Public Comment

As Hurricane Florence, bears down on N. Carolina, meteorologists warn that it could unleash life-threatening flooding across a wide swath of the East Coast threatening life stock and trigger poisonous spills from sewage treatment plants, hog waste lagoons and chicken farms which may end up into household drinking water. Even as the storm subsides thousands of animals are in mortal danger. 

NC is paying a heavy price for its short sighted decision ignoring warnings from climate scientists about rising sea levels six years ago. They ignored the devastating impact of Hurricane Floyd which dropped nearly two feet of rain on NC flooding the water lagoons elevating nitrogen and phosphorous levels. Perhaps even more ominous is the possibility of leaching toxic coal ash into the waterways. 

Twenty-four toxic coal ash containment ponds lie in the path of the storm and are at risk of flooding. NC is home to Smithfield Foods the largest meat packing plant in the world which is allowed to dump animal urine and feces in the surrounding area poising the air with its pungent odor. Although the storm has subsided the rising flood waters may inundate the MacDougall Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison about 35 miles northwest of Charleston that houses 651 inmates.