News

Date: 10/24/07	Contact: Lauren Kolodij at 252/393-8185 or Lisa Schell at 919/716-0057
Release: Immediate	Distribution: Targeted

Jones Island purchase adds to park, protects water quality in the White Oak River

Swansboro, N.C. -- On Monday, Oct. 29, Hammocks Beach State Park in Onslow County got a little bigger.

Thanks to a partnership between the N.C. Coastal Federation (NCCF), the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), Audubon North Carolina and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, 17 acres of the island is now permanently part of Hammocks Beach State Park. Jones Island lies 7 miles northeast of the park at the mouth of White Oak River.

A $550,000 grant from CWMTF helped purchase 6.6 acres of the island. Audubon North Carolina donated its 10.24-acre portion of the property to the park as well.; one tract remains in private ownership. The project will protect approximately one mile of important buffer zone alone the White Oak from runoff pollution.

The island, which considered a Regionally Significant Natural Heritage Area by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was zoned for residential development. The purchase will ensure that the natural heritage and the cultural resources of Jones Island, as well as water quality in the White Oak, will be protected for years to come.

"The White Oak River is one of the best-kept secrets in Eastern North Carolina," said Richard Rogers, executive director of CWMTF. "The Trust Fund is proud to be so involved in making sure the water quality of this unique resource is improved, preserved and protected."

Prominently situated in middle of the river about a mile off the town of Swansboro, Jones Island is the dominate landmass in the Lower White Oak. It is characterized by low upland rises at the southeast and northwest ends and its marshes and small ponds along its eastern shore. The northwestern third of the island supports Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forest, which is considered to be a rare coastal ecosystem type. Loblolly pines and live oaks are prominent on the property and Eastern painted buntings have been seen nesting on the island. Breeding populations of this a sparrow-sized member of the finch family are rare in North Carolina. It is adjacent to other Significant Natural Heritage Area, including the Cedar Point/White Oak River Marshes at the Croatan National Forest and the Huggins/Dudley Island area.

The island is culturally significant as well. Judging from artifacts found on the site including pottery shards, tools and spear points, Native Americans used Jones Island at least as a temporary hunting and fishing ground. Jones Island was used as a fishing camp and livestock grazing areas in Colonial times as well. Currently it has great recreational value as a popular kayak and canoeing destination.

Other islands in the vicinity, as well as the surrounding mainland have been under intense pressure from coastal development. While water quality in much of the river remains good, the river is on the state's list of impaired waterways. Almost 6,000 acres of the Lower White Oak's shellfish waters are either permanently closed to harvesting or are subject to closure following heavy rains. Bacteria from increased stormwater runoff are the river's major pollution sources and stormwater management remains a growing issue as the area's population increases.

That makes preserving Jones Island of paramount importance.

"We're pleased to add the Jones Island land to the park and protect water quality on the White Oak," said Paul Donnelly, park superintendent. "By preserving a portion of the island as natural area, this will hopefully prevent development and head off a significant new source of pollution in the White Oak.

Though officially part of the park, Jones Island will be managed as a state natural area and will not have public facilities.

Since it's creation in 1996, CWMTF has invested $40.8 million in 45 water quality projects in the White Oak River Basin. The Jones Island purchase is among 12 acquisition projects undertaken with the NCCF and two with Hammock's Beach State Park.

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For more information, contact Lauren Kolodij at 252/393-8185 or Lisa Schell at 919/716-0057.

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