Cherokee County, NC - Save Nantahala National Forest Around Lake Hiwassee

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County Commissioners Ask U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to Open Public Lands to Private Development

On April 21, 2025, the Cherokee County Commissioners unanimously adopted a Petition for Redress of Grievances to the US Government that states in part: “Lakefront land should be made available for private and commercial development such as private homes and commercial development to enhance the property tax base of Cherokee County and to support revenue generation for the benefit of the citizens of the county.”

The “lakefront land” to which the petition refers is hundreds of acres, including popular hunting areas and beloved recreation areas like Cherokee Lake, Hanging Dog, and Panther Top, just to name a few. 

Cherokee Lake in the area proposed for sale

Privatizing the national forest around Lake Hiwassee would be a devastating loss for the people of Cherokee County. These public lands belong to all of us — they’re where we hunt, fish, hike, and make memories with our families. Selling them off to developers or out-of-state investors threatens our way of life and turns shared treasures into exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy. Once this land is gone, we’ll never get it back.

We are opposed to the sale of public lands, particularly for the purpose of private development. 

We recognize the need for better access to public lands and more developed recreation facilities in Cherokee County, including a campground on Hiwassee Lake. We are willing to advocate for this, as well as for development of a state park, as long as public lands are not relinquished in the process.

Petition of the People of Cherokee County opposing the County Commissioners’ petition to develop Public Lands around Hiwassee Lake

We, the undersigned citizens of Cherokee County, North Carolina, stand together to protect our National Forests and lakes from private commercial development.  These public lands have provided a way of life for our residents, are part of our mountain heritage and important for future generations.  Our natural lands and clean waters are the pride of our county — vital to our health, recreation, and economy. 

  • WHY WE OPPOSE THE COMMISSIONERS’ PETITION

    • Clean Water: Our excellent water quality exists largely because the National Forest protects our streams and lakes from erosion and pollution.

    • Steep Slopes: Mountain slopes are too steep and unstable for safe development. Building there increases the risk of runoff, landslides, and water contamination.

    • Natural Beauty: Our unspoiled forests and mountain views define Cherokee County and attract visitors who support local businesses.

    • Public Recreation: These lands provide vital access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Development would limit or destroy these opportunities.

    • Cherokee Lake & Hiwassee Reservoir: These are irreplaceable public treasures—home to record-setting fish and some of the only places left for easy bank fishing.

    • Tax Burden: Rural development often costs taxpayers more for roads, fire protection, and emergency services than it brings in through new taxes.

    • Inadequate Infrastructure: Our rural roads, utilities, and emergency services cannot safely handle large new developments.

    • Lack of Public Input: Citizens were not properly informed or consulted before this petition was advanced.

    WHAT WE ASK

    • That the County Commissioners immediately withdraw their petition for redress of grievance seeking to open protected or forested lands for development.

    • That the County prioritize conservation, clean water, and public recreation over private or commercial expansion.

    • That the public be fully informed and involved in any future proposals affecting our shared natural resources.

    Signed,

    The People of Cherokee County, North Carolina

Becky Wright
Cherokee County Resident

“Dear folks of our beloved Cherokee County, now is the time we stand up and speak up against our county commissioners who signed a petition asking to sell our National Forest land around Lake Hiwassee for land development!

This truly devastated me. My family and I grew up here and have enjoyed our beautiful forest and lake for generations. I have a million good memories of these areas collected over a span of 60+ years! This would be detrimental to our water, wildlife, and hunters; it would threaten our ability to fish, swim, hike, take nature walks, and enjoy picnics and winter lake bed adventures while teaching our families about nature in an undisturbed setting. The peaceful calm that only nature can give the soul!

Folks, this land is irreplaceable. Can you imagine the destruction and environmental damage to local wildlife habitats if we don’t pull together with our beautiful mountain heritage and fight with all we can? I say "No, Commissioners!" I will speak up and work to let others know that we must come together to stop this!”

