Who is protecting our water? On Aug. 8, all five members of the Sussex Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a 24 hour 7-Eleven quick market/ fueling station with 16 pumps adjacent to a 117-acre source water wellhead on Route 24 and Angola Road.
Although Angola area homeowners raised concerns about the fueling station being located adjacent to this area which includes the Sarah Run stream and wetlands, not a single commissioner asked a question regarding potential harmful impacts to our source of water and the environment, despite the fact that the 2019 Sussex County Comprehensive Plan states that businesses with hazardous chemicals should not be built adjacent to source water wellheads.
Prevention is the best way to keep water clean. Gas stations and dry cleaners are always listed as companies that should not be located near source water wellheads.
Gov. John Carney recently appointed J. Michael Riemann, PE, engineer and senior associate with Becker Morgan, for a position on the Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee, that provides policy advice and initiates, develops, and recommends projects to the governor and the Delaware General Assembly concerning drinking water and wastewater facilities.
This same J. Michael Riemann, P.E. represented CU2176 KH Sussex, LLC, that is seeking approval for the 7-Eleven fueling station, at the P&Z and county council hearings. Mr. Riemann stated that this is the perfect location.
Who is protecting our water? The Sussex County Council? The governor? The General Assembly? Will someone please step forward.
Bonnie Crawford RN, BSN
Lewes
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