Cumberland County to Prepare Resolution Opposing Fuquay‑Varina Interbasin Transfer
Summary
County staff and PWC urged commissioners to oppose a North Carolina DEQ application that would move water out of the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse Basin. Commissioners directed staff to prepare a resolution for the Nov. 17 consent agenda to register formal opposition and asked residents to attend a Dec. 4 public hearing at FTCC.
Amanda Lee, Cumberland County general manager of natural resources, told the Board of Commissioners the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing an application by the town of Fuquay‑Varina to increase an interbasin transfer from 2 million gallons per day to 6.17 MGD. Lee said county staff and partners are concerned that the volume and scale of the transfer could reduce water availability for downstream communities and harm local economic and agricultural uses.
"We stand opposed to that inter basin transfer," Lee said, citing risks to water availability, downstream ecology and long‑term economic development in Cumberland County.
Misty Manning of PWC said the utility will hold a public hearing on Dec. 4 at Fayetteville Technical Community College and urged residents and local elected officials to attend and comment. Commissioners noted past legal challenges over transfers and stressed the need to coordinate with neighboring counties and the state.
Vice Chair Sheryl Jones moved to direct county staff to prepare a resolution opposing the proposed transfer and place it on the Nov. 17 consent agenda; Commissioner Tyson seconded. The motion passed by voice/hand vote. County staff said they will provide the draft resolution to the board and coordinate public outreach leading up to the Dec. 4 hearing.
Next steps: staff will draft the resolution for the Nov. 17 consent agenda, notify partner jurisdictions and publicize the Dec. 4 hearing at FTCC.
