Kathryn Sellers: The facts about the Rocky Face Ridge property development

Published 4:11 pm Wednesday, March 8, 2017

In order for the community to know the correct and complete details of the plans for the Rocky Face Ridge property, the following is important to publish.

Whitfield County Historic Preservation Commission is working closely and cooperatively with The Southern Roads Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) to plan for trails on the property to allow the public to enjoy it and at the same time, protect the Civil War entrenchments and the beautiful terrain. We want the community to know that the overall purposes of obtaining this property are to preserve it and to have the citizens of the county and visitors alike to learn from it and to experience its many assets. Access will be done correctly to fulfill these two purposes while protecting it for the future generations.

With the assistance of the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Civil War Preservation Trust and the Georgia Piedmont Land Trust Inc., all of whom are experienced experts in preserving historic properties, a “deed of conservation easement” was placed on the property deed in perpetuity to be sure the proper preservation techniques are done to protect the property.

The agreement states, in part, “Whereas, the Property possesses significant aesthetic, natural, scenic, wildlife, watershed, forest, scientific, environmental, open space, archeological and historic features and conservation values, collectively, ‘Conservation Values’ of great importance to the Grantor, the people of Whitfield County and the people of the State of Georgia; … and Whereas, the significance of the Battle of Dalton I has been recognized by the United States Civil War Sites Advisory Commission which has given it a Priority II.3 Class C Rating in the Commission’s report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields.”

The document continues “these Conservation Values must be maintained.” This agreement continues to document the historical actions on the property during the first battle of the Atlanta Campaign and to document the improved dwellings and outbuildings existing on the property.

There are distinct prohibited uses of the property including subdivision of the property, motorized vehicle use, paint ball and similar gun-themed activities (except historically accurate Civil War living history activities), industrial, commercial, institutional and residential uses and no new structures of any type added without specific approval. Also prohibited is dumping, mineral use, excavation and dredging, agricultural and silvicultural use, pollution or extraction of water, non-invasive and non-native plant species. There are specific directives about archaeological investigations.

Other public uses are allowed, “specifically recreational uses, including but not limited to hiking, picnicking, bird-watching, other low impact recreational activities, conducted in accordance with plans approved by the Grantee and SHPO, and including non-motorized bicycle use limited to a trail system, in strict accordance with the provisions of Section 4E., provided that any such use is consistent with the protection of the ‘Conservation Values and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.'”

Requirements for these hiking/biking trails include avoiding any earthworks or other identified archeological resources and they shall be situated in a manner that shall enable protection of the Conservation Values. The bike paths shall be designed in accordance with the standards of “Trail Solutions: International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack” and “Managing Mountain Biking: International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Guide to Providing Great Riding.”

All of these provisions will be met with the oversight of the Whitfield County Preservation Commission working with the county and various Civil War and historic preservation organizations and SORBA. The Georgia Historic Preservation Department will need to approve every project on the property.

Rest easy — this property will be another “crown jewel” when the planning and carefully executed development is approved and complete. Until then, the property is not open to the public but will be as soon as the planning and implementation of the plan is complete.

Kathryn Sellers is a member of the Whitfield County Historic Preservation Commission.