Haw River State Park
Through
its New Parks for a New Century initiative, the NC Division of Parks and
Recreation identified the upper Haw River as one of 47 sites in North
Carolina worthy of becoming new units of the state parks system. Criteria
included quality of natural resources, geographic location and suitability
for recreation. Thirteen of these sites were identified as potential state
parks; one as a state recreation area and 33 as state natural areas.
At about the same time, there arose strong local support for Haw River
corridor. The division has worked closely with the Guilford
County Open Space Committee, the Piedmont Land Conservancy and the Rockingham
County Planning Department to identify a planning area along the river
corridor from US 220 in Guilford County east to US 29 in Rockingham County.
Establishing a New State Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does North Carolina establish new state parks?
The State Parks Act of 1987 mandates that the NC Division of Parks and
Recreation preserve representative samples of the state’s diversity
of natural resources and to make those natural areas available to the
public for recreation and education. As the state’s population grows,
there is greater demand for outdoor recreation, and some areas of the
state are underserved. At the same time, the pressures of development
threaten sites that contain wetlands, rare species, and other special
features of our natural heritage that should be protected for the future.
What are the initial steps for establishing a state park and what would
be the time frame?
The process always begins with legislative action. Earlier this year,
the General Assembly designated the Haw River as a unit of the state parks
system. That action allows the Division to develop a land acquisition
strategy. As a part of that step, the Division has developed the conceptual
plan. The conceptual plan basically identifies the planning area, identifies
tracts of land that would be desirable for a state park, and sets out
a course of action to locate and negotiate with property owners.
The timetable for building state park facilities depends entirely on the
amount of time it takes to acquire sufficient property to both protect
the natural resources and allow for recreational use. The parks system
intends to work with willing sellers within the planning area described
in the conceptual plan. With that in mind, we cannot set a deadline for
land acquisition. Indeed at all of our state parks, land acquisition is
an ongoing process.
How is the state going to pay for park land acquisition and development?
In 1994, the General Assembly established the Parks and Recreation Trust
Fund, supported by a portion of the state’s tax on real estate deed
transfers. Along with providing grants for local parks and beach access,
the Trust Fund sets money aside for land acquisition and capital improvement
projects in the state parks and natural areas. In fiscal 2002-03, $28.5
million came into the trust fund. The share designated for state parks
project was about $18 million. Each year, the Parks and Recreation Authority,
an appointed body, considers the funding of state parks projects based
on a list of priorities provided by Division staff. Other sources of funding
may also be available for land acquisition such as the Clean Water Management
Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.
What facilities would a state park
on the Haw River offer?
Each state park has a master plan that guides the development of all facilities.
That master plan is created with input from local residents through Park
Advisory Committees, from Division staff and, in some cases, from consulting
engineers. The master plan is an organic document that changes as a park
develops.
Typical state park development includes facilities for day-use activities
such as picnicking, hiking and interpretive programming as well as a visitor’s
center and overnight camping facilities. Campgrounds can range from primitive
“walk-in” sites to more developed tent-and-trailer loops.
River corridor parks – such as at 
Lumber
River and New River – also usually offer canoe landings for water-based
recreation.
Development in all state parks and natural areas is largely guided by
the desire to protect the natural resources that make the park an attraction.
If as a landowner, I want to participate in the creation of a
new state park, how do I know I will get fair market value for my property?
The State Property Office contracts with two independent appraisers in
the area to determine fair market value. An offer for property is based
on those appraised values.
What if my property is in the planning area,
but I don’t
want to sell?
The parks system is working with landowners willing to sell their property
for a new state park. The Division would be interested to know if you
change your mind about selling, and our staff is likely to contact you
periodically.
What if I want to stay in my home and sell the rest of my property?
What if I have a farm and want to use it for another five years? What
if I have an animal operation on my farm and need time to reduce the herd?
Each transaction with a landowner is unique. The parks system and the
State Property Office work with landowners on a case-by-case basis, evaluating
the desirability of the property, its intended use and the situation of
the landowner.
Will the state condemn my property?
The parks system considers condemnation a last-resort option in considering
the protection of natural resources, although the state does have authority
to use condemnation for state park land acquisition. The parks system
prefers to work with local communities in building consensus for projects,
and in its 87-year history, has never used condemnation as a means to
create a new state park.
