RALEIGH – The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) recently approved an individual 401 Water Quality Certification for Cashiers Canoe Club Development, LLC, for dredging and development activities that will impact roughly 10 acres on Cashiers Lake in Jackson County.
The certification holders are required to secure all other necessary federal and state permits and to conduct all construction activities in a manner consistent with State water quality standards and all other required State and Federal laws.
On Sep. 5, 2019, DEQ held a public hearing at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library to gather comments from the public.
Comments received during the public hearing and public comment period were reviewed by the Hearing Officer and taken into consideration during the final review of the application and development of the conditions of the Individual 401 Water Quality Certification. In response to public input, the final permit requires the following actions to ensure downstream water quality protection:
- Minimum release to downstream waters will be 70% of the inflow to the lake during project activities and refilling of the lake upon completion of all activities.
- Inspection of all erosion control measures after each precipitation event and immediate maintenance and/or repair as necessary.
- Daily monitoring of turbidity in downstream waters.
- All work will cease immediately and the Division of Water Resources and NC Wildlife Resource Commission will be notified within 24 hours of the discovery of any exceedances of the above-stated turbidity levels.
The final certification, hearing officer’s report, and other related documents, are available online here.