Chapel Branch has waited long enough
Sunday, June 28, 2009THE ISSUE: Chapel Creek pollution
OUR OPINION: Polluted site should be real ‘priority’
The pollution problems at Chapel Branch on Lake Marion at Santee should have been addressed years ago. The sediment produced by storm water runoff from Interstate 95 and other roads has turned the once-peaceful cove into a many-times-dry collection of sandbars. With the sediment comes pollution that restricts boat movement, kills fish and makes swimming less than desirable.
The pollution has been an issue since the construction of Interstate 95 three decades ago. Despite the efforts of residents to have the problem addressed on the local, state and federal levels, the sediment continues to pour into Chapel Branch -- even with the site being listed as a priority for government cleanup.
It seems that a plethora of agencies and officials are aware of the problem and know the need for a solution. Yet direct responsibility seems to fall to know one.
In this time of public service projects, for Chapel Creek to be ignored is disgraceful. Constructing a retention system that no longer makes Chapel Branch the site to which all sediment flows is a priority. Cleaning up the cove is a priority.
Mark Bruce is in the new position of Santee riverkeeper. His organization, the Santee Riverkeeper Alliance, promotes respecting and protecting the waters of the Santee River, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie.
He has gone on the offensive to help Chapel Creek residents, who have formed an organization known as Chapel Branch People for Restoration. CPR is doing anything the members can to drum up support and funds to help clean up their home on Lake Marion.
Recently, Bruce and members of CPR sent letters to state and federal officials/agencies — 28 total — informing them of the issues, their concerns and their findings after years of living with the problem.
“We sent out the letters to ask them to help correct the problem. Because obviously with a little foresight all of this could have been prevented. ... Everyone that needs to know about the issues in Chapel Branch are aware. It has been brought up numerous times in the past and now the pollution and the sediment are choking off the creek,” Bruce said.
The letter was very direct. As Bruce said, “We contend that what is happening is illegal. The public trust waters and the ecosystems are being damaged. Based on the Clean Water Act, I do believe this is illegal and needs to be taken care of.”
Bruce and CPR have the attention of U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, who represents the area as 6th District congressman, and state Sen. John Matthews, who District 39 includes Chapel Creek. Both leaders have committed to assisting the residents in getting action.
For his part, Clyburn has urged residents to right letters seeking assistance. He also has called for a petition requesting governmental action. Armed with such formal requests and the documented history of the Chapel Creek problem, Clyburn may be in position to push a solution.
The congressman certainly could make the case for dollars coming from the source cited by Matthews as a possibility for Chapel Creek: the $42 million, 12-state watershed grant announced on June 2 by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The time has come to eliminate the Chapel Creek pollution problem. Political leaders, state and federal agencies, and any others involved, must commit to a solution. The people and the environment have waited long enough.
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