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Wilkes County to support transfer of 66 acres to Blue Ridge Parkway
Summary
The Board approved a letter supporting transfer of roughly 66 acres in Wilkes County (purchased by Blue Ridge Conservancy) to the National Park Service for addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The transfer requires local and gubernatorial approvals before federal acceptance.
Blue Ridge Conservancy representative Eric Hiegl asked the board to approve a letter of support for transfer of privately purchased acreage into the Blue Ridge Parkway. He said the property is directly below the Jumping Off Rocks Overlook and that the conservancy secured the land with private funds; the county’s approval is a step required before federal acquisition proceeds. County commissioners approved the draft letter included in their packet and noted the property has been submitted for exemption checks and that Blue Ridge Conservancy had applied for tax-exempt status for the parcel.
Chairman Kennedy asked whether the property’s tax-exempt status would change after transfer; Hiegl confirmed the conservancy had applied and been accepted for exemption in both Wilkes and Ashe counties. The board voted unanimously to sign the letter of support.
