Conservation Easement – Big Lost Creek (Polk County)

January 3, 2011 Conservation Easements, FLC Projects


FLC is pleased to announce last week’s conservation easement signing on a 648 acre tract in Polk County. Surrounded on all sides by the 640,000 acre Cherokee National Forest, this property offers ridge top views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, including the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Tributaries on the property allow for critical trout spawning habitat for both the Hiwassee and Ocoee River Watersheds. Property includes almost 2.5 miles of dense old-growth white pine and hemlock forest. Bill Clabough, FLC’s Executive Director, considers this a rare opportunity to preserve land that remains relatively untouched by human hands. The beauty and environmental values of this property are in keeping with the forest lands surrounding it. What an outstanding opportunity for Foothills to assist in the preservation of this natural area both for our community and wildlife habitat.”

Registration of Conservation Easement at Polk County Courthouse (left to right – Dan Owens, principal property owner; Bill Clabough, FLC Executive Director; Meredith CLebsch, FLC Land Director; Lewis Kearney, FLC Board Member; Elise Eustace, FLC Communication & Development Director