To the Editor:
North Carolina is investing heavily in a fishing reef system in the Pamlico River. A recent Pamlico Tar River Foundation Fishing Seminar drew a capacity crowd of 70 with 30 more fishing enthusiasts on the waiting list. As the economy turns slowly around, business is picking up at area boating and related businesses. Wonderful, but will all this work and investment be lost if we allow Martin Marietta to damage or destroy the river environment and fish supporting habitat by flooding sensitive estuarine areas with mining waste water that will significantly alter the river water’s Ph balance? Is it worth the convenience of easy access to the mine’s gravel and just a few jobs? Our river and our people are our greatest assets.
We have the opportunity to create a world class fishing environment that could draw fishermen and their families from all over the region, revive the tournaments of the past, and significantly enhance the business environment for hundreds, not just a few. If you believe as I do that this mine is just too great a risk, please attend the public hearing at 7 p.m. March 14 in Building 8 of our Beaufort Community College. Let your beliefs be known. Help protect our precious resource and enhance our business climate for our children, our grandchildren, and theirs. Thank you very much.
RICHARD M. ZABLOCKI
Washington