County environmental inspectors have cited the developer of the Summer’s Walk subdivision in east Davidson for violations of the town’s erosion control ordinance after silt and stone ran off into a wetland area last month. An announcement by the town this morning said developer Forest City Land Group would be fined an amount still to be determined and will be required to clean up the damage.
Town of Davidson press release, Sept. 8, 2007
On August 6, 2007 a notice of violation was issued by the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency Water Quality Program (LUESA) to the Forest City Land Group. This is regarding the Summers Walk Subdivision and the violation of the Town of Davidson Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance.
LUESA inspectors found the silt fence was incorrectly installed or maintained and sediment was observed in the water along the sewer line.
The inspectors have instructed the developer to repair the silt fence, hire a Wetland Consultant to determine where the stream was impacted and the best method of removal.
A penalty will be assessed but has not been determined at this time.
On August 22 Planning Director Kris Krider, the developer, site contractor, Corey Priddy from Mecklenburg County and a wetland consultant visited the site. There was clear evidence the state mandated erosion control pond had failed and there was a considerable amount of silt run-off and stone that had washed into the wetland area. They found several instances of wetland disturbance consisting of invasive silt and sand 2-6 inches deep that had collected in small gullies leading through the wetland.
The wetland consultant will be drafting a written report stating the developer must remove the silt either with hand digging and buckets or by washing out the gullies with a high pressure hose. The latter was determined to be the preferred option; however, due to the water restrictions now in place, they have recommended that a collection area be constructed now so in the event it does rain, the silt will be collected in the temporary pond.
When water restrictions are lifted, mitigation efforts can commence. Once the silt is transferred to the collection area it will be vacuumed out and relocated back onto the construction site.
For more information contact Rusty Rozzelle at 704-336-5500.
