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40 <br /> Stoney Creek leaves our land, flows north beneath Hwy 70, and enters the Eno at the Eno River <br /> State Park. Ecosystems do not stand alone;they are interconnected. Further degradation of <br /> water quality, land, and wildlife habitat along Stoney Creek, by connection also affects the Eno <br /> River, Falls Lake Reservoir, and the Neuse River. Various agencies and entities are entrusted <br /> with protection of watersheds and stewardship of North Carolina's resources on behalf of the <br /> state's citizens. As an example,The Stoney Creek Wildlife Corridor was designated for low- <br /> intensity use and connects the Eno River State Park to Duke Forest (Reference: Stoney Creek <br /> Basin Small Area Plan: Chapter 3, Pages 12-13—approved by the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners on August 5, 1996) <br /> I can understand the need for controlled development. I can understand the need to expand <br /> county and city tax bases. What I cannot understand is promoting those goals at the sacrifice <br /> of important life-giving ecosystems—particularly our watershed system. I implore you to <br /> reconsider the changes that you propose and to furthermore restrict commercial activities <br /> directly adjacent to drainage into Stoney Creek and the Eno River. Such activities damage <br /> essential and protected watershed ecosystems and, by extension, are detrimental to all citizens <br /> of the state. Please take this recommendation under advisement prior to approving irreversible <br /> development in this ecologically sensitive area. <br /> "Environmental Responsibility in County Government" adopted as an Orange County Goal, <br /> December 5, 2005 is laudable.The goal statement reads as follows: "Perform all County <br /> governmental functions, both internal and external, with a sensitivity and ethic that promotes <br /> environmental responsibility and leadership, and an understanding of the actions of government <br /> activities as they affect the natural and cultural resources of the County, region, state, nation <br /> and world." <br /> Because I must be out of town on business February 27, 2012, I cannot attend the second <br /> meeting. Therefore, in lieu of my in-person comments, I ask that you please enter this letter, <br /> imploring you to reconsider your proposed plan, into the meeting minutes. <br /> Thank you for considering my concerns as you plan an orderly development of this area. I <br /> encourage you to establish a broader buffer between commercial development and the vital <br /> water resources of the people of Orange County and of the State of North Carolina. I and <br /> others will work toward that end. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Charles P. Gunter <br /> P.O. Box 507 <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />