DEQ-CFW_00082933

From: Kritzer, Jamie [/D=[XCHANG[LAB5/OU=EXCHANGEADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYD|BOHF2]SPDLT)/CN=REOP|ENTS/CN=C[E9]C49D01445A]B541B8327DCDCD4O-JBKR|TZ[R]
Sent: 8/23/I0I711:I7:34AW1
To: Kritzer, Jamie [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=ExzhanXeAdministrative Group
(FYD|8OHFZ33PDO)/cn=Redpient$cn=cee93c49d01445a3b541bb3Z7dcdc84O-jbkritzer]
Subject: Emai|ing:Opening remarks Secretary Regan 08I]IO17MR.docx
Attachments Opening remarks Secretary Regan O823%OI7MR.docx
Opening Statement by Secretary Michael Regan
^ Good afternoon, chairwoman wade' co -Chairs Dixon and McGrady, vice chair mcElraft and members of
the Environmental Review commission. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to speak with you
today about the actions the Department of Environmental Quality has taken to date to address aenx and the
overall concerns regarding emerging chemical compounds in North Carolina's drinking water.
^ My Department regulates thousands of industries and ensures the protection of more than 38'000
miles of waterways in North Carolina. we take our responsibility to protect the quality of our water very
serious because everyone deserves to have confidence in the water they drink.
^ z would like to spend a few minutes telling you as much as z can at this point about our ongoing
investigation into this very important matter, but equally as important, z went to share with you the
swift action we have taken since this issue was brought to my attention.
In 3une of 2017, 1 was made aware of the presence of Genx in the Cape Fear River.
^ Immediately, and At Governor Cooper's direction, the Departments of Environmental Quality and
Health and Human services began investigating the matter and for the past two months have deployed all
available resources to address this concern.
^ shortly after launching our investigation, we were successful at stopping chemours from releasing
srnx' and as a result, have seen a dramatic decline in the concentrations of Genx in the cape pear River.
^ As many of you might know, chemnurs has a pending permit application awaiting our approval and we
are denying their request to continue releasing aenx into the cape pear River. As we reconsider the
permit application, we are also requiring additional disclosure of information regarding Genx and
additional emerging compounds of concern' as well as a permit reopener clause that will give the
Department the ability to revisit these issues and any new concerns as they arise.
^ since the Genx releases have stopped' concentrations of aenx are well below the Department of
Health and Human services health goal at all drinking water sites.
^ while z am satisfied with the efforts made to date' we have more work ahead of us to ensure we
reach a resolution that re-establishes the public's confidence in the water we all consume.
^ As we push forward' it is important to note the current efforts we are undertaking are not
sustainable with our current staffing levels and the many issues we confront as we work to protect the
state's water quality over the long term.
^ The large scope and pressing nature of this challenge requires a larger response than our
departments have resources to provide while continuing to meet the day-to-day requirements.
^ For this investigation alone' we are (I) committed to a very thorough permit review process' (Z)
committed to water sampling for the foreseeable future in the cape pear River and have recently started
groundwater sampling at the chemours site, (5) reviewing chemours permit and investigating any possible
violations of either the permit or the clean water Act, (4) responding to a request for documents as part
of a federal investigation, {5} working with the Department of Health and Human services' CDC and cn^ to
establish health assessments and (6) keeping the public up to date at every step along the way through
our public website and regular phone calls with local officials, EPA and the congressional delegation.
^ out since 20I3' our water quality program has sustained significant reductions in positions
supporting compliance' enforcement and permitting. some 70 positions have been eliminated.
^ This has resulted in a 40 percent backlog in the issuance of wastewater permits, which has
derreased the business community's regulatory certainty and ability to create jobs and grow the economy.
^ The additional Ih positions we're seeking would not only aid our ability to better protect public
health and the environment, but would also help drive our state's economic well-being.

^ It is for that reason we are requesting funding to support staff who can execute compliance,
permits and enforcement actions.
^ These are specialized needs and must be performed by people with the knowledge, skills and
background to perform these duties.
^ when it comes to emerging contaminants' more compounds are being identified statewide and, as
such, the need for more qualified people to address these issues is growing.
^ Additional funding would support ongoing monitoring and assessment of threats to public health and
safety from discharges of other emerging contaminants. The department is seeking funding to support
independent verification to ensure we are providing the public with the most reliable results.
^ when it comes to these pressing issues involving the safety of our state's water quality' our
challenge is far from over.
^ our citizens deserve to know that the state is doing all that is possible to ensure that the
drinking water is safe. z have heard the call from our citizens and z believe this funding request is
needed for my agency to answer that call.
^ Again' thank you for your time today. z look forward to working with you to address these
challenging issues.
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