Agenda - 04-01-2008-3a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6 New Hope Creek Corridor Advisory Committee P.O. Box 51537 Durham, NC 27717 Robert G. Healy, co-chair Hildegard Ryals, co-chair February 15, 2008 Orange County Commission 200 South Cameron Street Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 Dear Members of the Commission: I am writing to bring to your attention the attached resolution concerning the enviromnental impacts of the proposed replacement by the North Carolina Department of Transportation of the Turkey Farm Road bridge, which was passed unanimously by the New Hope Creek Corridor Advisory Committee at its meeting last night. Although NCDOT has proposed to redesign the bridge so as to remove the in-stream bent (pier), the agency has not consulted with this committee regarding the concerns expressed in our December 20061etter to them. We still have concerns over the possible impacts of bridge demolition and construction on the stream's exceptionally good water quality and on the several species of rare mussels it contains. We also believe that NCDOT has not given adequate attention to potential disruption of wildlife passage caused by lowering of the replacement bride. As advisors to you and the other jurisdictions on New Hope Creek issues, we feel it is our responsibility to be more directly involved in both the design and execution of a project with potential for major disruption of a sensitive water (and watershed) resource. Millions of dollars of local, state and private funds have been spent on protection of the New Hope in furtherance of the 1992 New Hope Creek Master Plan. This has included continual support by Orange County and its County Commission. We hope that you will endorse our effort to secure more scientific input into the design and construction of this bridge; thorough convening of a field meeting of independent biologists, as called for in our resolution. With best wishes and thanks for your many years of support for New Hope Creek, Robert G. Healy