Senator Yager praises action by State Building Commission to acquire land at Tackett Creek Wildlife Management Area

TOP PHOTO: Senator Ken Yager is pictured on the Campbell County Courthouse grounds back in October when he kicked off his Get Out The Vote Tour.

NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) praised action taken by the Tennessee State Building Commission’s Executive Subcommittee on Monday to acquire land for the Tackett Creek Wildlife Management Area in Campbell and Claiborne Counties.  Yager said the State Building Commission voted to acquire the entirety of the leased property by conservation easement in a single transaction.

“This is a very good news for Campbell County and our region,” said Sen. Yager.  “This property is some of the most beautiful land in Tennessee and is enjoyed by many local citizens.”

The 43,000 acres of the Tackett Creek Wildlife Management Area are currently being leased by TWRA under an agreement with Molpus Timberlands Management where it has been used for hunting and recreational purposes.  Yager said the $7.98 million purchase will be made utilizing Tennessee’s Wetlands Acquisition Fund.  The fund preserves certain wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests in the state.

The Tackett Creek Unit is located near the Sundquist, New River, and Royal Blue units of the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.  Yager said the acquisition is an important expansion of the management area.  Having been heavily surface-mined in the past and with active surface mining and reclamation efforts ongoing, the property consists of excellent habitat for grouse, turkey, deer, and elk.

The property is accessible from Tennessee Hwy. 90 east, located between La Follette and Jellico on the west side, or on the east side from Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro, Ky. on Hwy. 74 west.