20080880 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080807 (2)

John and Barbara Swart
1418 Old Fort Road
Fairview, NC 28730
August 4, 2008
Cyndi Karoly rrz,
North Carolina Division of Water Quality U
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250 7 ZOO$
Raleigh, NC 27604-2260 ?uG
RE: Request for Public Hearing CIOt- ? MWA RBRANOH
Cliffs of High Carolina Community WETLMOS PAD
Buncombe County, NC
USACE Action ID #200701619
Dear Ms. Karoly,
As residents of the Spring Mountain Community in Fairview, N.C., we are requesting a public hearing
re: the above Action. We are very concerned about the Cliffs development and its impact on our well
and ground water in this area. Thank you for the recent extension issued for public comment That
has been most helpful since there is so much information to sort through and because there are so
many of us who came to a community meeting to learn about this issue.
We wonder if it is necessary to further impact water flow or streams given the effect such impact
would have on the health and welfare of those of us living in communities adjacent to the Cliffs
development and beyond. The topography of the area means that construction of roads, a golf course
and a minimum of 700 residences will most likely impact those of us living downstream or downhill
because of disturbed land and erosion issues, increased water consumption and increased chemical
use and its subsequent absorption into the ground water. We have a well and getting city water is
not an option so a well is vital to our quality of life and to the value of our property.
We ask that the Cliff development team demonstrate every effort to not only meet the guidelines but
to exceed them for buffer areas, ecosystem monitoring, and environmental quality assurance during
the coming years of development Their representatives have shared plans regarding a recycling
water treatment plant that will be used for watering the golf course. Where will that water come
from if there is not enough waste water produced until the project is "built out?"
Some of us in the community buy produce and farm products from organic farmers and my concern
extends to those farmers who have stayed or returned here to make a living from the land and to
preserve historic, family properties.
There are a few lots on the Fairview side of this development that we ask you to consider designating
as preservation and protected areas to help insure that Spring Mountain's historic springs and
quality water are maintained.
Will you please consider our concerns and our desire to be involved in the process of preserving our
natural resources for the good of all? We appreciate your time and your help.
Sincerely, ,
hn and Barbara Swart