North Carolina’s Threatened Treasures NORTH CAROLINA Caldwell, Henderson, and Avery Counties Congressional Districts: 10, 11 Members: Patrick McHenry, Heath Shuler Location Western North Carolina Mountains National Forests in North Carolina. Acquired to Date Method Acres* Cost ($) Purchase 0 0 Purpose Protect four inholding tracts currently threatened with residential development that contain nationally significant watershed, riparian, wildlife, historical and public recreation values. Exchange 0 0 Donation 0 0 Other 0 0 Partners 4,299 N/A President’s Budget FY2012 Method Acres* Cost ($) Purchase Opportunities These tracts are being held (in fee or option) by land trusts. All partners are willing sellers who are assisting in funding processing costs. At least two of them (Roan Mountain Trails and Mulberry Creek) will be bargain sales. Purchase 520 $3,576,000 Pending Future Action Method Acres* Cost ($) Pending 209 $3,900,000 *Includes fee and conservation easement interest Partners The Trust for Public Land, The Conservation Fund, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Partners manage adjacent lands to three of the tracts and are funding appraisals, HAZMAT, title, and survey costs Cooperators Caldwell County, Trout Unlimited, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service. Project Description Acquisition of four tracts will protect significant resource values. Nationally, the land managed by the NFsNC is ranked second in recreation visits, and among the most vulnerable to threats from commercial and residential development. Forest fragmentation is a major issue in the State, with Federal ownership only making up 42 percent of lands within the forest boundary. Also, because the State occupies a central location in species ranges, gains in open spaces will help with species adaptation to climate change. Large inholdings such as these are rare–all were initially purchased for residential development. If funding cannot be secured to acquire these tracts, they may be subdivided and developed, impacting recreation access, ecological integrity, and watershed values on adjacent Federal lands and downstream resources. Backbone Ridge (225 acres, $1.5 million, last of two phases) provides spectacular scenic views, high rock bluffs, amazing waterfalls, significant old growth forest and rare high-mountain balds (especially rare on private land). It provides headwaters for Wilson Creek, a designated Wild and the Scenic River. The State has plans to acquire an adjacent 213 acres Mulberry Creek (295 acres, $2.076 million, last of two phases) is headwaters of the Catawba River, which provides drinking water for the State’s central metropolitan areas, and significant wildlife, timber, and recreation values, as well as increased access to existing national forest lands. It is one of the county’s few remaining large parcels with intact natural resource values. North Mills (73 acres $2.7 million) includes frontage for a river that provides nationally recognized trout habitat and drinking water for 100,000 people, and is eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation. Because it borders a popular NFsNC campground, the tract provides key trail access for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Roan Mountain National Trails (136 acres, $1.2 million) includes high elevation riparian habitat and supports an old growth cove and a managed early successional forest. The tract has many visitors to its scenic waterfalls; it protects two National Park Service assets: the Appalachian and Overmountain Victory Trails. O&M Costs Estimated “start up” cost: $5,000 Estimated “annual” maintenance: $5,000 Strategic Goals Met Protect recreation; provide new opportunities for urban populations; protect and improve significant watersheds and natural and cultural resources; improve efficiency; provide elevational variety and ecosystem diversity that will help mitigate climate change effects.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
North Carolina’s Threatened Treasures
NORTH CAROLINA Caldwell, Henderson, and Avery Counties
Congressional Districts: 10, 11 Members: Patrick McHenry, Heath Shuler
Location Western North Carolina Mountains National Forests in North Carolina.
Acquired to Date Method Acres* Cost ($)
Purchase 0 0 Purpose Protect four inholding tracts currently
threatened with residential development that contain nationally significant watershed, riparian, wildlife, historical and public recreation values.
Exchange 0 0 Donation 0 0 Other 0 0 Partners 4,299 N/A
President’s Budget FY2012 Method Acres* Cost ($) Purchase Opportunities
These tracts are being held (in fee or option) by land trusts. All partners are willing sellers who are assisting in funding processing costs. At least two of them (Roan Mountain Trails and Mulberry Creek) will be bargain sales.
