Paving over streams and wetlands -- coming near you!
Our chance to halt impervious developers here in Oconee County. And apparently the developer of the shopping center next to Athens Acadmey is going ahead with their law suit, or at least contemplating it, according to the Enterprise website sent twice in a blast this afternoon.
To: oconee@yahoogroups.com
From: ppriest@charter.net
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:01:55 -0500
Subject: [oconee] Paving over streams and wetlands -- coming near you!
__,_._,___
Woven brightly, 
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. To: oconee@yahoogroups.com
From: ppriest@charter.net
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:01:55 -0500
Subject: [oconee] Paving over streams and wetlands -- coming near you!
Hello!
I have a favor to ask.
If you could find time, I think it could REALLY make a difference to
write a letter (see the template below) to ask the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division to NOT ALLOW a developer to pave over a half a mile
of streams and another section of wetlands near the border between
Athens-Clarke and Oconee. The permit is still pending. We can stop it!
Your objection to such irreversible damage to wetlands has to be mailed
-- and it needs to be received in Atlanta by the 19th.
Write a new intro perhaps that says you strongly oppose such actions
that . . . run counter to the Clean Water Act. . . are crazy given what
we know about the value of wetlands. . . would be terrible for our
watershed . . . terrible for our streams and rivers, which are already
scoured and polluted by heavy runoff from paved surfaces . . . or any
number of other, good arguments on our side!
Please toss in the date and sign your letter and add your address.
The EPD's address is on this sample letter, which was generously
prepared by the non-profit UOWN, (the Upper Oconee Watershed Network).
Lee Becker has also spearheaded community objections to this terrible
mega-development. The developer should instead design the sprawling
development to protect and highlight the streams and provide buffers
that are necessary (and practical for so many reasons) -- and are
required by law. Don't let them get a waiver!
Thanks, everyone!
Pat
353-8310
---------------------------------
Program Manager
Non-Point Source Program
Erosion and Sedimentation Control
4220 International Parkway
Suite 101
Atlanta, Georgia 30354
(Date)
Re: Control #: BV-108-08-01
Jennings Mill Retail Development, Epps Bridge Parkway, Oconee County
I am writing in reference to the proposed development on Epps Bridge
Parkway for which the buffer variance permit application #: BV-108-08-01
has been submitted. This development will result in major environmental
impacts, and I request the scheduling of a public hearing on this
application for a buffer variance so that these issues may be more
carefully examined. The development as proposed will pipe five headwater
streams and associated wetlands for a total of 2,678 linear feet of
stream disturbance. Headwater streams and wetlands are crucial for
filtering pollutants and for maintaining downstream health, and the
proposed development will seriously impact the health of this watershed.
Sixty-two out of 63 acres on this previously undeveloped site will be
graded and most will be paved over. McNutt Creek, a major creek
immediately below this site, will be inundated with sediment and
stormwater during and after construction. Sediment and stormwater are
the major impediments to stream health in Georgia, and McNutt Creek is
already suffering from storm water sediment and flow volumes from the
previously developed site at Epps Bridge Parkway. In addition, McNutt
Creek flows into the Middle Oconee River, a 303d-listed impaired river.
In order to meet water quality standards and protect downstream waters
and habitats, the construction site should be redesigned to retain more
of the natural areas and to include adequate sediment and stormwater
ponds to improve water quality before stormwater exits the property and
enters the McNutt Creek.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
I have a favor to ask.
If you could find time, I think it could REALLY make a difference to
write a letter (see the template below) to ask the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division to NOT ALLOW a developer to pave over a half a mile
of streams and another section of wetlands near the border between
Athens-Clarke and Oconee. The permit is still pending. We can stop it!
Your objection to such irreversible damage to wetlands has to be mailed
-- and it needs to be received in Atlanta by the 19th.
Write a new intro perhaps that says you strongly oppose such actions
that . . . run counter to the Clean Water Act. . . are crazy given what
we know about the value of wetlands. . . would be terrible for our
watershed . . . terrible for our streams and rivers, which are already
scoured and polluted by heavy runoff from paved surfaces . . . or any
number of other, good arguments on our side!
Please toss in the date and sign your letter and add your address.
The EPD's address is on this sample letter, which was generously
prepared by the non-profit UOWN, (the Upper Oconee Watershed Network).
Lee Becker has also spearheaded community objections to this terrible
mega-development. The developer should instead design the sprawling
development to protect and highlight the streams and provide buffers
that are necessary (and practical for so many reasons) -- and are
required by law. Don't let them get a waiver!
Thanks, everyone!
Pat
353-8310
------------
Program Manager
Non-Point Source Program
Erosion and Sedimentation Control
4220 International Parkway
Suite 101
Atlanta, Georgia 30354
(Date)
Re: Control #: BV-108-08-01
Jennings Mill Retail Development, Epps Bridge Parkway, Oconee County
I am writing in reference to the proposed development on Epps Bridge
Parkway for which the buffer variance permit application #: BV-108-08-01
has been submitted. This development will result in major environmental
impacts, and I request the scheduling of a public hearing on this
application for a buffer variance so that these issues may be more
carefully examined. The development as proposed will pipe five headwater
streams and associated wetlands for a total of 2,678 linear feet of
stream disturbance. Headwater streams and wetlands are crucial for
filtering pollutants and for maintaining downstream health, and the
proposed development will seriously impact the health of this watershed.
Sixty-two out of 63 acres on this previously undeveloped site will be
graded and most will be paved over. McNutt Creek, a major creek
immediately below this site, will be inundated with sediment and
stormwater during and after construction. Sediment and stormwater are
the major impediments to stream health in Georgia, and McNutt Creek is
already suffering from storm water sediment and flow volumes from the
previously developed site at Epps Bridge Parkway. In addition, McNutt
Creek flows into the Middle Oconee River, a 303d-listed impaired river.
In order to meet water quality standards and protect downstream waters
and habitats, the construction site should be redesigned to retain more
of the natural areas and to include adequate sediment and stormwater
ponds to improve water quality before stormwater exits the property and
enters the McNutt Creek.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
__,_._,___
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