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Lake James State Park
Lake James/Shortoff Mountain
MORGANTON, NC - More than 4,300 acres of scenic lands bordering Lake James and the Linville River were added today to state park and
wildlife lands, protecting more than 30 miles of lakeshore, a mile of the Linville River and the southern end of the Linville Gorge National
Wilderness Area.
In simultaneous transactions totaling more than $21 million, the State of North Carolina acquired from Crescent Resources 2,909 acres for
$18.3 million for Lake James State Park, and 1,425 acres along the Linville River, under contract to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina,
for $3.06 million for N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission game land.
Foothills Conservancy has worked since 1998 to secure support and funding for protection and public ownership of these Lake James tracts
in collaboration with the State, Citizens to Save Lake James and the Lake James Task Force, Burke County, elected officials, community leaders
and Crescent Resources.
Concerns about intensive lakeshore development, water quality and public access fueled efforts to protect the large tracts, which, if developed,
could be dotted with 1193 homes and make almost all of Lake James' 150-mile shoreline off-limits to the public.
“Many voices have long called for public protection of these beautiful and invaluable watershed lands at Lake James,” said Susie Hamrick
Jones, Foothills Conservancy's Executive Director. “As a result, today miles of forested shores along Lake James and the Linville River have
been forever conserved and made available for all to enjoy.
“These lands will help protect the clean waters of Lake James and the Catawba River and will provide a focal point for tourism and a backdrop
for environmentally sensitive development. This is a monumental achievement proving that North Carolinians understand the tremendous
importance of protecting our state's natural and scenic lands.”
Last August, Governor Mike Easley signed legislation authorizing the state's Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund,
and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to borrow funds, using Certificates of Participation (COPS), to secure the tracts, and he signed the State's
contract to purchase the land to expand Lake James State Park.
Funds for the Lake James State Park tract's $18.3 million price-tag came from two state natural resource trust funds: $11.7 million from the Parks
and Recreation Trust Fund and $6.6 million from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, both using COPS to make the large purchase possible.
Crescent Resources' one-time donation of $12.25 million in value on the tract, which appraised for $30.5 million, completed the deal.
Foothills Conservancy contracted to purchase the Linville River tract from Crescent last March for $3.1 million. The tract's acquisition for N. C.
Wildlife Resources Commission's Pisgah Game Land was accomplished with $2 million from the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, which used COPS,
and $1.1 million from the N. C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). EEP is an initiative of the N. C. Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the N. C. Department of Transportation that funds the permanent preservation of high-quality streams and wetlands, as well as
restoration. The tract contains almost 50,000 linear feet of river and stream frontage, making it a high priority for water quality protection.
Combined, the tracts will provide multiple recreational opportunities that will draw local residents, tourists and sportsmen from near and far.
The Linville River land connects directly to the Pisgah National Forest and the Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area and will expand hunting and
fishing opportunities and provide strategic linkages for the state's Mountain-to-Sea Trail, Linville Gorge trails and trails planned around Lake James.
Expanding from just over 600 acres to more than 3,500 acres with 30 miles of shoreline, Lake James State Park will become one of the state's
premier lake parks, and will eventually expand its range of camping, swimming, hiking, picnicking and boating opportunities, according to the N.C.
Division of Parks and Recreation.
State Parks officials will begin development this spring of a new master plan to include the park's expansion area, guided by community input and
an expanded Lake James State Park Advisory Committee.
“We expect to put together an interim management plan in coming months with an eye toward giving people some level of access onto the newly
acquired property,” said Tim Benton, Lake James State Park's superintendent. “There is much work to be done in advance of that, but it's an
exciting opportunity, and I'm sure this community will be interested in following our progress.”
Foothills Conservancy Partners to Protect Lake James
The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina joined Governor Mike Easley, representatives from North Carolina State Parks and Recreation,
Burke County, and Crescent Resources on August 19 to announce a major new expansion of Lake James State Park. Crescent will sell
2,915 acres of property on Lake James in Burke County to the State of North Carolina, which will add the land to the existing park. The
expansion is made possible by Crescent Resources' one-time gift of $12.25 million to the state. The state will pay $18.36 million for the
property, which has an appraised value of $30.6 million, and Crescent will make a one-time gift of $12.25 million to the state.
“With the spectacular Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop, Lake James deserves special attention and careful
stewardship,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, executive director of the Foothills Conservancy. “Thanks to Crescent's generosity and
leadership, the state and county's foresight, and the citizens who have worked to protect the lake, these lands which shelter bald eagles
and feed clean waters into Lake James will be protected and open to all.”
