HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140957 Ver 2_Public Comments Received at July 18 Fayetteville Hearing_20170718Statement from Francine Stephenson J
Johnston County, NC Landowner
The land that I am supposed to sacrifice to the proposed Atlantic Coast
Pipeline (ACP) has no wetlands or streams -- just an irrigation pond near
the proposed route. However, there is an "artesian" water source near or in
the area to be crossed, and it is located very near the surface. It concerns
,me that this underground stream could be disturbed by the pipeline,
Even greater is my concern for the general destruction of our air, earth, and
water in eastern North Carolina as the construction process cuts through
the streams and rivers that provide our drinking water and as inevitable gas
leaks pollute all these resources. Most of the major rivers in Eastern North
Carolina are to be traversed. This is a major environmental impact -- we do
not often experience disruptions of so many rivers at once, That
environmental insult will introduce the short-term potential for pollution and
destruction of plants and wildlife as well as harm to humans. The long-term
consequences are potential pollution by escaped methane and other toxins
to the water, soil, and air, All natural gas pipelines leak, and there is lack of
agreement and enforcement of the maximum amount of leakage permitted,
Even a minimal percentage of leakage at the volume to be piped through
daily will devastate the environment of Johnston County and the eastern
part of North Carolina, not to mention the significant contribution to global
warming.
I did not see hurricanes and floods addressed in the draft environmental
impact statement for the ACR What an oversight since Johnston County
has had two hundred -year floods in the last few years! As a result of
Hurricane Matthew, roads washed out and tile was removed and destroyed
by raging waters in many places in the county, including areas through
which the pipeline is planned. If flood waters can wash out asphalt,
concrete, and destroy and remove cement tile, what will happen to steel
pipes carrying methane under tremendously high pressure? I hope the
Division of Water Quality will raise the right questions about flooding issues
relative y\. the pipeline. It is a tragedy that thinner, lower quality pipelines
can be used in the rural areas like ours -- areas that have been called
tsacrifice zones."
I am trusting that the NC Division of Water Resources will hold the ACP
responsible for every incurred disturbance of our community and its
�txisting ecosystems and water quality.
My name is Francine Stephenson, and I am a landowner in Johnston County, I have fields
that are slated to be split by the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, And, I have grave
concerns about this pipeline installation for myself and for my community.
The possible ill effects of the pipeline on our water resources is just one of my concerns, It
falls in line with others, such as the unfair use of eminent domain by a private company,
the chilling risk of explosions, inevitable leakage of methane gas, and the injustice of
disrupting and endangering so many pristine communities for the benefit of stockholder
greed. Even the basic premise of the ACP proposal, that the pipeline is actually needed,
has not been justified sufficiently for me.
As president of No Plpeline Johnston County, which is a group of landowners trying-tt,
protect our property, I hear concerns about water resources and wetlands that may be
,?ffected by the pipeline.
One individual is concerned that the pipeline construction will upset the flow palleEns of
White Oak stream and result in erosion of the wetlands and adjacent crop fields on his
land.
W"01
Some of us fear a vulnerability of the pipeline to floodiog and wash out, especiag
lly in li
of the two major floods we have recently experienced, I
Some of us fear that agk, especially those in wetlands, will be heavily comJ2aQhQd and the
topsoils displaced and compromised for the future.
One person in our group has a pri5tine siream that has bubbled through her property wit
unusuM lly clear water for generations, She fears that boring through or under it will destr
I
Some are concerned about the impoundmen of millions of gallons of water during the
construction process when water is used to test leakage in the pipes. We wonder what w,
happen to our local water table?
We know that just this month, a pipeline company ended up having to furnish water
filtration systems, bottled water, and hotel accommodations to residents when local wells
were contaminated and water pressure was lowered because of pipeline drilling. We fear
something similar.
We know that our fears are not unfounded. We know that pipeline accidents occur all the
time. We know that in a rural area thinner pipe can be used; in fact, areas like eastern NC
with lower population density are termed "sacrifice zones. 1
We hope the the NC Division of Water Quality will hold the ACP accountable for every
disturbance to our community and its existing ecosystems and water quality.
