AN INVITATION !

Stop I-3 Coalition supporter:

You are invited to witness first-hand where the 4-laning of Corridor K in North Carolina overlaps with one of the possible routes of Interstate 3. And enjoy a breathtaking hike, spiked with information about local culture, history, and plants. Wildflowers look to be abounding! See the full announcement below for details.

Many thanks to Stop I-3 Coalition’s supporting organization, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, for organizing this hike. For information about them and more of the hikes they are offering this summer, go to http://www.safc.org/resources/events.php.

Interpretive Hike with Wildcrafter & Naturalist Ila Hatter!

When: May 17, 2008
Where: Stecoah Gap
Time: 8:00 am, meet to carpool, 10:00 am hike begins
Length/Difficulty: 2 miles/Easy

Space is limited!
Please call 828.252.9223, or email Nicole@safc.org to register for this hike.

Ila Hatter, a descendant of Pocahontas, Wildcrafter and Naturalist, will lead us on a hike overlooking Stecoah Valley. She will talk about the history of the Valley and how the people who live there have used the plants and trees throughout history. We will also talk about the changes coming to the area, with the new proposed road, Corridor K. Our hike will end with a look at some wildflowers and a taste of one of Ila's wild food creations!

Learn more about Ila Hatter at www.wildcrafting.com

Hikers Say "Too Steep for Corridor K"

Photos from March Sierra Club outing and hike in the Little Frog Wilderness, which would be impacted by Corridor K. Hike was about 7.5 miles on the Rock Creek and Dry Pond Lead Trails, starting in the cold and snow of the morning that turned to a beautiful spring day with the snow mainly melted in the afternoon. Afterward hikers took to their vehicles and drove the Kimsey Highway a ways, coming in from the east and TN 68 (Harbuck). Will Skelton writes: "We were absolutely astounded that anyone would think a road should (or even could) be build up the mountain from the east. It would have to ascend a very steep and high mountain wall, then descend and cross numerous valleys as the mountains and ridges are generally running north and south, while the road would run east to west. I understand a big proponent of the road, always takes people in from the western end at Greasy Creek (TN 30), where the climb is more gradual. And that the steepness of this eastern side of the mountains is why TDOT rejected the route four years ago." Photos are available at the website below. They show the precipitous nature of the Kimsey Highway, and how high up it goes (one of the photos has a red circle; the next photo shows, via telephoto, what's within that circle way down in the valley below)."

http://picasaweb.google.com/theskeltonview/
LittleFrogMountainWildernessDayhikeMarch92008

Stop I-3 Newsletter articles regarding Corridor K

The plans for Corridor K, generally aimed at linking Chattanooga with Asheville, were conceived and put into play over 40 years ago. Although there has been environmental analysis as sections have come up, there was never an environmental analysis, environmental planning, or any real environmental consideration of the entire route. Because of this lack of planning and forethought, the sections that have not been constructed are planned through the most difficult terrain and some of the most sensitive habitat and scenic areas of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

These sections, if constructed, would cause profound environmental and scenic destruction and would cost billions in taxpayer money to build. These uncompleted sections have been put on hold for precisely these reasons. Their environmental and economic costs are just too high. Recently there have been efforts to revive these projects. This effort is ill-advised and ignores the environmental impacts and the high cost of these projects when existing roads need maintenance. If this road were to be punched through, one of the hardest sections of I-3 to construct would already be completed. If you want to be involved with this particular project of the Stop I-3 Coalition, let us know on the volunteer interests form.

(Click image for a larger view)

A general overview of the project gives an idea of the costs, impacts, and difficulties. The construction would have to cut through some of the most rugged mountain terrain in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. These mountains are on geologically unstable slopes containing acid-forming pyritic rocks. These slopes also contain numerous headwater streams that constitute and drain into fishing streams including prime trout waters. These streams are also upstream of municipal water supplies and recreation lakes. The lands that the route would pass through also are heavily in public land ownership, primarily national forestlands. These lands constitute valued wildlife habitat, including bear habitat, rare plant and animal habitat, and threatened and endangered species habitat.

Dozens of rare species, including state-listed threatened and endangered species could be adversely affected by Corridor K construction. Corridor K would also fragment and harm this valuable mountain wildlife habitat and lead to increased bear mortality. The plans would require drilling several tunnels. Besides the enormous expense of these tunnels, the tunnels would risk altering the hydrology and drainage of these mountain areas. The visual impacts of putting a four-lane road system in these mountain areas are also very troubling, specifically:

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  In the Cheoah area near Robbinsville, the corridor K route would pass through the small community of Stecoah, destroying the integrity of this rural community. Plans for Corridor K call for a corridor through or under Cheoah Bald Mountain. Much of the mountain is roadless and otherwise in wild and natural conditions that would be harmed by corridor K. The mountain is prime bear habitat and is home to numerous rare plants and animals. Much of the area in the road corridor is visually sensitive. The road would cross the Appalachian Trail. Even if the road is put in a tunnel at the intersection, the route is likely to be visible from the trail for miles, degrading the trail experience. Noise from the trail is also likely to degrade the AT experience in what is now a very wild section of the trail. Corridor K would also cut through or under the Snowbird Mountains, damaging wildlife habitat, visually sensitive lands, including the Ash Cove Mountain Treasure area. The road would cross many high quality streams including trout streams and streams feeding into Fontana Lake, Lake Santeelah, and the Valley River.
  
