Creek Action Alert

James Island Creek (SC) batik on silk, Mary Edna Fraser 52_ x 14_ 2009_22in copy 2

As an environmental activist artist, I urge you to share this Delete Apathy post.

James Island Creek and Shem Creek are tidal creeks no longer safe for swimming and the Charleston Waterkeeper with Coastal Conservation League are working diligently to change this reality with the help of concerned citizens. Waterways belong to the public and need our protection from pollution.

Scientific testing shows that concentrations of bacteria in James Island Creek exceed water quality standards 97% of the time and Shem Creek 87%. Fecal matter carries pathogens and can cause upset stomach, skin infections, sore throats, and numerous health problems. I began to get sick from swimming in 2012 and my dock is now one of 15 locations for 7 years of collecting data by the Charleston Waterkeeper. This is bad news but DHEC, our town, county, city and state government are required by law to become active in the clean up to reduce these horrible bacterial counts. This cleanup is done through a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that will put both creeks on a “bacteria pollution diet.”

Pollution diet plans must include:

  • Looking at ways to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces
  • Removing or fixing up old septic tanks
  • Septic tank inspection and maintenance requirements
  • Stoping sewer overflows into the creek
  • Prioritizing nearby sewer lines for floodwater inflow and infiltration elimination work
  • Pet and animal waste clean up
  • Time and money

We need to hold our city and towns accountable for setting timelines and implementing projects. Public engagement is needed. The Intergovernmental Panel Committee on James Island is the perfect group to lead the way and motivate our communities to solve this problem once and for all. The Town of James Island, the City of Charleston, and Charleston County need to know clean creeks are important to you and that they have your support for taking action to solve this problem once and for all.  

Below are meetings you can attend and email and letter references for your location:

CITY COUNCIL MEETING DAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING LOCATION
January 14, 2020 City Hall
January 28, 2020 TBA
February 11, 2020 City Hall
February 25, 2020 City Hall
March 10, 2020 City Hall
March 24, 2020 TBA
April 14, 2020 City Hall
April 28, 2020 City Hall
May 12, 2020 City Hall
May 26, 2020 TBA
June 16, 2020 City Hall
July 21, 2020 City Hall
August 18, 2020 City Hall
September 8, 2020 City Hall
September 22, 2020 TBA
October 13, 2020 City Hall
October 27, 2020 City Hall
November 10, 2020 City Hall
November 24, 2020 TBA
December 1, 2020 City Hall
December 15, 2020 City Hall

And here are some other helpful links:

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