Pi -A
Good E.venkig,
My narne is Deanna paterro, d We run the finy strip of C�,.unbedarid Courity deft between
Hope KHs and FayettevHie. p arn CUrrerifly PUFSUirig a Masteirs [Degree iri Envionrune ntad
CI
Managernerrir frorn University M
of aryW-id (Jri�vers�ty oHege, d akeady h6d a BS in the
same fiekJ,
V/hfle urian speakers, tonight wnH address the environrnentad impact of thie Aflarific
Coast Rpeikie, d WOUM fii(R to taH( a brt abOLA the econon,ik. 4,npacts that rnay occur to
downstrean'i cornniurirties
First, by blasUng arid dngg4ig LAr) the wedands and strearns apong the route thEn way
flooding is rru-inaged by ft,�e envrironnient woH charqe, increased erosion aind
sedirnentafion 4H aHow floodwaters from OUr troprcai storms and Ireayradalr..thUrtclerstor-ins
to move downstrearn 'faster, thus creating more darrmge and rnore costs to
cornmunrfies, agriCWtUre, and pndustry betvveern the pipeiine arid t[-ne- coast
Second, ircreased se&nentafion and the poflution that 9 oes wnth it frorn upstreaini
activffies w0t uncrease the costs of treatrig that water to make it saft, to df-Ok forr
everyone downstrearn 1"he Cape Fear �'s as F)n I rne exarnpde of this, by firne it gets to
Wflirnkigton nt takes as lot tnore to make r a dririkaNe thain Fayette\6He has to contend
Wth
Third, the clharqec., in water" flow arid sedrinentaflora, as weH as flr�e watershed as a
W'ioie, w0l negafivedy afft)ct the sports rndustry As increased se(firrents cover I.Aants,
sbearnbeds, and other haNtats in the sounds and estuarnes, the preyfish that lonrl the
foundation of the sj.,)ortfishing industiy w0i disappear, WithotA prey, the sport fist"i wrH
krsave to tined better, hunting grounds, "That wlH senous�y nrnpactthe coastal economk-,,s
that depend on tourists seeking thiole expehoences,
0/hat is the SOdU600 Of COLAse trine favored s6u6on for rnany is to Irnwwd bUiid the ACP at
aH. Itafing that outcorr�e, I woukJ fides to see, the prpedirre eevated the same way that the
Aiaska Pipeline fls eievnit ed over the extrernOy sensitive tundra, 1 -his creates a tess,
nnvasnVre lootprint and Wiows for reparrs and rnainteriance that does not rnvoive digging
rnto V -ie watershed even more Tht apso meanis that at the end of the pipefines uisabie
He, rt can be reinmved rnore easHy WithOLA, further darnage to the waters[Ied arid the
aquifers that so arany depend on for the4 cdlrrrikd ng water
d wiH leave yu,,a aHl with orne very important qUestion. If downstrearn economies are
darnaged by tf-fls pipeNrie, who vvHt be on the hook for cornpensafion and repaurs?
"raxpayers, or, Duke and Doni4iuon?
As of r` speakers..havU-noted, the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline will
cause irreparable harm to North Carolina's wetlands, streams, and
groundwater. I have many reasons to oppose the ACP — namely, that the
project is about greed, not need — but on the basis of the water quality
impacts alone I believe that rejection of Duke Energy's request is, justified.
I urge you to please put the environment and people over profits. Thank
you for your consideration.
