20061539 Ver 2_Public Comments_20120723 (46)

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Amanda Jones
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue Room 208
Asheville NC 28801 5006
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Ms Cyndi Karoly
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1650 Mad Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699 1650
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 drain fields wells etc are not included
as constituting impact 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 fads 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
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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 drain fields wells etc are not included
as constituting impact 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 fads 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

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In the Evaluation section of the Public Nonce 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) Will the roads in fact meet the North Carolina Design Standards for Subdivisions?
4) What is the plan for the unrecorded roads that switchback down the North face of Joel Ridge?
5) Where will the water go from the steep (10% grade) impermeable roads during heavy rains?
6) How much will the property taxes go up after construction is completed at Grey Rock?
7) We ask that roads that are not directly used as access to the 375 home sites be taken off the plan
8) 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
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 undersigned are concerned residents of Rosy Branch Taylor Creek and Cedar Creek
Association living adjacent to Grey Rock development
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We 4he 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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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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