SOS, Progress Energy

RIPARIAN PROTECTION AREA DESTROYED BY PROGRESS ENERGY

Save Our Sandhills (SOS) is a new grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the Sandhills environment. SOS has been called into action upon learning that Progress Energy, in its quest to plan a new power line route from Richmond County to West End, has carelessly bulldozed ecologically sensitive areas without completing any sort of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Two major landowners in Moore County, Jesse Wimberley and Mike Wilson, both involved in long-range planning for their community, were recently notified by surrounding neighbors that bulldozers with grinding machines had been clearing a 15-foot wide swath through their lands, and were now stuck in their wetlands. Both were shocked. Both have treasured their land as being ecologically valuable natural areas. Both tracts are in the Drowning Creek watershed, which makes them vitally important for protection of Moore County’s and Southern Pines’ water supplies.

Wimberley, a well-known environmental educator and champion of good stewardship practices in critical natural areas in Moore County, has assisted the Sandhills Area Land Trust (SALT) in protecting over 2000 acres in the Drowning Creek watershed through the Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). EEP is a state wetlands mitigation program funded by the NC Department of Transportation and carried out in coordination with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Wimberley’s own family land which was partially destroyed by Progress Energy is protected under the EEP program. Mitigation sites for EEP must be “the best of the best”. Wimberley’s land, known as Lighterwood Farm, is definitely in that category. It has been showcased for touring groups of nature lovers and schoolchildren on a regular basis. His farm is used for agritourism and is in Moore County’s Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) program. Its precious wetlands are now permanently scarred by Progress Energy’s bulldozers.

These landowners were not told that their lands had been among Progress Energy’s chosen route. They were notified that part of their land was being considered, and workers would be meeting them to survey possible sites. They were not told that their land was slated for immediate destruction.

Progress Energy is dealing heavy-handedly in this situation as if it is a foregone conclusion that eminent domain will prevail in these specific cases. Where are the results of their environmental impact studies? Where is the list of site selection criteria? (Landowners have been unable to acquire a copy.) Where are the results of contact with DENR, with the Corps of Engineers, with the Moore County Planning Department, or with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Landowners have been unable to determine that any of these contacts were made. What takes place on this land, located in one of the headwater areas of Drowning Creek will affect the ecosystem downstream. It should be noted that Drowning Creek is one of North Carolina’s premier blackwater streams.

While Progress Energy should upgrade its infrastructure, these upgrades must not occur until all environmental impacts have been documented and/or mitigated. Affected landowners have the right to due process and to question any specific measures taken in the implementation of eminent domain. Progress Energy must work responsibly and responsively with landowners and with county, state, and federal officials as it plans for future energy needs.

A press conference can be arranged on site at your convenience. Please contact Joe McDonald, member of Save Our Sandhills, regarding arrangement at 910/281-5271 or at joemc@mindspring.com.

Interview Contacts:

Jesse Wimberley 910/603-1052
Mike Wilson 910/673-3505
Richard Perritt (Sandhills Area Land Trust) 910/695-4323