News

Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop met up with Bobby Jones, founder of the Down East Coal Ash Environmental and Social Justice Coalition, in Goldsboro this week to speak with members of the NC Climate Justice Collective.

“It was great. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but we did 45-minute talk and discussion inside and then we went out into the field,” Samantha said.

NC Climate Justice Collective is made up of five “resiliency hubs” across the state, two of which are in Neuse River basin in Goldsboro and Kinston. A third is being organized in Durham.

The collective meets in different locations to get an in-depth view of each resiliency hub’s issues. Jones, as head of the Goldsboro hub, invited Samantha to present to the group.

“My presentation focused on issues particular to Goldsboro,” she said. “I talked about swine CAFOs, the BIOX pollution issue, the Duke Energy coal ash spill and Hurricane Matthew. I also showed them maps from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s community mapping system showing high vulnerability issues against pollution concerns, where it’s clear that pollution issues don’t affect everyone equally.”

After the talk and discussion, the group headed out on a “pollution tour” of Goldsboro. In addition to demonstrating how to collect a water sample, they visited the Duke Energy coal ash site, the H.F. Lee plant and Busco Beach ATV Park.

“We looked at Busco Beach and their blatant disregard of the buffers and basic abuse of the river by allowing ATVs to drive into the river,” Samantha said.

Samantha said the group’s engagement on Goldsboro’s issues was uplifting.

“It’s rare that I speak to a group of people who are so knowledgeable about environmental justice issues, but these are people who are experts in climate resiliency and environmental justice and they’re deeply embedded in their communities’ work,” she said. “Definitely the best questions and engagement from any group I’ve spoken to — they care deeply; this is the work they do. We speak the same language.”

Like the work your Riverkeeper is doing to educate people about the Neuse River’s issues? We love it! Donate to help her keep up the good work!