We, the undersigned, ask that, John Schroer, TDOT commissioner, stop the plan to 5 lane highway 321, along the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In this economic crisis and time of crumbling infrastructure in the state of TN, we are outraged that you would seek to waste $26 million for a 1.6 section of road. The traffic along this road does not justify such waste of taxpayer's dollars. Furthermore, this road borders the most endangered National Park in the country and creating a 5 lane road instead of the rural, quiet 2 lane road that exists will negatively impact the Smokies on a number of levels. This road will impact a rare and pristine Tier III watershed, will destroy critical habitat for otter and beaver, both listed as threatened species, will destroy habitat for the highly endangered Indiana Bat (a species already dealing with the deadly white nose fungi), will disturb habitat for the endangered and extremely rare Hellbender Salamander as well as other aquatic species of life...some found only in this section of river and no where else on earth. The road will also destroy habitat for the unique and rare blue ghost firefly as well as the state endangered Trillium Rugelii. The road will cut off a critical habitat for the endangered Elk, who use this stretch as a corridor. Furthermore, this road widening will destroy what the head archeologist for Great Smoky Mountains National Park calls the largest collection of Native American artifacts in the state of TN and potentially in the Southeast. This road will also create more air, water, noise and light pollution to the already endangered Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a Park that is home to the largest collection of life anywhere on earth North of the Tropics. Scientists have already collected almost 1000 new species of life inside this Park, much along this corridor. We urge you to put an immediate stop to this wasteful and destructive road project.
