20090451 Ver 1_Information Letter_19941024

WILLIAM O. McLARNEY, Ph.D
Consulting Biologist uctober.24, !994 1176 Bryson City Road
Franklin, North Carolina.28734
Telephone: [phone]
Dear
I am directing this letter to as many biologists as I can think of who share my concern
for the Little Tennessee River. I know you all have more interesting things to do than get
involved in local issues, but we need all the help we can get to prevent damage to the river
downstream of Franklin through proposed "improvement" of NC 28 by the DOT.
In one respect, the situation here is better than it was a few years ago. Largely thanks
to the work you have done, everyone knows the Little T is a biological "hot spot." No one is
going to be surprised by or disbelieve• information on biodiversity in the river. Anyone - the
DOT, local politicians, etc. - now pays at least lip service to "the environment" when NC 28
is discussed. Nevertheless, there may be value in reminding these people again and again of our
concerns. It particularly wouldn't hurt for all of us to tell them that some damage will be done,
no matter how seriously the DOT takes their responsibility to the river. The only way to totally
avoid damage is not to upgrade the highway.
The situation is this: "Improvements" would extend from either downtown Franklin or
the Sanderstown Road - U.S. 441 junction to Jolla Bridge, then along the existing route of 28
to Lost Bridge. From there, either the rest of 28 would be widened and straightened to U.S.
19 west of Bryson City, or the new 28 would cross Lost Bridge and proceed along the
Needmore Road to 19. Either way, almost the entirety of the river from lotla to Fontana would
be impacted. Straightening and widening of 28 from Lost Bridge north would quite possibly
involve construction in "hot rocks" with all the risk that entails. The effects of choosing the
Needmore option are obvious.
Given all that is going on in the upper watershed, including the 4-laning of U.S. 441
South of Franklin, I just don't think the most critical reach of the Little T should have to endure
anything which causes significant sedimentation locally, with or without hot rocks: Probably
even more important are the subsequent effects on "development" along the NC corridor if the
DOT goes ahead as planned. We are already seeing heavy pressure for commercial development
in a small area around Iotla Bridge.
So far we don't have any point sources downstream of Lake Emory Dam. If we succeed
in getting state Critical Habitat designation for that portion of the river we won't. There's also
progress on other fronts, largely via the Watershed Association which formed after last fall's
Little Tennessee River Conference. We had a big win with the Franklin WWTP. Nantanala
Power and the Forest Service are both listening to ideas about protecting the Needmore area.
Serious erosion control on river banks upstream of Franklin is about to get underway. A
greenway plan for the river is under discussion. What we don't need downstream of Franklin
are hundreds of new septic tanks, development roads, businesses, etc. As a personal note, I
might add that I don't need traffic noise and greatly increased access to the river, either.
RECEIV&p
NW .9 100,
?NMFNrk SC eES

It's pretty clear to me that the DOT's original intention was and still is to convert NC
28 to a main artery. This.year 28's priority in the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) was
cut back, but presumably only because they had to switch some funds to the infamous Corridor
K. And of course when Corridor K is completed, it will further "justify" bigger 28 as part of
the grid.
There are issues other than the aquatic environment involved. The enclosed flyer will
give you some ideas of them, as well as addresses to write. Opinion in the community is pretty
well fragmented on all these issues. Some individuals, including most of the more inflluential
ones, want the project as first proposed for the usual reasons of greed and/or "development".
Others are for the project because of perceived safety and convenience benefits and don't see,
don't want to see or give secondary importance to the effects on community and environment.
Some of us who are opposed are willing to consider a compromise, with pull-outs, passing lanes,
and some curves straightened, but stopping short of making 28 a main artery. Scenic Byway
status has been proposed to the DOT.
Our biggest problem is apathy/inertia. There will always be those justifyainaction by
saying "You can't stop progress." But I get really upset with people who tell me they share my
opinion, then don't come to public hearings, or do come and remain silent. Assuming the DOT
is part of our democracy, this is not only about science and economics, it's primarily about
head counting. Will the biologists who know and care about the Little T please stand up and
be counted! Thanks.
Sincerely,
I
Bill McLarney
BM/Im
Enclosures
P.S. Please share this with anyone else you think may be interested. bm.