DOE Mountain Management Plan Charrette presentation

Char ret te : November 4-9, 2013

for :

1 0 5 3 7 H ig h way 4 2 1 Nort h , S h a d y Va l l e y, Te nne s se e 3 7 6 8 8

F e b r u a r y 5 , 2 0 1 4

D o e M o u n t a i nM a n a g e m e n t P l a n

T h e B u s i n e s s o f A d v e n t u r e T o u r i s m

T h e N a t u r e C o n s e r v a n c y - Te n n e s s e e C h a p t e r

I.3I.3In t r odu c t i onFa rme r | Morgan , L.L.C.

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Illustrations

Benjamin FarmerPrincipal- Managing [email protected]

Jessica BesawPM Environmental, Inc.GIS [email protected]

Daniel C. ReeseAlpha Trace ConsultingOwner/[email protected]

Chris A. Fleming, M.S.BDY Natural Sciences ConsultantsNatural Resources/[email protected]

Ben JohnsonBen Johnson [email protected]

Alpha Trace Consulting

The Doe Mountain Recreation Area Management Plan has been prepared for the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority by Farmer | Morgan, L.L.C. The funding is provided through The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee via a grant from the Tennessee Healthy Watersheds Initiative. In addition, the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority (DMRA) is providing funds to the development of the management plan. The Doe Mountain Management Plan (DMMP) is intended to serve as a guide for future development and redevelopment of the Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee. The project components that are proposed in this document are results of the pubic visioning session and design charrette conducted by Farmer | Morgan with the help of Alpha Trace Consulting, BDY Natural Sciences Consulting, PM Environmental, Ben Johnson Illustrations, and students from the Auburn University Master of Landscape Architecture Program and the Master of Community Planning Program.

The desire and mandate for developing a management plan for Doe Mountain that is guided by an engaged local community is owed to Senate Bill No. 3647. This bill is the founding stone for development of Doe Mountain through civic engagement that is coupled with sustainable design principles that are focused on sixteen (16) adventure tourism activities. The document is centered upon user group economics, citizen engagement, adventure tourism and the conservation of Doe Mountain. Farmer | Morgan is thankful to the citizens of Mountain City and Johnson County for providing their vision that is contained within this document.

The Nature Conservancy Tennessee Chapter Gina Hancock State Director, The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee 2021 21st Avenue South Suite C-400 Nashville, TN 37212

Gabriel Lynch Program Manager 10537 Highway 412 North Shady Valley, Tennessee 37688

Assisting Entities & Agencies Farmer | Morgan, L.L.C., Planning, Design & Construction Dan Reese, Alpha Trace Consulting Chris Fleming, M.S. BDY Natural Sciences Consultants Silas Mathes, M.S. BDY Natural Sciences Consultants Jessica Besaw, PM Environmental Donta Fairey, PM Environmental Ben Johnson, Ben Johnson Illustrations Auburn University Master of Landscape Architecture Program Auburn University Master of Community Planning Program

Special Thanks to: The Doe Mountain Recreation Authority, Chairman Larry Potter Citizens, Stakeholders, & Participants City of Mountain City, Tennessee Johnson County, Tennessee Mr. & Mrs. Hotchkiss, Proprietors of the Prospect Hill Bed & Breakfast Mrs. Todd Grayson, Proprietor of The Coffee Shop

The Doe Mountain Planning Review Process

Please send review comments to planning committee members listed below:

Gabby Lynch, Chair [email protected] Potter [email protected] Strang [email protected] Farmer [email protected] Richards [email protected] Marsh [email protected] Grindstaff [email protected] Hawkins [email protected]

Planning committee members will review, analyze and combine the received comments and then send a combined request to the planning team for response and action as required.

The review schedule is as follows:

February 2014: DMRA Board Member comments only received

March 2014: Stakeholder & User Group comments received

April 2014: Community of Doe Mountain comments received

May 2014: Final Document Draft distributed

June 2014: Final Document adopted by DMRA

Table of Contents

Introduction .........................................................

Executive Summary ...............................................

Identity for Doe Mountain .....................................

Significant Resources .............................................

Adventure Tour ism Market Analysis .........................

The Char rette .......................................................

Goals & Objectives ................................................

Development Opportunities ...................................

The Future of Doe Mountain .................................

Appendix .............................................................

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Doe Mountain Management Plan

D o e M o u n t a i nManagement Plan

IIn t roduc t ionSec t ion

I.3I.3In t r odu c t i onFa rme r | Morgan , L.L.C.

Introduction

The rst public recognition that mans life, in sickness and health is bound up with the forces of nature, and that nature, so far from being opposed and conquered, must rather be treated as an ally and friend, whose ways must be understood, and whose counsel must be kept respected. Hippocratic Corpus, Airs, Waters and Places

- the rst major work on medical meteorology, climatology, geography

and anthropology.

What is a management plan?A management plan is a blueprint for managing the way an organization is run or implements a series of tasks. For this project the term master plan is more appropriate for the task at hand. A master plan is a basic management function involving development of one or more plans or concepts to achieve optimum balance of needs or demands with the available resources. The process for developing the master plan hinges on identifying a series of goals and objectives that guide the master plan development or strategies for implementation.

What is adventure tourism?Adventure tourism is a market based alternative catering to the growing number of travelers trying to find, understand and enjoy adventure, culture, wildlife and environment. Adventure tourism has three defining characteristics of physical activity, connection to nature and cultural immersion.

What is the DMRA?The DMRA or Doe Mountain Recreation Authority is a fifteen member board established by special enabling legislation for the 8,600 acre tract composing the Doe Mountain Recreation Area. The board is charged with protecting the natural resources of Doe Mountain while leveraging those resources for economic development through adventure tourism.

Pluralism & Preservation

In 1872 Congress established Yellow Stone National Park, as a pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people (NPCA. National Parks Conservation Association. 2013). Yellow Stone is the first national park for our nation and the world. The two million acre park, consisting of romantic vistas and beautiful geysers, is preserved and managed for use and benefit for the citizens of the United States.

As Americans we have long carried a romantic relationship with our landscape. This romanticism stems from early perceptions of bucolic forests, scenic valleys and majestic mountains of our forefathers and settlers of this great nation. The storey goes that the idea for developing Yellow Stone into a public park, to be preserved for the nation, began around a campfire. At the Madison River Junction in 1870 members of an expedition debated whether the area should be developed for private gain or public posterity. In a fleeting moment around the fire the group agreed that preservation for the greater good was in order. A recommendation to designate the area as a nation park was given to the legislature. On March 1, 1872 the first national park for the people was born.

President Theodore Roosevelt wrote about Yellow Stone National Park and the preservation of nature as fundamentally a movement of democracy (Sellars, Richard West. Preserving nature in the National Parks. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997). The preservation and conservation movement benefited all of Americans in a way that crossed cultural and economic divides. The pluralistic mentality used to preserve and establish our nations greatest evidence of conservation is worthy of emulating. This emulation is proposed by the State of Tennessee in the DMRA legislation through an engaged local community. The leveraging of landscapes through public recreation to further economic development was on the minds of earlier planners of the national park system. However, the proposed park system like the process to plan Doe Mountain was a democratic movement that crosses cultural and economic divides.

The plurality required to preserve nature sheds light on contemporary efforts to conserve and leverage our modern landscapes. The modern recreational model develops recreation and conservation as an economic driver while conserving the resources for future generations.

Picture the future of the Southern Appalachian Mountains region. The Unaka and Clinch mountains stand tall and green with lush vegetation; the Holston, Nolichucky and Watauga rivers teem with native fish and recreational boaters; the landscape is inspiring with protected open space and clear scenic vistas; the air smells fresh and it is exciting to be part of something this special, this magnificent. Southern Appalachia Greenways Alliance Plan. (2006).

