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Water regulation a fluid, yet sticky matter Budgeting and permitting of state's water resources needed, expert says, but opposition will make for tough passage in General Assembly
North Carolina may not currently have a permitting system in place to address major consumers of water but that could change in the coming years, a School of Government professor told members of the NCACC Agriculture Steering Committee during their Nov. 20 meeting in Raleigh. Richard Whisnant, one of the leaders of a two-year water allocation study that included recommendations presented to the Environmental Review Commission in January 2009, also said he does not think that any legislation that passes will look like what was introduced during the 2009 session. S907/H1101, the Water Resources Policy Act of 2009, is a comprehensive enactment of the study's recommendations other than river basin re-definition, which is addressed in H802/S833. Whisnant said despite the perception among some in the agricultural community, the bills are not aimed at farmers. The bills except users of "less than 100,000 gallons in any single 24-hour period" from having to obtain a water withdrawal permit. "If you are a big user of water, you need to be budgeted and permitted – even for your own protection," he said. A proper water monitoring and allocation system would protect current users if a large consumer of water taps into their water source. Whisnant also said the agricultural community needs to become active in the water allocation discussion. "Farmers are one of a relatively small number of groups that understand that water is something we cannot take for granted," he said. While there's a natural human tendency to forget about the water supply when it's not a problem, Whisnant pointed out, the number of lawsuits and public disputes statewide over water has recently grown, thereby increasing the urgency for legislative action. Those disputes are only likely to grow in number with a significant population growth under way; the state is expected to grow over the next 20 years by more than 3 million from 2008 estimates. Those factors – plus the potential for another water-sapping drought – could affect the timeframe of legislation, however Whisnant said that getting anything to pass the General Assembly is "not going to be easy and I don't think we have to rush into this." Whisnant also addressed several misconceptions that surround the water allocation legislation, including concerns that the bills target private wells, that wells will be fitted with usage meters, and that the state will begin charging individuals for use. He reiterated that the bills would only require permitting for users who consume 100,000 gallons or more per day. Cabarrus lends helping hand to local farmers, local food Cabarrus County's efforts to help grow and nurture the next generation of farmers have so far been a success. County Cooperative Extension Director Debbie Bost told steering committee members that nine aspiring farmers participated in the county's first nine-week training program and actively farmed at the county-owned Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm Park. The 30-acre park, donated to the county by Ms. Lomax, is managed by Cabarrus Cooperative Extension. With startup funds provided by the Board of Commissioners and private grants, Cooperative Extension staff and program participants developed the soil and built a high tunnel greenhouse. Participants were taught not only how to grow crops, but how to take their product to market, how to understand insurance options, and how to handle taxes and other components of farming. The farm initiative is part of a larger county focus on sustainability that was the subject of an article in the October issue of CountyLines. County Manager John Day, a member of the Agriculture Steering Committee, said participant ages vary from 20s and 30s to late 50s. The group is pursuing organic certification, he added. The county is also moving forward with plans to build and open a meat processing center that will allow local meat farmers to have their beef cattle, goats and swine slaughtered within the county. Once operational, Bost said the facility should be able to process 25 head a day on the "kill floor." Bost said she receives more questions about progress at the facility than anything else. In addition to the economic development benefits, the facility will significantly reduce farm-to-fork turnaround time and increase the nutritional value of the meat, according to Day. The county also has initiatives to help consumers in shopping for nutritional foods and how to prepare locally grown foods. More than 60,000 students in FFA programs Josh Bledsoe, who serves as state agricultural education leader and state Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor through Cooperative Extension at N.C. State University, provided steering committee members with an overview of agricultural education efforts in public schools. Bledsoe said FFA has programs in 286 high schools and middle schools statewide through 91 participating counties, reaching more than 60,000 enrolled students. He said teachers are allowed to make their own decisions on subject matter based on local agriculture capabilities. For example, Ashe County may focus its coursework on food processing (because of the cheese industry in the county) and Christmas tree farming, while Brunswick County may focus on aquaculture. Bledsoe said that FFA works with the Department of Public Instruction and local agencies on which courses should be considered honors courses – an important consideration for students aspiring to go to college. Having agricultural education classes qualify for weighted credit obviously helps enrollment, Bledsoe said. In addition to the presentations:
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