World · North America · 7 hrs ago
Cumberland Island land swap proposal could allow eight new homes
The National Park Service has proposed a land swap with Carnegie family descendants on Cumberland Island, a barrier island off Georgia’s coast.
The proposal would give two branches of the family parkland on the island’s west side, where they could build up to eight private homes.
In exchange, the park aims to consolidate private ownership on the west side and protect sensitive coastal and wilderness areas on the Atlantic side from development.
The island includes about 9,800 acres of federally protected wilderness, which Congress designated for permanent preservation in its primitive state.
Park officials say the new homes would face conservation limits, but critics argue the allowed space, including driveways and outbuildings, is excessive.
More than 12,500 public comments have been submitted, and conservation groups are fighting the proposal.
The plan has stirred debate over how to preserve the island, but no decision or next step is given here.
The National Park Service has proposed a land swap with descendants of industrialist Thomas Carnegie that could allow up to eight new private homes on Cumberland Island, Georgia.
The proposed homes would be built on current parkland beneath live oak trees on the island’s west side.
The park service says the swap would consolidate private ownership and help protect sensitive areas on the Atlantic side of the island.
Critics say the homes’ allowance of 15,000 square feet, including driveways and outbuildings, is not modest.
The park service received more than 12,500 public comments on the proposal.
- Who
- The National Park Service and descendants of Thomas Carnegie are involved in the proposed swap. Conservation group Defenders of Wildlife opposes the deal.
- What
- A proposed land swap could allow up to eight private homes on current parkland.
- When
- The park service recently proposed the swap; no specific date is stated.
- Where
- Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia.
- Why
- The park service says the swap would consolidate private ownership and help protect sensitive areas. Critics object to the proposed homes and their allowed size.
National Park Service and Carnegie descendants
Critics, including Defenders of Wildlife
Purpose
National Park Service and Carnegie descendants
The park service says the swap would consolidate private ownership on the island’s west side and help protect sensitive coastal and wilderness areas on the Atlantic side.
Critics, including Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife opposes the deal and describes the proposed homes as excessive.
Homes
National Park Service and Carnegie descendants
The park service says up to eight “modest” homes could be built, subject to permanent conservation limits and a 35-foot height limit.
Critics, including Defenders of Wildlife
The group’s attorney says the 15,000-square-foot allowance, including driveways and outbuildings, amounts to “McMansions.
The National Park Service began managing Cumberland Island National Seashore.
The park service proposed a land swap with Carnegie descendants that could allow up to eight new homes.
- Island length
- 18 miles
- Wilderness area
- Roughly 9,800 acres
- Proposed homes
- Up to eight
- Home height limit
- 35 feet
- Public comments
- More than 12,500
- Proposed area allowance
- 15,000 square feet, including driveways and outbuildings
What people are saying
Right now, if we do nothing, development is possible
We're swapping for McMansions