DEQ-CFW_00081787

WeNeel
enforcement
Since 2013, DEQ has seen approximately 70positions eliminated that once supported the permitting,
compliance and enforcement programs.
Raleigh: In response to the ongoing investigation into compound GenX and drinking water in the Cape
Fear region, Governor Cooper announced that the Department of Environmental Quality and
Department of Health and Human Services would request critical funding to support additional
scientists, engineers, and health professionals to ensure water testing and protection statewide.
During a recent meeting in Wilmington, legislators from the affected counties offered assistance with
the legislative request, and they received a letter from Secretary Cohen and Secretary Regan earlier
today outlining the details ofthe request. That letter can beread here.
"North Carolina families deserve to have confidence in their drinking water. We have deployed our
experts to address the immediate concerns in the Lower Cape Fear region, but because of cuts over the
last few years, long-term solutions will take more resources than our department currently has. It is
critical that we have the engineers and environmental specialists necessary to put science first to
protect our vvater," said DE{lSecretary Michael Regan.
"Governor Cooper directed us to approach these issues as if our own families were drinking this water
every day. This legislation would allow DHHS to create a cutting -edge Water Health and Safety Unit to
enhance our understanding of unregulated compounds and protect families' drinking water," said DHHS
Secretary Dr. Mandy [ohen."
Resources to stand upaWater Health and Safety unit in the Division of Public Health that would include
additional expertise specifically onwater quality.
~ Medical risk assessor, a physician who has experience with poisoning and environmental
toxicity;
PhD Toxicologist, to research and review available studies and formulate strategies to
mitigate harmful health effects;
|nformatics/epidemio|ogist, to organize data and perform high-level analysis to arrive at
causation of harm;
Health educator, to establish adequate public notifications and provide educational
materials and briefings tothe public.
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performed by the Environmental Protection Agency and private labs on a time -limited
basis).
Staff for the Division ofWater Resources: Already abacklog ofwater permits exists, and the
review time can take as long as two years. That's too long for the public and industry.
Adding experts would give uumore thorough and timely review.
Four Engineers, three Environmental Specialists, two Environmental Senior
Specialists, two Hydro8eo|ogists,two Program Consultants, aBusiness Technology
Analyst and two Chemist III to strengthen the Division of Water Resources so it can
address unregulated compounds in the water discharge permitting program and
allow more frequent sampling and faster evaluation.
These water quality scientists and experts like hydrogeologists and chemists would
work with local governments to identify where contaminants occur and where they
came from.
Move the permits from paper copies to an electronic database to integrate
wastewater, drinking water and groundwater information and allow for easy
searches.
The legislation would also direct the Environmental Review Commission to study whether there should
bean exemption tothe so-called "Hardison amendment" that prevents the state from enacting stricter
standards than the federal government.
|nthe letter, Regan and Cohen ask legislators toauthorize the request when the General Assembly
reconvenes in September.
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