September 5, 2006

Governor Michael F. Easley
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-0301

Dear Governor Easley:

As I stated in my recent letter to Mr. Connolly, County Attorney for Buncombe County, the western region of North Carolina is on a precipice literally and figuratively.

The counties of Western North Carolina are facing more landslide disasters and I am asking the state to pass a moratorium for all mountain development until the issue of safe slope construction has been addressed. There are hundreds of mountain subdivisions and resorts underway in the region and most local governments are unable or unwilling to adopt safe slope regulations. The actions or inactions of the local governing bodies are putting the residents of the communities at risk and are endangering the lives and the property of the families buying in these vulnerable unmapped areas.

When I wrote to you in February about safe slope construction I was not aware that the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Section had identified the twenty one counties of Western North Carolina that are at high risk for the natural hazards of landslides, flooding, and severe winter weather. I was also not aware that fifteen counties of Western North Carolina were declared federal disaster areas in September 2004. Perhaps the most relevant facts in the debate about landslides and safe slope regulations are the passage of two bills by the General Assembly. The Mountain Ridge Protection Act clearly identified the dangers of mountain ridge and slope construction and the second bill, The Hurricane Protection Act, provided funding for landslide mapping by the North Carolina Geological Survey.

I am enclosing documents, letters, and reports. I hope this information will persuade you to act to prevent more catastrophes.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lynne Vogel