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For Immediate Release
November 07, 2008


Catawba Lands Conservancy announces the permanent conservation of 86 acres of natural lands along Stanley Creek in northeastern Gaston County, and 116 acres along Little Creek Cove in eastern Lincoln County. Both conservation projects provide critical protection to drinking water and air quality for our region.

The 86-acre “Rhyne Creek Preserve” lies within one of the largest and most significant natural areas in Gaston County and is part of 1,320 acres of connected permanently preserved natural lands. The Preserve protects 14,646 linear feet along three headwater tributaries of Stanley Creek, safeguarding water quality and wildlife habitat. The Conservancy partnered with landowners, Janet Devir and Helen Lieurance, and the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) to protect the land along Rhyne Creek.

The 116-acre “Rock Springs Park” in eastern Lincoln County permanently protects Little Creek Cove, the primary source of Lincoln County’s drinking water. Catawba Lands Conservancy has been working on this complex project for nearly 2 years, committing hundreds of hours of diligent work, and partnering with the Lincoln County Natural Resources Committee, Lincoln County Commissioners, the Lincoln County Park Director, the N.C Park and Recreation Trust Fund, and the E.P.A’s Source Water Protection Program to secure $2.15 million in funding and financing.

This agreement, upheld in perpetuity by the Conservancy, ensures that the steep slopes, floodplains, wetland areas, and mature forest will forever remain natural. In addition to protecting the intake for Lincoln County’s drinking water source, the 116-acre Rock Springs Park will serve as a passive park and educational preserve operated by the Lincoln County Parks & Recreation Department.

“Lincoln County is in a fabulous community for permanent land conservation now, while there is an abundance of natural lands and the window of opportunity is still open,” said Dave Cable, Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy. “Lincoln County will continue to experience strong development. Conservation now will enhance quality of life today, and pay dividends for generations to come.”

Additional Resources:
• Catawba Lands Conservancy (www.catawbalands.org)
• North Carolina Park and Recreation Trust Fund (www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_main.php)
• North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (www.cwmtf.net)


Catawba Lands Conservancy is a regional land trust that permanently protects land, water and wildlife habitat to enhance your quality of life. The Conservancy protects 7,495 acres in Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties and is one of 24 land trusts serving North Carolina that collectively have protected more than 286,000 acres. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail, an environmental initiative that will link more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of conservation corridors, greenways, and blueways that wind through fifteen counties in North and South Carolina.