Moore County eyes flooding solutions and approves $1.2M for school turf projects—as schools face budgets cuts

Moore County Commissioners heard Jeff Marcus’ request for “proactive action” on flooding during public comments at the July 15 agenda meeting.

Eastwood resident Marcus said he went out with a Nature Conservancy study on flows after Tropical Storm Chantal and said another hour of rain would have flooded the Crystal Lake dam on Little River and on Lower Little River homes would have been flooded. Impacts were not universal.

Marcus said impervious surface and aging infrastructure could not withstand the flooding rain.

“This is a moment of opportunity for leadership to ask how can we go forward in unified development structure and reduce the amount of impervious surface and create stormwater requirements greater than state requirements. There is quite a bit we can do. Would love to see some proactive action,” Marcus told commissioners about being past the point of asking what can be done because the problem of flooding has been seen and discussed.

In new business, commissioners approved the replacement of Lift Station 3-3 serving Pinehurst.

Pinehurst did not suffer flooding damage like nearby Southern Pines and the broader Moore County area, which were significantly impacted by Tropical Storm Chantal. Southern Pines experienced flash flooding, a dam breach on the Longleaf Golf Course, and a retaining wall failure that flooded a shopping center. Flooding closed 13 roads, including Brucewood Road and Midland Road. Moore County recorded up to 7.45 inches of rain, prompting a state of emergency.

Public Works Director Brian Patnode said the aging sewer infrastructure lift station needed replacement and could not handle stormwater runoff.

The original Lift Station 3-3, built in 1972, much of which was custom made to serve Pinehurst Unit 3, had reached the end of its service life and was slated for replacement under the county’s Capital Improvement Plan. After receiving limited bids in May and re-bidding the project in June, the lowest responsive bid of $923,330.49 was submitted by Grosvenor Land, LLC. Due to the delay, a budget amendment was needed to shift the project into fiscal year 2026. County staff recommended the board approve the construction agreement and budget amendment.

“Could an event like we just went through…tip some of these older units to fail?” Commissioner Tom Adams asked Patnode about another storm like Chantal.

“Yes. One of the big issues is infiltration and inflow…older structures not sealed entirely can cause surge to lift stations…and may have leaks and act like a large French drain,” Patnode said about flooding possibilities.

Chair Kurt Cook said attaining parts was a large problem in updating the sewer system and that the problem of flooding was listed under mitigation in the emergency management plans.

In another protective move, the board approved a letter to Congressman Hudson opposing the removal of the High Falls Dam. The letter outlined key concerns, including the potential use of Deep River as a future water source, reliance on the impoundment area by the High Falls Fire Department, and possible impacts on nearby residents’ well water. They requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission deny permits that would allow the dam’s removal by UP Property 2, LLC and Colonel Land, LLC.

Commissioners approved a $1.2 million allocation from interest earned on the 2018 school bonds to fund artificial turf fields at Union Pines and North Moore high schools. The funds, drawn from remaining interest in the Local Education Bonds Fund 482, will cover half the cost of each $1.2 million project. Commissioners also encouraged the Board of Education to apply for matching one-time project grants from the Moore County Tourism Development Authority and urged the authority to consider awarding those funds. Union Pines’ project is scheduled for fiscal year 2026, with North Moore’s slated for fiscal year 2027.

The $1.2 million turf project approval reared the day after North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget, claiming the agencies unlawfully withheld $165 million in federal funding for public schools. Read the full story here.

July 16, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers