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natural resource surveys at the site and downstream prior to proceeding with development. You <br /> might ask how will it impact the project time and cost? Not the minimum costs, but the likely <br /> costs." <br /> Michael Hughes read a prepared statement. He was also from Orange County Voice. <br /> -"There are large wetlands areas on the site. We were the first to report this to you and <br /> bring it to the Staff's attention. These wetlands were not mentioned in the County's <br /> Environmental Assessment but have now been delineated by Hal Owen and <br /> Associates. They are also now shown on page 123 (attached) in Olver's most recent <br /> report dated April 16. <br /> o The proposed site plan on page 123 of the report is a schematic and is not <br /> drawn to scale. As stated in the Owen report, `our findings (were presented) <br /> on a hand drawn map representing the approximate location and extent of <br /> each wetland observed.' It is apparent that the impact and footprint of the road <br /> and the facility is not realistic. Do not let this diagram give you the confidence <br /> that this project is feasible. Much more work will be needed. the site plan on <br /> this page, with all of its challenges, requires 37 acres. <br /> o The consultant has not done enough planning and engineering to know how <br /> much land might be required, the extent of the wetlands impacts, and the costs <br /> of mitigation. <br /> o Olver estimates in their report that they believe that it will be at least one month <br /> before ACOE can get to the site to evaluate the jurisdictional wetlands. My <br /> experience is that it will take approximately 8-12 months after that, under the <br /> best of conditions, to obtain the permits to mitigate the wetlands. <br /> o The wetlands may have been already compromised by the road (driveway) <br /> that's been constructed without a permit from NCDOT. If so, the remediation <br /> expense and mitigation is currently Mr. Howell's responsibility. Does the <br /> County want to assume that liability? <br /> o In order to determine how much acreage is required for the WTS, a <br /> topographic survey needs to be performed by a licensed Professional Land <br /> Surveyor, and a sensible site plan needs to be prepared by a licensed <br /> Professional Engineer. Of course you can avoid all of this time and expense if <br /> you stop work on Howell and seek another site. <br /> -There is still an outstanding safety issue with the proposed road that connects the site to <br /> 54 <br /> o The limited sight distance may create unsafe conditions for trucks entering and <br /> leaving the facility—this safety issue may be insurmountable. <br /> o This of course means that the County may have to buy even more land and <br /> spend more for development. <br /> o As we've told you, the road improvements for turn lanes are underestimated - <br /> you might ask where they came from. <br /> So when you hear the County's report, you may want to ask where these important items <br /> have been taken into consideration in preparing the cost estimates and project timeline for the <br /> WTS. <br /> -The topographic survey of the site and the delineated wetlands by a registered <br /> Professional Land Surveyor. <br />