City Council
Development in the Watershed: Growth vs Policy
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As the city continues to expand, so does the pressure to develop in the region’s most sensitive areas.
Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/tag/falls-lake/)
As the city continues to expand, so does the pressure to develop in the region’s most sensitive areas.
Raleigh and nearby municipalities will kick in funding for Falls Lake research after the state Environmental Commission rejected a state plan for controlling nutrient pollution, but many think the state should pay for the work.
The North Carolina General Assembly eliminated tax credits and other funding to protect land in watersheds. The City of Raleigh and its partners are working to figure out new solutions to protect drinking water supplies from pollution. This story is the second of a two-part series about Raleigh’s efforts to protect its water supplies from nutrient pollution and sedimentation.
Raleigh challenges a state permit that allows discharging some septic systems in the Falls Lake watershed, a practice that the city says contributes pollution to the lake. Front page photo by Luke Wisley.
In 50 years, the City of Raleigh expects to provide water to 1.3 million people. Falls Lake isn’t going to cut it, and the city is studying the options.
A Council committee this week approved a rezoning application that would allow an athletic facility in the watershed.
Councilors want a public meeting and a downstream analysis before approving a commercial development in the Falls Lake watershed.
Committee members are concerned that allowing commercial development in the watershed could open door for more, less responsible development.
The city dropped a hydroelectric facility project at Falls Lake because it wasn’t economically viable.
If approved by the City Council, a new gym in the Falls Lake watershed could open the door for more development.