WFMY-TV on the Haw River State Park

WFMY-TV featured a story tonight on the Haw River State Park and the large community response to stop the rezoning and allow the expansion of the park. There is plenty of property elsewhere for a golf course and gated housing community but the Haw River State Park needs this adjoining 691 acre tract for healthy growth.

It appears that the attorney for Bluegreen, Henry Issacson, is still trying to understand what is the level of interest in this tract from N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. The answer is the State needs this entire tract for the future expansion and growth of the Haw River State Park.

"In a perfect world I would rather see a state park out there"

Justin Catanoso has a very informative piece today in the Triad Business Journal. Much of his article is quoted below:

"It promises to be a classic real estate showdown -- development vs. preservation -- with hot-button issues such a gated golf course community and fragile ecosystems being argued by prominent corporate attorneys for both sides."

"... Yet this week, Isaacson asked emphatically: "The big question here is -- what does the state want to do here?"
That answer is already known. On Aug. 22, Lewis Ledford, director of the Parks and Recreation Division of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, wrote Guilford County Manager David McNeil, saying:

"From the outset, state parks identified the properties (considered in the rezoning) appropriate for addition to the Haw River State Park based upon natural resources, habitat and location... Unfortunately, we were unable to secure permission to appraise the properties prior to the assemblage of the development proposal... Bottom line, we remain interested in acquiring the property and have the funding options in place to be able to close in a timely manner."

"...So, is the state willing to pay the three property owners of the 690 acres roughly the same amount of money Bluegreen has agreed to pay?"

"Sue McBean, the superintendent of the Haw River State Park, knows that's a sensitive issue."

"We can pay between $16,000 and $20,000 per acre for that land, which is what we believe the developer is paying," McBean says. "We are definitely not looking to hurt any of the property owners. If we had been able to make those appraisals two years ago, this all could have been resolved."

"...At the moment, where do the commissioners stand?
We managed to reach seven of the 11 commissioners this week. Each one said he or she is keeping an open mind and wants to hear from both sides. But four -- Gibson, Linda Shaw, Kirk Perkins and Carolyn Coleman -- say they are leaning against the rezoning."

"The other three -- Skip Alston, John Parks and Billy Yow -- say they are undecided."

"...Meanwhile, Gibson, the board chair, says, "In a perfect world, I would rather see a state park out there."

"...None of the commissioners says the estimated $360 million that Patriot's Landing could add to the county tax base when fully developed is a persuasive argument by itself. Coleman worries that with 775 homes, the county would likely have to build a new school in the area, which might not be offset by the tax-base gain."

"For his part, Perkins, whose district encompasses most of the land in question, pretty much knows how he will vote. He points out that he is an Eagle Scout and member of the Nature Conservancy."

"This is an opportunity we don't want to miss," he says, "not just six months from now, but 25 years from now."

The Powerful Voice of Students and Our Youth

Dr. Ken Gracz and your 6 Environmental Science students -- THANKS!! -- for your wonderful comments below.

The long term expansion and growth of the Haw River State Park will benefit us all especially the youth in our community.

WE appreciate your direct support for the proper expansion of the park.

Now on Facebook pages, via emails, via My Space and many other channels we are hearing from the youth in our community. They are asking us to expand the Haw River State Park and protect the Haw River corridor for the long range benefit to all of us in Rockingham and Guilford County.

Keep your comments coming!!

Triad Ranks 2nd Greatest in Sprawl in US

Thanks to Jim Rosenberg for the heads up about the severe level of sprawl in the Triad. Rosenberg said: "Saving the park also makes good business sense. Corporate site selection is increasingly focusing on sprawl"

"Smart Growth America, a Washington, D.C. - based advocacy group has released the results of a three year study..."The three metro areas with the greatest sprawl, at least according to the SGA study, are Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.; Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, N.C.; and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., respectively."

