by Carl J. Silverstein
This decade could well represent our last chance to safeguard the remaining large tracts containing intact forests, streams and farmland in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
An upsurge of real estate activity has heightened the urgency of land conservation in the region.
First, many corporations are divesting their large holdings throughout the region, accounting for more than 50,000 acres on the market since 2000. Meanwhile, the owners of family tracts are changing from an older generation who have a personal tie with the land to a younger generation faced with much more intense pressure to sell to developers.
Property values continue to skyrocket.
Land that sold for $3,000 per acre five years ago is now often selling for at least $10,000 per acre.
Land trusts, which help landowners and communities protect significant natural lands, are often racing against land speculators with large sums of money in-hand to purchase these properties.
Challenging times call for bold solutions. The solution for meeting our conservation challenges is increased funding from the state through an initiative called Land for Tomorrow, as mentioned in the article, “Conservationists want voters to decide on funds for land protection” (AC-T, May 7). We have a tremendous opportunity to protect our treasured scenic views, clean water, wildlife habitat and character of our communities if the N.C. General Assembly approves this proposed bond referendum.
With voter approval in November, $200 million each year for five years would be allocated to the state’s existing trust funds for conservation projects.
The area’s local land trusts — Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina — join a coalition of 10 other land conservancies called Blue Ridge Forever in support of this bond referendum.
Since the creation of the state’s four natural resource trust funds in the 1980s and early 1990s, land conservation in the mountains has received a great boost.
Without support from N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, special places like Montreat Wilderness, Woodfin Watershed, Waynesville Watershed and the Canton Watershed — totaling over 13,000 acres — would not be protected. The Fund also assisted in the protection of a 328-acre property at the headwaters of the Catawba River, which is in the state’s most populated river basin.
In 2005, the Clean Water Trust Fund enabled the protection of 3,192 acres, including 17 miles of river frontage, along the Green River. The tract, in a region under high pressure from development, contains important trout fishing waters and mature mixed hardwood forest, including state Natural Heritage Areas. The Clean Water Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust Fund were also critical partners in the protection of almost 10,000 acres surrounding Linville River and Lake James.
But the current available amount of funding does not match the need. The Clean Water Trust Fund is able to award only one-sixth of its requests. The state’s Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has not been funded for three years.
Our three land trusts are working with fellow Blue Ridge Forever partners, public agencies and local communities to create a conservation vision for the region, mapping our priority protection areas. This vision will ensure that state funds from Land for Tomorrow will support the most critical conservation projects.
As residents of the Southern Blue Ridge, we have a unique opportunity to protect one of the world’s most treasured places — woodlands that are the most ecologically rich in the temperate world; the headwater streams for drinking water for residents throughout the Southeast; mountain cove farms owned by the same family for multiple generations.
The land quietly provides vital services to us — filtering systems for our water and air, a way of livelihood through farming and forestry, bountiful recreation opportunities for our enjoyment, and scenic views for our peace of mind. The beauty of this region drives the state’s number two economic engine — tourism.
We only have a narrow window of opportunity to ensure the character and beauty of our mountains remain for our children and grandchildren. Now is the time to write or call your state senator and representative in support of the land and water conservation bond. To do so, and to learn more about this critical effort, visit www.landfortommorow.org.
Representatives of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina also signed this guest opinion. North Carolina’s land trusts work in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, tourism and working farms and forests. The three land trusts are part of a 13-member coalition of land conservation organizations called Blue Ridge Forever.
Carl J. Silverstein is executive director of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in Asheville. He also lives in Asheville.
This decade could well represent our last chance to safeguard the remaining large tracts containing intact forests, streams and farmland in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
An upsurge of real estate activity has heightened the urgency of land conservation in the region.
First, many corporations are divesting their large holdings throughout the region, accounting for more than 50,000 acres on the market since 2000. Meanwhile, the owners of family tracts are changing from an older generation who have a personal tie with the land to a younger generation faced with much more intense pressure to sell to developers.
Property values continue to skyrocket.
Land that sold for $3,000 per acre five years ago is now often selling for at least $10,000 per acre.
Land trusts, which help landowners and communities protect significant natural lands, are often racing against land speculators with large sums of money in-hand to purchase these properties.
Challenging times call for bold solutions. The solution for meeting our conservation challenges is increased funding from the state through an initiative called Land for Tomorrow, as mentioned in the article, “Conservationists want voters to decide on funds for land protection” (AC-T, May 7). We have a tremendous opportunity to protect our treasured scenic views, clean water, wildlife habitat and character of our communities if the N.C. General Assembly approves this proposed bond referendum.
With voter approval in November, $200 million each year for five years would be allocated to the state’s existing trust funds for conservation projects.
The area’s local land trusts — Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina — join a coalition of 10 other land conservancies called Blue Ridge Forever in support of this bond referendum.
Since the creation of the state’s four natural resource trust funds in the 1980s and early 1990s, land conservation in the mountains has received a great boost.
Without support from N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, special places like Montreat Wilderness, Woodfin Watershed, Waynesville Watershed and the Canton Watershed — totaling over 13,000 acres — would not be protected. The Fund also assisted in the protection of a 328-acre property at the headwaters of the Catawba River, which is in the state’s most populated river basin.
In 2005, the Clean Water Trust Fund enabled the protection of 3,192 acres, including 17 miles of river frontage, along the Green River. The tract, in a region under high pressure from development, contains important trout fishing waters and mature mixed hardwood forest, including state Natural Heritage Areas. The Clean Water Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and Natural Heritage Trust Fund were also critical partners in the protection of almost 10,000 acres surrounding Linville River and Lake James.
But the current available amount of funding does not match the need. The Clean Water Trust Fund is able to award only one-sixth of its requests. The state’s Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has not been funded for three years.
Our three land trusts are working with fellow Blue Ridge Forever partners, public agencies and local communities to create a conservation vision for the region, mapping our priority protection areas. This vision will ensure that state funds from Land for Tomorrow will support the most critical conservation projects.
As residents of the Southern Blue Ridge, we have a unique opportunity to protect one of the world’s most treasured places — woodlands that are the most ecologically rich in the temperate world; the headwater streams for drinking water for residents throughout the Southeast; mountain cove farms owned by the same family for multiple generations.
The land quietly provides vital services to us — filtering systems for our water and air, a way of livelihood through farming and forestry, bountiful recreation opportunities for our enjoyment, and scenic views for our peace of mind. The beauty of this region drives the state’s number two economic engine — tourism.
We only have a narrow window of opportunity to ensure the character and beauty of our mountains remain for our children and grandchildren. Now is the time to write or call your state senator and representative in support of the land and water conservation bond. To do so, and to learn more about this critical effort, visit www.landfortommorow.org.
Representatives of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina also signed this guest opinion. North Carolina’s land trusts work in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, tourism and working farms and forests. The three land trusts are part of a 13-member coalition of land conservation organizations called Blue Ridge Forever.
Carl J. Silverstein is executive director of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in Asheville. He also lives in Asheville.