Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cumberland County passes resolutions opposing Chemours permit change and a Fuquay Varina interbasin transfer
Summary
The board unanimously approved resolutions opposing a proposed modification to Chemours' air permit (citing prior DAQ findings and a 2019 consent order) and a proposed interbasin water transfer by Fuquay Varina that would draw from the Cape Fear River; county attorney and commissioners urged public participation in upcoming hearings.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. — The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved two environment-focused resolutions: one opposing a proposed modification to Chemours’ atmospheric emissions permit and one opposing a proposed interbasin transfer by the town of Fuquay Varina.
County Attorney Rick Moorefield told the board that the resolution opposing Chemours’ requested permit modification was drafted to reflect local circumstances and prior regulatory findings. Moorefield cited a Division of Air Quality (DAQ) review and a 2019 consent order addressing GenX and related emissions, and he presented the board with language to send to the state environmental regulator.
‘‘Chemours is asking to modify their existing permit in ways that may increase atmospheric deposition of PFAS and other contaminants,’’ Moorefield told the commissioners as he discussed why a locally tailored resolution was preferred over a generic template from an outside group. The board voted to adopt the resolution and direct it to the Department of Environmental Quality.
On water resources, the board approved a resolution opposing Fuquay Varina’s notice of intent to request an interbasin transfer from the Cape Fear River. Commissioner Adams urged residents and municipalities to attend a Dec. 4 public hearing at Fayetteville Technical Community College and cautioned about cumulative impacts on the Cape Fear River and downstream communities.
The motions passed unanimously.
What’s next: Staff and elected officials said they will submit the county’s formal comments to state regulators and encourage local residents to voice opposition at the scheduled public hearing.
