Charles Taylor

From Daily Planet Staff Reports

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor, R-Brevard, is selling 8,000 forested acres in Transylvania County to the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund for $33 million, sources revealed on June 3.

The move will permanently protect the largest undeveloped, privately owned tract in Western North Carolina — and, ironically enough, is being given by a man known as “Chainsaw Charlie.”

The conservation groups plan to put the land into public ownership and open it for hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational activities.

The $33 million price of the land is calculated to amount to 40 to 50 percent of its appraised value. The Taylor family plans to treat the $30 million difference as a gift for tax purposes. The gift total could qualify for income tax deductions and removes the 8,000 acres as an asset that could be subject to estate taxes.

Private donations will cover a $3 million down payment, with conservation groups now working to raise funds for the project, including seeking $5.38 million from the state’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The groups hope to sell the land to North Carolina for recreation use.

The tract borders 8 miles along the North Carolina-South Carolina state line and 9 miles of the 107-mile Foothills Trail is on the property. In addition, about 50 miles of trout streams are located there.

Taylor is widely thought to be one of the largest landowners in WNC and was considered one of the wealthiest members of Congress, where he served for 16 years. He bought the property in the early 1980s.