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Catawba River Study Committee
In the late 1980’s, the Catawba River began to be perceived as a finite resource, no longer immune to the consequences of rapid development and increasing urbanization in the surrounding watershed. Local officials recognized the importance for protecting the integrity of the river for current and future generations if growth and prosperity within the region were to continue. As a result of these environmental concerns, the Catawba River Study Committee (CRSC) was established at a Policy Board meeting of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) in November, 1986.
The committee began meeting in March 1987 and has met nearly monthly since that time. The Catawba River Study Committee has been the key interface that the Western Piedmont Council of Governments uses to interact with local governments in the area of water resource planning and management issues for over twenty years. The CRSC was charged with making recommendations for maintaining the vitality of this resource to the WPCOG Policy Board, which in turn makes appropriate recommendations to the area local governments.
In 2010, the committee’s name was changed to better reflect the broader nature of the committee and to recognize water management issues in the Yadkin River Basin also affect our regions local governments. The mission of the group and the issues addressed has changed little since the committee inception.
Mission
The Western Piedmont Water Resources Committee serves in an advisory role for local governments and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments Policy Board on water resources and watershed issues: including water quality, water supply, water safety and recreation, and landuse within the regions river basins.
(draft update, January 2010)
The WPWRC Chairman is Bob Hibbitts, Catawba County Commissioner (retired). The Committee is staffed by a WPCOG administrator whose position has been significantly supported by local governments within the region.
The WPWRC meetings are typically on the second Wednesday of each odd numbered months. Meetings start with an optional informal boxed lunch and discussion time from 11:30 am – Noon. The meeting official begins at Noon and may last until 1:30 pm. Any interested party is welcome.
Environmental Planning
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Tony Gallegos
Natural Resources Administrator
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485-4248 Ext. 248
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Please note: Phone numbers listed are direct lines. The use of the extension is only required when dialing the main WPCOG phone number (828) 322-9191. | 