The Concept of Doe Mountain

The 8,600 acre Doe Mountain Recreation Area began as a concept for conserving land while leveraging the natural resource as an economic driver for the region. The Nature Conservancy and the State of Tennessee partnered to develop a unique recreation area that is focused on adventure tourism, envisioned through citizen engagement and based around user group economics. These three principles drive the underpinnings for this plan and the future of Doe Mountain as an Adventure Tourism Destination.

The process for developing the Doe Mountain Management Plan (DMMP) is contained within three phases. The first phase is the pre-charrette which is the data gathering phase. In this phase the Farmer | Morgan planning team completed four external documents that serve as external appendices to this plan. Those efforts include The Demographic Analysis of the Local and Regional Context, The Adventure Tourism User Economic Survey Report, The Doe Mountain Biological Assessment Report and Citizen & Stakeholder Engagement Report. Each of these analyses was shared with citizens and stakeholders during the weeklong community design Charrette held in Mountain City.

The second phase of the planning process is the charrette. The charrette is a weeklong citizen and stakeholder engagement process where the planning team is on site and actively engaging the community for insight and input into the vision for Doe Mountain. At the end of the week a closing presentation was held and the four alternative development scenarios were presented for citizen review and comment. The development scenarios set the proposed methods for accessing and undertaking adventure tourism on Doe Mountain.

The third phase of the planning process is the post charrette. The post charrette phase compiles the pre-charrette and charrette information into an informative and workable document to then enter into the four month management plan review process. Upon completion of the review and comment period the Doe Mountain Management Plan is adopted by the DMRA and implementation begins.

The management plan process has not arbitrarily imposed design upon Doe Mountain. The process has taken full advantage of quantitative and qualitative analysis while using to the fullest extent the potential and the restrictive conditions that nature offers. A series of assumptions and choices are stated within the document and are evident in the citizen envisioned goals and objectives. The selection of citizen and stakeholder choices place a hierarchy of economics against conservation as is evident within the variations of the development scenarios. The constant balance of conservation to economics will continue as the management plan is implemented and updated from generation to generation. The difficulty is to maintain the citizen vision for protecting and leveraging Doe Mountain while following the legislative mandate to operate the mountain as an adventure tourism business.

Image: Doe Mountain from the Fire Tower (Photo, 2013: Dan Reese)


AExecu t ive Summar ySec t ion

Executive Summary

A.2A.2Exe cu t i ve Summar y Doe Mounta in Managemen t P lan

A.3A.3Exe cu t i ve Summar y

Executive Summary

Farme r | Morgan , L.L.C.


Iden t i t y fo r Doe Mounta inSec t ion B

B.2B.2Id en t i t y f o r Doe Mounta in

Identity for Doe Mountain

Doe Mounta in Managemen t P lan

Knowledge comes by taking things apart: analysis. But wisdom comes by putting things together.

John A. Morrison

Image: Doe Mountain Recreation Authority Logo(Digital, 2013: DMRA)

Doe Mountain Recreation Authority (DMRA) Enabling Legislation

The Doe Mountain Recreation Authority (DMRA) is established by legislative action through Senate Bill No. 3647 via an amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 11 through chapter 11-27-101. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority Act of 2012 (State of Tennessee, Public Chapter No. 1106, Senate Bill No. 3647, 2012.). The enabling legislation establishes clear and concise objectives for Doe Mountain which include conservation of natural resources, to give rise to an unparallel location for family oriented, multi-use outdoor recreation, job creation and economic growth. (State of Tennessee, Public Chapter No. 1106, Senate Bill No. 3647, 2012).

The DMRAs three objectives are to:1. prepare a comprehensive, long range, site-specific master plans

and to ensure compliance with such plans 2. and to conserve the land, waters, and wildlife of Doe Mountain

in a manner protective of the resource, including, where applicable, transfer of lands management for natural areas;

3. and to foster economic development for the people by the development and operation of multi-use, family-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities.

In short, the DMRA has been established to protect and conserve the resources of Doe Mountain through planning, promoting, financing, constructing, managing, and developing multi-use recreational opportunities for public participation and enjoyment that will create jobs and facilitate economic development (State of Tennessee, Public Chapter No. 1106, Senate Bill No. 3647, 2012).

Partnerships

The 8,600 acre tract that is Doe Mountain was purchased through a partnership of the State of Tennessee and The Nature Conservancy. The purchase was completed in June of 2012 with ownership being held by the State of Tennessee. The Nature Conservancy and the State of Tennessee established a set of visionary goals for Doe Mountain within the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority legislation. This was done in order to ensure that while protecting the landscape we are also finding ways to maximize the tourism potential of these areas and provide multiple family-friendly recreational opportunities (Doe Mountain Offers New Vision for Conservation. Gina Hancock. Knoxville News Sentinel 16 June 2012: Web). In addition, the Doe Mountain partnership offers the state a chance to consider a new, right-sized conservation management structure and policies that best engage the community, protect the lands and waters, and develop the full economic potential of the mountain. (Doe Mountain Offers New Vision for Conservation. Gina Hancock. Knoxville News Sentinel 16 June 2012: Web).

In order to undertake the unique and asset based economic driver that is Doe Mountain the project requires continued and expansive partnerships. The DMRA enabling legislation calls for a broad engagement of entities to ensure success of Doe Mountains conservation and to realize the full economic potential for the citizens of Tennessee. (State of Tennessee, Public Chapter No. 1106, Senate Bill No. 3647, 2012). The conservation of Doe Mountain and the proper development of multi-use recreational opportunities on the mountain require partnerships between state and local government, the private sector, conservationists, and an engaged local community to preserve the mountains unique nature and realize its economic potential. (State of Tennessee, Public Chapter No. 1106, Senate Bill No. 3647, 2012). The DMRA Board of Directors consists of fifteen (15) members from local, regional and state entities. In addition, the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, a conservation/recreation entity and a member with knowledge of recreation planning and/or marketing or operations of outdoor recreation. It is worthy to note that the DMRA board composition does not carry a mandate for one or multiple business owners or entrepreneurs from the State of Tennessee or Johnson County. It is the planning teams experience with economic drivers like Doe Mountain that experience in business development coupled with partners in conservation and recreation round out a board to make informed decisions. An example of a business owner that would serve the board well is an owner who manages business growth, finance and capital investment for their business. The need for this understanding of cash flow projections and startup costs in comparison to current cash flow against current expenses is paramount in a startup entity like the Doe Mountain Recreation Area. There should be less concern about the types and amount of recreation entities and more evaluation of revenues and expenditures. This statement is based on three premises. First, the

project program for Doe Mountain is established by the DMRA enabling legislation as an Adventure Tourism Business and specifically citing the Tennessee Adventure Tourism and Rural Development Act of 2011, Title 11, Chapter 11, Section 202. This act lists canoeing, equine trail riding, hang-gliding, kayaking, motorized trail riding, mountain biking, paragliding, rappelling, road biking, rock climbing, shooting sports, spelunking, triathlon, white water rafting, zip lining. One additional activity, hiking, is added in the DMRA enabling legislation as part of the activities to be included within Doe Mountain. Second, the area/acres necessary to undertake each adventure tourism activity follows multi-use recreational standards for that specific activity. Finally, the standard in recreational tourism is to plan and develop for a three day experience for a user group. These fundamental premises for developing the Doe Mountain Management Plan allow user groups, DMRA Board Members and citizens of Johnson County to focus on the issues of access to Doe Mountain and implementation of all sixteen identified activities proposed within the Doe Mountain Management Plan.

Location

Doe Mountain is located within Johnson County in the southeastern corner of the State of Tennessee. The 8,600 acre tract is bound by various private properties that abut Doe Mountain and separate the tract from State Highway 67 to the north and State Highway 167 to the south of Doe Mountain. In addition, U.S. Highway 421 passes through the municipality of Mountain City, TN to the northeast of Doe Mountain proper. Mountain City is the sole incorporated municipality within the immediate vicinity of Doe Mountain and is located on the northeastern end and at the base of the Doe Mountain tract. Adjacent to the southwestern corner of Doe Mountain is the unincorporated community of Butler. Butler is famous for being inundated by Lake Watauga in 1948. The incorporated town of Butler was relocated and reconstructed on a different site, causing it to be forever known as the town that wouldnt drown.

