HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061539 Ver 2_Public Comments_20120723Ms Cyndi Karoly
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699 1650
OP
Jul i 3 1011
DEN WATER QUFiLITY
Wetlandm & S watee Branch J
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This letter Is in reference to the Public Notice Issued by the US Army Corps of
Engineers regarding the application from the Grey Rock Community Association
for Impacts associated with their development
The intent of this letter is to express local citizens (Rosy Branch,Taylor Creek,
Cedar Creek Watershed Association) concerns about the integrity of the
proposed development and its cumulative impacts on the public interests as
stated in the Public Notice
As referenced in the Public Notice, specific concerns as regards the probable
impacts on the public Interest are as follows
1) The request for a permit lists only 467 linear feet of stream channel
and 0 03 acre of wetlands associated with road construction as impacts
The proposed 375 single - family lots, associated infrastructure and their
individual driveways, excavations
included as constituting 'impact'
drain fields wells etc are not
With that much construction the
cumulative impacts Increase dramatically in all areas mentioned in the
Public Notice These being, specifically Water Quality, Essential Fish
Habitat and Endangered Species
2a) As mentioned in the section 'Existing Site Conditions' the site is
'almost entirely forested' and the streams are bordered by 'mature
riparian forests' These riparian forests are essential to the health of the
ecosystem wildlife and water quality In this section there is no
mention of the steepness of the slopes of this 'mountainous land' or
what measures will be taken to protect against erosion
2b) Also in this section are mentioned two unfinished "spec" homes
and the HGTV'Dream Home' These existing structures and the
unfinished infrastructure thereof represents the kinds of development
practice that leave a burden on the landscape and local community in
the form of erosion eyesores and increased financial burden on the
municipalities to correct and /or finish the uncompleted road
construction
2c) Conspicuously this section fails to mention the series of
switchback roadways on the north face of Joel Ridge below the "spec"
homes This is a prime example of the kinds of impact that concerns
local residents This is an eroding mess seeded with an invasive
species whose 'impact' will last forever and resists effective mitigation
3) When construction was initiated in 2005, it was noticed that a)
Streams became silty water temperature in the creeks rose and the
local trout population declined b) A significant increase of displaced
wildlife (black bears, etc) showed up in adjacent residential areas c)
Property taxes were doubled These are all noted impacts experienced
directly by the local community
In the Evaluation section of the Public Notice, mention is made of the probable
and cumulative impacts on the public interest The following impacts likely to
occur, affecting the needs and welfare of the people, are conservation
economics *, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, damage to
historic properties ** fish and wildlife values flood hazards, water supply water
quality, and safety
*There are environmental educators and others who rely on this watershed being
an agn- tourism attraction, and the Grey Rock construction could potentially have
a negative impact on the economy
* *Please note that historic preservation is also an important element within this
project as many residents have found artifacts such as indigenous pottery
arrowheads spearheads, and other tools A State archaeologist (David Moore
from Warren Wilson) has recently confirmed significant artifacts in this particular
watershed and the importance of historic preservation
In addition to these probable impacts, our Watershed Association has remaining
questions about aspects to the development, not mentioned in the Public
Notice These Questions are as follows
1) Where does Grey Rock plan to get their water to supply 375 homes?
2) How will the septic and leach fields be treated for these homes?
3) What is the plan for the unrecorded roads that switchback down the North
face of Joel Ridge?
4) Where will the water go from the steep (10% grade) impermeable roads during
heavy rains?
5) How much will the property taxes go up after construction is completed at
Grey Rock?
6) We ask that roads that are not directly used as access to the 375 home sites
be taken off the plan
7) We ask that roads which are too steep or risk floods /run -off be taken off the
plan
The neighboring residents of Grey Rock recognize many plant and animals
species that should be acknowledged and protected throughout this process of
evaluation Attached to this public letter are lists that have been compiled of
species that live in the Rosy Branch & Taylor /Cedar Creek Watersheds The
Grey Rock property is the sole wild area between the Town of Lake Lure and
Taylor Creek Watershed This area is the home to many species who are
already encroached upon, who would be impacted by the large scale of roads
and residential housing to be constructed at Grey Rock
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As a final statement on this letter and perhaps in reference to the most
significant impact on the people of Rosy Branch, Taylor Creek and Cedar
Creek, is the consideration of such a potentially destructive project and the
effects on the people and ecosystems neighboring Grey Rock, without calling for
a vote from those who would be most affected This subtle, yet steady influence
on the local democratic rights of the residents of this watershed (as well as
others surrounding Grey Rock) is one that should be considered when granting
such large scale privileges We appeal to the Army Corps of Engineers to
protect the Rosy Branch, Taylor Creek and Cedar Creek watershed and the
neighbors who live here from an assault on our properties economies, water
quality and our ecosystem
We, the Rosy Branch, Taylor Creek and Cedar Creek Association request a
public hearing to be held in regards to our questions and concerns as residents
of this watershed that have already been impacted by the construction of Grey
Rock Association
We the undersigned are concerned residents of Rosy Branch Taylor Creek and
Cedar Creek Association living adjacent to Grey Rock development
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