ANALYSIS OF DECISION-MAKING IN SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Communities in western North Carolina are traditionally viewed as areas rich in water resources. Because the area receives 50-60 inches of rainfall a year and is located at the headwaters of several major river basins, little attention has been paid to water supply and planning. However, the area has experienced recent water shortages due to drought and increased development. As development continues, pressure on water resources is expected to grow. Therefore, assessing how decision makers are linking land use development and water resources will offer insight into future research needs as well as long-term viability of these resources. Eighty-five planners, utility personnel, managers, and elected officials were surveyed in a ten county region to assess how communities are addressing land use and water resource planning. The survey asked how water allocation and management decisions are made. Preliminary results indicate that when there is stress on a water supply, it is more common to increase supply rather than decrease demand through conservation efforts. In addition, water managers may be less concerned with conservation measures in areas with abundant water resources such as in mountain headwaters. This analysis is integrated with water demand and population forecast data to better inform water resource planning.