Doe Mountain is composed of Appalachian Oak Forest with limited perennial or intermittent streams. Harvesting of Doe Mountain resources has taken place through the years with mining operations, timber harvesting, and residential development. The most evident resource extraction today is the planned and failed residential development for Doe Mountain that left winding gravel roads, a sales office (now owned by Johnson County) and existing outparcels on the northeastern end of the Doe Mountain Tract.




Top: Regional Significant Resources Map (Ink & Marker, 2013: Rodney Benton & Katherine Martin)

Doe Mountain is a juxtaposition of conservation, preservation, recreation and economic development that is unusual for public lands. This collection of ideals for each of the four categories outlined above brings us into a new era of quasi-governmental parks - parks that are developed as economic drivers. This document describes a process for developing a leveraged landscape for the people of Tennessee. Although the act of developing and operating public recreation grounds for profit is contemporary, the process for how to do it is deeply embedded in the dreams and philosophy of our national park system. A system that, by its very nature, is democratic in its principles.

Project Need

The need to develop recreational and cultural assets in Tennessees rural communities is listed as number ten of the 10 initiatives for 2020 in the State of Tennessees Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The tenth initiative is titled 10. Rural Economies 2020 Vision and states that Tennessees rural regions will gain significant economic benefits from their rich heritage of natural, historic, and cultural resources, will value them as significant assets, and will take steps to preserve and protect them.

The need for the Doe Mountain Adventure Tourism Destination can be categorized in three forms identified in citizen engagement efforts and the community design charrette. First, the potential for economic impact is great according to previous Tourism and Recreation Economic Impact Analysis completed by Golder Associates on Doe Mountain in December 2011. The Golder Report was completed prior to the Doe Mountain purchase and prior to the establishment of the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority by legislative act. Thus, the report does not take into account the full obligations and opportunities bestowed upon the DMRA and Doe Mountain as an Adventure Tourism Destination. However, the report did find substantial economic impact based on three test scenarios that provided the economic opportunity prior to the land purchase and the establishment of the DMRA. Three scenarios were explored in this study: 1. A low impact/low development scenario, 2. a mountain biking scenario, and 3. an off-highway vehicle (OHV) scenario. Based on these three various scenarios evaluating the

development of Doe Mountain, the mountain was projected to produce a permanent output of $600,000.00 to $7.1 million in annual revenues. Please note, the Golder Report was not designed to evaluate infrastructure and startup costs for any of the economic impact scenarios.

The second need for the Doe Mountain Project stems from the visioning session comments which identified the need to protect and conserve such a vast and unique tract of land. This need to protect the resources of east Tennessee and ultimately Appalachia is not unique. The idea to leverage and conserve the resources of the Appalachian Region began during the 17th century and continues to the present day. Each period states the economic hardships of the Appalachian people while evaluating the vast natural resources contained within its mountains and valleys. The DMRA and the citizens of Tennessee continue this effort to analyze and put together a means of protecting the limited resources that the mountain and the region have to offer, while responsibly capitalizing on those resources to leverage the economies of surrounding municipalities.The third opportunity identified in the community visioning sessions is to set a standard for adventure tourism as a sustainable economic driver. The wisdom to undertake multi-use recreation comes in limited precedent for an adventure tourism destination that contains sixteen (16) adventure tourism activities. The precedent sites for adventure tourism contain or capitalize on one, two, or three adventure tourism activities. Doe Mountain has the opportunity to

become an intense adventure tourism destination and be competitive in the market based on its collection of recreational activities and their extreme nature being applied to Doe Mountain. The planning team has not found a true and direct precedent that mimics the proposals, strategies and vision proposed for Doe Mountain. However, we have outlined the unique opportunity centered on sustainable development strategies for adventure tourism, economic analysis of user groups as well as analysis of market strategies within the region. This effort is intended to maintain Doe Mountain as a competitive adventure tourism destination for years to come.

10. Rural Economies: The Need of rural regions for help in harnessing their recreation assets for economic development. -Tennessee 2020, Vision for Parks, People & Landscapes (2009)

Many of Tennessees rural counties are lagging behind the rest of the state economically. Most of the counties with the highest poverty rates or lowest median household incomes happen to lie within the regions that are the richest in natural and historic resources. These assets give them the potential for development and diversication of their local economies. - Tennessee 2020, Vision for Parks, People & Landscapes (2009)




ADVENTURE TOURISMMARKET REPORTA STUDY BY: The George Washington University School of Business, The Adventure Travel Trade Association, and Xola Consulting

Released August 2010

Adventure Tourism

Adventure Tourism was defined in 2005 by the Canadian Tourism Commission as: an outdoor leisure activity that takes place in an unusual, exotic, remote, or wilderness destination, involves some form of unconventional means of transportation, and tends to be associated with low or high levels of activity (Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of Nova Scotia. A Guide to Starting and Operating an Adventure Tourism Business in Nova Scotia. The Economic Planning Group of Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2005). Furthermore, the guide describes adventure tourism to include and to be defined as an outdoor activity involving a sense, or reality, of adventure with hands on and involves some level of physical participation, most of it outdoors in location of natural, scenic, sometimes remote destination with nature as the core experience. The Guide also categories adventure tourism into two types of soft and hard adventure travel. Soft Adventure Tourism is a travel experience that requires minimal expertise and training with a low level of activity in comparison to hard adventure tourism. Examples of soft adventure tourism for Nova Scotia include biking, hiking, flat water sports such as canoeing and lake kayaking as well as trail riding and bird watching. Hard Adventure Tourism activities include whitewater kayaking, mountain climbing and back county trekking. The Hard Adventure Tourism category is intended to be strenuous and require a certain level of skill and involves highly dangerous activity.

The Adventure Tourism Market Report undertaken by George Washington University, School of Business, The Adventure Travel Trade Association, and Xola Consulting in 2010 also follows similar standards for defining adventure tourism. The report focused on the adventure traveler markets of Europe, Latin America and North America. The Xola report also identified only three hard adventure tourism activities from its user survey of six countries and 855 respondents. Caving, Mountain Climbing and Trekking where categorized as hard adventure tourism activities with all other previously discussed activities falling into the soft category. The Xola survey supports findings in the Nova Scotia Guide that the soft adventure tourism market is greater and has the greatest opportunity for growth. The Xola survey found that adventure travelers place a higher importance on exploring new places, time to be in nature, meeting and engaging with local cultures and pushing their physical limits (The George Washington University School of Business, The Adventure Travel Trade Association, and Xola Consulting. Adventure Tourism Market Report. August 2004).

Adventure Tourism is defined within the State of Tennessee by the Tennessee Adventure Tourism and Rural Development Act of 2011. This enabling legislation may be found in the Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 11, Section 201. Adventure Tourism is listed as fifteen (15) activities which include equine and motorized trail riding, white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling, road biking, rock climbing, hang-gliding, spelunking, shooting sports, mountain biking, canoeing, paragliding, zip lining and triathlons. In addition, the DMRA legislation includes the activity of hiking. Not all of the aforementioned sixteen (16) activities may occur on Doe Mountain proper. However, in order to understand the full economic impact of adventure tourism to Doe Mountain the location for water related activities have been identified off site. The assumption is that Doe Mountain serves as the gateway for adventure tourism to the region and capitalizes on the vast amount of recreational resources it has to offer.

Mission Statement

On October 15, 2013 the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority met in Kingsport, Tennessee to develop a mission statement and a short set of planning goals to guide the DMRA. The statement and goals session was lead by consultants from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service from the University of Tennessee. The DMRA board collectively developed the following mission statement for the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority.

To transform Doe Mountain into a safe, fun, family-oriented, outdoor recreation destination that promotes local economic development while conserving and protecting its beauty, woods, water, and wildlife.

