Little Tennessee emergency
The following is a reprint of a submission to the AWC egroup list:
Dear Friends,
This note is going out to a variety of individuals with interest in the conservation of southern Appalachian rivers and watersheds in general, and the Little Tennessee River in particular, in the hope that one of you will be able to contribute to solving a problem which truly represents a conservation emergency. I write from my other job in Costa Rica, but nothing could be closer to my heart.
Most of you will be aware of the unique biodiversity value of the upper Little Tennessee and of the several local efforts to simultaneously protect the river and the rural and cultural character of the valley. Much of this attention has focused on the Needmore Tract, but of equal importance are the 15 miles of river between Lake Emory Dam at Franklin and Needmore. The lead in protecting this area has been taken by the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (LTLT), largely through working with landowners to protect their own properties. From time to time, however, the need to purchase a property arises.
This is the case at present with a 17.25 acre property on Coggins Bend in the Oak Grove community. If we cannot quickly find the funds to purchase this as a conservation property, we will be faced with a 17 lot development on a completely inappropriate site, at tremendous cost to the river and the surrounding landscape and community. Some of the necessary funds are available locally, and it is my belief that the rest can be raised - but not in time to meet an owner´s deadline. The LTLT has been told that they have 2 weeks to make an offer and 60 days to come up with the money. A grant (which, given the time pressure, would have to be from a private individual) or a conservation buyer would be the best options, but we are confident enough of eventual funding that a loan or loans to the LTLT, in the amount of $150,00 to $200,000 would represent an acceptable solution.
The property in question, recently sold, is located on the tip of Coggins Bend. It is one of the few entirely forested properties on that reach of the river and has 2,200 ft. of river frontage on excellent spotfin chub and mussel habitat. Of 17.25 acres, 3 are located under the river. Something less than 6 acres are located out of the flood plain. Septic tank sites are doubtful. If this piece of flood plain is cleared, flood waters will sweep through with tremendous force, with predictable damage to downstream areas. Given the virtually non-existent regulations on floodplain development in Macon County, all of this matters very little.
The property is located at the end of a 1.2 mile private access road. All but one of the owners along this road are strongly opposed to this development, and unwilling to give up more than the present right-of-way which is inadequate for the amount of traffic which would be generated. Most are willing to give up forest, riparian and/or farmland easements on their properties. One owner is willing to donate a piece of forested land. Two of the landowners are willing to purchase the equivalent of 2 of the projected 17 lots as conservation properties. This will provide a strong counterpart contribution by the LTLT in seeking grants for purchase of the property. (And the LTLT has an excellent track record in land protection.)
The asking price is $225,000, based on the owner´s claimed purchase price of $195,000. (The LTLT is researching the accuracy of this claim.) We can raise all of the money in the long run. However, there may be no long run, given the owner´s demands. While it is not impossible to imagine a private donor who can move swiftly and efficiently, or a conservation buyer, such individuals have not been identified. One thought is to find a conservation buyer and then for the LTLT to purchase development rights for up to one half the cost of the property, thus making it quite a good deal for the right person.
The purpose of this note is to ask you if you know any such individuals or if there is anyone out there who would be willing to loan a substantial sum to the LTLT for this purpose. Or who has any other ideas about how to deal with this threat. This will not be the last threat of this type to affect the Little T downstream of Franklin; it would be very good to have a record of having successfully confronted one of these situations.
Since this note is going to friends, I will mention one other aspect which weighs heavily on my wife Susan and myself. The property in question happens to border on ours. In some circles I suppose this would compromise the appeal for assistance. But I think the recipients of this note recognize the special relationship I have with the Little T, and how it would be compromised in the event of a sizable development on Coggins Bend. This would be a high priority local conservation cause anywhere along the river between Franklin and Needmore. I scarcely need the added motivation, but obviously the emotional impact of losing this battle would be tremendous.
Thanks to all of you for any and all assistance or suggestions. If you have further questions, you can contact me by email, or email or phone my wife Susan at anaiinc@dnet.net or 828-524-8369.
Sincerely, Bill McLarney