20080880 Ver 1_Public Comments_20080808

Public Hearing on Cliffs of High Carolina project
Subject: Public Hearing on Cliffs of High Carolina project
From: "Jennifer Taylor" <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 11:17:29 -0400
To: <cyndi. karoly@ncmail. net>
August 7, 2008
Cyndi Karoly
NC DWQ
Crabtree Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604-2260
Re: Cliffs of High Carolina
Army Corp of Engineers Action ID #200701619
As a homeowner on Alpine Mountain, I too have serious concerns about the Cliffs request to
disturb streams (over 600o ft.), wetlands, and our water shed in general and remove 16
existing pipes. A permit should not be granted prior to allowing concerned citizens a public
meeting with the Corp and ample time to investigate their requests and plans. We need to
know what they want to do that will affect our drinking water. The Cliffs language seems
vague and consequences could be disastrous to thousands of people if our water should
become contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, sediment, and/or
resulting dry wells.
Run off, erosion and landslides associated with such a massive development and GOLF
COURSE at this elevation are likely from the deforestation and changes of the lay of the land
and are a serious liability to the lives of many families - - and wildlife. There are
environmental and public safety concerns. Strict measures must be required to keep the
creeks clear and undisturbed. Has an impact study been done? Is there any recourse when
the Cliffs cause damage? Nearly 3,00o acres of heavily forested mountain land is being
severely re-contoured and now they want to change the watershed? This is a very serious
matter.
The Cliffs of High Carolina purchased the majority of the highest property in the Alpine
Community on the North side of the Swannanoa Mountain Range. The smell of burning
debris (trees) and sound of blasting is an everyday occurrence. I've seen 6 different bears in
my yard during the past month: more than I've seen in the previous 11 years of living here
and the result bulldozing their habitat.
Since the blasting started, residents of Alpine Mountain closest to the Cliffs have experienced
dry wells and/or clogging of their well pumps. I lost my water the same time others did and
I had to replace my pump because of sediment. The whole area of the state is in an extreme
drought. We don't know whether the dry wells are a result of the Cliffs destruction or the
drought. Either way, we all depend on well-water. We are seriously concerned about wells
going dry while the Cliffs want to tamper with the groundwater. We're in a two year
drought. This is a time for water conservation not diverting precious water and proceeding
with building a golf course requiring approx. 230,000 gallons/day so the grass can be
beautiful.
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Public Hearing on Cliffs of High Carolina project
We can't let the quality or quantity of water be diminished even further. The citizens of
Buncombe County need to be informed and protected. We cannot live in our homes without
clean, safe water from our wells. Will citizens be harmed if the Cliffs are allowed to impact
streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water? What guarantees do we have that our water
supply will not be dangerously affected in quality and/or diminished in quantity?
Thank you for your time, concern and protective action.
Sincerely,
-le-nnfter -Ta'ylo'r
Jennifer Taylor
136 Wildflower Cove
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Cc: USACE
Lori Bechwith
151 Patton Ave
Room 2o8
Asheville, NC 28801
Cc: Gracia O'Neill, Assistant Director
Clean Water for North Carolina
29 1/2 Page Ave.
Asheville, NC 288o1
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