As defined by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure tourism is a market based alternative catering to the growing number of travelers trying to find , understand and enjoy adventure, culture, wildlife, and environment and has three main defining characteristics: (i) physical activity, (ii) connection to nature and the outdoors and (iii) cultural immersion with four specific focuses:

Innovative: The majority of adventure travel businesses are entrepreneurial, from where innovative ideas and products often emerge. This is where many trends begin.

Inspirational: It is often the aspects of adventure travel: nature, challenging activities and culture that create desire in a traveler to visit a place.

Focused on Sustainability: Adventure Tourism is at the front line of sustainability because the sector is so obviously depends on preservation of culture, wildlife, environment that it is aggressively focused on being sustainable for the long term.

Strategic: Adventure tourism typically leaves more money in destinations as a percentage of revenue that mass tourism and supports thousands of small busineses worldwide. Although it is a smaller sector that many, it is critical and strategic to a destinations ultimate success. Adventure tourism has to have a strong support by destination in order to achieve this success.

Image: Adventure Tourism Market Report(Document, 2010: George Washington University School of Business, The Adventure Travel Trace Associaton, and Xola Consulting)


S ign i f i c an t Resource sSec t ion C

C.2C.2Sign i f i c an t Re sou r c e s

Significant Resources


History of Doe Mountain & Johnson County

Early HistoryLong before European settlement, Prehistoric Indians, known as Mound Builders, utilized the area now known as Johnson County for hunting and burial grounds. Archaeological evidence is the only trace left of these prehistoric tribes, since their occupation occurred before the time of written records. Documented historic Indian tribes of the area included Creek, Yuchi, and Shawnee, all of which were eventually supplanted by the Cherokee tribe. The lands of Johnson County were primarily used for hunting and burial grounds, with the tribes settlements located in adjacent areas.

Early English exploration began in 1749 when Peter Jefferson (father of Thomas Jefferson) surveyed the area near Laurel Creek. This survey led to the incorporation of the land that is now Johnson County into North Carolina. In 1769, the first permanent settlement by William Bean of Virginia was established along the Watauga River near Elizabethton. This was most likely proceeded by Regulators from North Carolina, although there is no documentation.

Early PioneersEarly Pioneers began to arrive to the area in 1769 when John Honeycutt who established a home on Roan Creek near Butler. In about 1770, The Father of Tennessee, James Robertson, stayed with John Honeycutt on Roan Creek for about a year before he returned to North Carolina to prepare he and his family for his famous exploration of Tennessee in 1771. These pioneers were followed by other settlers including George Lumpkin and Richard Waldridge. In 1772, the Watauga Association was created by farmers in Johnson, Carter, and Washington Counties on land leased from the Cherokees. In 1775, Kentucky and much of middle Tennessee was purchased from the Cherokees. The Watauga Association purchased the land that they had previously been leasing for 2000 pounds.

State FormationIn 1784, the State of Franklin (named after Benjamin Franklin) was formed including portions of what is now Johnson County. Citizens of the area were split with some favoring inclusion into North Carolina and some for the new state of Franklin. In 1796, the State of Tennessee was founded. The area of Johnson County was then part of Carter County and had a population of approximately 500.

Johnson County FormationBy 1820, the people of present Johnson County felt isolated from distant local government of Elizabethton and petitioned for a more centralized county seat. However, the state legislator denied the petition and left the seat in Elizabethton. In 1836, Johnson county residents wishes were heard and a new county was formed named in honor of Thomas Johnson. The county seat was named Taylorville in honor of Colonel James P. Taylor, a prominent citizen of the county, and 25 acres were laid out for Taylorville town. Johnson County was now official, with its own county government. From the initial settlements until 1836, the area had been under the jurisdiction of the British, the colony of North Carolina, the lost state of Franklin, the state of North Carolina, the Southwest Territory, and Carter County, Tennessee. Johnson County had finally made a name for itself. By the late 1830s, the first Courthouse and jail were built, and by 1840, the population of Taylorsville had reached approximate 150. Around 1846, a 2-story county academy was constructed, although it was short-lived, and burned in 1856.

Civil WarIn 1861, Tennessee succeeds from the Union, despite the fact that Johnson County voted against succession 787 to 111 votes. Several counties in Eastern Tennessee, including Johnson, attempted to form their own state similar to West Virginia, but the State of Tennessee did not recognize or allow this.

Post-Civil WarIn 1866, the Town of Taylorsville became incorporated, and the 3-story Masonic Institute was opened. In 1874, The Taylorsville Reporter, a local newspaper owned by W.R. Keys, was founded. In 1885, Taylorsville changed its name to Mountain City (apparently due to its geographic location) and The Taylorsville Reporter changed its name to the Tennessee Tomahawk. The population of Mountain City at the time was about 400. In 1894, a new courthouse was built to replace the original that had been built in 1836.

Twentieth CenturyIn 1900, the railroad entered the county from Elizabethton through Butler on its way to Mountain City. By 1910, rails reached Mountain City, paving the way for the establishment of the Merchants and Traders Bank in 1922. In 1923, the County High School was built and a highway was constructed from Bristol to Mountain City that later extended to North Carolina and Virginia. In 1935, J.R. Ray, Arthur Potter, and Arthur Nicholas planted the countys first commercial crop of green beans. Johnson County would eventually become the states largest green bean-producing county. A great flood hit the region in 1940, destroying part of the Elizabethton-Mountain City railroad. It was abandoned and never restored. Later, the Mountain City-Damascus railroad was also abandoned. Around 1942, many citizens left to join the World War II effort and some never returned. During this time, TVA created plans to construct a dam on Watauga River, whose waters would eventually cover the previous site of the town of Butler. Butler was later rebuilt at a different location, giving it the namesake, The Town that Wouldnt Drown. In the late part of the 1950s, the green bean industry sharply declined, and the area experienced population decline as a result until the creation of additional local industry in the 1960s. The 1960s were a time of relative prosperity in Mountain City and Johnson County, with thriving businesses abound and high community morale spanning the area. By the 1980s, Mountain City and Johnson County were showing signs of modernization and increased livability. Unfortunately, this modernization pushed industries out of town to places closer to interstate highways leaving downtown Mountain City sparsely populated and lacking a sustainable, locally based economy. The Doe Mountain Recreation Area has the potential to bring back attention and recognition to Mountain City and Johnson County, while providing much needed economic growth.

Image: Johnson County Historical Map(Map, 2013: www.mygeneologyhound.com)

Text: History of Mountain City & Johnson County(Narrative, 2013: Rodney Benton & Will Hargrove adapted from History of Johnson County, 1986 by Johnson County Historical Society)




Current Business and IndustryCompany Product No. of Employees Production Rate

Northwest Correctional Center Prison 422 1,000 inmates

Parkdale Textiles Ring Spun Yarn 367 1,400,000 lbs. monthly

Film Processing Corporation Recording Film 109

Craftline Wood Products Furniture, Bird Feeders, Swings 90 12,000/weekly

Maymead Company Agricultural and Asphalt 74 Varies Seasonally

Phoenix Medical Products Disposable Medical Testing Equipment 69

N N Ball and Roller, Inc. Stainless Steel Ball Bearings 55 31,000 lbs./daily

Mountain City Lumber Hard and Soft Wood Sawing 50 18,000,000 ft./yr.

Shoun Lumber Company Saw Mill 38

Shelby Elastics Elastic 24 2,000,000 ft./weekly

Custom Crate and Pallet Customized Pallets 19

Rainbow Paper Products, Inc. Paper Bags and Gift Wrap 15

Shoun Trucking Company Haul Lumber 9

Table: Current Business & Industries of Johnson County(Table, 2013: Rodney Benton & Will Hargrove adapted from http://www.townofmountaincity.com/mountain_city_website_011.htm)

History of Doe Mountain & Johnson County




Section 106 Regulations Summary

Introduction

Initiate Section 106 Process

Identify Historic Properties

Assess Adverse Effects

Resolve Adverse Effects

Implementation

Failure to Resolve Adverse Effects

Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations

The Public

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties, and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment. The historic preservation review process mandated by Section 106 is outlined in regulations issued by ACHP. Revised regulations, "Protection of Historic Properties" (36 CFR Part 800), became effective August 5, 2004, and are summarized below.

