Biennial report of the Department of Conservation and Development of the State of North Carolina

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FOURTEENTH BIENNIAL REPORT
of the
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT
Biennium July 1. 1950-Jiine 30, 1952
LETTEI^ OF TRANSMITTAL
Raleigh, N. C.
November 1, IQo^
To His Excellency
W. Kerr Scott, Governor,
Raleigh, North Carolina
Sir:
In compliance with Section 11, Chapter 1'2'2, Public Laws of
1925, I have the honor of transmitting herewith the report of
the Department of Conservation and Development for the bien-nium
ending June 30, 1952.
Respectfully.
George R. Ross
Director
HON. W. KERR SCOTT
Governor
MEMBERS
of the
BOARD OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
As of June 30, 1952
Governor W. Kerr Scott, Honorary Chairman Raleigh
Miles J. Smith, Chairman Sahsbury
Walter J. Damtoft, Vice Chairman Canton
Chas. S. Allen Durham
W. B. Austin* Jefferson
Aubrey L. Cavenaugh Warsaw
Staley a. Cook** Burhngton
Ferd Davis Zebulon
C. Sylvester Green Chapel Hill
Charles H. Jenkins Ahoskie
Fred P, Latham Belhaven
Mrs. Roland McClamroch Chapel Hill
Hugh M. Morton Wilmington
J. C . MuRDOCK Troutmans
W. Locke Robinson j\Iars Hill
Buxton White*** Ehzabeth City
******
George R. Ross, Director Raleigh
Grace V. Lane, Administrative Assistant and
Secretary to Board Raleigh
' Succeeded T. V. Rochelle, deceased.
** Succeeded Dr. A. W. Deans, deceased.
*** Succeeded W. Roy Hampton, deceased.
•^ 5
DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AGENCIES
ADMINISTERING NATURAL RESOURCES IN NORTH CAROLINA
STATE GEOLOGIST
1623-1828
(minerols, Moter)
LITERARY BOARD
1829-1866
(swamp lands)
STATE GEOLOGIST
1852-1863, 1866-1879
(ogrlculture , botany ,
minerals , water)
BD. OF AGRICULTURE
1877 -to date
(agriculture, drainoga.fisti)
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
1891-1905
(forest* , minerals,
water resources)
CEOL.a ECON. SURVEY
1905-1925
( fish , forests .mineralt^
soils, water resources)
FISH COMMISSION
1907-1915
FORESTRY DIVISION
I9I5-I92I
FOREST a PARKS
DIVISION 1921-1925
1
EXPERIMENT STATION
1877-1887
STATE GEOLOGIST
1879-1884
SUBDEPARTMENT OF
FISHERIES, 1879-1886
EXPERIMENTAL FARMS
1886 -to date
SHELL FISH COMM.
1887-1889
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1868 -to date
( swamp lands
CHIEF INSPECTOR, SHELL
FISH. 1895-1897
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
U-of NORTH CAROLINA
U.S. EXPERIMENT
STATION, l887-todat(
EXTENSION SERVICE
LAND GRANT COLLEGE
1914- to dote
MINERALS RESEARCH
LABORATORY 1945
-to dote
~u
OYSTER COMMISSIONER
1901 -1915
AUDUBON SOCIETY
1903 -1927
(birds,gome)
FISHERIES COMMISSION
BOARD
1915-1927
HiGHWAYS a PUBLIC
WORKS COMMISSION
1923 -to date (billboards)
BOARD OF HEALTH |
1925 - to date
(seofood sanitation,
streom pollution
BOARD OF CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT
1925 -to dote
(forestry, industnol promotion , minerals,
porks, water resources)
SOIL CONSERVATION
BOARD
l937-to dote
SOIL CONSERVATION
DISTRICTS
(83 counties in 21 distn)
DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL
FISHERIES 1927 -to dote
DIVISION OF GAME a INLAND
FISHERIES 1927- 1947 *
DIVISION OF ADVERTISING
1937-to dote
PLANNING BOARD
1935-1947
* The 1947 Generol Assembly gove outhonty over inlond fish and game to newly
estoblished independent Wildlife Resources Commission.
^(ncoAa^cC
Now we come iDearing the records of the fourteenth ])iennial report
of the Department of Conservation and Development.
Seven generations have left their hand prints upon the land since
North Carolina became an independent state.
Eight Governoi's have been inaugurated and twenty-eight General
Assemblies have legislated to promote the conservation and develop-ment
of our natural resources since this Department was established
in 1925.
In addition to the duties as set forth in the Act "to promote a more
profitable use of the land, forests and water" and "to promote the
development of commerce and industry," we have promoted the
recreational advantages of the State until our tourist business ranks
with agriculture and industry in economic advantages. Since we re-ported
to you for the last biennium, we have seen the tourists come in
ever-increasing numbers. This past year we answered approximately
175,000 inquiries.
Our State Parks have opened this season with an increased attendance
of fifty per cent over two years ago and the prospect of the demand for
more and more facilities.
During the past two years we have promoted a State-wide interest
in our water resources, and we solicit the help of every citizen of the
State until every practical method is applied for the conservation and
wise use of this precious element.
During this period we have experienced the greatest development in
our non-metalic mineral resources in the history of this State. North
Carolina's more than 300 minerals place her in a strategic position in
this field.
We have experienced the greatest growth in expansion of home
industries and have located more new industries within the State than
at any time in the past.
Our forests are greener; and our woodworking industries are united
in a program of cutting down fire losses, of planting seedlings, and of
marking trees for cutting.
Our fin fishing, shell fishing and shrimping operations ha\e grown
in problems as well as total tonnage. Our oyster plantings, harvests.
and markets prove only that we should plant more, protect more, and
carefully grade and pack more for an ever-widening market.
An awareness of the relationship between all phases of our activities
and their interlocking relationship with other departments and agencies
is spreading. North Carolina's potentialities are unlimited. We are ever
striving to conserve and develop them.
George R. Ross
Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Letter of Transmittal --. 2
Chart: Development of State Agencies Administering
Natural Resources in North Carolina 6
Foreword: George R. Ross. Director 7
Chart: Organization—Department of Conservation and
Development 8
Highlights of Board Meetings, July 1950 - March 1952 11
Division of Water Resources and Engineering _. 22
Division of Commercial Fisheries 31
Division of Mineral Resources 36
Division of Forestry 41
Division of State Parks 54
Division of Commerce and Industry 69
Division of State Advertising ..-_ 79
Budgets, Biennium 1950-1952 88
Department Personnel 114
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOARD ISIEETINGS
July 1950-March 195'Z
Grace V. Lane, Secretary to Board
JULY 1950—Morehead City:
Members Present — W. Roy Hampton, Chm.; Chas. S.
Allen: Oscar P. Breece; A. L. Cavenaugh; Staley A. Cook;
W. J. Damtoft; Ferd Davis; C. Sylvester Green; Fred P.
Latham; Mrs. Roland McClamroch; J. C. Murdock; W.
Locke Robinson; T. V. Rochelle; Eric W. Rodgers; Miles
J. Smith.
Major Matters of Business:
Oath of office — Staley A. Cook (replacing Dr. A. W.
Deans) ; committee assignments.
Resolution "In Memoriam" to Dr. Deans.
Resolution of appreciation to Captain John A. Nelson.
Director's report—urged definite program on rural fire control; called atten-tion
to Long-Range Forestry Program; suggested review of tax structure to
eliminate tax irritations to retired persons and industries; stressed need for
(1) vocational and trade schools, (2) legislation and understanding regarding
stream sanitation, (3) increased development of Water Resources Division;
and (4) study and development of mineral resources since that offers greatest
opportunity for employment and creation of new wealth; praised Captain
Nelson who was retiring and announced appointment of C. D. Kirkpatrick as
Assistant Fisheries Commissioner by Captain Nelson to reorganize sale of
licenses and over-all control of police regulations; called attention to impor-tance
of parks and need for thousands of small roadside parks; stated need
for Information and Statistics Division to inform people of the State about
North Carolina.
Advertising—reorganization of Division practically complete; resolution on
cooperative committee with State Highway Commission; Bennett Advertising,
Inc., program inaugurated.
Commerce and Industry—new industries reported; resolution approving re-activation
of Governor's Hospitality Committee as Division of Information
and Statistics; steel plant survey authorized; more TVA power requested;
joint industrial advertising program approved.
Commercial Fisheries—shrimp hearing planned.
Forestry—Long-Range Forestry Program prepared by North Carolina Forestry
Council at request of Board presented to Committee for study and action.
Minerals—ilmenite lease to Burnap and Sims, Inc., authorized.
Inlets and Waterways—progress report; delegates to Rivers and Harbors
Congress.
Parks—deed for Hiwasee Lake State Park to be secured; Tryon Palace pur-chases
reported; resolutions regarding Long Beach and Fontana Lake access.
Water—long-time program presented by Edward Rice, District Engineer, U. S.
Geological Survey, to be studied; support for increased budget urged.
Buggs Island—cooperative project with Wildlife Resources Commission ap-proved;
construction of impoundment dams urged.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area—Shuffler report distri-buted.
11
Joint Meeting:
North Carolina Cape Hatteras Seashore Commission—discussion of Shuffler
report.
Special Features:
Reception in recognition of Captain Nelson's long years of service to State.
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Harden F. Taylor, Executive Director of Survey of Marine Fisheries of
North Carolina—stressed importance of marketing and distribution of sea-food
products.
Guests Recognized:
Chas. H. Jenkins—former member of Board.
Colin G. Spencer—Chairman, Governor's Committee on Rural Fire Protection.
J. V. Whitfield—member of Legislature.
Dan M. Paul—Managing Director, N. C. Chain Store Council.
Mrs. J. M. Tyler—State President, N. C. Garden Clubs.
Thomas J. Allen—Regional Director, National Park Service.
OCTOBER 1950—Charlotte:
Members Present—Governor Scott, Honorary Chm.; W. Roy Hampton, Chm..;
Chas. S. Allen; A. L. Cavenaugh; Staley A. Cook; W. J. Damtoft; C. Sylvester
Green; Fred P. Latham; Mrs. Roland McClamroch; J. C. Murdock; T. V.
Rochelle; Eric W. Rodgers, Miles J. Smith.
Major Matters of Business:
Director's report—interest growing in Buggs Island development; personnel
classifications completed, some revisions to be necessary; commercial fishing
laws being codified; Tryon Palace project progressing, furnishings given by
Mrs. Latham on display at Greensboro; trade schools urged; appointment of
special committee requested to work on definite plan and program for working
with other agencies and departments.
Advertising—inquiries doubled; "Accessible Isolation" theme of industrial
advertising schedule; 1950 best tourist year in history—value nearly 250 mil-lions,
making it third largest industry in State; reorganization of Division
into three sections completed; publications; movies.
Commerce and Industry—new industries amounting to 84 million dollars under-way
or announced; resolution recommending establishment of trade schools;
offer of aid to small businesses; cooperative project to finance steel survey;
publications issued; resolution regarding Roanoke River Dam.
Commercial Fisheries—laws being revised and codified after local hearings;
offer to purchase part of Morehead property.
Forestry—resolution accepting Long-Range Forestry Program.
Inlets and Waterways—resolution urging enlargment of and support for pro-gram
of development.
Minerals—oil lease to Coastal Plains Company extended.
Parks—attendance increase of 47 ^r ; Morrow Mountain State Park a model for
all parks; revision of Mt. Mitchell appropriation requested.
Water—cooperative programs with U. S. Geological Survey being enlarged;
Stream Sanitation Bill being considered and studied.
12
Joint Committee with Highway Commission—cooperative projects on maps,
signs and roadside parks planned.
Special Committee on "Points 4 & 5"—to consult with Institute of Government
and plan coordinated program.
Resource-Use Project—recordings of "The Silent Siren" played: film, "The Tar
Heel Family," released.
Inspection Trips:
Morrow Mountain State Park.
"Industrial" Charlotte bus tour.
Special Features:
Dinner meeting with Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
Luncheon meeting at Morrow Mountain State Park with members of Morrow
Mountain Acquisition Committee and others.
Guest Speakers:
Governor W. Kerr Scott—"Opportunities for Industrial Development."
William E. Warne, Assistant Secretary of Interior—plan of public power
development in economy of Nation and North Carolina; value of basin-wide
development for multiple-use.
Ben W. Creim, Administrator of Southeastern Power Administration—power
potential figures and comparisons of rates.
Colonel W. F. Powers, District Army Engineer—primary purpose of Buggs
Island for flood control but a multiple-purpose project; described areas and
types of development to be considered.
Dean C. F. Korstian, President, N. C. Forestry Council—reviewed history of
forestry program; presented Long-Range Forestry Program for Council.
Guests Recognized:
Colonel Clyde P. Patton, Executive Director, Wildlife Resources Commission.
D. K. King, Member of Wildlife Resources Commission.
F. Knox Watson, President, N. C. Association of County Commissioners.
Members of Morrow Mountain Acquisition Committee.
A. K. Winget—former member of Board.
Dr. J. S. Holmes, former State Forester.
J. Hawley Poole, Soil Conservation Committee.
Representatives of private power companies and railroads.
James S. Stevens, Acting Director, State Recreation Commission.
JANUARY 1951—Raleigh:
Members Present—Governor Scott, Honorary Chm.; W. J. Damtoft, V-Chm.;
Chas. S. Allen; W. B. Austin; Oscar P. Breece; A. L. Cavenaugh; C. Sylvester
Green; Fred P. Latham; Mrs. Roland McClamroch; J. C. Murdock; W. Locke
Robinson; Eric W. Rodgers; Miles J. Smith.
