SANTEE – For many years, residents of the Chapel Branch area have been attempting to alleviate the continuing problem of the rapidly deteriorating water quality.

Now, frustrated homeowners are mounting a last-ditch, concerted effort to obtain improved water quality for all bodies of water within the Santee River basin.

At a meeting Saturday at the Santee Family Development Center, concerned citizens of the Chapel Branch People for Restoration (CPR) joined with Santee Riverkeeper Mark Bruce to discuss the status of the Chapel Branch pollution and cleanup. The meeting was chaired by Elinor Prescott, a Chapel Branch resident and CPR member.

Chapel Branch is west of Old Number Six Highway and south of the Interstate 95 bridge over Lake Marion. Although the government lists the site as a “priority” for cleanup, virtually nothing has been accomplished despite vigorous and continuous complaints by residents.

Stormwater containing sediment, which is dumped in the creek, has resulted in pollution that restricts recreational use of the lake. Boating, fishing and swimming are virtually impossible and the problems are turning a desirable location to live into a problem area, CPR members say. It was emphasized that all new construction in the area needs sediment fences.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are typically found in fertilizers from agricultural activities, golf courses and home lawns, but they become a problem for the lake if too much fertilizer reaches the water.

“It’s gratifying to see that so many people care,” said Andy Miller, watershed manager of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control’s Bureau of Water. “The conditions at Chapel Branch involve and concern everyone.”

Bruce is aiding the residents in intensifying their efforts to reverse the conditions which have existed for approximately 30 years, since the construction of I-95, and get worse with each passing year. The long-awaited goal is to provide clean, safe and environmentally friendly water.

In a May 19 letter to 25 legislators and government agencies, Bruce stated, “The water flow in Chapel Branch Creek/Cove belongs to Santee Cooper utility and Lake Marion Regional Water. The land at the drainage pipes and throughout most of Chapel Branch is privately owned. The drainage and its accumulated sediment/debris are directed to private property. We contend this is blatantly illegal.”

In the letter, Bruce suggested the following solutions:

n Monitored catch basin and filtering system before water enters Chapel Branch.

n Placing a sediment pond before entering Chapel Branch.

n Removal of the silt and sand accumulation within Chapel Branch.

Chapel Branch residents have had continuing contact with the offices of House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and State Sen. John Matthews in an attempt to resolve the rapidly deteriorating situation.

“Congressman Clyburn has urged our residents to send letters to him, rather than e-mails, and he is working on obtaining funding,” Prescott said.

Matthews has also pledged to help the residents of Chapel Branch. One funding option is the $42 million, 12-state watershed grant announced on June 2 by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Bruce remembers the enjoyment he experienced as a boy on Lake Marion. “We used to fish, boat and play in clean waters,” he said. “Now, we must clean up the silt and pollution issues in the cove.”

“Chapel Branch is a beautiful resource,” added Bruce. “The original creek is recorded on maps of the 1800s. There are ancient Indian artifacts from hundreds of years ago, as well as fish, eagles, herons, egrets, geese and a unique wooden arch span. We need to care.”

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