Catawba-Yadkin Interbasin Transfer (NC)
SELC files petition to stop massive water transfer
©Jermey Grady
Fishing is one of the many uses of the Catawba River, which is threatened by the planned diversion of 10 million gallons a day to another river basin.
The Southern Environmental Law Center is appealing the state’s decision to allow the transfer of 10 million gallons a day from the Catawba River system and another 10 million gallons a day from the Yadkin River. The water would be diverted to the Rocky River basin to be used by the cities of Concord and Kannapolis, which requested the transfer, to fuel development in this growing area east of Charlotte for the next 30 years.
Such massive transfers of water between distinct river basins can wreak ecological havoc in the river systems, including flooding, water shortages, deterioration of water quality and aquatic habitat, and threats to public drinking water supplies. Unfortunately, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission failed to fully account for these impacts in approving the Catawba-Yadkin “interbasin transfer” in January.
SELC is representing the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation in an appeal filed in March, 2007 with the state Office of Administrative Hearings. Among our concerns are that the commission approved the water transfer despite numerous defects in the application review process, and failed to give citizens adequate time to review and comment on a series of revisions to the “final” environmental impact statement for the project. Furthermore, the transfer could prolong water shortages during periods of drought, fuel residential growth in the sensitive habitats of the lower Yadkin River, adversely affect water flow in the Catawba, and damage aquatic habitat in both rivers.
The South Carolina Attorney General has also filed suit against the water transfer. That suit will receive a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court on grounds that the North Carolina acted against the U.S. Constitution in allowing the transfer, which will impact waters of his state. In addition, a coalition of 17 local governments in the Catawba basin filed a similar administrative appeal to stop the transfers.
The Catawba River originates in the mountains of North Carolina and flows through a series of lakes into South Carolina. Many people within the basin depend the river as a source of drinking water, as well as for a host of recreation activities. In addition, the waters of the Catawba River provide habitat to varied plant and animal species. SELC has been actively involved in a variety of efforts to protect and improve water quality in the Catawba and Yadkin River basins.