Major Matters of Business:
Oath of ofRce—W. B. Austin (replacing T. V. Rochelle).
Resolutions "In Memoriam" to T. V. Rochelle and W. Roy Hampton.
Election of officers (Miles J. Smith, Chm.); committee assignments.
13
Director's report—commercial fisheries program a great responsibility of all;
unparallelled confidence of "big business" enjoyed; cooperation from other
agencies and departments appreciated; this Department a "service" organi-zation;
need for funds for Cape Hatteras State Park.
Water—new Federal sedimentation station on Yadkin River; World conscious-ness
of need for conservation and development of all water resources; in-creased
budget request support urged: support pledged to Stream Sanitation
Bill introduced in Legislature.
Parks—necessary property, except "West Wing," has been secured for Tryon
Palace, the first Capitol of North Carolina; additional parking facilities
needed at Mt. Mitchell; additional personnel required in Parks Division.
Minerals—limestone survey disclosed large tonnage of marl in Pender County,
difficulties encountered in securing options; ilmenite lease to Burnap and
Sims to be approved after revision: oil lease to Davidson Oil Company au-thorized;
resolution endorsing Mineral Museum on Parkway approved;
Coastal Plains Company oil lease extended.
Inlets and Waterways—request for funds left out of recommendations of Ad-visory
Budget Commission.
Forestry—rural fire control program would benefit people who own rural pro-perty
in insurance rates, the Bill being prepared by Governor's Committee
in cooperation with Insurance Department and C. & D. Department would
be an enabling act, resolution of support and cooperation approved; resolu-tion
endorsing program of Pulp Technology at State College School of
Forestry.
Commercial Fisheries—lines between commercial and inland fishing waters
established and marked; oyster license fees to be collected on calendar year
basis; progress report on two new laws being prepared; request for license
tax on small fish meal dehydration plants; membership to be continued in
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Commerce and Industry—1950 largest year for industrial expansion in history,
104 million dollars and that not complete; '-'A of inquiries are for buildings;
steel sm'vey being completed; inventory of plant facilities planned, will help
small manufacturers.
Advertising—inquiries increasing; program continuing with good results; new
booklet for school children and servicemen.
Special Committee on "Points 4 and 5"—resolution requesting Institute of
Government to undertake a study and survey and to make suggestions as to
how these mandates may be carried out.
Joint Committee with State Highway Commission—report by W. D. Snider,
Chm.; praised cooperation on top level; definite progress in planning pro-gram;
additional legislation to clarify law needed and support of this urged;
endorsed by Board.
Buggs Island—report on joint project with Wildlife Resources Commission;
certain areas recommended for State development.
Marine Museum—to be named for W. Roy Hampton with dedication service at
July meeting of Board at Morehead.
Inspection Trip:
Colonial Stores Warehouse; luncheon with special guests—hosts N. C. Chain
Store Council.
Guest Speakers:
Governor W. Kerr Scott—expressed deep interest in Board and Its work.
14
Carroll P. Rogers—stressed need for letting people know of mineral resources
and possibilities of development, over 260 kinds in addition to semi-precious
gems.
S. T. Henry—Mineral Museum would be wonderful help in advertising mineral
resources; urged support of it.
Sam P. Weems, National Park Service—would be glad to cooperate, etc., in
project and would give perpetual care when completed.
J. V. Whitfield—naval stores project beginning to expand; favorable report on
Stream Pollution Bill expected; urged establishment of a Foundation for
Forestry School at State College.
Guests Recognized:
R. Bruce Etheridge, former Director of Department of Conservation and
Development, Member of Legislature.
T. J. Collier, Representative from Pamlico County.
Geo. W. Dill, Jr., Representative from Carteret County.
Harry A. Greene, Representative from Hoke County.
Lewis L. Combs, Representative from Tyrrell County.
E. G. Anderson, Representative from Martin County.
Russell A. Swindell, Representative from Hyde County.
Geo. M. Grant, early member of Commercial Fisheries Commission.
APRIL 1951—Raleigh:
Members Present—Miles J. Smith, Chm.; W. B. Austin; Oscar P. Breece; A. L.
Cavenaugh; Ferd Davis; C. Sylvester Green; Mrs. Roland McClamroch; Eric
W. Rodgers.
Major Matters of Business:
Director's Report—discussion of pending and proposed legislation; Stream
Pollution; Rural Fire Protection; Commercial Fisheries; etc.; proposed U. S.
Forest Service Survey of North Carolina; Governor's Small Business Com-mittee;
meeting at Asheville Laboratory to encourage mineral production.
Commercial Fisheries—Snow Cut project; reciprocal shrimp agreement with
Mississippi; shad season extended; rules and regulations to be revised.
Commerce and Industry—cooperation with Small Business Committee; steel
survey presented and potentials discussed.
Parks—development of Cape Hatteras State Park planned; permanent im-provement
program discussed; report on Short Course at State College for
Park personnel; Committee to visit all Parks.
Minerals—Davidson Oil Company lease approved.
Advertising—fall schedule planned; advertising contract to be let by Com-mittee,
with approval of Governor.
Inlets and Waterways—Rivers and Harbors Congress; effort to open Oregon
Inlet.
Water—river basin associations to be encouraged; renewed interest in drainage
districts, impoundment dams and irrigation.
Guests Recognized:
Roland McClamroch, President, N. C. Wildlife Federation.
R. D. Coleman, Champion Paper and Fibre Company.
Geo. W. Dill, Representative from Carteret County.
Attorney General Harry McMuUan.
15
JULY 1951—Morehead City and Manteo:
Members Present—Governor W. Kerr Scott, Honorary Chm.; Miles J. Smith;
Chas. S. Allen; W. B. Austin; A. L. Cavenaugh; Staley A. Cook; Ferd Davis;
W. J. Damtoft; C. Sylvester Green; Chas. H. Jenkins; Fred P. Latham; Mrs.
Roland McClamroch; Hugh M. Morton; J. C. Murdock; Buxton White.
Major Matters of Business:
Oaths of Office—new: Chas. H. Jenkins (replacing Eric W. Rodgers) ; Hugh M.
Morton (replacing Oscar P. Breece); Buxton White (replacing W. Roy
Hampton); reappointments: W. B. Austin, Fred P. Latham, Miles J. Smith;
committee assignments.
Resolution of appreciation to Messrs. Breece and Rodgers.
Water—(combined with Committee on Inlets and Waterways)—resolution en-dorsing
effort to obtain extra funds within the Department; reendorsement
of previous resolutions on delegates to Rivers and Harbors Congress and re-questing
cooperation from National Congress for developments; report on
current projects; dock and channel improvements on local basis urged.
Special Committee on "Points 4 & 5"—progress report from Dr. Coates of
Institute of Government; Conservation Congress to be expedited.
Parks—progress report; report on Historical Marker Program; resolution ac-cepting
bequest in will of Mrs. Maude Moore Latham to Tryon Palace Re-storation
and expressing appreciation for her generosity and to Mr. and Mrs.
J. A. Kellenberger for their cooperation and help; property purchase report;
resolution accepting deed for James Iredell property in Edenton; Hiwassee
deed unsatisfactory and cancellation of lease requested; State Parks visits
report; transfers in Permanent Improvement Funds; Ashe County property
to be investigated for State Park purposes, also Waccamaw.
Minerals—extension of Coastal Plains Company oil lease; ilmenite lease to
National Lead Company authorized.
Forestry—annual deer hunt authorized; budget approved for U. S. Forest
Service Survey; Dare County cooperation reported.
Commerce and Industry—endorsed resolution on water resources; industrial
advertising schedule approved; resolution commending Governor W. Kerr
Scott for assistance in industrial expansion program; resolution urging sup-port
of Governor's Small Business Committee; resolution urging considera-tion
of dispersal of new industrial facilities; activities summarized.
Advertising—approval of extending advertising contract to Bennett Advertising,
Inc., of High Point; approval of setting up State Travel Bureau; approval
of slogan "Variety Vacationland" on N. C. auto license tags; approval of
short form signatures in certain instances.
Commercial Fisheries—shrimp regulation suspensions extended; readoption of
regulations; resolution regarding target areas; resolution placing Commercial
Fisheries Division in same category as other Divisions of Department; shrimp
boats to be taxed as trawl boats; PAMLICO and HATTERAS to be disposed
of; validity of reciprocal agreements to be ascertained; report on Oyster
Propagation Program; duties of Commissioner of Fisheries outlined; logs
for boats to be kept; regulations adopted; hearing on channel bass.
Inspection Trip:
Cape Hatteras State Park.
Guest Speakers:
Dean Malcolm E. Campbell, State College Textile School—offered cooperation
in research projects.
16
Senator S. Bunn Frink—protested shrimp boat tax: requested restoration of
Section 113.238 repealed by 1951 Legislature; favored reciprocal agreements
with other States.
J. V. Whitfield, Representative from Pender County—reported on progress of
Naval Stores Project.
Guests Recognized:
Colonel Geo. W. Gillette. N. C. State Ports Authority.
Mayor E. L. White, Wilmington.
Russell A. Swindell, Representative from Hyde County.
Captain John A. Nelson, former Commissioner of Fisheries.
Dr. H. F. Prytherch, Beaufort.
John Marshall, Private Secretary to Governor W. Kerr Scott.
Ben Thompson, National Park Service.
R. Bruce Etheridge, former Director of Department of Conservation and
Development and Dare County Representative.
Major J. L. Murphy, Kill Devil Hills.
Senator Steve Askew, Windsor.
AUGUST 1951—Bayboro:
Members Present—Miles J. Smith, Chm.; Chas. S. Allen; A. L. Cavenaugh;
Staley A. Cook; C. Sylvester Green; Chas. H. Jenkins; Fred P. Latham; Mrs.
Roland McClamroch; Buxton White.
Major Matters of Business:
Commercial Fisheries—order authorizing seizure of shrimp trawlers unless
license tax is paid; regulation adopted in regard to fishing in Chowan River;
dividing line approved; appointment of C. D. Kirkpatrick as Fisheries Com-missioner
approved.
OCTOBER 1951—Winston- Salem:
Members Present—Governor W. Kerr Scott, Honorary Chm.; Miles J. Smith,
Chm.; Chas. S. Allen; W. B. Austin; A. L. Cavenaugh; Staley A. Cook; W. J.
Damtoft; Ferd Davis; C. Sylvester Green; Chas. H. Jenkins; Fred P. Latham;
Mrs. Roland McClamroch; Hugh Morton; J. C. Murdock; W. Locke Robinson;
Buxton White.
Major Matters of Business:
Water — readopted 8-point long-range program; over-all use of each river
basin to be planned; support of local organizations and individuals urged.
Parks—resolution approving transfer of First Maude Moore Latham Trust
Fund for restoration of Tryon Palace to the Department; resolution approv-ing
firm of Perry, Shaw, Hepburn, Kehoe and Dean as architects for restora-tion
of Tryon Palace; resolution requesting termination of TVA lease for
Hiwassee; approved transfer of $50,000 Permanent Improvement Funds to
Cape Hatteras State Park; continued assistance offered in Buggs Island
development; report on status of Naval property at Ocracoke; report on in-spection
and plans for joint pax'k and forestry development of Mt. Jefferson
(Ashe Co.) ; citation from Garden Club.
"Points 4 & 5"—analysis of total resources of State progressing; Conservation
Congress plans outlined; possibility and need for course in conservation at
University being studied.
17
Minerals—ilmenite lease to National Lead Company approved; statement on
water table level.
Forestry—interest expressed in location to preserve Venus Ply Trap; resolution
approving payment to Bladen County in lieu of taxes on Bladen Lakes State
Forest property; U. S. Forest Service survey agreement approved; statements
on dismissal of State Forester Beichler; resolution in regard to filling position
of State Forester.
Commercial Fisheries—regulations amended, repealed and adopted; report on
destruction of small fish; experiments with 200 pound dredge to be conducted.
Commerce and Industry—trends of diversification and dispersion manifested;
summary of activities; resolution stressing importance of wise use of re-sources;
resolution urging continuation of support of Governor's Small
Business Committee.
Advertising—resolution setting policy with regard to cash grants; advertising
schedule adopted.
Coordinating Committee—cooperate with Committee from Wildlife Resources
Commission on matters of mutual interest.
Inspection Trips:
Ground-breaking for new Wake Forest College plant (President Truman
present)
Western Electric Corporation.
Raleigh Angel Farm—Chamber of Commerce barbecue.
Guest Speakers:
Governor W. Kerr Scott—emphasized his belief that development of an over-all
water resources program for the State was the major problem in con-servation.
Wally Dunham—explained program for Rural Fire Protection in Forsyth
County and outlined its value.
Colonel R. C. Brown, District Army Engineer—explained hopper dredge; re-ported
on functions of Corps of Engineers, particularly with respect to water
resources phases.
N. C. Magnuson, Corps of Engineers—discussed projects.
Dr. S. H. Hobbs, Jr.—discussed water development program as it relates to
multiple-use of river basins in North Carolina.
Honorable Thurman Chatham, Representative in Congress for 5th District
—
predicted tourist industry would continue expanding; urged study of Euro-pean
methods to capitalize on tourist trade.
Guests Recognized:
Earl B. Garrett, State Soil Conservationist.
Colonel Geo. W. Gillette, Executive Director, N. C. State Ports Authority.
Dean C. F. Korstian, Duke School of Forestry.