V0,AJ,
Cary Rodgers, North Carolina Resident
11775 NC 109 South, Peachland, NC 28133
rodgersocO I (.?,gmail.com
TO: 401 Public Comments
WATER IMPACTS
Stream crossing construction causes water Pollution, Improper construction techniques cause sediment and
erosion problems as well as invasive species growth. Blasting causes the contamination or destruction of nearby
wells and springs. During the directional drilling method of crossing, accidents often occur that would release
drilling fluids into streams and wetlands, degrading water quality There are destructive flood plain crossings and
wetland devastation, The pipeline companies say they will mitigate these issues, but we know better. We have
witnessed their failures. Pipeline gas leak into drinking water during operation,
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The ACP )EIS completely flails to addressed the environmental justices issues that directly impact North
Carolina communities who have a high percentage of minorities and high levels of people who live below the
poverty level in the eight counties targeted for the Atlantic C'oast Pipeline. Historically, many of these
communities disproportionately suffer the negative health impacts from the cumulative efTects, of multiple
polluting industries compared to other communities,
North Carolina DEQ and FI RC" has a legal mandate to require the ACP to address environmental justice issues
in its DEIS.
Title VI of the ( ..II
ivil Rights Act of 1964, legally mandates that each Federal agency shall ensures "that all
prograrns or activities receiving Federal financial assistance that affect human health or the environment do not
directly, or through contractual or other arrangements, use criteria, methods, or practices that discriminate on
the basis of race, color., or national origin," [https://wwwepa.gov/envii-onii-ientatjustice/titte-vi-and-
envii-Onmental-Justice]
In addition to this, the Presidential Executive Order 12898 ( ' February 11, 1994) re-emphasizes the legality of
Title VI of"the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by stating that the the United States requires all federal agencies,
including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to make achieving environmental justice pail of their
mission by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects of its actions on minority populations and 101AI-inCOMe Populations.
This is not an option, but a MUST. NC DEQ and FERC is legally mandated to require the ACP to address
environmental justice issues in the DEIS. Don't forget, people are the most important stake holders impacted in
the environment, not just streams, rivers, forest, and endangered species.
Recent census data compiled by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League shows the environmental
justice demographics that the ACP will directly impact in NC.
Demographic and Encore Data for the ACL Route Compared to Statewide NC
Population White % Black 'r'o Income % Income
I
per capita 'I below NC
2
Northampton
20,463
39.6
58.4
17,919 29%
Halifax
52,970
40.9
53.1
17,937 29%
Nash
94,357
57.3
39.0
22,880 10%
Wilson
81,401
573
39.6
20,972 17%
Johnston
181,423
80.5
15.9
22,410 11%
Sampson
64,050
67.4
27.1
19,479 23%
( ,"umberland
326,328
53.6
37.4
23,067 9%
Robeson*
134,760
32.4
24.7
15,343 391%o
NC Statewide
9,943,964
71.7
22.0
25,284
[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/]
* Additionally highest minority population in Robeson County, NC is 38,02% Native American
The per capita income levels of residents in all the counties targeted for the Atlantic Coast pipeline are below
the statewide average from 90/'o to 390"/0, In North Carolina, the official average of the population below the
poverty level is 17.5%. Using this benchmark, the number of people living below the poverty line exceeds the
statewide average from 30% to 81% in these eight counties. Further, seven of the counties have African
American populations in greater proportion than the statewide average in addition to a large Native American
population in Robeson County which has the highest poverty level along the ACT route, Is it just coincidence
that the beginning and the end of the ACP route in NC starting in Northampton and ending in Robeson County
are the two most poorest Counties along the AP( route'? Matter of fact, Robeson County is the poorest county in
the state and Northampton is only few percentage points behind.
For example: Northampton Compressor Station violates environmental justice
17he ACP proposes to build a 24/7 air and noise polluting compressor station in tile most dense area with the
highest percentage of African Americans and second highest poverty level along the ACP route in NC. To
ignore the air quality sensitivities and the vulnerabilities of cumulative Pollution negative health impacts of this
minority community would not only be environmentally unjust, but criminal, The DEIS grossly ignores this
very serious issue.
A mapping study of the impacts on public health caused by multiple pollution sources
pointed to environmental justice and equity factors: It states:
"Environmental justice studies have repeatedly found associations of disproportionately
high occurrences of air toxic hazards in low income and minority communities such as
Toxic Release Inventory facilities, toxic waste facilities, and more recently high traffic
corridors (Ringquist 1997; Anderton et al. 1994; Boer et al. 1997; Jerrett 2009). Not only
are these communities more likely to be home to environmental hazards, but these
communities are more vulnerable to the negative health effects of air pollution because of
compromised health status resulting frorn lack of access to nutritional foods and medical
care and lessened ability, resist the placement of such facilities (O'Neill et al. 2003;
Pastor et al. 2002).
