STICKY -Coal Exploration Drilling-Rock Creek Waldens Ridge

[cumnock]

I got this email from Save Our Cumberland Mountains...We need to speak up (We will keep adding to this thread as things develop)


Sirs,

I hope that you are aware that tomorrow Highland Land Company starts coal exploration drilling on Skiles and Reel Creek on Walden Ridge. These are the headwaters of Hall Creek in the Rock Creek watershed. I believe that McGill Creek is nearby..

Sincerely,
Landon Medley
Doyle, TN 38559

beaugard@blomand.net

[cumnock]

here is Rock Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/rockcreek.htm

here is McGill Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/McGillCreek.htm

Mark,

I appreciate the reply. By law mining companies are allow to do exploration drilling. But, the key here is that the Rock Creek Watershed has a lands unsuitable designation. In 1987 Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) got the watershed declared unsuitable.

What I need for groups like WRWW is evidence that Walden Ridge is a growing area for recreational use and recreational economic growth for southern Bledsoe County and northern Hamilton County. Pictures of Hall Creek and downstream Rock Creek will help to show the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) that the 22 year old LUMP designation has improved water quality in the Rock Creek Watershed.
And, pictures of streams like McGill Creek that like been impacted by prior mining. Hall Creek is a Tier 2 stream.
It is near to the Cumberland Trail State Park. I really need water quality data for the Rock Creek Watershed and nearby streams like McGill.

I know the people do not have time to work on this issue, but, for those who are willing to sign a petition to ask
OSMRE and the State of Tennessee to continue protecting this watershed will be a great help for SOCM. Ask other organizations to help out as well.

Something like,

[an opening paragraph about WRWW organization], address and number of members…then

Walden Ridge Whitewater Organization, it members and friends petition the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control’s Mining Section continue not allowing surface coal mining in the designated Rock Creek watershed and its gorges.

Name/ addresses

Ann League at the SOCM Lake City office (email ann@socm.org) is the contact person for updated. It will go a long way in stopping this project early if we act now.

I will keep in touch. Your organization may wish to act along, but please do not wait until a SMCRA permit is filed
to mine. I ask that you take the drilling exploration serious.

Sincerely,
Landon Medley
Doyle, Tennessee

Here is some damage to McGill Creek notice the orange rust from the mine run-off

[cumnock]

Here is a letter you can write or make a phone call...just copy and paste the letter below

Call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332)
ask.tdec@tn.gov
http://www.tdec.net


Email address

ask.tdec@tn.gov

Paul E. Davis, Director
6th Floor, L & C Annex
401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-0625

Dear Mr. Davis,

I am writing you in concern with the Rock Creek and Hall Creek Watershed located on Walden’s Ridge in Tennessee, located outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Bledsoe and Northern Hamilton County.

Rock Creek is Tier 2 Stream, with high recreational opportunities for the region. It is located near the Cumberland Trail System, and its world-class whitewater stream enjoyed by many kayakers and canoeist throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring.

Here is a listing of the recreational opportunities that will be ruined if Coal extraction is allowed.

Rock Creek/Hall Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/rockcreek.htm


McGill Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/McGillCreek.htm


Under the Tier 2 designation under the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) act. The Hall Creek and Rock Creek watersheds are determined as unsuitable for Coal mining and all Coal mining activities.


We ask the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control’s Mining Section continue not allowing surface coal mining in the designated Rock Creek watershed and its gorges.

[Signed your name and address]

[cumnock]

here is the reply I got,but we got another email address : )

From: Wade Murphy [mailto:Wade.Murphy@tn.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:13 PM
To: mark@waldensridgewhitewater.com
Subject: Fwd: Mr. Davis-Rock Creek Coal Mining OSMRE Act



Mr. Cumnock, this acknowledges receipt of your "Ask Tdec" comment of 10/30/09 below. The comment has been forwarded to the division's mining section for its information.



The division appreciates your recognition that activities in watersheds can impact waters and your interest in maintaining water quality in Tennessee.



Wade Murphy

Permit Writer

TDEC-WPC - Nashville

[cumnock]

here is a map Lisa Lepsa made...it shows what is going on







From Lisa,


TDEC changed their mapping site link last week (a notice on the old site directing one to the new site would have been nice). Here is the new link (and I must say, improved site as well): http://tnmap.tn.gov/wpc/.

I located the watershed and made a simple map (attached). Hall Creek is in the same watershed as the other two. This site has Hall Creek as unassessed while the 303(d) list has it impaired for E. coli.

Highlands Land Company has a permit (ARAP) on Hall Creek. ARAPs are Aquatic Resource Alteration Permits - essentially any activity consisting of physical changes to the waterbody require an ARAP.

