Public Comment - Support_20210408 (38)

Strickland, Bev
From: Wendy Nitsos ([e-mail]) Sent You a Personal Message
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Sent: Thursday, April 8, 2021 9:56 AM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Wetland Rules
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Dear NC Environmental Management Committee,
We have been learning in a Master Naturalist class through Clemson U what a vitally important role wetlands
play in the health of our environment. I previously had no idea, but they are crucial and need stringent
protection!
I am writing in support of the proposed temporary wetland rules 15A NCAC 02H .1301 (Revision) and 15A
NCAC 02H .1400 (.1401 through .1405). I also ask that you make these rules stronger to better protect North
Carolina's irreplaceable wetland ecosystems.
Wetlands are critical to our state?s resilience. They act as filters for our drinking water and sponges to help
contain flood water. Wetlands are nurseries for fish and provide habitat for countless birds and other animals.
I?m writing in support of a temporary rule to protect North Carolina wetlands that are no longer protected by
federal law. However, the proposed rule in front of the EMC does not go far enough to preserve our depleted
wetlands; the threshold for permitting should be a quarter -acre, not a half -acre. A half -acre threshold will
allow for a cumulative loss of wetlands that would be devastating to water quality and our ability to manage
water during hurricanes and storms.
I ask that you vote in favor of a temporary rule of protection for wetlands that sets the threshold for
permitting at one quarter -acre or lower.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
Wendy Nitsos
6091 Old Brick Store Rd
Greensboro, NC 27455
[e-mail]
[phone]
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