Beyond the equity concern in the disproportionate siting of environmental hazards in
low income and communities of color, is the potential for cumulative exposure to air
pollution. Because these communities are usually home to many ambient air pollution
sources, individuals are often exposed to multiple types of pollution from many
sources. Exposure to Multiple hazards may have cumulative affects, magnifying
health risks in humans ("National Research Council 2009). The extent of these health
effects depends on the total exposure of chemicals (Xia and Ton g 200(x). Even more
concerning is there are health effects due to cumulative exposure to air pollutants
blow national ambient air quality standards (Xia and "Fong 2006)." - Chan A "Mapping the Cumulative Impacts
of Point -Source Air Pollution in West Oakland" Spring 2012, available at
http://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/esI 96/projects/2012final/ChatiA..-2012.pdf
Environmental justice law indicates that the disproportionate impacts of air pollution should be offset by greater
attention to pollution sources and the reduction of air pollution, wherever possible. Advocates nationwide argue
that because poor people of color bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution, their communities should
receive a disproportionate share of money and technology to reduce toxic emissions and that laws including the
Clean Air Act should close loopholes that allow facilities to escape pollution controls. - Environmental Justice
for All: A Fifty State Survey of Legislation, Policies and Cases, Fourth Edition, , University ofCalifornia-
Hastings College of the Law, February 15, 2010
The ACT's DEIS should be completely denied by FF"RC because it fails to address the environmental justice
issues. NCDEA and FERC MAST require that the ACP address the environmental justice issues has mandated
in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Presidential Executive Order 12898, and the Clean Air Act.
My name is Kim Geddes, I am a native North Carolinian and Currently live in Moore County,
My husband and I own a small farm where we raise horses and care for the branch of Drowning
Creek that runs through our property. I am here tonight to share how the Cape Fear River has
shaped my family's history and to express my fears about eminent domain and the adverse
impact the Atlantic Coast Pipeline will have on waterways and private land.
My family has a long history ofattachirient to the land and water of this area. In the early 1700's,
my ancestors, the Letts, decided to move from the crowded Wilmington area, and navigated up
the Cape Fear River to find suitable farm land. They rowed through Bladen County, and stayed
there for a while near an area called Cross Creek-, that area was eventually named Fayetteville.
They continued migrating up the river, but travel was difficult due to the rapids. Sometimes the
pioneers had to row their boats to the shores and tote them past the falls, then put the boats back
in the water, but they persevered, and eventually put down roots nearBuckhorn ]{alls. Here, the
Letts found what they were looking for: an abundance of rich bottom land for growing cotton
and other crops and access to pristine water. The settlers marked their chosen site, and eventually
called it Lett's I.,anding, It is designated with a marker on the Cape Fear River.
The Lett's and their descendants have been fighting to hold on to this land and protect the Cape
Fear River and nearby waterways ever since. Farmers and landowners don't just preserve the
land, but they also protect the water that runs through it, because the water is vital to sustaining
their families, their crops, and livestock. Removing the landowner through the eminent domain
process removes the caretaker of many of our streams and rivers that run through the
landowner's property.
Eminent domain threatens to remove the caretakers of waterways that run through private
property. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will take land away from families who have protected the
land and its waterways for many generations. But, how sustainable is (racking? How long will
the gas infi-astructure be required? This project will uproot families who have conserved land and
water for centuries to support, a project that has only a 40- to 50 -year life span.
Cit W" c Cz%�
I object to the idea that companies can advefsely take private property and impact our
waterways, seizing permanent pathways, 75 feet wide or more, for corporate gain, leaving
landowners with no legal recourse. One-time payments from corporations that attempt to
compensate owners for their land do not make up for what's being lost and can never be restored.
These paynients will not replace the landowners who love and care for the land and the water
that runs through it.
