NC says state permit now needed for Cleveland Co. reservoir

RALEIGH, N.C. — (AP) North Carolina's environmental agency will now require a state permit for a dam to create a reservoir on the First Broad River in Cleveland County west of Charlotte.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources last year decided Cleveland County Water did not need a permit certifying the reservoir would not harm water quality.

The environmental advocacy group American Rivers challenged the decision in administrative court and the state agency was unsuccessful in dismissing the case.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency say there are better alternatives to the dam, suggesting the county could expand its water intake or buy water elsewhere.

The proposed reservoir would cover 1,500 acres of land, 24 miles of streams and six acres of wetlands.

WSOC