Neighbors in rural Bingham Township are asking tough questions about the Mountain to Sea Trail (MST). Sounds NIMBY? Maybe. Until you take a closer look.
Last week, 200 residents showed up at a county Open House – mostly to express concerns about the county’s plan for the Mountain-to-Sea Trail (MST). Until then, information was not forthcoming about plans for the trail. Bingham homeowners found survey markings and hikers on or near their land and have been asking questions for over a year.
Let’s not forget that this is the community that stopped OWASA from logging the reservoir, UNC from building an airport, and the county from siting a waste facility. We’re still dealing with sewage sludge and a mismatch of services designed for urban neighbors, and many are still holding a grudge over the loss of the thousands of acres of farmland for Cane Creek Reservoir. Bingham has no schools, parks or other amenities that might serve our families. Residents live on high alert, and when we see surveyors or officials in the woods, we know something’s up – and it’s probably not good.
Honestly, most of the trail looks promising with segments that run short distances to connect public green spaces including the Eno River State Park, Occanecchi Speedway/Ayr Mount and the Town of Hillsborough. The hosting communities are dense and welcome the trail as a neighbor – as a preferred alternative to more houses.
The Bingham situation is different. There are no public green spaces in this largely rural community marked with beautiful farms that are centuries old. Homes are remotely placed and neighbors meet up for walks in the woods or at the local dump. Community watch groups are active and, at the suggestion of the sheriff, everyone is on the lookout for unfamiliar cars or other suspicious activity.
So when the neighbors found surveyors on or near their land, they started asking questions. The answers did little to ease growing suspicion, especially among neighbors who live near Cane Creek Reservoir. Since OWASA’s gates are locked, neighbors are particularly concerned that users will access to the trail through private communities – communities that already deal with littering from trespassers who illegally access OWASA’s land.
If OWASA’s land at Cane Creek Reservoir were turned into a public parkland, with controlled access through OWASA’s gates, attitudes might change. That’s how it works at Eno River State Park, Ayr Mount, and other green spaces along the trail. Don’t Bingham residents deserve the same safety features in their community?
One more point: OWASA land is beautiful – but it’s a long distance to the nearest towns (HIllsborough and Saxapahaw). In fact, Bingham communities are expected to host the longest section of the MST- all of it impacting private property owners. So Bingham neighbors are being asked to host long-distance hikers without first discussing green spaces that serve the local community.
Clearly, the discussion of the MST is premature. If Bingham neighbors sound NIMBY, maybe they have a point.
Related Stories
‹
![]()
On Air Today: Wonderful Water with Wil Lawson and Travis RichOrange Water and Sewer Authority's Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Recycling Manager Wil Lawson and Operations Supervisor at Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant Travis Rich spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, March 29th. They discussed the process for OWASA's treatment of wastewater, as well as the availability of the 2022 Wastewater Report Card.
![]()
The Importance of the Mountains to Sea TrailIn August, the board of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) voted to allow the Mountains to Sea Trail to be built along its Cane Creek Reservoir. As part of that decision, OWASA outlined conditions to guide planning and construction of the trail so that it protects water quality, minimizes risk, and respects the privacy […]
![]()
Mountains To Sea Trail Gets Tentative Approval to Cross OWASA LandThe OWASA Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail by tentatively approving the use of its land for the trail in a meeting Thursday night. “We’re here to set some conditions that the county has to consider as they go through the detailed planning for the trail,” said board member David Moreau. […]
![]()
OWASA Board to Discuss Mountains to Sea Trail ThursdayThe OWASA Board will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss previous comments and new conditions about the potential Mountains to Sea Trail utilizing OWASA property. At the previous meeting in July, residents were concerned with the preservation of the Cane Creek water reservoir, fire safety on the trail and proximity to the neighboring houses. As planned at […]
![]()
Mountains to Sea Trail Draws Concern from Orange County CitizensMany community members in Orange County brought concern to the last OWASA Board meeting regarding the proposed route for the Mountains to Sea Trail. The trail could possibly go through OWASA property and some community member’s backyards. The Mountains to Sea Trail is 1150 miles long beginning in the Great Smokey Mountains and ending in […]

OWASA Prepares for Public Hearing While Weighing Latest Round of Rate IncreasesThe Orange Water and Sewer Authority, OWASA, is considering a 7% rate increase to help cover project costs for major infrastructure upgrades.

Water Main Break Closes Chapel Hill Road; OWASA Issues Boil Water Advisory for Affected CustomersThe Orange Water and Sewer Authority responded to a water main break in Chapel Hill on Thursday morning along Willow Drive.
![]()
On Air Today: Wonderful Water With OWASA's Director of Distribution and Collection Jesse DuClauOrange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Director of Distribution and Collection Jesse DuClau joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey for our monthly Wonderful Water conversation. He discussed OWASA's role in supporting Western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene recovery.

Pair of Projects Set to Close E. Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill for Nearly 2 WeeksA popular downtown street in Chapel Hill will close for around two weeks due to a pair of projects, according to the town government. An update shared Thursday said East Rosemary Street between Columbia Street and Henderson Street will close to through traffic starting on Saturday. The projects are the Orange Water and Sewer Authority […]
![]()
Wonderful Water: OWASA Deputy Executive Director Monica DodsonOrange Water and Sewer Authority Deputy Executive Director Monica Dodson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 23. She discussed OWASA's compliance with a 2021 rule requiring an inventory of all of the utility's drinking water service lines. She shared that now lead was found in any of those service lines, but a little over 100 customers will need to have some pipes replaced. She discussed those processes and more.
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines