2 years later: Water fight continues on

CONCORD — Nearly two years after the cities of Concord and Kannapolis received a state license to draw water from neighboring water basins, the fight over the matter goes on.
Two lawsuits were filed over the matter.
Neither was against the Cabarrus cities.
In January 2007, the state awarded Concord and Kannapolis a certificate to draw up to 10 million gallons a day from both the Catawba and Yadkin river basins.
The Catawba portion of the certificate found great opposition from jurisdictions and groups along the Catawba River — including South Carolina.
South Carolina sued North Carolina for what it claims are insufficient Catawba water levels reaching the state boarder. While the City of Charlotte joined North Carolina in that litigation, Concord and Kannapolis did not.
And a group called the Protect the Catawba Coalition — made of several Catawba river basin jurisdictions — appealed the decision of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission to grant the certificate to Concord and Kannapolis. And Concord has joined the litigation, which is in the 'discovery phase,' said Concord city attorney Al Benshoff.
'It's quite lengthy reviewing a six-year process with lots and lots of documents,' Benshoff said.
The discovery phase, in which both parties produce relevant documents for the case, has gone o"