Davis Announces $1.9 Million for Walls of Jericho Project July 29, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis announced the FY06 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act contained $1.9 million for the acquisition of the Walls of Jericho tract located on the Tennessee/Alabama border in Franklin County.

Davis said, "The Walls are a unique Tennessee treasure that should be enjoyed by everyone. Having hiked it I understand how important it is to protect this beautiful area with its diverse plant and animal life. I'm happy I was able to work with The Tennessee Nature Conservancy and the state delegation to get these funds appropriated."

The 9,430 acre tract is located in Franklin County and is part of 48,000 acres of inter-connected hardwood forest in Tennessee and Alabama. This project will help provide public access for visitors to the Walls of Jericho, and will protect the habitat for migratory birds as well as rare and endangered terrestrial and freshwater species. The forest is also a site of Paint Rock River headwaters. The river is the most biologically diverse river of its size in the United States.

The funding is part of the Forest Legacy program and the project was a top priority for both the Tennessee and U.S. Forest Service. Davis previously secured $3.5 million in the FY05 Interior bill for the Walls of Jericho project.