"We've been fighting this for years. It just gets progressively worse," resident Margaret Johnson said. "We've gone to everybody that we can possibly think of, and we have gotten no support and no help so far."
Johnson and her husband, Henry, said they're angry at Northamption County officials, the state Department of Transportation, local developers and state environmental officials.
Stormwater runoff washes over a nearby road and ends up in the lake, carrying with it silt and other debris, the couple said. The DOT has unsuccessfully patched storm drains in the area, they said, and no one else appears willing to get involved to solve the matter.
A vanload of Northampton County commissioners recently visited the neighborhood to get a look at the problem. Chairwoman Virginia Spruill said the commissioners would explore every possible idea to find a solution.
The Johnsons said they hope a commitment from the county would help enforce pollution laws and get the cove cleaned up.
"I am honestly considering selling the house and moving myself. I've been very upset. This is supposed to be our retirement, and it's turned out to be a big nightmare," Margaret Johnson said.
The Johnsons said they are reluctant to tell their part-time neighbors of the problem, afraid they will move and nobody will want to buy homes in the neighborhood.
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