Washington, D.C. – The House passed an Interior Department appropriations bill on Thursday that included funding to buy 88 acres near Catawba Falls, a provision introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler.
The bill was passed later Thursday by the Senate and can now be signed into law by the PresidentThe bill allocates $713,000 to the Forest Service to buy 88 acres from a private party to expand the trailhead to Catawba Falls and build a parking area. This funding follows the passage in September of a bill authored Congressman Shuler that adjusted the boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest to include a total of 301 acres of additional land, 213 acres already owned by the federal government and the additional 88-acre tract of privately owned land.
Congressman Shuler’s legislation, House Resolution 1002, authorized the Forest Service, the recipient of the funds appropriated Thursday, to purchase the property to expand the Park and enable access to the Falls. H.R. 1002 was designed to rectify the current access problem of visitors needing to pass through a steep and rugged wooded area to legally reach the Falls. The difficulty of this access route often led to people inadvertently trespassing upon private property.
“This is the last piece of legislation needed to allow full public access to our spectacular Catawba Falls,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “Now local and visiting hikers and fisherman will be able to enjoy this scenic treasure. Access to this natural gem will encourage tourism and boost the economy of McDowell County.”
The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina owns the 88 acres that offers access to the Falls and is willing to sell the land to the Forest Service, said Squeak Smith, chairman of the conservation group. The land will be used as an entryway to the entire Falls area, and include a parking lot and picnic areas, he said. Besides being supported by the Foothills Conservancy, the initiative also has the backing of the City of Old Fort, McDowell County Tourism Authority, McDowell County Board of Commissioners, and numerous local hiking and hunting groups.
“We’ve been waiting a long time to hear this,” Smith said. “It’s the last step and will open formal access to the Falls to the public. I want to thank Congressman Shuler for all his hard work on this.”
“This legislation ultimately provides tremendous recreational benefits to the people of North Carolina as well as offering a shot in the arm to the McDowell County economy,” Congressman Shuler said. “I am grateful that all our efforts have paid off and that people will gain a fuller enjoyment of Catawba Falls.”
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