OVERVIEW

OTTER CREEK FARM & FOREST is a 25 acre farm and forest property located in Greenbrier County.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 25 acres is the perfect size for creating a wonderful country estate
• Exceptional home sites with pastoral and mountains views
• 12 acres of level agricultural land presently in hay production
• 13 acre amazingly biodiverse wetland forest
• 5 minutes to the Sam Black Interchange on I-64
• Jet airport with daily service to Chicago and Dulles just 20 minutes drive
• Exceptional songbird population including neo-tropicals, woodpeckers, owls, and hawks
• Resident wildlife population density is unrivaled with rabbit, squirrel, deer, turkey and raccoon
• A “Dark Skies Property” with little light pollution for fantastic star and planet gazing
• In the heart of the Appalachian Mountains
• Forest is comprised of mature Pin Oak, Swamp White Oak, Hickory and Maple
• Excellent road frontage on the paved Gray Gables Road and Otter Creek Road
• 20 minutes to Lewisburg
• Modern schools nearby with county school bus service
• Public water coming in 2019

LOCATION

Otter Creek is located in Greenbrier County, WV near Lewisburg, Rainelle and the unincorporated community of Sam Black. This 25 acre agricultural- timberland-recreational opportunity is located in the scenic, mountainous region of southeastern West Virginia. The surrounding Greenbrier County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny & Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Greenbrier County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

Otter Creek, with nearly 13 acres of mature forest, represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure. Terrain is unique in the region and considered level to slightly rolling.

Google Coordinates are: Latitude: 37.916334N Longitude: -80.615810W
Address: Grey Gables Road, Crawley, WV 24931; No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2434 ft. to 2473 ft. +/-

THE DYNAMIC WETLAND FOREST

In earlier times, before the environmental and societal value of wetlands was discovered, Otter Creek’s 13 acre wetland forest was commonly called a “swamp forest”. This enchanting little woodland is biologically rich and wildlife diverse, being akin to the world’s largest swamp forests found in the Amazon. This small, but mighty forest, works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary benefits like clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, hunting, and yes—recreation for children.

Otter Creek Forest is the best of both worlds. You can visit during a dry season to walk beside the 100+ year old trees and watch for deer, squirrels, raccoon, and turkey; or explore during the wet season and search for butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, song birds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

The 100+ year old trees incredibly beautiful. The majestic Pin Oak and Swamp White Oak provide the forest’s foundation, while Red Maple, Hickory, American Elm, Ash, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam (Muscle Wood) fill in between. The Pin Oak and Swamp White Oak are especially adapted to the wetland growing conditions found in the forest. The Pin Oak bark was used by some Native American tribes to make a drink for treatment of intestinal pain. The name “pin oak” is possibly due to the many small, slender twigs, but may also be from the historical use of the hard wood for pins in wooden building construction.

A few “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and field edges. These ancient trees, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer is present and it is anticipated that all the Ash east of the Mississippi will succumb to the borer over the coming decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, ferns and cool green mosses.

Otter Creek’s very special plant – “Skunk Cabbage!”
In the spring, the Otter Creek Forest floor is covered with the green, low growing plant, commonly known as skunk cabbage (also swamp cabbage, clumpfoot cabbage, meadow cabbage, or polecat weed). Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent but not harmful odor, the source of the plant’s common name; it is also foul smelling when it blooms. The plant is not poisonous to the touch. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies, stoneflies, and bees. The odor in the leaves may also serve to discourage large animals (and humans) from disturbing or damaging this plant which grows in soft wetland soils.

Eastern skunk cabbage is notable for its ability to generate temperatures of up to 27–63 °F above air temperature by cyanide resistant cellular respiration in order to melt its way through frozen ground, placing it among a small group of thermogenic plants. Even though it flowers while there is still snow and ice on the ground, it is successfully pollinated by early insects that also emerge at this time. Some studies suggest that beyond allowing the plant to grow in icy soil, the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air. Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe because it is warmer than the surrounding air, fueling pollination.

Eastern skunk cabbage has contractile roots which contract after growing into the earth. This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the mud, so that the plant in effect grows downward, not upward. Each year, the plant grows deeper into the earth, so that older plants are practically impossible to dig up. They reproduce by hard, pea-sized seeds which fall in the mud and are carried away by animals or by floods.

