THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 TAG: 9407190359
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: VIRGINIA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SOUTH HILL LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Rep. L.F. Payne said Monday he opposes the proposed Lake Gaston pipeline because it would take water from his region - and his constituents - for use in southeastern Virginia.
``Since this project was proposed 10 years ago, there has never been consideration given to the 300,000 residents who live along the Roanoke River basin from the Blue Ridge Mountains to South Hill,'' the 5th District Democrat told a hearing called by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The proposed 76-mile pipeline from the Virginia-North Carolina border lake would pump up to 60 million gallons of water a day from the Roanoke River impoundment to Hampton Roads.
Virginia Beach says it must have the water to continue to survive and grow. The city says it has no other viable source of water. North Carolina officials as well as Lake Gaston residents say pumping the water from the lake will cause severe environmental problems downstream from the lake.
Virginia Beach and North Carolina have fought over the issue for more than a decade in the federal courts. Construction on portions of the pipeline already has begun.
Recently, however, the energy commission ordered a full environmental impact statement on the project. Such a study could delay further construction by months or years.
Payne wants the study to include the economic effects on the areas upstream of the lake in Virginia and North Carolina.
North Carolina Rep. Eva Clayton agreed.
``I can understand why Virginia Beach wants to enhance its water supply, but I don't believe that they should enhance their water supply at the detriment of many areas in North Carolina,'' the 1st District Democrat said.
The hearing was the second of three scheduled by the energy commission to identify issues to be considered in its study of the proposal. The third hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Virginia Beach. by CNB