To the Editor:

The Waynesville Watershed has a Water Supply 1 (WS-1) classification, which is the most strict in North Carolina. When looking at the watershed regulations, they show how strict a WS-1 classification really is. This property has to be the entire drainage basin and in ownership of the public. Residential development and sewer lines are prohibited. 

While researching deeds, I learned that the Town of Waynesville allowed private owners to retain 18 acres inside the drainage basin of the watershed. Consent to construct three houses on two parts of this property was also given.

At a town board meeting on April 27, 2004, I raised the question of the 18 acres.

It appeared that former Mayor Henry Foy and three of the town board members were unaware of this property. Former Town Manager Lee Galloway stated that  to keep a WS-1, the watershed property would have to be in public ownership.

When I asked the board if the town received a variance on restrictions of this property, Manager Galloway replied yes. Further saying an approval was received from the N.C. Division of Environmental Management and also the three houses could be built with septic systems diverted to the other side of the ridge.

When I wrote Dr. David H. Moreau, chairman of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission, the reply was that no variance was given that allowed private property in the watershed. This letter also said the Division of Water Quality was very involved in the limitations placed on the development in our watershed.

If private property, houses, and sewer lines are allowed in a WS-1 watershed, what is the use for the classifications?

Newspaper articles from 1993-2007 told us repeatedly that all the property had to be in public ownership, no construction was allowed, and Waynesville was in full ownership. 

Does the DWQ or Waynesville have the authority to ignore or alter Haywood County ordinance 151.31 that prohibits residential uses in our watershed?

Can code 15A NCAC 02B.0212 be brushed aside? This code affirms to have a WS-1 watershed the property must be natural, undeveloped and in public ownership.

Charles Miller

Waynesville