Foothills Conservancy has been working to protect watershed lands surrounding Lake James and along the Linville River below the
Linville Gorge since 1998. The park expansion, which the Conservancy helped negotiate, will protect what many consider to be the
“heart” of the lakeshore lands that had been destined for intense development. It will also make 30 miles of shoreline available for
public recreation, provide linkage for the N.C. Mountain-to-Sea Trail and the Overmountain National Historic Victory Trail, protect
spectacular scenic views from the Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area, and protect important wildlife habitat.
“The Lake James State Park expansion, from its current 605 acres to more than 3500 acres, will bring jobs to the region and protect
the area's scenic beauty,” Gov. Mike Easley said. “This expansion will connect public lands and trails and help to promote tourism
and recreational opportunities.”
Financing of the park expansion is possible as a result of legislation passed by the 2004 General Assembly that authorized certificates
of participation (COPS). COPS are a form of debt that will allow the land to be paid for with a portion of future revenues from the state's
three natural resource trust funds - Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management. Foothills Conservancy,
Conservation Trust, and other land trusts worked with legislators to rally support for the COPS legislation this past June.
Governor signs off on lake park
By Joshua Harris/The News Herald
Friday, August 20, 2004
LAKE JAMES - Lake James State Park expanded to six times its current 650 acres with one swipe of a pen.
Gov. Mike Easley signed off on a deal between the state and Crescent Resources on Thursday, which adds 2,915 acres of land
to the state park.The agreement is for the state to pay $18.36 million to Crescent for the nearly 3,000 acre peninsula southwest of
the Linville River that is valued at $30.6 million.
“We don't have but so much water and we have to protect it every day,” said Gov. Mike Easley. “It can be challenging in tough
times and a tough fiscal environment, but that's when we are at our best.”
The balance of the land value is a one-time gift by Crescent to the state of $12.25 million.
The park expansion, although never secure until Thursday, was part of the vision agreed upon among Crescent Resources,
Citizens to Save Lake James, the Burke County Commissioners, the Foothills Conservancy, the Lake James Environmental
Associations and numerous other groups included in the Lake James Task Force for the future for Lake James.
But until the governor put his signature on the agreement, no one involved was sure an expanded Lake James Sate Park
would become a reality.
The funding for the park expansion came within a $310-million state House bill recently signed by Easley. The bill allowed $20
million for state parks, but did not include any mention of Lake James.
“It's a great day for Burke County and it's a great day for the state,” Easley said. “The project is a result of a public private
partnership and that's the best kind. “Where it's a win, win situation.”
The governor spoke to a select crowd invited to the announcement. A crowd full of key players including supporters, negotiators,
environmentalists, businessmen, representatives, county officials and more.
The entire presentation was filled with a sense of comradeship and pride at what could be accomplished when everyone involved
comes together to work out a plan.
Easley told the crowd that protecting open lands and watersheds doesn't have to hinder economic growth.
“You are preserving something people love,” Easley said. “You can't buy it and you can't get it anywhere other than here.”
Tom Johnson, Burke County commissioner chairman and a key player in helping find a solution among Crescent, the
county and the conservationists, spoke before the governor and let his guard down a little to express his happiness.
“What a day!” Johnson shouted. “I can't believe it!”
Two years ago, Johnson said, he took over as county chairman with a downward spiraling economy, job loss, a multi-million
dollar lawsuit over land use at the lake and after his first day he walked home with his head hanging.
But Johnson said he took his father's sage advice to face hard times and make a plan to lead the county out of its economic
hardships.
“We needed to diversify from 100 percent manufacturing that leaves every 60 years,” Johnson said.
Tourism, through smart development at Lake James, was key to Johnson's and the county's vision to bring Burke out of economic
darkness.
“This is an example of what can be done when people get out of the courtroom, get into the conference room and close the doors,”
Johnson said. “We can, we must and we are recovering.”
Susie Hamrick Jones, executive director of the Foothills Conservancy, was full of thanks during the event and received much thanks
in return for the efforts of the conservancy and its role in creating an acceptable land deal.
“This has been six, seven, eight years of work by thousands of people we will never know,” Jones said.
Jones thanked Crescent for the gift to help secure the land and said she will be even happier when the deed is signed over to
the people.
“That gift will help protect the viewshed, the watershed...” and much more, she said.
Of other people who have been involved since the beginning, Paul Braun, founder of Citizens to Save Lake James, was singled
out and thanked by Easley for all his efforts. Easley gave Braun credit for starting the petition drive, getting the signatures and
getting the public involved.
“Paul, you have built this thing with a pencil, and we truly appreciate everything you've done,” Easley said. “God bless you.”
