Paving Over Paradise

The Devastating Effects Corridor K Would Have on our Southern

Appalachian Mountains

Axel C. Ringe

Harvey Broome Group, Sierra Club

July 18, 2008

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

1964 - the President's Appalachian 1964 - the President's Appalachian Regional Commission (PARC) reported to Regional Commission (PARC) reported to Congress that economic growth in Congress that economic growth in Appalachia would not be possible until the Appalachia would not be possible until the Region's isolation had been overcome. Region's isolation had been overcome.

PARC report and the Appalachian PARC report and the Appalachian governors placed top priority on a modern governors placed top priority on a modern highway system as the key to economic highway system as the key to economic development development

BACKGROUND contd.BACKGROUND contd. Congress authorized the construction of the Congress authorized the construction of the

Appalachian Development Highway System Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) in the Appalachian Development Act (ADHS) in the Appalachian Development Act of 1965. of 1965.

The ADHS was designed to generate The ADHS was designed to generate economic development in previously isolated economic development in previously isolated areas, supplement the interstate system, areas, supplement the interstate system, connect Appalachia to the interstate system, connect Appalachia to the interstate system, and provide access to areas within the Region and provide access to areas within the Region as well as to markets in the rest of the nation. as well as to markets in the rest of the nation.

BACKGROUND contd.BACKGROUND contd.

2003 – TDOT publishes draft EIS on 2003 – TDOT publishes draft EIS on proposal to build 4-lane interstate highway proposal to build 4-lane interstate highway across Appalachian Mtns. In vicinity of and across Appalachian Mtns. In vicinity of and paralleling Ocoee River gorge.paralleling Ocoee River gorge.

2004 – Rep. Zach Wamp and Chris Newton 2004 – Rep. Zach Wamp and Chris Newton promote Corridor K on grounds of economic promote Corridor K on grounds of economic development and improved safety.development and improved safety.

BACKGROUND contd.

DEIS showed Corridor K project would displace businesses and residents, increase water pollution and impair wildlife habitat. Estimated cost upwards of $2.3 billion.Environmental impacts and public opposition cause TDOT to shelve project.2004 – TDOT recommended straightening Hwy 64 at cost of $19M. USFS objected and stalled project.

BACKGROUND contd.BACKGROUND contd.

2007 – Funded by grant from ARC, Wilbur 2007 – Funded by grant from ARC, Wilbur Smith & Assoc. develops and published Smith & Assoc. develops and published economic study of Corridor K to justify economic study of Corridor K to justify construction.construction.

2008 – TDOT lets contract to conduct new 2008 – TDOT lets contract to conduct new EIS on Corridor K through mountains.EIS on Corridor K through mountains.

CORRIDOR K RATIONALECORRIDOR K RATIONALE

Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development Relieve Traffic Congestion and reduce travel Relieve Traffic Congestion and reduce travel

timestimes SafetySafety Link SW North Carolina with global markets Link SW North Carolina with global markets

through seaports – Wilmington, NC; Norfolk, through seaports – Wilmington, NC; Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SCVA; Charleston, SC

CORRIDOR K SUPPORTERSCORRIDOR K SUPPORTERS

Representative Zach WampRepresentative Zach Wamp Appalachian Regional CommissionAppalachian Regional Commission Denny Mobbs, Polk County AttorneyDenny Mobbs, Polk County Attorney Local county and municipal governmentsLocal county and municipal governments

IMPACTSIMPACTS

Sprawl - strip development; convenience Sprawl - strip development; convenience stores, fast food franchises, warehouses, stores, fast food franchises, warehouses, noise, and congestion.noise, and congestion.

Economic - destruction of mountain Economic - destruction of mountain economy (nature based tourism and economy (nature based tourism and recreation, family farms, and second recreation, family farms, and second home development).home development).

IMPACTSIMPACTS

Wildlife corridors would be severed.Wildlife corridors would be severed. Wildlife habitat would be destroyed.Wildlife habitat would be destroyed. 35 rare or threatened species likely to be 35 rare or threatened species likely to be

affected.affected. Water pollution from siltation and acid Water pollution from siltation and acid

drainage.drainage.