North Carolina
(Threatened Treasures)
NORTH CAROLINA
Location
Multiple National Forests
Central and Western North Carolina Mountains.
Congressional District: 6, 10, 11
Member(s): Rep. Howard Coble, Patrick
McHenry, and Heath Shuler; and Sen.
Richard Burr and Kay R. Hagan
Acquired to Date
Acres
Cost ($)
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
0
$0
FY 2010 Enacted
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
150
$500,000
President’s Budget FY2011
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
280
$1,500,000
Pending Future Request
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
1,288
$7,960,000
Method
Purchase
Exchange
Donation
Other
Partners
Purpose
Protect four inholding tracts currently threatened
with residential development that contain nationally
significant watershed and public recreation values.
Purchase
Opportunities
These tracts are being held (by fee or option) by
four land trusts. All partners are willing sellers who
are assisting by funding processing costs. Two
acquisitions (King Mountain/Mulberry Creek) will be
bargain sales.
Partners
Trust for Public Land, The Conservation Fund, Land
Trust for the Little Tennessee, and Land Trust for
Central North Carolina.
Cooperators
Caldwell County, North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission, Greater Uwharrie Conservation
Partnership, Nantahala Hiking Club.
Project
Description
Nationally, the land managed by the National Forests in North Carolina is ranked second in
recreation visits and among the most vulnerable in threats from adjacent commercial and
residential development. Forest fragmentation is a major issue in the State, with Federal
ownership only making up 42 percent of lands within the forest boundary.
The southern Appalachian tracts proposed have significant resource values, promote positive
future climate change values, and either consolidate or improve access to existing national
forest lands or are complete forest inholdings. It is rare to have the opportunity to purchase
large inholdings such as these four offerings–all were initially purchased for residential
development, but the slowing economy has allowed for an opportunity to protect these
threatened treasures.
Parcels available for acquisition include:

King Mountain – Uwharrie NF ($ 700,000 - 205 acres). Acquisition would secure the
second phase of this project that closes in FY 2010. These tracts provide critical tread for
the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail and connect several isolated national forest tracts to
provide important ecosystem linkages. The Uwharrie Mountains have among the highest
density of heritage resource sites of all national forest lands.

Backbone Ridge - Pisgah NF ($ 1,500,000 - 225 acres). This parcel provides spectacular
scenic views, high rock bluffs, amazing waterfalls, significant old growth forest and rare
high-mountain balds (especially rare on private land). It provides headwaters for Wilson
Creek, a designated Wild and the Scenic River.

Mulberry Creek – Pisgah NF ($ 2,076,000 - 295 acres). Within the headwaters of the
Catawba River, this parcel provides drinking water for the State’s central metropolitan
areas, and provides significant wildlife, timber and recreation values, as well as increased
access to existing national forest lands. It is one of the few remaining large parcels with
intact natural resource values in Caldwell County.
North Carolina
(Threatened Treasures)

Chunky Gal Mountain – Nantahala NF ($159,000 - 53 acres). This parcel is a complete
inholding along a scenic ridgetop that includes trail tread for one of the most popular hiking
trails in the forest.
All of the tracts have intact and healthy watersheds. The three larger tracts have significant
riparian habitat. Backbone Ridge and Mulberry Creek contain headwaters of Wilson creek and
the Johns River, which both flow into the Catawba River, the primary water supply for major
cities in both North and South Carolina. The protection of these tracts from development will
help protect and improve water quality for millions of users. Acquisition of Chunky Gal
Mountain will take away the threat of new road construction across the existing forest to provide
access to this inholding. Poison Fork on the King Mountain tract is identified by the State as
outstanding resource waters.
O&M Cost
Estimated “start up” costs: $0
USDA Goal
Provide increased access and recreation opportunities and protection of significant natural and cultural
resources. Increase management efficiency. Improve significant watersheds and provide elevational
variety, fuels and development reduction to positively manage future climate change.
Estimated annual maintenance: $0