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By Rose Hooper
A "buried" bill may give the Eastern Band of Cherokee
land with rich burial and archeological significance.
Headed to the White House for President Bush to sign into law,
the bill approving the land exchange between the Eastern Band
and the National Park Service was inserted into the 2004 Appropriations
Bill.
The Senate gave its final approval Monday, Nov. 3, following the
House of Representative's passage last Thursday, Oct. 30. Bush's
signature is expected within days.
It may only be a small part of a large appropriations bill, but
for the Cherokee the bill carries great significance. It allows
the NPS to exchange the 143-acre parcel known as Ravensford for
a 218-acre parcel (Yellow Face tract) near Waterrock Knob.
In response to this long-awaited action - some 33 years in the
making - Principal Chief Michell Hicks said, "Jubilant! We
are jubilant that this historical wrong will be righted and the
Cherokee children will have new schools in which to learn."
Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee await President Bush's
signature authorizing a land exchange with the National Park Service
that would give the tribe this 143-acre parcel known as Ravensford.
Congressional approval for the exchange of 218 acres adjoining
the Blue Ridge Parkway for Ravensford came earlier this week.
The tribe plans to use the property, also known locally as Floyd
Bottoms, for three new schools. Eastern Band ownership of the
Ravensford property would also serve to connect two areas of the
reservation currently bisected by national park land. - Herald
photo by Rose Hooper
The Eastern Band has sought the return of Ravensford
since 1940. It was initially promised to the tribe in exchange
for land taken to build the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Also known as Floyd Bottoms, the tract is located near the Blue
Ridge Parkway intersection with U.S. 441.
"Transfer of the Yellow Face Tract will protect endangered
species and the incredible views from the Waterrock Knob Visitor
Center," said Hicks. "This is truly a win-win situation
for the Cherokee people and the American public."
The tribe's intent at Ravensford is two-fold. Primarily they would
like to build three new schools there.
Secondly, they would like to connect two areas of the reservation
that are now bisected by park land.
A campus consolidating all the schools in the heart of the Qualla
Boundary will be a focal point for them to explore their culture,
history and natural heritage, Cherokee leaders say. Ravensford
would also be "a safe environment for the children,"
Hicks said.
Currently the elementary school, referred to by former Chief Leon
Jones as "antiquated, overcrowded and dangerously-located,"
sits on one of the most prime parcels of real estate on the reservation.
According to the Cherokee's master plan of economic development,
that school site could become "a new, cohesive anchor attraction."
One of the anchor attractions discussed by the tribe's economic
and community development division includes a theme park called
Cherokee Journey.
An environmental impact study, released in June by the NPS, found
the Ravensford site rich in cultural resources, containing intact
deposits associated with more than 8,000 years of human occupation.
Almost the entire site is contained within the Oconaluftee Archaeological
District.
As part of their exchange, the tribe will purchase the Waterrock
Knob site, owned by Jay and Deborah Schenck of Rockledge, Fla.,
and donate it to the NPS. The site is bordered by the Parkway
on the northeast and the east, the Nature Conservancy's Yellow
Face Mountain tract on the southeast and private land on the southwest,
west and northeast.
Largely forested and currently undeveloped, the land contains
a diversity of plant communities and important biological resources,
including federally-listed endangered species.
"We owe a great debt of gratitude to Congressman Charles
Taylor," said Hicks. "He understands our critical need
for land to build new schools and has worked tirelessly for years
to help the Eastern Band recover this land. He certainly knows
how to get things done."
Taylor is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Critics of the swap had wanted the vote on the land exchange separately,
rather than having it buried in the massive appropriations bill.
Other critics had asked for the exchange to be handled by the
NPS's review process.
Some conservation groups, such as the Sierra Club, argued that
removing the Ravensford property from the NPS would decrease the
value of the park.
The National Parks Conservation Association, also opposed to the
exchange, calls it an "unequal trade." An appraisal
company hired by the NPCA valued the Ravensford tract at $3.5
million, while the Waterrock Knob tract was valued around $500,000.
Cherokee tribal leaders are quick to remind opponents that the
Cherokee Nation once owned more than 100,000 square miles of land
in an eight-state area.
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