Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge

County Liaisons

Polk County	Debbie Shetterly: dshetterly@tnc.org 828-749-1700 Diana Richards: Wolfeyes20201@bellsouth.net 828-625-8999
Rutherford County	Bob Wald: rjwald1@bellsouth.net 828-625-1805 Robin Proctor: rhp177@bellsouth.net 828-625-9489
Henderson County	Jennifer Beck: watershed@carolinamountain.org 828-625-9983 ext. 123 Becky Coleman: becky@slickrockcottage.com 828-685-8798
Buncombe County	Isbell Behrer: bambehr@bellsouth.net David Keller: batdave@blueridge.net 828-625-9894

If you wish to speak at a county meeting on behalf of FHNG please feel free to contact one of our liaison members to coordinate your efforts and ask questions about protocal in speaking at the meeting in advance.

Talking Points when speaking at a public forum as a FHNG member.

FHNG
We are a coalition of four counties of community members that advocate for the natural beauty, the biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and the ecological health and integrity of Hickory Nut Gorge.


Chimney Rock Park
Appreciate your support in protecting a landmark in the Gorge by passing a resolution asking the State to purchase Chimney Rock Park


What Brought Me Here Today
The Gorge has national and world significance for its biodiversity. Specific action is necessary at the local level now to preserve the way of life and the natural beauty that makes Hickory Nut Gorge and __________ County a special place.
The position letter before you outlines the critical issues facing Hickory Nut Gorge as well as our recommendations that will allow for sustainable development. We realize growth is inevitable (reference map) but advocate growth coupled with natural resource protection.
Preserving natural resources makes economic sense in terms of tourism revenues and public safety
Information is available to guide local governments on growth within significant natural areas.
Respectfully urge you to consider and enact stronger county ordinances to protect our steep slopes, mountain ridges and unique biodiversity, particularly in identified natural heritage areas.
The Friends of the Hickory Nut Gorge stand ready to assist and vocally support government actions that lead to the protection of natural resources.
We welcome an opportunity to further discuss our letter with the Commission
Thank you for your time





Specifics

We make the following specific recommendations:
County governments and municipalities incorporate Natural Heritage inventories to help plan for growth and development
Consider and enact strong county ordinances to protect our steep slopes, mountain ridges and unique biodiversity, particularly in identified natural heritage areas.
Require developers to pay for a independent, property-specific inventory of species when Natural Heritage areas are involved
Require a conservation easement for each development that involves Natural Heritage areas
Mandate the use of pre-existing roads in development plans and require minimum radius for any new roads that are deemed necessary
Require lot sizes to be based on septic allowances
Require five foot integral topographic maps for plat review
Address land disturbance and vegetation removal in order to reduce erosion control issues and protect our waterways.
Lower county taxes for parcels protected with conservation easement
Provide some portion of county funds for landowner assistance with transaction costs for conservation easements
We welcome an opportunity to further discuss our recommendations with the Commission
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Commission