An aerial view of the Cowee Mound and Little Tennessee River from Hall Mountain. (Photo by Ralph Preston)
The Cherokee Tribal Office of Environment & Natural Resources is having a series of public meetings to discuss the management efforts of the Hall Mountain tract in Macon County. The purchase of this tract by the EBCI was made possible by an Aug. 28, 2012 inaugural round of grants awarded by the United States Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP).
As part of the CFP, the 108-acre Hall Mountain tract will stay in forest use that could include public recreation resources such as trails and a pavilion, a demonstration site for practicing traditional community-based Cherokee land management, and a source for traditional artisan resources. The community is invited to attend the upcoming public meetings to learn more about the Community Forest and submit input for potential uses of this resource.
The Hall Mountain tract, six miles north of Franklin, North Carolina, is the view shed of the historic Cowee Mound Site. The Cowee Mound’s significance lies in its role as the diplomatic and commercial center of the Cherokee people until the Revolution when the town was destroyed.
Meetings will be held on the following dates:
- Aug. 27 (Cowee School in Franklin)
- Sept. 3 (Cherokee, NC Location TBA)
- Sept. 17 (Cowee School Franklin, NC)
- Sept. 24 (Cherokee, NC Location TBA)
All meetings will begin at 6pm through 9pm.
If you have any questions or would like to submit additional comments, contact Tommy Cabe 554-6225 or Tommcabe@nc-cherokee.com.
– Cherokee Tribal Office of Environment & Natural Resources
