The NC Parks Lower Haw River State Natural Area borders a section of the Haw River in Chatham County NC from above Bynum to below US Hwy 64. The majority of the LHRSNA area is located on both sides of the Haw directly down river of the Bynum Pedestrian Bridge (now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places). This natural area is rated as Exceptional by the NC Natural Heritage Program for aquatic habitat and Very High for habitats and riverbank lands. Even so, some sections of LHRSNA are only 30″ wide. Adjacent to the LHRSNA, on the southern side of the Haw River, Chatham Park Investors and NCDOT have submitted a revised 401 Permit Application to cover the 2240 acres for “North Village”, plus the proposed North Chatham Park Way. The original 401 Permit was denied by DEQ Division of Water Resources. Any public comments on this application should to be sent by February 7, 2021 to with “Chatham Park” in the subject line.
Federally Protected Species known to occur in Chatham County:
Bald Eagles
Cape Fear Shiner
Harperella
Red Cockaded Woodpecker
The Permit Application states:
“Due to the lack of observed nests and individuals and the lack of known occurrences, it has been determined that the proposed Chatham Park Way North will have “No Effect” on the bald eagle.”
“In summary, the biological conclusion for all federally listed threatened or endangered species known to occur in Chatham County is “ No Effect†for the North Village area and “No Effect” or “Unresolved” for the Chatham Park Way North area.”
“Development in North Village is not expected to result in permanent adverse effects to the overall fish or wildlife value of North Village.”
US Fish & Wildlife Service states that the nesting season in NC for Bald Eagles is from Dec 1 – July 15. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act <https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/BALDEGL.HTML> prohibits disturbance of the species.
In addition to sending comments regarding the 401 application, consider using the iNaturalist <http://www.inaturalist.org> platform which provides tracking tools for documenting observations of many species including the protected bald eagles, cape fear shiner, harperella and red cockaded woodpeckers.
The Haw River watershed ecosystem includes humans, animals, plants, invertebrates, soil and water – and we are all responsible to be good stewards for it. We are neighbors all working to support and value one another in this interconnected Haw River watershed ecosystem. Some words written in the song by Maltbie Babcock stand out “This” is my Father’s world and to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres “the birds their carols rise”and earth and heaven be one…all places are holy ground.
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:43:14 +0000
From: Debbie Tunnell <>
Subject: Public Comments and Observations Requested