News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring a Goldsboro campground owner to get a permit for wetlands he’s already filled.

The issue was reported to Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop in 2024: wetlands on the property were being filled to expand the camping area.

“They were mainly filling and grading, and all the wetlands are covered in mud, which is now running off into nearby streams, and all the wetland vegetation is gone,” Samantha said.

She reported her concerns to the Army Corps of Engineers and sent a letter to the property owner.

“The Corps went out to the site and are holding the owner accountable,” Samantha said. “This person is now required to get a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. While it’s not good that the wetland has been filled, it is good for people out there to know that folks are watching.”

Samantha and wetlands expert David Lekson were both featured recently in Sound Rivers’ podcast, “Sound Rivers: Riverkeeping Tales from the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico.” The episode “What About Wetlands” takes a deep dive into where wetlands exist in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico watersheds, why they’re vital to clean water and how they’re currently being threatened. You can listen to the episode here or search “riverkeeping” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music. 

Listen to all podcast episodes here!

Like the work Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop is doing to protect wetlands? We do too! Donate today to support Sound Rivers fight to save our wetlands!