The responsible Federal agency first determines whether it has an undertaking that is a type of activity that could affect historic properties. Historic properties are properties that are included in the National Register of Historic Places or that meet the criteria for the National Register. If so, it must identify the appropriate State Historic Preservation Officer/Tribal Historic Preservation Officer * (SHPO/THPO*) to consult with during the process. It should also plan to involve the public, and identify other potential consulting parties. If it determines that it has no undertaking, or that its undertaking is a type of activity that has no potential to affect historic properties, the agency has no further Section 106 obligations.

If the agency's undertaking could affect historic properties, the agency determines the scope of appropriate identification efforts and then proceeds to identify historic properties in the area of potential effects. The agency reviews background information, consults with the SHPO/THPO* and others, seeks information from knowledgeable parties, and conducts additional studies as necessary. Districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects listed in the National Register are considered; unlisted properties are evaluated against the National Park Service's published criteria, in consultation with the SHPO/THPO* and any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that may attach religious or cultural importance to them.

If questions arise about the eligibility of a given property, the agency may seek a formal determination of eligibility from the National Park Service. Section 106 review gives equal consideration to properties that have already been included in the National Register as well as those that have not been so included, but that meet National Register criteria.

If the agency finds that no historic properties are present or affected, it provides documentation to the SHPO/THPO* and, barring any objection in 30 days, proceeds with its undertaking.

If the agency finds that historic properties are present, it proceeds to assess possible adverse effects.

The agency, in consultation with the SHPO/THPO*, makes an assessment of adverse effects on the identified historic properties based on criteria found in ACHP's regulations.

If they agree that there will be no adverse effect, the agency proceeds with the undertaking and any agreed-upon conditions.

If a) they find that there is an adverse effect, or if the parties cannot agree and ACHP determines within 15 days that there is an adverse effect, the agency begins consultation to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effects.

The agency consults to resolve adverse effects with the SHPO/THPO* and others, who may include Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, local governments, permit or license applicants, and members of the public. ACHP may participate in consultation when there are substantial impacts to important historic properties, when a case presents important questions of policy or interpretation, when there is a potential for procedural problems, or when there are issues of concern to Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations.

Consultation usually results in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which outlines agreed-upon measures that the agency will take to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effects. In some cases, the consulting parties may agree that no such measures are possible, but that the adverse effects must be accepted in the public interest.

If an MOA is executed, the agency proceeds with its undertaking under the terms of the MOA.

If consultation proves unproductive, the agency or the SHPO/THPO*, or ACHP itself, may terminate consultation. If a SHPO terminates consultation, the agency and ACHP may conclude an MOA without SHPO involvement. However, if a THPO* terminates consultation and the undertaking is on or affecting historic properties on tribal lands, ACHP must provide its comments. The agency must submit appropriate documentation to ACHP and request ACHP's written comments. The agency head must take into account ACHP's written comments in deciding how to proceed.

The regulations also place major emphasis on consultation with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, in keeping with the 1992 amendments to NHPA. Consultation with an Indian tribe must respect tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Even if an Indian tribe has not been certified by NPS to have a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer who can act for the SHPO on its lands, it must be consulted about undertakings on or affecting its lands on the same basis and in addition to the SHPO.

Public involvement is a key ingredient in successful Section 106 consultation, and the views of the public should be solicited and considered throughout the process.

Text: Section 106 Regulations Summary (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Updated April 18, 2013.)

* The regulations dene the term "THPO" as those tribes that have assumed SHPO responsibilities on their tribal lands and have been certied pursuant to Section 101(d)(2) of the NHPA. Nevertheless, remember that tribes that have not been so certied have the same consultation and concurrence rights as THPOs when the undertaking takes place, or aects historic properties, on their tribal lands. The practical dierence is that during such undertakings, THPOs would be consulted in lieu of the SHPO, while non-certied tribes would be consulted in addition to the SHPO.

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

AND ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

NEPA and NHPA

A Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106

MARCH 2013




Regional Significant Resources Top: Regional Significant Resources Map (Ink & Marker, 2013: Rodney Benton & Katherine Martin)

Bottom Left: Appalachian Trail (Photo, April 20, 2006: Scott Basford)

Bottom Right: Roan Creek Fishing Area (Photo, 2013: Tennessee State Parks)

The map to the left begins to outline the significant resources adjacent to Doe Mountain on a regional level. The rings on the map represent a 10 & 50 mile radius around Mountain City to begin to understand the potential impact of the Doe Mountain Recreation Area on a regional scale. Several adjacent recreational opportunities will serve Doe Mountain as additional opportunities for capitalizing on existing tourism bases. These include, but are not limited to, the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper and Laurel Creek trails in nearby Damascus, VA, the Watauga Reservoir that abuts the mountain on the southeast side, South Holston Lake to the North, and the Roan Creek Fishing Area to the South. These provide additional opportunities for recreation for any visitors to Doe Mountain, giving them even more reason to recreate in this pristine area. The Cherokee and Jefferson National Forests and the Hampton Mountain Bike trail in nearby Elizabethton, TN also provide access to additional hiking and mountain biking offshoots for Doe Mountain tourists. Nearby Boone, NC provides an excellent opportunity to capitalize on existing population resources for immediate economic impact, as well as providing additional retail opportunities.




Local Significant ResourcesTop: Local Significant Resources Map (Ink & Marker, 2013: Katherine Martin)

Bottom Left: Watauga Reservoir (Photo, 2013: Will Hargrove)

Bottom Right: Farmstead Adjacent to Doe Mountain (Photo, 2013: Randy Morgan)

Doe Mountain itself contains many of the significant resources pertinent to development of the Doe Mountain Recreation Area. The map to the right begins to illustrate the significant resources that were mentioned by local stakeholders and residents during the Community Design Visioning Process of the weeklong Charrette. Several different adventure tourism activities were highlighted that could exist directly on Doe Mountain including: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Equestrian, Off Highway Vehicles (OHV), Paragliding, Hang Gliding, Rock Climbing and Caving. Although several other activities may be included on and around the mountain, these were all cited as being of feasible interest. With these activities in mind, several shared meeting places were identified that should be accessible to all user groups including: the Fire Tower, the Old Doe Lookout Tower, and Chimney Rock. Areas of the mountain with access to fresh, flowing water were outlined to be allowed access by all user groups.

In addition to the mountain itself, several significant resources are directly adjacent to Doe Mountain and should be seen as assets in the development and marketing of the Doe Mountain Recreation Area. The closest of these adjacent resources are the towns of Mountain City and Butler that anchor each end of Doe Mountain. Mountain City should be viewed as the main asset to the mountain, providing potential for related retail opportunities, entertainment venues, and restaurants to support activities on the mountain. The small town charm of Mountain City should be promoted and protected in any redevelopment efforts, as this was an overarching concern of local residents and stakeholders. In addition to Mountain City, the community of Butler can provide additional development opportunities as well as the opportunity to tell the interesting history of Butler and how it became The Town that Wouldnt Drown.

Several additional adventure tourism opportunities exist directly adjacent to Doe Mountain that should be drawn from to bring in more visitors to the mountain. Hiking and mountain biking trails, including the world-renowed Appalachian trail and the newly constructed Virginia Creeper Trail, could feed directly on to Doe Mountain to provide additional day trip activities for people already utilizing those trail systems. Cherokee National Forest and the neighboring Watauga Reservoir provide additional opportunities for recreational activities that could serve as a draw to potential visitors.




Geologic Formation of Doe Mountain

Top: United States Level II Ecoregions Map (Map, 2008: United States Environmental Protection Agency)

Bottom Left: Tennessee Level III Ecoregions (Map, 1997 : United States Environmental Protection Agency)

Bottom Right: Doe Mountain Level IV Ecoregions (Map, 2013: Randy Morgan)

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee are characterized by forested slopes, high gradient, cool, clear streams, and rugged terrain on a mix of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary geology. Annual precipitation of nearly 80 inches can occur on the well-exposed high peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains that reach over 6000 feet.

