Rocky Fork Watershed

An Epic Conservation Story

Successful efforts to conserve the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed span more than six years (2006-2012), involving local heroes, multiple non-profit organizations, national and state agencies, Tennessee politicians, and devoted hiking clubs. SAHC is proud to have been a leader in protecting the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork watershed. A unique, fragile ecosystem with rare and endangered species, the expansive forested land is prominent in the view from I-26 just north of the TN/NC border (Unicoi County) and the surrounding area.

Rocky Fork had long been one of the top priorities for conservation in the southern Appalachians because of its vast size, adjacency to the Appalachian Trail and the Sampson Mountain Wilderness, its 16 miles of blue ribbon trout streams and other chart-topping conservation values,” remembers SAHC Executive Director Carl Silverstein. Although it was privately owned, it had been leased it to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission for decades, and people enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping there as though it were public lands.

“In 1998, while I was still working with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, the land came up for sale,” continues Carl. “Under leadership of Ed Williams III, the conservation community worked together to secure an appropriation from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to add part of the property closest to the Appalachian Trail to the Cherokee National Forest. But the landowner sold the whole 10,000 acres before we could act on it.

“When I became the Executive Director at SAHC and the property came up for sale again in the early 2000s, it was a second opportunity to save this incredible place that I thought had been lost. Plans to sell and develop the land were circulating in the early 2000s, and the owner was negotiating with developers. Local conservationists,  outdoor enthusiasts, SAHC and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy pulled together to find a way to preserve Rocky Fork. SAHC boldly submitted a letter of intent to the owners to purchase the property for $32 million, and they indicated they would sell the property for $40 million. We recruited The Conservation Fund as a national partner to help give momentum to the multi-million dollar acquisition. We prepared and submitted an application to the TN Heritage Conservation Trust Fund for $6 million, which was awarded in 2007. Although a critical step forward, this grant only covered a fraction  of the $40 million price tag for the land.”