THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130426
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DANVILLE, VA. LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Southside legislators said Wednesday they face an uphill fight in derailing a proposed water pipeline from Lake Gaston to Virginia Beach.
``We've known for a long time that we were politically dead in the water,'' said Del. Whitt Clement, D-Danville.
The pipeline would bring 60 million gallons of water daily from Lake Gaston on the Virginia-North Carolina border to Virginia Beach and other southeastern Virginia localities.
The pipeline has been opposed by North Carolina officials and residents along the Roanoke River watershed.
Recently, Virginia Beach and North Carolina officials tentatively agreed to a settlement in the decade-long dispute.
``That a sister locality would bypass us to offer a sweetheart deal to . . Jr., 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 F. 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.
``If we go into special session, the best strategy for us is to try to form coalitions with other rural areas that may also have natural resources but not the large populations,'' Clement said.
Clement warned that if the settlement is approved, rural Virginia may become the hunting ground for water-hungry urban areas.
``We could be opened up to the robbing of water by cities such as Greensboro, N.C.,'' he said.
KEYWORDS: LAKE GASTON WATER SUPPLY PLAN TIDEWATER by CNB