In the 1800’s U.S. Pharmacopoeia listed eastern skunk cabbage as the drug “dracontium”. It was used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, nervous disorders, rheumatism, and dropsy. Skunk cabbage was used extensively as a medicinal plant, seasoning, and magical talisman by various tribes of Native Americans. While not considered edible raw, because the roots are toxic and the leaves can burn the mouth, the leaves may be dried and used in soups and stews.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

There are approximately 12 acres of open ground with most of this area comprised of excellent grassland suitable for grazing or for making hay on. The lower lying field was “tiled” in the mid-1900’s to provide drainage and the shallow drain-fields are still visible functioning. This land would make a great horse farm.

WILDLIFE

Otter Creek is an even mixture of hayfields/pasture and mature wetland forest, coupled with the abundant water supply from the blue-line creek, thus creating the perfect wildlife habitat. The “edge effect” created between field and forest is the perfect habitat for all the resident wildlife. White tail deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

The hardwood wetland forest provides the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns and hickory nuts, and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

A number of Bald Eagles have been spotted up and down the Greenbrier and New Rivers and are a thrill to see with wingspans of 6-7 feet.

WATER

Otter Creek is blessed with a year-round water source. The actual 5 mile long Otter Creek is a year round, blue-line designated stream, flowing through the property for about 700’.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The owner has chosen not to lease out any mineral-oil and gas rights and all rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property has been recently surveyed and the survey plat is on file at the Greenbrier County Clerk’s office in DB 465 at Page 780 (survey plat attached to a deed recorded in DB 465 at page 778).  A large portion of the property boundaries is state road frontage. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Electric: Appalachian Power
Water: Public water is available
Sewer: No public sewer system currently available. A residential septic system could be installed.
Telephone: Frontier Communications
Cell phone Coverage: Good in most places
Internet: Frontier or HughesNet
LP Gas: Available locally
Television: Direct TV

ZONING

Greenbrier County is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and also the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes and installation of septic systems.
Information can be found at the county website: http://greenbriercounty.net/ordinances/

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property is comprised of about 11.5 acres in a large pasture field and about 13.5 acres as forestland.
(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 465 Pg. 778
Greenbrier County, West Virginia

Acreage: 24.992 acres +/-
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Greenbrier County (13), West Virginia
Meadow Bluff District (11)
Tax Map 77 Parcel 27.1; 24.992 A SEVY; Class 3

2017 Real Estate Taxes: $137.92

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Greenbrier County School District
Public Elementary Schools:
Rupert Elementary School
Smoot Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Western Greenbrier Middle School

Public High School:
Greenbrier West High School

SURROUNDING AREA

The surrounding area offers unlimited soft recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing. Snow skiing at the Winterplace Ski Resort is an hour away. In 30 minutes you can catch the Amtrak train in White Sulphur Springs and ride to Chicago or New York City. The Greenbrier Valley Airport is 25 minutes away and the Beckley Airport is just 40 minutes away.

Otter Creek is supported with a great community known for its friendly residents and laidback lifestyle. Lewisburg, a 25 minute drive, is the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (800 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture. The Greenbrier Valley and surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying. A year round live theatre, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg.

Lewisburg has been named the Coolest Small Town in America and has complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The Greenbrier Valley Airport, with the longest runway in the state has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is a 30 minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100 + mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

The friendly town of Rainelle offers a modern medical center, grocery, stores including department, hardware, auto parts, pharmacies, appliances, bakery, sporting goods and several restaurants. Rainelle is well known for its strong community spirit supporting an active fire department/EMT, civic, youth and church organizations.

Modern public schools are nearby and buses run when school is in session.

Year round, state maintained paved roads and a private driveway provide easy access. Weekly trash pickup, daily newspaper and daily mail delivery is available at curb-side. UPS and FedEx service this area also.

Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is an hour drive. Hinton, founded in 1871, grew rapidly as the hub of a growing railroad industry serving the New River coal fields, passenger travel and coast to coast freight lines. Today, Hinton serves the growing tourist and technology industries. Situate at the confluence of the New River, Bluestone River and Greenbrier River, adjoining the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Hinton is truly a gateway to water recreation. The 80,000 acre New River National River Park, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park Resort and 17,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area are recreational cornerstones in the area. The new 10,000 acre Boy Scout high adventure camp is an hour’s drive

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880’s. The railroad opened up the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early “mountaineers” settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.

Otter Creek is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area encompassing the New River and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton. The New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.