ECO, the Environmental and Conservation Organization, submitted questions on land-use planning and conservation issues to candidates for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. (Walter Sheppard, a Republican running for District 2, did not respond.)

1) What are the most pressing environmental issues in the county and how do you plan to address them as commissioner?

Bruce Hatfield, R, District 5

One of the most pressing issues is rural urbanization formerly known as urban sprawl. Since 2000 over 12,000 residential lots have been approved. In 2007 in the first four months over 2,690 lots were approved. This is not managing or controlling growth. Running water and sewer lines into the rural parts of the county will only increase the amount of growth. We must limit the number of large subdivisions in the rural parts of the county, confining them to the urban parts of the county, Fletcher, Hendersonville areas. Farmers must be allowed to pass on their property to their heirs with minimal tax exposure. This must occur at county, state and federal levels. Tax exemptions for farm land must be kept and taxes on land at a minimum. We must preserve our open spaces, mountains, trees, lakes and streams.

Sam Laughter, R, District 5

As I am sure you know the profit in recycling metal, wood, paper and glass is not very high. In some cases it is a losing enterprise. The material must be stored somewhere to be sorted, stockpiled and shipped to places that can reprocess the material. The county regulations require this type of business to be located on some of the most expensive land in the county. We then impose costly regulations that make it even more unprofitable. These issues must be studied to find ways to remove the barriers that prevent us from protecting the environment.

Chuck McGrady, R, District 5

Almost all environmental issues in Henderson County relate to growth. As we grow, new subdivisions are built, more roads are needed, more water is consumed, and more waste is generated. So I'd rank "growth-related issues" as the top environmental concern. Water quality would be the second issue which concerns me. Many of our streams are still polluted by soil sedimentation and other pollutants. Air quality would be the third issue which concerns me.

As for what to do about these issues, there is no quick fix. We have to try to manage the growth which is occurring. There are places in this county where homes shouldn't be built or where low density is critical if we are going to protect farmland and forests. We need to keep our Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code current, and we need to build into the Land Development Code more protections for steep slopes and streams and rivers.

We have just taken over responsibility for enforcing the state's soil and sedimentation rules. The state's rules were not specifically designed for mountain counties, so we need to review the ordinance to see whether it needs to be amended to protect mountain waters. We also need to continue to fund the VWIN program and the expansion of the Mills River Partnership to work with farmers on water quality protection efforts throughout the county.

Sam Selph, D, District 5

I feel that in order to best respond to these questions, I would need more information. Of course, a major concern would be the cost the residents of Hendersonville County could incur. If elected commissioner, I would welcome the opportunity to work with the ECO and the residents of Hendersonville County.

Mark Buckner, R, District 2

Growth, also known as rural urbanization, is one of our most pressing environmental concerns. I believe we need to control this with stricter water and sewer regulations.

Charlie Messer, R, District 2

The issue of solid waste will become critical during the next term. Our current contract for hauling our waste will be up for renewal and, due to increased fuel cost, we expect a much higher rate. We need to be aggressively pursuing ways to reduce our waste tonnage--not only to reduce the cost, but because we all know it's the right thing to do.

 

 

2) What actions have you taken in the past that demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship and how will you apply this to your work as commissioner?

Bruce Hatfield

I have personally participated in efforts to stop The Glen at somewhere, participated in opposition to Seven Falls. Currently seeking legal recourse against the developer of Timber Wolf which is polluting Little Mud Creek and Mud Creek. I will use my vote as a commissioner against developers who do not respect the environment, to include developments in rural areas and those developments which will affect lakes, streams, creeks and mountains.

Sam Laughter

I purchased a Sportsman license starting at age 16. There were many years that I did not have a chance to use the license, but I did contribute support to North Carolina Game Lands and Wildlife management. I also own a mountain bog that is under my protection at this time.

Chuck McGrady

In my first term on the county commission, I led the effort to fund two "Green Schools" in Henderson County. I pushed for adoption of the Land Development Code and fought efforts to weaken it [more commercial zoning near neighborhoods] and sought to strength it [added provisions limited some development on steep slopes]. I have voted against all extensions of water lines which would result in inter-basin transfers and/or development of rural areas [Bearwallow Mountain, Kenmure extension, and Pinnacle Falls]. I opposed allowing development within floodplains. I successfully pushed to expand the Mills River Partnership (a collaborative effort between environmentalists and farmers] to river basins besides the Mills River basin. I successfully argued for the county to take over responsibility for the State's soil erosion rules, and I also supported the successful effort to add an Enforcement Division within county government to enforce, among other things, the promises made by developers when subdividing property.

My personal commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in the various leadership roles I've played with numerous environmental organizations: National President of the Sierra Club, President, Friends of DuPont Forest, President, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Executive Director, Environmental & Conservation Organization. I was a leader in the effort to create the DuPont State Forest, and I'm currently the President of Muddy Sneakers, a collaborative effort with local schools to get kids into the woods to learn about nature while working within the school curriculum. I serve on the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Mark Buckner

I have property on Bearwallow and am planting back fruit and nut trees for the wildlife there. I also keep the creek free of debris and trash. Our waterways should be a priority in managing our growth. As commissioner I will be very interested in listening to all ideas and options for keeping our environment safe.

Charlie Messer

As a commissioner I supported the recently completed Land Development Code (LDC) and supporting ordinances. I am committed to regularly reviewing these and amending them as needed.

