The Fayetteville community has drawn a firm line in the sand, mounting a powerful and unified defense of its primary water source against a controversial proposal from a neighboring town. A recent public hearing held at Fayetteville Technical Community College became the epicenter of this burgeoning conflict, as residents, business leaders, and elected officials gathered to voice their overwhelming opposition to a plan that they argue threatens the region’s environmental stability and economic future. The hearing, hosted by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, was the first of three scheduled forums to gather public comment on a draft environmental impact statement for an Interbasin Transfer Certificate requested by the Town of Fuquay-Varina. If approved, the permit would allow for a significant volume of water to be diverted from the Cape Fear River Basin, a move that opponents warn could have devastating consequences for the nearly one million people who depend on it. The strong turnout and the passionate, data-supported arguments presented by speaker after speaker signaled that this will be a protracted and determined fight.
1. A Community United in Opposition
The atmosphere inside the Cumberland Hall Auditorium was charged as a diverse coalition of 49 individuals stepped up to the podium to articulate their objections to the water transfer. The opposition was not only widespread but also deeply personal and meticulously researched, with speakers ranging from concerned residents to infrastructure experts. While one citizen colorfully compared the proposal to a plot conceived by a James Bond villain, the majority of the testimony was grounded in hard data and statistical projections. The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) has been instrumental in galvanizing this public response through its “Don’t Drain Our Future” campaign, which effectively communicated the potential negative impacts on five North Carolina counties, including the 250,000 residents served by PWC. The campaign and the hearing showcased a community that is not just reacting emotionally but is armed with facts and a clear understanding of the long-term stakes involved in protecting its most vital natural resource from what it views as external overreach.
The core of the issue lies in the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s formal request to secure an Interbasin Transfer Certificate, a permit required to move water from one major river basin to another. According to Maya Holcomb with the Division of Water Resources, who presented the specifics on behalf of the town, Fuquay-Varina is seeking approval to transfer up to 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin. This request is driven by the town’s projections that its current water supply, purchased wholesale from the City of Raleigh, Johnston County, and Harnett County, will be insufficient to meet demand as early as 2030. The town’s preferred solution is to source water from the Tri-Rivers Water Treatment Plant, which draws from the Cape Fear River. This alternative, however, requires state approval for the interbasin transfer, setting the stage for a significant regional resource conflict and prompting a thorough environmental review to assess the full scope of potential consequences for both the source and receiving basins.
2. Economic Futures and Environmental Concerns at Stake
The potential economic fallout from the proposed water transfer was a central theme of the opposition’s argument, with leaders warning that it could cripple the region’s growth for decades to come. Robert Van Geons, President and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, presented a stark picture of what is at risk. He explained that Fayetteville is actively competing for industrial and corporate projects that represent a staggering $40 billion in potential investment and could create more than 15,000 new jobs. Van Geons emphasized that access to a reliable and sufficient water supply is a non-negotiable prerequisite for these large-scale investments. He argued that removing millions of gallons of water from the Cape Fear River would unfairly jeopardize the community’s ability to compete for these transformative opportunities, effectively undermining years of strategic planning and substantial investments in talent, real estate, and infrastructure. This move, he contended, would not only limit current prospects but also dramatically curtail future economic development for the entire region.
Beyond the broad economic implications, the direct financial and environmental costs to local residents and businesses were passionately detailed by Tim Bryant, the CEO and General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. Bryant stated unequivocally that PWC and its customers should not be forced to bear the cost of Fuquay-Varina’s “failure to plan.” He explained that a significant loss of flow in the Cape Fear River would translate directly into higher operational costs for PWC to maintain water quality and safety standards, increases that would inevitably be passed on to consumers. Furthermore, such a reduction could trigger immediate and mandatory water conservation measures for the 250,000 residents PWC serves. Bryant stressed that while Fuquay-Varina has a right to grow, its development should not come at the expense of the more than one million people downstream who would be adversely affected. He firmly urged the Environmental Management Commission to deny the request, asserting that any water taken from the Cape Fear River Basin must be returned to it to maintain the system’s delicate balance.
3. The Path Forward and a Call for Public Input
The hearing in Fayetteville marked the beginning of a critical public feedback period that will shape the final decision on the contentious water transfer request. The debate has expanded beyond Cumberland County, with two additional public hearings scheduled in Raleigh and Pittsboro to ensure all impacted communities have an opportunity to be heard. The proceedings underscored the regional significance of the proposal and placed a spotlight on the state’s processes for managing shared water resources. The Environmental Management Commission now faces the complex task of weighing Fuquay-Varina’s projected needs against the tangible economic and environmental risks articulated by downstream communities. The final decision, which will be heavily influenced by the draft Environmental Impact Statement and the public commentary received, has been framed as a critical precedent for future water management policy and the delicate balance of regional cooperation in North Carolina.
For residents and stakeholders who wish to participate in this crucial decision-making process, several avenues for comment remain open. The public is strongly encouraged to review the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is available on the DEQ’s website, and to provide relevant feedback. Interested parties can attend the upcoming public hearings to deliver verbal or written comments directly. Additionally, written comments can be submitted by mail to Maya Holcomb at the Division of Water Resources, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C., 27604. For those who prefer electronic submission, comments can be emailed to maya.holcomb@deq.nc.gov. It is important to note that all public input, whether delivered in person, by mail, or by email, must be officially postmarked or sent by the firm deadline of April 1, 2026, to be considered as part of the official record.
