Wake Purchases 685 Acres of Open Space

4/15/2008

Wake County residents are now 685 acres richer in preserved open space, with the acquisition of the 563-acre Procter Tract in Wake County’s Little River watershed and the 122-acre Sinclair Tract in the Falls Lake watershed. Wake County Commissioners approved the combined $15.3 million acquisition of the lands at their meeting April 7, 2008.

The properties were obtained in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, at below appraised values, in cooperation with the landowner families. Wake County paid $11.8 million for the Procter Tract and $3.5 million for the Sinclair Tract. These lands are critical to the protection of Wake County watersheds and future water supplies, and will be funded through open space bonds approved by voters in 2007.

“The Procter and Sinclair acquisitions are huge for Wake County,” said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the County’s Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee. “We will look back years from now and say wow, I can’t believe someone had the foresight to save such incredibly important and beautiful land.”

The properties contain endangered aquatic species, rare plants, unique granite outcroppings and extensive streams protecting water quality and wildlife in the critical watersheds of Falls Lake and the future Little River Reservoir.

“I am pleased that Wake County citizens continue to support our open space bonds and make it possible for us to preserve important lands like the Procter and Sinclair tracts,” said Joe Bryan, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “It’s a great day when our partners and private landowners work with us to protect our County’s natural legacy and our future.”

The Procter property constitutes the largest tract of undeveloped land remaining under single ownership in Wake County. The tract contains approximately 45,000 linear feet of streams that flow directly into the future Little River Reservoir and contains examples of the granite flatrock ecosystem similar to those found in the nearby “Rocks” Significant Natural Heritage Area. In the agreement, the Procter family will retain 66 acres surrounding the family home.

The Sinclair Tract is located adjacent to a Wake County and City of Raleigh open space acquisition known as the Angell Tract on Falls Lake and includes a significant system of creeks and drains that feed directly into Falls Lake. Both tracts fulfill Wake County’s open space policy, which targets for acquisition lands that surround critical watersheds to ensure future water supplies and water quality. They also contribute to the policy’s goals to maintain historically and culturally significant lands, scenic landscapes, natural resources, wildlife habitat and passive recreation opportunities.

In October 2007, Wake County voters overwhelmingly supported a $50 million bond referendum to further the purchase of open space land. Wake County partners with public and private individuals and organizations, as well as cities and municipalities, in its open space acquisitions.

For further information and to see PDF versions of the Procter and Sinclair open space maps, contact Chris Snow, director of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space, at 919-856-6677, or visit www.wakegov.com/parks/openspace.

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