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
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."
New River Position Papers
The Town of Boone NC is proposing to build a water intake on the South Fork of the New River on the Ashe County/Watauga County line that would drain up to 4+ million gallons of water a day (mgd) from the New River, replacing it their treated waste water. This proposal is attracting swift opposition. Residents in Ashe County and elsewhere, including VA, have signed petitions opposing the plan. Position Papers have been drafted detailing 12 areas of concern, ranging from the historic nature of the New River, a designated American Heritage River, to untreated waste pharmaceuticals which would be returned to the river.
Summary of Position Papers:
http://sites.google.com/site/newrpp2/newrpp2
Position Papers (Full Set):
http://sites.google.com/site/newrpp2/new-river-position-papers
Summary of Position Papers:
http://sites.google.com/site/newrpp2/newrpp2
Position Papers (Full Set):
http://sites.google.com/site/newrpp2/new-river-position-papers
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