Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Feb. 22, 2005

Wilmington, N.C. – University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Department of Environmental Studies is sponsoring a forum on the proposed Hugo Neu recycling facility, planned for the town of Navassa, N.C., from 7-9 p.m., Monday, March 7, in King Hall Auditorium on the UNCW campus. Robert H. Cutting, assistant professor of environmental studies at UNCW and an attorney with over 30 years experience in environmental law and policy, litigation and mediation, will moderate.

The Hugo Neu companies have proposed a storage and trans-shipment facility on a portion of their approximately 750-acre site in the town of Navassa so that recycled materials from vehicles can be shipped around the world as markets develop. This proposal has given rise to controversy and litigation by opponents, such as the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and local environmental groups.

The public is invited to attend and hear representatives of the company and project opponents discuss the specific impacts of this proposal. Discussion topics include the storage of materials, water quality and wetlands, toxics and land use issues, and economic impacts. Also addressed will be policy issues, including the need for recycling, possible alternatives for the site and the permitting process.

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Media contact: Robert Cutting at 910/962-3140.