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The Issues
Sign the Woodfin
Link to Proposed Buncombe County Zoning Plan
Who to contact Save Our Slopes Rally May 3, 2008 2-4 PM Meet at Pritchard Park and march to City/County Plaza in downtown Asheville. Speakers, music, information to Save Our Slopes! For more, 255-8537.
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The Issues: ■ Escalating Development, Stormwater, Erosion and Sedimentation The rate of development in WNC is increasing so quickly, we can hardly keep track of all the newly proposed projects. We will be linking to articles as we find them and listing action alerts about developments we feel are a threat to communities. Please check back often and sign up for our newsletter. Stormwater runoff is rainwater that does not readily soak into the ground. This water flows from rooftops, over paved areas, on saturated or compacted soil and through sloped lawns. The flowing runoff collects and transports soil, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, leaves, litter and other potential pollutants. You don’t need a heavy rainstorm to send pollutants rushing toward streams, wetlands, lakes, canals and oceans. Erosion is a natural process that causes a gradual wearing away of land surfaces by water, ice and wind. Erosion can cause slumping, surface runoff, silt deposits, and downward or down-slope movement, and if left unchecked, major property and building damage. Erosion is an intrinsic natural process but in many places it is increased by human land use. Poor land use practices include deforestation, overgrazing, unmanaged construction activity and road or trail building. When the total ground surface is stripped of vegetation and all living organisms, the upper soils are vulnerable to both wind and water erosion. Sedimentation The deposition or settling of soil particles suspended in water. Sediment is the largest single nonpoint source pollutant and the primary factor in the deterioration of surface water quality in the United States. Land disturbing activities such as road construction and maintenance, timber harvesting, mining, agriculture, residential and commercial development, all contribute to this problem. NC State Report. • Citizen Action - How to report water & sediment problems: • NC State University Report: Changes in Land Use and Water Quality Impacts Examples of stormwater runoff and erosion in Buncombe County during construction projects: 1) Grove Park Cove on Spring Cove Rd. in Beaverdam. 2) Slide show of other areas in Buncombe County. 3) Stormwater and Erosion video. ■ Depleting groundwater - Jim McElduff's Report: Slope Development Depleting Groundwater - Asheville Citizen-Times article VIEW JIM McELDUFF'S PRESENTATION: ■ Steep Slope Dangers Citizen-Times article: Haywood County Waters Down Slope Ordinance Copy of Haywood County's ordinance. Landslide Dangers in WNC - Read more here. WNC Landslide Fact Sheet - NC Geological Survey 2004. Is Your Home Safe? A Landslide Advisory for Buyers of Mountain Property A Study of Ridgeline and Steep Slope Regulations in Mountain Communities in the US US Search and Rescue Task Force - What Are Landslides? ■ Ridgetop and Viewshed SAVE OUR SLOPES 2 FORUM - NOVEMBER 9, 2006 - ATTORNEY GARY DAVIS PROGRESSIVE LAND USE POLICIES PRESENTATION Blue Ridge Parkway Viewshed Restoration Program Economy and the Environment: A Vision for a Viewshed Ridgetop Development Brings Environmental Concerns Strategies for Saving our Scenery: Identify and Protect Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds Conservation Study Institute - Recognizing Cultural and Natural Resource Values Blue Ridge Pkwy
■ Quality of Life and Affordable Housing Burlington Busts the Affordable Housing Debate Great article!
■ Overdevelopment and Moratoriums Developer Dollars: How Campaign Contributions Overpower Growth Management Efforts in NC Land Use and Development Moratoria
■ Infrastructure Limitations and Diminishing Returns - coming soon
■ Global Warming - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - 2007
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