New River Conservancy offers 3‑acre North Fork access parcel; county directs staff to close

Andrew Downs, executive director of the New River Conservancy, told the board the organization purchased a 3‑acre parcel on West Deep Ford Road (upstream side of the bridge near Lansing) to create a public access point to the North Fork of the New River. Downs said environmental assessment and survey work are complete and that the Conservancy funded the purchase through donations to a Community Action Fund established after Hurricane Helene.

Downs said the Conservancy is prepared to transfer the parcel to Ashe County and to remain a partner for riparian restoration, site design, construction of access features and long‑term management. He described road frontage and river frontage adequate for access and likened the proposed access to existing boat access along Highway 163.

Commissioners asked logistical questions about road frontage, elevation change, and whether any structures would be permitted in the flood plain. Downs said he would be amenable to small shelters outside the flood plain and that the Conservancy would ask that the property be used in perpetuity for public benefit and river preservation, not to impose construction restrictions beyond flood‑plain limits.

The board made a motion to accept the parcel or to direct staff to work with the Conservancy and county attorneys to close on the property; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will work with the Conservancy and legal counsel to finalize acceptance/closing documents and return to the board if further formal action is required.