FAQ - For Landowners
The Haw River Trail is an effort by all local governments on the Haw River to improve and protect the Haw River without mandatory rules, increased taxes or new zoning regulations. The Haw River Trail is being built on the belief that the first step to conservation is appreciation, and that allowing the community to experience the Haw River first hand via land and paddle trails will create respect and interest in the River. The Haw River Trail is also part of a state-wide effort to the create the Mountians-to-Sea Trail which will run from Clingman's Dome on the Tennessee border to Jockey's Ridge on the Outer Banks.
Why is the government building a trail through Alamance County?
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We are asking landowners to work with us to connect existing sections of the Haw River Trail. We are happy to work with you to find a route through your property that is suitable to you. We are willing to acquire the trail through purchase of entire properties, acquisition of narrow portions of the property for the trail or through right-of-way easements. We can discuss the benefits of each of these options in detail with you.
What are you asking from landowners?
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The majority of the properties we acquired are donated. Donations allow landowners to take advantage of tax deductions from the federal, state and local governments. However, in some cases we have acquired grant funds to compensate landowners for their property and can offer landowners up to fair appraisal value for their property.
What are you offering landowners in return?
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Most importantly for landowners, execution of a formal trail easement greatly reduces the potential liability to landowners for injuries occurring on their property. This feature make the trail easements desirable for landowners who wish to share their property and for those who would simply like to limit unauthorized use and legal liability. Whether your property is being accessed by hunters, ATV riders, and fishermen or as a thoroughfare for trespassers, simply ignoring unauthorized use of your property place you at legal risk. With the permission of the landowner, trail easements are patrolled and clean by local Recreation and Parks staff and in some cases by officers with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. While many landowners worry about crime, dumping, or unwelcome visitors to their property, our experience has shown the opposite effect. By cleaning, signing and patrolling a section of trail, we send a clear message to the public that the property has been "reclaimed." While we cannot guarantee that there will not be crime, our experience has shown that those individuals looking for a spot to partake in illegal or unwanted behavior generally move to a less risky location.
How will you control crime on the trail?
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Over the past 20 years, study after study has shown that proximity to natural areas, public parks and greenways increases the value of adjacent properties. The preservation of open space near a home and close access to public hiking and paddle trails are valuable selling points for which many buyers are willing to pay a premium.