Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................................ES-1 SECTION 1 - PURPOSE AND NEED.................................................................................... 1-1 BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................1-1 EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES ....................................................................................................1-1 POPULATION GROWTH ...........................................................................................................1-4 WATER DEMAND PROJECTIONS ..............................................................................................1-4 WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE....................................................................................................1-5 POTENTIAL SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................1-5 Alternative 1 - Catawba River Basin ................................................................................... 1-6 Alternative 2 - Yadkin -Pee Dee River Basin ........................................................................ 1-6 Alternative 3 - Yadkin -Pee Dee River Basin ........................................................................ 1-6 Preferred Alternative......................................................................................................... 1-6 Non-IBT Alternatives......................................................................................................... 1-7 Alternative 4A - Rocky River Supply (Indirect Reuse)......................................................1-7 Alternative 4B - Reverse IBT..........................................................................................1-7 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................................ 1-7 SECTION 2 - EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES2-1 SOURCE BASINS.....................................................................................................................2-1 Lake Norman .................................................................................................................... 2-3 High Rock Lake................................................................................................................. 2-3 Tuckertown Reservoir........................................................................................................ 2-3 Badin Lake (Narrows Reservoir)........................................................................................ 2-4 Wetlands........................................................................................................................... 2-4 Lake Norman.................................................................................................................2-4 Tuckertown Reservoir .....................................................................................................2-8 Badin Lake.....................................................................................................................2-9 Land Use........................................................................................................................ 2-10 Lake Norman...............................................................................................................2-10 High Rock Lake ...........................................................................................................2-16 Tuckertown Reservoir ...................................................................................................2-18 Badin Lake...................................................................................................................2-19 Fish and Wildlife Resources............................................................................................. 2-22 Lake Norman...............................................................................................................2-22 High Rock Lake ...........................................................................................................2-24 Tuckertown Reservoir ...................................................................................................2-26 Badin Lake...................................................................................................................2-28 Water Resources/Water Quality........................................................................................ 2-29 Catawba River Basin ....................................................................................................2-29 Yadkin River Basin ......................................................................................................2-32 Air Quality ...................................................................................................................... 2-34 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-34 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-35 Secondary and Cumulative Consequences......................................................................2-35 Groundwater Resources................................................................................................... 2-35 I DRAFT CONCORD/KANNAPOLIS IBT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-35 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-35 Secondary and Cumulative Consequences......................................................................2-35 Noise Level..................................................................................................................... 2-35 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-35 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-36 Secondary and Cumulative Consequences......................................................................2-36 Toxic Substances/Hazardous Wastes................................................................................. 2-36 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-36 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-38 Secondary and Cumulative Consequences......................................................................2-38 Environmental Justice ..................................................................................................... 2-38 Existing Conditions ......................................................................................................2-38 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-39 Secondary and Cumulative Consequences......................................................................2-39 Potential Impacts on Hydroelectric Projects ..................................................................... 2-39 Catawba – Wateree Project............................................................................................2-39 Potential Impacts to Water Supply Withdrawals................................................................ 2-42 Yadkin Hydroelectric Project ........................................................................................2-44 RECEIVING BASIN ................................................................................................................2-45 Wetlands......................................................................................................................... 2-46 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-46 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-46 Land Use........................................................................................................................ 2-46 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-46 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-48 Fish and Wildlife Resources............................................................................................. 2-49 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-49 Water Quality/Water Resources........................................................................................ 2-51 Existing Environment ...................................................................................................2-51 303(d) Listed Streams ...................................................................................................2-52 Primary Consequences..................................................................................................2-52 Air Quality 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