ALERT! Act Now—deadline THIS Wednesday, Sept 2, 2009
In WaysSouth’s entire grassroots history of developing opposition to the intrusive and destructive construction of the Stecoah-to-Robbinsville, NC, four-lane Corridor K segment, this may be the best opportunity to send our message where it counts. Here’s what has happened:
In order for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to continue with their plans for an environmentally-destructive four-lane highway, they must be granted a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE). But glaring omissions from the NDCDOT’s application may deny their current plans if they are brought to the attention of the USACOE by Wednesday.
The key element to include is that in order for the USACOE to consider the NCDOT’s highway proposal, that proposal must show that other alternatives that would have less environmental impact have been considered; in fact, there are no such references at all in the proposal!
Such alternatives do, in fact, exist, such as simply making improvements to the existing, two-lane, interconnecting highways (U.S. 129 and NC 143). Such less costly improvements would meet the purpose and need of the intrusive highway.
For more information on these preferable alternatives, as well as a comprehensive list of issues at stake, the USACOE Public Notice, and actual letters that are being sent in opposition, go here.
Please mail a letter now, expressing your opposition in your own words. Here’s a sample:
David K. Baker
US Army Corps of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING TIP A9, Sections B and C (Stecoah to Robbinsville section)
Dear Mr. Baker:
It is my understanding that for the US Army Corps of Engineers to even consider granting authorization for the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s proposal to build a massive, four-lane highway between Stecoah and Robbinsville, the NCDOT must show that it has adequately considered alternatives to such an environmentally-destructive project, yet I find no such references to those requirements.
The proposed, new, four-lane roadway would be massively destructive to the waters of the United States in this pristine areas, as well as to the valuable natural and historic assets of the region which generate millions of dollars in annual recreational revenue to the mountain region, including scenic trails, trout streams, hunting habitat, campgrounds, recreational businesses and historic sites.
The current level of examination by NCDOT of the impact of altering the geology of the area, by moving these mountains to build this road, is appallingly lacking. Of major concern are the slope instability of the rock formations and the likelihood of extensive stream pollution from the acidic release from the pyritic rock.
Alternatives to this environmental destruction have not even been addressed, such as the improvement of existing roads between the two points (US 129 and NC 143).
It is my opinion that the NCDOT proposal is not only environmentally and fiscally out of the question, but that it doesn’t even meet the USACOE requirements for its consideration.
Thank you for considering my opinion.
Respectfully,
Thank you for taking a few minutes to make a difference with this rare opportunity. Mail your letter to make your voice heard, and to protect these irreplaceable communities, by THIS WEDNESDAY.