Pokeberry Creek Team Speaks To The Larger Community
Dear Haw River Assembly Readers,
As stewards of the Haw River basin, we know that responsible land use and rigorous watershed protections are essential to preserving our community’s water quality and natural heritage.
Currently, a major ~365-acre rezoning proposal, Fearrington Preserve (CD-CC), is under review in Northern Chatham County.
The proposed development calls for clear-cutting over 100 acres of mature forest, placing effluent spray irrigation fields adjacent to floodplains along Pokeberry Creek, and requesting massive waivers from Chatham County's Compact Community Ordinance standards.
Pokeberry Creek is a vital tributary to the Haw River and Jordan Lake, with a history of severe flash flooding. Protecting its stream buffers and riparian health is critical to the future of our river basin.
We are now introducing Smart Chatham, a grassroots coalition of local residents, parents, and environmental advocates working to defend due process, watershed integrity, and policy-compliant growth.
How You Can Help Protect Pokeberry Creek Today:
Visit SmartChatham.org to review technical briefings, environmental impacts, and official county records.
Send a 1-Click Email to the Planning Board: Use Smart Chatham’s quick advocacy tool to urge the Planning Board to recommend DENIAL of this non-compliant rezoning.
Sign Up for Direct Updates: Join the Smart Chatham email list to stay informed on hearing dates and environmental review updates.
Together, we can ensure that development in Chatham County respects our county codes and safeguards our river ecosystems.
Thank you for taking action to protect our watershed,
Haw River Assembly In partnership with Smart Chatham
Pokeberry Creek Flooding during Hurricane Florence with Chatham County Deputy and County Workers
Pokeberry flooding July 5, 2025. Photo by Kailtyn Elliott
