Sunset from Coon Gulf Aug 13, 2004

 

Coon Gulf Soon to be Private Playground

 

----------- GOOD NEWS!!! -----------

The Glawson property was purchased by:

 

ALABAMA FOREVER WILD and LAND TRUST

Jackson County is home to the 3,225 acres of the Coon Gulf Glawson Tract, which adjoins the TVA Raccoon Small Wild Area. Visitors to the site can experience the green-forested mountains, fauna-hosting caves, natural springs, rocky bluffs and riparian forests that border the Coon Gulf Cove of the Tennessee River.

Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife observation. 

MANAGEMENT PLAN THE COON GULF-GLAWSON TRACT

 

Go to:

Facebook.com/CoonGulf

For more information

 

 

 

    Have you ever dreamed of having your own private island get-away or your own backyard of thousands of acres that were closed to the public?   The Coon Gulf region in Jackson County will soon be a private playground to a high scale housing development in-progress on the North side of Raccoon Creek.  Over recent years, the developer (Glawson Investment Corp) has been acquiring thousands of acres North of Raccoon Creek and is in the process of obtaining the final piece of land that will prohibit the public from gaining easy access to thousands of public acres owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Alabama Land Trust, and the Alabama department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).  This final piece of land is presently owned by Calvary Bible Church located at 607 Drake Ave. S.E. in Huntsville, AL. 

    On Friday August 13, 2004 I decided to venture to one of my secluded spots to camp, fish, and ride my mountain bike (bicycle).  This secluded spot was the Raccoon Creek area in Jackson County.  Upon arriving to the Coon Creek boat ramp, I loaded my boat with camping gear and bike.  I typically would then travel by boat from the boat ramp to one of the wild camp sites in Coon Creek.  I traveled around the bend to one of my favorite spots, and to my surprise saw a lot of land cleared and two large earth moving machines.  My favorite camp site was where the excavation stopped, therefore because I did not know what was going on and in fear of trespassing, I proceeded to another camping spot on the South side of the creek.  I then rode to Mud Creek Bar-B-Q for dinner and then had a good nights rest. 

    Saturday AM I awoke and rode my mountain bike on some of the great trails on the South side of the creek.  I then fished and ventured to the area where the land was cleared.  Again to my surprise, one large pile of brush/trees/wood was piled while another pile lay smoldering from being set ablaze.  When I trailered my boat, I asked one of the locals in one of the many cabins near the ramp what was going on with the land clearing.  They could not advise but did state that recently a gate, no trespassing signs, and boulders were placed at the entrance to the Coon Gulf area.  I then backed up my truck & trailer to verify that information.

    Saturday night I utilized the internet to research topics such as Coon Gulf, right-of-way, Glawson Investments, etc.  A very good article found concerning the Coon Gulf public land written by Brigetta Giles of the Alabama Forestry Commission titled "Forest Legacy".  This article discusses recent land purchases in the back of Coon Gulf which includes waterfalls and a saltpeter cave.  Very nice article, however the public will not be able to enjoy this beauty recently purchased for them.

    On Monday August 16, I contacted the TVA office in Guntersville (256-571-4288) and spoke to a Mr Charles Wolfe.  Mr Wolfe explained to me that a developer had purchased many acres in the Coon Creek region in order to build a up scale housing development.  Mr Wolfe explained that the piece of land that the public had been using for years to gain access the Coon Gulf public area was now in the hands of the developer and the developer had prohibited access to the road.  Mr Wolfe explained that the road was considered private and the only way for the public to use the road to gain access to the public land would be for a judge to declare the road public.  Mr Wolfe did explain there is presently one way to gain access to the public land.  Stay below the 600' elevation.  What does that mean you ask?  The Guntersville Lake Summer pool is at 595'.  Therefore, the public would have an elevation of 5' to legally access their own land.  If you have traveled this area, you know that its virtually impossible to travel the shoreline from Coon Creek boat ramp around the bend to the gulf area.  The terrain caused by rocks and boulders would prohibit easy access to the public land.

    Leaving work on Monday afternoon, I decided to visit the TVA Guntersville office for more information concerning the Coon Gulf area.  Since Mr Wolfe was not in the office, I spent thirty minutes with Scott Atkins who was well aware of the Coon Gulf land issues.  Mr Atkins was very nice and informative.  Mr Atkins reiterated some of the same statements Mr Wolfe made, however Mr Atkins pointed the land deals out on maps which gave me an indication of the land mass that is involved.  Mr Atkins did state that there has been attempts to acquire federal funding in order to purchase additional land in Coon Gulf.  Although I plan to somehow research this piece of information, I believe Mr Atkins stated some FY2004 federal money was specifically slated to be used to purchase the piece of land that has now closed public access to our land, however, at the last minute Senator Richard Shelby struck the line item from the budget.   Are you thinking what I am thinking?

