Duke Energy recently donated approximately 1,250 acres to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). The property consists of three tracts of land located below Lake James along the Catawba River in Burke County and will be enrolled into the game land program. The property will formerly be called the North Bend Game Land.
“Duke Energy has long been a valued partner of NCWRC for helping to provide public recreation opportunities across our state,” said Ryan Jacobs, the Mountain Eco-Region supervisor in the NCWRC’s Land and Water Access Division. “The donation of properties making up the North Bend Game Land, will be a valuable asset to our game land program, and we are excited for the public to experience all that these lands have to offer.”
The transfer was made possible through the Catawba-Wateree Hydropower Relicensing Project where a provision was provided in the Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement (CRA) allowing Duke Energy to donate these tracts to the NCWRC.
“Duke Energy is committed to land, water and habitat conservation. Wildlife Resources Commission’s management of these properties will allow thousands of people to hunt and fish on the majority of the property. Burke County will also provide additional miles of the Fonta Flora Trail and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail for people to enjoy hiking and biking. The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina will also work with NCWRC to protect the 164 acres of conservation easements along the river and streams. Duke Energy is extremely grateful to these organization for their partnership in the management of these properties that will benefit the public for generations to come,” said Tami Styer, Duke Energy’s licensing project manager for the Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project.
Opportunities on the game land will include hunting opportunities for deer and turkey, fishing access to the Catawba River, boating access on part of the newly constructed North Bend Boating Access Area and future developed hiking trails.
“Not only will this new game land create a unique and quality experience for sportsmen, but it will also provide substantial resource protection along the Catawba River Basin,” said Paul Thompson, Northern Mountains land management biologist with the NCWRC.