Since 1991, there have been only seven condemnations for the state parks
system among nearly 300 transactions. Five of those were to clear title
or settle a boundary line dispute between two landowners. These condemnations
took place after extensive title work was done in an attempt to resolve
the issues. The remaining two condemnations were initiated to resolve
differences in property value that we could not resolve through extensive
negotiation, and the properties were vital for capital improvement projects.
Have more questions? Contact us.
Sue Regier, Resource Management
919-715-8694
sue.regier@ncmail.net
Charlie Peek, Public Information
919-715-8709
charlie.peek@ncmail.net
Haw
River Planning Area Map
Click here to view map.
General
Assembly of North Carolina
Session 2003
Session Law 2003-108
House Bill 1025
An act to authorize the addition of Haw River State Park to the state
parks system.
Whereas, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of North Carolina
states that it shall be a proper function of the State of North Carolina
to acquire and preserve park, recreational, and scenic areas, and in every
other appropriate way to preserve as a part of the common heritage of
this State, its open lands and places of beauty; and
Whereas, the 1987 General Assembly enacted the State Parks Act, which
declares that the State of North Carolina offers unique archaeological,
geologic, biological, scenic, and recreational resources, and that these
resources are part of the heritage of the people of the State, which should
be preserved and managed by the people for their use and for the use of
their visitors and descendants; and
Whereas, the Haw River in Guilford and Rockingham Counties supports a
large collection of wetlands, high quality upland forests, and rare plant
and animal species and possesses biological, archaeological, and scenic
resources of statewide significance; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources to add Haw River State Park to the State Parks System
as provided by G.S. 11344.14(b).
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21st
day of May, 2003.
s/
Beverly E. Perdue
President of the Senate
s/
Richard T. Morgan
Speaker of the House of Representatives s/ Michael F. Easley
GovernorApproved 11:18 a.m. this 31st day of May, 2003
Haw
River State Park Natural Resources Summary
Over the past several years, resource management specialists from the
NC Division of Parks and Recreation examined the upper Haw River corridor
to identify natural resources of significance. Here is a summary of their
findings.
Study Area
The study area lies in the Upper Haw River in Guilford and Rockingham
counties, with a branch up Mears Fork. The area around the river from
just upstream of the US 220 crossing to the US 29 crossing was included
in the study area. The river floodplain, associated wetlands, adjacent
bluffs and uplands were the focus of the study.Resources of Statewide
Significance
BIOLOGICAL
Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests
Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests
Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains
Riverine Aquatic Natural Communities
Upland Seeps and Spray Cliffs
Two rare species
GEOLOGICAL
Dissected Uplands
Fluvial Depositional Features
SCENIC
Forests
Reservoirs/Lakes
Rivers
Swamps
POTENTIAL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Freshwater fishing
Visiting natural areas
Hiking
Viewing scenery
Primitive camping
Nature study/environmental education
Picnicking
Tent and trailer camping
Whether acquiring land to create a new state park or to add property to an existing state park or natural area, the NC Division of Parks and Recreation follows a standard procedure. Here are the steps and the approximate timeline.
1-The Division first completes tax and deed research and requests an appraisal
through the State Property Office. The approximate time required is 14
days.
2-The State Property Office contracts for a property appraisal. Approximate
time required is 90-180 days. The time required for appraisal depends
on the complexity of the appraisal and the availability of appraisers
in the area.
3-The Division reviews the appraisal, secures departmental approval and
submits an authorization to acquire (called a PO-1) to the State Property
Office. Approximate time required is 28 days.
4-The State Property Office negotiates with the landowner and secures
a purchase option. The approximate time required is 30-120 days. The time
required for negotiations can be longer if the landowner does not agree
with the appraised value of the property, the area to be acquired, or
simply does not wish to accept the state’s offer.
5-The State Property Office contracts for a property survey. Approximate
time required is 30-60 days. Complex surveys can take longer.
6-The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the
NC Council of State review and approve the acquisition. Approximate time
required is 30-60 days. This is dependent on the relationship between
the date of a landowner’s acceptance of an offer and the agenda
deadlines for the two public bodies. It can take longer if the commission
does not meet.
7-The State Property Office contracts for a title opinion. Approximate
time required is 30-60 days. If title problems -- such as unknown owners,
mineral or timber deeds, or other owners -- are found during title work,
this can lengthen the time required.
8-The State Property Office closes on the property transaction. Approximate
time required is 28 days.
The total time required is approximately 280-550 days (9 to 18 months).
