Boone Officials in Ashe for Meeting on Proposed Water Intake June 23

Story by Sam Calhoun

As part of an effort to update the public about a proposed water intake facility in the Brownwood area of Watauga County, the Ashe County Board of Commissioners has asked the Town of Boone to provide information in a public meeting on Tuesday, June 23, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Westwood Elementary School, located on Highway 221 in West Jefferson. This is the first time the Town of Boone and the Ashe County Commissioners have publicly jointly addressed the issue. The general public is invited to attend free of charge.

“Ashe County Commissioners believe that any impact on the New River is of the utmost importance to Ashe County and its citizens through economic development, tourism and water quality. We believe that a joint meeting is the best way to inform the public and provide factual information to the people,” said Chair Judy Poe.

Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson said she welcomes the opportunity for both she and town staff to talk about the project.

“We’ve been to the Todd community several times for meetings and presentations, did a Lunch-and-Learn program in addition to two public informational meetings last year,” said Clawson. “Now, the sketches of the proposed facility are complete, along with illustrations of the underwater intake pipe we’ve requested from the North Carolina legislature. If they approve a bill before the Senate now—a bill that passed unanimously through the House—the intake pipe can go under the river. If it is not passed, the intake would have to go on the bank of the Watauga side of the river. It’s in everyone’s best interest for the bill to pass for the intake pipe to go under the river,” she continued.

This town hall meeting will be structured to provide citizens with factual information. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions of the county and the town, and the public can submit any written comments at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Town of Boone is proposing to construct a water intake plant on the New River near Todd to support its growing population and water needs that would drain up to 4 million gallons of water per day, replacing it with treated wastewater. The proposed plant has raised questions concerning the environmental, cultural, historic, recreational and economic impact of the project on the New River and surrounding areas, including all points downstream through Virginia and West Virginia. Hundreds of Ashe County residents and others have signed petitions opposing the proposed plant, and Todd residents have formed the New River Stewardship Committee in response. The open forum meeting will be an opportunity for residents and concerned citizens to ask questions and address issues.

Concerns have been raised regarding water flow and quality, including the presence of waste pharmaceuticals, which would be left untreated in the wastewater returned to the New River. In addition, questions regarding the review process up to this point have been raised, including a lack of transparency and representation for Ashe County's interests.

For more information about the current status of the project, click to www.townofboone.net.

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