January 5, 1999

Contact:  Art Rowe 828-877-3350
                Terry Seyden 828-257-4202

U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO DROP BUNCOMBE COUNTY TRACT FROM PROPOSED LAND EXCHANGE

ASHEVILLE....National Forests in North Carolina Supervisor John Ramey has decided to drop the Standhill Mountain tract, located in Buncombe County, from a proposed land exchange. During the recent public comment period, several summer home permittees objected to the exchange. "We made it clear from the beginning that we would not proceed with the Standhill Mtn. exchange unless all current national forest recreation residence permittees in the Standhill tract consented to the transfer", Ramey said.

During the comment period, strong public support surfaced for keeping the Standhill Mtn. tract in public ownership. Reasons cited by many included the importance of the tract to residents in the Hominy Valley community, the tract's proximity to Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the environmental values of the tract, and the potential for increased recreation use in the Standhill Mtn. area.

The Standhill Tract was originally part of a proposed land exchange designed in part to gain public right-of-way along the Appalachian Trail in Graham County and another tract in the Snowbird area in Cherokee County. Ramey indicated that the Forest Service will be pursuing a smaller land exchange that would still include the Appalachian Trail tract but not Standhill Mtn.

"While nobody enjoys being criticized, looking at the long view it is encouraging to hear so much public support for the continued presence of national forest lands in Buncombe County", Ramey said. During the public scoping period, which ended December 23, the Forest Service received over 300 letters and phone calls from the public urging the Forest Service to keep the Standhill Mtn. tract in public ownership as National Forest System lands. The Buncombe County Commissioners also passed a resolution requesting this tract be left as National Forest.

Pisgah District Ranger Art Rowe noted that "During the comment period, the Hominy Valley community expressed strong interest in working with the Forest Service in dealing with some of the ongoing management issues in the area. We now look forward to working with our Hominey Valley neighbors to provide for better access, increased public safety, and improved recreation opportunies in the Standhill Mtn area."

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