Whisky’s for Drinkin and Water’s for Fightin:The Environmentalist Perspective

Rick GaskinsExecutive Director

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundationrick@catawbariverkeeper.org

OverviewSummaryWho or what is Catawba Riverkeeper?A few basic facts.Why should we care about IBTs?What is the problem with IBTs?What is the solution?What are the significant aspects the settlements in the Concord-Kannapolis cases?

SummaryIn the East, we have always assumed that there is plenty of water, and this is built into our laws and infrastructure.– Eastern water law is based around the

problem of having too much water.– Land development and agricultural

practices reflect the abundance of water.– There is virtually no cost for water taken

from a river or aquifer.

Summary (continued)

Our current practices are stretching water resources to the limits.IBTs are one part of the problem.Need to create a system that:– Makes the best use of water– Keeps the eco-system healthy, by, among

other things, maintaining minimum ecological flows.

Catawba Riverkeeper FoundationThe Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation advocates for the health, protection and enjoyment of the Catawba River watershed.  Our Vision:That the waters of the entire Catawba River basin will always be of high quality and abundant quantity to sustain and enhance the lives of all the humans, the wildlife and the ecosystems that depend on it. 

Catawba Riverkeeper501(c)(3) non-profitNot a land trust Not Catawba Lands ConservancyThree primary tools:– Education– Prevention– Advocacy

Party in the Concord-Kannapolis IBT litigation.

Rocky Mount’s water reservoirSeptember 2007

Lake Michie, Durham CountyOctober 2007

Falls LakeDecember 2007

Little River, Durham CountyOctober 2007

Fact 1: We are running out of water

Unless precipitation increases (unlikely) and/or storage increases (hard), and increased evaporative loss is insignificant (worrisome given climate trends), we face more of this in the future, and more frequently.

Belmont public water supply intake The Catawba River supplies water to more than 50 cities, counties and industries. They depend on adequate water levels in the river and its lakes in order to provide drinking water and process water for manufacturing.

Lake Wylie - Belmont, NC

Rainfall Amounts

Fact 2: Relatively, there is plenty of rain, but …

Annual Use as Percent of Rainfall

Charlotte Area

Fact 3: We use over 100% of the rainfall in this area.

Water consumption in the Southeast grew 15% from 1990 to 2000, compared with 2% nationwide.

The population rose by 20% from 1990 to 2000 vs.13% in the rest of the country.

By 2030, daily water use in NC will increase by 35%.

Projected growth in the Southeast from1990 to the near future.

US EPA

Fact 4: Growth and water consumption in the Southeast are expected to continue to increase.

Fact 5: Most of our growth in in the Southeast is in areas lacking water storage

A huge percentage of

the South’s population, growth and economic

prospects lies in the

piedmont . . .

. . . a region with good average precipitation, but small streams and low yields from groundwater .

Result: low resilience; high susceptibility to drought; almost certain escalation in conflict over water unless growth stops.

Concord

Kannapolis

Fact 6: TheYadkin-Pee Dee basin has almost twice the natural surface water supply per person as the Catawba.

Charlotte

Mooresville

Statesville

Fact 7: Many large cities in this area straddle two basins and thus transfer water from one basin to the other.

Goose Creek

Six Mile Creek

Carolina heelsplitter: Endangered Species of

Freshwater Mussel

YadkinCatawba

?Fact 8: Conflict will increase. Water consumption in NC

Recent conflict over water quantity in NC

NEUSEYADKIN

CAPE FEAR

LUMBER

TAR-PAMLICO

ROANOKE

CATAWBA

PASQUOTANK

BROADFRENCH BROAD

NEW CHOWAN

WHITE OAK

LITTLE TENNESSEEHIWASSEE

WATAUGA

SAVANNAH

Va Beach transfer from Roanoke

Central coastal plain CUA

Cone of depression in lower Cape Fear

Eno voluntary CUA

Land use issues around proposed

Little River reservoir

Litigation over IBT to Concord/Kannapolis

Litigation over releases from

Randleman LakeFight over new Boone intake

Intake and allocation disputes at Lake

Jordan

Fight over Alcoa dams on Yadkin

Concern about Atlanta’s water

needs

Disagreements over Kerr water

supply Concern about inflows and intakes around Falls Lake

401 cert. litigation on Yadkin/Pee Dee Progress dams

TVA lake level issues

Fact 9: IBTs are only one part of the problemNet Use of Water in the Catawba Basin

Power plant Cooling 48%

Industrial 2%

Public Water Supply 32%

Agricultural 18% 2007 Data from

Duke Power

Why should we care about IBTs?Aggravates Drought Conditions.Favors growth in the receiving basin at the expense of the source basin.Fuels sprawl.Threatens environment, including numerous aquatic species.

Why should we care about IBTs?Decrease in quantity increases concentrations of pollutants discharged to the source water.Increased reliance on one source (e.g., Mtn. Island Lake) increases susceptibility to disruptions to supply

Why should we care about IBTs?

Can lead to saltwater intrusion problems and other unintended consequences downstream.

What is the solution?Better Science– Establish baseline ecological flows.– Determine how much water is currently

being used, where it is taken out, where it is returned, and how much is returned.

– Develop better models.Price incentives for conservation and wise water use.Legal system that treats water as a scarce resource.All water uses need to be on the table. No use should be exempt.

What are the significant aspects the settlements in the Concord-Kannapolis cases?

Limits on withdrawals from the Catawba.Must get water from the Yadkin basin first.In times of drought, must take greater cuts.Must implement water conservation incentives and practices.Independent verification and oversight.Settlement between NC & SC – Increases role to Bi-State Commission.– Limits ability of states to roll-back prior IBT and

water management legislation.