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News
RALEIGH – Thanks to $689,000 grant from the Clean Water Managment Trust Fund (CWMTF) and to the efforts of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, the Rough Creek Watershed near the town of Canton will be placed into permanent conservation. City
and state officials commemorated the action on Friday, February 21 in
ceremonies at the Colonial Theater in downtown Canton. In December 2002, the CWMTF board of trustees approved a request to be used in conjunction with private funds raised by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for the purchase of a conservation easement on the 870-acre Old Canton Watershed on Rough Creek. The project permanently protects approximately 2.08 miles of the main stream and an additional 5.29 miles of tributaries. “The waters of Rough
Creek are among the most pristine in Western North Carolina,”
said Bill Holman, executive director of the CWMTF. “Like
so many of the tracts of land protected by CWMTF grants, this project
ensures that the outstanding quality of these waters will stay that
way. It also guarantees that the watershed will continue to be
an important resource for the citizens of Canton and the surrounding
area. The CWMTF commends the town of Canton for its stewardship of this
watershed.” The watershed is home to 13 distinct biological communities, including 28 rare species. Sixty acres of the watershed consist of “old growth” forest. The watershed may also play an increasing role as a drinking water source for the city of Canton. Since it’s creation in 1996, the CWMTF has invested over $27.9 million in the French Broad River Basin. The CWMTF was established 1996 to help finance projects that enhance or restore degraded waters, protect unpolluted waters, and/or contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. CWMTF estimates that over $10.5 billion is needed to protect and restore water quality in North Carolina. The 18 member, independent, CWMTF Board of Trustees has full responsibility over the allocation of moneys from the Fund. -30- Additional Resources: Links: Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy For more information, contact Lisa Schell at 919/716-0057 or 919/244-4084 (mobile). Home/Welcome/Trustees/Meetings/CWMTF Contacts/CWMTF Grant Application/Grant Application Guidelines |
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