Brunswick County, North Carolina, is facing an urgent infrastructure crisis that demands immediate action from local authorities. Our water and sewage systems are currently at risk of or currently operating at full capacity. Our water usage already reaching 80% of our available supply last year.  As our population continues to double at an unprecedented rate, these systems are being pushed beyond their limits, risking severe disruptions in essential services.

The rapid growth and unchecked expansion of residential developments exacerbate this issue, further straining our aging infrastructure. Our roads, unable to accommodate the increased traffic, have become dangerously congested, leading to heightened risks of accidents and fatalities. Moreover, our vital emergency services—fire, police, and EMS—are severely understaffed, undermining their ability to protect and respond to the community’s needs effectively.

We seek a reasonable and temporary moratorium on new residential developments, excluding commercial constructions and single-family homes built on privately owned lots. This moratorium will not affect developments that are currently underway; rather, it aims to prevent further strain on our resources until sustainable solutions are implemented. Without these measures, the "health and safety" of Brunswick County’s residents are at significant risk.

Local officials must prioritize upgrading and expanding infrastructure to support existing and future residents adequately. This includes investing in modern water and sewage systems, improving road safety and capacity, and adequately staffing emergency services to ensure community safety.

Brunswick County stands at a crossroads; the decision to implement a temporary moratorium, pause represents cautious progress rather than stagnation. By acting now, we can secure a healthier, safer, and sustainable future for all residents.

Sign this petition to urge Brunswick County officials to impose a moratorium on new residential developments until comprehensive infrastructure improvements are made. Our health, safety, and well-being depend on this temporary moratorium, pause.

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To NCDEQ, State and Local Leaders;

Petition for a Temporary Moratorium/Pause on New Residential Developments in Brunswick County

 Urgent Request for a Temporary Moratorium/Pause Due to Current Sewage Capacity Issues

We, the undersigned residents of Brunswick County, hereby submit this petition to express our urgent concern regarding the critical state of our water and sewage infrastructure. Recent developments have highlighted significant capacity issues that require immediate action to protect our community and its essential services.

1. Sewage Capacity Concerns: The NCDEQ has already halted new developments for sewer connections due to capacity limitations. However, this moratorium/pause needs to expand to all new residential developments to prevent further strain on our already challenged systems. We will see an even bigger strain during our tourist season.

2. Untreated Wastewater Discharges: In the past year alone, our community has experienced over a million gallons of untreated wastewater discharges due to breaks and capacity issues. This situation poses a public health and safety risk. It threatens our water quality and quality of life.

3. Water Supply Limitations: Last summer and fall, our water supply struggled to meet demand, highlighting ongoing capacity constraints that could impact our community’s health and safety.

4. Electricity Capacity Risks: Our electricity provider, BEMC, has indicated that we are nearing capacity limits and is urging residents to reduce usage during peak hours. This adds additional stress on our community's resources.

5. Economic Growth Considerations: We recognize the importance of accommodating commercial properties to foster economic growth in our county. Therefore, we advocate for the temporary moratorium/pause to exclude commercial developments while addressing residential capacity issues.

We respectfully call upon the Brunswick County Government and NCDEQ to implement a temporary moratorium/pause on all new residential developments until the following actions are taken:

- Comprehensive assessments of the current sewage and water infrastructure.
- Clear plans for improvements to handle existing and future demand.
- Engagement with residents to discuss sustainable growth that balances infrastructure limits and economic development.

This temporary moratorium/pause is crucial to safeguard our community's well-being and infrastructure. This is for our county residents "health and safety." We urge you to act swiftly to ensure a healthy, safe, and sustainable future for Brunswick County.