The General Assembly has authorized two state natural areas in Northwestern North Carolina to be developed as state parks by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Gov. Mike Easley signed the authorization bill today.
State park officials will begin the process to convert Yellow Mountain and Bear Paw natural areas, both centered in Avery County, into state parks, according to statement by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
They will begin land acquisition that will involve nonprofit conservation organizations and the Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management trust funds.
"An important part of our mission is to protect representative examples of North Carolina's rich diversity of natural resources," said Lewis Ledford, director of the state parks system. "Establishing state natural areas is a practical way to do this. Land conservancies and trust funds are invaluable partners in this important conservation effort."
The Yellow Mountain State Natural Area will be established with an initial land acquisition of about 850 acres through the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, the statement said. It will be located in two tracts along the Avery-Mitchell county line just west of U.S. 19 and south of Pisgah National Forest.
The Bear Paw State Natural Area will be established with an initial land acquisition of about 350 acres through the High Country Conservancy. It will be located just north of Grandfather Mountain and the town of Seven Devils.
Web Search powered by YAHOO!
|
NewsNews
State authorizes two new natural areas in Avery County
By:
|
Winston-Salem Journal
Published: August 04, 2008
Published: August 04, 2008
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
MoreAdvertisement
View More:
Appalachian Highlands Conservancy,
Avery,
Avery County,
Avery-Mitchell,
Director Of The State Parks System,
Environment,
General Assembly,
Governor,
High Country Conservancy,
Highlands Conservancy,
Hospitality_Recreation,
Lewis Ledford,
Mike Easley,
N.C. Department Of Environment And Natural Resources,
N.C. Division Of Parks And Recreation,
North Carolina,
Northwestern North Carolina,
Pisgah National Forest,
Representative,
United States,
Yellow Mountain
Not what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Comments
*Facebook Account Required to Comment. If you are not already logged into Facebook, please click the comment button to do so.Deal of the Day
Advertisement
Advertisement
Most Popular
ViewedNews
News and Features Galleries
Photos from Wake Forest University's graduation on Monday, May 21...
GALLERY: Greek Festival
GALLERY: Salem Graduation
GALLERY:The Eliminators
Advertisement
Advertisement