The South has existed a long time with an abundant water supply. In fact, one-third of North Carolina was originally wetlands.

Since World War II, many of these wetlands have been drained, and the South has become more like the West: Rampant development has made water rights all-important. Consider the issues concerning the 1,800-acre tract of land a Florida developer, MHK Ventures, wants to rezone into a massive Planned Unit Development (PUD) called Pine Forest.

Numerous controversial issues have been debated, but the most important issue remains water: potable water, wastewater and irrigation water.

Let's begin with potable water.

The Moore County Planning Board heard this rezoning request in December 2009 and approved the project on condition that the county would determine a suitable potable water source.

Because of contractual differences, the water situation was stalemated for a year.

Then, at the Jan. 18 Board of Commissioners hearing, the first item presented was "Pine Forest Contracts." This included MHK's water system development and water capacity agreement with Moore County, whereby MHK would pay $3 million to extend the county's water line to its property.

However, the water source has not been determined - whether Montgomery County, Robbins, the water line along N.C. 73, or another source. Therefore, the Planning Board's condition has not yet been met. No one even knows whether $3 million will cover the cost of the pipeline to the developer's PUD.

The discussion of water contracts has now been put off until after the Pine Forest rezoning decision. This is putting the cart before the horse. Without the Planning Board's condition being met, should the county approve a massive subdivision?

The next major issue is wastewater. The wastewater treatment plant is to serve the needs at MHK's Pine Forest as well as MHK's nearby Dormie Club, taking sewage from both and then irrigating the golf courses with treated effluent.

First of all, Moore County has never before approved a private wastewater treatment plant. The Department of Public Works produced a draft of regulations that should be followed, but it has never prepared a final document.

Look at the disaster that took place on April 5 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The holding tank wall -collapsed in this tourist town (sound familiar?), and 1.3 million to 3.2 million gallons of storm water and wastewater flowed directly into little Pigeon River at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Pine Forest wastewater treatment plant would be located next to and above the banks of Nicks Creek. If a spill occurred, it would flow directly into the Carthage water supply.

Regarding private plants, Dennis Brobst, Moore County director of public works, stated in 2008, when two subdivisions that proposed a private wastewater package plant were turned down, "What concerns me is who is going to take care of it? ... That scares me to death!"

Now consider the third issue of irrigation water, since a tremendous amount of water will be needed to water 2? golf courses at Pine Forest. Neither potable water nor well water will be permitted for irrigating golf courses or residential landscaping.

Bill Huber, a Pinehurst citizen who has carefully studied water numbers from MHK's nearby Dormie Club golf course and other local golf courses, has said that Pine Forest's irrigation numbers don't work. With restrictions from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the amount of wastewater they will be permitted to apply for irrigation, they would need to use additional water from Nicks Creek and could drain it dry, particularly in a drought.

MHK countered this argument by saying that prior data they submitted was incorrect, and they would guarantee not to take water from Nicks Creek or from Little River (drained dry by Dormie in 2009).

The town of Carthage has been extremely concerned about the possibility of Pine Forest draining Nicks Creek because Nicks Creek is Carthage's sole potable water supply, and its water -treatment plant is located only eight miles downstream of Pine Forest. Carthage Mayor Tom Stewart stated that if rezoned, Pine Forest must not (1) draw water for -irrigation or other purposes from local sources; or (2) discharge wastewater within 75 feet of the top of the banks of Nicks Creek.

In other words, Carthage is concerned about not only the quantity of its water but also the quality of their water if wastewater runs off into its water supply.

We must protect the charm and ambience of Moore County, as well as our water quality. To obtain a rezoning is a privilege, not a right. It should be exercised only if it is for the benefit of our citizens.

Ruth Stolting is secretary of Save Our Sandhills Inc. and can be reached at saveoursandhills. org or 910-235-3862. She lives in West End.