    Mr Atkins did not give me a sense of confidence that TVA has done what they could in order for the public to gain access to their land.  Before leaving, I asked Mr Atkins how the public could get access to their land.  He stated the same thoughts Mr Wolfe did (stay below 600') and Mr Atkins also stated that a board-walk might be an option.  Good grief!!! 

    Notice the maps linked provided by TVA. Since the creation of these maps, TVA has informed me that Glawson Investments has acquired (or in process of) land north of the Calvary Bible Church land.    Calvary Bible Church    Coon Gulf Ownership   Imagery of Area

    On Tuesday August 17, I wrote an e-mail to the TVA office in Guntersville:

    Since I received no reply from the e-mail, I decided to call the Guntersville office on Thursday August 19.  Mr Wolfe answered the phone and he said that he had nothing else to say.  I challenged him to go to the Coon Gulf area and walk the shoreline and stay below 600'.  I told him that it could not be done.  I also repeated to him that I wanted to be involved in any application request for boat dock or ramp by Glawson Investment Corp.  I asked Mr Wolfe concerning a barge type option in order to shuttle people from the Coon Creek boat ramp to the public land area.  Mr Wolfe was cold with his response saying that would work but not practical.

    On Friday August 20, I decided to travel to Scottsboro and the Jackson County Courthouse in order to see for myself who actually owns the land that has prohibited the public from accessing their land.  Sounds easy.  Right?  The Alabama Property Record Card for the very important 28.3 acres was in the name of Calvary Bible Church.  Calvary Bible Church obtained the land in 1999 from the Dr. Moody Walker estate (Huntsville, AL).  I was confused because I had seen earth moving equipment on the land working on the development.  I asked many offices at the Jackson County Courthouse concerning a possible land transaction.  As far as they were concerned, they had no record of any land deals pending by Glawson Investment Corp.  However, they had recent records where Glawson Investment Corp had purchased MANY large tracts of land North of Raccoon Creek and one of these tracts did join the Calvary Bible Church land.  The question at hand was....How could Glawson Investment Corp be clearing land owned by Calvary Bible Church when a deed had not been recorded yet?  hhhmmmmmmmm.......

    Confused, I headed back to Huntsville stopping at my favorite place to shop for years, Unclaimed Baggage.  Traveling back to Huntsville, I was reflecting on the information and I noticed the Alabama Property Card for the 28.3 acres stated "Calvary Bible Church", however the address was 305 County Park Road Scottsboro AL.  I was under the impression from TVA, the church was located in Huntsville.  Therefore, I turned and headed back to Scottsboro.  I did not find a Calvary Bible Church at  305 County Park Road, however I did find a Calvary Baptist Church on 305 County Park Road.   I then spoke to a few people at the Calvary Baptist Church.  They knew nothing of any land owned by them on Raccoon Creek.  I then proceeded back to the Jackson Courthouse.  In looking at more property records and deeds and asking workers at the Jackson County Courthouse (the workers at the Jackson County Courthouse were VERY helpful by the way), it was determined that when the property card was generated a "random" address was placed on the card to close the deal in 1999.  The address is usually used for property tax purposes, and since this would be non-tax land owned by a charity, it was no big deal to have incorrect address on the property card.  Note that the correct address for Calvary Bible Church was annotated on the actual deed  as607 Drake Ave. S.E. in Huntsville, AL.  

    Still confused as to how/why  Glawson Investment Corp was clearing land on the 28.3 acres and no recorded deed, I decided to call Calvary Bible Church (256-881-4381).  I spoke to a Jim Aycock who was a Deacon with the congregation.  Mr. Aycock informed me that they did own land on Raccoon Creek in Jackson County and that they were presently working on a land deal with Glawson Investment Corp.  I asked if the church was aware that Glawson Investment Corp was clearing their land and Mr. Aycock stated the church gave a verbal to proceed with work for the development.  Mr. Aycock inquired if I was with the Alabama Land Trust.  I stated again that I was just a concerned citizen and outdoorsman who was recently made aware that access to thousands of acres to public land was now prohibited by Glawson Investment Corp.  Mr. Aycock had no further comment and I had no more to ask since I found the answer I was looking for.

