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29 <br /> From: John Dempsey <br /> To: Buckhorn Studv <br /> Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Buckhorn Area Plan Public Comment <br /> Date: Saturday,May 22,20214:38:04 PM <br /> 5.21.2021 <br /> To: The Orange County Planning Department <br /> Re: Buckhorn Area Plan public comment and questions. <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to participate in public comments and questions <br /> regarding the Buckhorn Area Plan (BAP) proposals. <br /> I have two comments and a few questions regarding the BAP, particularly its <br /> potential impact on Sevenmile Creek and subsequently the Hillsborough municipal <br /> water supply. I believe that it is extremely important to answer questions regarding <br /> the environmental impact that would result from changing the land use in Sevenmile <br /> Creek and the first and second-order creeks that feed it and its aquifer. <br /> Comment #1: There should be more opportunity for public comment regarding the <br /> BAP. The meeting that recently took place was a bit confusing and the OCBOCC <br /> would definitely benefit from the information provided by Orange County residents by <br /> scheduling another public session. <br /> Comment #2: Sevenmile Creek feeds into the Eno River system just upstream from <br /> the Hillsborough municipal water supply intake. Hillsborough is the beneficiary of this <br /> source of quality drinking water (NC State rated: WS-11, NS). <br /> The environmental impact of the industrial uses recommended for this watershed in <br /> the BAP need to be quantified in order for the Orange County Board to make the <br /> correct decisions regarding land use and restrictions in that water system. Absent <br /> engineering and science based information, regarding the volume and water quality <br /> impact on this system, then the only vote that would make sense would have to be <br /> `no', recognizing the existing protected watershed designation that this area enjoys. If <br /> an area is currently protected then the burden of proof should be on those who <br /> recommend stripping those protections. There should be data that is science based <br /> and provided by third parties that have no financial interest in the proposed changes. <br /> Questions for the Commissioners and the Planning Department: <br /> • How can the Buckhorn Area Plan technically move forward given that it is not in <br /> compliance with the WASMPBA, Water and Sewer Management Planning and <br /> Boundary Agreement between Hillsborough, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange <br /> County? <br /> • The Greene Tract Development has had a recent study completed by Synterra <br /> Company identifying rare flora and fauna as well as trees that are over 100 years old <br /> within that 164-acre parcel. How many trees over 100 years old are located within the <br /> 1,300 plus acres located within the overall Buckhorn Area Plan and how many of <br /> those are on parcels A and B? <br />