Petition for an Independent Jordan Lake Survey
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Author:
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Send To:
The NC Division of Water Quality and Durham elected officials (Board of County Commissioners and City Council)
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Sponsored By:
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With regard to the Neal Hunter's private survey of Jordan Lake, which was accepted by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on Feb 6, 2009:
We question how DWQ can accept the inadequate data of this private, development funded survey, which will result in less protection for Jordan Lake from development runoff, while they (DWQ) are pushing the Jordan Lake Nutrient Rules.
Though from a licensed surveyor, this survey was paid for and provided by a private development team which hopes to develop the land in question. Thus, this developer-provided survey is clearly a conflict of interest.
In addition, this survey contains grossly inadequate sampling points (as evidenced by the thousands of feet between them).
Furthermore, there is a precedent set by Durham county in the Falls Lake watershed whereby a developer privately surveyed Falls Lake, and the county ruled that they should hire an independent surveyor to survey the entire shoreline that fell within Durham County. Jordan Lake should receive no worse treatment.
The Engineering Department, The County Manager, the County Planning Director and the County Attorney recommended that Durham provide its own, independent survey of the Jordan Lake normal pool boundary, and two county commissioners voted to do so (agenda item = Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 09BCC000034).
Unfortunately, the rest of the 2008 board did not see their civic duty to provide an independent and accurate survey in the interest of Durham citizens and the long-term viability of their waterways and water supply.
Jordan Lake is already critically impaired and has been in violation of the Federal Clean Water Act for years. It is estimated that Durham will already spend $320 million just to begin cleaning up Jordan Lake (Jim Wise, News and Observer). In addition, Durham is currently spending $100 million to fight requirements to clean up Jordan Lake. Yet they will not spend $90,000 to ensure that we don't further damage this important water resource.
We, the citizens of Durham and NC, petition the 2009 Board of County Commissioners, the DWQ, and all Durham elected officials to act in the interest of ALL their constituents by ensuring an independent and thorough survey for the protection of Jordan Lake.
We question how DWQ can accept the inadequate data of this private, development funded survey, which will result in less protection for Jordan Lake from development runoff, while they (DWQ) are pushing the Jordan Lake Nutrient Rules.
Though from a licensed surveyor, this survey was paid for and provided by a private development team which hopes to develop the land in question. Thus, this developer-provided survey is clearly a conflict of interest.
In addition, this survey contains grossly inadequate sampling points (as evidenced by the thousands of feet between them).
Furthermore, there is a precedent set by Durham county in the Falls Lake watershed whereby a developer privately surveyed Falls Lake, and the county ruled that they should hire an independent surveyor to survey the entire shoreline that fell within Durham County. Jordan Lake should receive no worse treatment.
The Engineering Department, The County Manager, the County Planning Director and the County Attorney recommended that Durham provide its own, independent survey of the Jordan Lake normal pool boundary, and two county commissioners voted to do so (agenda item = Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 09BCC000034).
Unfortunately, the rest of the 2008 board did not see their civic duty to provide an independent and accurate survey in the interest of Durham citizens and the long-term viability of their waterways and water supply.
Jordan Lake is already critically impaired and has been in violation of the Federal Clean Water Act for years. It is estimated that Durham will already spend $320 million just to begin cleaning up Jordan Lake (Jim Wise, News and Observer). In addition, Durham is currently spending $100 million to fight requirements to clean up Jordan Lake. Yet they will not spend $90,000 to ensure that we don't further damage this important water resource.
We, the citizens of Durham and NC, petition the 2009 Board of County Commissioners, the DWQ, and all Durham elected officials to act in the interest of ALL their constituents by ensuring an independent and thorough survey for the protection of Jordan Lake.
2083 Signatures
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Melissa Rooney
- Comments
- This is a travesty -- when will our gov't, as a whole, speak for their constituents over special interests? Need we collect money for campaign contributions?
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Mike Rooney
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- Jordan Lake Nutrient Rules being fought and now this? We are going to pay for our water one way or the other...please act with your CONSTITUENTS in mind!
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Lauren Dygo
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Steve Bocckino
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- Why on earth would Durham's elected officials vote to further pollute Jordan Lake just at the time when we maybe liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in remediation for previous pollution?
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Nathalie Tissaire
- Comments
- В
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Ronnie Griffin
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Emily E Weinstetin
- Comments
- As the area is further populated the responsibility to protect our natural resources become greater.
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Matt Fisher
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Frank Lombardi
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Jan Martell
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- This is a clear conflict of interest - let's do it right!
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Linda R. Taylor
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Woody Taylor
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Melva Strait
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Jonathan Sobota
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Alan Burns
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Karen H. Goldstein
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David Harris
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Earl Hadden
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Liz Pullman
- Comments
- Would an independent party please actually do a survey and determine the location of the permanent pool. A survey paid for by the developer can hardly be trusted. Amazing how it came out in his favor!!!
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Jackie Brown
- Comments
- Please support an independent survey.
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Sean Giovanello
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Brent Curtis
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- Please don't put this fox in charge of the hen house. An independent survey is a must. Thanks you.
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carolyn aaronson
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- it is critical that you get an independent survey and have the truth. Protecting our water is priceless and not something to be 'bought' by private developers. I have no children but if i did i would reallly think about how these choices will effect the future of their water source. .
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Daniel Bossut
- Comments
- clean it up
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Susan O'Neil
- Comments
- В
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Randal Haithcock
- Comments
- Please do a survey based on science and not the interests of a single landowner. And do it in conjunction with all of the counties on Lake Jordan.
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Pat Beyle
- Comments
- Save our water ways, please. I have children who want to live here.
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Carol Young
- Comments
- This is no time to be playing by Blagojevich rules, selling out Jordan Lake's water quality to the self interest of a Chatham County landowner. DWQ has recognized the need for a regional systemic approach to make future watershed revisions, yet abdicated their responsibility by accepting a private, self-serving survey. An independent, impartial survey is imperative. It is time for the elected officials of Durham to work for the people who placed them in office.
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Will Wilson
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Milo Pyne
- Comments
- to protect our drinking water we need this information
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Krishna J FISHER
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Lorita Dudus
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Larry Burk
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Gretel Guest
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Patricia Bocckino
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William Dempsey
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Terri Dempsey
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Joseph Russell
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john lloyd
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christian stalberg
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- we site landfills next to rivers too! oh...and don't forget the sewage sludge spread on farmlands draining into our watersheds!
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Kathryn Spann
- Comments
- Acceptance of this private survey from a party with an inescapable financial interest sets an appalling precedent and is inimical to open government principles. We urge you to require an independent survey to protect this most vital resource.
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Pat Carstensen
- Comments
- As the guy says, trust but verify.
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Frances E. Hadden
- Comments
- How can anyone support a survey paid for by the person with the most to gain?? A second opinion (survey) is definitely needed. Politicians, please start listening to your constituents voices and not to special interest $$$!!!
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Maria Gallo
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janet hitti
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Trisha Gensic
- Comments
- Allowing the development this close to Jordan Lake flies in the face of all we're trying to do to reduce nutrient loading in the lake, as well as good planning practices that excluded this area from dense development in the first place.
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John Schelp
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- Talk about opening a big, shiny can of worms... what a mess.
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Barbara and Robert Jacobson
- Comments
- PLEASE protect Jordan Lake
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Josie McNeil
- Comments
- В
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Tim Kirksey
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2083
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