RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF ACTIONS TO STABILIZE THE WATER LEVEL OF
WHEREAS, High Rock Lake in Davidson County is part
of a four-lake system on the Yadkin River that generates hydroelectric power for
Alcoa Power Generating, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, High Rock Lake contains many homes and
businesses whose property tax value in Davidson County alone is over $200
million and said value is sustained by the economic activity created by the
lake; and
WHEREAS, High Rock Lake is a tourist attraction for
nationally-known fishing and water skiing events and plays and important role in
enhancing the image of Davidson County as a good place to live, work and play;
and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Drought Monitoring
Council designated the Piedmont Triad area in the worst classification of
“exceptional” drought during Summer, 2002; and
WHEREAS, at their regular meeting held June 27,
2002, the Lexington Tourism Authority voted unanimously to support any efforts
to help stabilize the water level of this important tourism asset; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2002 Alcoa Power
Generating Inc., Yadkin Division (Yadkin) distributed an Initial Consultation
Document (ICD) as the first step toward re-licensing in 2008 for the Yadkin
Hydroelectric Project in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission; and
WHEREAS, Yadkin is required to host joint meetings
to discuss the information included in the ICD and the first meeting was held
WHEREAS, the purpose of the joint public meetings
is to describe the Communications-Enhanced Three-Stage Relicensing Process,
discuss and receive comments on the ICD, and to identify resource issues and
interests to be addressed during the re-licensing; and
WHEREAS, all comments on the ICD and study requests
are due to Yadkin within 60 days of the date of the last meeting or by January
12, 2003; and
WHREAS, numerous questions exist over Yadkin’s
management of the lake system including lake levels in the midst of the drought,
the recent suspension of operations at their Badin aluminum plant potentially
costing 377 employees their jobs, and Yadkin’s continued generation of
electric power being sold to customers elsewhere;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Davidson County Board of
Commissioners hereby supports actions to stabilize the water level of High Rock
Lake including seeking changes to Alcoa/APGI’s operating license issued by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order to protect this valuable natural
and economic resource benefiting thousands of citizens and users for water
supply, recreation, wildlife habitat, businesses, residential and tourism
purposes.
ADOPTED ___________________________________
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Cindy Aikens
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Priscilla Hege
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Billy Joe Kepley
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Fred Sink
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Don Truell
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Max Walser
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Sam Watford
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Robert Hyatt-County Manager
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Stephen Holton-County Attorney