CATAWBA FALLS ACCESS
PUBLIC CAN ACCESS CATAWBA FALLS
Forest Service buys land along trail
By Nanci Bompey • Asheville Citizen Times, March 31, 2010
OLD FORT — Isbell Ager Behrer isn't the sort of person to knowingly break the law for the past 75 years. Although
landowners have allowed hikers to access Catawba Falls for decades, the 87-year-old hastechnically been
trespassing on private land to get to the cascading falls since she was a girl. But a recentpurchase of 88 acres
by the U.S. Forest Service means Behrer and hundreds of other hikers won't have to break the law anymore.
“My family has been advocates for the whole area so it feels so good being here and seeing all that has happened
to make it come about,” Behrer said.
The Forest Service's acquisition of two tracts of land from the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolinabrings to a
close 20 years of work to provide public access to Catawba Falls, a cascade made up of the 100-foot lower and
70-foot upper falls on the Catawba River near Old Fort.Although the waterfall itself has been part of Pisgah National
Forest since 1989, it didn't have a trail thatwas open to the public. The Forest Service, local governments and
conservation groups have beenworking since that time to acquire the land.
“This has been a long time in coming,” said David Walker, chairman of the McDowell County Board of Commissioners.
“Catawba Falls is a tremendous asset. The falls will draw people to visit Old Fortand help our local business people in
this town.”
The Foothills Conservancy acquired 65 acres of the88-acre tract in 2005. An anonymous lender helped the conservancy
to purchase an additional 23 acres in 2007.
The Forest Service was able to purchase the access property from the conservancy for $713,000 using funds included
in the 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill signed into law in December. Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury
also donated $124,000.
“We are thrilled to achieve what has eluded many for two decades,” said Tom Kenney, Foothills Conservancy land
protection director. “It's simply a natural treasure that is now there for everyone.”
Legislation is now pending to expand Pisgah National Forest's official boundary to include the newly purchased tracts and
a portion of the original Catawba Falls tract. The Forest Service plans to build a parking lot at the trailhead along with a
better trail and a bridge for hikers to use on the 1.5-mile trek leading up to the falls. They also plan to install a plaque
commemorating the original landowner Col. Dan Adams.
Rep. Heath Shuler, who helped to secure the federal funding, said conserving land in the mountains will encourage visitors
to stay longer in the region, spending money in hotels, restaurants and shops.
“The economic development that we can draw from making sure that we have access to Catawba Falls is going to pay for
itself exponentially in this region,” he said. Access to the falls could help local businesses like the Catawba Falls Campground.
Owner Debbie Acrivos gets calls daily from people wanting to know when they can hike to the falls.
“If I charged a quarter for everyone who asked how to get to the falls, I'd be a millionaire,” said Acrivos, whose father worked for
20 years to get access to the falls. “They come from all over the world.”
Ben Blitch is staying at the campground and hiked up to the waterfall with friends on Tuesday. Blitch said he thinks Catawba
Falls is the prettiest waterfall in WNC, which means a lot coming from a Henderson County native.
“It's only my second time coming here but it's become a yearly homage,” he said.
FOOTHILLS CONSERVANCY SELLS CATAWBA FALLS TRAIL PROPERTY TO U.S. FOREST SERVICEBy Mike Conley | The McDowell News
After many years of not having public access, hikers and waterfall enthusiasts can now follow a trail to Catawba Falls in
the Pisgah National Forest. And the Old Fort community now has a natural wonder that can be enjoyed by locals and tourists
alike. At a special dedication ceremony in Old Fort, the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a regional land trust, formally
announced that it has sold to the U.S. Forest Service 88 acres which willprovide long-sought public access to Catawba Falls
in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Old Fort. The U.S. Forest Service acquired the land for $713,000 using federal Land and
Water Conservation Funds secured by U.S. Reps. Heath Shuler and David Price in legislation signed into law last December.
The ceremony, held at the Mountain Gateway Museum, was attended by Shuler, Old Fort officials, McDowell County officials,
State Sen. Joe Sam Queen, representatives of the Foothills Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service. In addition,
representatives from both U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan were on hand as well for the event.
"Catawba Falls is a natural treasure that belongs to the people, and the people will now have full public access to it," said Shuler.
"This beautiful area is a prime destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting. Access to this natural gem will encourage tourism and
boost the economy of McDowell County and western North Carolina."
"Catawba Falls has always been one of our state's most popular natural resources, but it has not always been accessible," said
Price. "I am pleased that I was able to help secure the federal investment needed to preserve the Catawba Falls area for future
generations."
Foothills Conservancy discounted the sale to the U.S. Forest Service by $124,000, made possible by a generous contribution
to the conservancy of $124,000 from Fred and Alice Stanback of Salisbury.
"We're glad to see it finally happen," said Fred Stanback. "The Conservancy has done a lot of good work preserving land all
around."
The conservancy combined the gift with monies from its own revolving loan fund and a loan from the Conservation Fund, a
national organization, to initially acquire 65 acres of the 88-acre tract in 2005. In 2007, an anonymous private lender stepped
up to help Foothills Conservancy quickly purchase an adjoining 23 acres, which controlled the access to Catawba Falls when
the tract was listed for sale.
"At long last, the public is assured access to Catawba Falls, a natural treasure in McDowell County," said Tom Kenney,
Foothills Conservancy's land protection director. "Thanks to the efforts of many before us, Catawba Falls has been a part of
Pisgah National Forest since 1989, but lack of trail accesshas kept people from seeing where the Catawba River begins.
Foothills Conservancy is honored to play a role in opening the door to one of North Carolina's most spectacular waterfalls."
Local officials are happy that the public access to the falls has finally been secured after years of effort. This means more
tourists and outdoor enthusiasts will come to Old Fort. That will also boost the town's economy.
"The town is proud to be the gateway to western North Carolina and the mountains," said Mayor Garland Norton.
"This has been a long time coming," said Commission Chairman David Walker. "Catawba Falls is a tremendous asset.
Along with Point Lookout Trail, Catawba Falls will draw more tourists to this town."
Companion legislation is pending which will expand Pisgah National Forest's official boundary to include the newly purchased
tract and a portion of the original Catawba Falls tract that remained outside the national forest's proscribed boundary. The
legislation passed the House with full bipartisan support after being introduced by Shuler and cosponsored by all 13 members
of the North Carolina Congressional delegation. A similar bill is pending in the Senate, co-introducedby Hagan, a Democrat,
and Burr, a Republican.
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FOOTHILLS CONSERVANCY OF NORTH CAROLINA APPLIES FOR NATIONAL ACCREDITATIONThe land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality
standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Foothills Conservancy of North
Carolina (FCNC) is pleased to announce it is applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an
extensive review of each applicant's policies and programs. “National accreditation will assure landowners,
donors, funders and conservation and community partners that Foothills Conservancy merits their confidence,”
said Susie Hamrick Jones, FCNC executive director. “It is a land trust's highest seal of approval and will help
Foothills Conservancy reach a new level of service for our region.”
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments
must relate to how Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina complies with national quality standards. These
standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission,
Attn: Public Comments: 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (fax) 518-587-3183.
Comments on Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina's application will be most useful by May 28, 2010.
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MOUNTAIN ADDED TO PARK - from staff reportsApr 22, 2009
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NEWS RELEASE
May 22, 2009
LAND ALONG FOUR MILES OF NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC WILSON CREEK ACQUIRED FOR STATE GAME LAND
