March 24, 2006

Roy Cooper, Attorney General
NC Attorney General’s Office
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-9001

Dear Mr. Cooper:

I would like to express my concerns about the construction of mountain resorts in Western North Carolina and the risks of landslides. Land resource and limited liability companies are not disclosing the hazards of mountain slope property to their clients.

In February 2005 the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Hurricane Recovery Act. Part of the bill provided funding for the NCGS to begin a landslide hazard map for nineteen counties. The state has recognized the risks of mountain slope development and the North Carolina geological staff has published extensive reports about the dangers of steep slope development.

There are dozens of mountain resorts underway in Western North Carolina and many of the building site are in unmapped areas. Mountain developers should be required to disclose the landslide hazards in their promotional material and in the sales contract. The public would then be aware of the risks of buying homes on unstable ground.

In September 2004, at least 130 landslides were reported. These economic and environmental catastrophies caused five deaths and destroyed 27 homes. Please see enclosed landslide surveys completed by the North Carolina Geological group.

Thank you for your interest in this serious issue.

Sincerely,

Lynne Vogel