Phase 5 lagoons in SCHH were constructed in the 2005/2006 timeframe. Soon after moving in to their new homes many residents complained to Pulte about the poor condition of the lagoons. Residents contacted Beaufort County, to no avail, and then in 2007 began contacting SC's DHEC-OCRM (Department of Health and Environmental Control- Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management).
After many months of inaction by Pulte to fix the lagoons, a Phase 5 Lagoon Committee comprised of representatives from Aster Fields, Basket Walk, Murray Hill, and Water Lilly Cove was formed to focus on getting resolution to the lagoon problems. The committee eventually developed a comprehensive report titled "Phase 5 Lagoon Committee Report". The extensive report, supported by engineering data from our two resident engineering consultants, was released in early January 2009 -in time for a Public Hearing scheduled by DHEC-OCRM that month. The report can be accessed at: www.myschh.com/lagoons
On January 22, 2009, the Public Hearing was held by DHEC-OCRM to a packed house at SCHH's Magnolia Hall (about 100-to-150 additional attendees were turned away due to fire-law restrictions). DHEC-OCRM's goal was to hear directly from SCHH residents specifically about Phase 5 lagoon issues. At the meeting, Pulte Vice President Mr. Jon Cherry announced that the lagoon problems would be fixed by Pulte at no cost to residents.
On March 10, 2009 Pulte presented its "Phase 5 Lagoon Action Plan" to the Phase 5 Lagoon Committee and several other SCHH attendees. Given that it was the first sign of Pulte's agreement to fix the lagoon problems, the "Action Plan" was cautiously well-received by the Lagoon Committee. However, there were some concerns expressed at that meeting about several lagoons not listed in the "Action Plan". Pulte contends that depth issues with those lagoons will be automatically resolved when they fix the associated up-stream lagoons. There is also an unresolved issue about how Pulte's engineering firm, Thomas & Hutton, calculates water depth. We also have concerns about the design of the outfall and rip-rap overflow structures. In order to get the work started, we agreed to go along with Pulte's "Action Plan" while we continue to resolve any open issues.
The above photo shows a bird walking in the middle of a lagoon that is supposed to be 5 feet average depth!
Goal
Our goal for this "site" is to ensure that all SCHH residents, and any other interested parties, have access to important information regarding the reconstruction of the SCHH Phase 5 lagoons.
Mission
Our Mission for this site is to:
- Provide relevant and timely information regarding the reconstruction of Phase-5 lagoons.
- Be a repository of project information.
- Provide a record of the project.
- Answer questions regarding the project.
- Receive relevant & timely information from any SCHH resident, and any other interested parties, via comments to the posts on the website, emails, or phone calls. Note- The Phase-5 Lagoon Committee will be monitoring the project. However, it is important that residents, especially those residing on lagoon property, also monitor the project and report all issues/concerns ASAP.
- Provide a vehicle for keeping the pressure on Pulte to satisfactorily complete all work on Phase 5 lagoons, including further direct and coordinated action by residents, as necessary.
Thank you. It takes more persistence than it should to get the OBVIOUS problems with these lagoons addressed COMPLETELY and CORRECTLY. Pulte has ignored the problems for more than 3 years. Beaufort County has been NO help. The Army Corps of Engineers has been NO help. South Carolina DHEC-OCRM, the permitting agency responsible for approving the design, construction, and operation of these ponds, should have required that these ponds be fixed LONG ago. Lastly, there are the SCHH residents, who, despite the prospect of having to pay for Pulte’s shoddy construction, sit idly by while others “carry the water” (excuse the pun) for them. Keep up the good work! Let’s hope that, in the end, MANY will benefit from the efforts of a FEW.
ReplyDeletePulte has started to pump down Pond L-150. They are discharging to a manhole on French Garden Lane. From there, the water discharges to Wetland M through a bubbler box. The water is not flowing to L-164.
ReplyDelete