The Wilmington morning star., 1946-06-16
Problem Of Pollution

IN full manhood and can give you a real
battle.
This is highly applicable to the
pollution of North Carolina rivers with
industrial waste. Right now, it is not a
general condition to cause undue alarm
but as the state progresses industrially
it will become one tremendously hard
to correct. We would find ourselves in
a position comparable to other states,
especially in the northeast, wrestling
with pollution.
Because of Wilmington's location on
the Cape Fear, we thought it proper to
look into the situation.
Not only are we dependent upon the
river for our water and a big role IN
TRANSFORMATION but from it many COM
mercial fishermen obtain a livelihood.
Therefore, it's protection is highly vital
to our interests. This concern is not in
selfish spirit but one of conservation.
We would be the last to discourage To-
cation of new industries on this and
other North Carolina rivers but we do
want full realization of their obliga-
lions to process their waste so as not
to reduce the present value, especially
as to marine life, of these streams to
their communities.
A review of what the state has done
to keep down pollution and it's future
plans is in order.
The North Carolina Stream Santa
ton and Conservation commission was
formed sometime ago and, despite the
handicap of no funds, is now function
ing. 1t is composed Of representatives
from the State Board of Health, the
Department of Conservation and De-
velopment, the State Planning board,
the School of Public Health, munich
palities and industries. James Jarrett,
of the Board of Health, is chairman.
Currently, it's most important work
is a preliminary survey of the states
rivers to determine the extent of pol
luton. This includes study of each bas-
in, list of it's industries, whether they
are treating their waste and it's gener-
al effect upon the quality of the water.
Meantime, whenever an aggravating
situation arises, the commission seeks
to solve it Gin the spirit of coopera-
ton with the offending plant.
This survey, we understand, will be
the basis Of the commissions proposed
report at the next session of the Cen
eral Assembly.
A possibility of potential Federal as
s~istance in the interim is seen in recent
approval by the House Rivers and Har-
bors committee of legislation authoriz-
ing al annual appropriation of $780,
100000 to combat stream pollution.
Through its jurisdiction over navigable
streams, the United States government
would be given broad authority to COM
pei compliance with plans to purify
water polluted by industrial, sewage
and other waste.
North Cardinals guard against de-
Element of it's streams cannot be term
ed a strong one. The commission is
without finances and is short of per-
sonnet. 1t has no law enforcement DOW
ers except those available under the
state sanitation and health code. It is
without a real weapon against the con-
trary, unreasonable industrialist as
long as his factory's waste is not p
menace to public health.
The proposed report will ~undoubted-
ly forecast greater trouble from poll,,-
ton, not only in the Piedmont but the
east, rapidly growing in heavy indus
tries. Our legislators should be giving
this problem sincere consideration. nre-
pairing themselves for the time to vote
laws with teeth in them" to protect
the state from pollution that can easilv
gro" TO the point where it will require
expenditure of thousands and thou
SANDS OF dollars for it's correction.
ElI