How We’re Advocating for the Eno

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.