Representatives of Stream Sanitation Committee.
Representatives of private power companies.
JANUARY 1952—Raleigh:
Members Present—Miles J. Smith, Chm.; Chas. S. Allen; W. B. Austin; A. L.
Cavenaugh; Ferd Davis; C. Sylvester Green; Chas. H. Jenkins; Fred P. Latham;
Mrs. Roland McClamroch; Hugh Morton; J. C. Murdock; Buxton White.
18
Major Matters of Business:
Forestry—approved appointment of Fred H. Claridge as State Forester (oath
administered); reported payment made to Bladen County in lieu of taxes;
forest survey started; cooperative agreement between Parks and Forestry
on Ashe County park development.
Director's Report—Department should let people of North Carolina know
more about the State through schools and otherwise; called attention to
chart showing development of Department; requested Special Budget Com-mittee;
wonderful progress in advertising and commerce and industry;
commercial fisheries of vital concern; small harbors and fishing lanes must
have attention; forestry of major importance; interest in minerals spread-ing;
expanded State Park program will pay dividends; conservation and
development of water resources necessary for domestic and commercial use;
temporary arrangement for public information work.
"Points 4 & 5"—plans on schedule; preliminary program on Conservation Con-gress
being worked out.
Advertising—terrific progress being made; urged copies of new film be bought
by Department.
Commercial Fisheries—CAPE LOOKOUT purchased, regulations amended,
adopted, repealed; resolution requesting study and recommendations on
Commercial Fisheries tax structure.
Commerce and Industry—decided trend toward diversification; investment of
$112 million and expanded payrolls and employment over past year; con-tacts
in New York are recommended; advertising schedule particularly
effective.
Minerals—ilmenite lease to Burnap and Sims, Inc., approved.
Parks—termination of Hiwassee lease requested; transfer of $10,000 to Tryon
Palace for land purchase authorized; private development of facilities at
Cape Hatteras endorsed; requested change in name of Ashe County park
site to Mount Jefferson; cooperation promised in establishment of botanical
garden; citrus fruit from Hatteras displayed.
Water—8-point program being advertised throughout State; interest in estab-lishing
river basin associations; cooperation desired with related agencies.
Special Dinner Meetings:
Governor and Mrs. Scott, hosts at Governor's Mansion—first showing of film
"Tarheel State."
Director and Bennett Advertising, Inc., hosts at Sir Walter—members of Coun-cil
of State and other special guests; Long-Range Agricultural Program—
"The Challenge" presented; forerunner of Conservation Congress.
Inspection Trip:
Tungsten Mine, Henderson; luncheon.
Guest Speakers:
Wm. G. Perry, Architect, Boston—importance of Tryon Palace project and
procedure to be followed; emphasized fact that before work is started it is
necessary to have complete project in mind.
Senator Wesley C. Watts, Robeson County—requested consideration of Red
Banks Section for State Park.
Guests Recognized:
Mrs. J. A. Kellenberger, Chm., and members of Tryon Palace Commission.
19
W. D. Reynolds, Robeson County Manager and others from Pembroke area.
Dean C. P. Korstian, Duke School of Forestry.
Dean R. J. Preston, N. C. State College School of Forestry.
Don P. Johnston, President, American Forestry Association.
Roger W .Wolcott, President, North Carolina Forestry Association.
MARCH 1952—Wilmington:
Members Present—Miles J. Smith, Chm.; Chas. S. Allen; W. B. Austin; A. L.
Cavenaugh; Staley A. Cook; Perd Davis: W. J. Damtoft; C. Sylvester Green;
Chas. H. Jenkins; Fred P. Latham; Mrs. Roland McClamroch; Hugh Morton;
J. C. Murdock; Buxton White.
Major Matters of Business:
"Points 4 & 5"—detailed report on plans for Conservation Congress; dates
set for Raleigh, November 17-21.
Advertising—inquiries 25% ahead of last year; new booklet "'Variety Vacation-land"
ready for distribution; endorsement of request to Congress for $3,000,-
000 appropriation for Parkway.
Commercial Fisheries—planting of oysters likely to be destroyed in New River
area in private or public grounds approved; $650 authorized for studying the
effect of dredging oysters; night shrimping allowed in certain area; study
to be made of heating facilities at Section Base; regulations amended, adopt-ed;
$200 per year authorized for Marine Museum; shad season extended in
certain areas; purchase of MARS authorized to replace OCRACOKE.
Commerce and Industry—advertising schedule approved; resolution favoring
expansion of Technical and Vocational Education facilities.
Forestry—resolution requesting study of possibility of acquiring "demonstration
area" in northeastern section of State; resolution setting up committee to
study steps needed to combat forest insects and diseases; resolution suggest-ing
consideration of forest fire tower sites as roadside parks; resolution
offering cooperation of Forestry Division in establishment of botanical
garden at Hatteras.
Minerals—resolution authorizing execution of working agreement with State
College Department of Engineering Research so as to coordinate programs.
Parks—sublease of Hiwassee State Park authorized, subject to approval of TVA;
land acquisition at Mt. Mitchell to be pursued; development of Cape Hatteras
State Park to be restudied in light of possibility of getting paved roads;
transfers authorized in Permanent Improvement Funds; State Highway
Commission requested to investigate feasibility of constructing over-look at
Fort Macon; cooperation in Handcraft Exhibition authorized; Tryon Palace
Project progressing; permit issued by National Park Service permitting sub-leasing
of Naval property at Ocracoke.
Water—discussion with interested parties of over-all water development pro-gram;
report on Federal projects, including snagging of Trent River and pos-sibilities
for development of small ports and waterways; resolution author-izing
development of a plan for improvement and operation of "Marine
Highways;" film, "Pipeline to Clouds," shown.
Special Features:
Luncheon at Orton Plantation as guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. and Kenneth
Sprunt, along with Governor and Mrs. W. Kerr Scott, members of Highway
Commission, State Ports Authority and others.
20
Banquet session of Eastern North Carolina Press Association.
Fifth Azalea Festival Parade and luncheon and other festivities.
Guest Speakers:
Carl D. Shoemaker, Conservation Director of National Wildlife Federation
—
called attention to National policy for land-use in United States adopted by
Resources Council of America in Franklin, N. C, in October 1951 and by
North American Wildlife Conference in Miami in March 1952.
21
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES AND ENGINEERING
W. H. Riley, Hydrologic Engineer
INTRODUCTION
Water has always played an important part in
the growth and development of North Carolina.
Early settlers located on bodies of water to furnish
means of transportation for themselves as well as
for shipping their products to and from markets.
As better modes of transportation were developed,
water transportation declined and settlements mov-ed
farther from large bodies of water and settled
on higher ground. Still there was a water problem
facing them, as life cannot exist without water.
Today, some towns have outgrown their water sup-ply
and cannot expect to progress unless a larger
supply can be found. As time goes on more towns
will follow these and unless more attention is given to the conservation of her
water resources North Carolina will find she can no longer grow.
In a report to the President by the President's Materials Policy Commission
the following paragraphs can be found:
"With the exception of the air he breathes, water is the most essential
single material which man uses. Indispensable in directly sustaining all plant
and animal life, it is hardly less important in its other myriad uses. Water is
the master solvent and cleaner, and most efficient medium for transfer of
heat and energy, both solar and man-controlled. It is the vehicle which affords
the cheapest transport of heavy and massive produce and the disposition and
dilution of most man-made waste."
"Water is readily available for use as a vapor, a liquid, or a solid. Its diverse
and unique physical properties are constantly being exploited to add to man's
comfort and well-being. Water was one of the first natural resources which
man harnessed for use; the ancient Egyptians were using water from the Nile
River for irrigating land at least 5,000 years ago. Today water remains a
universal requirement for our material needs and a keystone to our long-range
security."
PERSONNEL
Much of the work of this Division has been curtailed due to the lack of
personnel. At present, the permanent personnel consists of W. H. Riley, Hydro-logic
Engineer; F. E. Day, Civil Engineer II; Chas. B. Pickering, Chemist I;
Miss Katy Margaret Bennett, Typist-Clerk II and a vacant position, Civil
Engineer I. The salary for the vacant position is so low that a qualified full-time
engineer cannot be found, so the position has been filled by temporary
employees, consisting of students from State College and girls. These tem-porary
employees have done excellent work in the jobs that have been assign-ed
to them, but for a great many jobs that come up they are not qualified.
In order to carry on the work and meet the demands, additional qualified
personnel must be secured.
During this period, Mr. C. O. Butler was secured by using funds from some
other source as a contact and publicity man for this Division. Mr. Butler did
an excellent job for about six months and then resigned to take a position in
Mexico.
9?
STREAM GAGING
North Carolina's water supply constitutes one of her greatest assets. If the
greatest beneficial use is to be had of this resource it is highly important that
a continuous and dependable inventory of the supply be maintained. The
State has already suffered injury and many burdens by the development of
facilities based on too little hydrologic information.
The development of the water resources in the State has too long followed
the lines of least resistance. The more easily constructed projects have been
largely developed. Yet much remains to be done before our water supply is
fully utilized. Definite and dependable data relative to the flow of streams and
the availability of water for storage must be obtained if future development
is to be had along safe and economic lines.
The natural flow of our streams is rapidly becoming fully utilized. The
projects of the future must depend to a very great extent upon water con-servation,
the use of storage reservoirs and other means of utilization. In the
planning and building of these works the expenditure of large sums of money
will be involved. It is necessary, therefore, that all the elements entering into
the project, including water supply, are well understood and definitely known
if the financial needs are to be met and money obtained for such work.
Without dependable stream flow records it will be quite impossible to con-ceive
a use of North Carolina's water resources which will give the ultimate
greatest benefit to its present and future citizens. Nor will it be possible to
properly coordinate the use of the great natural resources for water supply,
waste disposal, manufacturing and power purposes unless these stream flow
data are available. In the construction of permanent improvements such as
highways and railroads and other facilities along our streams and within the
watersheds, it is important that all possible future use of the water supplies
be considered and these supplies protected. This can be accomplished only
through a full consideration of stream-flow data along with other factors.
Unlike other data, stream-flow records of a type to be completely useful
cannot be obtained in just a day or a year, but must be secured uninterruptedly
and continuously over a number of years in order that the most reliable and
intelligent use of this information can be made. The fact that runoff from a
given drainage area differs materially from one year to another is well under-stood
but the value of obtaining continuous records of flow for long periods
of years is frequently overlooked. No amount of money available in the future
can ever supply stream-flow records not collected now. "The mill does not
grind with water that has passed."
Hydrologic data are now being collected in North Carolina by the trained
organization of the United States Geological Survey under a cooperative agree-ment
whereby monies appropriated by the State for this work are matched
on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the Federal Government. Records are thus
secured with the economy to be gained from a single organization under a
uniform system and recognized accuracy standard.
The data collected and analyzed as part of the investigations of water
resources of the State have been of incalculable value to the economy of
North Carolina because of the necessity for and use of such information for
the evaluation of water supplies for industries and municipalities; for pollu-tion
studies; flood control and drainage surveys and many other related prob-lems.
During the past year alone over a hundred reports were prepared for
the Division of Commerce and Industry relative to potential industrial sites
and these reports have played no small part in the final location of many
23 '
industries in North Carolina. In addition innumerable similar requests from
other sources have been met.
During the biennium water resources investigations v^ere carried on through
the continuation of cooperative agreements with the United States Geological
Survey. The stream gaging program in North Carolina is under the direction
of Mr. E. B. Rice, District Engineer, and was financed in part by funds made
available by the Division of Water Resources and Engineering which were
matched by the Federal Government. Additional funds for this important work
also were provided by the U. S. Geological Survey, the Corps of Engineers,
the Department of Defense, the Tennessee Valley Authority, municipalities,
power companies and private industry.
As in previous years, the contribution by the State toward the cooperative
surface water investigation program is still only about one-quarter of the
total cost of the program. This is far from being adequate if the services to be
rendered by this program are to be improved or even continued in their
present scope, particularly since some of the Federal agencies which have been
contributing toward the program are having to withdraw part of their sup-port
as their funds have been cut by the Congress.
During the biennium an average of about a hundred and thirty-five gaging
stations will have been operated at various sites on many of the streams of
the State. In addition, work was continued on the collection of occasional dis-charge
data at over a hundred miscellaneous sites scattered over the State so
as to expand as much as possible information on the State's water resources.
Although data collected in this manner are not nearly as satisfactory as the
data collected at the regular gaging stations, such data are proving extremely
useful in evaluating dependable low water yields.
The hydrologic phenomenon during the biennium was highlighted by the
severe and widespread drought which extended from May until October 1951
and resulted in serious water shortages over the State.
Huge dam helps control flooding and puts water power to work
^^< I.M«.-Wi>.V
QUALITY-OF-WATER
The quality-of-water investigation in North Carolina during 1951-1952 was
conducted in accordance with the program discussed and established by repre-sentatives
of the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Develop-ment
and the U. S. Geological Survey.
As a matter of information, some quality-of-water investigation has been
conducted intermittently since 1906. However, since 1943 a continuous coop-erative
program has been conducted by the State and Federal agencies men-tioned
above.
Under this type of cooperation, the program is supported financially by the
State and the Federal Government, resulting in a more comprehensive pro-gram
than could be realized if either agency were operating alone. Any funds
established on a cooperative basis by the State are matched essentially dollar-for-
dollar by the Federal Government.
