20080880 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080728 (3)

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Cyndi Karoly
NC DWQ
2321 Crabtree Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604-2260
Dear Ms.Karoly:
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1469 Old Fort Road
Fairview, NC 28730
July 24, 2008
I am writing to register my concerns over the proposed construction of The Cliffs High Carolina
residential community and golf course as it affects the community of Spring Mountain, near
Fairview, NC.
My greatest concern is the quality and quantity of the local water supply. The water use/disposal
plan stated by The Cliffs sounds reasonable. However, two possible circumstances leave me
wondering how they will handle them.
First, since golf courses are notorious water-consumers, and since the course must be established
before any appreciable number of year-round residents can begin producing wastewater, where
will the water come from to establish the course and keep it watered until sufficient wastewater is
being produced? If from wells rather than using Swannanoa municipal water, then I am
concerned about whether this amount of pumping could affect the groundwater table that nearby
residents depend on for daily household water needs.
The second circumstance that concerns me is the possibility of sudden profound surface water
runoff, for instance from heavy thunderstorms. What structures will be in place sufficient to
prevent golf course chemicals from being carried downslope into Spring Mountain waterways?
The same may be asked regarding leaching of chemicals into the groundwater.
An additional concern that will affect the daily well-being of all residents along Old Fort Road is
the increase in traffic along our relatively narrow, winding road. As I examined the Cliffs map, I
noted that over 50% of the area is on the Spring Mountain side of the ridgeline. At the Spring
Mountain community meeting in May of 2007, we were told that the Old Fort Road entrance
would be the primary construction and maintenance entrance. During and after the construction
and occupation of about 700 homes, what will happen to the traffic volume on Old Fort Road?
What will happen to the physical condition of the road? We already see an overload of heavy
construction vehicles. We already have crumbling edges and shoulder drop-offs. We already
have frequent traffic accidents.
Please address these issues in your consideration of The Cliffs's proposal.
Sincerely,
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Ruth Atkins
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