Valle Crucis

may get state

natural area
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

Valle Crucis could soon have another parcel of preserved property and the state’s residents may have access to another natural area.

The state has been looking at a 325-acre rugged section near the headwaters of Dutch Creek for two years, one of 21 sites identified as potential state natural areas. The property contains a cove and a portion of Hanging Rock Ridge and natural heritage trust fund money was set aside for the purchase.

Three landowners have agreed to sell their land to the state, with voluntary negotiations still underway. The High Country Conservancy has used private funds to purchase one of the tracts and another is under a purchase option.

The conservancy is working with the North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund to bring the parcels together and transfer ownership to the state.

Watauga County commissioner John Cooper introduced a resolution Monday to support legislation that would establish “Bearpaw State Natural Area.” The name comes from the translated Cherokee word of “yonah-wayah” that the tribe used for the area.

High Country Conservancy conservation planner Teresa Buckhalter said the designation would help protect a unique section of mountain land.

“It has some really good natural habitat, some outcrops and rare plants,” she said. “We are working with willing landowners to acquire this land for the new state natural area.”

Natural areas are state-owned land with public access but generally have little or no facilities, such as camp sites, electricity or educational buildings.

They are used most often by hikers, though they may contain picnic tables, a ranger station and parking lots. Management plans determine the scope and pace of park development.

“We are excited because it continues our Valle Crucis work,” Buckhalter said, noting HCC has helped secure five major conservation plots in the area, including historic property around the Valle Crucis Conference Center.

“This is part of a cluster of conservation projects visible from the Scenic Byway (N.C. 194).”

A bill introduced to the N.C. House of Representatives by Rep. Cullie Tarleton acknowledges the “High Elevation Rocky Summit” ecology. Rare species found at the site include Heller’s blazing star, Blue Ridge goldenrod, spreading avens, American speedwell, wretched sedge, Roan rattlesnakeroot, and golden tundra-moss.

The bill includes a similarly proposed designation for Yellow Mountain in Avery County, a grassy bald with dozens of rare plant and animal species.

The approximate purchase price of the land is $4 million, below appraised value, according to the commissioners’ resolution.

“The establishment of this natural area will provide recreational opportunities for county citizens and the traveling public alike,” the resolution reads, adding, “Tourism driven by those wishing to experience the serenity of the mountains is a part of the local economy.”

The resolution was approved and forwarded to state legislators.

The state currently owns four other designated natural areas, which are part of the state park system. Watauga County already contains one of the state’s newest park additions, Elk Knob State Natural Area in the Meat Camp community. Currently, it is in an interim development stage with a park office and contact station and plans to add a picnic area, maintenance facility, parking areas and road improvements and an improved trail to the summit of Elk Knob. Currently, visitors can hike to the summit by following a steep, rocky road.

The 1,800-acre park contains headwaters of the New River, as well as rare plants such as trailing wolfsbane, meehania, Roan rattlesnakeroot and Gray’s lily. Animals like the northern saw-whet owl and the globally endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel have habitat there, in addition to black bears and many migratory songbirds. It became a designated natural area in 2003.

North Carolina’s state parks potentially contribute $289 million to local economies annually, as well as $120 million to local residents’ income, according to a recent study by researchers at N.C. State University.