Catawba River Basin Buffer Rules (Asheville: house, contractor, zoning)

[RES001]

Hello to all forum members. I recently built a lakefront home on one of the several lakes on the Catawba River basin. Since starting the building process, I’ve had several encounters with the State of NC in getting approval and permits for shoreline stabilization, removal of trees within the 50 ft buffer, and the handling of storm water runoff from my property. I’m looking for assistance from anyone that has had experience with working with the State in these areas. They are now requesting that I spend a considerable amount of money to engineer and install a “level spreader” to handle runoff from my roof and driveway areas. My lot has a considerable slope and options are limited due to space and lot slope.

Does anyone have experience with this issue? Has anyone actually been fined for not following the state guidelines for managing the 50 ft lakefront buffer? Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Edward Teach]

You need an experienced professional engineer to help you, not internet opinions.

[saucystargazer]

My experience with building any house would be that you should have known what you were getting into before building. All your “I”s dotted and “t”s crossed so to speak. This should have included surveys that would have informed you of zoning requirements. Why weren’t plans submitted before hand? I guess you can start with the licensed contractor and structural engineer? Somewhere along the way the plans had to be approved by the county for its location and someone must have told you what was needed? I mean at best you can maybe blame your contractor but theres no way around runoff laws especially when building along bodies of water. In fact there are federal storm water management rules that have to be followed even in the most podunk areas of N.C.


“Will the state actually fine me?” I’m sorry, are you serious right now? ........

[Thegofoxgo]

Originally Posted by RES001

Does anyone have experience with this issue? Has anyone actually been fined for not following the state guidelines for managing the 50 ft lakefront buffer? Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

You’re on their radar now, and they are going to check to make sure that you’ve complied with the regulations and properly get your permits signed off. Most counties take that seriously and they should. The proper treatment of the waterways, particularly the Catawba River Basin that has been so abused over the past century, should remain a high priority.

[ucctgg]

It also depends on the county.
We have a house right on the New River in Ashe County.
There have been some recent building.septic/well approvals that should Never Ever have been approved.
There had to have been some greasy palms involved.

[ucctgg]

Originally Posted by Edward Teach

You need an experienced professional engineer to help you, not internet opinions.

Of course to your first statement.

But what is wrong with asking people who might have had similar experiences ?
That's what this forum is all about.

[Edward Teach]

Originally Posted by ucctgg

Of course to your first statement.

But what is wrong with asking people who might have had similar experiences ?
That's what this forum is all about.

IMO, the issues involved in this situation are too substantial and important (i.e. there are legal and financial ramifications) to rely on random, anonymous people who may or may not know what they're talking about, or even be telling the truth. Not to mention the fact that the specifics of each individual situation can be very different, and therefore precludes the value of generalities.

"Should I move to Asheville?" is vastly different question than "Will the state fine me for failing to properly handle my stormwater runoff?". The first question is what this site is properly designed for, the second one is not. YMMV.