By submitting, the below form letter will be sent along with your responses:
To:
Charleston District, Department of Army Corps of Engineers

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

U.S. Fish and Wildlife, South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office

RE: USACE SAC-2018-00205 and SCDHEC HPY-V043-4Y1E2

I write to express my concern and opposition to the proposed Highway 41 “Road to Compromise” application submitted by Charleston County, and jointly noticed by the Department of the Army and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

I am particularly concerned that initial assessments by the Corps, based entirely on information provided by Charleston County (the applicant), suggest a final determination that many of the impacts of the project are “not likely to adversely affect” critical resources in the direct footprint of the project.

I recognize that the decision whether to issue a permit is based entirely on the information and analysis generated, evaluated, and then submitted by the project sponsor, Charleston County. Therefore, I strenuously request that a public hearing is scheduled so the affected members of the community, and the appropriate federal and state certifying authorities can sufficiently evaluate all probable impacts identified by Charleston County in their application. This includes cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest, natural, cultural, and historic resources.

I respectfully request that any decision to approve or deny this permit, must consider all relevant information not analyzed and then disclosed in the application and related to the numerous cumulative negative impacts triggered by disturbing 22 acres of pristine biological resources in Laurel Hill Park that are essential for wildlife, including threatened and endangered species.

Furthermore, there are several issues I do not believe were adequately addressed in the application, which include but are not limited to:

• The Laurel Hill Parkway Design would cut through a now-designated flood zone. Initial analysis indicates that the displacement of large amounts of earth through Laurel Hill Park would influence the way the surrounding neighborhoods respond to flash and non-flash flooding.
• In 2013 a Phase I archaeological survey was completed on the property. The survey identified 19 archaeological sites within the park boundaries of varying ages between prehistoric woodland to eighteenth and nineteenth century colonial period settlements including enslaved graveyards and other various artifact scatterings. Therefore, I request that community leadership in the direct footprint of the project be included in any National Historic Preservation Act consultations with federal and state preservation officers.
• According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, there are likely to be significant populations of endangered and threatened species that are present in old-growth pine trees in nearby Francis Marion National Forest, and that have historically been found near Laurel Hill Park.
• The Laurel Hill Parkway design will route highway traffic through a congested pedestrian area with walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and young children that has previously experienced tragic accidents. Dramatically increasing the number of vehicles driving through this area will greatly increase the potential and probability for more accidents involving pedestrians.
• The Laurel Hill Parkway design would also reduce the efficiency of a state highway that has been designated as a “hurricane evacuation route.” The potential for a less efficient approach would further present a safety hazard as it would be more difficult for first responders, including ambulance, firefighting, and police personnel, to move as swiftly as possible through all communities.

I respectfully request that you consider our request for a public hearing as you evaluate the legitimate concerns validating the extensive public opposition to this application approval. We believe there is a significant opportunity to work with federal and state officials on a better solution for Highway 41 that better addresses the transportation needs of the region, and mitigates the community and environmental impacts, and has the greatest benefit to Charleston County.