Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmer says NCDOT buried contaminated material and replaced culvert; commissioners to monitor
Summary
Farmer Jeff Morris told the commissioners NCDOT demolished and buried a shed with contaminated material (oil, shingles) on his property and later replaced a 4x7 culvert with a much larger 10x11 block culvert that he fears will redirect floodwaters onto neighbors; he asked for county oversight and expressed concern about DOT accountability.
Jeff Morris, a longtime Hampstead farmer, told commissioners that NCDOT earlier demolished a shed on his property and buried material he says contained oil and construction debris, and that the agency later replaced a 4x7 culvert under Highway 17 with a much larger 10x11 block culvert. Morris said the new culvert appears likely to change drainage patterns and could flood adjacent roads and properties; he said the situation has prevented him from completing an intended donation of land to state game lands because of contamination concerns.
Morris recounted phone calls with DOT engineers who said they would not be responsible for flooding outside the DOT easement and that the agency's replacement culvert met their internal standards. Commissioners acknowledged the complaint, encouraged follow-up with DOT district engineers, and said staff would monitor the situation and collect Morris's photos and maps for further review.
Officials said DOT projects and easements sometimes change local drainage and urged residents to raise concerns with DOT's district engineer while the county will attempt to coordinate and help seek solutions when state projects have local impacts.
