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118 Acres Added to Dupont State Forest with CWMTF Grant

BREVARD - Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) and the   N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) celebrated the conservation of additional watershed and forest land at DuPont State Forest.October 24, 2006.
 
In March 2006, James and Rose Buckner sold 118 acres of land bordering DuPont State Forest to CMLC.   They generously sold the land to CMLC at less than half its value because they wanted to see the land conserved and added to the state forest.   The purchase was funded by CWMTF to protect the headwaters of Dismal Creek.   In addition to being protected by a conservation easement, this land will also become part of DuPont State Forest, ensuring public access in perpetuity and preservation of clean waters within the Little River watershed.

CWMTF approved a $939,000 grant to help purchase the property in November 2004.

"It is essential, from both an environmental and economic standpoint, that we do everything possible to make sure that the natural heritage -so important to the way of life in Western North Carolina - is maintained," said Hendersonville resident and CWMTF trustee Chuck McGrady. "Conservation of these 118 acres is a great example of integrated water quality protection, sustainable forest management and economic development."

Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy helps landowners protect local land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life.  As a local nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the places you love, CMLC is helping to create a regional network of more than 12,800 acres of protected farm, forest, park, and natural lands.

CWMTF was established in 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 more than $17 billion is needed to protect and restore water quality in North Carolina.

For more information, contact Lisa Schell at 919/716-0057.

Buckner Tract Project Overview:

Amount of CWMTF Grant:   $939,000
Total Project Cost: $1.8 million (49% match)

Grant Approved:   November 15, 2004

Granted Awarded to: Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy

Protection: 118 acres total, 60 acres of riparian buffer, 11,092 linear feet of buffer protection to Dismal Creek and its tributaries

Reasons for Protection: Significant water resources and natural heritage values, Class C Wild Trout Waters, mixed hardwood forest, threatened by development

Total Grants to CMLC since 1996: $13.9 million

Total CWMTF Investment in the French Broad River Basin: $50.9 million

Total CWMTF Investments in Henderson County: $16.3 in 14 projects;

•  Ball Tract, Green   River - $1.5 million

•  Schenck Tract,Green River - $5.1 million

•  Worlds Edge Projects -   $6.2 million (two grants)

Dupont State Forest: CWMTF's largest project to date: $16.6 million in CWMTF funds for acquisition.

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