Residents criticize proposed PFAS rules at Wilmington hearing, call for stronger protections
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)–State regulators heard more public feedback tonight on proposed rules to address PFAS contamination in waterways across North Carolina.
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission held a public hearing Thursday in downtown Wilmington, drawing dozens of residents, business owners and community leaders to weigh in on proposed rules targeting PFAS contamination.
The meeting, held at the Skyline Center, focused on draft regulations that would require certain industries and wastewater treatment plants to monitor and report levels of three types of PFAS — often called “forever chemicals” — in their discharges into state waterways.
Under the proposal, facilities would be required to test for PFAS, submit the results to the state and develop plans to reduce pollution if it is detected. However, the rules do not establish strict limits on how much PFAS can be released — a key point of concern for many who spoke at the hearing.
Several speakers criticized the proposal as insufficient, arguing it fails to adequately protect public health and the environment.
“This commission is gambling with our economy on a plan written by polluters,” one speaker said during public comment.
Kemp Burdette, Executive Director of Cape Fear River Watch, said the proposed rules would primarily benefit industry rather than residents.
“The EMC is apparently choosing to protect industries instead of the people of North Carolina,” Burdette said. “Industries make more money if they don’t have to spend money to remove waste where it starts — at their facilities. What this rule would do is basically increase industry profits at the expense of everyday North Carolinians.”
Others raised concerns about environmental justice. Sonya Patrick Amenra, with the Southeastern National Black Leadership Caucus, said PFAS contamination disproportionately affects communities of color.
“A lot of these areas with PFAS highly impacts in areas of color — Black and other people of color, people that look like me,” Amenra said. “It’s time for this nation to stand up against this injustice.”
Emotions also ran high among parents in attendance. Margie Gewirtzman spoke tearfully about her concerns as a mother.
“This is terrifying as a mother,” she said. “How can this be OK by any measure? Please — I have to be able to parent my child, and you guys make it impossible. Everywhere I turn is poison,” said Gewirtzman.
Thursday was the third and last meeting by the commission, but public comment letters can still be before June 15th. For more information, head to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality website.
