Save Sledge Forest

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https://www.sledgeforest.org/

Our Mission: Preserving Sledge Forest

Our mission is to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem, safeguard its biodiversity, and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our community.

Join us in this movement to stop the Hilton Bluffs development, protect this local treasure in conservation, and protect what’s left of our beautiful natural areas in New Hanover County ... before it’s too late.

Over 4000 acres of forest is slated for “by-right” development and its required supporting infrastructure, which does not allow for any public input and requires NO review and/or approval by our County Commission.

This area contains over 3000 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. Trees as tall as 60 feet and some between 350 & 500 years old exist here. It is filled with a diverse ecology including rare and threatened species of both plants and animals.

This project, Hilton Bluffs, would be located next to GE, off Castle Hayne Rd., and is projected to add an additional 30,261 cars per day to an already heavily traveled road. With only one available entrance/exit (Sledge Rd), access through adjacent neighborhoods are being proposed and are of real concern for potential threats and negative impacts of using these narrow, rural, RA zoned roads for such a high volume of traffic.

An EPA designated Hazardous Waste Site is adjacent to the property and these toxic plumes have migrated dangerous toxins and possible carcinogens on to Sledge Forest land and into the water table. There are many questions regarding this that need to be answered to ensure the health and safety of our community before allowing this project to move forward.

Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Developing Sledge Forest

10. Destruction of approximately 1000 acres of irreplaceable forest, and all the wildlife that need to make their homes there, for development of over 4000 homes-that’s more than 4 homes per acre in an area zoned Rural Agriculture (RA).

9. Potential disturbance, disruption, and destruction of over 3000 acres of jurisdictional wetlands on the proposed site.

8. This area is in a flood prone area, surrounded on three sides by tidal waters. The catastrophic impacts caused by flooding is often due to clear-cutting and overdevelopment.

7. The Natural Heritage Program has designated this an area of National Significance. It is the last large swath of natural forest in our county.

6. A designated Hazardous Waste Site from the adjacent property has migrated and it's toxic plume could be a potential threat if disturbed.

5. Over 30,000 car trips per day will be generated from this huge development, flowing on to Castle Hayne Rd, a two-lane road over-burdenend road with an F rating.

4. Sledge Rd. is presently the only access. Connecting roads have been proposed through private adjacent neighborhoods without input from homeowners.

3. The area’s schools, hospital, emergency services, and roads cannot handle 4000 more families without the proper infrastructure in place first.

2. The project does not allow for any public input or review by our elected officials, despite its profound consequences and potential negative impacts.

#1 Reason to Oppose Development of Sledge Forest:

The citizens of this community deserve to have their voices heard. The many potential negative impacts of this project to our neighborhoods, our environment, our health & safety, and our quality of life warrants public input and county review.

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells

Much more...
https://www.sledgeforest.org/