress and recommendations made in the focus
areas determined by Section 1 of this Executive Order. The second of the bi-annual status
reports will incorporate actions taken by the Task Force in response to feedback received from
the Office of the Governor.
C. Membership
1. The Task Force shall be comprised of a minimum of fifteen (15) members appointed by the
Governor.
2. The Governor shall designate the Chair of the Task Force.
3. The Task Force shall represent, to the extent possible, all demographics of North Carolina, and
shall include the following members:
a. Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Administration, who shall be the Chair of
the Task Force;
b. Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services or designee;
c. Director of the North Carolina Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities or
designee;
d. Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality or designee;
e. Member of the Commission on Indian Affairs;
f. Member of the Hispanic Latino Council;
g. Member of North Carolina Council for Women Advisory Board;
h. Member of the NCPRO Office (created below);
i. Member of the Commission on Inclusion;
j. Representative from a North Carolina Historically Black College or University;

k. And other appropriate experts from the focus areas listed above.
4. The Governor may appoint additional members to the Task Force.
5. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
D. Meetings and Quorum
This Task Force shall meet at least bi-monthly during the State of Emergency and quarterly
thereafter. The Task Force may also meet upon the call of the Task Force Chair, or upon
written request of the majority of the Task Force members. A simple majority of Task Force
members shall constitute quorum to transact business.
E. Administration
1. The Task Force may create sub -committees.
2. The North Carolina Department of Administration shall provide necessary administrative
and staff support services to the Task Force.
3. The Task Force shall serve without compensation but may receive per diem allowance and
reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with state law and Office
of State Budget and Management policies and regulations. During the duration of the State
of Emergency, all meetings shall be held utilizing video conferencing tools approved by
the North Carolina Department of Information Technology.
F. Duration
The Task Force shall remain in effect for two (2) years after the effective date of this Executive
Order unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. An Executive
Order rescinding the Declaration of the State of Emergency will not automatically rescind this
Section.
Section 2. Eliminating Economic Disparities in North Carolina
A. North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office. The undersigned has established an office
specifically designated to focus on North Carolina's recovery from the pandemic. Given the
disproportionate impact of this pandemic on minority communities, it is more vital than ever to
ensure that all communities benefit from any relief. The North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office
("NCPRO") shall ensure that all resources provided for COVID-19 relief shall be distributed
accordingly. NCPRO shall work closely with each state agency to ensure equitable delivery of
COVID-19 related stimulus and resources. Additionally, NCPRO leadership, staff and policies
shall be inclusive and representative of all communities.
1. Understanding that small businesses and historically underutilized businesses are essential
to North Carolina communities and economy, NCPRO shall work with the Historically
Underutilized Business program within the North Carolina Department of Administration
to advocate for the economic recovery of minority -owned businesses in the state.
2. NCPRO shall work with all agencies and organizations distributing pandemic recovery
funds, including the Golden LEAF Foundation and the NC Rural Center, to ensure those
who receive and administer state relief funds distribute these funds equitably for the benefit
of all North Carolina communities. In addition, NCPRO shall work with the North Carolina
Department of Commerce to ensure Community Development Block Grant funding is
equitably distributed to all North Carolina communities.
B. Historically Underutilized Business Office. The critical need to prioritize the use of historically
underutilized businesses to create and maintain a vibrant, sustainable, and diverse business
community in North Carolina was previously recognized in Exec. Order No. 25,32 N.C. Reg. 958-
962 (Nov. 15, 2017) issued on November 2, 2017. The disparate impact of COVID-19 makes it
more important than ever for the state to support and encourage the continued growth and

