FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 18, 2000 Katawba Valley Land Trust Announces Acquisition To Expand Landsford Canal State Park Lindsay Pettus, President of the Katawba Valley Land Trust, announced today that the Trust has reached an agreement to acquire 1,049 acres of land adjacent to Landsford Canal State Park in Chester County from Crescent Resources, Inc. The acquisition will be a cooperative effort with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and will provide for a major expansion for the State Park at Landsford. The Land Trust will begin working soon with PRT and others to investigate funding sources to complete the acquisition of this property. Mr. Pettus stated, "For some time, we have been interested in protecting the resources at Landsford Canal State Park. The enlargement and enhancement of the park was one of the recommendations of the Catawba River Corridor Plan, and this project will enable us to fully meet that goal. We appreciate very much the cooperation of Crescent Resources in this effort. They have understood our goals and have worked very closely with us to make this project a reality," "We are very pleased to participate in this transaction," said Jim Short, Senior Vice President, Land Management for Crescent Resources. "Crescent has long been committed to a balance between land sold for long-term preservation and property developed in an environmentally-sensitive manner. We commend the efforts of the Katawba Valley Land Trust and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to expand the State Park at Landsford." Van A. Stickles, Director, SC Park Service, stated, "Landsford Canal State Park has a long association with Crescent Resources. The land encompassing the historic Landsford Canal was originally acquired by PRT from Crescent with the intent of protecting the remains of the c. 1823 canal. Over the years, we have also discovered the magnificent natural resources along the Catawba River. We hope the anticipated expansion of the park will provide better access to the river and additional land for outdoor recreation without impacting historic remains and sensitive natural resources. Visitation at Landsford Canal State Park is increasing rapidly and we need to prepare for recreational demand in the new century. We are pleased that land along the Catawba River will be protected for conservation and public enjoyment." The acquisition of this 1,049-acre parcel will extend the limits of the park west to Landsford Road, providing a buffer for the park and creating new opportunities for activities. It will also extend the boundary southward along the Catawba River, protecting an additional 4,700 feet of river frontage. In 1998, the boundaries of the state park were extended across the river into Lancaster County with the acquisition of a 210 acre parcel under a similar arrangement between the Land Trust, PRT, and Crescent Resources. The expanded state park will provide more protection for the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily which grows in the shoals of the river. The population of lilies at Landsford is thought to be the largest in the world of this species, which is being considered for threatened species status. The acquisition will also help to protect historic resources. It contains part of the original route from the Chester County side of the river for access to Landsford, a major crossing point for Native Americans and early settlers. It also contains the site of the home of Gen. William Richardson Davie, Revolutionary hero, Governor of North Carolina, and founder of the University of North Carolina. The Katawba Valley Land Trust is a private, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of natural resources, open lands, waters, historic resources, and vistas of aesthetic value in the Catawba River Valley and surrounding areas of South Carolina. For further information, contact Lindsay Pettus at (803) 285-9455, Paul Gettys at (803) 327-9041, or Mark Grier at (803) 286-6275.

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