Onslow County Board of Commissioners: Resolution 13-005 Preservation of Hofmann Forest

RESOLUTION 13-005 SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION OF HOFMANN FOREST

WHEREAS,  the Hofmann Forest started its long storied support of academic excellence to North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources in 1936; and

WHEREAS, the Hofmann Forest is comprised of 80,000 contiguous acres in the coastal region of North Carolina, which is historically referred to as the White Oak pocosin; and

WHEREAS,  the regional benefits of preserving the Hoffman Forest in its present state for perpetuity are numerous and include; providing wildlife habitat and corridors, recreational opportunities, timber sales, biomass source, tourism, research, a myriad of environmental protections such as aquifer sustainability and recharging capacity, runoff protection for streams, rivers, and the Atlantic Ocean, air quality; and

WHEREAS, the benefits to the State of North Carolina’s diverse portfolio, with respect to preserving the Hofmann Forest, are significant both economically and strategically.   North Carolina is recognized as the “Nation’s Most Military Friendly State” with 416,000 jobs directly and indirectly sustained by the defense industry and military installations, including Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune; and

WHEREAS,  the criticality to the region, State of North Carolina and our national defense cannot be overstated in relation to preserving Hofmann Forest as it serves as an irreplaceable asset to the mission readiness of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Army and United State Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Hofmann Forest directly supports the mission readiness for Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command with a combined total troop strength of approximately 65,000; and

WHEREAS, the importance of Hofmann Forest to the expanding mission platform of our military will only increase with the diversification and incorporation of unmanned aerial vehicles and other technological advancements; and

WHEREAS,  the unintended consequences of the sale and private placement of the Hofmann

Forest would detrimentally impact the region, State of North Carolina and our nation’s military

interest far beyond the financial gains for the North Carolina State University’s Endowment

Foundation;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Onslow County Board of Commissioners hereby:

I.               Supports the preservation of Hofmann Forest in perpetuity through public ownership and stewardship;

II.                Supports identifying a solution, which will meet the financial needs of North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources that maintains the present use of Hofmann Forest;

III.     Requests that such a long term solution be attained in collaboration with the Governor’s Office, General Assembly, Department of Defense, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, North Carolina State University’s Chancellor, County of Onslow, County of Jones, City of Jacksonville and any other stakeholders from the federal government, state government, university system or appropriate entity.

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