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Earth Matters Newsreel
September 21, 1996
Web posted at: 7:00 p.m. EDTFloods pollute North Carolina's Neuse River
KINSTON, North Carolina (CNN) -- The Neuse River is in the worst shape in its history, after heavy rain trailing Hurricane Fran flooded the waterway, according to environmentalists.
Sewage treatment plants, overwhelmed by the rains, have dumped millions of gallons of untreated waste into the river, and several hog-waste holding ponds have also been inundated, according to reports from the the Neuse Riverkeeper Environmental group.
Aside from presenting a health risk, sewage and other organic runoffs choke the river's oxygen supply. There are reports of fish as large as 40 pounds being found dead.
In addition, flooded junk yards are leaking oil and grease into the environment.
Pro-redwood demonstrators arrested
CARLOTTA, California (CNN) -- Some 900 people, including singers Bonnie Raitt and Don Henley, were arrested for trespassing last weekend on property owned by Pacific Lumber.
They were protesting the company's plans to log dead and dying trees in its Headwaters Forest, the last privately owned tract of ancient redwoods.
For several days after the large protest September 16, small groups of people blocked gates and roads leading to the forest.
The government is negotiating with Pacific Lumber to exchange part of the forest for federal land. If talks fail, logging could begin as soon as September 30.
Solar energy conference in Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- Delegates from 76 countries attended the first World Solar Summit last week.
They drew up ambitious plans to encourage the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. They also approved a list of more than 300 projects around the world which delegates said, could change the lives of millions.
But the delegates did not figure out how to pay for it all. The meeting's chairman said that lack of money could turn the summit into a "paper promise."
For more environment news, watch CNN's Earth Matters at 5:30 a.m. EDT Saturdays and 3 p.m. EDT Sundays.
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