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More Land Proposed Golf Developments in
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<br /> Committee Projects Chatham Threaten Water Quality
<br /> Continued from Page One One new and one "recycled ' plan for large up- scale housing and com-
<br /> mercial developments , surrounding golf courses , have been proposed for
<br /> It ' s OK to open your eyes , and breathe, Chatham County. We have many concerns about the effect of these large devel-
<br /> now, because the completion of the opments on the Haw River and Jordan Lake . Golf courses can double as spray
<br /> headwaters purchase has opened the way fields for treated waste water from these housing developments on more rural
<br /> to work on land protection projects for (cheaper) land, where there are no sewer hookups , but we must take a hard look
<br /> several additional properties in the water- at the environmental costs . Has the Haw River watershed become more attractive
<br /> shed. HRA has been working with Mon' for these golf developments because the stricter nutrient and buffer requirements
<br /> Bates and John Lepri to protect land on the in the Neuse River watershed are making developers look elsewhere ? All the
<br /> Mears Fork, a tributary of the Haw River more reason to call for greater buffers and nutrient limits in the next Cape Fear
<br /> just below the Headwaters . Mike Holland, Basin Management Plan (which includes the Haw River) HRA has been well
<br /> Kevin Meehan , Bob White , Deborah represented researching and speaking on these issues at public hearings by two of
<br /> Amaral , and Lynn Featherstone have been our board members . They have summarized the issues below.
<br /> working with landowners in Swepsonville
<br /> on a second project, to remove two old, Hunter Is Hollow
<br /> unused dams on the Haw River. HRA is By Richard Goldberg
<br /> negotiating with two of the landowners to The proposal to build a mega- development, "Hunters ' Hollow" , in
<br /> purchase their land , to remove portions of northern Chatham County, has been withdrawn by the developers because of
<br /> the dams , and to place the land in conser- intense opposition from county residents . The proposal called for almost 1000
<br /> vation. HRA proposes to transfer owner- houses and townhouses , with an additional 600 units to be added later, 1 million
<br /> ship of the dam properties to the Town of square feet of retail and office space, and an 18 hole golf course . To give Swepsonville, for use as parks . The U . S . you a
<br /> sense of the scope of this project, Southern Village in Chapel Hill has about 1400
<br /> Fish and Wildlife Service has taken units , and Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh has 1 . 3 million square feet of retail
<br /> sediment samples above one of the dams space . HRA board members spoke at several public hearings , opposing the
<br /> for analyses requested by the landowners . planned development because of its potential negative effect on water quality.
<br /> These sediment studies will also be necessary for the Environmental Impact About 90 °Io of the 1200 acres of hardwood forest would have been cut down,Statement that will eventually be required according to , the proposal . Water quality in Pokeberry and Wilkinson Creeks ,for this project. The Army Corps of tributaries of the Haw River, would have been degraded by the pesticides ,
<br /> herbicides , and spraying of treated wastewater on the golf course and home sites .
<br /> Engineers has begun planning for the Similar developments are likely to be proposed for this area in the future ; the
<br /> demolition process . Opening up the dams HRA will be ready to examine them closely.
<br /> will restore the flow of the river, increasing
<br /> aeration and improving water quality and
<br /> riparian habitat . Harris Tract at Jordan Lake
<br /> Proposals to purchase land and By Diana Haywood
<br /> conservation easements along the river and Remember Astoria, the fought- over golf course development bordering
<br /> tributaries in the Alston Quarter, near Jordan Lake ? Astoria was never built, after being narrowly approved by the
<br /> Saxapahaw, and to acquire land for Chatham County Commissioners several years ago . HRA had joined the many
<br /> conservation along the river and a tributary voices against a development of this size being built in such an environmentally
<br /> at Oak Ridge, are also under development. sensitive area. Keith Meggison, county planner, stated Astoria would have to go
<br /> HRA is supporting the City of Graham ' s back through the planning process if a new developer made any changes . Blue/
<br /> Greenway proposal to the Clean Water Green Corp . bought the plans from the previous developer and made some
<br /> Management Trust Fund, with a commit- changes , including changing the name to Harris Tract. In November, Meggison
<br /> ment to scout and help maintain new hiking advised the planning board that the changes were not significant enough to
<br /> and canoe trails along the river. HRA is warrant going back through the process . Based on that advice (which we
<br /> also working with landowners on prospects disagreed with) , the planning board voted in favor of the plan (with Srozier and
<br /> for improving their wastewater treatment LeGrys opposed) . At the county commissioner meeting in November, Blue/Green
<br /> processes , and on removal of a nuisance Corp presented a preliminary plat for approval . Commissioner Gary Phillips
<br /> dam in Burlington , which could lead to requested that Bob Gunn , county attorney, refrain from advising the Board on
<br /> restoration of wetlands . It ' s an exciting Harris Tract, since he had testified in court and made subsequent statements
<br /> time for the Land Conservation Commit- thereafter favorable to Astoria. Phillips ' request was denied, and the preliminary
<br /> tee , with so many new opportunities to plat approved with his the sole vote against it. The developers are now seeking
<br /> protect the Haw River from future federal and state licenses needed to proceed with the project . The county has not
<br /> development and improve water quality yet allocated water for this development, which could turn out to be a critical
<br /> and habitat. issue.
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