Sugar Run is a 77-acre +/- multi-use property located in the heart of the New River Gorge recreational mecca, giving access to unlimited recreational opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Contiguous 77 +/- acre multi-use parcel
• Superb recreational opportunities in the heart of the New River Gorge water sports mecca
• One million-acre Monongahela National Forest nearby
• Proximity to 5 rivers and 3 lakes. These include the New River, Gauley River, Cherry River, Cranberry River, and Greenbrier River, and Summersville Lake, Summit Lake and Bluestone Lake
• Plenty of forest trails that offer excellent access to a large portion of the forest
• Two mountain springs on the property that could be developed
• Exceptional rock outcrops suitable for climbing
• Perfect for shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• City of Summersville is a 35-minute drive
• 35 minutes to Summersville Airport
• High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites
• Elevations range from 2381 ft. to 2848 ft. +/-
• Potential conservation value
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution
• The rivers and lakes are ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing
• Forest is a steady producer of life-giving Oxygen and silently works to sequester carbon
• Over 40 years of professional forest and wildlife management
• Jet airports in Beckley, Charleston and Lewisburg are a 90 minute drive
• Potential for leasing carbon credits

DESCRIPTION

Sugar Run, with 77 acres+/-, shares the regional area with several public lands’ giving access to over one million acres of managed wilderness and parks.

Area National and State recreational properties include:

• 3,000-acre Summersville Lake
• 80,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
• One Million Acre Monongahela National Forest
• 25-mile-long Gauley River National Recreation Area
• 47,815-acre Cranberry Wilderness
• 11 mile long Cherry River

LOCATION

Google Coordinates:  38.138623°(N), -80.725527°(W)
Address: Sugar Run Road, Leivasy, WV 26679.  No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 2381 ft. to 2848 ft. +/-

DIRECTIONS

From Leivasy, WV: 2.5 miles +/- (10 minutes +/-)

From the Leivasy Post Office, travel Rt. 20 South for 4/10 mile; turn right onto Hominy Falls Road; travel 1.5 miles; turn sharp left onto Hominy Creek Road; travel 4/10 mile; turn right onto Sugar Run Road; travel 2/10 mile to inside the main part of the property.

WATER

Sugar Branch, a blue line stream, runs through the property for over ½ mile. It should have regular water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt.  Two mountain springs are located on the property which could be developed.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Various mineral rights have been either reserved or conveyed by prior deeds of record, and the property is being sold SURFACE ONLY.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property will be surveyed for the sale deed to separate it from a large tract of land. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Public water nearby or a water well could be drilled (spring water has also been discovered)
Sewer: Septic systems would need to be installed
Electricity: Available nearby
Telephone: Available nearby
Internet: May be available through cable, satellite or cell phone
Cellphone Coverage: Excellent with 5G

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property is accessed from Hominy Creek Road Rt. 13/4 by Sugar Run Road, which runs through the property for about ½ mile.

ZONING

Nicholas County has no zoning regulations in effect other than that which is enacted and enforced within the city limits of Summersville and Richwood.  All prospective purchasers are encouraged to contact the Nicholas County Health Department and the Nicholas County Flood Zone Administrator regarding installation of septic systems, water wells, and flood insurance requirements.

Nicholas County ordinances and contact information can be found at the following website:
http://www.nicholascountywv.org/ordinances/default.aspx

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property has been used as forestland. A utility pipeline runs through the property for a length of about ½ mile and contains about 7 acres of open area.

(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: Part of the property in DB 502 Pg. 455
Nicholas County, West Virginia
Acreage: 77 acres +/- sale area to be determined by boundary survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Nicholas County (34), West Virginia
Kentucky District (5)
Tax Map 35 part of Parcel 18.1; Class 3

2023 Real Estate Taxes: Portion of a very large tax parcel

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Nicholas County School District

Public Elementary School:
Mt Nebo Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summersville Middle School

Public High School:
Nicholas County High School

Nicholas County Career and Technical Center

RECREATION AT SUGAR RUN

Sugar Run offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the recreation mecca of the New River Gorge.

Nature viewing –   Attentive wildlife management has been geared not just to game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation-Astrophotography-Starwalking
Complete to semi-complete darkness can be still be found on most of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Summersville Lake, Gauley River, New River, Cranberry River and Cherry River ideal for white water rafting, swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.  Great fishing is found in the area’s 5 rivers and 3 lakes. Species include small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

• Paintball-Airsoft-Laser tag-Archery tag
• Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays
• Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
• Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports
The property has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV, and Rock Crawlers. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
Along with ATV riding, existing forest trails may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

Hunting is a first-class experience. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife.

