Nicholas Institute To Host March 25 Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum On Water Issues

Questions for candidates: 

Conservation Council of NC, NC Association of County Commissioners, NC Association of Realtors, NC Farm Bureau Federation, NC League of Municipalities, NC Rural Economic Development Center, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions,
Sierra Club, NC Chapter

The Future of Water in North Carolina:
A Gubernatorial Candidates Forum
Griffith Theater/Bryan University Center
120 Science Drive
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
1:00 – 4:00 pm

 Opening Statement on Water Concerns & Policies (3 minutes)

Population Growth and Water Resources

North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Every day we add about 500 people to our population; and every year, more than 180,000. According to the US Census Bureau, NC is on course to become the 7th most populous state in the country by 2030, with 12,000,000 people.  The 2007 Session of the General Assembly authorized the Environmental Review Commission to study of water allocation issues (HB 820/SL 2007-518) and to report to the 2008 and 2009 Sessions.

How will you respond to the growing pressures on our water resources? How will you address competing needs for water resources by residents, business and industry, and agriculture? Can we increase water supplies? Reduce demand for water supplies? 

Drought and Water Resources

Most of the piedmont and mountain regions of NC remain in extreme or severe drought. The drought affects all regions of the state. Stream flows, ground water levels, and lake levels have reached record lows in many areas. The drought has devastated many farmers, nurseries, and landscapers, and has placed many water-dependent businesses in jeopardy. The 2007-2008 drought is the second severe drought in the last five years.

What is your perspective on the current drought? What will you do to plan for and to respond to future droughts? How should the State, local governments, and the private sector work together during droughts? Should the State play a role in interconnecting drinking water systems?

 

Water Uses

In North Carolina, farmers, industries, and municipalities, have operated under the riparian rights doctrine, which provides for reasonable use of surface waters flowing through or past their land. A similar doctrine provides for reasonable use of ground water resources.

Do you support the riparian rights doctrine? Should the State regulate withdrawals of surface water and groundwater?

Protecting Water Supplies

Local, federal, State, and private agencies have invested billions of dollars to develop water supply reservoirs, intakes, well fields, drinking water treatment plants, and water distribution systems.

What is the State role in protecting existing and future supplies of surface and groundwater? What is the local role?

Water Infrastructure

North Carolina like most states faces significant financial challenges in shoring up its publicly built assets. The Rural Center’s Water 2030 study estimated that NC needed to invest $16,000,000,000 in local, State, federal funds by 2030 to maintain and expand its drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Federal funds for water and wastewater construction – especially grant dollars – have nearly dried up.

What is the State role in financing water infrastructure? How would you address the urgent water and wastewater needs of our rural communities? What issues would you ask the State Water Infrastructure Commission (SWIC) to address?

 

Closing Statement (Approximately 3 minutes depending upon time remaining)