The NorthCarolina Division of Water Resources released Tuesday a revised version of the final environmental impact statement for the proposed interbasin transfer between Concord and Kannapolis and the Catawba River Valley.
The new statement replaces an environmental impact statement that was released in May. Department of Water Resources officials produced the new statement to incorporate several supplemental documents detailing the interbasin transfer’s possible impact, as well as changes and additions in response to public comments. The new statement includes a summary of more than 1,300 written and transcribed comments made at public hearings and meetings as well as relevent technical data and reports.
The statement is a scientific analysis of the potential impact of the interbasin transfer. The statement does not include a recommendation about the proposed interbasin transfer. The document will be used by the three hearing officers with the Environmental Management Commission to help make a recommendation about the proposed interbasin transfer to the full 19-member commission before the Environmental Management Commission’s Jan. 11 meeting.
Concord and Kannapolis are requesting a certificate to transfer a total daily average of 22 million gallons of water from the Catawba and Yadkin River basins. The two cities are requesting the transfer to address the projected water supply shortfalls during the next 30 years.
The Environmental Management Commission is responsible for adopting rules for the protection, preservation and enhancement of the state’s air and water resources. Commission members are chosen to represent various interests, including the medical profession, agriculture, engineering, fish and wildlife, groundwater, air and water pollution control, municipal or county government and the public at large.
The new environmental impact statement can be found at the Division of Water Resources Web site at www.ncwater.org.