Greetings Officers of National Wildlife Federation,
I want to bring to the attention of the National Wildlife Federation the recent approval of a huge subdivision, Virgil Road Assemblage, in which NWF certifications, and partnership with NWF, was touted by the developer, Taylor Morrison, to gain approval for this massive subdivision which will decimate habitat as well as further compromise streams which cross the property. Seemingly with the endorsement of NWF, Taylor Morrison gained approval to densely develop 200 acres of forested land, mass grading 160 acres to leave only the legal minimum of 40 acres of trees (20 percent). Not only will the trees and all the wildlife they harbor be destroyed, the developer admits that the uneven terrain will require extensive blasting which will destroy life below the surface as well. The clay soils of the property cannot be contained when graded and will further contaminate the streams and all waters downstream of this property including Falls Lake.
I doubt any agent of NWF ever examined the property Taylor Morrison intends to convert from lush woods into over 500 single family homes. In fact, I suspect NWF knew nothing about Taylor Morrison’s application to turn 200 acres of forested habitat into a dense, over 500 units, subdivision. I doubt NWF would ignore the opinion of the Riverkeeper, Samantha Krop, at SoundRivers.Org, regarding the harm this project will do to the already seriously compromised waterways on the property, and to Falls Lake. Yet, NWF allowed Taylor Morrison to use the NWF name and some corporate “partnership” agreement to mislead Durham City Councilors into believing NWF specifically endorsed Taylor Morrison’s development of the Virgil Road property and, perhaps, partnered with Taylor Morrison in the design of this habitat killing project.
I urge NWF to investigate how the reputation of your organization is being misused to support profiteering development of dwindling wooded habitat in North Carolina. You may listen to Taylor Morrison’s lawyer boasting NWF certification in her presentation to the Durham City Council in support of the application to develop the Virgil Road Assemblage property.
At 2:47:30
I hope you will communicate with Riverkeeper Samantha Krop to get an expert opinion on the damage developments, such as the one Taylor Morrison is pursuing in southeast Durham, is doing to precious waterways. She is copied on this email. In addition, please talk with Pam Andrews, leader of Preserve Rural Durham, who is, also, copied here.
If I am wrong and NWF was consulted and supported the Virgil Road development, please explain the process used in deciding to work with Taylor Morrison in this case. Did any agent of NWF visit the property to assess the impact the leveling of 160 acres of forest will have on habitat?
If NWF was not aware of its name and reputation being used in this way by Taylor Morrison, please advise. The City Council should be informed whether or not members should have relied on NWF’s alleged involvement with Taylor Morrison in designing this project.
Sincerely,
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Katie Ross
Save Durham 