FIVE RIVERS AND THREE LAKES

Sugar Run is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area encompassing the Gauley River, New River, Greenbrier River, Cranberry River and Cherry River. Within this vast watershed lies the 3000-acre Summersville Lake, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake and 43-acre Summit Lake.

Great fishing is found in the rivers and lakes with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

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.

Summersville Lake: Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make Summersville Lake a unique place to visit.  West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 2,800 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline.  Boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing for large- and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, (trout are stocked below the dam in the spring and fall) scuba diving, picnicking, hunting, and biking are the favorite activities enjoyed by nearly one million visitors annually. Technical rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available year round, with scheduled whitewater releases below the dam on the world class Gauley River in September and October. Adjacent to the lake is Mountain Lake Campground,  with cabins, camping & RV hookups and many other conveniences for guests.  Sarge’s Dive Shop and the lake’s marina are located on the lake with grocery stores, restaurants, and service stations located nearby in Summersville.

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.

The Cranberry Wilderness contains 47,815 acres in the Monongahela National Forest and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Pocahontas and Webster Counties, West Virginia. The area includes the entire drainage of the Middle Fork of the Williams and the North Fork of the Cranberry Rivers. Elevations range from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet.

Gauley River National Recreation Area was created in 1988 to protect the gorges and swift, winding waters of the 25 miles of the Gauley River and five miles of the Meadow River. The area offers picnicking, primitive camping at the tail waters area, hunting, fishing, and whitewater boating. The Gauley River is considered to be among the best whitewater rivers in the world by expert kayakers, canoeists, and rafters.

The Cherry River is a tributary of the Gauley River located in the southern Allegheny Mountains region of eastern West Virginia. The Cherry flows for much of its length through the Monongahela National Forest and drains mostly rural and forested areas. Along its entire length, it plunges over a series of whitewater rapids in a mountainous setting. Though its whitewater is not often rafted, it is a popular kayaking and fishing stream.

The headwaters of the Cherry arise as two streams — the North Fork and the South Fork. Both rise in southeastern Pocahontas County and flow west to northwest across northern Greenbrier County before converging at Richwood, WV, in Nicholas County.

Summit Lake is a 43-acre cold water reservoir located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia in the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest.

The lake is popular among fisherman, as it has an abundant supply of panfish and bass within its waters. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources also stocks the lake with trout several times per year.

The area surrounding the lake includes a primitive 33-site campground and access to the Cranberry Backcountry. The Cranberry River, a popular trout stream, can be accessed via a two-mile hike along Fisherman’s Trail. There are several other hiking trails in proximity to Summit Lake, and some of these trails are used for cross-country skiing during winter months.

Low-horsepower motor boats and row boats are permitted on the lake. Swimming is prohibited except during the annual Scenic Mountain Triathlon.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION & CARBON CREDITS

The 77 +/- acres forest is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and sequester of Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. With some 77 acres, the vigorously growing forest is sequestering tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing tons and tons of life-giving Oxygen.

This natural process allows the owner (and family/friends) the opportunity to potentially enjoy a carbon neutral footprint.

The leasing of “Carbon Credits” to environmental mitigation companies is a rapidly emerging financial opportunity for the property owner to receive income without placing any burden on the land. The leases can be for as little as one year.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The property’s 77-acre timber component has been professionally managed over many decades.  The predominant timber stand of the forest contains 36 acres of naturally regenerated 15 to 20 year old stems, 23 acres of mature timber, and 18 acres dedicated to an underground natural gas pipeline seeded using a wildlife mixture.

A section of the forest was harvested in 2004 and the remainder in 2008 using a thinning/regeneration harvest and an excellent stand of hardwood trees has been well established.  The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species.

Some trees scattered about are well over 150 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These amazing trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid are present and the majority of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

The mix of mature timber, emerging forests, area creeks and streams create the perfect wildlife habitat. The property has a good mlx of wildlife. The abundance of wildlife can be fully appreciated by spending a few hours hiking, looking and listening for all the forest has to offer.

The forest produces lots of acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, wild grapes, blackberries, beechnuts, poplar and maple seeds. Because there is such an amazing food source, there is a variety of wildlife, including wild turkey, white tail deer, black bear, raccoon, opossum, rabbit, grouse, coyote, squirrel, chipmunk and bobcat.