    Note that since 1999, TVA and Calvary Bible Church had a verbal agreement in order for the public to use the access road that connected to the public land.  Calvary Bible Church was very gracious for this offer and the public appreciates their kindness over the years in order to enjoy the beauty that Coon Gulf offered in that time.

    Once the land transaction between Calvary Bible Church and Glawson Investment Corp for the 28.3 acres is complete, the development created by Glawson Investment Corp will completely shut out the public from thousands of acres of their land.  The development has built a road for access to Guntersville Lake as well as to trails on our public land.  Therefore, they will have their own "private playground" of our public land. This is public land not accessible by us!!!! 

    Someone has asked me, "cant you find another access to the public land?".  When you look at a topographic map, you can answer this question for yourself.  The farther you get into Coon Gulf, the contour becomes steep and the only way to access public land would be straight down from the top of the mountain (or by boat).  For MANY MANY years, people have been accessing Coon Gulf from the access road that is near the shoreline and that road use to be a part of Country Road 91 or 491.  In fact, some old maps show 91 or 491 extend into the Coon Gulf.  This could be because prior to the creation of Guntersville Lake, actual residences were in this region and then TVA "purchased" from them to create the lake.

    What can be done in order to save the Coon Gulf region from becoming a "private playground"?   TVA advises me "nothing" short of having a judge make the decision that the access road is a public and not a private road..  However, I have written emails to Jackson County's Senator Lowell Ray Barron mailto:lowell.barron@alsenate.org) as well as the author of the "Forest Legacy" referenced above. 

    I still have questions, but I do not know how to get answers.  Is it true that specific FY2004 money was slated to purchase land in the Coon Gulf region and the budget line was cut at the last minute?  Could a campaign contribution from Glawson Investment Corp or relation to that firm addressed to Senator Richard Shelby have caused this decision?   Can Glawson Investment Corp develop land that has not been deed to them?  Can Glawson Investment Corp clear TVA public land that is below the 600'?  Can Glawson Investment Corp place large boulders at the access road entrance and below 600' elevation in order to keep people off public land? What are Glawson Investment Corp plans for a boat dock and ramp?  Will this development affect the Bald Eagles that call Coon Gulf home? Why doesnt TVA get their army of lawyers involved in order to designate the road, which is the only way to access the Coon Gulf public land and has been in existance for MANY MANY years, as a public road? 

CLICK to see a small sampling of the MANY photos that I have of the Raccoon Creek and Coon Gulf area.

 

What can you do???????? 

Contact the following people and let them know your opinion on the public being prohibited from using their land.  

Tennessee Valley Authority

TVA probably controls the majority of  land in Coon Gulf.  Nancy Greer is the manager of Scott Atkins & Charles Wolfe.  She may just forward Coon Gulf inquiries to one of them since they are more knowledgeable of the situation.  I am undecided on TVAs position on the Coon Gulf.  Charles Wolfe advised me that they had a key to the Calvary Bible Church land and that is all they require for access.  I feel that TVA is not utilizing their resources for the public interests.

Nancy Greer - TVA - Manager Guntersville Watershed Team   256-571-4289   nrgreer@tva.gov

Scott Atkins - TVA - Wildlife Biologist    256-571-4286   satkins@tva.gov

Charles Wolfe - TVA - Land Use Specialist    256-571-4288   cewolfe@tva.gov

Alabama Forestry Commission

Alabama Forestry Commission controls land in Coon Gulf.  I have spoke to Brigetta Giles a few times.  She has indicated to me that she feels the public needs to have access to their land.  She is discussing Coon Gulf with her office and Greg Lein from Alabama Department Conservation and Natural Resources.

Brigetta Giles - Alabama Forestry Commission 334-240-9323   gilesb@forestry.state.al.us  

Alabama Department Conservation and Natural Resources

Alabama Department Conservation and Natural Resources controls land in Coon Gulf.  I have not personally spoken to Greg Lein, however I was told that he would like the public to have access to their land.

Greg Lein - Alabama Department Conservation and Natural Resources   334-353-7998   glein@dcnr.state.al.us

Alabama Land Trust

Alabama Land Trust controls land in Coon Gulf.  I have spoke to Mark Pentacost one time and he is concerned about Coon Gulf, however he is waiting to see what happens with the other controlling parties.

Mark Pentacost - Alabama Land Trust   256-447-1006

 

 If you have comments, ideas, questions, etc...  feel free to share. 

Thanks, JP