For each of the years, 1951 and 1952, funds in the amount of $8,050.00 were
approved by the State for the chemical quality-of-water investigation. Of this
total amount, $2,750.00 was contributed by the State Board of Health for work
on public water supplies, and $5,300.00 by the North Carolina Department of
Conservation and Development for determination of the chemical quality of
surface waters. In addition, the salary of a State employee working in the
laboratory of the U. S. Geological Survey was paid by the State. The total
amount of funds contributed by the State was $11,330.00. This figure was
matched dollar-for-doUar by the Federal Government, establishing a budget
of $22,660.00.
In addition to matching the State cooperative offering, the Federal Govern-ment
financed the establishment and operation of a sedimentation index sta-tion
in the State. For the 1951 fiscal year, the amount was $2,400.00. In 1952,
$3,700.00 was allotted for the work.
The long-range program is to obtain information on the chemical quality-of-water
resources in the State in order to have this data available for use for
industrial, municipal, and agricultural planning m the State, for inter-state
basin studies, and for integration in the study of water resources of the
United States.
Why is an investigation of the chemical quality of water necessary? In
answer, it may be said that water has been, is, and will be an essential factor
in the personal and economic life of man. The need of water for his per-sonal
existence is taken for granted. Industrially, water has many uses from
process water to the turning of large turbines for generation of power.
Throughout the years, it has become apparent that chemical quality is a very
important and often the critical factor in the utilization of water.
In order to determine the utility of water, knowledge of its chemical char-acter
is essential. It is essential to the State concerned with the problem of
having adequate water supplies of good quality to satisfy increasing require-ments
of growing muncipalities and to attract and expand industrial activity.
It is important to an industry seeking a location. Research has shown that
many waters were unsuitable for various sensitive processes because of the
chemical quality of the water. In turn, the products and the cost of operation
is increased. The same is true of the water-works engineer. He, too, is inter-ested
in plant facilities and their operational cost. The public health officer is
interested in the chemical character of water as it may affect the health of
a community. It is readily seen that chemical quality of water has many
ramifications.
Each year in 1951 and 1952 ten stations were established on streams and
rivers at points deemed best by State and Federal representatives to serve the
interests of the public. Samples of water were collected and analyzed for
chemical content. Also temperature data were recorded for the stations. Each
year a total of 2,190 daily samples and 48 monthly samples were collected at
the stations. In addition, considerable work was done in collecting spot samples
at miscellaneous points in order to enlarge the background of chemical data
of surface waters in North Carolina for immediate use and future consideration.
The public water supply program was carried on concuiTently. Question-naires
were sent to public water supply officials in order to obtain needed
information about each respective water supply as to supply, capacity, and
treatment. Samples of water of both raw and treated waters were obtained and
analyzed.
The data obtained were transmitted to the officials concerned and all in-terested
parties. The data, also, appeared in annual reports. In 1951, the report
entitled "The Chemical Character of Surface Waters of North Carolina,
1949-1950" by F. H. Pauszek and K. P. Harris was published. A report covering
the year 1950-1951 has been prepared and will be printed shortly. These publi-cations
have a widespread distribution. Requests for these publications have
been received from all parts of the United States. Industry is especially in-terested
in the data on the quality-of-water in North Carolina.
Generally, the surface waters of North Carolina, which were studied, were
found to be of good quality and from the standpoint of mineral content were
satisfactory for domestic and industrial use.
How about future plans? Water being a vital necessity, not only immediate
needs should be considered but future needs should be anticipated and plans
made accordingly. As the State develops industrially and grows in population,
plans should not only be made to uncover new adequate sources of water
supplies, but factors which influence the availability of water supplies should
be studied.
In order to plan for future needs, the present program of quality-of-water
investigation should be continued and expanded. The chemical character of
water is ever changing due to natural and man-made processes. Only through
a broad continuing program is it possible to have the necessary data needed
for evaluation of the suitability of waters for domestic, industrial, and agri-cultural
use; for basic planning for the development and conservation of water
supplies, and in evaluating the potential utility of waters on the basis of
materials in solution and suspension. The data obtained will aid materially in
studying water problems which were considered of less importance in the past
but which are becoming more and more prominent.
One such problem which deserves serious consideration is salt water in-trusion.
Because of its geographic location, about one-fourth of the State of
North Carolina is exposed to varying degrees of salt water contamination of
its surface as well as ground water sources. This problem will become more
pronounced in such areas as Wilmington and Morehead City, because the
deepening of the river channels in those areas will extend the tidal reach.
To date, only meager and inconclusive data are available. In order to remedy
this situation the study of quality-of-water investigation should be expanded to
determine the variations and extent of salt water intrusion in the tidal reach
of streams in the coastal areas.
Another problem is that of sedimentation. With increased industrial activity
and growth of population adequate storage reservoirs will have to be provided
26
for the storage of water for use as needed. Data on sediment load in streams
are a prerequisite for determining the design and economic life of reservoirs.
Such information also is needed to determine suitable hydroelectric and flood
control structures. Again, only meager data are available.
There is an ever-increasing demand for reliable data on temperature of
surface and ground waters. Temperature of water is proving an important
factor in considering location of industrial plants, in the utilization of the
supply in industrial processes and in the design of heat exchanges and con-densing
units for steam-power generation plants and for other installations.
In North Carolina, temperature data are being collected in conjunction with
the chemical quality-of-water program. However, more comprehensive data
should be obtained by mechanically recording temperature data over a twenty-four
hour period, day in and day out.
In order to expand the quality-of-water program, additional funds are
needed. Funds allotted for the past two years were in the same amount as
those allotted four years ago. Since that time, cost of operation and salaries
of personnel have increased. Recently, the office and laboratory of the U. S.
Geological Survey had to be moved to a new location. This expense and other
overhead expenses of rent and utilities are being borne without any additional
financial assistance. In order to maintain the present program, additional
funds are needed; and to begin an expanded program, the budget should be
increased substantially. The amount of $12,000.00 has been requested in order
not only to cover additional expense of the present program but to expand
it to include the studies of water resource problems mentioned above.
Water is a valuable natural resource in North Carolina. It should be used
to the best advantage. However, only through a systematic program, accumula-tion
of basic data, and evaluation and planning can this valuable natural
resource be used advantageously.
COASTAL STUDIES
Due to the lack of personnel actual field surveys could not be made. In
order to keep posted on what is taking place photographs have been taken
each year at Fort Macon, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. No photo-graphs
were taken in the Nags Head section as the question of making this a
National Park was being discussed. These pictures show clearly the sections
of the beaches that are eroding, but nothing definite can be told of the actual
amount. Actual surveys were discontinued in 1940 and no survey has been
made since. It will take the services of at least 2 additional engineers to run
these surveys.
There have been requests for help in reducing the erosion at Nags Head
and Holden Beach. These beaches are privately owned and all that could be
done was recommend the type of protective works that should be used. As this
type of construction is costly, nothing has been done as few individuals have
the money to build them. Nags Head has been eroding comparatively slowly,
amounting to only a few feet each year; while Holden Beach has been severely
eroded in the last year. Both of these beaches should be protected.
Fort Macon State Park has a severe erosion problem in Beaufort Inlet. A
request for a study by the Beach Erosion Board has been requested. It is
questionable just what can be done since Congress has practically eliminated
the funds for this type of work. Unless something is done very soon there is
a chance that the parking area at Fort Macon will be destroyed.
Another problem that has been presented to this Division has been shore
erosion on lakes and rivers. Requests have been received for inspections at
27
Erosion at Fort Macon State Park.
Lake Waccamaw and Camp Don Lee. At Lake Waccamaw erosion has reached
the point that if something is not soon done the roadway will be endangered
at several points. The edge of the bank is now only about three feet from the
edge of the road. At Camp Don Lee one of the buildings is endangered and
protective works should be built immediately.
This Division has recently taken membership in the American Shore and
Beach Preservation Association. This organization is composed of people inter-ested
in shore and beach erosion from practically every coastal state in the
United States. Much assistance can be received from this group in solving many
of the problems of erosion in North Carolina. At the recent meeting at
Atlantic City, New Jersey, an inspection trip was made to see the protective
works from Atlantic City to Cape May. This trip was very instructive as New
Jersey has done an excellent job in solving this problem. Many types of groins
and jetties were seen and the advantages and disadvantages of each type
explained.
HYDROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Evaporation studies at Lake Michie and Chapel Hill have been continued.
Several requests for this information were received during the drought period
of 1951. This study is very important to agencies that have to depend on
large reservoirs for their water supply. Although the daily evaporation figure
is very small, if taken over a period of a month on a large body of water the
loss will be unbelievably large.
Work has been continuing on collecting rainfall data and assembling it
so that it can be readily used. Annual reports are made by the Weather
28
Bureau, but it is almost impossible to work with data in this form. These data
nave been assembled for each station for the period of operation for that
station. Maximum, minimum and average rainfall has been computed for
every station in the State. In addition to assembling data on rainfall several
duration tables have been worked up on stream gaging stations over the State.
These duration tables are very useful in determining the dependable flow that
can be expected at given points.
Three publications have been published during this period. Two of these were
publications on the quality-of-water showing the analyses of water that had
been run during that year. The other was one of a series on Hydrologic Data
for various river basins. This is the sixth of the series and is entitled "Hydro-logic
Data on the Roanoke and Tar River Basins."
RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATIONS
This Division has long felt the need of help in making over-all plans for
any river basin. The help needed is not only technical but also help from the
people in each river basin. For years, technical information has been collected
in the files and comparatively little use has been made of it. By organizing
the citizens in the river basins of the State and presenting these data in a
way they can understand, it is felt the citizens can be a great help in making
over-all plans for the future wise use of the water resources of their river
basin.
Two river basin associations had been organized prior to July 1950. One of
these was the Roanoke River Basin and the other was the Neuse River Basin.
The Roanoke River Basin Association has done a great work in development
of the water resources of the Roanoke River. The Neuse River Basin Associa-tion
was formed for one specific job and soon became inactive after presenting
their problem to the proper Federal Authorities.
Mr. C. O. Butler was secured for a short period to act as contact man for
this Division and help organize these groups. He revived the Neuse River
Association and organized the Deep River Association. Mr. Butler did a fine
job here and was working with the group in the Yadkin River when he left
to take a position in Mexico. Unless something is done to keep these associa-tions
alive they will soon die. A man of Mr. Bulter's calibre is badly needed
for this work.
This Division now has a membership in the National Watershed Council.
It is felt that much assistance can be gained through this group as it will
be possible to keep in close touch with what is going on in other states. The
study of what other states are doing can easily keep the local groups from
some pitfalls. The National Watershed Council is trying to develop small
river basin groups to study and plan the future development of small river
basins over the whole United States.
There has long been a need for a report on water resources that will present
the problems in a popular form rather than in a theoretical one. The services
of Mr. Ben Dixon MacNeill was secured for this purpose. His report on the
Neuse River is an excellent piece of work and will be ready for release in
the near future.
DRAINAGE
There has been little action in this field. During the period only three re-quests
were made for this Division to certify an engineer. There should be
more of this work as there are large portions of swamp land that could be
put under cultivation.
29
This Division should be given the authority to accept or reject plans for
any "Drainage District" set up in the State. At present, there is no state
organization given authority to pass on the design and as has happened in the
past one district may destroy the effectiveness of another. If sufficient per-sonnel
were placed in this Division all plans could be reviewed and coordinated
with adjoining districts and thus prevent one district from destroying its
neighbors.
STREAM SANITATION
The 1951 General Assembly passed a bill giving the State Stream Sanitation
Committee regulatory powers for clearing the streams of the State from
some of the pollution they are now carrying. The head of this Division was
named as one of the ex-ofRcio members of this Committee.
It has been hard to secure the personnel to carry on this work, but at the
last meeting a report was given that most of the personnel had been secured.
Since much work had already been done in the Yadkin River Basin, the
Committee decided to finish this study and start proceedings to clear it. It
now looks as though hearings to classify the Yadkin River will start about
January 1953. Another trailer laboratory has been borrowed from the U. S.
Public Health Service. This should speed up the work. One laboratory is now
stationed at Winston-Salem and the other will be located in Concord.
PORTS AND WATERWAYS
For several years there has been some discussion of developing the small
ports and waterways of the State. Most of these small ports are not suitable
for either tourists' or commercial fishermen's use. Not only are the ports not
suitable but several do not have sufficient depth of water to accommodate the
vessels in that area. There is no reason why these should not be brought up-to-
date and be made serviceable to all, and thus be a help in adding to the
income of the people of this area.
Mr. C. O. Butler and Mr. Randy Hamilton attended the meeting of the
Sixth Annual Marina Forum in January 1952. While there they met Governor
Mennen Williams and Commander Bert Robb of the State of Michigan. Dur-ing
the meeting Governor Williams told Mr. Butler and Mr. Hamilton that
because of his great interest in the development of waterways and small
harbors, and because of his great respect for Governor Scott, he would be
glad to send Commander Robb to North Carolina to help plan the develop-ment
of the small ports and harbors. Commander Robb is expected to meet
with the Water Resources Committee and inspect the ports and then make a
report to the Board of Conservation and Development. Michigan has done a
wonderful job with their waterways and ports and the Department is fortunate
in having the guidance of Commander Robb in this work. He is giving this
Department the benefit of several years' experience in this field and also the
benefit of several years of mistakes and pitfalls that Michigan made in
developing her "marine highways."
30
DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES
C. D. KiRKPATRicK, Fisheries Commissioner
Special attention is called to the progress of
our oyster program during the last biennium.