The southern Blue Ridge is one of the richest centers of biodiversity in the eastern U.S. It is the most floristically diverse ecoregion of the state, and includes Appalachian oak forests, northern hardwoods, and Southeastern spruce-fir forests. Shrub, grass, and heath balds, hemlock, cove hardwoods, and oak-pine communities are also significant.

The Unaka Chain is a long range of mountains whose high crest is the line dividing Tennessee and North Carolina. This chain is not a single great ridge, but rather, a long belt of parallel ridges. The range, or its main axis, is continuous lengthwise except where is intersected by the deep and rocky cuts of the tributaries of the Holston and Tennessee Rivers that flow out of North Carolina and the northeastern corner of Georgia.

The second ridge is Iron Mountain, a long, heavy, straight ridge running through Johnson and Carter counties, forming the boundary between the two counties for much of its length. It is separated from Stone Mountain by the valley-lands of Johnson County. It is cut through both by the Watauga and Big Doe Rivers, but continues as a well defined range to the southern part of Carter, where it gradually sinks away. South of the Watauga, it is separated from mountains on the east by a long, very narrow valley, most of which is Doe River Cove, in Carter County.

The last ridge is Holston Mountain, which is separated from Iron Mountain by a curious, very elevated basin of limited extent, called Shady, and by the large Valley of Stony Creek. It runs out boldly from its brother ridges into the open country, and terminates abruptly a few miles north of Elizabethtown.

Doe Mountain is an isolated sandstone ridge that rises up in the lower part of the Johnson County Valley, and divides the latter longitudinally into two portions, which unite again around the southern end of the mountain. It begins near Mountain City and extends nearly to the Watauga Reservoir. Towards its southern end, it is cut into by Doe Creek.

Beginning in the northeastern corner of the State, one of the largest and most interesting coves in Tennessee forms the valley-lands of Johnson County. The general outline and extent of this cove may be seen by reference to the map. Below Mountain City, it is divided lengthwise by Doe Mountain, but it unites again around the mountain in the valley of the Watauga. Johnson County Cove, as it may be called, is a more elevated body of valley-land than any other of equal extent in the State. Its average elevation is considerably more than 2000 feet above the sea, which is, at least, as high, if not higher, than the top of the Cumberland Table-land. The Watauga Reservoir and Roane Creek and its crystal tributaries provide ample water for the area. Northward, the cove runs to a point not far above the Virginia line. It is entirely enclosed by mountains. On the east and south lies the Stone Mountain Range, and on the northwest, the Iron Mountain Range. To enter or leave the cove, it is necessary, either to climb over the mountains, or to pass through the very narrow rocky gaps cut out by the water courses. The gaps most used are those formed by Doe River to the Southwest and the south fork of the Laurel to the northwest into Virginia.

The Shady Basin lies between the Holston and Iron Mountains just before they unite near the Virginia line. This is also included in Johnson County. It is much higher than Johnson Cove, but is of limited extent. It is noted chiefly for its excellent iron. This little basin is so elevated that its flora lends itself to a Canadian character. Cranberries and northern conifer flourish in this area due to its high elevations.




Biological Assessment - Sensitive Habitats / Sensitive Sites

Top: Notable habitats documented in the eastern portion of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee overlaid with existing trails and hydrology features.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Bottom Left: Location of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Bottom Right: Aerial imagery of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

The biological assessment accomplishes two planning goals for the Doe Mountain Management Plan. First, the biological assessment is shared and used to inform the charrette participants about the the diverse and rich habitat that composes Doe Mountain. Second the biological assessment informs the planning team of sensitive habitats and sensitive sites within the DMRA. The assessment included a consultation with Tennessee Division of Natural Areas to identify known rare species records within the planning area of which there are 69 species listed as threatened. In addition, the team described and portrayed the location of potential critical habitats on the 8,600 acre tract on maps and GIS data. Furthermore, the team compiled a list of each species that might be associated with the critical habitat areas identified during the habitat analysis phase of the project. There are 571 rare plant species that are tracked by the State of Tennessee including 255 that are listed as state endangered species. Plants listed in Tennessee are protected by the Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985. Of these, 25 are or may be found on Doe Mountain.




Top: Notable habitats documented in the western portion of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee overlaid with existing trails and hydrology features.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Bottom Left: Geologic Map of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee overlaid with existing trails and hydrology features.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Bottom Right: Landcover map of Doe Mountain Recreation Area located in Johnson County, Tennessee overlaid with existing trails and hydrology features.(Map, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Biological Assessment - Sensitive Habitats / Sensitive Sites

The biological assessment recommendations consist of buffering the perennial/intermittent reaches of the streams on Doe Mountain. The recommendations identified a cut off point between intermittent / perennial with interpolation based on several drainage observations made during team site visits. Field observations confirmed mapped conditions that streams did not flow above certain elevations. The identified elevation is what was used to determine the cut-off point for buffering the perennial/intermittent streams. Biological assessment recommendations confirmed that sections designated as perennial/intermittent should be used as a guide when determining where to site certain features or adventure tourism activities. The designated areas for buffering of recreational activities are that the intermittent reaches are more likely to have associated wetlands or rich vegetation assemblages that may support rare species. There were no hydric soils mapped within the site with wetland identification based on field observations. There is the possibility of additional areas to be documented as further on site information is gathered when environmental reviews are completed prior to undertaking construction activities. The assessment evaluates slope aspect that trends to the north and east where more mesic and therefore more diverse habitats and richer species assemblages exist. There were no specific reasons that these areas should be avoided but the development of sustainable design standards for each adventure tourism activity should be crafted. These standards should minimize impacts in more steep areas possessing the slope aspects shown in the report.




Documented Sensitive Species

Species Descriptions: Potential Sensitive Species Descriptions by BDY Biological Consultants(Text, 2013: Chris A. Fleming)

Hieracium scabrumRough Hawkweed

Global Rank: State Rank: State Protection: ThreatenedFederal Protection:

Habitat Notes: Prefered habtiats are dry forests, woodland margins, and roadsides (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species was documented as occuring within the DMRA by Dr. Frosty Levy of ETSU. It is documented as occuring in a disturbed roadside habtiat along the eastern edge of Trail 1. It is likely found along other roads or within clearings that experience long durations of solar radiation.

Left: Hierachium scabrum - Rough Hawkweed(Photo, 2013: C.A. Fleming)

Juglans cinereaButternut

Global Rank: G4State Rank: S3State Protection: ThreatenedFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Marginal: Gulf Coastal Plain--East Gulf Coastal Plain Northern Dry Upland Hardwood Forest (CES203.483); Marginal: Gulf Coastal Plain--South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest (CES202.887); Marginal: Gulf Coastal Plain--South-Central Interior Small Stream

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is moist, nuntrient-rich forests (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species has been documented within the DMRA by Dr. Frosty Levy of ETSU near the small wetland area along the north side of Highway 167, near its intersection with Trail 1. This species is likely present within other rich habitats, such as those associated with north and east trending mesic slopes.

Center: Juglans cinerea - Butternut(Photo, 2013: B.E. Wofford)

Liatris pilosaShaggy Gayfeather

Global Rank: G5?State Rank: S1State Protection: Special Concern Federal Protection: N/A

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat are fields and roadbanks (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is documented as occuring withing the DRMA by Dr. Frosty Levy of ETSU. The two documented populations are located within roadside clearings along Trail 1. This species may occur in other roadside habitats or other disturbed clearings within the DMRA that experience long durations of solar radiation.

