Wendell News Outlet

Dear Friends of the Neuse River:

I wanted to inform you that I resigned as the Upper Neuse Riverkeeper effective August 1, 2008. I wanted to thank everyone for your involvement in clean water issues and supporting the Neuse Riverkeeper program. Your direct participation has helped the Neuse River Foundation win many important issues and has helped advance the long term protection of Falls Lake and the Neuse River. Over the last seven years, it has been my privilege to work with thousands of citizens at the grassroots level to serve as a voice for the Neuse River.

While I am very proud of the many successes we have had over the years, I want to emphasize that a tremendous amount of work needs to be done to ensure future generations have clean water. The Neuse River Basin is one of the fastest growing river basins in the nation. Increasing population growth combined with poor land use practices will continue to degrade our water resources. Local governments need to implement strong stormwater programs and strictly enforce sedimentation pollution control laws to control runoff from construction activity.

As we have seen with recent droughts, our drinking water supplies will continue to be strained due to global climate change and unsustainable development practices that fail to link projected population growth to available water supplies. We need local governments to understand there are limits to growth and avoid short-sighted solutions like inter-basin water transfers or restricting flows to the river and downstream communities. Many of the solutions to deal with these problems already exist, but we need our elected officials to recognize the environmental and economic value of clean water rather than cave into industry lobbyists who profit from compromising our public trust waters.

For 15 years, the Neuse Riverkeeper program has served as an important voice for the Neuse River and your continued support will help keep it running strong. The Waterkeeper movement has proven to be successful on a worldwide level, and we will continue to see success here on important clean water issues as long as there is a Riverkeeper to strongly advocate for communities who depend on a clean and healthy Neuse River. It has been an honor to serve as your Upper Neuse Riverkeeper but it is time for someone else to serve as the voice for the river. I cannot thank you enough for all your support and the wonderful memories. It has truly changed my life and strengthened my dedication to protect our water resources.

Sincerely,

Dean Naujoks

Message from the NRF Board President

Dear Friends:

Dean Naujoks resigned from the position of Upper Neuse Riverkeeper effective August 1, 2008 to pursue other opportunities. Dean has been known for his passion and commitment to water quality issues and has been a strong advocate for the Neuse River. He worked tirelessly on behalf of Falls Lake water quality and developed the Muddy Water Watch program which is addressing construction site storm water runoff issues. Work on both of these and all other Upper Neuse programs as sponsored by the Neuse River Foundation will continue with the same energy.

We wish Dean well as he accepts new challenges.

Sincerely,

Dave McCracken

Board President