Jason Chambers
Cherokee County Resident

“To my friends in Cherokee County, NC, including deer hunters, bear hunters, coon hunters, fishermen, hikers, and anyone who enjoys our National Forest Land.  In case you weren’t aware, our local commissioners signed a petition stating their desire to sell the National Forest land surrounding Lake Hiwassee.  It would be sold not to you and me, but to rich developers. 

We cannot let this happen.  If the rich get a single inch of the land we all own, they will take a mile. Soon, it will only be the rich who will be able to hunt and fish because they will own all the land.”

Katherine Taaffe
Cherokee County Resident

"Protecting and preserving the Public Lands of Cherokee County, specifically around Lake Hiwassee, is not a Left or Right issue. It is a Class issue, and we are NOT helpless. We can and must act together to prevent the privatization of our shared places and natural resources, which would take from the many to benefit the very few.  

Smart development of existing privately-owned land is welcome and needed. Let's keep it where it belongs - off the shores of Lake Hiwassee.  Public Lands For All!"

Traci Kuykendall
Cherokee County Resident

“We are blessed in this county with natural beauty that is not only part of our heritage, but also the foundation of our future. The lake and surrounding forests are not just scenic backgrounds; they are living systems that sustain wildlife, provide clean water, filter our air, and protect us from the impacts of climate change. Once we alter them through large-scale development or aggressive logging, we can never fully restore what we have lost.

Lakeshore development will inevitably bring increased pollution, erosion, and habitat destruction. Shoreline vegetation — especially wetlands and native plants — protects water quality by filtering runoff before it reaches the lake. Paving over and building along these fragile areas invites sediment, oil, and other pollutants into the water we drink, swim in, and fish from. The loss of public access and quiet recreation will also change the character of our lake forever.

I understand that what is before us today is a petition for redress of grievance — a request to higher levels of government. But it is also more than that. It is a signal of intent from this body. When our county commissioners formally ask for permission to develop our lakeshore, it tells the people you represent that this is the direction you want to take our community. That intention matters, and it deserves a strong, clear response from the public.

And yet, there has been no public input sought before taking this step. The community has not been asked, and our voices have not been invited to the table.”

Johnny Strawn
Cherokee County Resident

"I feel like the selling of our public lands makes no sense, especially at this time and in our region. Our public lands are a main reason most of us live here. They are our buffer. The sale of these lands would only benefit the rich getting richer while taking away resources from those who live in this region."

Local Hiwassee Lake Popular Recreation Areas and Beloved Places

Cherokee Lake/Persimmon Creek Dam

Popular among locals for fishing in Cherokee Lake and Hiwassee Lake on both sides of the dam, camping on the shores, swimming and paddling in both Hiwassee Lake and Cherokee Lake, and hunting in adjacent USFS-owned land. Picnic area at Cherokee Lake is also heavily used.

Panther Top and Seed Orchard

Large expanse of USFS land bordering Hiwassee Lake and Nottely River, popular with locals for hiking, hunting, and other forest activities. Some primitive camping along the Forest Service roads in more remote areas adjacent to Hiwassee Lake. Panther Top Fire Tower is open in the fall for views of fall foliage and is very popular.

Hanging Dog Recreation Area

Once a campground run by the USFS, now a recreation area with hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, and two boat ramps – one for low water access and the other for higher water access. Picnic pavilion, swimming, a WRC fishing pier, and bank fishing are also popular with locals.

Hiwassee Dam Recreation Area

Local swimming, fishing, and picnics at the pavilion on Hiwassee Dam Access Road at the dam.

Mickens Branch Boating Access

A WRC-managed boating access and primitive camping sites managed by TVA. Located just before Hiwassee Dam on the access road.

Alabama Rock

A popular local swimming hole off Joe Brown Highway.

Grape Creek Boating Access

Off Joe Brown Highway, WRC-managed boating access.

Shoal Creek Falls

Waterfall within short hiking distance of Hawassee Lake on Talking Trees Road.

Payne Street and the “Backwaters”

Payne Street has full pool boating access in town, and the road follows the lake/river bank past the boat ramp. A local fishing favorite due to access to the fluctuating backwaters as the lake levels rise and fall, and its tendency to congregate game fish.