The 1947 General Assembly enacted Public Law
1000 for the development of oysters and other
bivalve resources. It was realized at that time
that unless some program of planting, protec-tion
and proper harvesting was initiated the
oyster production of the State would soon be a thing of the past.
It was necessary to locate natural beds suitable for the production of
oysters, and to determine methods of seeding and protection. With the aid
and cooperation of the Institute of Fisheries Research of the University of
North Carolina, these studies and experiments gradually took form; and, as
a result, the harvest of oysters for the past season was the finest, in quantity
and quality, in the history of the State. Instead of being satisfied with re-sults
thus far, the research is continuing and the entire program is being
constantly intensified.
Planting Seed Oysters
31
Information on the catch and value of various seafood products follows:
FOOD FIN FISH
The catch of food fish for this biennium was 41,715,000 pounds with a value
to the catcher of $4,020,150. Spotted and gray trout and flounders were off
about 50?r from the past biennium, while shad and pompano were about
double. There was no very noticeable difference in other food fish caught.
SHRIMP
The production of shrimp was 8,394,426 pounds, with heads off, with a
value to the catcher of $3,357,777. During the last biennium the production
was 9,000,000, with heads off, making a decrease of about 600,000 pounds for
the biennium.
MENHADEN
The catch of menhaden for the biennium was only 337,497,000 fish, with a
value of $7,000,000. This was only a little more than half what it was during
the past biennium. Weather conditions during the height of the operation
were largely responsible.
OYSTERS
There were 305,565 bushel tubs of oysters harvested off the public grounds
with a value to the oystermen of $763,912. There were 50,000 bushel tubs more
harvested during the last year of this period than the previous year. The
quality of the oysters was better and the price was highest in years. The in-crease
in revenue from shell fish just about offset the loss of revenue in food
fish.
CLAMS
There were harvested 253,500 bushels of clams at a value to the catcher of
$633,750. This far exceeded the production of clams in any other like period
in our history.
ESCALLOPS
There were 58,692 gallons of escallops shucked at a value to the catcher of
$264,114. This was the greatest amount harvested in twenty years, and during
this last year more than 45,000 gallons were harvested.
CRABS
There were 23,929 dozens of soft crabs sold at a value of $23,929 to the
catcher. This past year was not as good as the previous year due to the late
spring. There were 12,160,000 pounds of hard crabs processed at a value of
$304,000 to the catcher. We had a great supply of hard crabs but the present
processors could not handle them.
BOATS
The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of
Toomer vs. Witsell held State Laws regulating fishing in the marginal sea
unconstitutional. The PAMLICO, which was purchased primarily for patrol
duty in the outside waters and which as a result of this decision was no
longer usable in the law enforcement program of the Division of Commercial
Fisheries, at the direction of the Board, was sold by the Division of Purchase
and Contract.
32
From part of the proceeds the CAPE LOOKOUT was bought and equipped.
The OCRACOKE was sold, also, and replaced with the MARS. The HAT-TERAS
was turned over to the U. S. Pish and Wildlife Service because it
could no longer serve our purpose. This Federal Agency had let the Division
of Commercial Fisheries have this boat some years ago for patrol purposes.
Two open skiffs were purchased for working shallow water. The other boats
now in commission are the CAPE FEAR, CROATAN, ALBEMARLE, AT-LANTIC
and NEUSE. All the boats are in good condition except the ALBE-MARLE
and NEUSE. Both of these need to be replaced.
Menhaden catch is lifted from purse net and loaded into boat
33
KIND, QUANTITY AND VALUE OF PISH TAKEN IN WATERS OF
NORTH CAROLINA
For the period July 1, 1950 to June 30, 1952
Kinds of Fish Price per pound
Spotted Trout 40 cents
Gray Trout 15
Sea Mullet 12
Blue Fish 20
Mullet 10
Croakers 6
Spots 10
Hog Fish 5
Mackerel 10
Shad 25
Herring 4
Butters 8
Carp 3
Rock or Striped Bass 20
Flounders 20
Puppy Drum 10
White Perch 25
Cats 10
Eels 5
Jacks 3
Pike 2
Pompano 25
Channel Bass 8
Sheep Head 15
Total Food Fin Fish
Menhaden (No. of Pish)
No. Pounds Value
600,000 $ 240,000
2,300,000 345,000
1,000,000 120,000
1,500,000 300,000
4,000,000 400,000
2,500,000 150,000
8,000,000 800,000
150,000 7,500
300,000 30,000
2,000,000 500,000
15,000,000 600,000
200,000 16,000
1,000,000 30,000
500,000 100,000
1,000,000 200,000
250,000 25,000
300,000 75,000
500,000 50,000
100,000 5,000
300,000 9,000
20,000 400
25,000 6,250
100,000 8,000
20,000 3,000
41,715,000 $ 4,020,150
337,497,000 7,000,000
$11,020,150
SHELLFISH
Oysters
Clams
Soft Shell Crabs
Escallops
Hard Crabs
Shrimp
305,565 (bu. tubs) 5 pk. $ 763,912
253,500 (bushels) 633,750
23,929 (dozen) 23,929
58,692 (gallons) 264,114
12,160,000 (pounds) 304,000
8,394,426 (pounds heads off) 3,357,777
Total value of Shellfish $5,347,482
TOTALS
Value of Fin Pish
Value of Shellfish
$11,020,150
_ 5,347,482
Total Value Water Products $16,367,632
34
REPORT OF DISTRICT SANITARIAN
Mr. C. D. Kirkpatrick
Fisheries Commissioner
North CaroUna Department of
Conservation and Development
Morehead City, N. C.
Dear Mr. Kirkpatrick:
I have the pleasure of submitting a brief report of the activities and observa-tions
of the office of Shellfish Sanitation of the State Board of Health during
the biennium ending June 30, 1952.
The yearly average of certificates issued to approved shellfish dealers were:
crab meat, 14; shucking plant, 53; and shellstock dealers, 117. The two district
sanitarians assigned to the shellfish sanitation program made 1,622 inspections
of these plants. Collected and examined in the shellfish bacteriological labora-tory
were 288 shellfish samples and 637 water samples. Plans were prepared
and furnished gratis for 18 new shellfish plants. Twenty-six plants were en-larged
or reequipped.
A complete bacteriological survey was made of Shallotte River showing those
waters to be of satisfactory bacterial quality for growing marketable oysters.
Resurveys were made of three polluted shellfish areas.
The Shellfish Sanitation Program was again evaluated by the U. S. Public
Health Service and twice again received top ratings. With few exceptions the
cooperation of our plant operators has been excellent.
The production of cooked crab meat has been average. This type of shell-fish
venture has proved to be very economically hazardous. The plants are
well built and equipped but the low quality of available labor has kept com-plete
compliance with Federal requirements almost impossible. As a result
two crab meat plants have ceased operations.
There remains a definite need for improvement in production and market-ing
techniques throughout this State's seafood industry. The retail market
field has been tried only slightly; we are still basically seafood wholesalers.
Future plans of the Sanitation Office include an expansion in activities of
the bacteriological laboratory. More frequent examinations can be made of
shellfish produced within and imported into North Carolina. Resurveys of all
shellfish areas restricted because of pollution are already under way. Study
is being given to a revision of existing Sanitary Rules and Regulations to
bring them up-to-date and in line with Federal regulations and those of
other states.
In concluding this brief report, I wish to express appreciation for the co-operation
and assistance you and the members of your staff have extended me
and my co-workers in the performance of our duties.
Respectfully submitted,
N. McK. CALDWELL
Shellfish Sanitarian
N. C. State Board of Health
35
DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Jasper L. Stuckey, State Geologist
North Carolina contains a wide variety of
rocks and minerals which includes both metallic
and non-metallic resources with the non-metallic
predominating. Non-mietallic minerals while im-portant
at all times are often of more importance
in time of peace and industrial expansion than
in time of war. As a result, there has been a
steady increase in the amount and value of
North Carolina's mineral production during the
biennium July 1, 1950 through June 30, 1952.
Even the production of sheet mica which de-clined
rapidly at the close of World War II has
made important strides during the current bien-nium
due to world conditions and a program of
exploration and production sponsored by the
United States Government. As a result, the
Division of Mineral Resources has been called upon for information and serv-ices
far in excess of the facilities which its budget permitted.
The Division of Mineral Resources carries out in North Carolina the func-tions
normally allocated to the Geological Survey of most states. These func-tions
consists of a wide variety of activities which for easy summary may be
listed under two main classes: (1) General—in which inquiries are answered,
specimens are identified, available information is furnished to interested per-sons,
and services are rendered to the mineral industry; and (2) Systematic
Studies—in which detailed mvestigations are made of specific mineral re-sources
or of specific areas.
GENERAL SERVICES
The general services rendered by the Division include: (1) Replies to in-quiries
and requests for information on the mineral resources of the State
and specific requests for information on the value or availability of specific
properties. More than 3000 such letters were answered, many of which lead
to investigation in the field and the giving of further advice and assistance;
(2) Examination of mineral and rock specimens sent to the office for identifica-tion
and information. Many such specimens were examined during the bien-nium
and the senders were given information as to the identity and value of
the materials submitted. This type of work is considered important and pros-pectors
are encouraged to send in specimens for examination and identification.
Through the identification of specimens for the collectors thereof some of
our most important mineral deposits have come into production; (3) Field
examination of mineral properties at the request of owners. This type of
work is done as much as possible as it is an easy way to obtain information
and cooperation from citizens of the State; (4) Many copies of the Division's
technical publications are sent interested persons. These publications furnish
detailed information on specific minerals or mineral areas. There has been
a demand for many reports now out of print, and also for reports on many
materials that have never been studied. The best means of securing the pro-per
development and utilization of the State's mineral resources is to have
specific information available in printed form to furnish interested persons
36
and industries. The publication of such reports is being pushed as fast as
funds will permit. Three or four reports remain unpublished due to a lack of
funds.
The Division has cooperated in every way possible with mining companies,
individuals and public agencies in furnishing information and advice on
problems relating to geology and minerals. Such advice has covered coal,
limestone and marl, stone, sand and gravel, clay and shales for use in
structural clay products and for production of lightweight aggregate, spodu-mene,
sillimanite, kyanite, pyrophyllite, buff burning clay, graphite and others
too numerous to mention here. Attempts have been made to cooperate fully
with municipalities, industries, State Departments, institutions and divisions
on problems of a geological nature. The Division has also cooperated with
State and Federal agencies on problems relating to soils and geology. Both
State and Federal agencies have been aided in the location of well sites for
securing water supplies. A search for oil was continued during the first three
quarters of the biennium. All information available and all aids possible were
furnished this program through the Division.
SYSTEMATIC STUDIES
Members of the Division staff carried out systematic studies on a variety
of minerals during the biennium. Work was completed on the study of buff
burning clays along the eastern edge of the Piedmont Plateau in Richmond,
Montgomery, Moore, Harnett, Johnston and Nash counties and a report was
completed and published as Information Circular 8, "White Residual Clays of
the Volcanic Slate Belt in North Carolina." Some 35 samples of these clays were
furnished the Department of Engineering Research at North Carolina State
College where they were tested as to their extension and firing qualities.
The results of these tests were published as Bulletin 49, "An Investigation of
Buff-and-White-Firing Clays of North Carolina," by the Department of
Engineering Research, North Carolina State College. As a result of these studies
interest is developing in these clays and some production is being made.
A study of a portion of the soapstone-bearing area of Wake County was
made and a report completed. A study of the feldspar and mica deposits of
Caswell, Vance, Warren, Franklin and Wake counties was completed and a re-port
is being prepared. A study of pyrophyllite, topaz and associated minerals
was continued along the eastern part of the Piedmont Plateau in Granville,
Durham, Orange, Chatham, Randolph, Alamance, Moore and Montgomery
counties. A deposit of some promise has been developed on Bowling Mountain
in Granville County and plans are underway for the erection of a modern
grinding mill near Stem. Systematic sampling of a number of kyanite de-posits
was carried out and the samples submitted to the Minerals Research
Laboratory, Asheville, North Carolina, for tests. Pyrite deposits in Gaston and
Moore counties were examined and samples submitted to the Minerals Re-search
Laboratory for concentration studies.
Cooperation with the United States Geological Survey was continued on
ground-water investigations and analyses and on the study of geology and
mineral deposits in North Carolina. Bulletin 63, "Geology and Ground Water
in the Charlotte Area, North Carolina," was published. The study of the
ground water and geology of the Statesville area was completed and a report
is being prepared. Special studies were continued on ground water conditions
in the Elizabeth City Area. A number of observation wells were regularly
checked to determine the effect of precipitation, and withdrawal of ground
water, on the water table. A detailed study of the geology and ground water
resources of the New Bern-Wilmington Area was started. Work was completed
37
on the geological mapping and mineral study of the Spruce Pine District. A
detailed report will be prepared as rapidly as possible for publication as a
Professional Paper of the United States Geological Survey. During the sum-mer
of 1950, work was begun on the preparation of a detailed geological map
and report on the Hamme Tungsten District of Vance County. This project is
continuing through the summer and fall of 1952 by which time field work
should be complete. Bulletin 62, "Feldspar Deposits of the Bryson City District,
North Carolina," and Bulletin 64, "Pegmatites of the Cashiers and Zirconia
Districts, North Carolina" were published.
Cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority was continued through
June 30, 1951 at which time the Authority discontinued its Regional Mineral
Section. During the period of cooperation two reports were completed. One of
these covered sillimanite deposits in the Mountains and upper Piedmont
Plateau. It was published as Bulletin 61, "Sillimanite Deposits in North Caro-lina."
