Source: NCDA&CS, 1/10/20

The N.C. Division of Water Resources (DWR) will host a public hearing in Asheville on Jan. 21 to accept comments on assigning a Unique Wetland classification to Sandy Bottom wetlands in Buncombe County.

WHAT: Public hearing on supplemental Unique Wetland classification
WHEN: 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020; Speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: UNC Asheville, HIG225 Beaucatcher Mountain Room Highsmith Student Union,
                 One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804

The Unique Wetland classification offers additional protection to wetlands of exceptional or national ecological significance. The Sandy Bottom wetlands are located in the French Broad River floodplain within Buncombe County, approximately five miles south of Asheville. The Sandy Bottom wetlands represent a rare natural wetland community known as the Montane Floodplain Slough Forest. Rare species have been observed at the site including the federally and state-threatened bog turtle and two North Carolina species of special concern, the four-toed salamander and the mole salamander.

Currently, 33 wetland areas in other parts of the state that have been identified and assigned the supplemental classification of Unique Wetland. These areas are identified as having essential habitat for the conservation of state or federally listed threatened or endangered species. For more information on the Unique Wetlands classification, go to the division’s website.

Written comments, data or other relevant information may also be mailed to Adriene Weaver, DWR Water Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611, or emailed to adriene.weaver@ncdenr.gov.