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Today, the Ravensford tract contains water and sewer lines, roads, transformer and power poles and other development, like the Oconaluftee Job Corps and a NPS housing project.
"As viewed from the Appalachian Highway Corridor between Balsam Gap and Sylva, the most impressive mountain massif is that of the Plott Balsams," said Western Carolina University biologist Dan Pittillo. "Often shrouded in clouds or encrusted in rime during winter, this mountain range extends from about 2,100 feet elevation in Sylva to over 6,000 feet at Yellowface and Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 4,000 feet of relief in slightly less than eight miles."
The crest, Pittillo added, is generally without human habitation but retains significant Spruce-fir forest and, in the remote areas, even some uncut old-growth timber.
But second home development is progressing from both sides of the Plott Balsams. Just below the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Woodfin Falls, several homes have been built within the past decade. On the western slopes, a second home has been built in one of the heath balds. Owners of the western slope have either logged or have been developing roads and lots that are being sold.
In his study of the area, Pittillo found that "significant erosion, water pollution, habitat destruction and subsequent species endangerment, and visual degradation will be the results of such development."
In the Sylva watershed, the Pinnacle Park Foundation is working to protect the former Sylva watershed. Hiking and backcountry camping are proposed for the area. Meanwhile, considerable interest exist in connecting the Pinnacle Park trails with the Mountain-to-Sea Trail now under development near Waterrock Knob.
Chief Jones points out that the Waterrock Knob site contains a 7-acre wetland complex and is the source of high-quality, clear running streams. These streams are inhabited with native trout and other fish species, he said.
The site is also home to two ground beetles, both state-listed as significantly rare. Within a half mile of the property studies have found the Carolina North flying squirrel, which is included on the federal endangered species list; a Southern Appalachian population of the Northern saw-whet owl, also on the federal species of concern; and a brown creeper, a bird state-listed as significantly rare.
Pittillo found on the crest populations of rare species include the rock gnome lichen, which is nationally endangered. In addition, the state lists two candidates (Fraser fir and Blunt-lobed grapefern) for such designation, four significantly rare (Biltmore sedge, Wretched sedge, Pinkshell azalea and Canada burnet) and three on the watch list (Mountain cynthia, Corešs starwort and Southern twisted-stalk).
Ravensford, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, is the largest undeveloped, igneous alluvial area in the park. So far, 55 species of invertebrates new to science have been found there.
The site also contains perhaps the best park population of the small meadow vole and significant populations of wood frogs and three-lined salamanders. Two vertebrates on the federal species of concern were found in the nearby Oconaluftee River the olive darter and the hellbender. Nine species of mosses, liverworts and hornworts found there are new records for the park.
Ravensford is also the home to diverse lichen flora and eight species of vascular plants that are rare within the park, and one species pending a new record for North Carolina.
Those who want Ravensford to remain NPS property, also point to its archeological importance, attested to by artifacts found there. Archeological investigations at the tract have identified seven prehistoric sites and 10 sites dating back at least 9,000 years.
While three public hearing were held last week on the proposed exchange, the NPS is accepting written comments through Thursday, Feb. 28. Send them to National Park Service, Southeast Region, Attn: Anita Jackson, 100 Alabama Street SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30303. E-mail responses can also be sent to: NPSland
exchange@saic.com.
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Taken during the fall color season, this photo from 6,000-foot-high Waterrock Knob shows the area's significant Spruce-fir forest. In the most remote areas, some uncut, old-growth timber remains. The Eastern Band of Cherokee is proposing to purchase 218 acres of this property belonging to Jay and Deborah Schenck of Rockledge, Fla., to give to the National Park Service in exchange for the 168-acre Ravensford tract in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. - Herald photo by Kelly Timco