Project information last updated: 4/23/2021 8:23 AM Report prepared: 8/13/2021 9:32 AM

Forest Legacy Project Myers Cove Warren County, Tennessee

FUNDING HISTORY

FY 2021 Forest Legacy Program Funding $1,800,000 FY 2021 Non-Federal Cost Share $600,000 FY 2021 Project Costs $2,400,000 FY 2021 Project Acres 2,100

Forest Legacy Funding To Date $1,800,000 Total Project Costs $2,400,000 Total Project Acres 2,100

Tract Name Size (ac) Tract Cost FLP Funding Non-Fed Cost Share Status Myers Cove 2,100 $2,400,000 $1,800,000 $600,000 Funded 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The MYERS COVE PROJECT will protect by CONSERVATION EASEMENT 2,100 acres of hardwood forest that has been operating as a working farm and forest since the Myers Family settled there in 1851. This property contributes to the local economy through timber harvests, an agroforestry nursery and hunting leases. The property encompasses almost the entire watershed of Panther Creek which is an important source of clean water to the Collins River supporting its unique fishery and federally protected aquatic species. Located on the biologically-rich , the property's karst topography contains 31 cave openings, Looking west into Myers Cove (Photo by Ben Myers) underground flowing streams, a small rare forest and general forest habitat protecting seasonal birds. The property contains a National Historic Register site with artifacts dating back more than 6,000 years. A portion of the Trail of Tears, a National Historic Trail, would be permanently protected by this proposal. In 2017, a 5 acre parcel was sold due to family financial concerns. Additional key scenic bluff lots have been listed for sale and additional portions of the property will likely be made available for real estate development if not protected by a conservation easement. PROJECT FEATURES Important • ECONOMIC/TIMBER - The tract has recently been third-party certified by the American Tree Farm System. Harvests occurred in 1955, 1975, and 1995-96. Patchwork harvests occurred on 740 acres from 2005 to 2015. An intermediate harvest occurred on 450 acres in 2016 in advance of emerald ash borer. • The forest has operated under a forest management plan since 2001 (updated in 2011 and 2017). The forest management plan outlines goals for the property which include forest stand improvement for continued saw timber and pulpwood production for local sawmill/industry consumption. • This proposal would protect previous federal investments. Financial incentive payments have been received from the USDA-NRCS for conservation practices including timber stand improvement, multi- story cropping, prescribed fire, pollinator habitat planting, and patch clearcuts for wildlife habitat.

Page 1 of 6 Myers Cove Project information last updated: 4/23/2021 8:23 AM Tennessee Report prepared: 8/13/2021 9:32 AM

