20111013 Ver 2_Public Comments_20130312

My name is Frances Bradley. My husband Dan and I own &
operate the Campground on Blounts Creek. I am from, and have
lived in eastern North Carolina all my life.
I am acutely aware of numerous CAMA rules and regulations that
we have to follow regarding our waterfront on Blount's Creek.
I am not opposed to the mine or the Vanceboro Quarry as it is
called, but to dump all that water into Blounts Creek would
change the ph and content of the Creek. I am not a scientist but
even I know that the amount of fresh water pumped into the
brackish water of Blounts Creek will, to whatever degree change
everything about the creek in many ways.
We currently have over 106 families in our campground. They
come from Raleigh, durham, Fuquay Varina, Mount Oliver, and
every city in between. They travel 100+ miles to our little corner
of heaven to relax, de- stress, and get away from the city. They
come here for the fishing. They come for the trout, crab, puppy
drum and other salt water species that live and spawn in our
wonderful creek. They also spend a lot of their hard earned
money in Beaufort County.
Jimmy and Pam Daniels own and operate Cotton Patch Landing
Marina. They left their home in the Greensboro area of North
Carolina to come to Beaufort County to make their dream of being
store owners a reality. They supply food, gas, and ice; also fishing
equipment, and related recreational items.
We have two other businesses on Blounts Creek. Miss Bea's
Sightseeing Charter is owned and operated by Captain Bob
Bouldon, providing for the enjoyment of sightseers that come up
the creek to enjoy the wildlife they don't see anywhere else in the
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area. Kat Scratch Fishing Charters, owned and operated by
Captain Larry Payne, provides for men, women and children to
catch their first trout and sometimes the fish weighs more than
any fish they have ever seen.
The Beaufort County Commissioners and NC Wildlife purchased
the landing at the end of Crisp Landing Road and spent hundreds
of thousands of taxpayer dollars to build a beautiful boat landing.
For what purpose if you now allow the creek to be destroyed?
As I understand it, the excess sediment stirred up by the 12
million gallons of water pumped into the creek will make soft bone
tissue hard. What happens to this wonderful pristine body of
water and all the wildlife in and around it? Before you know it,
there will be no more fish for our children to catch. How can our
government agencies allow this to happen? Is it not the function
of these agencies to protect wildlife, marshes and all the other
wonderful areas we have on Blount's Creek.
While this may be the cheapest way, I'm sure there are other
ways to divert the water from the mine other than into Blounts
Creek.
With the recurring drought conditions, there has to be a way to
recycle the water and keep it out of Blounts Creek. Optionally, is
there a win, win scenario? Possibly purchasing land and
developing a lake which can be donated to the county residents
for recreation?
Too often, "jobs ", "the children ", "profit" and other justifications are
put forth to justify business and political actions. The end can
never justify the means, in the matter of possibly compromising
the ecological status of Blount's Creek. Prudence, the mother of
all virtues needs to be our guide.
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Let's put our heads together and find a more favorable solution
that does not risk the pristine waters of Blount's Creek.
Thank you for your time and attention,
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