" Sprawl and "policy recommendations": Not surprisingly, the SGA study also comes with "six policy recommendations to reduce sprawl and promote smarter growth" for "regions wishing to improve their quality of life." Those recommendations include:
"Reinvest in neglected communities and provide more housing opportunities;"
"Rehabilitate abandoned properties;"
"Encourage new development or redevelopment in already built up areas;"
"Create and nurture thriving, mixed-use centers of activity;"
"Support growth management strategies;" and
"Craft transportation policies that complement smarter growth."

Haw River Golf Course Can Go Elsewhere!

Eric Schaefer has provided us with a number of wonderful articles on some of his wilderness experiences. His recent article in today's N&R Outdoors Section (C10) in the back of the Sports Section is very timely.

Eric is one who has moved through the world with a gentle footprint that honors simplicity and shows love for the natural environment. He tells of his recent adventure, along with Vance Arnold: "...dragging the boat (due to very low water) through cat briars and poison ivy,under or over falling trees, stumbling over submerged sticks, falling in holes in the water or sitting in the water resting up for the next obstacles."

Schaefer asks us "How badly we want this park, what are we willing to sacrifice, and how extensive and inclusive it needs to be are questions we ought to be asking now, since we have only one chance. Once the land is developed there will be no returning."

"Shall we make this park our priority and do what we can to ensure it will be the jewel that is envisioned...? Although I'm a golfer and enjoy walking around a new course, this is a no-brainer -- our priority should be making this park the crown jewel of the Piedmont..."

"There are other sites for golf course -- there is no other place for the Haw River State Park."

"Let your commissioners know what you think."

Ed Cone's Excellent N&R Column

"Therein lies the choice and the chance to make a decision that will resonate into the future. We can open a vital bit of our vanishing natural landscape for public use, creating a legacy for generations, or we can lock it away for the pleasure of a few, remaking yet another expanse of countryside into suburbia."

As stated in his fine column we hope that on this issue the Guilford County Commissioners will "work for us."

"Wouldn't it be great if we could offer that kind of timeless (wilderness) experience to our children and their children?"

The Key Problem -- Wastewater Treatment Plants

Back in late July Jordan Green had an important article in YES Weekly on the regional governments ongoing attempt to resist the cleanup of Jordan Lake, the main water supply for the Triangle. Wastewater pollution from the Haw River as it flows into Jordan Lake is a central concern of the N.C. Division of Water Quality. If the Guilford and Rockingham County Commissioners allow the rezoning for Patriot's Landing both counties will be again ignoring the major concerns of the N.C. Division of Water Quality and may be directly forcing the creation of new, stricter, more expensive water quality rules and regulations for the Haw River/Upper Cape Fear River Basin watershed.

Green said: "The state's data tells a somewhat different story about the sources of Jordan Lake's pollution from the Haw River. The Division of Water Quality found that 35 percent of nitrogen loads in the Haw River comes from point sources - mainly wastewater treatment plants..."

The County Commissioners in both Guilford and Rockingham will be sending the wrong signal if they allow the placement of a new community sewer treatment plant on the banks of the Haw River that will add to the nitrogen rich flow heading towards Jordan Lake. There is also no doubt that both the golf course chemicals and the extensive use of yard chemicals from the 775 planned houses will also add to the nitrogen and phosphorous pollution damaging Jordan Lake.

Open House Sunday at Haw River State Park

You are invited to an Open House at the Haw River State Park on Sunday, Sept. 16th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Come with Family and Friends to the Summit at the Haw River State Park.

From Greensboro head north out Church St. to Hwy 150. Take a right onto Hwy 150 and head down to Spearman Rd. Take a left on Spearman Rd. and go 1 1/2 miles. Take a left onto Conference Center Drive and follow to the end of the drive.

Community Meeting on Sept. 13th

We are hosting a community wide meeting at Gethsemane UMC (on the corner of Church St. and Highway 150) Thursday night, Sept. 13th. The gathering will take place from 5-7 p.m. and we'd love to see you there. There will be opportunities for you to learn more about the Haw River State Park, let your County Commissioners know how you feel, and find out what we're doing to stop the rezoning. Plus there will be cookies and lemonade!

