Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Friday, September 30, 2011
High Country Press: End of Comment Period on New River Reclassification. Objections Could Trigger Legislative Review
Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 is the final day to submit public comments on the requested reclassification of the South Fork of the New River to the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The new surface water classification is the next step in the Town of Boone's efforts to secure a permit to build a new 4-million-gallon-per-day raw water intake facility on the South Fork of the New River in the Brownwood area near Todd.
If the Environmental Mangament Commission (EMC) adopts the proposed surface water classification, it will then be subject to review by the Rules Review Commission, an executive agency appointed by the NC General Assembly that is charged with reviewing and approving rules adopted by state agencies. If the Rules Review Commission receives 10 or more written and signed letters objecting to the rule (the reclassification) by 5 pm on the day following the commission's approval of the rule, the rule is then subject to legislative review. If a bill disapproving the rule is introduced before the 31st legislative day of the General Assembly's regular session and enacted into law, the rule will not become effective.
If the Environmental Mangament Commission (EMC) adopts the proposed surface water classification, it will then be subject to review by the Rules Review Commission, an executive agency appointed by the NC General Assembly that is charged with reviewing and approving rules adopted by state agencies. If the Rules Review Commission receives 10 or more written and signed letters objecting to the rule (the reclassification) by 5 pm on the day following the commission's approval of the rule, the rule is then subject to legislative review. If a bill disapproving the rule is introduced before the 31st legislative day of the General Assembly's regular session and enacted into law, the rule will not become effective.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Jefferson Post: Public input period on Brownwood water intake open
A public hearing concerning the New River's reclassification will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 7 pm at Green Valley Elementary School, 189 Big Hill Road, Boone (near Meat Camp).
All who are concerned about the future of the New River are encouraged to attend.
In addition, public comments on this issue are encouraged. They should be sent to Elizabeth Kountis, Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699. Fax 919 807 6497. Phone 919 807 6418. Email: Elizabeth.Kountis@ncdenr.gov.
All who are concerned about the future of the New River are encouraged to attend.
In addition, public comments on this issue are encouraged. They should be sent to Elizabeth Kountis, Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699. Fax 919 807 6497. Phone 919 807 6418. Email: Elizabeth.Kountis@ncdenr.gov.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Town of Boone Seeks More Water Resources
The Town of Boone is requesting a reclassification of the water status of a section of the New River near Brownwood to allow for their proposed water intake plant there for Boone's water supply. This reclassification is a necessary step in Boone's building the water intake plant in Brownwood.
Public comments on this proposed reclassification are encouraged. They should be sent by September 30, 2011 to Elizabeth Kountis, Division of Water Quality (DENR), Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-1617. Phone 919 807 6418. Fax 919 807 6497. Email Elizabeth.Kountis@ncdenr.gov.
In addition, there will be a public meeting at Green Valley Elementary School, 189 Big Hill Road, Boone NC 28607 (off 194 near Meat Camp) on August 30, 2011 at 7 pm where the public can voice their views on this proposed water reclassification and water intake plant. All are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions.
Many residents of Ashe County have voiced opposition to Boone's proposed water intake plant which is on the border of Ashe County. Position Papers presented at a well-attended 2009 public hearing argued that it would affect the water quality of the New River in Ashe County, having an environmental and economic impact on this prime natural and historic resource of Ashe County. The water from the New River as it enters Ashe County would be piped miles back to Boone, used for Boone's water supply, and replaced with Boone's treated waste water, including untreated waste pharmaceuticals. The reason the proposed plant would be located on the border of Ashe County is that only there is the flow of the water large enough for Boone to legally take the amount of water they wish to take. The New River is an historic American Heritage River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. Ashe County residents have argued this proposed plant would harm one of their prime natural and economic resources and that other alternatives exist for Boone's growing water demands.
North Carolina's Division of Water Resources (DWR) and Division of Environmental Health (DEH) do not object to Boone's proposed water intake plant. The state has issued a finding of "no significant impact" (FONSI) from the proposed plant.
Public comments on this proposed reclassification are encouraged. They should be sent by September 30, 2011 to Elizabeth Kountis, Division of Water Quality (DENR), Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-1617. Phone 919 807 6418. Fax 919 807 6497. Email Elizabeth.Kountis@ncdenr.gov.
In addition, there will be a public meeting at Green Valley Elementary School, 189 Big Hill Road, Boone NC 28607 (off 194 near Meat Camp) on August 30, 2011 at 7 pm where the public can voice their views on this proposed water reclassification and water intake plant. All are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions.
Many residents of Ashe County have voiced opposition to Boone's proposed water intake plant which is on the border of Ashe County. Position Papers presented at a well-attended 2009 public hearing argued that it would affect the water quality of the New River in Ashe County, having an environmental and economic impact on this prime natural and historic resource of Ashe County. The water from the New River as it enters Ashe County would be piped miles back to Boone, used for Boone's water supply, and replaced with Boone's treated waste water, including untreated waste pharmaceuticals. The reason the proposed plant would be located on the border of Ashe County is that only there is the flow of the water large enough for Boone to legally take the amount of water they wish to take. The New River is an historic American Heritage River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. Ashe County residents have argued this proposed plant would harm one of their prime natural and economic resources and that other alternatives exist for Boone's growing water demands.
