In 2005, bills were introduced in Congress proposing the funding of a study for a new interstate highway from Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee that could inflict severe physical damage to the treadway and compromise the wilderness experience of the Appalachian Trail. Designated Interstate 3, I-3, this highway would cross the AT corridor at least once in its course through north Georgia, western North Carolina and southeastern Tennessee. In doing so it would:
Inflict enormous damage to the mountain landscape, particularly where it crossed the Appalachian Trail corridor.
More than a simple right-of-way is required at the gaps in the mountain ridges, where a highway crossing would likely occur. If Trail access and hiker safety were to be maintained, either a tunnel or an interchange scale right-of-way would be necessary. In the latter case, the vertical cuts required for the interchange area would be hundreds of feet high. In the former, the cost of tunneling in dollars, adverse environmental impact and disruption to traffic and community activities during construction would be huge.
Probably cross the Appalachian Trail corridor in close proximity to, and in the viewshed of designated wilderness areas.
This would violate the intended purpose and spirit of the previously legislated protection afforded both the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and those federal wilderness areas.
Lower air and water quality, increase noise and traffic congestion, not only in the Appalachian Trail Corridor and the wilderness areas, but also in three national forests and the mountain communities.
Two federal air quality standard non-attainment areas, metro Atlanta and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park bracket this special region, through which the proposed interstate would pass.
Traverse the Chattahoochee, Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests.
These multi-use, publicly owned lands are well accessed for all uses. They augment the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to serve the recreation needs of several eastern and heartland states. The interstate would diminish the quality of the outdoor experience in these National Forests for the same reasons as given for the Appalachian Trail corridor.
National Forest lands are managed by the USDA Forest Service under plans, required by federal law, that are reflective of substantial public input. Preservation of natural landscapes and scenic recreation opportunities are integral to these forest management plans, because of that input. The proposed interstate would violate many of the preserved areas contrary to public wishes.
Pass in close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Park is already strapped with high visitation and unacceptable air quality. These problems would be exacerbated by additional traffic on the proposed interstate.
The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club is a steward of the Appalachian Trail, charged with protecting both the treadway and the wilderness experience of the Trail. We must stand with a strong position to meet that obligation. We choose to stand with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, other Appalachian Trail maintaining organizations, and, shoulder to shoulder, with the other champions of the north Georgia, western North Carolina, and southeastern Tennessee mountain treasures in opposition to Interstate 3.
The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club opposes the construction of Interstate 3.
“Ours is a Friendship of the Trails that Lead to Far Away Places”
The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club maintains the southernmost 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail, 25 miles of associated side trails, and 13 trailside shelters in the Chattahoochee National Forest. To that effort, we historically contribute 12,000-16,000 volunteer hours, annually.
The Appalachian Trail was designated the Appalachian National Scenic Trail by Congress in the National Trails System Act of 1968, and became a unit of the National Park System. More than half of the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest passes through designated wilderness areas that have been authorized by acts of Congress.
Many of the estimated 3-4 million people, who use some portion of the Appalachian Trail each year, know it simply and affectionately as the AT, a national icon of wilderness experience.
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
Position Statement
on
Interstate 3, a Proposed Highway
from
Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee
July 18, 2005