  
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  In the Ocoee area of eastern Tennessee, the corridor K route would pass between Big Frog and Little Frog Wilderness areas, passing virtually adjacent to the Little Frog Wilderness. Noise and visual quality are likely to be apparent along the slopes of this area. The planned route would also pass very close to the Olympic Whitewater Center, degrading the recreation experience in the area. Bicycle and hiking trails near the Center would be destroyed and likely could not be relocated satisfactorily. The corridor K route would cut through approximately 21 miles of Cherokee National Forest, disturbing habitat for bear, other wildlife, and destroying habitat for rare species of plants and animals. Bear habitat would be fragmented in one of the more remote portions of Cherokee National Forest. Migration corridors for bear would be disrupted and bear mortality would very likely increase. Visually sensitive lands would be impacted. Several trails would be destroyed, disrupted, or impacted, including the Benton MacKaye Trail, which would be crossed by the Corridor K route. Road cuts would be required across numerous high quality streams, including trout streams, in an area known for acid forming rocks. The route would pass very close to the Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area and the lower section of the Rock Creek Mountain Treasure Area would be heavily impacted. Rural communities including the remote community of Fairview would be impacted and quality of life degraded in the area. Campgrounds in the area, which are in close proximity to the route, would be impacted by the road.

Nevertheless, the Corridor K project is listed as project of the Appalachian Regional Commission and appears to have some support from elected officials at various levels of government. Please see http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=1006 for more background information.

1/19/08, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Push for Ocoee route advances

"A highway that potentially could bring 7,000 new jobs into the region between Chattanooga and Asheville, N.C., has been approved for study, Tennessee Department of Transportation officials said Friday. Wes Hughen, TDOT’s Corridor K project manager, said Commissioner Gerald Nicely approved conducting a transportation planning report and a new environmental impact statement for U.S. Highway 64, or Corridor K. Mr. Hughen said once the transportation report is complete, new road alignments will be offered, possibly north and south of the existing road that runs through the scenic Ocoee River Gorge." Read more...

1/15/08, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Corridor K alternate proposal draws fire

'GREASY CREEK, Tenn. -- A road built across Little Frog Mountain near the Ocoee Gorge would leave a footprint, no matter how "green" roadbuilders made it, environmentalists said this week. "There's ways to build highway with less impact," said Holly Demuth, executive director of the Stop I-3 Coalition. "But it still brings in 18-wheelers."' Read more...

1/9/08, Smoky Mountain News

DOT road hearings have potential for controversy

"A public hearing on dozens of proposed road projects in the region — including the controversial Southern Loop in Jackson County, the Siler Road extension in Macon County, and Corridor K through Swain County — will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, outside Andrews." Read more...

1/9/08, Polk County News

Corridor K project moving toward new design

"The Corridor K project through the Ocoee gorge is once again entering the Environmental Impact/Design phase. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is currently in the process of selecting the firm that will do this work.
The Corridor K project through the Ocoee gorge is once again entering the Environmental Impact/Design phase. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is currently in the process of selecting the firm that will do this work. For the 2.6 miles of Hwy. 64 from Hwy. 411 to west of the Ocoee River, the project is due to be let to contract some time in the late spring of this year." Read more...

1/9/08, Polk County News

Four-laning scheduled again

"Four-laning of Hwy. 411 is on the schedule – again – and work is underway on improving traffic around Mac Point. The four-laning of 5.2 miles of Hwy. 411 from Welcome Valley Road in Benton to Lowery Road in Ocoee is scheduled to be let for bids in summer 2008. The 5.3 miles from north of Benton to Hwy. 30 should be let to contract some time in the fall of 2008, according to TDOT spokesperson Jennifer Osborne." Read more...

1/7/08, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Despite route change, road could still impact Southern Appalachians, environmentalists say

"Environmentalists in Georgia and North Carolina said Monday the proposed interstate from Savannah, Ga., to Knoxville remains a threat to the region, even if it skirts the mountains. The proposed road, called "Interstate 3" or I-3 for short, has not been designated as an interstate, but has been proposed as one, officials said. U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., said this week the route of the highway could pass the Northeast Georgia mountains and instead head for Greenville, S.C. Holly Demuth, executive director of the Stop I-3 Coalition, said Monday that despite the change, the road could still harm the region by spurring more residential development. The Stop I-3 Coalition also opposes improvements or widening of U.S. Highway 64, or Corridor K, through the Ocoee Gorge in Tennessee, between Chattanooga and the North Carolina border." Read more...

