1. Campaign
Commentary
1432 Ferncliff Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
704-366-8748
ruth@ruthsamuelson.com
October 18, 2010 Campaign Update Charlotte, NC
Campaign Commentary with Rep. Ruth Samuelson
While I try to live every day with an eye toward responsible environmental stewardship, this
week it seemed that “green” was a dominant theme, both personally and politically. At
home, I had a daylighting tube installed in my kitchen ceiling, hoping to reduce my family’s
need for artificial lighting. On the political front, I was pleased to have received the Sierra
Club’s endorsement and recognition at a local reception for the Conservation Council.
But the highlight of the week was on Tuesday, which I spent in Raleigh, attending a
conference sponsored by “NC Spin” on the increasingly critical issue of water.
A comprehensive environmental policy addresses a variety of issues, from open space to air

2. quality to renewable energy to clean and abundant water. If I had to pick one of those areas
that I am most passionate about, it would be water! That is why I was so pleased to see a
broad range of perspectives – Republican and Democrat, private and government, urban and
rural – represented at the NC H2O conference.
But water is not solely an environmental issue, it is also an economic one. As NC Secretary of
Commerce Keith Crisco told conference attendees, access to water has become as important
as a strong transportation network and a quality education system when companies are
considering where to locate.
In North Carolina, our current water concerns are less about quantity (though that could
become more of an issue as we grow) and more about timing. We generally receive abundant
rainfall in March and April, but the need is greatest in the dry months of August and
September. In other words, our supply is lowest when our demand is highest, and vice versa.
We need more storage capability, but building reservoirs and such is complicated by high
costs, environmental concerns and a lack of available land.
There is a legitimate role that government can play in solving this problem. Rather than
allowing water-related disputes to be settled by courts – which is happening with greater
frequency here – the state legislature needs to establish clear guidelines for the ownership,
control and use of water as a foundation to grow our state.
We took the first step toward doing this in the last legislative session by passing a bill that I
co-sponsored, calling for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to complete
a statewide survey of our water supply and water infrastructure needs. Once we have a
clearer picture of our resources, we can come together to find ways to increase storage and
allocate supply fairly.
History has shown us that the issue of water allocation is not only complex, but emotionally
and politically charged. I’d urge you to vote for candidates who can tackle it responsibly.

3. If you live in Mecklenburg County you can start today, at one of the 16 early voting sites that
are open now through Oct. 30. The legislators and judges you elect will likely play a role in
the future of water policy for North Carolina, impacting our economic viability for years to
come.
For early voting locations and hours of operation, you can go to my website,
www.RuthSamuelson.com, and click on the “Helpful Links” tab, which will direct you to the
Mecklenburg elections board website.
Also, if you have any questions or comments about water issues – or even if you’re just
curious about how daylighting tubes work -- I hope you’ll contact me by going to my website
and clicking on “Ask Ruth.”
Best wishes,
Ruth Samuelson
District 104, Mecklenburg County
Raleigh office address:
418B Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
(919) 715-3009 – ruths@ncleg.net
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