Film “The Last Forest” highlights concerns over proposed development in Sledge Forest

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) —Kayne Darell is the founder of Save Sledge Forest.  

In this film ‘The Last Forest’ she describes how the area is a natural phenomenon and that a new housing development is threatening what she calls a ‘biodiverse heaven.’  

“They actually were going to this massive 4,000 home development in this unique local treasure that we have, Sledge Forest,” said Darrell.  

The 6-minute docu-short film, produced by Boot Scrap Films, was screened last night at the Satellite Bar and Grill as part of the Cucalorus Film Festival.  

It highlights the value and beauty of sledge and why some say it should be preserved and not developed.  

In the film, Kayne raised the concern many have about potential impacts of developing in a floodplain, especially in an area prone to disastrous weather.   

“What happens when a large hurricane comes through, and we know it will eventually, and you’re putting this huge development in the middle of a floodplain. This place is also adjacent to a hazardous waste site, a toxic plume, that has already migrated onto the Sledge property and in our aquifer. Who’s going to insure those homes?” said Darrell. 

Even though the developer — Copper Builders — has scaled back the project from the original plan which called for 4,000 homes, many say it’s still too risky to build here.   

WWAY reached out to Wade Miller, CEO of Copper Builders, for reaction to the docu-short, but we have not heard back. 

Earlier this month he told WWAY its goal for the project is quote — ”to both preserve some of the natural beauty of the property and to build a really nice development that integrates with nature.”  

However, Andy Wood, who’s with the Coastal Plain Conservation Group, claims developers are jumping through loopholes.   

“The loophole their trying to exploit will enable them to get higher density than the rural agricultural zoning allows, and what they’re trying to claim is this bottomland hardwood swamp acreage is equivalent to upland longleaf pine acreage,” said Wood.