Protecting Water Resources

Good questions from down in the comment areas below! Bluegreen has spoken of using an average of 100,000 gallons of water per day but a new course, with un-established turf during a draught will require significantly more water than their original estimate. They plan to confiscate water from the Haw River during times of high water levels and store that water in a containment pond. But my bet is that pond would be dry if we have a repeat of this summer and then they are forced to confiscate additional water during a time of very low flow.
They may need well over 400,000 gallons of water per day during the hot dry summer months with tender young turf.

Rockingham County may be far better off to manage their water resources with an eye on our ongoing drought and the long term needs of the residents of Rockingham County. Water lines run to the far stretches of Rockingham County will be over utilized down the road as more and more developments tie onto those water line.

Please Visit our Web Site!

Thanks for visiting our blog but also be sure to visit our Web Site. Near the top of our Web Site's home page be sure to click on "Photos of the Haw River." On a recent canoe trip (canoe push) down the Haw River, Jenny Kimmel took some new pictures that were recently posted. Even during this time of intense drought notice how the wetland photo shows clearly how the wetlands do their job of storing water.

Help us protect these wetlands and support the expansion of the Haw River State Park!!

Triad Business Journal Op-Ed

Today David Craft had an excellent Op-Ed in the Business Journal.

If Patriot's Landing is built it "will drive a spike in the heart of the Haw River State Park."

David's Op-Ed also hits some key points that the increased pollution of Lake Jordan, coming in part from our section of the Haw River, may force the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to place greater water quality restrictions on Guilford County and Rockingham County.

Wildlife Along the Haw River

In the comments below someone asked about the wildlife along the Haw River corridor. In the sections of the Haw River wetlands in Guilford County and Rockingham County I have personally viewed a great abundance of wildlife. I have seen many grey and red foxes, a huge abundance of deer, several coyotes, several otters, a tremendous amount of beavers. There have been several black bears sighted along the Haw's wetlands. I have seen many Copperheads, King snakes, Northern Water snakes and loads of Black snakes. Many types of salamanders, frogs and toads as well as fresh water mussels thrive along the Haw River.

One can usually see Great Blue Herons, Wild Turkey, Quail and an abundance of many song birds.

John Young

Already Agreed to Stay back a Minimum of 500'

The Haw River Trail Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners (April 10, 2006) and Rockingham County Board of Commissioners (March 16, 2006) prohibits wastewater treatment plants or development within 500 feet of the Haw River.

From the memorandum: "Whereas, the preservation of lands within the Trail Corridor would support the multiple goals of the Partners; therefore the width of the Trail Corridor for planning purposes should be a minimum of 500 feet from the top of the bank (1000' corridor) where possible. The proposed use of the Trail Corridor should be a balance of natural resource protection, recreation, water quality, historical and cultural preservation, view shed protection, and economic development. As much as possible, undisturbed natural vegetation within the Trail Corridor is preferred to meet the maximum of these goals.."

For details of the Memorandum of Understanding see -- http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/parknews/releases/HawRiver_MOU_FINAL.html

Very Low Water in the Haw River!!

Over the last 10 days Vance Arnold and friends have kayaked and canoed the Haw River twice along the area needed for expansion of the Haw River State Park. In reality Vance and friends have mostly pushed their canoe/kayak because of the extremely low water in the Haw River. A feeder pipe was added several years ago by the City of Greensboro to draw water from the Haw River during times like these of receding reservoirs and drought. However, the Haw River today cannot supply any water for Greensboro because the water level is far too low in the Haw River to be of any help. We understand the city's feeder pipe at the Haw River is many feet higher than the current flow level.

