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The Tar-Pamlico Wastewater Rule is currently being amended by the Environmental Management Commission. The amendments are essentially codifying the already existing agreements between wastewater facilities in the Tar-Pamlico Basin Association.

“This isn’t really an opportunity to ask for significant changes to the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Management Strategy, but it is an opportunity to remind the state of persisting nutrient issues in the Pamlico estuary,” said Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman.

LET THE EMC KNOW:

• The total maximum daily load of nutrients set by the Nutrient Management Strategy in 1997 is based on 30-YEAR-OLD DATA and no longer accurately addresses nutrient-reduction needs in the estuary, especially due to changing climate conditions.
• The Pamlico River estuary is still impaired: since May of 2021, there have been 142 fish kills and 232 algal blooms in the Tar-Pamlico River reported to DEQ’s online dashboard.

A public hearing is 6 p.m. Thursday in the Mark Owens Jr. Auditorium at the Pitt County Agricultural Center (403 Government Circle, Greenville, 27834), but comments can also be submitted by email (john.huisman@deq.nc.gov), phone (919-707-3677) or snail mail (attn: John Huisman, NC DEQ Division of Water Resources, Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611) until March 3.

Let your voice be heard!