|   ATTN- Help save Tanasi/Chilhowee MTN | Go Kart Motzart
Jan 11, 2004 3:25 AM | | Below is a copy of an e-mail I received from a local MTN bike group here in Knoxville. If you have ever ridden either of these trail systems, paddle the Ocoee or driven U.S. 64 and enjoyed its beauty please take the time to write a quick letter.
Greetings Friends of Mountain Biking,
I recently attended a public meeting held by the Tennessee
Department of Transportation (TDOT) regarding the proposed
Corridor K (U.S. 64) bypass "around" the Ocoee River Gorge. The
project is slated for construction of a four lane divide highway
from the lower Ocoee crossing just east of U.S. 411 all the way
to Ducktown, TN, a distance of nearly 21 highway miles for either
of the two build alternatives presented.
What is of greatest concern to mountain bikers is the fact that
either build alternative will wipe out the lower reaches of the
Chilhowee trail system and adversely affect the Tanasi trails as
well. The plan calls for the superhighway to cross the Ocoee
just past the number 3 powerhouse / Thunder Rock campground and
run on the south side of the river, dangerously close to the
Chestnut Mountain Loop and virtually wiping out Bear Paw Loop.
Before crossing back over the river just upstream from the
Whitewater Center, the road will eliminate the upper reaches of
the brand new Brush Creek Trail.
TDOT has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as
required, but upon perusal and in discussion with others at the
meeting, I find it to be hurried and questionable in some of the
details. True to form, we now have 8 days (yes, EIGHT DAYS) to
respond by letter only to the project comments office in
Nashville. If you have never written a letter of protest before,
now would be a great time to give it try. You don't have to be
long-winded, just passionate and succinct. Allow me to highlight
some points to write about, starting with some facts about the
proposed highway:
Alt. 1 Alt.2
Total Length (miles)
20.4 20.6
Waterway Crossings (bridges/culverts) 30 (21/9)
31 (21/10)> Four-lane tunnels
4 4
Connector roads to old US 64 8+
8+
Ocoee River Crossings 3
3
TRAIL SEGMENTS PHYSICALLY AFFECTED 7
8
Construction Cost (in 2000 dollars) $1,481,480,900
1,531,448,100
That's 1.5 BILLION, friends. 1500 million. 74.3 million dollars
per mile. The State of Tennessee would be required to foot 20%
of that bill which would amount to 14.8 million dollars per mile
(the rest is federal money so it's still our tax dollars). With
construction proposed to begin in 2006-7, and needing at least
8-10 YEARS to build, there can be no doubt that the 2000 price
tag will be severely inflated upon completion.
Also consider:
- Fragmentation and diminished quality of wildlife habitat,
especially impacts to black bear populations (one of the largest
in the east)
- Potential degradation of water quality and loss of aquatic habitat from increased sedimentation and pyritic acid leachate
into waterways
- Visual and noise impact (especially of two huge new bridges near Tanasi)
SO, please take the short time required to write a quick letter
to TDOT explaining why you favor the NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE for the
ADHS Corridor K / Ocoee Bypass - before we give away something
that cannot be gotten back. It's your forest, they're your
trails! The address to send comments to is:
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Project Comments
505 Deaderick Street
Suite 300, James K. Polk Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0332
Also, if you are a Tennessee resident, you might consider sending
comment to your state representatives, who have yet to approve
final appropriations for this project.
Thank You Sincerely,
Tim Carlfeldt
SORBA-CBC chapter president
Home 706/937-4138
Mobile 423/304-1007 |
| You should X-post this in Passion. | UzziRidin'
Jan 11, 2004 6:26 PM | | This forum is not browsed as often as Passion or General forum, I'd suggest posting this letter in either of those two forums as well.
I'm from Atlanta, GA so I'm more than happy to lend a hand to a neighboring trail advocate.
-UzziRidin' |
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