The Congressman in question is Charles Taylor. I think he really wants the
damn road built and it is more than a shakedown. He got his way in trading
away a part of the Great Smoky Mtn NP to the Cherokees.

BTW Taylor is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the
Interior. Don't think that Gail Norton (Interior) and Fran Manilla (NPS)
don't ask "how high" when he says "jump."

Swain County's commissioners did come to their senses a year or so ago when
they opposed the road but asked for the money instead. They know they can do
a lot more for the county with the money in a trust fund than the road will
ever do for economic development.

-John

"walt winter" wrote in message
...
Bob Patton wrote:
"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...

Just passing along an email to the TU listserve

Dear Trout Unlimited Member:

An Action Alert on a major potential threat to the health of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park and its trout populations has been posted
to
the TU Web site at:

http://capwiz.com/tu/mail/oneclick_c...lertid=5981136

Anybody who appreciates Hazel, Eagle, or Forney creeks should absolutely
pay
attention to this. The proposed road into the park on the north shore of
Fontana Lake has been an issue for many years. One can't help but
predict
the reaction of the current administration, which has allowed North
Dakota
coal-fired power plants to accelerate dumping of airborne waste, which
is
deposited on the Appalachians as something akin to vinegar.

This already over-taxed park doesn't need more pressure. And allowing
road
traffic from Bryson City to Fontana across the north shore of the lake
would
be another step toward turning the GSMNP into a larger version of
Central
Park.
Bob



Bob, My take on this after sitting through a chapter discussion
on this matter last month is that it is a power play by the
counties, led by a NC congressman (damn, forgot his name), is to
extract some form of taxpayer compensation for the "lost promise"
of years ago.

Current estimated costs of project, approx. 160 million.

Out of court settlement 30 or 40? it be one of dem pork barrel
thangies.

20 or so years ago this "project" was effectively ended by the
hard work of TU here in NC.... all hell will break loose if it
ever goes beyond a congressional table.

wally



--
Tight Lines,

--Walt
Fly Fishing NC & more...
http://www.ezflyfish.com
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