| • In 1995, 25 million
gallons of hog waste had spilled into the New River. That
is more hog waste than the oil that spilled from the Exxon
Valdese. As the red-orange plume traveled down the New
River, more people became aware of how polluted the river
already was; there was little effect from the massive spill. |
 |
| • The following summer, a series
of fish kills were attributed to various microorganisms.
Dr. Joanne Burkholder of NC State University attributed
some of the kills to pfisteria. She had linked that organism
to increased man-made pollution, and subsequently complained
that she and a lab assistant had become seriously injured
from the vapors of the organism under study in her lab. |
 |
| • In 1997, newly elected leaders
of the City of Jacksonville held a series of summits for
the citizens. The largest, where nearly 800 people attended,
produced a series of concerns. A key group of concerns
dealt with returning the uses of the river to the public,
making use of the river as an asset, making the waterways
of the community a source of pride. |
 |
| • About the same time, the City
was preparing for the turnover of the Wilson Bay Wastewater
Treatment Plant. For nearly 40 years, the City had discharged
the treated effluent from the plant into the Bay. The Bay
was devoid of sustainable life, produced a foul odor when
disturbed and was not a source of recreation, commercial
value and was not sought after as a scenic vista. |
 |
|
Putting 