North Carolina's Division of Water Resources (DWR) and Division of Environmental Health (DEH) do not object to Boone's proposed water intake plant. The state has issued a finding of "no significant impact" (FONSI) from the proposed plant.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Citizens Opposed to Boone Water Intake Prep Comments for USDA Public Has Until January 4 To Submit Comments on Environmental Assessment
New High Country Press article about Boone's proposed water intake plant on the New River. Article brings out opposing arguments to the plant, details how public can respond to the newly released Environmental Assessment by Jan. 4. Click on headline about to view article.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Winston Salem Journal Report on newly released Environmental Assessment Report for New River Intake Plant
Winston Salem Journal's newest December 15 report on Environmental Assessment Report. Click on headline above to view.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Watauga Democrat: Environmental Assessment report on New River water intake plant released
Watauga Democrat's December 4, 2009 article about release of Envrionmental Assessment Report for Town of Boone's proposed water intake plant on the New River. Click on title above to view.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Environmental Assessment
The Envrionmental Assessment report for Boone's proposed water intake plant on the New River is now available online at the Town of Boone's website posted here. It can be reviewed and is available for public comment. Responses should be in writing--letters, not emails--addressed to Sandra Lawrence, USDA Rural Development Office, 134 Government Circle, Suite 201, Jefferson NC 28640, to be received by January 4, 2010. According to Sandra Lawrence, USDA Rural Development State Director Randall Gore will make the final decision about the proposed plant after reviewing the public comments. He is is newly appointed, Oct. 6, 2009, by the Obama Administration. All who are interested are encouraged to respond. Click on the title "Environmental Assessment" above to download the pdf file. It's a long file that takes a while to download.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Water Fight in Boone
| National Public Radio WFAE 90.7 Charlotte NC Reports on New River Water Intake Controversy Julie Rose Monday June 29, 2009 |
Read
ListenClick links above for audio report and website article.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Residents, Town Battle over Future of New River
Channel 14 report. First aired 6/28/09 on 5:45 news in Triad area. Channel (Time Warner) reaches 2 million statewide.Click Headline above to view
Friday, June 26, 2009
New River Water Rights Debated
June 23, West Jefferson, NC
The Boone Town Council and Ashe County Commissioners met with a packed auditorium at Westwood Elementary School to discuss Boone's proposed water intake facility. The plant would remove up to 4 million gallons of water a day from the New River on the Ashe County-Watauga County line, replacing it with Boone's treated waste water.
The Town Hall style meeting was very lively, lasting over four hours. Many in the audience spoke and were virtually unanimously opposed to the plant. Boone's need for an additional 4 mgd intake was questioned, based on facts provided by governmental review agencies. See here. Other issues raised were the historic nature of the ancient New River, an American Heritage River, and the economic impact on Ashe County which relies on the river for tourism. Boone's future growth plans, alternative options and waste pharmaceuticals which would be returned to the river untreated, an emerging national issue, were also discussed. In response to many questions, Boone town officials said the environmental review process was still underway and not all data was available yet.
Many questions focused on the transparency of the process and lack of representation by stakeholders. This was the first public meeting for Ashe County residents to express their views, the first public meeting of Boone and Ashe County officials on the issue and the first time the Ashe County Commissioners have been publicly involved.
The meeting was covered by media, including statewide Channel 14 (Time Warner), WSOC TV Charlotte , the Winston Salem Journal and local newspapers.
Although the Boone Mayor and Town Council strongly support the plan, the Ashe County Commissioners reserved judgment awaiting the release of the environmental review documents. For many audience members, however, the need for such a plant did not appear to be established. Many suggested Boone consider alternative options such as sharing water supplies with Appalachian State University, more stringent conservation measures and ensuring Boone's future growth was "smart."
The Boone Town Council and Ashe County Commissioners met with a packed auditorium at Westwood Elementary School to discuss Boone's proposed water intake facility. The plant would remove up to 4 million gallons of water a day from the New River on the Ashe County-Watauga County line, replacing it with Boone's treated waste water.
The Town Hall style meeting was very lively, lasting over four hours. Many in the audience spoke and were virtually unanimously opposed to the plant. Boone's need for an additional 4 mgd intake was questioned, based on facts provided by governmental review agencies. See here. Other issues raised were the historic nature of the ancient New River, an American Heritage River, and the economic impact on Ashe County which relies on the river for tourism. Boone's future growth plans, alternative options and waste pharmaceuticals which would be returned to the river untreated, an emerging national issue, were also discussed. In response to many questions, Boone town officials said the environmental review process was still underway and not all data was available yet.
Many questions focused on the transparency of the process and lack of representation by stakeholders. This was the first public meeting for Ashe County residents to express their views, the first public meeting of Boone and Ashe County officials on the issue and the first time the Ashe County Commissioners have been publicly involved.
The meeting was covered by media, including statewide Channel 14 (Time Warner), WSOC TV Charlotte , the Winston Salem Journal and local newspapers.
Although the Boone Mayor and Town Council strongly support the plan, the Ashe County Commissioners reserved judgment awaiting the release of the environmental review documents. For many audience members, however, the need for such a plant did not appear to be established. Many suggested Boone consider alternative options such as sharing water supplies with Appalachian State University, more stringent conservation measures and ensuring Boone's future growth was "smart."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
