Jeff Miller wrote in message news:enRed.11163$6P5.8291@okepread02...
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snip


on the walk back, we chatted with the ranger. he was concerned about
the developing machinations involving the north shore road. for those of
you who love the GSMNP, it is urgent that you let the park service know
of your opposition to the construction of the road along the north shore
of fontana lake in the Park. although many like me believed the road
issue had been won because swain county and bryson city agreed to accept
$52 million as compensation for the failure to complete the road to
nowhere, it seems (according to the ranger) the matter remains undecided
and there is a risk that the current "politics" are favoring the road.
if the road is built, it will destroy the serenity of one of the last
genuine wilderness places in this area of the country. public access to
the north shore areas of the Park currently are limited to hikers,
either from trails or from boats. it's a special environment that
should remain free of motor vehicles and manunkind. if you care, send
the GSMNP superintendant (he's a new guy) a message expressing your
concerns.

(to be continued)...


Better than writing the Park Supt, go to www.northshoreroad.info and
submit a public comment for the record. They just issued a prelim
report on the options being considered. They have taken scoping
comments but I don't think they have gotten to the Draft EIS stage
yet.

John in WNC