[SustainableNC] GOV. EASLEY RESTRICTS STATE ENTITIES TO ESSENTIAL WATER USE

[Sharron Rogers]

Please note the following press release from Governor Easley.   
An Executive Order was signed at that time and text will be forwarded as
soon as available.  
Sharron

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Fred Hartman
Date: August 15, 2002 Phone: (919) 733-5612

GOV. EASLEY RESTRICTS STATE ENTITIES TO ESSENTIAL WATER USE
New Water Protection Team To Provide Assistance to Drought Stricken
Communities

RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced additional steps to address the
continuing drought and protect North Carolina's water supply for all
necessary individual and industrial uses. "Today I order all state agencies
to stop non-essential water use, and reduce essential water use through
aggressive conservation," said Easley. "I also renew my request that cities
and towns voluntarily reduce water usage by at least 20 percent, and urge
every business and
every citizen to help themselves and each other by focusing on the drought
and cutting short-term water consumption wherever possible."

Easley signed an Executive Order that:

(1) Directs all state government agencies to discontinue "non-essential"
water use until further notice. "Non-essential" use includes watering
for ornamental purposes (fountains and reflecting pools for example), grass
watering, vehicle washing, and the use of water to wash down
exterior impervious surfaces such as sidewalks. Even for essential purposes,
agencies have been called upon to immediately develop and begin
implementing long term, financially-feasible conservation measures such as
installing low flow showerheads and toilets at state institutions.

The Executive Order requests that all other state-sponsored institutions
(e.g. universities, community colleges, and public schools) comply with
the directive.

(2) Establishes a Water System Protection Team chaired by the Secretaries of
Crime Control and Public Safety, and Environment and Natural Resources.
The team, which will include representatives of the state Departments of
Agriculture and Commerce, will work closely with the League of
Municipalities, the 
Association of County Commissioners, and other local leaders. The team's
principal duties will include: providing guidelines to assist state agencies
and 
state-sponsored institutions in complying with Governor's directive to
suspend non-essential water uses; and monitoring compliance; and assisting
drought-stricken communities in enhancing conservation efforts and assessing
water supply capacity, and providing technical assistance, expedited
permits, and other support.  
The team will also work closely with, and act upon the recommendations of,
the Drought Monitoring  Council and will assist ongoing efforts to secure
adequate federal assistance.

"By stopping non-essential water use, state government will set an example
and should be able to set aside - and save for others - substantial amounts
of a precious 
and indispensable resource," said Easley. "At the same time, the Water
System Protection Team will help communities deal with water emergencies by
cutting 
red-tape and getting needed resources into our hardest hit drought areas."



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