Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505250090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
House Speaker Thomas Moss has accused Gov. George Allen of failing to take a leadership role in the review of Virginia Beach's settlement with North Carolina over the proposed Lake Gaston water pipeline.
Moss, in a letter to Allen dated Monday, also said it was unacceptable for the governor to insist that he'll call a special General Assembly session to consider the agreement only if he's assured it will be ratified.
``I do not believe it is appropriate to bind members of the legislature to any vote, particularly as a precondition to calling a legislative session,'' Moss, a Norfolk Democrat, wrote to Allen.
Allen, a Republican, answered in a letter to Moss released late Wednesday.
``Despite the unfortunate partisan tone of your May 23 communication, I stand ready to work with you and the bipartisan leadership of the General Assembly to bring this matter to a successful conclusion,'' Allen wrote.
Allen's letter also made reference to news reports last week that said Moss opposed convening the legislature until some of the problems with the plan are worked out.
The letter from Moss, who has joined Norfolk officials in expressing concerns about the settlement, came the same day that the speaker appointed a 10-member subcommittee to review the Lake Gaston issue.
The subcommittee includes legislators from all parts of the state, including some areas that have no particular interest in the pipeline. Its chairman is Del. Franklin Hall, D-Richmond.
``I will instruct them to proceed with all due haste,'' Moss said. ``However, I am extremely concerned that the process cannot be completed within the time frame envisioned by North Carolina and Virginia Beach.''
The agreement signed by officials of the two governments on April 28 set a 60-day timetable for approval by both state's legislatures. The North Carolina General Assembly already is in session, but Allen would have to call a special session for Virginia lawmakers to take up the issue.
Under the settlement, North Carolina would end more than 10 years of fighting to stop the proposed 76-mile pipeline, which would carry up to 60 million gallons of water a day to Southeast Virginia.
But the settlement also would prevent Norfolk, which supplies Virginia Beach with water, from selling its surplus outside the immediate region.
Norfolk officials, joined by Moss and the rest of the city's legislative delegation, have said Virginia Beach must compensate Norfolk for the water sales restriction, but the two sides are far apart on the amount of compensation that's needed.
Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf said Monday that the neighboring cities would try to negotiate the dispute and reach a solution by next week. Moss, in his letter to Allen, indicated that Norfolk's concerns and those of Southside Virginians along the Roanoke River basin who still oppose the project could be resolved or at least placated.
Moss told Allen, ``unless you intend to be more involved and provide more leadership than you have exhibited thus far, I am fearful that this process is ordained to fail.''
by CNB