PROTECTING THE CUMBERLANDS:
SUPPORT GOV. BREDESEN’S VISIONARY INITIATIVE!Much of the “Heart of the Cumberlands” would be protected under a large “conservation investment” in the budget announced by Gov. Bredesen early last month. Noting that Tennessee’s northern Cumberlands were home to “some of the most important forests, mountains, streams, and wildlife habitat left in North America,” the governor announced an $82 million bond issue that would leverage additional investment from non-governmental sources to secure altogether ~124,000 acres valued at ~$148 million.
This initiative will need all the help we can give it (see Action Steps below), inasmuch as it has already been attacked by the leader of the Senate, Lt. Gov, Ron Ramsey. Ramsey (who is an auctioneer and real-estate agent by profession) said at a recent news conference that he is troubled by "taking that much land out of production," that the state shouldn’t be so quick to shut lumber companies out of logging areas, that the state owns enough land, that “there’s enough money taken out of private hands,” etc., etc. Many other legislators need to hear how much the people of Tennessee support this initiative!
The Heart of the Cumberlands to be protected by the initiative is a contiguous area in Scott, Morgan, Anderson, and Campbell Counties, stretching from Frozen Head in the southwest through the Sundquist and Royal Blue Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the northeast, almost to the Kentucky border.
Added to the state’s $82M would be ~$11M from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and ~$54M from the Lyme Timber Co. (a forestlands investor that seeks properties with high conservation value and often works in partnership with conservation groups). Only portions of the total 124,000 acres would be purchased in fee simple. Thus, all rights would be acquired for Love and Byrd Mountains, adjacent to Frozen Head State Natural Area (SNA), roughly to the east and west, respectively, of the Park entrance. (Note that most present-day visitors to Frozen Head are unaware that these two large mountains are in private ownership and vulnerable to degrading developments.) All rights would, further, be acquired to ~5,000 acres of the Sundquist tract that are also adjacent to Frozen Head SNA, generally on the east. The counties from which the fee-simple lands are to be acquired will receive in-lieu-of-tax payments from the state.
When the state designated the Sundquist WMA in 2002 (NL247 ¶3B), it bought the land only – without the trees on it. With the new funding, the timber rights will be acquired on ~70,000 acres of the WMA (with a 10-year lease-back agreement with The Lyme Timber Co.). On two other large tracts, altogether 36,500 acres of conservation easements will be purchased that govern sustainable forestry practices and public access. These “working forests” will continue to pay property taxes and generate economic benefits for the local communities. The project will enhance life in Tennessee not only through protection of unique habitats, but also through opportunities for public access, healthful outdoor recreation, and tourism.
Much of the significance of the Heart of the Cumberlands initiative is that it would protect a large contiguous area. This will provide a natural corridor in which mammals and birds can migrate freely, and will help to enhance the water quality in several watersheds, most of which contribute water to the Emory/Obed and of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland. It is in its waterways that the Cumberland Plateau displays much of its biological uniqueness and wealth.
The initiative is independent of, and additional to, the earlier enacted Heritage Conservation Trust Fund (NL__ ¶––), although it will be carried out in concert with it. In addition to the $82M bond issue, the governor’s budget contains another $10 M “to continue the momentum created by the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund.”
ACTION STEPS--WHAT YOU CAN DO:(1)Contact your own state senator and representative, as well as House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, and Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (see Political Guide). Tell them that the $82M bond issue is an unparalleled opportunity to protect uniquely valuable, yet threatened, Tennessee lands and wildlife habitats. At the same time, it will maintain “working forests” that continue to pay property taxes and generate economic benefits, and it will provide opportunities for public access, healthful outdoor recreation, and tourism.
(2) Contact Gov. Bredesen and thank him for this initiative.
(3) Write a letter to the editor of your paper (you can copy a message that you wrote under (1), above.
(4) Urge your friends to take action.
TOP TEN REASONS
THE HEART OF THE CUMBERLANDS INITIATIVE
IS A GOOD IDEA1. Access to clean water
Protects the New River and Emory River, which provide the water supplies for more than 27,000 Tennesseans in nine communities including Harriman, Kingston and Rockwood. A clean New River contributes to water quality in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a major tourist attraction.2. More Land for Hunting
Additional 40,000 acres for hunting and fishing in Morgan and Scott counties3. Working Forests, Working Tennesseans
94% of land will be actively managed for sustainable timber production, using Best Management Practices. Acquires the timber rights on 70,000 acres the state already owns4. Enhances Frozen Head State Park and Cumberland Trail
Adds Love and Bird Mountains to Frozen Head State Park to be protected for future generations5. Maximizes State Investment
Leveraging funding from Lyme Timber Company and The Nature Conservancy allows the state to protect more land with less investment6. Protects Local Economies
Private property owners, from whom easements are purchased, continue to pay property taxes, at the same levels as before. On land purchased by the state in fee simple, annual payments in lieu of taxes will, in perpetuity, equal the property taxes that were paid by the previous owner7. Promotes economic development and tourism
As in the Great Smoky Mountains to the east, the biodiversity of the Cumberland Mountain region is a draw for hikers, bikers, camping and wildlife viewing8. International Treasure
The Nature Conservancy has ranked this biologically rich area, also known as the Heart of the Cumberlands, as the 8th most important place on earth. It has been designated one of the twelve BioGems of the American Continent (North and South America)9. Wildlife corridor
Contiguity of all the protected lands creates a continuous wildlife corridor from Frozen Head almost up to the Kentucky border10. Bird watchers' paradise
Protects the Cerulean Warbler (which breeds in the Cumberlands but is becoming very rare elsewhere) and several other special bird species that are a great attraction for bird watchers from around the nation.
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