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Home My WebLink About20090533 Ver 1_Public Comments_200907290q- 0S33 P. O. Box 247 Clyde, North Carolina 28721 July 27, 2009 JUL 2 9 2009 Z&WATER ?UAIITr ?METIA ST?RAIWATER BRAKH NC Division of Water Quality 2321 Crabtree Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604-2260 Re: Corps Action ID # SAW-2009-0879 (Pursuant to Section 401 Clean Water Act -PL92-500) Dear Cyndi Karoly: My family and I are writing this letter in response to the notification mailing of the impact study by the USACE in connection with the application from Whiteside Partners for development on a 868 acre tract of land that joins our property. The Whiteside property is located off Highway 209 in Madison County, North Carolina. Specifically, our property is approximately 50 acres that encompasses the former business place of Stewart Plemmons General Merchandise Store, the connecting farm, and the home place. We are seriously concerned about the impact of this proposed development as it can adversely impact our drinking water, water supply, water quality, and the natural environmental surroundings of our property. We are expressing the importance of this situation to you, since our particular tract of land has been in the family since August 30, 1909, now 100 years. We are trusting that the Whiteside Partners development does not negatively affect our family assets, needs, and quality of life. Water Supply (I will refer to the Whiteside Property hereinafter as the Robinson Cove since it is known by that name by the local people and that is the section of their property which will affect us directly.) A bold natural stream, John's Branch, flows through our property from the Robinson Cove and joins Spring Creek on our property. Over the years my family and I have used John's Branch for irrigation purposes, growing mountain trout, hosting aquatic life, and family recreation. (See attachment A) Water Quality John's Branch has always been a stream of pure quality to the point that anyone could drink from the stream itself. We do not want that quality to change. The quality of our family water supply is also at risk, as listed in the next paragraph. Environmental Surroundings Our family home has utilized a natural spring as the only source of drinking water and water supply for decades. (See attachment B) This clean and clear spring is located very near a service road used by the Whiteside property owners and workers. AU road construction improvements, widening, drainage changes, or additional clearing in that area will negatively affect the flow of our pure water source. Heavy traffic could even have an impact on the flow and water quality due to location of the road. In addition, several wells have already been drilled just above us by Whiteside Partners. Our requests to you, at this point, are simple. (1) If permits for any construction are granted, please keep in mind the impact of development on us as an adjoining family living down the mountain and downstream. (2) Help us actually monitor and measure the amount and quality of stream flow in John's Branch. (3) Know that we will monitor and measure the quality and amount of water supply to our home. (4) Ensure the natural environmental surroundings of our property not be disturbed due to use, development, and construction. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this impact study and allowing our input. There is a tremendous amount of history and memories in connection with this property as it relates to our family and the community itself. It is our desire that our grandchildren and their families can enjoy the natural resources of this property for another 100 years. Sincerely, n l - Larry S. emmons Patsy S. Plemmons cc: Wetland & Natural Resource Consultants Division of Environment Natural Resources Madison Co. Soil & Water Conservation Office Attorney Larry Leake US Army Corps of Engineers