Petition to Disney Corporation:
Commit to Greater Environmental Protections for the Asteria Storyliving Development

The area of Chatham Park where Disney’s Asteria Storyliving project will be built, is adjacent to the NC Lower Haw River State Natural Area. We fear this valuable public land and the Haw River will be degraded by the removal of the forest nearby, and the introduction of lights, noise and roads if only Chatham Park's current and inadequate development standards are followed.

We are asking you, the Walt Disney Company and your development contractors to commit to greater protections for the environment and the Haw River as they move forward with plans to build the Asteria Storyliving development in this sensitive ecosystem.

These include:

Build all new roads further from the Haw River than currently, and no building of paved trails along the river. No use of Bynum Beach Road except for emergency access.

Implement Green Stormwater Infrastructure practices into the design during the construction phase to minimize runoff from roofs and pavement, that will degrade streams and water quality.

Design stormwater controls for 100 year storms with climate change in mind. We are already experiencing stronger storms in this region that overwhelm stormwater systems built for 10 year storms.

Protect streams and the Haw River with larger forested buffers, which will protect the sensitive wildlife, rare plants and aquatic life in this fragile ecosystem.

Protect more of the existing forest where Asteria will be build, above and beyond what Chatham Park allows. This forest provides water quality protection, wildlife habitat and is the most cost-effective solution to increased heat and flooding from climate change impacts.

See the full recommendations from the Haw River Assembly's website. Link below:
http://tinyurl.com/DisneyHRA