development of these businesses. The undersigned therefore tasks the North Carolina Department
of Administration, through its Historically Underutilized Business Office ("HUB Office"), to
develop a plan to emphasize economic recovery for small businesses, specifically including
historically underutilized businesses, from the devastating effects of the COVID-19
pandemic. The HUB Office shall coordinate with, and assist, NCPRO and NCDHHS to ensure
that historically underutilized small businesses have access to all available economic recovery
funds and access to contract opportunities with the State of North Carolina arising from the
economic recovery effort. Specifically, the undersigned directs the HUB Office to undertake the
following actions:
1. Support and assist businesses that are historically underutilized and lack adequate access to
opportunities with tools and resources to promote economic recovery and procurement of state
contracts. To further ensure that small historically underutilized businesses have equal access
to opportunities, $500,000 shall be allocated to the HUB Office to start a small business
enterprise program.
2. In partnership with the North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Development, the
Golden Leaf Foundation, and other appropriate parties, develop and make available a listing
of certified small historically underutilized businesses with 100 employees or less and an
annual net income of not more than $1,500,000, after "Cost of Goods Sold" is deducted;
3. Streamline the certification of small historically underutilized businesses through the HUB
program to accelerate meeting the needs of firms adversely impacted by COVID-19;
4. Work directly with the State Construction Office and State Purchasing Office to identify
construction, purchasing and professional services contracts by state agencies that do not
exceed $250,000 to increase access to opportunities for small businesses. To further enhance
and improve the State's good faith efforts to recruit diverse businesses for participation in
public projects, the State Construction Office and State Purchasing Office shall develop a rule
to require all projects to include at least one bid or proposal from a certified small historically
underutilized business. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the Secretary of the
Department of Administration or her designee.
Section 3: Eliminating Health Disparities in NC
A. The North Carolina Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities was legislatively
established in 1992 and tasked with the responsibility of reducing and eliminating health disparities
among all racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations in North Carolina. The
undersigned tasks NCDHHS to reevaluate and elevate their mission, and to request appropriate
funding and resources to meet that updated need.
B. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and other contracted entities
shall assure that COVID-19 testing and related services are accessible to all communities.
NCDHHS will prioritize testing for high -risk settings and communities where increased exposure
and conditions leading to adverse risk of complications and death from COVID-19 are present.
NCDHHS shall take the following actions:
1. Preventative Care and Other Eligible Health Services
a. NCDHHS and other agencies of state government responsible for administering funding
pursuant to the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act, N.C. Sess. Laws 2020-4, shall authorize
use of such funds for the provision of COVID-19 related services including screening for
underlying chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, heart
disease, pulmonary illness, and others conditions associated with more serious
complications from COVID-19 illness. These services include related and primary health
services when provided to uninsured North Carolinians by healthcare providers, including
community health centers, local health departments, rural health centers and free and
charitable clinics, during the COVID-19 emergency.

2. Testing
a. Provide necessary testing supplies and appropriate personal protective equipment ("PPE")
to health care provider organizations and systems, community health centers and nonprofit
providers servicing vulnerable communities in the state.
b. Partner with community organizations and others to establish testing sites in locations that
are trusted and easy to access by communities of color.
c. Update reporting processes to increase the inclusion of racial and ethnic demographic data.
d. Support connecting individuals tested with comprehensive health care to address
underlying chronic conditions — including behavioral health services.
3. Tracing
a. Contact tracers should reflect the demographics of the communities they serve where
possible to engender trust and engagement in controlling COVID-19 spread.
b. NCDHHS will work with its contact tracing contractors to promote diversity in their hiring
practices and cultural competency components in their trainings.
c. Impacts on communities of color.
d. The Division of Public Health shall regularly review all available data to determine the
impacts on communities of color, with a particular emphasis on high COVID-19 case
volume and deaths.
e. NCDHHS shall use the collected data to allocate resources accordingly with a goal of
mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and lessening adverse health impacts on racial and
ethnic minorities.
Section 4: Eliminating Disparities in North Carolina
A. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. In response to the pandemic, the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality ("DEQ") evaluated the feasibility and advisability
of holding public hearings and meetings for actions pending decisions by the DEQ within statutory
or regulatory timelines. The priority in this evaluation has been the health and safety of the public
and DEQ staff. Recognizing the need to balance environmentally -sound economic development
across North Carolina and provide public participation opportunities to low-income, minority
communities, and those vulnerable to COVID-19. DEQ identified two specific areas of concern:
permitting actions of significant public interest; and permits that propose new environmental
impacts located near low-income, minority, and COVID-19 vulnerable communities. In each
case, and in accordance with the State's phased approach, DEQ shall continue its work to enhance
the safety of all North Carolinians in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, once again, the stark inequities in communities across the
country and here in North Carolina. While this pandemic exacerbates institutional inequities,
COVID-19 also creates an opportunity to address them. DEQ in partnership with the Secretary's
Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board commits to partner with and support and inform
communities about this effort to eliminate social, environmental, economic, and health disparities.
To achieve this goal, DEQ shall:
l . Lead the State's effort to create a common discourse on environmental justice,
2. Identify communities of concern for purposes of all State related actions,
3. Coordinate with Executive Agencies on how to integrate environmental justice considerations
into existing and future policies, programs, and procedures; and
4. Create lasting institutional structures for agencies to address equality, equity and justice for all
North Carolinians.

