Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DANVILLE LENGTH: Short
``We've known for a long time that we were politically dead in the water,'' said Del. Whittington Clement, D-Danville.
The pipeline would take 60 million gallons daily from Lake Gaston on the North Carolina border to Virginia Beach and other southeastern Virginia localities.
North Carolina officials and residents along the Roanoke River watershed have opposed the pipeline.
Recently, Virginia Beach and North Carolina officials agreed to a settlement in the decade-long dispute.
``That a sister locality would bypass us to offer a sweetheart deal to ... North Carolina is deeply offensive,'' said Del. William Bennett, D-Halifax. ``It is the height of arrogance for Virginia Beach to buy off North Carolina at the expense of our citizens.''
As part of the settlement, the city agreed to divert up to 35 million gallons daily to northeastern North Carolina. In addition, Virginia has agreed to widen two highways that are part of the tourist route to North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Gov. George Allen, a pipeline supporter, may call a special session of the General Assembly to ratify the agreement. Southside legislators say they do not have the political clout to kill the measure in the assembly without some help.
by CNB