 

 

3) Given our skyrocketing growth in the county, what would you do to protect our rural character, our farmland and our sensitive habitats?

Bruce Hatfield

Farmers deserve protection from rising taxes which force them to sell off their land. Droughts and freezes are acts of nature which can not be prevented, however tax relief in those years can. Eliminating the inheritance tax when land and farms are passed onto family can help. This is a county, state and federal issue. Developments should be concentrated in the urban areas, and be limited in size and scope.

Sam Laughter

I will see that wet lands are protected by working with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Farmers will continue to farm as long as they are making a living. Due to the importation of farm products many farms are failing. I call for food stores to buy local produce when possible to support the American farmer. If we don't, we will continue to see farm land sold for uses other than farming. The tax rate increases are also a big factor in the loss of farm land. My family and I purchase local products and encourage others to do so as well.

Chuck McGrady

I think the key is having a Land Development Code and making decisions consistent with it. Moreover, we need to continue to revise the Code to address issues related to protection of farmland, rural areas, and sensitive habitats. We need to reject efforts to provide water and sewer to rural areas. If we extend utilities to these areas, they will develop rapidly.

Mark Buckner

Again, we need to control this with the water and sewer lines we approve or disapprove. If city water is available to the whole county, we have a growth explosion. The mountains are our heritage and the reason people come here. I believe we need to look hard at our growth development.

Charlie Messer

The LDC is our foremost means of seeing to it that our growth and development is orderly and in the best interest of all our residents. This set of rules and ordinances has only been in effect for a short while, and I and the other commissioners are watching to see what works and what doesn't. We know this isn't a perfect solution to all the problems associated with growth, but it's an important step. We will be adding and subtracting as we learn.

 

 

4) Would you be willing to strengthen the Land Development Code to give greater protections to steep slopes, flood plains and a tree ordinance? Why or why not?

Bruce Hatfield

We should work to strengthen our land code to reflect the various parts of the county. In the rural parts of the county, large tracts should be preserved and not be allowed to be subdivided into huge subdivisions as has occurred with Seven Falls, the Glen and Bearwallow Mountain. Had the existing land code been strengthened, developers would not have descended upon Henderson County and have applied for huge tracts of land to be turned into large subdivisions reminiscent of Charlotte, and Atlanta. We need to restrict building on flood plains, near lakes and streams. Clear cutting should be avoided at all costs; minimal tree cutting should be permitted, only enough for the footprint of the building and little else. Replacing of trees cut on large tracts must be enforced. Tree farms are the exception.

Sam Laughter

The LDC needs a lot of work so it can be understood as a minimum standard. Steep slopes are addressed in Erosion Control regulations. In the future the Storm Water regulations that are required by the state will also protect steep slopes. Flood plains are now regulated. The county has issued more building permits since the regulations have been put in place, than in the past 20 years in these flood plains. It seems sometimes we should not address some land uses at all to avoid creation of a bigger problem. Trees in the county are a crop that should be managed differently than in the cities. Land owners should cut mature trees and replace them with new plantings. This will aid in the prevention of disease and forest fires which waste our valuable resources and pose a threat to our air, water, and lives.

Chuck McGrady

Yes. We need to give the new code a little bit of time to see how it is working. I'm already on record in support of greater protection for flood plains, and I think we need to analyze the new provisions in the code regarding steep slopes to see whether they are working. A tree ordinance may be needed, but at this time I see no groundswell of support for a county tree ordinance.

Mark Buckner

Yes. I don't think homes should be developed in flood plains. If it flooded there in the past, it will again in the future. This is not protecting our residents. Steep slope development creates many more issues. Trees get cleared out, causing mudslides, pushing wildlife out of the area, and fire protection is hard to provide. But I also believe the Code needs to be changed in other ways to provide for small businesses to come into our area. This will keep jobs in our county also.

Charlie Messer

I refer you to my previous answer. We're taking one step at a time. We want to bring the people on board with us. We'll have greater success the more "buy-in" we have among those who are most affected by new rules. Education and persuasion can be more effective tools than a hammer in many cases.

 

 

5) Do you support county-wide curbside recycling pickup? If yes, how would you implement it?

Bruce Hatfield

Since many of the refuse collectors are independent operators, they can offer such services at an additional cost to the consumer. Consumers should not be required to participate unless they ask to be able to recycle at the curb. Additional recycling stations at various locations in the county for paper, plastic and aluminum should be provided by the County. These could be placed on or near schools or other County buildings.

Sam Laughter

I do support curbside recycling, however not as a county service. I am and have been a recycler for as long as I have had a place to take recyclables. The private sector will be .glad to take care of it if the people want to pay for it. If the curb side pick up creates a litter problem the county may want to look at some regulation to prevent the recycling from being scattered all over the roads, and other peoples yards while waiting for pick up.

Chuck McGrady

Yes. The key is probably franchising our waste haulers to require them to provide curbside pickup.

Mark Buckner

I support recycling. I believe one of the best options would be to provide recycling dumpsters in areas for all the county residents. If they are there, people will use them. We could look at South Carolina's recycling areas as an example.

Charlie Messer

Yes I favor this. But there's much more involved than just saying we should do it. We need to meet with the garbage haulers and find an effective and AFFORDABLE way to accomplish this and, frankly, I don't have an easy answer. To be most honest, this time of slow economy is not a good time to be implementing new programs that have costs associated with it. But it is a good time to be preparing the ground and sowing seeds -- educating the public and researching ways and means.