Braun, speaking before the announcement and arrival of the governor, said the fact that eights years of work was coming to
fruition was hard to believe.
“That map (which illustrates the 3,000 acres of park) is worth being jubilant over,” Braun said pointing to a display next to the
stage with the land of the park extension as a backdrop. “It represents eight years of dedication and work by the people of the
county.
“It represents an idea of local sportsman saying, `Wouldn't this (an expanded state park) be great.'”
And Braun, who once stood on an opposite side of the line from Crescent said he was thankful for the work the company has
done.
“I really think the most positive thing that happened was the team of negotiators being Jim Mozley, Mark Pernar, Patty Richards
and Troy Lucas,”
Braun said. “They saw the vision and created the real turning point.
“At that point, Crescent Resources began to work in truly good faith to make this happen and work toward this park expansion.”
Braun said Crescent didn't have to take the noble steps and do the right thing.
“They deserve full credit for the good things they are doing,” Braun said. “I'm truly grateful.”
Braun was thanked for his conservationists efforts while business leader Mike Fulenwider was thanked by the governor for his
efforts to do the right thing by the lake.
“I can't think of another event in Burke County that's ever occurred that had as much economic impact,” Fulenwider said.
“And the key is the public, private partnership.”
Fulenwider said the partnership between Crescent, the state and the conservation agencies, and their efforts to leverage funds
from multiple sources, is what made the park expansion a reality.
“Now we can start making a real solid plan for the future,” Fulenwider said.
Thursday August 19, 4:00 PM ET
Crescent Resources Enters into Agreement to Sell Nearly 3,000 Acres of
Lake James Property to State of North Carolina
LAKE JAMES, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2004--Crescent Resources, LLC has agreed to sell 2,915 acres of property on
Lake James in Burke County to the state of North Carolina for the expansion of Lake James State Park. To facilitate the transaction,
Crescent Resources will make a one-time gift of $12.25 million to the state.
"The Lake James State Park expansion, from its current 605 acres to more than 3,500 acres, will bring jobs to the region and protect
the area's scenic beauty, " Gov. Mike Easley said. "This expansion will connect public lands and trails and help to promote tourism and
recreational opportunities. I want to thank Crescent Resources for its progressive and insightful leadership, generosity and cooperation."
Lake James, located in Burke and McDowell counties, is the first lake along the 300-mile Catawba River chain. The future park expansion
site is located on the northeastern side of the lake fed by the Linville River. The site includes sections known locally as Long Arm and
Paddy's Creek. With 30 miles of lake frontage, these sections provide scenic views of the Linville Gorge, Short Off Mountain and other
distinguishing peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
"For close to four decades, Crescent has had the great privilege of managing these 2,915 acres," said Art Fields, Crescent's president
and CEO. "Significant time and effort have gone into developing an overall plan that creates a regional economic driver for the Lake
James Region. Expanding the state park at Lake James is a key component in that plan."
The overall plan is the result of two years of intensive planning discussions between Crescent and interested stakeholders, including
officials from Burke and McDowell counties, the business and development communities, the Foothills Conservancy, the Citizens to
Save Lake James, the Lake James Task Force and the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented the interests of the
Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups.
"This is an historic day," said Tom Johnson, chair of the Burke County Commission. "Not only are we preserving the natural attributes of
this property and the lake, we are creating a major opportunity to diversify our economy. The expanded state park will serve as a catalyst
for further development of tourism-related destinations and businesses. With an unprecedented spirit of cooperation, the county, state,
Crescent Resources, environmental groupsand citizens came together and found common ground in their needs and long-term goals."
"This addition will immediately move Lake James State Park into a new class in terms of recreation potential and conservation of natural
resources," said Lewis Ledford, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. "Perhaps the most gratifying aspect about the
acquisition is the example of true partnership among the state parks system, a corporate entity, the conservation community and local
government."
Financing the park expansion will be possible as a result of legislation by the 2004 N.C. General Assembly. It allows certificates of
participation to be issued for park projects and military buffer acquisitions. Those would be repaid with a portion of future revenues into
the three natural resource trust funds -- Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management. The Parks and
Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds are supported by the state's tax on real estate deed transfers.
Since its creation in 1987, Lake James State Park has been among the smallest of the state's 33 parks and recreation areas. The
additional property offers potential for a broad range of expanded camping, hiking and water-based recreation, and the park becomes
an obvious candidate for a visitor's center and exhibit hall similar to those being built at other parks, Ledford said.
The division's planners will soon begin revising the park's master plan with input from the citizens' Park Advisory Committee. That
master plan will be used to guide the park's development.
