Hot Button Topic – Proposed Cape Fear River water removal
Background: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources held public hearings last month. The purpose of these hearings was to receive input regarding an interbasin water transfer. The towns that could be receiving additional water are Apex, Cary, Morrisville and parts of the Research Triangle Park. Based on current data, increases could be in place for the next 30 years. Currently, 24 million gallons of water is taken PER DAY to parts of Wake County. The water is then returned to the Cape Fear River. The proposal would take an additional 9 million a day. The Department of Engineering and Natural Resources provided data to show that by 2060, western Wake County will have a population of 360,00 which is double what it is currently.
What Has Been Done: The Cumberland County Board of Commission approved a resolution in oppositions to the transfer. The resolution offered an alternative to the NCDWR proposal that would prevent and preserve current water levels of the river.
What’s Next: The North Carolina Enironmental Management Commission will consider the request in March.
Meeting Details: Open to the public
Thursday, March 12
9:00 a.m.
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
hearing room – Archdale building