Right: Liatris pilosa - Shaggy Gayfeather(Photo, 2013: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)





Lycopodiella inundataInundated Clubmoss

Global Rank: State Rank: State Protection: Likely EndangeredFederal Protection:

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are gravelly or sandy seepage areas and bogs (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is documented as occuring within the DMRA by Dr. Frosty Levy of ETSU. One population is noted as occuring within an open seep habitat along the eastern side of of Trail 17. This is a significant population since it represents the first documented occurence of this species in Tennessee.

Left: Lycopodiella inundata - Inundated Clubmoss(Photo, 2013: C.A. Fleming)

Right: Symplocarpus foetidus - Skunk-cabbage(Photo, 2013: Edgar B. Lickey)

Symplocarpus foetidusSkunk-cabbage

Global Rank: G5State Rank: S1State Protection: EndangeredFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Suitable: Ridge and Valley--South-Central Interior Small Stream and Riparian (CES202.706); Preferred: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Bog and Fen (CES202.300); Suitable: Southern Blue Ridge--South-Central Interior Small Stream and Ripa

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats for this species are seepage-fed bogs and nonalluvial swamps (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species has been documented as occuring within the DMRA. It is located within a small wetland area along the north side of Highway 167 near its junction with Trail 1.

Documented Sensitive Species




Berberis canadensisAmerican Barberry

Global Rank: G3State Rank: S2State Protection: Special ConcernFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Preferred: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--Southern Ridge and Valley / Cumberland Dry Calcareous Forest (CES202.457); Suitable: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--Cumberland Riverscour (CES202.036); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern Appalachian Oak F

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is rocky woods, forest openings, glades, usually over mafic rocks (such as diabase) or calcareous rocks (such as limestone) (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be found along rocky north and east trending slopes where there are exposures of limestone. Shady Dolomite, which is mapped in the eastern and southern portions of DMRA, has a limestone component.

Left: Berberis canadensis - American Barberry(Photo, 2013: B.E. Wofford)

Center: Cardamine rotundifolia - Round-leaf Watercress(Photo, 2013: DNH)

Right: Corvus corax - Common Raven(Photo, 2013: David Iliff . License: CC-BY-SA 3.0)

Cardamine rotundifoliaRound-leaf Watercress

Global Rank: G4State Rank: S2S3State Protection: Special ConcernFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Suitable: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--Cumberland Acidic Cliff and Rockhouse (CES202.309); Marginal: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest (CES202.887); Suitable: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--South-Central

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are seepages, streambanks, swampy depressions (Weakley)

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would be found within a wetland habitat, such as the one document along the north side of Highway 167, where Trail 1 intersects.

Corvus coraxCommon Raven


Habitat Notes: In Tennessee, this species typically inhabits remote mountain forests and rock cliffs (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. While the site does not provide significant amounts of cliff habitat for nesting, it may utilize the site for foraging.


Potential Sensitive Species




Dryopteris carthusianaSpinulose Shield Fern


Ecological Community: Preferred: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern and Central Appalachian Bog and Fen (CES202.300)

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are acidic, organic-rich bogs, swamps, less frequently in moist rocky ravines, rich forests, and sloping rock outcrops (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. This species would likely be present within mesic riparian areas and other wetland habitats. A historic location is noted immediately to the south of the DMRA along Hopper Creek.

Left: Dryopteris cathusiana - Spinulose Shield Fern (Photo, 2013: A. Murray Evans)

Center: Dryopteris cristata - Crested Shield-fern(Photo, 2013: Edgar B. Lickey)

Right: Goodyera repens - Dwarf Rattlesnake-plantain(Photo, 2013: Dennis D. Horn)

Dryopteris cristataCrested Shield-fern


Ecological Community: Preferred: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Bog and Fen (CES202.300); Preferred: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern and Central Appalachian Bog and Fen (CES202.300)

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are bogs and swamp forests (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It may be found in the wetland area along Highway 167, near the intersection with Trail 1, or in other seep-like wetland areas within the site possessing hydrophytic vegetation.

Goodyera repensDwarf Rattlesnake-plantain

Global Rank: G5State Rank: S1State Protection: Special ConcernFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Marginal: Ridge and Valley--South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest (CES202.887); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest (CES202.373); Preferred: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest (CES202

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is moist forests, usually under conifers and rhododendron (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be found in the pitch pine habitats with a northern or eastern exposure or mesic areas with an established rhododendron canopy.







Helianthus glaucophyllusWhite-leaved Sunflower


Ecological Community: Suitable: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern Appalachian Northern Hardwood Forest (CES202.029); Suitable: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886)

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are moist forests, woodlands, and woodland edges, at medium elevations, mostly from 1,000-1,500 m (but sometimes lower) (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be found in the upper elevations along roadsides or in small openings adjacent to mesic slopes.

Hydrophyllum virginianumAppalachian Waterleaf


Ecological Community: Marginal: Ridge and Valley--South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest (CES202.887); Marginal: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest (CES202.373); Preferred: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern Appalachian Northern Hardwood Forest (CES20

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are cove forests and other moist rocky forests (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would be found in mesic north and east trending slopes or in moist riparian habitats.

Lilium canadenseCanada Lily


Ecological Community: Suitable: All Provinces--Southern Appalachian Northern Hardwood Forest (CES202.029); Marginal: All Provinces--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886); Suitable: All Provinces--Central Interior Calcareous Cliff and Talus (CES202.690); Suitable: All P

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is wet meadows (Weakely).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be found in mesic areas within riparian habitats.


Left: Helianthus glaucophyllus - White-leaved Sunflower(Photo, 2013: B.E. Wofford)

Center: Hydrophyllum virginianum - Appalachian Waterleaf (Photo, 2013: Thomas G. Barnes)

Right: Lilium canadense - Canada Lily(Photo, 2013: C.A. Fleming)






Left: Meehania cordata - Heartleaf Meehania(Photo, 2013: B.E. Wofford & A. Floden)

Center: Minuartia godfreyi - Godfreys Stitchwort(Photo, 2013: TENN)

Meehania cordataHeartleaf Meehania


Ecological Community: Suitable: Ridge and Valley--South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest (CES202.887); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest (CES202.373); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern Interior Calcareous Cliff (CES202.356); Suitabl

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is moist, rocky, forestest slopes (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would be found in rich mesic habitats likely along north and east trending slopes.

Minuartia godfreyiGodfreys Stitchwort


Ecological Community: Suitable: Interior Low Plateau--Interior Low Plateau Seepage Fen (CES202.346); Marginal: Interior Low Plateau--South-Central Interior Small Stream and Riparian (CES202.706); Marginal: Southern Blue Ridge--South-Central Interior Small Stream and Riparian

Habitat Notes: Preferred habitat is wetlands (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would be found within a wetland habitat, such as the one document along the north side of Highway 167, where Trail 1 intersects

Oenothera parvifloraNorthern Evening-primrose

Global Rank: G4?State Rank: S1State Protection: Special ConcernFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Suitable: All Provinces--Excavated Land (Strip Mine / Road Cut / Rock Quarry / Gravel Pit) ()

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is fields and disturbed areas (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be found along open roadsides and other disturbed areas that experience long durations of solar radiation.

Right: Oenothera parviflora - Northern Evening-primrose(Photo, 2013: Les Mehrhoff / www.discoverlife.org)





Panax quinquefoliusAmerican Ginseng

Global Rank: G3G4State Rank: S3S4State Protection: Special Concern-Commercially ExploitedFederal Protection: N/A

Ecological Community: Suitable: Gulf Coastal Plain--East Gulf Coastal Plain Limestone Forest (CES203.502); Marginal: Gulf Coastal Plain--East Gulf Coastal Plain Northern Loess Bluff Forest (CES203.481); Marginal: Gulf Coastal Plain--East Gulf Coastal Plain Northern Loess Plai

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitats are cove forests, mesic hardwood forests, generally in nutrient-rich forests through tending to avoid the richest coves (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. This species is likely to be found along north and east trending mesic slopes possessing rich plant communities.

