County to sponsor grant application for DeFord River access purchase

Ashe County commissioners agreed to sponsor a grant application from New River Conservancy to support access improvements and stream-bank restoration at the recently acquired DeFord River Access.

Adam (speaker 9) and New River Conservancy explained that the property is expected to transfer to the county within about a month and that the conservancy is seeking county sponsorship so it can apply for a North Carolina water-resources grant now. Adam said the conservancy will continue its application work and the county will act as the applicant while ownership finalizes.

Commissioners discussed that much of the lower property is in the floodway and that the site’s elevation will limit extensive construction, but that the grant would help with access and restoration and could use the purchase as match. The board moved, seconded and approved sponsorship of the application.

No conditions or specific funding commitments from the county were recorded at the meeting; staff will coordinate further details as the property transfer proceeds.