The other program of work consisted of a detailed study of scrap mica
deposits in the Spruce Pine District. A detailed report including several small
geological maps has been completed. It would have been sent to the printer
during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1952 had funds for its publication been
available.
Cooperation was continued with the Minerals Research Laboratory which
is operated cooperatively by the North Carolina State College, the Tennessee
Valley Authority and the North Carolina Department of Conservation and
Development. Several projects of considerable importance including studies
on sillimanite, kyanite, kaolin, scrap mica, ground mica and spodumene were
carried out. As a result of preliminary studies on the concentration and re-moval
of iron from spodumene, the Foote Mineral Company requested a
complete pilot plant investigation of spodumene from Kings Mountain. The
Feldspar mining plant in Western North Carolina
results were so satisfactory that a modern concentrating plant using the
information obtained has been put into operation at Kings Mountain. An in-vestigation
of the refining of kaolin by use of Humphrey Spirals was so suc-cessful
that this type of equipment is rapidly replacing more expensive and less
efficient equipment in the kaolin industry of the State. Dm-ing the fiscal year
1951-1952 a project involving the production of mica sheets by bonding ground
mica with a suitable reagent was undertaken. It begins to appear that sheets of
mica which can be cut into patterns and used in electrical appliances may be
successfully made by bonding ground mica. Satisfactory progress was made
on the process.
The cooperative project on the study of limestone and marl in eastern
North Carolina by the Department of Conservation and Development, the
Highway and Public Works Commission and the Department of Agriculture
was terminated on June 30, 1951. The study revealed the presence, in the
vicinity of Maple Hill, Pender County, of a deposit of high grade limestone
of some 30 to 50 million tons. A preliminary report, consisting of a map show-ing
the location of drill holes and a manuscript showing the thickness and
quality of milestone in each hole was prepared. The information was so
interesting that two cement companies have become interested in the area.
One of these—the Volunteer Portland Cement Company—has spent several
thousand dollars in further exploration and is still interested in the area.
Some systematic exploration for oil was continued in the State during a
part of the biennium. The Coastal Area Development Company completed and
abandoned two holes south of Jacksonville in Onslow County in the summer
and fall of 1950. During the summer and fall of 1951 the Davidson Oil
Development Company drilled two wells in Washington and one in Hyde
County. None of these wells produced oil or gas.
Both the United States Geological Survey and the United States Bureau
of Mines carried on systematic programs of investigation in the State during
all or a part of the biennium. The Geological Survey continued mapping in
the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Work was continued on the study
of granites, the Shelby quadrangle in Cleveland County was mapped, a study
of kyanite-sillimanite deposits was begun and a reconnaissance of monazite
areas in the State was carried out. The Bureau of Mines converted its State
College Station into a special minerals station and began a field and laboratory
study of monazite in the State.
The following reports were published during the biennium:
Bulletin 61, "Sillimanite Deposits in North Carolina," by Lewis J. Hash and
Earl C. Van Horn, 1951.
Bulletin 62, "Feldspar Deposits of the Bryson City District, North Carolina,"
by Eugene N. Cameron, 1951.
Bulletin 63, "Geology and Ground Water in the Charlotte Area, North Caro-lina,"
by Harry E. LeGrand and M. J. Mundorff, 1952.
Bulletin 64, "Pegmatites of the Cashiers and Zirconia Districts, North Caro-lina,"
by J. C. Olson, 1952.
Information Circular 8, "White Residual Clays of the Volcanic Slate Belt in
North Carolina," by Sam D. Broadhurst, 1950.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As a result of the emphasis placed on minerals during and since World
War II, North Carolina has begun a program of expansion and discovery in
the field of its mineral resources. It has been known for years that the State
39
contained important deposits of granite, clays and shales, kaolins, pyrophyl-lite,
feldspar and mica. These have become of increasing value as they have
been explored and developed. Along with this program of exploration and
development, discoveries of deposits of tungsten ore, spodumene and titanium
minerals of Nation-wide importance have been made. It is recommended that
a sound program of mineral and geological mapping and study be established
and maintained. Such a program should include sufficient funds to make
possible
1. The preparation of a topographic map of the State.
2. The preparation of a reconaissance geologic map of the State with a
complete inventory of mineral resources.
3. The detailed geologic mapping and study of mineral deposits as in-dustrial
progress demands.
Tungsten Mine—Vance County
40
have left
although
sidered a
DIVISION OF FORESTRY
Fred H. Claridge, State Forester
Greatly increased interest in all phases of forestry has
bsen experienced during the two years covered by this re-port.
Stumpage prices have been uniformly high for all
products and there have been unprecedented activities in
timber land acquisition for long-time investment purposes.
This realization of the great wealth and potential timber
growing capacity of the forest land of the State has been
reflected in the demand for forestry services and advice
from public and private foresters. The increase of the pre-sent
average growth rate of approximately one-half a cord
per acre per year to a cord per acre per year can be ob-tained
if present progress in forest fire control and forest
management is maintained.
One of the most significant trends during the biennium
was the large turnover in the technical forester personnel
of the Division. Fifteen foresters, a majority of whom had
several years' experience and were occupying key positions,
the State service to enter the industrial or consulting forester field;
this temporarily reduced the effectiveness of the Division, it is con-healthy
sign of general forestry progress in North Carolina.
F. H. Claridge was sworn in as State Forester on January 28, 1952, succeeding
W. K. Beichler; and P. A. Griffiths was promoted to Assistant State Forester
in Forest Management, the position vacated by Claridge. P. A. Tillman con-tinued
as Assistant State Forester in Forest Fire Control.
The great increase in the demand for all types of forest products with the
many inquiries for the location of wood-using industries in the State made
the re-survey of the unavailable wood supply, growth and drain of utmost
importance.
The previous forest survey was started in 1937 and completed in 1938, and
many changes in forest conditions have occurred during the interim. A.n
agreement was signed with the U. S. Forest Service on October 8, 1951, whereby
the Division would use $40,000 of unobligated funds and the U. S. Forest
Service would complete the re-survey after these State funds were exhausted.
The total cost for the entire State was estimated at $150,000. On December 3,
1951, six foresters were hired by the Division and started work on Unit I of
the survey in Southeastern North Carolina. All technical supervision was sup-plied
by the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, N. C.
Dui'ing 1951 the potentially serious oak wilt disease was discovered in
Buncombe and Haywood Counties and dm-ing the same year a serious in-festation
of southern pine beetle occurred in the New Bern area. These two
outbreaks, among others, have focussed attention on the need for legislation
and some appropriation to combat forest tree diseases and pests.
FOREST MANAGEMENT
The increased emphasis on the Forest Management Program on private and
non-Federal lands continues to show excellent results. While the number of
board feet marked shows a slight decrease in the last part of the biennium,
41
the number of individual tracts marked has almost doubled. This indicates that
more landowners of North Carolina are receiving and taking advantage of
the forest management services offered by the Division of Forestry. The total
stumpage value of the products harvested from timber marked by the Forestry
Division's foresters was $1,585,500.
Several outstanding projects were initiated or continued on State and muni-cipal
lands. The Caledonia Prison Farm sold 1,327,000 board feet of marked
timber for $44,656. The State Hospital at Butner has employed a forester
upon recommendations of the Forestry Division and at present one million
feet of timber is being marked, cut, and sold on this area. The City of Lenoir
sold 1,684,000 board feet of marked timber for $23,000.
Since the inauguration of forestry cutting practices by the Forestry Division
on State-owned woodlands a relatively short time ago, 17 different agencies
have sold marked timber for $135,000. In addition, 23 different municipalities
and counties have followed State practices and have realized $173,000 from
stumpage sales, mostly from their watersheds, which shows a definite in-terest
by the public in the relationship between good watershed management
and forestry.
In the woods assistance to landowners by the Division Foresters leads to
better cutting practices throughout the State.
42
PROGRESS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT SERVICE TO LANDOWNERS
1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52
No. of Examinations Made 553 934 1,057 1,345
Total Forest Acres Examined 100,971 109,938 266,371 131,536
No. of Tracts Marked 186 362 359 607
Acreage Marked 7,733 10,852 15,125 13,849
Board Feet Marked 19,413,000 28,333,000 38,061,959 35,440,000
Cords Marked 5,460 6,976 12,793 14,428
Cooperation with the Wildlife Resources Commission continues on the Sand-hills
Wildlife Management Area. The forester, whose forestry activities are
directly under the supervision of the Forestry Division, continues with saw
timber and pulpwood sales. The forester on this area has been extremely
busy in handling timber trespass and boundary disputes. In addition, the
extensive Army maneuvers held last summer caused some fires; and damage
to timber by tanks was considerable on some areas. All timber and pulpwood
sold on this area is marked before cutting and is done under good forestry
practices.
FORESTRY CAMP FOR FARM BOYS
The Forestry Camp for Farm Boys was held in August of each year of the
biennium. Complete instruction was given in Forestry subjects with some addi-tional
courses in Wildlife Management. The success of these Division-operated
camps was furthered by the excellent cooperation of the Extension Service
and the Wildlife Resources Commission. Funds to run the camp were supplied
by the North Carolina Pulp Company, Champion Paper and Fiber Company,
International Paper Company, and the Riegal Paper Corporation. The camp
group each year is composed entirely of carefully selected 4-H Club and FFA
members. The two camps held during the biennium were attended by 159 boys,
representing a woodland ownership of 18,933 acres. These boys came from 50
counties in North Carolina.
NAVAL STORES PROJECT
Through the efforts of J. V. Whitfield, a Naval Stores Cooperative has been
formed by private citizens which at present consists of thirteen members
centering around Southern Pines and Aberdeen. During the first part of thfj
biennium, crude gum sold for $33 per barrel, delivered to Helena, Georgia. At
this price some 41,000 faces were operated.
The last part of the biennium saw the price of crude gum drop to $25 per
barrel. Increased cost of labor, hauling and materials coupled with the low
price of gum has at present made the future of this industry uncertain and
the cooperative became inactive during the spring of 1952.
As an experiment 6,500 faces are being worked on the Bladen Lakes State
Forest as a possible guide for future operations.
VTOOD WASTE PROJECT
The increased research activity in the use of wood waste of all types, and
the tremendous amount of this material available in North Carolina, made
43
the study of this economic situation an important consideration. The Divisions
of Forestry and Commerce and Industry provided the funds for a study by
J. V. Whitfield and Professor Lenthall Wyman, of North Carolina State Col-lege,
which resulted in an excellent publication entitled "Utilizing Cull Timber
Mill Scrap and Waste in North Carolina." Copies of the report are available
to those interested.
STATE TREE NURSERIES AND FOREST PLANTING
Seedling production at the two State forest nurseries continued to increase
during the biennium. For the plantmg season 1950-51, 8,369,000 seedlings were
produced and distributed. During the planting season of 1951-52, 12,805,750
seedlings were grown and distributed. During the biennium the North Carolina
Pulp Company, Champion Paper and Fiber Company, Continental Can Com-pany,
International Paper Company, and Gastonia Civitan Club, purchased
41,2 million seedlings for free distribution to Future Farmers of America, 4-H
Clubs, and selected adults.
The last two seasons have been very successful in the collection of tree
seed. This was mainly due to the efforts of the field organizations of the
Forestry Division, plus an excellent crop of tree seed. Ninety-three per cent of
all the seed used in the State Nurseries has been collected locally by the
Forestry Division. This fact is of great importance due to the superiority of
locally-collected seed in the growth and survival of the seedlings.
It has been the practice of the Forestry Division for a number of years to
make a certain number of plantation inspections each year. An analysis of
540 inspections shows that eighty-nine per cent of the plantations were suc-cessful
by acreage and seventy-three per cent were successful by number of
cooperators.
These reports emphasize the need for greater effort in field instruction and
supervision by foresters as most failures reported were attributed to faulty
planting techniques. Due to the high postal and express rates an increasing
number of seedlings are being shipped from the nurseries by State-owned
trucks and distributed with the cooperation of the County Forest Rangers.
This has provided the cooperator with planting stock in a fresher condition
and has proved more economical, so this method of shipment will be in-creased
in the future.
Mechanical tree planting is on the increase in the State. Due to labor short-ages,
this type of tree planting will probably become more prevalent in the
future. Wayne County has purchased a tree planter for county use, and one
pulpwood dealer in Bladen County has a tree planter for loan to private land-owners.
Some 15 tree planters are now in operation in the State, two of which
belong to the Division of Forestry. It is estimated that some 2io million seed-lings
are planted annually by these machines.
CLAYTON NURSERY
Two large buildings have been re-roofed and reconstructed in part. Addi-tional
overhead watering system, tile drainage, and additional water storage
facilities, are some of the improvements made this biennium. Mature and
inferior timber has been sold on the back part of this nursery. Some 300,000
board feet were marked and sold, the State receiving $5,350 from this marked
timber.
This nursery which produces Southern Pine seedlings (Longleaf, Shortleaf,
Loblolly, Slash) has now reached its operating capacity. The demand for these
seedlings will increase and a new nursery must be obtained if we are to meet
future demands.
44
Shortleaf pine seedlings, State Forestry Nursery, near Clayton, North Carolina
HOLMES NURSERY
An expanded program started the first part of the biennium at this
nursery has now been completed. Additional acreage has been brought into
seedling production. Overhead watering system, drainage, and general soil
improvements have been accomplished. A new 80 foot warehouse and cone-storage
building has been completed. This nursery is now capable of produc-ing
5 million seedlings annually.
DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS BY SPECIES
Species 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52
Black Locust 24,200 35,000 17,050 41,900
Black Walnut 5,200 4,800 3,450 13,000
Cork Oak 440
Loblolly Pine 4,415,795 6,170,800 6,098,500 9,577,840
Longleaf Pine 304,750 588,700 349,100 513,650
Red Cedar 230,545 337,400 254,630 705,500
Shortleaf Pine 283,500 699,200 393,100 295,150
Slash Pine 445,395 960,100 162,850 328,100
Yellow Poplar 268,450 83,700 194,040 236,350
White Pine 472,200 308,400 787,400 1,059,550
Miscellaneous 17,785 45,900 28,700 34,270
TOTALS 6,468,260 9,234,000 8,288,820 12,805,310
45
DISTRIBUTION OP FOREST TREE SEEDLINGS
BY CLASS OF COOPERATORS
Class of Cooperators Biennium 1950-52 Cumulative Grand Total
No. of No. of No. of No. of
Cooperators Trees Cooperators Trees
Farmers 4,683 10,296,120 13,432 32,828,557
Industries 69 6,798,550 230 19,482,219
Schools 47 240,850 452 1,901,389
State 48 289,465 158 1,735,164
Clubs and Organizations 16 27,100 2,566 448,728
Municipalities 12 56,300 35 341,024
Federal Agencies 14 812,250 53 7,282,930
Others 68 2,573,495 134 4,538,713
TOTALS 4,957 21,094,130 17,060 68,558,724
BLADEN LAKES STATE FOREST
During the biennium, three supervisors worked on the Bladen Lakes State
Forest. Rufus Page resigned effective July 24, 1951, to accept employment with
Turnell and Morgan of Elizabethtown, North Carolina. J. M. Stingley reported
to work on November 19, 1951, and was forced to resign because of ill health
on March 1, 1952. Graham V. Chamblee accepted the Forest Supervisor's
position April 16, 1952. Mr. Chamblee has had considerable experience on the
Newport News watershed and is well-qualified for the Forest Supervisor's
position.
This forest continues to be the outstanding example of practical forest
management in the State. The financial summary indicates the wide variety
of activities and the progress made. As of June 30, 1952, some 125 persons
were deriving the major part of their livelihood from this area, and 55 per-sons
were living in houses located in the forest. To date $4,500 has been paid
in lieu of taxes to Bladen County from excess receipts.
During the biennium 1,672 acres were burned on this Forest. Most of these
fires occurred during the spring of 1951 which was characterized by long
periods of hot dry weather.
Reforestation continues with 134,650 seedlings planted during the two-year
period. Average costs for planting was $12.00 per acre including the cost of
seedlings. In addition, 208 acres of planted pines were released from scrub
oak competition. Some of this material was sold as fuel wood which partly
offset the cost of releasing the planted areas.
Some 48,536 Penta-treated pine fence posts and braces secured from thin-nings
were sold at the wood preservation plant during the biennium. In order
to increase production, a pre-heating vat was added to the treating unit.
With this addition, two vats of posts can be treated in one 10-12 hour day by
one man, as compared to an average of one vat every three days (72 hours*
by cold soaking, thus increasing the possible output 600%. One thousand
juniper poles were treated for the Parks Division, and 982 posts of various
species were custom-treated for individuals.
The timber operation continues in mature, overmature, and diseased timber;
the logging being done on widely scattered areas. Logs are cut at a centrally
located mill. Lumber is sold on grade to local planing mills, the owners of
which submit bids for each 200,000 board feet.
During the biennium the International Paper Company established a barge
landing on the Cape Pear River near Elizabethtown. This outlet for pulpwood
has enabled us to increase our pulpwood production on the Forest. Natural
46
Peeling pine posts on Bladen Lakes State Forest. All posts are cut from stands
in need of thinning.
and planted stands of considerable acreage are now ready for a pulpwood
thinning, and more production of pulpwood will be done in the future.
Deer hunts were held in both years of the biennium, 11 organized hunts
being held with a total kill of 20 deer. All deer taken were examined by the
Wildlife Commission's Biologist and were free of disease and in excellent
condition. The hunts were conducted in groups of 30 hunters each, who supply
their own dogs.
The following tabulations show the amounts of different products harvested
and an itemization of expenditures and receipts for the biennium. Again, it
is to be noted that these Forest operations are entirely self-supporting: no
State, Federal, or County appropriation is made for them.
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES BLADEN LAKES STATE FOREST
July 1, 1950-June 30, 1952
Salaries $22,197.55
Labor 79,361.59
Supplies and Materials 11,277.28
Postage, Telephone, Telegrams 790.69
Travel 797.47
Printing 47.89
Motor Vehicle Operation 16,891.51
Light and Power 348.15
Repairs and Alterations 4,355.54
Insurance 550.97
Equipment 11,984.81
Motor Vehicle Exchange 8,364.91
Buildings and Improvements 843.90
Workmen's Compensation 2,245.11
Severance Taxes in Lieu of Taxes 4,500.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $164,557.37
47
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS BLADEN LAKES STATE FOREST
July 1. 1950-June 30, 1952
2,705,483 Board Feet Lumber $93,408.07
1,111,526 Board Feet Logs 40,129.90
255,923 Board Feet Stumpage 2,846.85
8,452 Board Feet Veneer Bolts 839.16
1,814 Board Feet Furniture Squares 16.32
6,770.19 Cords Pulpwood 17,790.81
225.06 Cords Oakwood 1,838.81
3.58 Cords Lightwood 19.50
48,536 Penta-treated Pine Posts 19,789.64
16,794 Juniper Posts 4,418.36
575 Poles & Piling 589.98
603 Peeled Pine Posts 120.45
74,600 Tobacco Sticks 108.90
42,950 Shingles 226.75
91.34 Barrels Crude Gum 2,160.88
Custom Treating 574.11
11 Deer Hunts 1,650.00
Rentals 43.60
244 Crossties 248.00
Miscellaneous 649.75
TOTAL RECEIPTS $187,469.84
NET BALANCE $ 22,912.47
FOREST FIRE CONTROL
During the period covered by this report the forest area protected by the
Division has been increased by approximately 535,000 acres. This increase was
brought about by the several counties which have come under protection since
July 30, 1950.
The Federal Government, under the provision of Section 2 of the Clark-
McNary Law, continues its financial cooperation with the State. The amount
of funds made available to the State, under the provision of this law, is
based largely upon the actual State appropriation for forest fire control. In
order to continue to receive the same or larger amounts of Federal funds the
State must maintain its relative standing, as far as State appropriations for
forest fire control are concerned, among the various other states. During the
past two years North Carolina maintained its relative standing as evidenced
by the Federal funds shown on the Progress Chart at the end of this section.
Supervisory Personnel
A fairly heavy turn-over in all grades of supervisory personnel continued
during the past two years and an even heavier turn-over was experienced in
the various classes of temporary jobs. These temporary jobs include seasonal
towermen, smoke chasers and fire crewmen. Thus turn-over was due almost
entirely to the larger salaries paid by private industry.
The State is still divided into ten forestry districts which, as of June 30.
1952, were located as follows:
D-1 Asheville D-5 Rocky Mount D-8 Whiteville
D-2 Lenoir D-6 Fayetteville D-9 Sylva
D-3 Rockingham D-7 Elizabeth City D-10 Lexington
D-4 New Bern
48
Present Organization
As of June 30, 1952, there were 76 counties under protection, each having a
full time County Forest Ranger devoting his entire time to forestry work. In
addition there were 11 protected counties which were under the supervision
of 7 county foresters. These 11 counties having county foresters have a lighter
fire control problem than the majority of the counties in the State. By having
a county forester, who is required to be a graduate forester, it has been found
that the forest fire control program as well as the forest management work
can be handled by one man. The actual number of other personnel is shown
on the Progress Chart.
County Cooperation
Work has been continued in financial cooperation with the 87 counties
under forest fire control with work being based on the county as a unit. The
fact that more counties are under protection shows that this form of coopera-tion
has met with widespread support from the various counties and, as these
counties appropriated for the 1951-1952 fiscal year $194,552, it is proof that
the counties themselves are taking a keen interest in the forestry program.
The Department cooperates with the various counties on a basis of their
ability to pay as indicated by each counties taxable wealth. The counties pay
from 25 to 40 per cent of the total cost of fire protection within the county.
This system was continued for the past two years.
As of June 30, 1952, there were 13 counties in the state still without any
form of forest fire protection. These 13 counties represent 1,362,238 acres of
privately-owned forest land.
Private Cooperation
Financial cooperation was continued with private forest owners who agree
to pay an annual amount used to supplement other available funds to provide
more intensified fire protection to their lands. The total amount of these funds
is shown in the financial section of the Progress Chart.
Cooperative Projects
During the fiscal year of 1947-1948 a cooperative fire control program was
begun with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Special TVA funds to supplement
regular fire control funds within the fifteen TVA counties were appropriated
in order to make a higher standard of fire protection available. This pro-tection
resulted in the per cent of area burned being reduced to less than Vl
of 1 per cent. With the close of the 1951-1952 fiscal year this cooperative
project came to an end.
Forest Fire Lookout Towers
The Division now operates 122 lookout towers. During the past two years
13 new towers were constructed although 7 of these replaced wooden towers
which, due to their age, were no longer safe. In addition to the State-operated
towers there are 42 Federally-owned towers which cooperate with the State in
reporting fires.
Forestry Division Communication
The Division now owns and operates 300 two-way radios. This number in-cludes
tower stations, mobile units on cars and trucks, as well as lightweight
portable units. The radio system has been increased by 195 sets during the
past two fiscal years.
49
The Division owns telephone lines amounting to 699 miles. These telephone
systems are located in areas in which there are no commercial telephone lines.
Permanent Improvements
A new district warehouse was constructed at Fayetteville replacing a small
warehouse which was no longer adequate for the storage and maintenance
of the equipment in the Fayetteville District. In addition 5 towermen dwell-ing
houses were constructed at some of the more remote towers. These dwell-ings
made it possible to attract a much more desirable type of employee than
had been the case in the past.
Forest Fire Statistics
The forest fire statistics for the past 4 years are shown in the statistical
chart. In evaluating these statistics the following factors must be kept in
mind:
1. Climatic conditions which are all important in the actual suppression
of forest fires. These climatic factors are largely responsible for the
One of the 120 lookout towers operated by the Division as part of its
forest fire control and fire prevention program.
;^;. -- ^S«£!«?^^«»'**^
''*•>«- -^
'4%M
increased number of fires during 1949-1950. 1950-1051 and 1951-1952
were more nearly normal as far as weather conditions were concerned.
2. Funds available for fire control must be balanced against the funds
required to do the work. During the past two years it was estimated
that 11 cents per acre were needed, whereas only 6.7 cents per acre
were available.
Conclusion
The goal of State-wide forest fire protection has yet to be accomplished.
During the biennium only 5 additional counties came under organized pro-tection.
The increased support of the general public, however, has indicated
the very real progress made by forest fire prevention and control. This in-creased
support may be measured in part by the larger sums of money ap-propriated
by the various counties and the General Assembly.
FOREST FIRE STATISTICS FOR STATE-PROTECTED AREAS
BY FISCAL YEARS
1948-1949 1949-1950 1950-1951 1951-1952
Area Under Protection—Acres 14,525.262 15,023,097 15,286,957 15,557,382
Number Fires By Size Class:
A. Under 14 acre 121 203 144 133
B. 14 to 10 acres 1,023 1,524 1,424 1,407
C. 11 to 100 acres 911 1,782 1,511 1,384
D. 101 and above 230 547 362 359
Totals 2,285 4,056 3,441 3,283
Causes Of Fires:
1. Campers and Hunters 181 344 369 225
2. Brush Burning 691 1,171 1,143 1,284
3. Incendiary 468 902 555 570
4. Lightning 29 22 18 40
5. Logging 37 66 82 106
6. Railroads 81 190 85 73
7. Smokers 622 1.048 918 737
8. Miscellaneous 176 311 271 248
Totals 2,285 4,056 3,441 3,283
Area Burned—Acres:
Forest Land 106,702 421,973 163,537 183,9"9
Open Land 45,333 39,438 19,992 50,398
Totals 152,035 461,411 183,529 233,387
Damage
:
Forest Land $358,430 $1,456,861 $586,436 $634,895
Other 14,820 27,024 69.678 162,801
Totals $373,250 $1,483,885 $656,114 $847,696
Average Damage Per Fire $ 163 $ 732 $ 191 $ 259
Law Enforcement:
Number Of Prosecutions 316 478 292 281
Number Of Convictions 289 452 272 259
Number Of Parties Billed
For F. F. Costs 302 514 528 636
51
LIST OP PRINCIPAL ITEMS OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT
On Hand On Hand
Item Of Equipment June 30, 1951 June 30, 1952
Passenger Vehicles 36 38
Light Trucks 117 133
Heavy Trucks 12 14
Truck-trailer Units 16 17
Jeeps 1 6
Crawler Tractors 21 25
Fire Line Plows 26 31
Motor Graders 2 2
Road Machines 2 5
Power Pumpers 15 10
Two-way Radio Sets 105 300
Rangers using Jeep equipped with two-way radio, hand tools and power pump
on a fire in Eastern North Carolina.
52
PROGRESS CHART
As Of June As Of June As Of June As Of June
30,1949 30,1950 30,1951 30,1952
Fire Control Personnel:
Central OfRce Supervisors 6 6
District Foresters 10 10
Assistant Dist. Foresters 6 6
District Rangers 11 12
Radio Technicians 1 2
County Foresters 4
County Rangers 78 77
Asst. County Rangers 2 2
Protective Assoc. Rangers 9 10
Mechanics
Equipment Operators 15 15
Towermen 4 5
Finances
:
Appropriation by Counties $ 146,881 $ 165,906
Appropriation By Private Owners 19,188 19,249
Appropriation By State 356,908 462,554
Transfer From Preceding Year
Rentals From Employees
Appropriation, Federal Govt. 259,168 245,875
Presuppression Fire Lines 8,940 3,112
Total Appropriations $ 791,085 $ 896,696
Available Funds:
Per Acre Protected 5.4 cents 5.9 cents
6 6
10 10
6 6
12 13
3 3
6 8
77 77
2 3
10 10
1
16 18
6 6
172,054 $ 194,552
20,680 20,792
378,125 479,135
38,606 84,152
3,259 5,397
254,126 263,922
2,048 5,155
$ 868,898 $1,053,105
5.6 cents 6.7 cents
NOTE: Adequate forest fire control on a State- wide basis can be given all
non-Federal land at an estimated cost of approximately 11 cents per acre.
This is based on a survey made by the State and Federal Government in 1950.
53
DIVISION OF STATE PARKS
Thomas W. Morse, Su2yerinte7ulent of State Parks
THE JOB
The Division of State Parks has one basic
purpose: To Serve People.
Naturally, State parks serve people in certain
specific ways and are not "all things to all
men." To render the very best service, the field
in which State parks serve, therefore, must be
clearly defined and clearly kept in mind so
that all the work of the Division of State Parks
can be concentrated in this field of service.
Briefly, the job of the Division of State
Parks is to serve people by:
1. Preserving and protecting scenic and nat-ural
areas of State-wide importance, not only for the present generation, but
for generations to come. This is the most basic function of State parks and
should never be lost sight of.
2. Providing opportunities for outdoor recreation in natural surroundings.
Recreation that makes use of natural resources in the outdoors is a definite
responsibility of any State park system. Opportunities for camping, fishing,
boating, swimming, picnicking and similar types of recreation are a major
concern of State park systems. State parks should provide facilities and op-portunities
primarily for recreational use of the great outdoors and should
leave the more highly organized and intensive recreational pursuits to munici-pal
and other agencies.
3. Portraying and explaining plant and animal life, geology and all other
natural features included in the various areas making up the State park
system. In an age when we are faced with ever-dwindling natural resources,
this function is very important, because an enlightened public is essential for
intelligent use of natural resources.
4. Preserving, protecting and portraying historic and scientific areas of State-wide
importance. One of the very important functions of a State park system
is the preservation of the physical aspects of our State's history and the
interpretation and portrayal of the historical events connected with them.
It is always important to thus keep our historical heritage before us because
"the past is prologue." Today, faced with bombardment from all sorts of
"ologies" and "isms," it is more important than ever for us to keep clearly
in mind the things our forefathers stood for.
HOW THE JOB IS BEING DONE
Doing the job requires a variety of professional and trade skills. The knowl-edges
and skills of State park administrators, landscape architects, engineers,
architects, biologists, historians, archaeologists, foresters and geologists, to-gether
with many others, are all required, and must be used and coordinated.
The work the Division of State Parks does, to do the job assigned to it, is
varied and complex. This work is organized into the following nine major
divisions
:
54
1. Operation for Public Use.
2. Maintenance.
3. Interpretive and Public Use Programs.
4. Protection and Law Enforcement.
5. Business Management.
6. Information and Education.
7. Personnel Administration.
8. Planning, Developing and Construction.
9. Cooperation with and Service to Other Agencies.
During the biennium July 1, 1950-June 30, 1952, progress and gains were
made in each of these major divisions. A report on the progress and gains in
each of these divisions follows:
1. OPERATION FOR PUBLIC USE.
Public use of the State parks continues to increase year by year. State parks'
attendance during the biennium was 2,439,141 as compared with 1,639,889
during the previous biennium—an increase of 49 per cent.
This increase in public use is the clearest sort of indication of the success
and progress of the North Carolina State Parks. More than anything else,
it shows the appreciation the people of North Carolina have for their State
parks, particularly since these people are park users and not merely park
visitors. The young and the old, the well-to-do and the not-so-well-to-do,
the city man and the farmer, the professional man and the laborer—all of
these use and benefit from the State parks.
The uses made of the State parks during this biennium were many and
varied. Youth groups had organized camps in the group camps; other youth
groups camped in tents or in the open; individual adults and family groups
camped in tents and trailers. Park users used the picnicking facilities of the
State parks; enjoyed swimming in lake, pool or ocean; hiked over Mountain,
Piedmont or Coastal Plain trails; held sunrise and other religious services in
the State parks; fished; boated on placid lakes; spent vacations in the State
park cabins; enjoyed and admired historic features and thus increased their
knowledge of North Carolina history; took part in nature study programs
Picnickers enjoy facilities of one of North Carolina's State Parks.
and came to appreciate and know the wonders of nature; and drew inspira-tion
and refreshment from contact with the beauties of nature.
There is soUd satisfaction in the reaUzation that during this biennium State
parks have served so many people in so many ways, and there is inspiration
to continually improve and expand the services of State parks.
A brief description of the operation of each State park is given below:
Cape Hatteras State Park: With the revival of activity in establishing the
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, State operation of this
State park was suspended. During the biennium, the park was neither operated
or maintained for public use. Protection was on a volunteer basis by local
citizens. The main public use was fishing, chiefly surf casting.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park: Picnicking, hiking, nature study, rough camp-ing,
fishing (in the Neuse River), and sight-seeing were the major public
uses of this State park. Attendance increased over the previous biennium.
Crabtree Creek State Park: The major public uses of this State park were
camping by youth groups, picnicking, fishing, hiking, nature study and rough
camping. The three group camps were heavily used during the summer months
by Boy Scout, Girl Scout, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., 4-H, Church and other youth
groups. In all, nine different youth agencies used the camps during the
summer months for a total of 32,384 camper days. During the fall and spring
months, the camps were used for outings and short-term camping. The Raleigh
Sertoma Club conducted a day camp for underprivileged boys each summer.
Fort Macon State Park: This State park was very heavily used during the
biennium for picnicking, swimming, fishing, nature study, sight-seeing and
visiting Old Fort Macon which drew 222,075 visitors during the biennium. The
installation of museum exhibits and provision of better guide service made
Fort Macon more interesting and educational than it has been in previous
years. The bathhouse was operated during the summers of 1950 and 1951
but was not operated in June 1952 because it was undergoing extensive re-pairs
and alterations.
Hang:ing' Rock State Park: Again this biennium, public use of this State park
was greater than the park facilities could accommodate. The bathhouse and
beach, parking areas, and picnic areas were all heavily overtaxed. Major
public uses at this State park included swimming, boating, fishing, hiking,
nature study, rough camping, picknicking and sight-seeing.
Hiwassee Lake State Park: Since it is within 125 miles of Atlanta and less
than 100 miles of both Knoxville of Chattanooga, a very large percentage of
those using this State park come from Georgia and Tennessee. In fact, over
90 per cent of those who use this State park come from other states. This led
the Board to request the Tennessee Valley Authority to accept return of the
area and to release the State from its obligation to operate and maintain it.
After considerable discussion, TVA agreed to do this effective December 31,
1952. Major public uses of this State park have been vacationing, boating and
fishing with some picnicking and rough camping.
James Iredell House: This historic house in Edenton, the home of James
Iredell, Justice of the United States Supreme Court, 1790-1799, and Attorney-
General of North Carolina during the Revolution, was acquired by the De-partment
by deed dated June 14, 1951, with $15,000 appropriation provided by
the 1951 General Assembly. This historic structure and the plot of land
around it has been maintained and operated during the biennium by the
James Iredell House Historical Association, Inc., under agreement with the
Department.
56
Jones Lake Recreational Area: This area, operated exclusively for Negro use,
grows in popularity each year. Public use for 1951 was double that for 1950
and will probably be even larger in 1952. The area provides facilities for pic-nicking,
swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and rough camping. Usefulness of
the area is seriously curtailed by lack of a full-time Negro park ranger as-signed
exclusively to this area. With present personnel, the area can be
actively operated only during June, July and August. There is a definite need
to operate the area for a much longer period of time than this.
Morrow Mountain State Park: This State park continued to be heavily used
during the biennium. Major public uses include picnicking, swimming, fishing,
hiking, nature study and camping. The restaurant and the recreation room
in the lodge also were operated for public use. In June 1952, six vacation
cabins were opened for public use and thus made vacation facilities available
for the first time at this State park.
Mount Mitchell State Park: The opening of a section of the Blue Ridge
Parkway between Mount Mitchell State Park and Asheville made the distance
between the park and Asheville only 30 miles. This easy accessibility to the
highest peak east of the Mississippi River caused attendance at Mount Mitchell
State Park during this biennium to increase 2^2 times over attendance for
the previous biennium. This increase in public use far outstripped available
facilities of all kinds, but particularly parking and sanitary facilities. On
many days cars were lined up for long distances, sometimes for more than a
mile, waiting for parking space. This inadequacy of facilities, of course, makes
operation very unsatisfactory and can be corrected only by enlarging facilities.
Lack of adequate facilities has been severely criticized. Heavy public use was
made of facilities for picnicking, camping, and sight-seeing. Hiking and
nature study were the other public uses.
Pettigrew State Park: With progress on physical research (excavation) and
restoration, public interest in the historic Somerset Plantation materially in-
Hiking in a State Park in Western North Carolina
~|"Bife^
jHf^ .r- 'V**-
..*«f*i->.\;
ff^-
""^
^, y-. "*^'Ai
. > 1^,
. ..:
creased and visitation to see the existing old buildings and the excavation
work increased correspondingly. Lake Phelps, containing 16,600 acres, con-tinued
to be much used for fishing. The Department entered into an agree-ment
with farmers and local residents around Lake Phelps to hold the water
in the lake at a low level (8 ft.). The outflow elevation of flood gates, therefore,
was set at this level and the lake has been held there since early in the
biennium.
Reedy Creek State Park: On April 24, 1950, 1,234 acres of Crabtree Creek
State Park, lying south of Crabtree Creek, were set up as a separate state
park for Negroes and designated as Reedy Creek State Park. This area had
previously been operated for Negro use as a section of Crabtree Creek State
Park. Major public uses have been organized camping by youth agencies,
hiking, nature study and picnicking in a new picnic area completed early in
the biennium and including a large shelter, toilets, tables and benches, and
outdoor fireplaces.
Rendezvous Mountain State Park: The main importance of this area as a
State park is as an historic site. It was not actively operated by the Division
of State Parks during the biennium but the Division of Forestry maintained
and operated a lookout tower and towerman's residence on the area.
Singletary Lake Group Camp: In this, as in previous bienniums, this area
was used primarily for organized camping by youth agencies. Ten different
youth groups used the group camp for a total of 10,877 camper days. Other
public uses included fishing and boating.
Town Creek Indian Mound: This area is operated entirely as an historic
site. It attracted a steadily increasing number of visitors who came to see
the archaeological excavation work underway, the restored Indian Mound and
Stockade, and to learn how Indians lived before the white man came to
America. A small temporary field museum was operated for the public.
Tryon Palace: The purchase of land for the Tryon Palace project was
completed during this biennium. Thus, the fi:-st major step in the restoration
of the first Capitol of North Carolina was completed. In all, 16 tracts were
purchased with State funds, including the existing wing of the Palace, at a
cost of $206,458.
On October 16, 1951, Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Kehoe and Dean were
employed as architects for the restoration. The architects have established a
project office at the site: physical research has been begun on the wing and
the surrounding ground area; and documentary research is actively under
way. This work, in fact the entire restoration project, is possible through the
generous gift of more than $1,250,000 by the late Mrs. Maude Moore Latham.
The restoration project is the joint responsibility of the Department and the
Tryon Palace Commission.
State Lakes: The Division of State Parks is also charged with the admini-stration
for public use of seven State-owned lakes. Four—Jones Lake, Salters
Lake, Singletary Lake and Lake Phelps—are within the boundaries of State
parks and are administered under State park rules, regulations and policies.
Black Lake, being adjacent to Bladen Lakes State Forest, is similarly handled.
The Department owns no land around White Lake in Bladen County and
Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, and the jurisdiction of the Department
extends only to the high water marks of these lakes. Administration of these
lakes has been successfully carried on during the biennium. The only major
problem has been at Lake Waccamaw in connection with holes dredged in
the lake several years ago by a private development company. Strenuous
58
efforts have been made to get this company to carry out its promise to fill
in these holes, and it now appears that this will be done during the summer
of 1952. Filling in these holes will eliminate a serious hazard.
2. MAINTENANCE.
Maintenance is a continuous process. Day in and day out, maintenance work
has to be done to keep the State parks, and the facilities in them, in good
usable condition and to protect the health and safety of park users. Main-tenance
of the State parks and the millions of dollars worth of improvements
in them is a large undertaking. Dozens of water systems and sewer systems;
hundreds of miles of roads, truck trails, and foot trails; hundreds of build-ings;
miles of telephone and power lines and many other items must be
maintained.
Progress has been made in all this maintenance work and, within the limits
of funds available, maintenance and repairs have been d