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Editorials - 06/22/00Sediment control ordinance is needed |
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County commissioners appear poised to enact a much-needed sediment control ordinance for Jackson County. Thank goodness.
Meaningful steps to prevent erosion are long overdue. Though a state law, the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973, is in place, it only applies to land disturbances of one acre or more. Far too much earth-moving activity takes place on smaller parcels to allow it to be the only law. In addition, enforcement and monitoring of that law is left up to inspectors from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. DENR personnel are well-trained and competent, but there simply are not enough of them to inspect all the development sites in Western North Carolina. Local control is what's needed, and that's what Jackson County will get if commissioners enact the proposed sediment ordinance in July. A divided planning board sent a draft ordinance to commissioners that mostly mirrored existing state law. Like the state statute, the proposed local ordinance excludes logging and agricultural activities from its provisions. Those developing sites one acre or larger would still be required to pay a fee to obtain a permit, but it would be a local permit rather than one from DENR. The only "new" feature in the initial proposed county ordinance was a provision requiring those disturbing one-half acre or more to notify county officials. That did not go far enough to satisfy Commissioners Jay Denton, Stacy Buchanan and Franz Whitmire, who amended the draft ordinance to require permits for disturbances of one-half acre or more, and notification for all land-disturbing activity. Their changes are not yet law because a simple majority is not enough to enact an ordinance on its first reading. But three votes will get the job done when the issue comes up again. Commissioners who support the amended ordinance are not trying to halt development. Rather, they are seeking to preserve an attractive environment and create a climate where moderate growth can continue. Allowing pollution from sediment to kill fish and other aquatic life and muddy our streams would negatively impact both tourism and the lucrative second-home industry. A sediment ordinance is a bold step for leaders in Jackson County, where there has historically been strong and vocal opposition to government-mandated environmental controls. We applaud the three commissioners who are willing to risk their popularity to be good stewards of these mountains we all love. We appreciate their efforts and hope they stick to their guns. Our streams, lakes and river need protection from the sedimentation and pollution caused by erosion. And they need it now. Editorial policyThe opinions expressed on this page are those of the Sylva Herald Editorial Committee. Opinions are derived independently and owe no allegiance to any group, organization or political party. We welcome opposing views. |
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