NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WATAUGA COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING PUBLIC COMMENT
The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 5:30pm at the Watauga County Commissioners’ Board Room at 814 West King Street in Boone, NC. Watauga County TDA staff will provide a presentation on a proposed state grant to the Recreation Trails Program that could provide funds to develop river access improvements at the Pine Run Road bridge and at Green Valley Park on the South Fork New River. The public will then be allowed comment on these proposed recommendations. For more information call Eric Woolridge, TDA Tourism Planner, at 828.266.1345.
Advertisement
Two questions and/or concerns: The curve of the road coming from the north to the bridge is dramatic and the turn into the proposed access from the south would be acute. I see potential issues from vehicles turning into the access with vehicles coming from both the north and the south.
Commerical vehicles with boat trailers already block the road.
This access is at the outside of the river bend and has periodic flooding issues. Has the engineering design taken into account the flooding and erosion that occurs.
Hey Mike,
Good comments. Both of these concerns will be looked at more closely in the engineering/construction design phase. When we developed this concept plan and had initial discussions with DOT, the access radius was discussed considerably. The outcome was the installation of a small retaining wall to improve the turning radius, which is illustrated on the plan.
In regards to flooding, several environmental permits will need to be received prior to construction. The environmental impact of this site, as it currently exists, is one of the primary drivers for this improvement. With a well engineered canoe launch, we expect considerably less erosion and sediment issues for the river.
I’d be glad to discuss these issues further.
Best,
Eric
cell: 828.719.1109
Eric Woolridge
Tourism Planner, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority
I am going to be out of town this evening and unable to attend the meeting, but I would like to put in a positive word for the development of this river access. I live very close to the bridge and I have noticed over time that people access the river very frequently at this spot. Improving the site to make such access easier will also make it safer. Now cars and trailers can be seen parking in a haphazard way on both sides of the river. I say “yes” to developing an official access.