Purchase 520 $3,576,000 Pending Future Action
Method Acres* Cost ($) Pending 209 $3,900,000 *Includes fee and conservation easement interest
Partners The Trust for Public Land, The Conservation Fund, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Partners manage adjacent lands to three of the tracts and are funding appraisals, HAZMAT, title, and survey costs
Cooperators Caldwell County, Trout Unlimited, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service. Project Description
Acquisition of four tracts will protect significant resource values. Nationally, the land managed by the NFsNC is ranked second in recreation visits, and among the most vulnerable to threats from commercial and residential development. Forest fragmentation is a major issue in the State, with Federal ownership only making up 42 percent of lands within the forest boundary. Also, because the State occupies a central location in species ranges, gains in open spaces will help with species adaptation to climate change. Large inholdings such as these are rare–all were initially purchased for residential development. If funding cannot be secured to acquire these tracts, they may be subdivided and developed, impacting recreation access, ecological integrity, and watershed values on adjacent Federal lands and downstream resources. Backbone Ridge (225 acres, $1.5 million, last of two phases) provides spectacular scenic views, high rock bluffs, amazing waterfalls, significant old growth forest and rare high-mountain balds (especially rare on private land). It provides headwaters for Wilson Creek, a designated Wild and the Scenic River. The State has plans to acquire an adjacent 213 acres Mulberry Creek (295 acres, $2.076 million, last of two phases) is headwaters of the Catawba River, which provides drinking water for the State’s central metropolitan areas, and significant wildlife, timber, and recreation values, as well as increased access to existing national forest lands. It is one of the county’s few remaining large parcels with intact natural resource values. North Mills (73 acres $2.7 million) includes frontage for a river that provides nationally recognized trout habitat and drinking water for 100,000 people, and is eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation. Because it borders a popular NFsNC campground, the tract provides key trail access for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Roan Mountain National Trails (136 acres, $1.2 million) includes high elevation riparian habitat and supports an old growth cove and a managed early successional forest. The tract has many visitors to its scenic waterfalls; it protects two National Park Service assets: the Appalachian and Overmountain Victory Trails.
O&M Costs Estimated “start up” cost: $5,000 Estimated “annual” maintenance: $5,000 Strategic Goals Met
Protect recreation; provide new opportunities for urban populations; protect and improve significant watersheds and natural and cultural resources; improve efficiency; provide elevational variety and ecosystem diversity that will help mitigate climate change effects.
WATAUGA COCALDWELL CO
B L U E R I D G E
B A C K B O N ER I D G E
P A C KH I L L
B A C K B O N E
W a
o w
l k e r
l l
H o
DIVIDE
CALDWELL CO
254
254
254254
White
Spring
Branch
Racket
CreekTough
Hill
Branch
Curtis
Creek
Gragg
Tough Hill
Gay Mountain
White Spring Cemetery
WATAUGA COCALDWELL CO
R I D G E
CALDWELL COAVERY CO
Creek
Dixon
Ballew Creek
Tough Hill Branch
Creek
file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r8\maps\no_car\ Arlene Heap
0 0.25 0.50.125Miles
State of North CarolinaForest Service Region 8Pisgah National Forest
Map Creation Date - 01/03/2011Map Revision Date -
North Carolina's Threatened TreasureBackbone Ridge Tract P-351
FY 2012 LWCFThis map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.
The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.
LegendNational Forest System Lands2011 Acquisition ParcelProposed Acquisition ParcelPotential State of NC Ownership
Vicinity Map
Backbone Ridge Tract
Map 1 of 4
Potential State ofNorth Carolina Ownership Parcel
2011 Proposed Acquisition Parcel
P i s g a h P i s g a h N a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t
CreekMulberry
M
bBran
ch
Moore
Branch Brown
Creek
Anderson
Coffey
Creek
ulerry
Creek
RockyKnob
Sand Mountain
BM1219
file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r8\maps\no_carc\ Arlene Heap
0 0.25 0.50.125Miles
State of North CarolinaForest Service Region 8Pisgah National Forest
Map Creation Date - 01/03/2011Map Revision Date -
North Carolina's Threatened TreasureMulberry Creek Tract P-352
FY 2012 LWCFThis map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.
