Aug 02, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Bowater Incorporated announced on July 31, 2007 the official transfer of nearly 3 500 acres of the company's forested lands to state ownership. This action marks a milepost of a beneficial conservation partnership with the state of Tennessee that began nearly five year ago. The partnership has resulted in permanent preservation of nearly 24 000 acres of pristine forests on the Cumberland Plateau, and the study of the ecological and archaeological value of thousands of acres of the company's coves and gulfs. “Bowater is pleased to have been a vital partner with the State of Tennessee for many years in the preservation of special lands on the Cumberland Plateau, and is proud of its contributions toward the achievement of many of the conservation initiatives begun with the State nearly five years ago,” said Bowater CEO Dave Paterson. In addition to the gifted properties, Mr. Paterson also announced the sale to the state of 298 acres, including 194 acres in the Scott's Pinnacle area adjacent to the Bridgestone/Firestone Wildlife Management and 104 acres adjoining Bledsoe State Forest. In addition to the gifted and sale properties, Bowater announced finalization of a cooperative effort with the Heritage Conservation Trust to make 185 acres available to Historic Rugby, one of Tennessee's most treasured landmarks. Bowater Incorporated, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, is a leading producer of coated and specialty papers and newsprint. In addition, the company sells bleached market pulp and lumber products. Bowater employs approximately 6 900 people and has 12 pulp and paper mills in the United States, Canada and South Korea. In North America, it also operates a converting facility and owns 10 sawmills. Bowater's operations are supported by approximately 708 000 acres of timberlands owned or leased in the United States and Canada and 28 million acres of timber cutting rights in Canada. Bowater operates six recycling plants and is one of the world's largest consumers of recycled newspapers and magazines.