Golf courses, especially during the first two years as the turf develops, need massive amounts of water. A brand new 27 hole course sits barren in Boca Raton, Fla. because the estimated 1,000,000 gallons of water needed per day is not yet available from any approved resource.
See --
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/south/epaper/2007/07/06/s1b_golf_0706.html

Many estimates for the first two years of watering a quality golf course far exceed the 100,000 gallon amount that has been discussed as the average needed at the proposed Patriot's Landing development. Tender turf, with no rain and temperatures in the high 90's, scream for constant moisture. Patriot's Landing proposed holding pond, that is designed to be filled from the Haw River when the Haw River has a high flow, would probably have become significantly depleted over our recent hot, dry months. So Patriot's Landing may need to replenish their holding pond in another dry July, August and September when hardly any water is available from the Haw River. A real conflict of water resources could occur if Patriot's Landing is built along the bank of the Haw River.

In a comment section below Vance Arnold said: Yesterday I "canoed", no "kayaked" the Haw River from Church St. to the bridge at Monroeton Rd. The quotation marks are to highlight how little water there is in that section of the river at this point, deep in an extreme drought. It was however beautiful. The wetlands are extensive and serving their very important function of storing water during dry times.What will happen if Bluegreen is allowed to withdraw 100,000 gallons minimum per day.

It Will Benefit Us All

Conservation of our environment is not an issue for the Left or the Right, nor an issue for Republicans or Democrats. I have seen some of the best efforts for land preservation and protection pushed by groups who love the out of doors but also love to hunt and fish. Wildlife habitat preservation and protection of the few natural areas of our county remaining is a broad community good. It can benefit both the Tree Huggers and the those who like to take a grandson or granddaughter onto other land permitted for hunting. If the Haw River State Park is allowed, with broad community support, to grow and develop it will be a benefit for all of us. Protected wildlife corridors help many for many different reasons.

So the next time you pass a hiker in the woods don't waste your time talking about politics. Instead you may want to discuss that a few black bears have been sighted in our Guilford County section of the Haw River. You may even be interested in hiking together to the nearby Great Blue Heron rookery on the banks of the Haw River.

The choice is easy -- YES!! -- we want a growing, dynamic Haw River State Park placed in our backyard for the long range benefit of Guilford and Rockingham County. This is a gift far too good to turn down!!


John D. Young

Real Choice

Someone in N&R LTTE comments yesterday mentioned about the State's ability of eminent domain but that is not being raised by anyone connected with the Haw River State Park. The property owners have already signed contracts to sale their land to the Bluegreen development group. That contract, however, is dependent on several factors including rezoning, special permits to remove significant water from the Haw River, community septic system permits, water line extension approval from Rockingham County (at significant expense to Rockingham County), etc. That rezoning and special permit process is underway but is far from being resolved. In fact the infrastructure expense to both Rockingham and Guilford County for this proposed 775 house development at the edge of both counties could prove very expensive to tax payers. Including water line extension, new fire department, widening of Church St. and areas of Hwy 150, plus additional class space in the areas primary, middle and high schools that are currently almost at full capacity.

What is now good for the property owners is that they have a second, eager, alternative buyer, N.C. Depart. of Environment and Natural Resources, willing to pay the full market value as determined to a large extent by Bluegreen's development. So now the property owners have two real buyers in the wing. If all of the hoops that Bluegreen must jump through for this project along the banks of the Haw River are not approved their contract will be terminated. The land owners then will have another fine option.

Also funds for the expansion of the Haw River State Park are of little drain on the State's budget. Money for the huge land acquisition needed for the long term development of the HRSP will likely come from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, supported by a portion of the state's tax on real estate deed transfers. Other funding comes from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.

WE are lucky that the State wants to give Guilford County the treasure of a expanding State Park in our back yard and preserve some of this beautiful land along the Haw River. I hope we fully support their efforts and understand its significance to our children, and grand children. Other land can work well for Bluegreen's development. I hope that 50 years from now a lot of folks will say -- Thanks for preserving this land back in 2007 with this wonderful State Park!!

John Young

What is this about

This blog is dedicated to serving as a place of discussion on the issues surrounding the Haw River State Park. I will try to update this daily, but cannot guarantee that.

We welcome differing opinions, questions, and dialogue in general.

Keep the discussion clean and no personal attacks.

Look for more soon.