Jillian Riley
Photograph by Michael Langston
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor is a non-partisan chair, and one of many positions on the ballot this upcoming election, the notable responsibilities of which include: protecting and improving a county's natural resources while assisting communities in natural resource management in topics such as flood control, erosion and sediment control, and source water protection.
We got the word from candidate Jillian Riley on her intention for election.
If elected, to whom will you make your first phone call on your first day on the job?
My first phone call will be to my family. They have been with me every step of the way in this campaign, so I can’t wait to call them on my first day! However, my second phone call will be to Eddie Culberson who’s the Staff Director of the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District. One of the first things I want to do is to update the grant information on our website to have a more transparent process, leading to a more equitable distribution of funds to all Durham county residents.
What makes conservation efforts necessary?
To be honest, conservation efforts are necessary because they weren’t prioritized for decades. Local, state, and federal environmental regulations are still relatively new to the policy world. Durham was the first city and county in North Carolina to introduce an environmental plan at the local level in 2007. In the large scheme of policy, 2007 was just a few years ago!
We’ve known about environmental justice and conservation needs for decades. Duke Energy was informed of possible water contamination issues back in the 1970s, but today, we still have to fight to end corporate pollution in order to protect clean water.
Where does Durham's drinking water come from?
Durham gets its drinking water from surface water sources. The two primary sources are Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir. Supplementary water is supplied by Jordan Lake and Teer Quarry. The two treatment plants in Durham are the Williams Water Treatment Plant and the Brown Water Treatment Plant.
How can Industry contribute to keeping our water clean?
We all play a role in keeping our water safe. Reducing pesticides on lawns or in gardens can go a long way to improving overall water quality. We draw invisible boundaries of county or city lines, determining who holds the most responsibility over regulating different bodies of water, but the truth is that they all eventually connect; whether its streams feeding into rivers into oceans or a natural disaster like a hurricane due to climate change or flood.
There are so many things industries can do on an individual level, but one thing I’d like to see more of is our Durham companies actually advocating for clean energy initiatives as a collective. It’s often left up to activists to rally businesses into doing the best thing for our environment, but we need Industry to pick up the slack and work to help pass initiatives like a Green New Deal for Durham.
What metrics are used to gather data and assess our soil and water?
When we test the soil, we look for different levels of nutrients that contribute to low or high pH levels. The top variables we examine are: nitrogen, phosphorous, and organic carbon. Reducing high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous is important for overall soil and water quality. If you’re interested in testing your soil, you can call the NC Cooperative Extension in Durham. They work with farmers, growers, and residents in Durham to help ensure good soil health.
A newer technique that some Soil and Water Conservation Districts are looking at is Carbon Farm Planning. Carbon Farm Planning is a training that works with farmers in the community to optimize carbon capture, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Using innovative farming techniques is necessary to protect soil health in Durham and all over North Carolina.
Which factors most greatly impact the water quality in Durham?
Urban runoff, or nonpoint source pollution, is a major issue in Durham. As we continue to develop, we reduce our green spaces and increase impervious surfaces like concrete. Soil is a natural way to absorb and break down pollutants, so without it, we see large amounts of urban pollutants that come off roofs, driveways, and roads and run straight into our stormwater system and eventually lead into our drinking water.
How does urban development affect our Durham ecosystem?
I’ll often say jokingly that Durham is one big flood zone, but the sad reality is that’s kind of true. Minimizing environmental impact is not priority when it comes to development. Even when development is something positive like affordable housing units, the plans for these homes rarely include green spaces, parks, and community gardens. When we replace fields with buildings, we’re increasing impervious surfaces and reducing the soil’s natural ability to soak up excess water. I think environmental impact needs to be at the forefront of conversation in regards to development, not pushed aside for the sake of expansion.
A more sustainable Durham looks like a Green New Deal to lead the way in developing holistic plans that makes for a more sustainable community. It’s working to develop affordable housing, improve transportation, provide green jobs, and increase environmental education indicatives, all while upholding the values of environmental justice.
How do we reduce our fossil fuel dependency?
Duke Energy is a monopoly and not surprisingly, they are the #1 campaign contributor in the state. When you control the lights in every house or building – you have a lot of power. Too much power. There are campaigns to end the Duke Energy Monopoly and working to pass legislation to do so is vital to getting off our fossil fuel dependency.
The overall cost of solar has gone down dramatically in the past few years. In 2020, the cost of coal is more than triple the cost of solar energy. If we invested in solar energy, our energy bills would actually go down over time. Right now, we pay more in electric bills just to keep the decades old dirty coal plants functioning than we would if we transitioned away from coal entirely.
Innovation is crucial, especially in government. It often feels like government is behind the curve on environmentalism, but when it comes to environmental sustainability it is very important for our leaders to be thinking ahead.
I also support the hemp industry and North Carolina is in its 4th year of a pilot program for it. Hemp is used as food, CBD oil, and fibers for clothing, and can help prevent soil erosion by absorbing Co2 emissions which improves the health of air and soil.
What would you say to Durham's Planning Commission?
We need to develop a more transparent process for real community engagement, because public comment periods aren’t enough. The decision to approve developments should be decided after hearing from the people, not behind a closed door.