Legislators Work Together to Propose New State Park in Rutherford County

Durham, NC—07 April 2005—With the interests of local people in mind and an eye on tourism, natural resource protection and other benefits, legislators in the mountains and the Sandhills are working together to create two new state parks, one of which would be located in Rutherford County.

The proposed park in western Rutherford County would contain spectacular cliffs, rugged mountains, fissure caves and waterfalls and its unusually rich soils support many rare plant and animal species. Examples include the federally endangered white irisette and green salamander, and populations of a rare pygmy shrew and cave-adapted arachnid species. The Nature Conservancy already owns land in Hickory Nut Gorge, including the 800-acre Rumbling Bald Preserve which would be the potential core area of the new state park.

Sponsors have high hopes for identical bills in the House and Senate that authorize additions to the state parks system: Carver’s Creek in Cumberland County and the Hickory Nut Gorge area in Rutherford County. Primary co-sponsors of the Senate Bill (SB 586), which passed the Senate unanimously on March 24, are Senators Walter H. Dalton (Rutherford County) and Tony Rand (Cumberland County). Martin L. Nesbit, Jr. (Buncombe County) is also a sponsor. The House Bill’s (HB 1008) primary co-sponsors are Representatives Margaret Dickson, Rick Glazier, Marvin Lucas (Cumberland County) and Bob England (Rutherford County).

“Many members of my family grew up along the shores of Lake Lure, so I can tell you with confidence what a special place this is. We’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a park that is a true jewel in North Carolina’s crown,” says Representative England.

“Establishing a state park here in Rutherford County will offer many benefits to the people of North Carolina and to visitors from other states. We’ll see economic development from increased recreation and tourism opportunities. This is a wonderful opportunity to act as stewards for future generations and protect the treasures of North Carolina for our kids and grandkids to enjoy,” says Senator Dalton.

The legislators have worked closely with a variety of organizations in proposing the new parks. In Rutherford County, key partners are the state Division of Parks and Recreation, the Foothills Conservancy of NC, the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, the Upper Broad River Protection Project, the Carolina Climbers Coalition, the Access Fund, and The Nature Conservancy’s North Carolina Chapter.

Potential funding sources for the Rutherford County park include the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Parks and Recreation Fund and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Once authorized, a new state park project is eligible for support from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for land acquisition and facilities.

The North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and its 23,000 members have protected more than 570,000 acres in the Tar Heel state. Its mission is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. For more information, contact the NC Chapter office at 919.403.8558 or visit us on the web at www.nature.org/northcarolina.

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