Protect North Carolina's Clean Water!
Clean water is one of North CarolinaÂ’s most important resources. Every
day, residents use about 9.2 billion gallons of water from the state's
rivers, lakes, and groundwater supplies. But stormwater runoff, the biggest
single source of new pollution in our rivers and estuaries, threatens our
water, and thus our health and economy.
This summer, North Carolina's Environmental Management Commission (EMC)
issued new rules to control stormwater runoff. But now, these much-needed
protections are in trouble. Sign the petition below to ensure that the
strong, new rules are allowed to take effect.
Stormwater pollution accounts for 80% of coastal water pollution. Across
North Carolina, stormwater pollution from rapidly urbanizing areas
threatens the quality of downstream drinking water. And in the mountains,
stormwater pollution raises the temperature of trout streams, killing the native fish.
These new stormwater rules require our local governments and new
development to control their pollution. However, in the last few weeks,
development interests and some local governments have worked to block these
new policies. Fortunately, Governor Michael Easley has the power to ensure
that these strong stormwater rules - required by the federal Clean Water
Act - take effect soon to protect our rivers and estuaries.
Please sign the petition below today to urge Governor Easley to protect
North Carolina's clean water by supporting strong stormwater control rules.
Dear Governor Easley:
Pollution from stormwater is a leading cause of water quality problems across North Carolina. This summer, the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) issued strong rules to require that new development control the pollution it creates, but those rules are being sharply opposed by development interests. Please use your influence to ensure that state agencies, cities, and counties all require developers to control stormwater pollution from new developments. The quality of life of North Carolina’s citizens and the health of our rivers and estuaries is at stake.
Thank you.
