Private and Quiet, with Neighboring Nature Preserves

This offering is a rare opportunity to own a portion of one of the most magnificent and unspoiled natural areas in Western New York. Its possibilities are unlimited: primary or secondary home; nature retreat; secluded fishing and hunting enclave; working woodlot managed for sustained timber income and preservation—or all of the above.

With almost 2,200 feet of frontage on the South Branch Gorge of Cattaraugus Creek, this 92.9-acre parcel shares a creek centerline boundary with two adjoining nature preserves to the west: the five-acre Rodger Sweetland Preserve, owned by the Nature Sanctuary Society of West-ern New York, Inc., and the 410-acre Deer Lick Conserva-tion Area, a National Natural Landmark owned and man-aged by The Nature Conservancy, Inc.

Privacy truly defines this pastoral setting; birdcalls, cattle lowing, and the wind are often the only sounds heard.

A Unique Natural Setting with Dramatic Topography

The parcel offers waterfalls, deep ravines, and towering hemlocks and maples—all in an awe-inspiring and undis-turbed setting. Elevation varies by almost 500 feet—from the floor of the South Branch Gorge, at 970 feet above sea level, to a knoll near the northeast corner, at 1,460 feet. This knoll, one of many ideal building sites, even offers a seasonal glimpse of Lake Erie to the northwest.

Spectacular plant and animal life abounds, and the eco- system sustains a vast array of wildlife species. Rich soils and a temperate microclimate produce strong timber and crop yields. The parcel has abundant water supplies in sur-face streams, springs, vernal pools, and wetland areas. No fewer than seven waterfalls, ranging from five to 25 feet tall or higher, are located on the property.

For Sale: Spectacular Zoar Valley Acreage 9581 Marek Road, Town of Otto, Cattaraugus County, New York

Exceptional Fishing, Hunting, and Timber Income on a Unique, Private Parcel

Marek Road

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Abundant Wildlife; Excellent Hunting and Fishing

Wildlife is abundant on the parcel. Zoar Valley is renowned for the game it supports, and given the close proximity of the parcel to, literally, thousands of acres of undisturbed forestland and adjoining habitat with very low hunting pressure, game species are abundant and healthy. In addition, the New York State Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area—which covers 2,984 acres and 11 miles of Cattaraugus Creek steelhead waters—is located four minutes to the north.

Trophy-sized deer and turkey are present, as are rabbit, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. Black bear have been seen in the vicinity.

Trails were restored in 2001, including the planting of wild-life food plots in conjunction with the seeding of the trail network. Wild apple trees are prevalent, and other soft and hard mast sources abound. Resi-dent and migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors can be found nesting on or migrating through the parcel seasonally.

This reach of the South Branch supports a strong native popula-tion of rainbow trout. Stocked brown trout from tributaries are also seen, and small runs of spring and fall steelhead occur each year. Sweetland Falls, the tallest waterfall in the channel of the entire Cattaraugus Creek watershed, adjoins the parcel immediately to the west.

Amenities, Zoning, and Taxes

The parcel was professionally surveyed in April 1999 by Freeman & Freeman Land Surveyors, of Glenwood, New York. As shown on the survey plat, the parcel has 574 feet of frontage on a paved town road, where electric and tele-phone utilities are located. A gated private driveway was constructed in 2000, and a pre-existing 20-foot deeded easement over neighboring parcels to the north and south

provides additional access to the southern and western areas of the parcel. The parcel includes a 1-acre gravel pit, inactive since the 1960s, that currently serves as an ideal, exceptionally safe site for rifle and shotgun target practice. The parcel’s private trail to the streambed of the South Branch of Cattaraugus Creek is the only such access available, either upstream or downstream, for more than two miles.

9581 Marek Road, by the Numbers

Total Surveyed Acreage: 92.9 Acres Forested, Approximately: 75 Acres Cropland or Reverting, Approximately: 18 Feet Frontage on Paved Town Road: 574 Feet Frontage on S. Branch of Cattaraugus Cr: 2,190 Town and County Taxes, 2013: $2,305 Cattaraugus/Little Valley School Taxes, 2013: $1,464 Total Board Feet of Marketable Timber, 2013: 229,900

Value of Marketable Timber, 2013: $46,005

$46,000 in Professionally Appraised Standing Timber

The parcel boasts 75 acres of mature timber—mixed northern hard-woods (maples/beech) and conifers (hemlock), including a spectacular small stand (approximately four acres) of probable Old Growth timber. An additional 12 acres is in very productive agricultural cropland, currently planted in hay or small grains, and the balance is in open field or reverting pasture. Soils on the property are primarily gravelly/silt loams and are highly productive. The network of stable and well-maintained trails in place throughout the parcel ensures easy access for recreational use and convenient access to crops and timber. The entire woodlot has been uncut, managed for stand improvement and preser-vation, since 1999; timber was last cut, selectively, in 1995.

The woodlot has been professionally assessed and managed since 2000, and a timber inventory was conducted, most recently, in spring 2013. Mature hard and soft maple, yellow poplar, and basswood constitute the majority of the market-able hardwood, with some immature oak and black cherry interspersed. Hemlock is by far the predominant mature softwood on the parcel, with some scattered red pine and white pine.

The professional appraisal assessed the value of the standing timber on the parcel at $46,000, based on the 2013 stumpage prices for the total of 230,000 board feet (Doyle Log Rule) of hardwoods and softwoods inventoried.

Two Options for Purchase

The parcel is offered for sale through two options: first, the entire 92.9-acre parcel is offered at $1,995 per acre. Alternatively, the West Parcel, totaling approximately 75 acres accessible via a 20-foot deeded easement and shown on the cover map as the area to the left of the dotted line, may be purchased separately at $1,595 per acre. The East Parcel, depicted to the right of the dotted line, is not being offered for sale separately at this time.

The parcel is zoned Residential Agricultural (2-acre mini-mum lot size) and is assessed as “Vacant/Unimproved Farmland.” Police and fire protection are provided, respec-tively, by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department and the Otto Volunteer Fire Company. The parcel has been posted against trespassing since 1999 to ensure privacy. Gas and oil rights are held under lease by the previous owner, and gas has been almost fully extracted from neighboring parcels under that lease since 1974. No gas wells are located on or near the parcel.

Call Today for Your Personal Tour

It is impossible to capture the beauty and splendor of this parcel in just pictures and words. A personal tour is the only way to see and understand what is being offered—and how it will fulfill your vision of a private retreat or residence, fishing or hunting camp, or a source of sustainable timber revenue.

The terrain is rugged and the parcel is posted, so all tours must be guided. The parcel is located about 20 minutes west off of Route 219 after crossing the Erie County line south of Springville.

Call Steve McCabe for Your Tour: (716) 627-9624 or (716) 374-4777

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