The Moore County Board of Commissioners tackled two major issues at their recent July 15 meeting, voting to oppose the proposed removal of the High Falls Dam and approving $1.2 million in bond interest funding for artificial turf projects at two high schools.
Regarding the removal of the dam, which the commissioners have been fighting since 2023, the board voted unanimously to send a letter to Congressman Richard Hudson formally opposing the proposed removal of the High Falls Dam on the Deep River.
During the meeting, commissioners outlined several major concerns with the project, which is currently under conditional approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The board’s letter cited three primary objections: the Deep River’s potential as a future water source for Moore County, current plans for the High Falls Fire Department to use water from the impoundment area to fill trucks, and removal of the impoundment area may adversely impact well-water availability of residents and property owners along the river.
The official memorandum read that while there are also other concerns, “these three are sufficient to warrant Moore County’s request for the FERC to deny any permits authorizing the applicant UP Property 2, LLC, and the most recent owner, Colonel Land, LLC (a Delaware Limited Liability Company), to remove the High Falls dam.”
“We have got a nickel holding up a dollar here,” said Commissioner Jim Von Canon during the meeting in reference to the proposal that preserving the dam is more cost-effective and environmentally sound than building a new reservoir—an alternative estimated to cost up to $179 million.
The commissioners allege that the project has changed hands between numerous “non-profits” multiple times and that the original applicants no longer exist, raising questions about transparency and financial motivations.
“Entities that initiated all this have dissolved and no longer exist, but the federal government is recognizing their application,” said Vice Chairman Nick Picerno. “[There have been] eight or nine purchases since I believe 2018 or 2019.”
Commissioners expressed frustration over what they say was a misrepresentation of community support. According to them, initial meetings claimed local backing for dam removal, though no such approval was given by residents or county officials.
This is far from the first time the High Falls Dam has been publicly discussed by the commissioners. Sandhills Sentinel has reported on such discussions twice in the past, including public comments from residents and potential legal action.
Criticism was also aimed at the environmental justification for the project. The stated purpose is to restore habitat for the endangered Cape Fear shiner, but commissioners argued that the fish isn’t currently present in the area and that project representatives could not answer basic questions about population impact.
“There are 14 species of fish up there. There are three on the endangered list. We have bald eagles, blue herons, osprey, and the American box turtle,” explained Von Canon. “Should they remove the dam, they will not exist there anymore.”
Additionally, High Falls Fire Department is particularly vulnerable, officials said, noting that the department has only one hydrant nearby, which cannot be used without disrupting the local school. Right now, the only source of water they have, other than a well, is the deepwater access by the dam.
The letter to Hudson is just one part of a broader push. Commissioners said they are also asking the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reassess the project and its potential downstream impacts, including how pollutants trapped behind the dam will be managed if it’s removed.
Commissioners also discussed conducting a financial audit trail of the dam’s ownership, raising suspicions about the rapid turnover in property and the possibility of profit motives behind the project.
Picerno closed the discussion by stressing the importance of protecting the water resources already in place. He referenced a 2008 drought that nearly depleted Crystal Lake and prompted the federal government to mandate water releases to support Fort Bragg.
“I can’t emphasize enough—if we have good, safe, impounded water, we should fight hard not to lose that asset,” Picerno said. “We really cannot afford to give up anything else.”
The board’s letter to Hudson was approved by unanimous vote. The commissioners hope to send similar letters to additional representatives.
In addition to discussing the dam, the commissioners also approved reallocating $1.2 million in earned interest from the 2018 education bonds to fund artificial turf projects at Union Pines High School and North Moore High School.
After a review of the memorandum, the board voted to split the funds evenly between the two schools for $600,000 each. The Union Pines project is scheduled for fiscal year 2026, and the North Moore installation for fiscal year 2027.
Beyond appearance and field usability, safety and long-term cost savings were determining factors cited in the decision. Officials commented on the current condition of the Union Pines field, which they said required extensive maintenance and had already forced the cancellation of home games due to safety concerns.
The commissioners did, however, encourage the Moore County Board of Education to apply for a matching grant from the Moore County Tourism Development Authority, which would express interest in supporting multi-use field improvements that can host several different sports, band competitions, ROTC events, and graduation ceremonies.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy.
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