20081663 Ver 1_More Info Received_20090121

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January 16, 2009
Ms. Cyndi Karoly
(Office of Roger C.Edwards)
NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
401 Permitting Unit1650
1650 Mail Service center
Raleigh, NC 27699 -1650
Mr. Chuck Cranford
Surface Water Protection Section
2090 US HWY 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Subject: Response to Request for More Information

JAN 2 1 2009
UENR - WATER QUALITY
WETLANDS AND STORMWAIER BRANCH
1. Response to question regarding alternative stabilization techniques:
The slope from our house to the lake is steep, not gradual. Consequently, the rise
and fall of the lake level, coupled with wave action from high-powered boats in
the area, has caused deep, but not uniform cuts, along our property line. An
undercut area has, over time, been developed under our poplar trees and other
vegetation. This undercut area will be six feet in one spot and three feet in
another, then further along again five feet and maybe three again in a very
irregular pattern. We have predictably lost beautiful poplar trees falling into the
lake because of this insidious erosion. In our judgment, the best way to stop this
on-going erosion is to pack rocks into the entire irregular undercroft area
described above.
Vegetation alone cannot work because Duke Energy drops and raises the lake
level during any twelve-month period. Vegetation would at times be flooded and
at other times left to drought.
Logs will not work because of the deep, irregular cuts into the banks over which a
foot or two of soil remains with poplar trees growing in this soil - a situation
which can only result in the trees eventually falling into the lake due to
insufficient support and nourishment. Logs would not fit back into the undercuts
to give any support. Rocks could hopefully do so and allow eventual soil
recovery.
The erosion is inexorable and is an ever-increasing threat to our dwelling as well
as eroding the bank and destroying the trees and larger vegetation.
2. Regarding type of equipment and method of getting them to shoreline:
The rocks (rip-rap) will be brought to our affected erosion area by shore access.
A trough will be run from the dwelling driveway to the lake's edge. Rock will be
funneled down this trough. Men will be on the shore to then place these rocks
packing them back into the eroded pockets and building them into an appropriate
barrier, which will, hopefully, prevent further erosion.
3. Regarding protection of trout buffer:
The buffer area you describe has not been altered in over fifty years. The only
alterations have been made by shore erosion, which is exactly what we are aiming
to halt. Our plan is to leave vegetation and land mass as nature has provided,
altering it as little as possible by our habitation. If in moving the rocks to the lake
for this project, any damage is done, it will be restored to the original condition.
This information is submitted per the request of December 22, 2008. It is our
hope that this project can be completed, after receiving the required approval from
your office and from Duke Energy, during this winter season. It will depend, of
course, on the lake level and what window of opportunity this gives us and our
contractor. Each season the erosion is exacerbated by the increasing number of
high-speed boats that are on the lake. It would be of great benefit to the health of
the shoreline if NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources could
place some horsepower /speed limits restrictions on this pristine lake. We do not
particularly like the esthetics of rip-rap along the shoreline, but we see no other
way to protect the trees, and eventually, our dwelling.
If you have any further questions, we will be glad to speak with anyone on the
phone or in person. Telephones are 864-675-6172 (home), 864-380-8086 (cell of
my husband, Duane), 864-915-0607 (my cell).
Respectfully,

LaRue W. Wait