The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation is getting a little help from its friends.

June 7, supporters of PRTF’s legal battle against Martin Marietta Mines are hosting a chicken barbecue fundraiser at Cotton Patch Landing & Marine in Blounts Creek. All proceeds outside of costs will be donated to PTRF, to help fund the cost of the filing a legal challenge to permits issued by the state — permits that last year paved the way to the construction of a 649-acre pit mine in southern Beaufort County.

Bob Boulden, one of the event organizers and an outspoken critic of the state’s choice to issue the permits, said the fundraiser is simply a way of supporting PTRF’s efforts to protect the local environment from what could be uses disastrous to aquatic life. It’s also a social event to bring community focus back on an issue that has been postponed by the courts. After PTRF, the Southern Environmental Law Center and the North Carolina Coastal Federation joined ranks last summer to file the petition, its hearing has been postponed in the state courts and will likely not be heard until a year after its filing.

“To be honest, it does look like the initial hearing is going to be October,” said Harrison Marks, executive director of PTRF.

As one of the potentially aggrieved parties in the case —along with Cotton Patch Landing and Marina owner Jimmy Daniels — Boulden, owner of Miss Bea’s Charters out of Blounts Creek, is doing his part to support PTRF’s efforts on behalf of the eastern North Carolina waterways, and the people who enjoy them recreationally.

The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued in July 2013, allows for the mining company to discharge up to 12 million gallons of freshwater used in the mining process into the headwaters of Blounts Creek. Objections to the permit were cited as follows: the discharge will violate state water quality standards because it will negatively affect Blounts Creek’s biological integrity; it will dramatically change Blounts Creek’s pH; and it will negate Blounts Creek’s classification as swamp waters, which are protected by the state for secondary recreation — wading, boating, fishing and fish consumption, wildlife habitat, aquatic life and agriculture.

While the filing of the petition does not prevent Martin Marietta from starting work on the project, Marks said, as of yet, there has been no indication the mining company has broken ground on the project.

“At least not that we are aware of, but there is not necessarily any notification we would get on that,” Marks said. “We would certainly be interested if anyone is aware of activity.”

Boulden said next Saturday’s event will give people a first-hand opportunity to visit Blounts Creek, via free boat tours. Live music will be provided by another Blounts Creek resident and PTRF supporter, Bob Daw.

For PTRF, the fundraiser represents a role-reversal of sorts — a chance for the community looking out for an organization that serves the community.

“We’re supplying some tables and so on. We’re going to be there supporting the citizens’ efforts, as opposed to them supporting us,” Marks said.

“The fact that we have citizens on their own, they’re taking the initiative and this doing fundraiser on their own — it’s just great,” he continued. “It really is gratifying.”

Cotton Patch Landing & Marine is located at 2018 Cotton Patch Road, Chocowinity. Plates will be sold from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $8 each, to eat at the marina or to take out. For advance tickets or more information, call 252-402-5564.