The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.
LegendNational Forest System Lands2011 Acquisition ParcelProposed Acquisition Parcel
Vicinity Map
Mulberry Creek Tract P-352
Map 4 of 4
FY11 Phase I Parcel
P i s g a h P i s g a h N a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t
Davie
McElrathLake
M o u
n t a
i n
Bear
ROAD
T R A C E
Mountain
HendersonvilleReservoir
Branch
R I D G E
FORK
NORTH
NORTH
FORK
MILLS
BM RCK 22428
Moore
Cove
Wash
Creek
HENDERSONVILLE
WASH
CREEK
ROAD
S e n
i a r d
CreekSeniard
Midd
le
ROAD
MILLS
NORTH
Seniard
North Mills RiverRecreation Area
MILLSRush
Branch
BM LHT 16252219
ForkL a u r e l
Allen
Cove
Cove
Mince
BM LR 5732810
BM LR 5732446
Rocky
YELLOW
GAP
YellowGap BM LR 571
3202
Cree
k
Little RichMountain
Queen
WolfpenGapQ u e e n
C r e e k
D a v i e
Big Knob
M i n i n g
Mile 5 RESERVOIR
Branch
Pounding
M O U N T A I N
TRAIL
StuartCem
Creek
M o u n t a i n
Ridge
RIVER
LR 600RIVER
R i d g e
file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r8\maps\no_cara\ Arlene Heap
0 0.25 0.50.125Miles
State of North CarolinaForest Service Region 8Pisgah National Forest
Map Creation Date - 01/03/2011Map Revision Date -
North Carolina's Threatened TreasureMills River TractFY 2012 LWCF
This map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.
The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.
LegendProposed Acquisition ParcelNational Forest System Lands
Vicinity Map
Mills RiverTract
Map 2 of 4
P i s g a h P i s g a h N a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t
Ridge
Sugarcamp
Ridge
SandbankRidge
Hollow
RidgeRoan
Big
Ridge
Beechey
RidgeBear
G R A S S Y
M O U N T A I N
CARTER CO NORT
H CAR
OLIN
A
M O U N T A I N
Y E L L O W
RyeRidg
e
PRIVATE
ChestnutFlat Ridge
CARTERAVERY COCO
TENNESSEE
NORTH
CAROLINA
Butte
Big
Elk
DISTRICT
RANGERDISTRICT
TENN
ESSE
E
1
308
APPALACHIAN
Fall
Creek
Sandbank
Branch
Hollow
Creek
Heat
on
Elk
Joe
Branch
Creek
Roaring
Branch
Big
Hughes CemValley
Grassy Ridge Bald
Low Gap
BuckeyeGap
CHEROKEENATIONAL
FOREST
Trail ShelterLow Gap
4025
Yellow Mountain1
193
Creek
BM GL 54681
Bakersville 54907
Yellow MountainGap
NST
NST
N A T I O N A L F O R E S T APPALACHIAN
file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r8\maps\no_car\ Arlene Heap
0 0.25 0.50.125Miles
State of North CarolinaForest Service Region 8Pisgah National Forest
Map Creation Date - 01/03/2011Map Revision Date -
North Carolina's Threatened TreasureRoan Mtn National Trail Tract
FY 2012 LWCFThis map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.
The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.
LegendAdministrative Forest BoundaryUSDA FOREST SERVICEProposed Acquisition Parcel
Vicinity Map
Roan Mountain National Trail Tract
Map 3 of 4
P i s g a h P i s g a h N a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t
C h e r o k e eC h e r o k e eN a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t
National Forests in NC’s Threatened Treasures
Mills River Inholding
Mulberry Creek – Large Riparian Area
Backbone Ridge
Roan Mountain Trails
Related Documents
