The Carolina Bison Mitigation Site, part of the RES French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank, is situated in Buncombe County, North Carolina, approximately two miles northeast of Leicester. Encompassing a 10.92-acre easement within a 457-acre drainage area, the project lies in the French Broad River Basin, specifically within the Newfound Creek Watershed.
Prior to restoration, the site was heavily impacted by livestock production and lacked adequate riparian buffers, leading to significant stream degradation. Livestock had unrestricted access to all stream reaches within the project area, exacerbating erosion and water quality issues.
The restoration efforts focused on mitigating these impacts by implementing measures to exclude livestock from the streams and reestablishing riparian buffers. These actions aimed to stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, and improve overall water quality. The project not only enhances the ecological health of the watershed but also contributes to the broader goals of the French Broad River Basin’s conservation initiatives.
Notably, the surrounding area remains an active bison farm, where American Bison are raised for meat production alongside other species such as watusi, camels, elk, and white-tailed deer. This juxtaposition highlights the project’s integration of agricultural practices with environmental stewardship, demonstrating that sustainable farming and ecological restoration can coexist effectively.