• Timber-based jobs are vital to the economy of the South Cumberland region of Tennessee, where natural resources provide financial stability to local residents. The property regularly supplies raw forest products to at least 10 sawmills and 3 secondary manufacturing facilities. • The property contains highly productive soils (average to high site index for yellow- poplar, pine, white oak, various red oaks, various hickories, sugar and red maple, green and white ash, and American beech) and can sustain production of these timber species for the local forest products industry. • ECONOMIC BENEFIT – NON-TIMBER - Active hunting leases have been in place for over 20 years, providing annual revenue Myers Cove continues to operate responsibly as a working forest through lease fees to the landowner. The (Photo by Ben Myers) landowners are exploring opportunities for sugarbush management (syrup) and pawpaw production. • Protection of the property will enhance water quality of the Collins River which forms the western border of the property. The Collins River is known as the Southern Musky (Muskellunge) capitol of the world, providing recreation to anglers from all parts of the U.S. • An agroforestry nursery operation has been in existence on the property since 1968. The operation specializes in growing and selling native tree and plant species. Protection of this property will ensure continued nursery stock production and economic contributions to the local and state economy. • T and E SPECIES HABITAT - A protected hibernaculum for federally endangered gray and Indiana bats is within 3 miles of the property. The property has 31 caves which are highly likely to support hibernacula for these species and the federally threatened northern long-eared bat. • The Division of Natural Heritage records 3 RTE species within 2 miles of the property. One of only 5 habitats of The Cumberland pigtoe mussel (G1 – Critically Imperiled; U.S. Endangered Species Act – LE; Tennessee – S1) is found on this property. • There is a documented occurrence of bluemask (Jewel) darter (G1, listed endangered, S1 - extremely rare, critically imperiled) in the Collins River along the western boundary of the property. There is a documented occurrence of the southern cave crayfish (S3 – Rare) within 2 miles of the property. • UNIQUE COMMUNITIES - The property provides excellent habitat for seasonal birds, including the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler in closed canopy forests, and year-round species including northern bobwhite quail in early successional habitat areas. • The property contains Hickey Pot Cave, reaching 500 feet in depth, and having a mapped length of over 8,000 feet. Additionally, Myers Cove Cave on the property has more than 2,300 feet of surveyed cave passage with subterranean stream flow. • A rare one acre grove of butternut (white walnut) is on the property. The USFS estimates butternut canker has killed 77% of the butternut in the Southeast. Any protected population provides opportunities to supply plant material for genetically based species protection programs. • WATER SUPPLY/WATERSHED PROTECTION - Success of this project will protect 2,100 acres of upper reach watershed, protecting water that flows into the Collins River, which provides water to the Warren County Utility District for public use. • PUBLIC ACCESS - The property is a demonstration forest, available for public tours upon request. Since it is family owned, and contains a National Register of Historic Places site, unrestricted public access is not granted. River banks on the property can be use by kayakers, anglers, etc. • SCENIC - The project will buffer on both sides approximately 2 miles of the nationally historic Trail of Tears that transects the property and completely surrounds Myers Mound. • HISTORICAL/CULTURAL - Myers Mound, a Native American Indian mound, is located on the property and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978 due to its cultural and historic significance. Artifacts dating back 6,000 years have been documented on the property.

Page 2 of 6 Myers Cove Project information last updated: 4/23/2021 8:23 AM Tennessee Report prepared: 8/13/2021 9:32 AM

• As documented in the National Park Service's 1992 Trail of Tears Management and Use Plan, the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears (a designated National Historic Trail) runs through Myers Cove before converging with the Taylor Route of the trail. • The Trail of Tears section on the property occurs at the transition between the Eastern and the Cumberland Plateau, prominent physiographic provinces in the state. This transition zone contains unique forest types and geologic features found on very few locations along the trail.

Threatened • ADJACENT LAND USE - THREAT TO DEVELOPMENT – A prediction model from the TNC - Tennessee Chapter projects the population density of areas adjacent to Myers Cove to increase by 10% within the next 20 years. • There are several recently constructed homes located along the boundary of the property and several other parcels currently for sale to develop. • A nearby 1,700 acre tract of family-owned forestland on Ben Lomand Mountain sold at auction in July of 2017, and will likely be taken Recent residential development on the boundary of Myers Cove out of timber production. A similar conversion (Photo by Ben Myers) threatens the subject property. • The subject property is located 1.5 hours from Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga, and less than 1 hour from Sewanee and Cookeville, making it attractive to buyers seeking a second home location. The combined population of these cities is 1.1 million. • LACK OF PROTECTION – The property is outside of city limits and therefore not subject to municipal zoning regulations, making it attractive to potential developers and reducing many obstacles to development. • ABILITY TO DEVELOP - There are several access points to various areas of the property, including a paved county road that partially follows the path of the Trail of Tears. Utilities (electric, water, etc.) exist on the property and can be expanded to accommodate new developments. • LANDOWNER CIRCUMSTANCES - The landowners are aging and experiencing declining health. Myers Cove took a substantial financial hit in the 2008 recession. The landowners desire to keep the property intact as a working forest but they are uncertain of the future and see development as a viable option. • The property heirs are uncertain of the ability to keep the property intact upon inheritance because of rising maintenance costs, taxes, and logistics of management among several parties. • In 2017, a 5 acre parcel was sold due to cash flow needs. Additional parcels have been put on the market for residential development. This project will prevent imminent land use change, allowing the landowners to achieve their desire to protect the conservation benefits of the entire property. • Without provisions to keep the property functioning as is, it will be removed from timber production and sold to investors/developers within the next 3-5 years.

