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How We’re Advocating for the Eno

May 26, 2023 by Eno River Association

Photograph by Saralynn Parker

The Eno River Association is at the forefront of advocacy efforts to protect and preserve the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Eno River and its surrounding areas. The following are some updates on our advocacy efforts and opportunities to support to our cause.

All are welcome to join our Eno Land Use & Advocacy Committee Meetings! Our May meeting focused on our new Development Scorecard which we will launch in early 2024. This rubric will evaluate proposed developments on impacts and benefits for our environment, the people in the community, transportation, and our local economy. Our next meeting is on Thursday, August 10th at 12pm on Zoom.

In the meantime, stay connected to Durham’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Comprehensive Plan process. These proposed plans and regulations are the result of decades of work by City-County Planning staff, Commissioners, Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, and citizens like you. 

And don’t forget to add your comments to Durham’s Growth Management Engagement Initiative | Social Pinpoint (mysocialpinpoint.com), where there are several proposed rezoning projects in the watershed including two at the intersection of Infinity Rd and Roxboro St.

This mapping tool highlights all Zoning Map Change and Annexation requests received from developers by the Planning Department. These applications require an advisory vote at the Planning Commission, and then a final vote by City Council. Zoom in, and click on an orange parcel to see more information about the proposed development. There is a survey where you can submit comments about each case. You can also drag the icons at the top (Traffic/Transit, Environmental Protection/Community Knowledge/etc) to place a comment on a specific location on the map. This tool is a great way to stay informed about & comment on these proposed rezoning requests!

A big thanks to our neighbors for their persistent work to preserve Black Meadow Ridge. We hope to have an announcement in the coming weeks about a collaborative settlement among the neighbors, Eno River Association, and the owner/developer which would protect more than half of these 62 acres from the impacts of the Westpoint project.

And of course, on May 25, 2023 the United States Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of protected wetlands to include those only “with a continuous surface connection to bodies of water that are ‘waters of the United States’ in their own right.” Streams and wetlands in our community and across the country will be negatively, permanently impacted by this interpretation of the Clean Water Act.

The Eno River Association is deeply discouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to curtail the reach of the Clean Water Act, as it will only exacerbate the impacts on waterways and BIPOC communities who already disproportionately suffer from water pollution.

Preserving wetlands is crucial to climate change mitigation, and to safeguarding human health. Wetlands serve as vital environmental buffers, particularly as flooding and erosion events increase. Wetlands ensure fewer pollutants enter our drinking water, and provide valuable habitats for a wide range of important plants and wildlife.

Read more about the ruling here and about the Eno’s response to climate change.

We encourage everyone to explore volunteer opportunities, join our events, and support our fundraising initiatives. Together, we can ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of the Eno River for generations to come.

Filed Under: Eno River News

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Eno River Association
4404 Guess Rd.
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 620-9099

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Did you know last year's Festival for the Eno was Did you know last year's Festival for the Eno was powered by 520 volunteers? Those 520 hard-working, fun-loving folks filled 749 individual shifts over twelve days. Of those 749 shifts, 656 of them were during the two days of the festival. That's a lot of volunteer power!

This year we are looking to fill 873 slots. Yes, you read that right, 873. We need your help. Put your handy skills to work helping to set up or break down the site. Take a few one-hour shifts directing traffic at the gate. Drive a truck through the park to collect bags of recycling and trash.

We're offering a few incentives beyond getting into the festival free of charge. Work five hours over the two days of the festival and get a free raffle ticket. Work two shifts with Trash Free and get a free raffle ticket AND a free t-shirt. 

Find a link to sign up at enofest.org/volunteer

Photo by Thomas Beck

[image description: Two volunteers in t-shirts and shorts stand in the parking lot at the Festival for the Eno. One is holding a stop sign.]
At the core of the Eno River Association’s value At the core of the Eno River Association’s values is a deep commitment to and investment in supporting the communities and people who are most affected by climate change. Climate change is exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities in low-income and marginalized communities, particularly black and brown communities. Many of these communities are more vulnerable to climate change’s impacts because they have limited access to resources, are located in vulnerable areas, have limited political power, and have sustained generations of historical injustices. 

Combating climate change is not just about environmental sustainability; it’s about righting historical injustices and creating a more equitable world for all. You can help by advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of these communities and that address underlying social and economic inequalities. You can also educate yourself about climate change and its effect marginalized communities.

Learn more by reading the climate statement on our website: www.enoriver.org

[image description: five children in lifejackets and smiles pose during a swim in the Eno River.]
Join us on Zoom this coming Friday, June 2nd at no Join us on Zoom this coming Friday, June 2nd at noon for our final Lunch and Learn of 2023! In this session, we will dive into how our work at the Eno River Association is tied to climate change mitigation, as well as what we hope to accomplish in the future -- with an emphasis on our strategic conservation plan. 

We will be sure to leave time for a Q&A, with the intention of engaging YOU — members of the Eno community — in a conversation around these important issues. If you are unable to make it to the session, feel free to email any questions or comments to education@enoriver.org, and we will address them during the session if time allows. 

Register for FREE at the link in our bio. The session will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel afterwards. We hope to see you there!
For three consecutive years now, CT Wilson has bee For three consecutive years now, CT Wilson has been the Title Sponsor for the Festival for the Eno. But they don't stop there...

Outside this sponsorship, CT Wilson employees have volunteered to provide labor to assist with various projects across Eno properties. This spring, CT Wilson's Preconstruction Department spent an afternoon diverting a trail at the Eno River Association Offices for improved safety and replanting vegetation in the rain garden. Check it out the next time you're visiting the Guess Road access at West Point on the Eno. 

"For as long as we are around, we will continue to invest in this community driven organization." - our friends at CT Wilson Construction

Thanks, CT Wilson!

[image description: Photo 1: Seven individuals in work gear stand along a newly built trail with construction tools. Photo 2: A fresh trail cuts through the forest floor leading to a riverside trail. The Eno River can be seen in the background.]
LAST CALL! Photo submissions for the 2024 Eno Cale LAST CALL! Photo submissions for the 2024 Eno Calendar are due Wednesday, May 31st! We want to see all of your beautiful Eno shots, but we are specifically looking to feature the people who use, enjoy, and benefit from the Eno River. Go to our linkin bio to learn more about the submission process, monthly themes, and photograph specifications. We always love showing off the beautiful Eno and are excited for you to help us do just that! 

Photo by Dave Cook, for the 2022 Eno Calendar
It's been a busy couple of months advocating for t It's been a busy couple of months advocating for the Eno -- so our latest blog post shares all the updates and how you can get involved! 

Stay connected with Durham's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Comprehensive Plan process, and make sure to share your comments on Durham's Growth Management Engagement Initiative. We also extend our gratitude to our neighbors for their efforts to preserve Black Meadow Ridge! 

Find the blog post on our website. (Head to the link in our profile, and navigate to "Read our Blog.")

Photo by Saralynn Parker.

[image description: Two volunteers help answer questions at the Eno Advocacy booth at the 2022 Festival for the Eno.]
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