LTLT
to protect more of the Little Tennessee
A conservation agreement
between a private landowner and the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee
has protected close to a half mile of Little Tennessee River frontage
in northern Macon County.
So far this year alone,
the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee has conserved a total of
242 acres and over two miles of Little Tennessee River frontage
in northern Macon County. This latest conservation agreement was
made by a development company called Melcar, which acquired the
land in 2005. The owners are planning to develop a part of the property
but wanted to conserve the portion in the flood plain along the
river bank.
“We are very interested
in preserving the quality of the river for future generations,”
said Mike Maher, a partner in the development group. “We understand
that it is not a replaceable resource and action to protect it now
is our contribution to the community.”
The particular tract
is upstream of McCoy Bridge. The conservation agreement prohibits
development along 2,300 feet of river frontage and adjacent floodplain
but would allow for agricultural and recreational use.
The conservation agreement
fills in yet another missing piece of the puzzle in a patchwork
of protected tracts by the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee.
It lies directly across the river from another tract conserved by
the land trust in 2005 and a quarter-mile downstream from another
tract. |