20191577 Ver 1_Public Comments_20200310

Strickland, Bev
From: Elaine Robbins <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 9:55 PM
To: SVC_DEN R.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Biltmore Farms LLC
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My husband and I are writing because we understand that Biltmore Farms is proposing a 5 lane bridge over the
French Broad River, just downstream of the popular Bent Creek River access. The bridge will be built upstream
of a population of federally endangered Appalachia Elktoe mussels. In addition, the property has a host of
listed and sensitive species. The bridge will permanently impact .67 acres of wetlands and over 230 feet of the
French Broad River's banks. Pylons will also be drilled into the river bed. The proposed facility will log and
grade over 80+ acres of trees, create over 41 acres of impervious surfaces and almost 1500 parking spaces,
while only doing the most basic measures to control stormwater pollution.
Over 150 feet of the river will be blocked by large rip rap for 12 months and the river could even be closed for
short periods of time.
We ask that DENR require the project to use low impact development techniques, preserving the remaining
wetlands on the site, connecting the facility to public transportation, reducing the impact on river recreation, and
monitor the water quality downstream of the project.
We have kayaked that stretch of the French Broad, and it has been lovely. It would be a shame to degrade the
river and its habitat when there is a way to preserve it while letting the project continue.
We would come to the meeting, but due to the coronavirus and our age, are heeding CDC recommendations to
stay away from large groups. Please take these written comments into your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Peter and Elaine Robbins
415 Blowhole Road
Marshall NC 28753
[phone]