"With the spectacular Linville Gorge and Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, Lake James deserves special attention and careful
stewardship," said Susie Hamrick Jones, executive director of the Foothills Conservancy, a regional land trust which has worked
closely with state and local officials, Crescent, other conservation groups and citizens to facilitate a park expansion. "Thanks to
Crescent's generosity and leadership, the state and county's foresight, and the citizens who have worked to protect the lake, these
lands which shelter bald eagles and feed clean waters into Lake James, will be open to all."
Crescent Resources, LLC is a land management and real estate development company. Formed more than 40 years ago by Duke
Energy, the company has land interests in nine states in the southeast and southwestern United States.
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the lead stewardship agency for the preservation and protection
of North Carolina's outstanding natural resources. Its Division of Parks and Recreation is responsible for managing the state parks system,
which includes 29 state parks, four state recreation areas, 17 natural areas, seven state lakes and the state trails and rivers systems.
With an annual attendance of more than 13 million people, the state parks are the second most visited outdoor attraction in North Carolina,
trailing only the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Source: Crescent Resources, LLC
____________________________________________________________________
LAKE JAMES AND LINVILLE RIVER LANDS PRESERVED
MORGANTON, NC - More than 4,300 acres of scenic lands bordering Lake James and the Linville River were added today to state park
and wildlife lands, protecting more than 30 miles of lakeshore, a mile of the Linville River and the southern end of the Linville Gorge
National Wilderness Area.
In simultaneous transactions totaling more than $21 million, the State of North Carolina acquired from Crescent Resources 2909 acres
for $18.3 million for Lake James State Park, and 1,425 acres along the Linville River, under contract to Foothills Conservancy of North
Carolina, for $3.06 million for N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission game land.
Foothills Conservancy has worked since 1998 to secure support and funding for protection and public ownership of these Lake James
tracts in collaboration with the State, Citizens to Save Lake James and the Lake James Task Force, Burke County, elected officials,
community leaders and Crescent Resources.
Concerns about intensive lakeshore development, water quality and public access fueled efforts to protect the large tracts, which,
if developed, could be dotted with 1193 homes and make almost all of Lake James' 150-mile shoreline off-limits to the public.
“Many voices have long called for public protection of these beautiful and invaluable watershed lands at Lake James,” said Susie
Hamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy's Executive Director. “As a result, today miles of forested shores along Lake James and the
Linville River have been forever conserved and made available for all to enjoy.
“These lands will help protect the clean waters of Lake James and the Catawba River and will provide a focal point for tourism and
a backdrop for environmentally sensitive development. This is a monumental achievement proving that North Carolinians understand
the tremendous importance of protecting our state's natural and scenic lands.”
Last August, Governor Mike Easley signed legislation authorizing the state's Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Natural Heritage
Trust Fund, and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to borrow funds, using Certificates of Participation (COPS), to secure the tracts,
and he signed the State's contract to purchase the land to expand Lake James State Park.
Funds for the Lake James State Park tract's $18.3 million price-tag came from two state natural resource trust funds: $11.7 million
from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and $6.6 million from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, both using COPS to
make the large purchase possible. Crescent Resources' one-time donation of $12.25 million in value on the tract, which appraised
for $30.5 million, completed the deal.
Foothills Conservancy contracted to purchase the Linville River tract from Crescent last March for $3.1 million. The tract's
acquisition for N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Pisgah Game Land was accomplished with $2 million from the Natural
Heritage Trust Fund, which used COPS, and $1.1 million from the N. C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). EEP is an
initiative of the N. C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the N. C. Department of Transportation that funds the
permanent preservation of high-quality streams and wetlands, as well as restoration. The tract contains almost 50,000 linear feet of
river and stream frontage, making it a high priority for water quality protection.
Combined, the tracts will provide multiple recreational opportunities that will draw local residents, tourists and sportsmen from near
and far.
The Linville River land connects directly to the Pisgah National Forest and the Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area and will expand
hunting and fishing opportunities and provide strategic linkages for the state's Mountain-to-Sea Trail, Linville Gorge trails and trails
planned around Lake James.
Expanding from just over 600 acres to more than 3,500 acres with 30 miles of shoreline, Lake James State Park will become one of
the state's premier lake parks, and will eventually expand its range of camping, swimming, hiking, picnicking and boating opportunities,
according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
State Parks officials will begin development this spring of a new master plan to include the park's expansion area, guided by community
input and an expanded Lake James State Park Advisory Committee.
“We expect to put together an interim management plan in coming months with an eye toward giving people some level of access onto
the newly acquired property,” said Tim Benton, Lake James State Park's superintendent. “There is much work to be done in advance of
that, but it's an exciting opportunity, and I'm sure this community will be interested in following our progress.”
