Dear Drs. Woodson and Watzin,
The Hofmann Forest is one of the largest forests (about 70,000 acres) in the mid-Atlantic region. I am writing today to express my opposition to N.C. State’s proposed sale of the Hofmann. My points are summarized below.
1. The University has not allowed public input in this matter from alumni, faculty, conservationists or other stakeholders. It is inconceivable that a $150 million asset could be liquidated without substantial consultation from the broader University community in an open forum.
2. The University has provided almost no information regarding terms and conditions of the sale. We know the name of the proposed buyer and the purchase prices. A close reading of the various University press releases convey almost nothing of substance.
3. For almost a year, senior university officials have asked for “patience and trust.” The purchase contract between the trustees and the buyer has now been signed. At what point has “patience and trust” run its course? The clear intention of the school is to withhold any meaningful information about the future of the Hofmann Forest until the sale is complete. This Politburo mentality is stunning in an academic community where varying opinion and discourse is prized.
4. The University has not told the entire truth about why annual timber revenues at the Hofmann are down. According to the senior officials within the Department of Natural Resources, timber was harvested annually at the Hofmann across several tracts 25-30 years ago. Revenues from these harvests funded the various Hofmann scholarships and other academic functions. These harvested tracts were not replanted (reforested). These unplanted tracts should be coming on line for harvest now; however, due to mismanagement in falling to replant, harvest revenues will be very low for the next several years.
5. Several press releases by senior CNR officials state the majority of the Hofmann will be conserved by easement. What does this mean? Easements are components of a property’s deed which define the use of certain assets of the property. The new owners could easily place an “easement” on part or all of the Hofmann restricting its commercial development, leaving the forest totally unprotected from clear-cut and conversion to industrialized agriculture. Amazingly, the same press releases state the property’s zoning will not change. This meaningless statement has no relevance to the forest whatsoever and its implied comfort to those of us who seek preservation of same is insulting.
6. As a lifelong farmer and forest owner I understand full well the need for return on capital investment. According to the University, Walker Farms, an industrial farming conglomerate from Illinois is paying $150 million for the Hofmann Forest. They will certainly expect a reasonable return on such a massive capital outlay. How on earth will they receive said return unless a very large portion of the forest is converted to industrial-sized agriculture? If you allow me nothing else, please answer this one salient question.
7. Recently a group of Hofmann Forest supporters opposed the sale by filing a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court to stop the sale. N.C. State was represented by the N.C. Attorney General’s office. One component of the action was a request for a temporary restraining order to postpone any sale pending the acquisition of more information. The Attorney General’s office pleaded that no restraining order was appropriate as NO sale was imminent. The presiding judge apparently accepted at face value the AG’s claim and denied the restraining order. Incredibly, the purchase contract for sale was signed by the buyer and seller within two weeks of the ruling. The remaining portion of the suit goes forward and is scheduled to be heard Nov. 12 in Wake County Superior Court. This duplicitous set of facts cries out for public input and transparency now, for once consummated the sale cannot be undone.
The N.C. state school of Forestry is one of the oldest and most respected in America. The very name Vanderbilt Hall traces its roots to the early 20th century when the science of Forestry in America was in environmental issues that face mankind. The sale of the Hofmann Forest under current taint of secrecy is a blemish on our Forestry School’s legacy and reputation. Future leaders and students of the School of Forestry will wonder how current leadership could have been so short-sighted and allowed a resource of world-class importance to be lost. For all the reasons stated above, the potential sale of the Hofmann Forest should be halted immediately.
Sincerely,
Ernie Averett
Master of Life Sciences, 1981 Botany/Crop Science, N.C. State
Full disclosure. I serve as the President of the Board of Directors of the Tar River Land Conservancy. TRLC has taken no position regarding the sale of the Hofmann Forest.
