A landfill is proposed to be built near Oneida, TN and residents are concerned about its possible environmental impacts, specifically to the Bear Creek Watershed.  Citizens of Scott County are working hard to prevent any pollutants from running off into adjacent waters, already impaired from other pollutants.  We applaud the efforts of the residents of Scott County and look forward to continue to work with them to protect their community.  Click here to see TCWN’s comments on the proposed landfill.

It is almost impossible to live in East Tennessee and not be aware of the damaging effects the Canton paper mill in North Carolina has had on the Pigeon River.  Well, on Monday those fighting to protect the Pigeon River got a small victory.   The EPA’s Atlanta office formally objected to the wastewater permit for the Blue Ridge Paper Products’ Canton mill.

The letter calls for stronger regulation of color and temperature in discharges to the Pigeon River, as well as other water quality issues. If North Carolina does not resubmit an adequately revised permit within 90 days, EPA will take over the permit.

Like I said, this is certainly a victory, but some of EPA’s comments concern those of us working for a clean river.  The requirements from EPA do not go far enough to protect the water quality of the Pigeon River.  However, with the continued efforts of local groups and the hundreds of citizens who have worked to get the process this far, we will keep pushing for a permit protective of our water quality!

Come on, EPA.  Everyone associated with coal ash knows how hazardous it is. Ok, maybe the coal industry won’t admit it, but who’s surprised there?  We’ve been waiting patiently for years to get coal ash catagorized as hazardous and it looked like it would happen within the year. But no!  Again EPA has put this decision on hold.

We now demand that EPA classify coal fly ash as hazardous.  How many more Kingstons do we need!

RvH

Dear Anon,

We got your letter regarding the discharge you have observed at the Memphis Zoo.  Dana did a file review in Nashville and found out that they do not have a National Discharge Elimination System permit. You were right!  In accordance with the Industrial Waste Survey, all of the zoo’s solid waste is taken off-site for disposal. They do have a permit for construction stormwater and we were curious to see that one of the  activities they described was “drainage structures”.  Drainage to where?

We are planning to look into this further. The next time we’re in Memphis we will ask to look at the construction permit to figure out what drainage structures they have and where they go.  If you have photos, you need to send them to us.  Digital photos are fine.

Thanks so much for thinking of us. If you want to contact me personally feel free to do so at 865.522.7007 x100.  We will keep all your information confidential.  Also, I’d happily join you for a visit to the zoo next time I’m in Memphis!

RvH

As most of you know we here at TCWN work closely with other states along the Mississippi River to address the nutrient loading problems resulting in the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone.  While we may have the second largest dead zone sitting off our coast, it is most definitely a global problem.  According to this incredibly interesting recent article by Fred Pearce, there are over 400 dead zones across the globe and much of their existence and size is a result of our over usage of fertilizer.  This is a fascinating read.