19961054 Ver 2_Public Comments_20110531

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Ms. Cyndi Karoly
NC Division of Water Quality
401 Oversite & Permits Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1605
Re: Corps Action ID #: SAW-2009-01242
Bennett Brothers Yachts
May 23, 2011
Dear Ms Karoly,
I am writing to express my support in granting this permit.
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Sailing is a family sport that gets passed down from generation to generation. My father taught
me to sail and I taught both my sons. Dad enjoyed sailing into his eighties. My sons started
sailing when they were six. This is typical of the sport. Sailing teaches community on the water
and in the marinas and sailing teaches an appreciation of nature.
No sailor would intentionally harm the marine ecosystem. There are some minimum
requirements, however, that are essential to the sport. Safe harbor is one. The area has silted in
since the original construction of the docks and is composed of indistinguishable soil : "the site
contains Urban soils (Ur), indicating disturbance from development that has altered the soil
properties to the extent that a soil series cannot be recognized." It makes since to remove the silt
so the docks can float free again. I am certain that those who fish would agree and be in support
of this project.
As a visitor to Wilmington, I know the city has a long history of supporting maritime trade and
warehouses and docks have been built all along the river near the proposed work. Hopefully the
mitigation efforts and the economic benefits will far outweigh the minor disturbance to the river.
Thank you for considering the "sailor's point of view."
Respectfully,
~~ ~~~~
Paul Makielski
[phone]