Strategic • CONSERVATION PLAN – INTERNATIONAL - International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – World Commission on Protected Areas (Caves and Karst Specialist Group): This project aligns with IUCN's highest priority of "fostering the proper protection of important caves and karst areas." • FEDERAL ACT – The National Trail System Act: This act encourages volunteer citizen involvement in the planning, development, maintenance, and management of the Trail of Tears. Protection of this property through conservation easement will facilitate this portion of the Act. This project will contain the only portion of the Trail of Tears permanently protected through the Forest Legacy Program. • CONSERVATION PLAN – FEDERAL - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Recovery Plan for Cumberland Pigtoe Mussel: Conservation easement acquisition is consistent with the plan's strategy to use land acquisition as a means to protect present and reintroduced federally endangered Cumberland pigtoe mussel populations.

Page 3 of 6 Myers Cove Project information last updated: 4/23/2021 8:23 AM Tennessee Report prepared: 8/13/2021 9:32 AM

• CONSERVATION PLAN – FEDERAL - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1997. Recovery Plan for the Bluemask (=Jewel Darter): Property management will be consistent with the plan's recommendation to engage willing landowners to help minimize soil erosion and enhance federally endangered bluemask darter habitat. • CONSERVATION PLAN – FEDERAL – USFWS's Migratory Birds – Cerulean Warbler Focal Species Strategy (Conservation Action Plan for the Cerulean Warbler): The property is ideal breeding ground for the Cerulean Warbler, a national species of concern, and the most rapidly declining Neotropical migrant songbird. This plan is supported by reducing forest fragmentation and loss in prime breeding grounds. • CONSERVATION PLAN – FEDERAL - US Fish and Wildlife Service's National Plan for Managing White-Nose Syndrome in Trail of Tears crossing Collins River just Bats: Through protection of caves on the property this project north of Isle Ford (Photo by Ben Myers) supports the goals of this plan by "protecting or restoring summer and winter habitat" and "identifying sites that warrant continued protection for bat recovery". • CONSERVATION PLAN – MULTI STATE –The Nature Conservancy's Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley Ecoregion: A Plan for Biodiversity Conservation: This plan places the property in the plan's focus area for conservation due to threat of development, invasive exotic species, and incompatible forestry practices. Protecting this property will address these conservation needs. • CONSERVATION PLAN – STATE - 2010 TN Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy: This plan identifies the property as having a forest-based risk from insect and disease, or from need for riparian buffers. Protecting this property will ensure continued active forest management, resulting in mitigation of forest health threats and ensuring maintenance of forested riparian buffers. • CONSERVATION PLAN – STATE - 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan: This plan ranks the property as "very high" (score of 8 on a scale of 1-9) for combined conservation priorities for terrestrial, downstream aquatic, and nearby karst habitats. Forest management objectives for the property will protect and enhance these conservation values. • COMPLEMENT PROTECTED LANDS - Within a five mile radius of the Myers Cove project are six privately held conservation easement which protect over 7,000 acres of working forest. Because of the few large forest tracts remaining in this portion of the Cumberland Plateau, the Myers Cove project represents one of the last remaining opportunities to permanently protect working family forest in the area.

Readiness Pre-Appraisal/Market Analysis 1 Easement or Fee Conditions 1 Non-Federal Cost Share Commitment 1 Signed Purchase Agreement 0 Title Search 1 Mineral Determination 0 Stewardship Plan (or equivalent)* 1 Readiness Total Tally Score 5

Supporting Parties Senator Janice Bowling; Representative Judd Matheny; Warren County Executive Jimmy Haley; McMinnville Mayor Ben Newman; Friends of the South Cumberland State Park; The Nature Conservancy; TN Division of Forestry; TN Forestry Association; American Tree Farm System; USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service – Warren County; Warren County Soil Conservation District; The Land Trust of TN; McMinnville / Warren County Chamber of Commerce; Foothills Land Conservancy; and City of McMinnville, TN.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Scott Stewart Susan Granbery Brian Hughett National Forest Legacy Forest Legacy Program Forest Legacy Program Program Coordinator Coordinator Manager USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service Tennessee Department of 1400 Independence Avenue, 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Agriculture 3SC Suite 700 P.O. Box 40627 Washington, DC 20250 Atlanta, GA 30309 Melrose Station 202-205-1618 770-883-8925 Nashville, TN 37204 [email protected] [email protected] 615-837-5550 [email protected]

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