| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE February 10, 2006 |
CONTACT: Tom Womack
Albert Waterhouse |
STATE ANNOUNCES LAND DONATION IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
Franklin Forest Properties donates key property for Franklin State Forest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced a donation of approximately 350 acres to the state by Franklin Forest Properties, a regional land development partnership.
The donated land is located along the Franklin and Marion county line in southeast Tennessee and is adjacent to Franklin State Forest. The land will be managed by the state Division of Forestry as part of the state forest, bringing the total number of state-owned acres to 7,291 in the area.
“This property is ecologically significant with scenic overlooks and deep gorges. We’re proud to accept this piece of property on behalf of the state, and we’re grateful to Franklin Forest Properties for this generous gift,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “The donation of this land ensures that it will be protected from development and conserved for the benefit of future generations.”
According to federal and state forestry officials, urbanization is projected to increase dramatically over the next 15 years especially in areas close to major metropolitan centers like Chattanooga, Birmingham and Atlanta. The Franklin Forest Properties donation will help stem the potential loss of forestland due to development along the southern Cumberland Plateau.
The donated property is ecologically important because the limestone outcrops adjacent to the state forest boundary are the exclusive habitat for the Paint Snake Forest Coiled Snail (Anguispira picta), an extremely rare species found only in about one square mile area.
“Development is about making the right choices for where and when to develop,” said John Thornton, partner in Franklin Forest Properties. “We feel like you have to first and foremost be good stewards of the land that will be affected by the development. That includes not only what’s going to be developed, but also the land surrounding it. We are all avid outdoorsmen and continually seek ways to play a role in making conservation efforts that complement our development efforts whenever we can.”
Franklin Forest Properties is a partnership of businessmen including Don Adkins, Brandon Born, Kenneth Chadwell, Josh Dobson, Tommy Dobson, Michael Hawkins, Mike Rowland, Travis Shields, John Thornton and Charles Wharton. The partnership engages in regional land development opportunities.
Franklin Forest Properties also intends to provide a pavilion along Highway 156 as a place to display information about the forest for general use.
The Division of Forestry began managing the once mined and abused property in 1940. Today, Franklin State Forest is about 99 percent forested primarily in mature hardwoods. The forest is managed for a variety of public benefits including water quality protection, wildlife habitat, education and demonstration, timber production and recreation.
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This and other news from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can be found online at Tennessee.gov/agriculture/news