THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 9, 1995 TAG: 9508090645
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Currituck County commissioners have all agreed to negotiate with their Dare County counterparts for up to 160,000 gallons of water to be piped daily to some Currituck beach communities.
But the discussion that preceded the unanimous vote late Monday evening indicated not everyone is happy with the possible arrangement.
``This is an opportunity. But this board member is looking at obligation as well,'' said Commissioner Paul O'Neal, who represents the Poplar Branch district. Some communities within O'Neal's mainland district also have worried about a long-term water source.
O'Neal's comment came after the developer of Pine Island urged commissioners to work out a deal to supply needed water to residents and resort communities in southern Corolla.
``I can't understand the reluctance to take advantage of what, to me, seems to be a one-time opportunity,'' said Bill Hollins of Turnpike Properties.
Eldon Miller Jr., who represents the Moyock area on the mainland, also expressed concerns with a deal that would provide Dare County water, at this stage, to the Pine Island, Spindrift and Currituck Club developments.
``I think we're ready to negotiate. . . but these developers came to these boards and said, `We'll furnish the water,' '' he said.
Currituck County officials have been searching for a treatable water source for several years now to accommodate the growth on the barrier island.
Recent drilling north of Corolla came up dry, while test wells in Lower Currituck met with intense opposition from residents.
``We've created that development on the Outer Banks, and it's up to us to resolve these problems as they develop out there,'' said Ernie Bowden, chairman of the board and the elected representative for Currituck's Outer Banks communities.
Bowden attended a joint meeting with several Dare County officials last week. At that gathering, Currituck County requested Dare County consider selling its surplus water to the three Currituck resort communities.
While most people attending Currituck commissioners' regular board meeting seemed to agree that a Dare deal could be a potential boon for resort communities, distribution was another issue.
Pine Island, Spindrift and the soon-to-be developed Currituck Club, a large golf course community on the west side of N.C. Route 12, were selected to receive the water, mainly because they are located closest to the county border.
Albert Killingsworth of the Ocean Sands Homeowners' Association questioned why some of his development's communities, also in the southern end of Corolla, were being bypassed.
``I think connecting to Dare County is a real good idea,'' he said. ``I just think it should be developed equitably.''
Bowden responded that the Ocean Sands residents on wells had not approached the board about receiving Dare County water.
The motion that passed said that the county would start negotiations with Dare County ``to provide water to whomsoever we wish.'' by CNB