1/4/08, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Rural planners will revote on road priorities

'An error in tabulating votes led to the wrong funding priorities for area roads in a meeting last month, said Kim Harpe, Southeast Tennessee Rural Planning Organization coordinator. "It was my mistake," Ms. Harpe said. "I should have double-checked." Ms. Harpe said the executive board of the Southeast Tennessee RPO will meet Jan. 17 in Pikeville, Tenn., to vote on the correct funding list.' Read more...

12/27/07, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Polk attorney Mobbs crusades for Ocoee road

"OCOEE, Tenn. -- Almost a year ago, Polk County Attorney Denny Mobbs proposed using a rural highway over Little Frog Mountain as a route for U.S. Highway 64 instead of the winding Ocoee Gorge. Mr. Mobbs said last week he believes the route is the most environmentally and economically responsible." Read more...

12/26/07, Letter to the Editor, Polk County News

Scroll down to: "No Corridor K"

"Routing Corridor K across Little Frog Mountain along the Forest Service Kinsey Road would be an environmental and economic catastrophe. Acid pyrite runoff would likely be released into the Hiwassee River watershed. Lime pellets must be added periodically in Tellico streams draining from the little used Cherohala Skyway. Similar problems resulted from Foothills Parkway construction. The 2003 TDOT EIS stated many of the 4,600 cars and tractor trailers per day on U.S. 64 would not drive across Kimsey Mountain because the route is nine miles longer while traversing two miles of nine percent grade into the Copper Basin." Read more...

12/18/07, The Chattanoogan

TDOT & TDEC Sign Environmental Streamlining Agreement
Agencies Strengthen Commitment to Work as Partners

"The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today signed a new pact designed to establish a coordinated planning and development process for transportation projects. The goal of the Tennessee Environmental Streamlining Agreement is to ensure that the state's vital transportation improvements can be implemented without unnecessary delays, while protecting and enhancing the quality of Tennessee's environment." Read more...

11/29/07, Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Inc.
WATR COLUMN (Water Activities Thoroughly Reviewed)

'Everything is possible,' TDOT says as it prepares to write a new draft environmental impact study for Corridor K, which could adversely affect the Hiwassee River

"A poll of businesses is done 'in the blind' as a consultant asserts that 85 of them support the $2.3 billion highway construction project that somehow would traverse the rugged Ocoee River region" Read more...

11/29/07,Chattanooga Times Free Press

Momentum gains on Chattanooga-Asheville road

"Widening Corridor K has been debated since it first was listed as an economic development corridor by the Appalachian Regional Commission in 1965. Proponents of the road say it would bring economic prosperity to a historically poor region. Environmentalists say a road would damage the environment, destroy artifacts and cost billions of dollars better spent elsewhere." Read more...

11/18/07, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Corridor K study coming to an end

"An economic study showing the impact of a Chattanooga-to-Asheville, N.C. highway on a 23-county area will be completed by mid-December, officials said. Ed Cole, chief of environment and planning for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said U.S. Highway 64, or Corridor K, could be part of a three-year work plan handed to the Tennessee General Assembly in May." Read more...

Most businesses support Corridor K? What do YOU think?"

10/16/07, Cherokee Scout

Survey: 84 percent support Corridor K

"Snow is aware that some people fear Corridor K’s association with I-3, but he doesn’t think the project will provide an 'impetus' for I-3, a controversial interstate proposal that would stretch from Savannah, Ga. to Knoxville, Tenn., that Snow opposes. Read more...

9/24/07, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Corridor K economic meetings set

"Details of an economic study in the area affected by a Chattanooga-to-Asheville, N.C., highway will be presented in a series of public meetings next month, officials said.They are the final stages of an eight-month study looking at the biggest factors influencing growth and decline in the corridor area of Southeast Tennessee and western North Carolina, said Melissa Ziegler with Wilbur Smith Associates of Knoxville. 'Somewhere in this, there is an answer, a collaborative answer," Ms. Ziegler said. "I don't know what that is.'" Read more...

5/15/07, Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Inc.
WATR COLUMN (Water Activities Thoroughly Reviewed)

An east Tennessee freeway in the sky is one of the incredible Corridor K construction schemes that could straddle the Hiwassee River watershed, costing billions to build and posing severe environmental threats

"The remote Kimsey Mountain Road runs east from Tennessee Highway 30 near Reliance, up and over peaks as it takes you toward Murphy. This is a rugged 12-mile-long gravel trail high up in Tennessee’s Little Frog Wilderness, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. I drove it today in my pickup truck. Rounding curve after curve, you bounce along over gravel, even boulders, as you grip the wheel with both hands and your tires hug a two-lane path along the rim of a breathtaking horseshoe-shaped valley. This powerful scene of mountain splendor is dotted with rhododendron, mountain laurel and wild azalea. Elevation changes here are dramatic, ranging from 1,200 to 3,332 feet, according to www.wilderness.com and the runoff from the steep slopes on the northern rim of the horseshoe drains into the Hiwassee River." Read more...

2/8/07, Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Inc.
WATR COLUMN (Water Activities Thoroughly Reviewed)

What it will be is “an open book” as citizens from three states comment on Corridor K

"Nine Tennessee counties rate this project their top priority" Read more...