Platanthera orbiculataLarge Round-leaved Orchid


Ecological Community: Marginal: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--Cumberland Seepage Forest (CES202.361); Suitable: Cumberland Plateau and Mountains--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest (CES202.373); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern and Central Appalachian Cove F

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is moist hardwood forests, especially over amphibolite (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. If present, it would likely be located in northwestern portion of DMRA where there the geology is mapped as shale/siltstone and sandstone/arkose. This is assumption is based on the underlying geology of documented populations of this species within 4 miles of DMRA.

Left: Panax quinquefolius - American Ginseng(Photo, 2013: B.E. Wofford)

Center: Platanthera orbiculata - Large Round-leaved Orchid(Photo, 2013: Edgar B. Lickey)

Pyrola americanaAmerican Wintergreen


Ecological Community: Preferred: Ridge and Valley--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886); Preferred: Southern Blue Ridge--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886)

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is within xeric to mesic woodlands and forests (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It would likely be associated drier habitats possessing sandy soils.

Right: Pyrola americana - American Wintergreen(Photo, 2013: William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)






Left: Scrophularia lanceolata - Hare Figwort(Photo, 2013: Al Schneider @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)

Center: Sorex cinereus - Cinereus Shrew(Photo, 2013: Dr. Ed Pivorun)


Scrophularia lanceolataHare Figwort

Global Rank: G5State Rank: SHState Protection: Special ConcernFederal Protection: N/A

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is woodlands and forest (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. This species is noted as such since habitat preferences are rather broad and it has previously been documented within four miles of DMRA.

Sorex cinereusCinereus Shrew

Global Rank: G5State Rank: S4State Protection: Deemed in Need of ManagementFederal Protection: N/A

Habitat Notes: Prefers rich, moist woodlands with plenty of moss, leaf litter, and rotting logs, but also open fields, floodplains, and marshes (http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. If present, it would likely be found in the more mesic north and east trending slopes.

Sorex fumeusSmoky Shrew

Global Rank: G5State Rank: S4State Protection: Deemed in Need of ManagementFederal Protection: N/A

Habitat Notes: Prefer moist hardwood forests with decaying logs, thick leaf litter, and moss-covered rocks; frequently found in higher elevations (http://tnwatchablewildlife.org/).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. If present, it would likely be found in the more mesic north and east trending slopes.

Right: Sorex fumeus - Smoky Shrew(Photo, 2013: Dr. Ed Pivorun)





Tsuga carolinianaCarolina Hemlock

Global Rank: G3State Rank: S3State Protection: ThreatenedFederal Protection: --

Ecological Community: Marginal: Ridge and Valley--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886); Suitable: Ridge and Valley--Southern Appalachian Montane Pine Forest and Woodland (CES202.331); Southern Blue Ridge--Southern Appalachian Oak Forest (CES202.886)

Habitat Notes: Prefered habitat is open forests on ridge tops, rocky bluffs, or gorge walls, generally in drier and rockier sites than Tsuga canadensis, but the two sometimes growing in close proximity or even intermixed in humid gorges (Weakley).

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA. It could be found along some of the drier ridges within the site or along the edges of more mesic cove forests.

Right: Myotis sodalis - Indiana Bat(Photo, 2013: USFWS)


Left: Tsuga caroliniana- Carolina Hemlock(Photo, 2013: John Beck)

Protection / Mitigation StrategiesThe planning team shared the completed Biological Assessment with charrette participants in order to inform them of the diverse and rich habitat that composes Doe Mountain. The assessment included a consultation with Tennessee Division of Natural Areas to identify known rare species records within the planning area of which there are 69 species listed as threatened. In addition, the team described and portrayed the location of potential critical habitats on the 8,600 acre tract on maps and GIS data. Furthermore, the team compiled a list of each species that might be associated with the critical habitat areas identified during the habitat analysis phase of the project. There are 571 rare plant species that are tracked by the State of Tennessee including 255 that are listed as state endangered species. Plants listed in Tennessee are protected by the Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985. Of these, 25 are or may be found on Doe Mountain.

The biological assessment recommendations consist of buffering the perennial/intermittent reaches of the streams on Doe Mountain. The recommendations identified a cut off point between intermittent / perennial with interpolation based on several drainage observations made during team site visits.

Field observations confirmed mapped conditions that streams did not flow above certain elevations. The identified elevation is what was used to determine the cut-off point for buffering the perennial/intermittent streams. Biological assessment recommendations confirmed that sections designated as perennial/intermittent should be used as a guide when determining where to site certain features or adventure tourism activities. The designated areas for buffering of recreational activities are that the intermittent reaches are more likely to have associated wetlands or rich vegetation assemblages that may support rare species. There were no hydric soils mapped within the site with wetland identification based on field observations. There is the possibility of additional areas to be documented as further on site information is gathered when environmental reviews are completed prior to undertaking construction activities. The assessment evaluates slope aspect that trends to the north and east where more mesic and therefore more diverse habitats and richer species assemblages exist. There were no specific reasons that these areas should be avoided but the development of sustainable design standards for each adventure tourism activity should be crafted. These standards should minimize impacts in more steep areas possessing the slope aspects shown in the report.

Myotis sodalisIndiana bat

Global Rank: G2State Rank: S1State Protection: EndangeredFederal Protection: Endangered

Habitat Notes: Suitable winter habitat (hibernacula) is restricted to underground caves and cave-like structures (e.g. abandoned mines and railroad tunnels). For regulatory purposes, the hibernation period is generally considered to extend from November 15th until April 1st and during this time all habitats aside from the winter habitat are assumed to be unoccupied. Suitable summer habitat for use by Indiana bats includes trees, snags, or similar structures that posses characteristics such as cracks, crevices, and/or loose or exfoliating bark and are greater than 5 inches DBH. Tree species utilized by Indiana bats vary widely, as any tree species having the referenced characteristics or structure can provide protection and suitable habitat for the species.

Occurrence Notes: This species is potentially present within the DMRA during early spring until late fall. While no winter hibernacula are documented as occuring within the site, some forested areas may provide suitable summer habitat.


DAdventu re Tour i sm Marke t Ana ly s i s

Sec t ion

D.2D.2Adven tu r e Tou r i sm Marke t Ana ly s i s

Adventure Tourism Market Analysis


Introduction

Introduction




Precedent Study #1 Precedent Study #2 Precedent Study #3Primary OHV Site Primary Mountain Biking Site Primary Equestrian Site

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Precedent Studies

Left: Precedent Study #1(Photo, Year: Author)

Bottom Left: Precedent Study #2(Photo, Year: Author)





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Summary of Precedents

Precedent Studies





Population Summary - Johnson County, TN

Population Summary - Mountain City, TN

Social & Demographics Analysis

Total Population: 18,019

Households: 7,290

Housing Units: 8,552

66.1% of residents work in the county and state of residence.

Leading Occupations: Production - 15.1% Administrative/Oce Support - 12.1% Construction/Extraction - 11.1%

Leading Industries: Manufacturing - 20.5% Construction - 15.1% Retail Trade - 11.8%

Household Economics: Average Income $37,905 Median Income $29,771 24.3% of income below the poverty level in 12 month period.

Total Population: 3,001

Households: 1,243


78.3% of residents work in the county and state of residence.

Leading Occupations: Administrative/Oce Support - 19.5%

Leading Industries: Construction - 19.6%

Household Economics: Average Income $36,823 Median Income $25,028 33.5% of income below the poverty level in 12 month period.

Image: 2012 Population Density Map(Map, 2013: The Shopping Center Group)




Population Summary - 10-Mile RadiusTotal Population: 17,120

Households: 7,055


Leading Occupations: Production - 13.9% Administrative/Oce Support - 11.3% Construction/Extraction - 10.3%

Leading Industries: Manufacturing - 18.1% Construction - 13.8% Health Care / Social Assistance - 11.8%

Household Economics: Average Income $38,010 Median Income N/A 24.8% of income below the poverty level in 12 month period.

Population Summary - 5-Mile RadiusTotal Population: 10,1

DOE Mountain Management Plan Charrette presentation

Documents

Transcript of DOE Mountain Management Plan Charrette presentation