What is the North Carolina Water Rights Coalition?
The North Carolina Water Rights Coalition is a group of concerned citizens, business leaders, government officials and others who want the state to recapture the use of the public’s water rights in the Yadkin River, for the citizens of North Carolina. The Coalition’s creation occurred as a result of the federal relicensing process for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, when its members became aware that federal law allows the consideration of issues such as who should control the River in the public interest. Presently, Alcoa controls the use of the Yadkin through its federal license; at relicensing time, the question is whether the continued control and use of the Yadkin by Alcoa is the best use, in the public interest.
