A North Carolina state lawmaker has expressed concern that existing regulations from the state's environmental agency could slow down recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. State Representative Jake Johnson, a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, believes that rules enforced by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) could impede rebuilding efforts, particularly in areas near rivers, where much of the damage has occurred.
Johnson pointed out that the general assembly had already addressed some of the regulations related to debris removal, such as allowing burning to clear out damaged areas. However, he suggested that additional rules, like those dictating the proximity of developments to rivers, may need to be relaxed to expedite recovery. "We need to look at temporarily suspending some of the regulations on how close you can work to a river to avoid unnecessary delays," Johnson said. He emphasized that recovery teams are working in challenging conditions, and additional enforcement from the DEQ could hinder their efforts.
He indicated that the Republican-controlled General Assembly would likely push to relax certain environmental regulations seen as obstacles to recovery. Although Johnson acknowledged that Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, may not initiate these rollbacks independently, he believed Cooper would sign off on them if they reached his desk. Johnson cited a recent legislative effort that received bipartisan support, which included easing restrictions on debris removal through burning.
Fellow state representative Ray Pickett echoed Johnson's concerns, particularly regarding the DEQ's approval processes for infrastructure rebuilding. Pickett highlighted the need to speed up the restoration of wastewater treatment plants, which were damaged by the hurricane, and urged the DEQ to act quickly. He noted that the agency has not always been efficient in the past.
The DEQ responded by emphasizing its commitment to recovery efforts, stating that it had requested recent regulatory rollbacks and was using "all available flexibility" to assist in the restoration of critical infrastructure. A spokesperson from the department stressed that DEQ staff had been on the ground during and after the storm, providing support and assessments.
Governor Cooper's office also responded, noting that he had issued an executive order allowing for the waiving of certain environmental regulations to ensure that water systems and other critical needs could be addressed swiftly. The order empowers the DEQ to expedite repairs and grants discretion to waive requirements for projects related to water quality to help speed up recovery efforts.
As recovery continues, state lawmakers and agencies alike are grappling with the balance between environmental protection and the urgent need to rebuild communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
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