IBT_public meeting

North Carolina
Division of Water Resources
Interbasin Transfer Certification Process
River Basin Management Section
Division of Water Resources
DWR administers programs for river basin management, water supply planning, water conservation, ground water management and water resources development projects .
Interbasin Transfer Questions:
What is a transfer?
Who is responsible?
What is the process?
What’s happening now?
What happens next?
What is an Interbasin Transfer?
An interbasin transfer is the movement of surface waterfrom
one river basin into another.
The purpose of the Interbasin Transfer Law is to ensure it is
good public policy to move water from one river basin into
another.
The amount of a transfer is determined by the amount of water moved from the source
basin to the receiving basin, less the amount of water returned to the source basin.
Example A:
Water is withdrawn from
one basin and
discharged into another
What is an Interbasin Transfer?
Example B:
Water is returned to
source basin but
consumed elsewhere.
Town
Town
Source basin
Receiving basin
Source basin
Receiving basin
Transfer = Withdrawal - Return
Who is responsible?
The person owning the pipe that carries the water across the basin boundary is
responsible for obtaining the certificate.
Source Basin
Example - 1
Town A owns pipeline at basin
divide. Town A responsible for
certification.
Receiving Basin
Town A Town B
Example – 2
Town B owns pipeline at basin
divide. Town B responsible for
certification.
Town A Town B
Example - 3
Town A owns pipeline at basin
divide. Town A responsible for joint
certification, including towns A, B, and C.
Town A
Town B
Town C
Source Basin
Receiving Basin
Source Basin
Receiving Basin
What is
the
Process?
What’s happening now?
Scoping for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Purpose of EIS:
• Evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed transfer.
• Provide a comprehensive analysis of environmental
impacts.
• Propose measures to mitigate adverse impacts.
Public comments provide important input about issues that need to
be addressed in the EIS.
What happens next?
1. Public comment period ends Friday, May 29th.
2. Applicant incorporates public comments on alternatives
and issues that should be addressed into EIS.
3. Draft EIS submitted to EMC
Once the EMC has received the draft EIS, they will schedule a public hearing to receive comments. They will respond to all written comments, collect additional information from the applicant (if necessary) and, finally, determine whether the EIS is complete and adequate.
How can I ensure that my comments are heard?
All comments will be considered, however these tips will help you effectively communicate your concerns:
1. Participate early in the process.
Put issues “on the radar” early so that they can be incorporated into the environmental documents.
2. Make comments as specific as possible.
Describe the impacts that concern you in detail.
3. Link comments to factors that the EMC must consider.
NC regulations require the EMC to consider specific factors such as adverse environmental impacts and the availability of other alternatives.
4. Provide written comments.
Don’t get “Lost in Translation”- written comments help us understand your concerns in your own words.
Final Determination
The EMC will consider the following factors when making their final
decision (from NC General Statutes §143-215.22L(k)):
– Necessity and reasonableness
– Beneficial and detrimental impacts
– Cumulative effects
– Availability of reasonable alternatives
– Other necessary factors
Contact
Visit us online for more information about IBT law and this proposed
transfer:
http://www.ncwater.org/Permits_and_Registration/Interbasin_Transfer/Status/Brunswick/
Questions about IBT?
Toya Fields
Division of Water Resources
[phone]
[e-mail]
Comments on this project:
Brunswick County Public Utilities Department
Attn: Jerry Pierce, P.E.
P.O. Box 249
Bolivia, NC 28422
Comments may also be submitted electronically to
[e-mail]
Mailed and emailed comments will be given equal
weight.