20180582 Ver 2_Public Notice Comments_20191007

Strickland, Bev
From: John Hicks <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2019 2:15 PM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Cashiers Canoe Club
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ELA-Wam nc. ov
Please consider my concerns regarding the Cashiers Lake 401 permit application
I have been a frequent visitor to the mountains of Western NC, GA and South Carolina for camping
hiking, and boating for 40 years. The Chattooga River and its watershed are a very special place and the
river has been wisely designated a Wild and Scenic Rivera nd an "Outstanding Water Resource" The
proposed "Cashiers Lake Project" project will have significant negative impacts on the Chattooga River. I
expect the State of North Carolina to fulfill its responsibility and require the highest level of protections
in order to protect the water quality of the Chattooga River!
The State has already determined that the Chattooga is at risk from increasing storm water runoff
caused by development. Since this project is at the headwaters the risk is obviously extreme and the
strongest measures possible must be taken to protect the river water quality.
The proposed Cashiers lake permit would impact 7 acres of Wetlands and 5 acres of lake. The permit
application ignores the impact of plans to build a high-density development on over 50 acres around the
lake. The erosion and runoff from construction from the entire project would be devastating to the water
quality of the river.
They also propose to dump the spoils from dredging only 30 feet from the river. These spoils likely
contain plastics and chemicals from the old Cashiers Plastic Corporation, which will most likely end up
leaching into the river.
Without a comprehensive plan for all the contemplated development, there is no good way to ensure
the best practices in stormwater management will be in place to protect the Chattooga River. This could
result in significant long-term damage to the river.
I understand that investors want to make return on their development. Why not adjust the scope and
create a plan that will be a showcase for how to develop and protect an Outstanding Water Resource at
the same time? Value can be created in other ways than just maximizing density. North Carolina has
been a leader in encouraging Low Impact Development (LID). The state should be clear this is a site that
should be developed only with the best LID methods, so it protects the water quality in the Chattooga
River.
The pristine natural beauty of the Cashiers area is much of what makes it so desirable to both year-
round residents and vacationers. Only if we protect the Chattooga and the other natural resources of

region will Cashiers continue to be the of community of natural beauty and high quality of life we have
today.
The State must act to deny this permit and require an application that will adequately consider all the
development contemplated around Lake Cashiers and provide the highest level of protection the water
quality of the Chattooga.
Respectfully submitted,
John D Hicks
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