As an environmental activist artist, I urge you to share this Delete Apathy post.
James Island Creek and Shem Creek are tidal creeks no longer safe for swimming and the Charleston Waterkeeper with Coastal Conservation League are working diligently to change this reality with the help of concerned citizens. Waterways belong to the public and need our protection from pollution.
Scientific testing shows that concentrations of bacteria in James Island Creek exceed water quality standards 97% of the time and Shem Creek 87%. Fecal matter carries pathogens and can cause upset stomach, skin infections, sore throats, and numerous health problems. I began to get sick from swimming in 2012 and my dock is now one of 15 locations for 7 years of collecting data by the Charleston Waterkeeper. This is bad news but DHEC, our town, county, city and state government are required by law to become active in the clean up to reduce these horrible bacterial counts. This cleanup is done through a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that will put both creeks on a “bacteria pollution diet.”
Pollution diet plans must include:
- Looking at ways to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces
- Removing or fixing up old septic tanks
- Septic tank inspection and maintenance requirements
- Stoping sewer overflows into the creek
- Prioritizing nearby sewer lines for floodwater inflow and infiltration elimination work
- Pet and animal waste clean up
- Time and money
We need to hold our city and towns accountable for setting timelines and implementing projects. Public engagement is needed. The Intergovernmental Panel Committee on James Island is the perfect group to lead the way and motivate our communities to solve this problem once and for all. The Town of James Island, the City of Charleston, and Charleston County need to know clean creeks are important to you and that they have your support for taking action to solve this problem once and for all.
Below are meetings you can attend and email and letter references for your location:
| CITY COUNCIL MEETING DAY |
CITY COUNCIL MEETING LOCATION |
| January 14, 2020 |
City Hall |
| January 28, 2020 |
TBA |
| February 11, 2020 |
City Hall |
| February 25, 2020 |
City Hall |
| March 10, 2020 |
City Hall |
| March 24, 2020 |
TBA |
| April 14, 2020 |
City Hall |
| April 28, 2020 |
City Hall |
| May 12, 2020 |
City Hall |
| May 26, 2020 |
TBA |
| June 16, 2020 |
City Hall |
| July 21, 2020 |
City Hall |
| August 18, 2020 |
City Hall |
| September 8, 2020 |
City Hall |
| September 22, 2020 |
TBA |
| October 13, 2020 |
City Hall |
| October 27, 2020 |
City Hall |
| November 10, 2020 |
City Hall |
| November 24, 2020 |
TBA |
| December 1, 2020 |
City Hall |
| December 15, 2020 |
City Hall |
And here are some other helpful links:
Creek Action Alert
As an environmental activist artist, I urge you to share this Delete Apathy post.
James Island Creek and Shem Creek are tidal creeks no longer safe for swimming and the Charleston Waterkeeper with Coastal Conservation League are working diligently to change this reality with the help of concerned citizens. Waterways belong to the public and need our protection from pollution.
Scientific testing shows that concentrations of bacteria in James Island Creek exceed water quality standards 97% of the time and Shem Creek 87%. Fecal matter carries pathogens and can cause upset stomach, skin infections, sore throats, and numerous health problems. I began to get sick from swimming in 2012 and my dock is now one of 15 locations for 7 years of collecting data by the Charleston Waterkeeper. This is bad news but DHEC, our town, county, city and state government are required by law to become active in the clean up to reduce these horrible bacterial counts. This cleanup is done through a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) that will put both creeks on a “bacteria pollution diet.”
Pollution diet plans must include:
We need to hold our city and towns accountable for setting timelines and implementing projects. Public engagement is needed. The Intergovernmental Panel Committee on James Island is the perfect group to lead the way and motivate our communities to solve this problem once and for all. The Town of James Island, the City of Charleston, and Charleston County need to know clean creeks are important to you and that they have your support for taking action to solve this problem once and for all.
Below are meetings you can attend and email and letter references for your location:
And here are some other helpful links: