Tulula Wetlands

Overview of History of Disturbance
and the Restoration Plans

The Tulula Wetlands and surrounding lands presumably were occupied by Native Americans for centuries and may have been burned periodically to maintain open areas for hunting. European settlers did not enter the area until most Cherokees were removed in 1838 and the first land deeds were issued in the 1850's. Early settlers in the 1840's noted that "Indian relicts were common in the Meadows on the head of Tululah Creek." Indian trails were the primary travelways until an improved road was built through the area in 1902. U.S. 129 was finished in the late 1950's.

The site passed through several owners between the 1850's and 1940, but suffered only minor disturbance and degradation from farming activities during this period. The Tulula Wetlands were sold to the U.S. Forest Service in 1943 and the site was traded to the Graham County Industrial Authority in 1986. The Industrial Authority began developing the land into a golf course in 1986 in violation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Industrial Authority then transferred the property later that year to the Tallulah Valley Golf Course and Country Club, Inc., following authorization by the N.C. General Assembly. The developers experienced financial difficulties prior to completing the project, and the land was sold in 1990 to the Cody family who leased the property for cattle grazing.

During the attempted golf course construction, approximately 40% of the wetlands were severely degraded from logging and grazing, from channeling Tulula Creek to facilitate drainage, and from ditching and filling low-lying areas. Since 1994, our research group has been working with NCDOT, the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), other state and federal agencies, and environmental consultants to develop and implement a plan to restore the site.

We have used an holistic approach that includes gathering baseline data on the plant communities, hydrology, and soils; inventorying the plants, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds; monitoring and evaluating changing ecological conditions at the site as restoration activities are implemented; using experimental approaches to understand species interactions and community organization; and developing a GIS data base to enhance the ecological assessment of the site. This research will provide important information on the ecology of southern Appalachian floodplain forests and associated wetland complexes, as well as information that will be useful for designing and/or restoring other mountain wetlands.


	Overview of History of Disturbance and the Restoration Plans
		The Tulula Wetlands and surrounding lands presumably were occupied by Native Americans for centuries and may have been burned periodically to maintain open areas for hunting. European settlers did not enter the area until most Cherokees were removed in 1838 and the first land deeds were issued in the 1850's. Early settlers in the 1840's noted that "Indian relicts were common in the Meadows on the head of Tululah Creek." Indian trails were the primary travelways until an improved road was built through the area in 1902. U.S. 129 was finished in the late 1950's. The site passed through several owners between the 1850's and 1940, but suffered only minor disturbance and degradation from farming activities during this period. The Tulula Wetlands were sold to the U.S. Forest Service in 1943 and the site was traded to the Graham County Industrial Authority in 1986. The Industrial Authority began developing the land into a golf course in 1986 in violation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Industrial Authority then transferred the property later that year to the Tallulah Valley Golf Course and Country Club, Inc., following authorization by the N.C. General Assembly. The developers experienced financial difficulties prior to completing the project, and the land was sold in 1990 to the Cody family who leased the property for cattle grazing.
	During the attempted golf course construction, approximately 40% of the wetlands were severely degraded from logging and grazing, from channeling Tulula Creek to facilitate drainage, and from ditching and filling low-lying areas. Since 1994, our research group has been working with NCDOT, the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), other state and federal agencies, and environmental consultants to develop and implement a plan to restore the site. We have used an holistic approach that includes gathering baseline data on the plant communities, hydrology, and soils; inventorying the plants, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds; monitoring and evaluating changing ecological conditions at the site as restoration activities are implemented; using experimental approaches to understand species interactions and community organization; and developing a GIS data base to enhance the ecological assessment of the site. This research will provide important information on the ecology of southern Appalachian floodplain forests and associated wetland complexes, as well as information that will be useful for designing and/or restoring other mountain wetlands.