Got a Problem? Here are some numbers that might help. Please do not hesitate to call. If you have the wrong department you will be directed to the right place and the right person. We have found these folks to be pleased to help and happy that residents are calling and asking questions:
Land and water quality Issues call the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. This is a state agency and the local number is 296-4500. Water quality is handled by Roy Davidson. Land quality is done by Shanna Ridel.
County Agencies:
County Tax Department call Alice Coppedge--828-250-4950--or alice.coppedge@buncombecounty.org
Erosion Control call 250-4848 or 250-4833. The land being disturbed must be larger than 1 acre.
Soil and Water Conservation District call staff member Maria Wise--828-250-4785--about Farmland Preservation
Disregarding Covenants call the Register of Deeds at 250-4300. You may need to call the tax office (250-4920) first to get the Parcel #, and the book and page # of the parcel in order to get the information you want from the Register of Deeds. The county will not enforce covenants. That would be a private matter resolved between the individuals involved or requiring a civil suit.
Suspect someone is building without a permit or that land use laws and being ignored call Permits and Inspections at 250-5360, County Planning at 250-4830, or Michael Bookshire or Doug Sharp at 250-4848.
Backyard wildlife Habitat is a joint project between NCWF and the National wildlife Federation for homeowners that provides detailed guidance for lessening the impacts of urban sprawl on wildlife by restoring elements of habitat--food, water, cover and places to raise young--in yards and gardens. NCWF and NWF have joined together to establish a unique joint wildlife habitat certification opportunity in NC. Now interested NC Property owners may become certified by both organizations by applying here https://secure.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/certify/dspPartners.cfm.
Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board (chairman John Ager) has information on the new county Agricultural Development and Farmland Protection Plan adopted in may, 2008. Voluntary Agricultural Districts(VAD) and Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural Districts(EVAD) offer benefits and protections for farmland owners. For more information contact either the Cooperative Extension Office (828-255-5522) or the Soil and Water Conservation District (828-250-4785).
North Carolina Farm Transition Network call Andrew Brannan at 919-732-7539 or http://www.ncftn.org to obtain a workbook--“Planning the Future of Your Farm”--for landowners who want to keep their farms in production as they pass to the next generation. Given the average age of current farmers, the huge losses of farmland to development and the increased interest in local food production for local use, this program offers thorough guidance for helping landowners and families determine the viability of keeping their land in agricultural production.
Tim Gestwicki
Deputy Director
Conservation Programs
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
2155 McClintock Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 332-5696
tim@ncwf.org
Buncombe County Commissioners Office
60 Court Plaza Suite 206
Asheville, NC 28801-3565
Phone: (828) 255-4001
Fax: (828) 255-5535
http://www.buncombecounty.org/GOVERNING/commissioners/default.asp
Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy
317 N.Washington
P.O. Box 2822
Hendersonville, NC 28793
Phone: (828) 697-5777
www.carolinamountain.org
For answers to questions or to learn more about how to work with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy to preserve your land, contact Tom Fanslow, Land Protection Director, at tom@carolinamountain.org or at the number listed above.
Conservation Trust for North Carolina
1028 Washington St.
Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: (919) 828-4199
Fax: (919) 828-4508
http://www.ctnc.org/2tobaccotrust.htm
info@ctnc.org
Land Trust Alliance
1331 H St. N.W. Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005-4734
Phone: (202) 638-4725
Fax: (202) 638-4730
North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
2 West Edenton St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-7125
http://www.ncadfp.org/
ncadfp@ncmail.net
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
94 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 255-5522
Fax: (828) 255-5202
http://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
34 Wall Street Suite 502
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 253-0095
Fax: (828) 253-1248
For General Information E-Mail: sahc@appalachian.org
For Information About Volunteer Opportunities E-Mail: Roanwoman@aol.com
Some of North Carollna's 23 local land trusts:
Blue Ridge Land Trust. (828) 2863-6776. www.brrlt.org
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. (828) 437-9930. www.foothillsconservancy.org
High Country Conservancy. (828) 264-2511. www.highcountryconservancy.org
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. (828) 526-9938
Land Trust for the Little Tennessee. (828) 524-2711. www.ltlt.org
Pacolet Area Conservancy. (828) 859-5060. www.pacolet.org
Green Infrastructure Center/Green Infrastructure Planning
921 2nd Street SE
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 975-6700
Fax: (434) 975-6701
http://www.gicinc.org/
http://www.gicinc.org/about.htm
Mountain WILD
PO Box 9542
Asheville, NC 28815
www.mountainwild.org
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
http://www.enr.state.nc.us/html/about_denr.html
The DENR includes programs promoting and overseeing Conservation Tax Credits and natural heritage.
Genesis Farm - a Learning Center for Earth Studies
41A Silver Lake Road
Blairstown, NJ 07825
Phone: (908) 362-6735
Fax: (908) 362-9387
http://www.genesisfarm.org/
Land Trust Alliance
http://www.landtrustalliance.com
Want to Help Orphaned Bear Cubs?
Find out how from Ann or Kathy at info@appalachianbearrecure.org
Appalachian Bear Rescue
P.O. Box 364
Townsend, TN 37882
Phone: (865) 448-0143
FAX: (865) 448-0141
www.appalachianbearrecue.org
Forest Stewardship
What is The Forest Stewardship Program ?
The Forest Stewardship Program is available to private landowners in N.C.
For more information contact your County Ranger on the Division of Forest Resources web site http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/contacts/contacts_main.htm.