Ashe, Boone officials

to address water-intake issue

The Ashe County Board of Commissioners will meet with town of Boone officials in a public meeting about a proposed water intake facility in the Brownwood area of Watauga County on Tuesday, June 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Westwood Elementary School in West Jefferson.

“Ashe County Commissioners believe that any impact on the New River is of the utmost importance to Ashe County and its citizens through economic development, tourism, and water quality,” Ashe chairwoman Judy Poe said.

“We’ve been to the Todd community several times for meetings and presentations, did a Lunch-and-Learn program in addition to two public informational meetings last year,” Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson said.

“Now, the sketches of the proposed facility are complete, along with illustrations of the underwater intake pipe we’ve requested from the N.C. legislature. If they approve a bill before the Senate now – a bill that passed unanimously through the House – the intake pipe can go under the river. If it is not passed, the intake would have to go on the bank of the Watauga side of the river.”

Some residents of the Todd area have expressed opposition to the intake plan.

The public will have the opportunity to ask officials questions and the public can submit any written comments at the conclusion of the meeting.