On October 23, 2000, the State of NC used its power of eminent domain to take the 2200 acre Anthony inholding in the heart of the DuPont State Forest for a price of $12.5 million.  In September 2003, the State and Anthony settled out of court for an additional payment of $12 million.  The money came from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

    A management plan is now being developed.  The Forest is experiencing 2000-3000 visitors per week during the warmer months.  You may view the alternatives so far developed and make comments by going to the website maintained by Friends of DuPont Forest:  www.dupontforest.com

    Trail and signage work, as well as fund-raising are being carried out by The Friends of DuPont State Forest and a large group of volunteers.  (See Outings schedule for details on volunteering.)

    In November 2002 the AGFA  plant which had purchased the former DuPont photographic film manufacturing facilities, closed down for good.  This leaves a 400 acre parcel in the middle of the State Forest, the future of which is uncertain.  DuPont had agreed with AGFA that if the site should cease to be used by AGFA, AGFA would tear down the buildings and ownership of the land would revert to DuPont, which would then remediate the site (clean up toxic waste sites) and eventually turn it over to the State.  As of April 2005 negotiations were still in progress between DuPont, AGFA, Ilford and the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

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