B. North Carolina Department of Public Safety ("DPS") will continue its work to enhance the
safety of all North Carolinians in preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. As
the state coordinating agency during this declared State of Emergency, DPS has provided a broad
spectrum of services to support vulnerable and underrepresented communities, including
communities of color, in addressing pandemic related issues. Accordingly, the undersigned hereby
directs DPS to continue the following activities:
1. The Division of Emergency Management shall continue to coordinate multi -agency and multi -
jurisdictional efforts of the State Emergency Response Team to support medical surge, PPE
procurement and distribution, food supply chain protection, logistics support for food banks
and local school system feeding operations, , and housing and sheltering for vulnerable
populations;
2. The Division of Emergency Management shall continue to ensure improved access during
press conferences and broader information sharing by utilizing American Sign Language and
Spanish language translation and interpretation services to include providing information in
accordance with ADA compliance standards;
3. The Division of Emergency Management shall continue to ensure equity among all
communities, particularly vulnerable and underrepresented communities, in preparing for,
responding to, and recovering from disasters. While natural disasters such as extreme storms
and flooding disproportionally affect vulnerable communities, COVID-19 and climate change
increase the exposure of these communities to adverse impacts;
4. The North Carolina National Guard shall continue to provide expert planning, logistical
support, and personnel where feasible to support mass testing, food distribution, and warehouse
operations to support impacted and vulnerable communities across the state;
5. DPS law enforcement agencies shall continue to educate sworn law enforcement personnel on
ways to effectively engage communities and reduce ethnic and racial intimidation originating
from enforcing mask and face covering provisions related to the pandemic;
6. The North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice shall continue its many
efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in adult and juvenile facilities; and
7. Successful reentry programs for persons leaving prison is critical to their post -release success
and under normal circumstances can be difficult. DPS with the State Reentry Council
Collaborative shall work with local agencies to help these individuals navigate in a COVID-
19 influenced society.
C. Office of the Governor, Office of Public Engagement. Outreach and education can directly
impact outcomes. The undersigned tasks the Office of Public Engagement to work with state
agencies, faith leaders, stakeholder groups and community leaders to undertake the following
outreach missions:
1. Increase awareness and education about how COVID-19 spreads, the dangers of preexisting
conditions, and the heightened importance of social distancing for high -risk populations to help
reduce the impact of the virus.
2. Increase awareness and education about COVID-19 relief services and resources.
3. Increase awareness and education about eliminating disparities.
D. All cabinet agencies. The undersigned encourages all cabinet agencies who receive funding meant
to provide COVID-19 aid or relief to collaborate with the appropriate entities to ensure funding is
directed towards increasing economic stability and the elimination of disparities in communities
of color in North Carolina. All cabinet agencies shall work to reduce and eliminate social,
environmental, economic and health disparities.

Section 5. Savings Clause
If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstances is
held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision
or application of this Executive Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be
severable.
Section 6. Distribution
I hereby order that this Executive Order be: (1) distributed to the news media and other
organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (2) promptly filed
with the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the Secretary of State, and the
superior court clerks in the counties to which it applies, unless the circumstances of the State of
Emergency would prevent or impede such filing; and (3) distributed to others as necessary to ensure
proper implementation of this Executive Order.
Section 7. Effective Date
This Executive Order is effective immediately. Unless otherwise expressly stated in another
Executive Order, Section I of this Executive Order shall remain in effect as stated in Section 1. The
remainder of this Executive Order shall remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency or
unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of
the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 4`h day of June in the year of our
Lord two thousand and twenty.
ATTEST:
Roy Coopirr
Governor
&60"L � A"
Elaine F. Marsha
Secretary of State