Gov. Cooper appoints new Swain County Resident to WNC Public Land Council 

On Wednesday, May 18, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced a round of state board and commission appointments for the state which included the appointment of Luke D. Hyde of Bryson City as a Swain County resident to the Western North Carolina Public Lands Council. Hyde is the Owner and Manager of the Historic Calhoun House Hotel. He also practices law in Raleigh and Western North Carolina

The Western North Carolina Public Lands Council (formerly known as the North Carolina National Park, Parkway, and Forests Development Council) is a state-appointed advisory body created to promote the protection, preservation, and sustainability of western North Carolina’s natural and economic resources. By studying issues, determining needs, and advocating solutions to the appropriate federal, state, and local officials, the Council strives to protect valuable public natural resources for future generations of Western North Carolina residents.

In 2010, legislation was passed that changed the name of the Council from the North Carolina Parks, Parkway, and Forest Development Council to the Western North Carolina Public Lands Council. The seven Council members are appointed by the governor for a term of four years. The Chairman is elected by the Council.

The council is comprised of residents across Western North Carolina with representatives from Buncombe, Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, and Haywood Counties as well as two seats for “county adjacent to National Park Facility of Forest which currently includes Jason Love from Macon County and Jason Robinson From Burnsville, North Carolina. 

Hyde will be replacing Linda Hogue as the Swain County representative on the council.