Shuler Applauds Swain County Commissioners on Vote Approving North Shore Road Agreement

Shuler Applauds Swain County Commissioners on Vote Approving North Shore Road Agreement

Washington, D.C. – The settlement agreement that Representative Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) worked for three years to secure was officially accepted by the Swain County Commissioners today.

“As a native of Swain County, it is an honor for me to work with our local leaders and officials to resolve this long-standing issue and position the County for future economic growth,” said Congressman Shuler. “The funds secured by the agreement will give County Commissioners the opportunity to invest in projects that will improve infrastructure, promote tourism, and create jobs.  The vote the commissioners made today is a vote for the future of Swain County.”

“I’m delighted that the County Commissioners (on a vote of 4 to 1) have agreed to accept the cash settlement of $52 million,” said Glenn Jones, Chair of the Swain County Commissioners.  “It has taken 67 years for us to settle this.  This settlement is one of the best things to happen in Swain County’s history.  Now it’s time for us to stop looking at the past; we need to move forward with what’s best for our citizens.  I’m grateful to Congressman Shuler for his help and leadership in getting the cash settlement funded.  For Swain County, the payments will be like winning the lottery every year.  That money will allow us to make significant improvements for all the people of Swain County.”

The $52 million settlement agreement from the federal government has already been signed by a representative from the Tennessee Valley Authority North, Carolina Governor Bev Purdue and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.  Swain County officials plan to add their signatures to the agreement at the signing ceremony at 11:30am on Saturday.  The Secretary of the Interior was previously scheduled to attend the signing ceremony.  However, due to inclement weather in Washington, D.C. he will be unable to attend.

“Today’s announcement is the tipping point on the North Shore Road story – the resolution of an historical wrong in Swain County, and protection of the park’s most wild, remote area for the future.  It’s also a win for American taxpayers, since the road would have cost several times more than this settlement,” said DJ Gerken, Senior Attorney at the Southern Appalachia Law Center. “Congressman Shuler deserves enormous credit for bringing this often-contentious issue to an end.”

“I am very pleased that the 67-year injustice to Swain County has finally been resolved.  I have worked on this issue for approximately 40 years and am happy that the County will receive due compensation for what it lost,” said Claude Douthit, career TVA employee and Historian for Citizens for the Economic Future of Swain County.  “Our Congressional Representative Heath Shuler is to be commended for his work on this.”

The agreement accepted by County Commissioners today nullifies a 1943 contract requiring the federal government to replace a roadway that was flooded to build Fontana Dam.   Of the $52 million total settlement, $4 million has already been transferred to Swain County and is earning interest.  An additional $8.8 million will be transferred to the County shortly after the signing of the agreement on Saturday, bringing the amount the County has on hand to $12.8million.   Assuming a interest rate of seven percent, the $12.8 million will yield $896,000 in interest annually.  The President’s budget for fiscal year 2011outlines the first of ten annual disbursements to Swain County that will pay the remainder of the settlement, $39.2 million.   When the full $52 million is released, Swain County will receive almost $4million annually in interest payments.

Due to expected inclement weather, the signing ceremony will take place indoors at the Swain Center for the Arts (Fine Arts building) at Swain High School, 1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City.

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Directions to signing ceremony:

From Asheville, NC, take I-40 West to Exit 27 at Clyde, NC.

Take US Highway 74 West all the way to Bryson City, NC.

Take Exit 67 at Bryson City onto Veterans Boulevard.

Go to the first stop light in front of Shell Gas Station.

Turn right.  This is US Highway 19 (Main Street).

Go to the next stoplight. Turn left.  This is Everett Street.

Go straight; cross railroad track; continue out of town for about 1.2 miles

After passing Victory Baptist Church, turn at the next left.

There is a sign there for Swain County High School.

Go all the way around the right side of the High School to the parking lot.

The Center for the Arts has columns and a small amphitheater out front.

It is to the left of the gymnasium.