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.

Watauga Democrat covers recent public hearing

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.

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.