N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality Public Hearing: Proposed Class Unique Wetland Reclassification of Sandy Bottom Wetlands

This public hearing will take place beginning at 6 p.m. in the Highsmith Student Union Beaucatcher Mountain Room (225), with speaker registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to everyone.

Information from N.C. DEQ

Mountain True, Defenders of Wildlife, and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation have requested that the Sandy Bottom wetlands in Buncombe County (French Broad River Basin) be reclassified from Class WL to Class WL UWL.  The Unique Wetland (UWL) classification is a state designation reserved for wetlands of ” exceptional state or national ecological significance, which require special protection to maintain existing uses.  These wetlands may include wetlands that have been documented to the satisfaction of the Commission as habitat essential for the conservation of state or federally listed threatened or endangered species.”

The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide verbal comments that specifically address the proposed reclassification and its regulatory impact analysis for the wetlands.  In addition, written comments addressing the proposed reclassification and regulatory impact analysis for the wetlands will be accepted until January 31, 2020.  Written comments should be submitted to Adriene Weaver, DWR Water Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611. Written comments may also be submitted to adriene.weaver@ncdenr.gov

More information and links to documents from N.C. DEQ is online here.

More analysis from Asheville Citizen-Times is online here.

Visitor Parking on the UNC Asheville Campus – Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.

Building accessibility information is available here.

Accessibility Contact: Highsmith Student Union, highsmithunion@unca.edu or 828.251.6990.