Public Land Is YOUR Land! Local families, sportsmen, naturalists, hikers, bikers, off road riders, horsemen, hunters and photographers have enjoyed the natural beauty of Starr Mountain in Tennesee's Cherokee National Forest for hundreds of years.
Now, a small group of property owners who live out of state are attempting to pressure the USDA Forest Service into denying you access to the land your tax dollars support.
They have employed the services of an out of state attorney to attempt to push this through with as little consideration for you as possible in order to "...protect their property values".
Mr. Andrew Gaston, Officials and Employees of The U.S.D.A.F.S;
I am writing to you in response to the proposed plan to close Starr Mountain Road to the public and I wish the USFS to know that I do not support this plan for several reasons.
1. I do not believe this stated reasons for the closure is valid. There is a litter problem EVERYWHERE in Monroe County. Closing the road to the public will not change the character of disrespectful people. This justification is ludicrous and insulting to the intelligence of the people. There is a drug problem across the Country. Closing the road to the public will not change the criminal and unhealthy behavior of certain people. This justification is ludicrous and insulting to the intelligence of the people. There are road maintenance issues all over East Tennessee amd this justification is also ludicrous and insulting to the intelligence of the people.
2. A road closure on Starr Mountain for ANY period of time will impact tourism in negative ways. This is a rural recreational area where the economy depends to a large extent on tourism. We should be welcoming visitors to the mountain rather than turning them away. Restaurants, local tour guides, retail outfitters, cabin rentals, retreats and many other small businesses exist only because of tourism.
3. A road closure will have a negative impact on the local families and individuals have have lived, worked and played on and around the mountain for decades. These people, the very ones who have been excellent stewards of this mountain for generations should NOT be deprived of their right to access these public lands.
