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Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge [ Purpose ] [ Goals] [Issues] [Events] PURPOSE: The Purpose of the Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge is to advocate for the natural beauty, the biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and the ecological health and integrity of Hickory Nut Gorge. GOALS: 1) Inform citizens of relevant issues and events 2) Discuss issues with representatives of local and regional conservation organizations as well as citizens at large 3) Formulate and express a representative voice of conservation to citizens, officials, and the media Issues Events: Take Action! The NC Justice Academy located at 3971 Chimney Rock Road / US64E in Edneyville NC is planning to build an outdoor tactical firearms range on their campus. The location of this outdoor range is within a few hundred feet of residential homes and business. Two heavily traveled roads would border the range. An outdoor firearms range cannot be guaranteed 100% safe to the neighborhood or nearby traffic. Safety, noise and environmental concerns associated with the range will have a negative impact on residential property values, and will negatively affect tourism in the area. This site is 1.25 miles from the Lewis Creek Nature Park and directly adjacent from the road that will lead to Worlds Edge a property recently acquired by NC State Parks to be included as part of the new Chimney Rock State Park. Local citizens have organized a committee "Opposition to Edneyville Firearms Range, Citizens for Safety". We are asking our State Representatives, County Commissioners and NC Attorney General Roy Cooper to work together to find a more appropriate location for this much needed range. We do not oppose an indoor range but an outdoor range in this residential neighborhood is unacceptable. Please visit thewebsite for further details, government contact information and to lend your voice in support of this cause to protect the safety of residents and the delicate environment, which is an entrance to the Hickory Nut Gorge. Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge Annual Meeting Monday - May 5, 2008 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park Pavilion Refreshments will be served **RSVP by April 30 ** TO: becky@slickrockcottage.com or call 828-685-8798 We need your RSVP so you can be admitted into the park, please let us know you if you will join us The Purpose of the Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge is to advocate for the preservation of the natural beauty, the biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and the ecological health and integrity of Hickory Nut Gorge by informing citizens of relevant issues and events, discussing issues with representatives of local and regional conservation organizations as well as citizens at large, formulating and expressing a representative voice of conservation to citizens, officials, and the media. Presentations will include: Welcome - FHNG President, Diana Richards Status of Chimney Rock State Park - Superintendent, Adrienne Wallace Climate Change in the Gorge - Clint Calhoun, Environmental Management Officer, Town of Lake Lure Membership Opportunities There will be time for all of those in attendance to raise questions, provide suggestions and present new ideas **Please RSVP and let us know if you are coming and/or bringing a friend by April 30th. We will need everyone' name that is coming so you can get into the park. becky@slickrockcottage.com or call 828-685-8798 Save Our Hemlocks Check the Committees page for committee meetings. County Sediment Regulations The Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program has posted a PowerPoint presentation highlighting sediment regulations for Rutherford, Henderson, Buncombe counties to their website. The Lake Lure Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Lake Lure Lakefront Homeowners Association, and Chimney Rock Community Development Association have allowed the UBRWPP to present at their local meetings. To view presentation, access Click on Kiwanis presentation at this link http://www.upperbroadriver.org/new_page_2.htm Please contact Jennifer Beck, Watershed Coordinator at 625-9983 ext 123 if you are interested in learning how to schedule a presentation for your organization. Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program Town of Lake Lure PO Box 255 Lake Lure, NC 28746 www.upperbroadriver.org SAVE THE DATE!!! MAY 5, 2008 Mark your calendar for the Annual Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge members meeting. Come hear: informative speakers and an update on the state of Chimney Rock State Park are planned. Start time and location details still to come. Check our website for updates as the date gets closer. NEW TREE PROTECTION AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN OF LAKE LURE Do you own property in Lake Lure and are thinking of building? New amendments have been passed by the Town of Lake Lure to protect large healthy trees and native shrubs by minimizing how many can be cut. To learn all the details of zoning regulations as they relate to tree removal and site disturbance on subdivision development and private property please click on the following link: Tree Protection Also of interest to those who own property in Lake Lure is the Town of Lake Lure Comprehensive Plan, Item 10. Natural Environment and Open Space, which addresses the current state of water and soil, steep slope development, endangered species, and ridgeline protection in Lake Lure: Natural Environment and Open Space New Maps Predict Alarming Loss of North Carolina Open Spaces The Conservation Trust for North Carolina released a report and series of maps that show an astounding increase in housing density in North Carolina. The maps display local housing density by decade from 1940 to the present, and then use current growth trends to project what the state will look like by 2030. Please click on the links below to view the reports on The Conservation Trust for North Carolina's website. Housing Density Press Release Housing Density Report Housing Density Map Make Your Voice Heard to Save Mountains is a thoughtful commentary on the urgent need to find a balance between land development and protecting the environment in Western North Carolina. ECO Executive Director, David Weintraub graciously gave the Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge permission to post his article on our website. The Trust for Public Land has issued a report entitled The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space: How Land Conservation Helps Communities Grow Smart and Protect the Bottom Line.The report presents quantitative and authoritative research on the economic benefits land conservation can bring to communities. Writers include scientists, economists, and researchers from academia, government, nonprofits, and industry. The report summarizes the best current studies, offers original research, and suggests topics for further inquiry.   EROSION CONTROL Did you know that Henderson County has erosion controls? Do you know what they are? Henderson County Erosion Control Division Contact Information: (To report a complaint/concern send an email to: ErosionControl@hendersoncountync.org) Natalie J. Berry CPESC, CPSWQ, CFM Erosion Control Division Chief Erosion Control Plan Reviewer (> 1 acre) (ESCP)/Water Supply Watershed Administrator/Floodplain Administrator (828) 694-6523, nberry@hendersoncountync.org Tim R. Fox Erosion Control Technician: Investigates and Inspects EC and Flood Damage Complaints/Sites (828) 694-6521, trfox@hendersoncountync.org Karen Smith-Keeler Erosion Control Permit Specialist Issues Sketch Plan Permits (< 1 acre) (828) 694-6522, ksmith-keeler@hendersoncountync.org