Rick Thames, Editor
Charlotte Observer
600 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-1880

Dear Mr. Thames:

I hope that my letter and the enclosed information will persuade you to do a series of articles on the critical impact of mountain slope development in Western North Carolina. There has been an explosion of mountain resorts in the past few years with little or no state supervision. While North Carolina geologists are busy mapping counties prone to landslides, dozens of slope side resort communities are underway in vulnerable mountain locations. This lack of oversight and regulation poses serious consequences for the state, local residents, and buyers.

All of the county governments in the western part of the state are dealing with the competing interests of developers and local citizens. Some, such as the Boone Town Council, have passed regulations that will lessen the future dangers of landslides and flooding. Others, such as Madison County, are influenced by the prospect of increased tax revenue and have been quick to approve new development projects such as Scenic Wolf and Breakaway. Yesterday the Madison County Board of Commissioners approved the petition by B & E Ventures for a 500-700 home development on a 208 acre mountain slope site.

In September 2004 and in July 2005 the state issued landslide advisories for Western North Carolina. The advisories became a reality and we are aware of the devastating results of these environmental disasters. There was loss of life and major economic damage. North Carolina geologists have stated that mountain slope development is a contributing factor to landslides.

Buyers of mountain property are not aware of the risks of living slope side. The North Carolina residential sales contract should disclose the known hazards of landslides and flooding. Homeowner policies will not cover damage caused by earth movement and ground water flooding. To protect your home you must buy landslide insurance. There is no insurance coverage for the loss of land. Landslide insurance is expensive and is difficult to buy. Protection against ground water flooding must be purchased through FEMA.

The risks are known and irrefutable. In order to protect the interests of everyone involved, the state should pass a moratorium on all mountain development. Building permits for commercial and residential mountain slope property should be granted only after a site has been declared stable by a licensed geologist.

To compensate the county and the state for future environmental disasters the limited liability mountain developers should have to contribute a reasonable amount to a state risk fund. For example, 10% of their investment in the project.

Thank you for your interest in this challenging issue.

Sincerely,

Lynne Vogel