20191577 Ver 1_Urge you to improve protections_20200417

Strickland, Bev
From: [e-mail] on behalf of Todd Dunnuck
<[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 8:58 AM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Biltmore Farms: I urge you to improve protections for the French Broad
River in permits for this development
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Dear Public Comments,
As you review the proposal for the five -lane bridge across the French Broad River that will serve a new Biltmore Farms
development, I urge you to ensure additional protections for the local environment and recreation opportunities that
would be impacted.
The project is proposing to clear and grade over 80 acres of forested land, add over 41 acres of impervious surface, put
two permanent bridge supports in the river, block over 150 feet of the river for up to 12 months during construction,
and close a popular section of the river at certain points during bridge construction. The new bridge will also
permanently impact over 230 feet of the French Broad River banks as well as .067 acres of wetlands.
This section of the French Broad is home to the federally endangered Appalachian Elktoe mussel, and land adjacent to
the project site is prime habitat for several listed and sensitive species.
In order to minimize the impacts of this project, the stormwater measures should be significantly enhanced. The project
currently only calls for basic measures, such as wet ponds, to control and treat a significant amount of stormwater
runoff. The extensive wetlands on the larger property and riparian areas should be permanently protected. The river
should be monitored downstream for sediment and stormwater impacts, blockage of the river should be minimized and
there should be no closures of the river during the height of the recreation season. Public transportation should be
extended to the site to reduce the amount of parking and impervious surface.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Todd Dunnuck
58 Woodland Rd Asheville, NC 28804-3823 [e-mail]