Many species of songbirds and woodpeckers thrive in the special habitat that large older trees and younger emerging stands create and make their home in this special forest environ. It is exciting to see and hear the large and very vocal Pileated Woodpecker, with its bright red crest dressed in a black and white tuxedo, sweep through the tall canopy in search of a morning snack.

A section of dense forest, with its closed canopy, is home to a variety of songbirds, owls, ravens, buzzards, woodpeckers and hawks. Many of these birds nest in the “den trees”, which are full of holes and cavities. The birds feed on a variety of insects, including hundreds of thousands small caterpillars that inhabit the upper reaches of the canopy.

A number of Bald Eagles have been spotted up and down the area’s rivers and are a thrill to see with wingspans of 6-7 feet.

A wide variety of insects, reptiles and amphibians are represented across Nature’s spectrum.

The nearby rivers and lakes are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year-round and at other times in the waters and around the edges, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Here are some specific examples of crops

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 150 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property would be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from mountain springs or drilled wells
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, and turkey)
• The flat to rolling land could be cleared for agricultural land raise livestock, vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and nuts (walnuts, beechnuts and hickory nuts)

BENEFITS OF LIVING IN NICHOLAS COUNTY

• 4 season climate
• Outdoor recreation: Hiking, rock-climbing, white-water rafting, snow skiing, other water sports
• Historic Route 60 – the ancient Midland Overland Trail (buffalo, Native American, Pioneers)
• New River Gorge Bridge is the western hemisphere’s longest arched bridge
• Monongahela National Forest and New River Gorge National River Park are nearby
• Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park
• Summersville arena and convention center
• Proximity to I-79
• Proximity to I-77
• Proximity to I-64
• Lowes, Walmart etc available in Summersville.
• Major shopping Beckley and Charleston
• Modern schools
• Rich logging and mining history
• Modern hospital at Summersville

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE

Superb water quality and sheer sandstone cliffs make the 3000-acre Summersville Lake a unique place to visit. West Virginia’s largest lake; Summersville Lake has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline. Boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing for large- and smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish, and catfish, (trout are stocked below the dam in the spring and fall) scuba diving, picnicking, hunting, and biking are the favorite activities enjoyed by nearly one million visitors annually.

Technical rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available year round, with scheduled whitewater releases below the dam on the world class Gauley River in September and October. Adjacent to the lake is Mountain Lake Campground with cabins, camping & RV hookups and many other conveniences for guests. Sarge’s Dive Shop and the lake’s marina are located on the lake with grocery stores, restaurants, and service stations located nearby in Summersville.

Marina
Summersville Lake Marina is located at the Long Point Area. The marina number is (304) 872-1331. Additional information can be found at Summersville Lake Marina & Sarge’s Dive Shop. There is a $5.00 Day Use fee for boat launching.

SUMMERSVILLE

Summersville is the county seat of Nicholas County, West Virginia. Summersville was formed in June 1820, and was primarily a farming community. During the winter of 1864-65, both Union and Confederate armies were encamped in Summersville or nearby. It was during that winter that the town and all its buildings were burned to the ground. Although the war ended soon after, the destruction of the town was discouraging, and citizens were very slow to return and rebuild. By 1884, Summersville was again home to over 100 citizens, and slowly became the commerce center of the county.

Centrally located in the mountains of West Virginia, Summersville offers endless opportunities for fun-filled days enjoying beauty, adventure, history and relaxation. There are a host of festivals in the summer and fall and check out the event schedule at the Summersville Arena & Conference Center. Summersville is easy to navigate and offers a large selection of lodging to match any budget. Restaurants range from fast food to fine dining. Winter, spring, summer or fall, Summersville has something to offer couples, families, adventure seekers, historians, or just those seeing relaxation
Summersville has many quaint shops that are ideal for browsing and finding the perfect gift or souvenir. There are many primitive shops, specialty shops, antiques, sporting goods, department stores, and collectibles and food items unique to the area. Summersville also offers several “big box” stores including Big Lots, Lowes, Peebles, Grand Home Furnishings, and Walmart.

Summersville also offers the Summersville Arena & Conference Center, which is a 73,000 square foot multi-use facility constructed jointly with the City of Summersville and the West Virginia Army National Guard. The facility offers a 24,000 sq. ft. arena, 2,000 seats for events such as basketball games, an additional 2,400 seats available for a “staged” event, and a 3,600 sq. ft. convention area. Summersville has a public library.

There is also a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities. Summersville Regional Medical Center is located on Route 19 in Summersville, West Virginia. In operation since 1968, SRMC has served Nicholas County and the surrounding area for over four decades and is the second largest employer in the county.