Legislative Newsletters

March 18, 2008

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Raleigh!

I am writing to you today in response to a growing concern involving the regulation of private household wells. I would like to clarify that I, in no way support, nor have I ever supported the metering of household wells as a response to the drought or for any other reason.

This misunderstanding came about after an article in the Asheville Citizen Times that incorrectly suggested that I might favor the monitoring household water usage. When this misrepresentation was made known, a correction was printed on the front page the very next day. The correction read; “A story on page A1 of Tuesday’s Citizen-Times incorrectly stated who could be affected by possible water-use restrictions. Only agricultural operations and businesses using large amounts of well water are currently being considered for state monitoring” As you might imagine the corrections in the newspaper are often missed and I am now aware that some concerned citizens are circulating a petition condemning the idea of regulating private household wells. I would like to assure those who have signed the petition and who have taken the time to voice their opposition to private well regulation that I am committed to opposing any attempt to meter their family wells.

I am currently serving as a member of the Joint Select Committee on the Agricultural Drought Response, which is charged with gathering information and submitting a final report to the General Assembly concerning a comprehensive plan to deal with our state’s drought issues. No member of the committee, from either party, has proposed including the metering of private wells as a possible solution. Should such a measure ever be offered I would vehemently oppose it and I am quite confident that it would not be approved.

I would like to thank my constituents who have brought this matter to my attention. Your concerns have been heard and you will find no stronger a protector of your house hold well than I am. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who you feel may also be interested.

Yours very truly,

Joe Sam Queen

Representing the 47th Senate District of North Carolina

Avery, Haywood, Madison. McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey

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Email: joeq@ncleg.net

Address: 16 West Jones Street

1117 Legislative Building

Raleigh, NC 27601-2808

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