70 Neighbors, 21 Comments, One Message: Chatham County Says No to Enbridge
Enbridge Pipeline Update
Chatham County Health Board - Successful Community in Action!
On Monday, October 12th, community advocates spoke to the Chatham County Board of Health. Over 70 folks attended, and out of 22 comments, 21 raised concerns around health and safety impacts of the proposed Chatham County System Enhancement Project.
Many of the speakers were first-time public speakers and had not planned to comment - when community shows up and speaks out, we empower one another!
Like the Agriculture Advisory Board, we should see a report and recommendation to the County from the Board of Health in the coming weeks.
Permits Expected Soon; We'll Need Your Help!
Local action is not the only thing that will keep this fracked-gas pipeline out of our community. While we organize the community and ensure directly impacted landowners know their rights, we need YOU ALL to stay ready to support your neighbors during the 401 and 404 permit process. Want to learn more? Stay up to date? Email aidan@hawriver.org or visit fightenbridge.com
Solidarity Across Our Watershed
October has been a busy time of coalition meetings and sessions to ensure that our work around polluting industries that pose a risk to the Haw River and its communities is done strategically and well.
Communities Over Pipelines!
Organizations, Impacted Community Members, and Allies gathered in Danville, Virginia, to discuss the status of the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) and the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate (MVPS).
We continue to stay in solidarity as regional neighbors opposed to the fossil-fuel industry.
As we work to monitor the construction of these pipelines and empower communities to be prepared for what to do in case of an emergency, we stay grounded in our collective power and knowledge.
Photo: Appalachian Voices aerial SSEP construction monitoring
Jordan Lake One Water
Kaitlyn and I attended the Jordan Lake One Water meeting on October 14th with Kaitlyn. This was a great opportunity to meet other stakeholders across the Jordan Lake community.
We had an incredible conversation with former HRA employee Donna Myers, who is the Associate Director, Southeast Conservation with American Rivers.
Exposure to these gatherings is essential to building strong relationships with other groups and allies across our watershed.
NC Environmental Justice Network's Annual Summit
I am excited to attend my first NCEJN summit this weekend!
As we celebrate 35 years of the principles of Environmental Justice (What's Environmental Justice? - The Principle), we recognize the history of intersectional environmental justice and its foundational organizing in Warren County, North Carolina
With statewide partners such as Clean Water for NC, NCWARN, and the NC Environmental Justice Network, Haw River Assembly is part of the statewide NC AI Data Center Accountability Network.
We are exploring statewide options such as supporting the call for a 2-year statewide moratorium and policy changes to hold this industry, and others like it, accountable to being safe and just neighbors.
Onwards, in solidarity. Every small action and connection matters. We can create the future our communities deserve. Much love and peace to each of you.
Take care of yourselves and each other,
~ Aidan Loretz (she/her, they/them)
Haw River Assembly Environmental Justice Community Organizer
Communities Over Pipelines! Communities Over Corporate Profits!