Keep Laurens County Clean – Community Rallies Together and Fund Established
July 18, 2021
It’s been a little over a week since the news spread around the county of a permit pending for a hauled wastewater receiving and evaporation facility at 13233 Highway 56 North, near Clinton.
Interest, questions and concerns continue and many in the community are coming together to make their voices heard and hopefully prevent H2O Blue from moving forward with the facility.
Last week there was a community meeting and with just 24 hours’ notice over 135 people attended the meeting. The Keep Laurens County Clean Facebook page was created to share information and provide updates to those who are interested and concerned citizens have been encouraged to contact Randy Thompson with their concerns and to request a public meeting.
Organizers of Keep Laurens County Clean and concerned citizens have also retained legal counsel to facilitate the process of opposing the permit and establishment of the wastewater treatment facility in Laurens County.
“I’ve been retained by Keep Laurens County Clean. I’ve reviewed H2O Blue’s wastewater permit application and believe this facility could have a significant adverse air and water impact on Clinton and its surrounding communities,” said attorney Gene McCall. “I’m glad concerned citizens will fight this permit and hope that others will join in opposition.”
McCall is recognized for his environmental expertise and has practiced law in South Carolina for over thirty years. He’s an AV rated attorney and has a PhD in Environmental Health Engineering. McCall has served twice on a National Science Foundation panel and was a member of the SC Governor’s Water Law Review Committee. He has been an Asst. Professor of Engineering and an Adj. Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina. In addition to his law practice, he is currently an Adj. Professor of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University.
How can you help?
A fund has been established at Arthur State Bank in Clinton to raise money to fight the permit. The Keep Laurens County Clean fund was established on Friday. Anyone wishing to contribute is welcome to do so. No amount is too small. All proceeds will be used to defend the position of concerned citizens.
If you haven’t already, please call Mr. Randy Thompson at DHEC and request a public meeting in Clinton. Please be professional and respectful in your remarks. Mr. Thompson’s contact information is [email protected] and (803)898-4314. Please also send written comments to Mr. Thompson’s email prior to August 1st.
Also, if you would like to receive email updates, please email [email protected] and you will be added to the list.