'iic rl k"W'�Icv.('xeej
tty proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline for
[ask the 4�n+ew_ef-! vif(x,+menta4-QuaI" to i
the impact it will have on land and waterways that have contributed to our State's history and
continue to contribute to our culture and way of life. I urge Duke Energy and Dominion to invest
in 21" century energy solutions that conserve land, protect air and water, and are sustainable,
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Good Evening, My narne is Sandra Clark. I live In Wade North CarcAria.
am a refired teachers of 33 years. l am here beCause I am very Concerned
about the safety Of OUr drinking and recreational waters, I can speak of a
canoei ' ng -trip that I enjoyed on Cape Fear River roan y years ago. It was athrilling
and fUn filled rnernory that began on the Cape Fear River and ended near Erwin., 1
want my grandcf-,01dren -to have the Opportunity of enjoying clean water. Water is so
vital to ALL important LIFEEXPRIENCES.
The problem that Concerns me about the eTP2!jq:
.q Atlantic Coast Pipeiine ls that
toxMs and harmful chemcWs can and will leak hft OUr water supplies.
aUtOmafically Poses a threat to otir farnilies, neighbors and Mends who live ln
OUr cOmmunifies that surround the Cape Fear Mver, Wvjerwj Hurricane Matthew
h,it our area we saw the destruCtion and how the water supply was threatem People
were desperate -for clean d0niking water, WE ARE STILL. DESPERATE FOR CLEAN
DRINKING WATER
The urgency of tills problem is that Duke and Donlinion haven't eve�n cleanied up
the Coa� Ash problem., Tt'iey are Brazen in'their approach to make the put)jjcthink
'that the toxins of the Pipeline won't leak into the water sUpplies. I can't ignore, the
'facts and I appreciate an article written by Jeff ThOMPSon In th(: "Up and Corm'ng
Weekly" July 5-11, Page 9 News Digest, I,°Ie Shared that after the DEQ ran test of the
Chemours Facility in Fayetteville, they found Gen X in the wastewater in which the
Company is now PUtfing into ternpormy Storage tanks. This unregulated chernical
has been discharged into the Cape Fear for past years, For years Gen X did not have
tO meet any requirea)eat to keep it out Of the suPPlY of drinking water Thank you
DEQ'fear acfin g carp theCffizens� behalf -that has been neglected for so long. WE
MUST CONTINUE to keep our watersupply clean.
SOlutiOn -ewe MUSt clean LAP our water ways that have been POHLAed and restorci
the health Of Out" coMmunifies with water that Is safe enough to drink and er1joy.
I appeal to you NOT to give the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipehne the ref-jance to
add rnore toxins to an already P0fluted Cape Fear River System, We, want the
health Of fart children to be safe and enJoy the rivers and strearns for, life,
.. ..... . . ...... . ...... . ......... ..
WeeMy" July 5-11 page 9 News Digest. Fl e shared that after the DEO rantest of the
CheMOM'S 1"'a6fity un FayetteviHe, they found Geri X nri the wastewater in whicl,j the
corripany is now putting �lnto temporary storage tanks. Tl"uis unreguated chernica6
has been discharged intothe Cape Fear for past years. For years Gen X did not lmve
t irrneet any requ�rements to keelp it out of the supppy of drinking waWr. Thank you
DEQ for acting on the cffizons' Ib half that has been neglected for so long, WE
MUST CONTINUE to keep our water supppy clean,
Solution - we must cearn UP our water waysthat have been poHuted arid restore
the health of our communffies Mth water that is safe enough to ddirilk and enjoy.
l appeal to you NOT to glve the proposed Atianbc Coast Rpehne the chance to
add more toxMs to an already poHuted Cape Fear Rlver Systern. We want the
health of future children to be safe and enjoy the rNers and strearns for Me.
"I hank youfor those who have come today to show YOUr support. We, the
people of North Carolina are the protectorf the water for thefuture generabons-
they deserve to have clean water to d0k and enjoy, safe recreabomall water ways.
CA
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