Hope this helps! Feel free to give me a call and I'll explain more.

Thanks for the website info, Dana


from Dana


Hey Lisa,

Unfortunately TDEC's mapping website is down, so I couldn't find the exact location for Hall Creek. And of course, TDEC's other sources have Hall Creek in two different watersheds. So either there are two Hall Creeks in Bledsoe County or the information is incorrect. Here's what I did find:

Rock and McGill Creeks are definitely in the same watershed, which is the Lower TN (HUC06020001) in S. Bledsoe and N. Hamilton counties. They are not impaired (assessed as polluted) according to the state's list (http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/ ... 8_303d.pdf). Therefore they have what the state calls "available conditions" (which literally means available for pollution). I can explain available vs. unavailable in detail if you like - let me know.

Hall Creek is in Bledsoe County. According to the state's impairment list it is in the Sequatchie Watershed (HUC06020004) and is impaired for E. coli from pasture grazing. According to the state's exceptional waters list http://environment-online.state.tn.us:7654/pls/enf_reports/f?p=9034:34304:2888578135329474- put "rock creek" in search box and you'll get the info I'm about to talk about), Hall Creek is still in Bledsoe County, but also in Hamilton County and in the same watershed as Rock and McGill Creeks. AND, this one you'll like, Hall Creek is designated as an Exceptional TN Water from Rock Creek to downstream of Hendon Road and is "unsuitable for mining." I infer from this list the entirety of Rock Creek Watershed is unsuitable for mining. So glad I've learned this is an actual reason for designation! However, oddly enough Rock Creek itself is not listed as an Exception Water as "unsuitable for mining."

Lastly, here is a link to the Lower TN Watershed evaluationhttp://www.tennessee.gov/environment/watersheds/three/lowertn/. In this section http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/watersheds/three/documents/lowertn/lowertn2.pdf the watershed's streams are listed, but not Hall Creek (??).

I contacted TDEC about their mapping website and hope they have it up and running soon so I can clarify the location of Hall Creek. Anyway, if this needs further explanation, please call me and I'll be glad to explain anything.

Dana L. Wright Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Tennessee Clean Water Network http://www.tcwn.org

P.O. Box 1521 Knoxville, TN 37901 (865) 522-7007 Ext. 103

Dana Wright
dana@tcwn.org

[lemza]

OK, here's the post I sent out just now on the TVCC yahoo group. There's a concise sample for action at the end. -- Lisa Lemza, River Conservation, TVCC


1. This is for those TVCCers who are interested and who have the time
to respond.

2. We would like for paddlers and paddlers-who-hike to email/call/write
Tennesseee's Department of Environmental and Conservation (TDEC), see sample
below.

3. We've received notice that the Highlands Land Company-- a coal mining
company out of Kentucky- was scheduled last week to begin exploring for
coal by drilling around Skiles and Reel Creek, headwaters of Hall Creek in the
Rock Creek watershed in North Hamilton/Bledsoe/Rhea Counties. McGill
Creek is nearby. These creeks are in and around and above Sale Creek and
Dayton; in the way of water, it's all linked. The Cumberland Trail runs nearby.

4. This type exploration is entirely legal.

NOTE: Apparently there's a 'Rock Creek' in every county of every state in
the nation: this Rock Creek is NOT the one we just donated to support
through the Lula Lake Land Trust , which is on Lookout Mountain.

5. There are various and confusing designations about these creeks: one
has been classified 'impaired' by earlier mining, but the entire Rock Creek
watershed was designated as unsuitable for coal mining two decades ago. The
cessation has greatly improved the water. We're not sure whether this
offers any real protection.

6. What we need is for recreational users to quickly notify the state
environmental office that (a) recreational use of these watersheds-- with its
economic benefits-- are growing, and (b) demonstrate that there's a group
of concerned users who are against coal mining in this waersheds. See
website for photos of damage.

7. WaldensRidgeWhitewater.com has documented the paddling on these creeks
at
ROCK CREEK
_http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/rockcreek.htm_ (http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/w ... kcreek.htm)

and MCGILL CREEK
_http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/McGillCreek.htm_
(http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/w ... lCreek.htm)

8. You can also look these creeks up on the state's site at
_http://tnmap.tn.gov/wpc/_ (http://tnmap.tn.gov/wpc/)

9. Watchdog groups Save Our Cumberland Mountains and the Tennessee Clean
Water Network have advised us to act early-- NOW-- to prevent this.

10. ENOUGH BACKGROUND! Please email or call, using this sample, below.
This will also be posted on the TVCC forum. If you have comments or
questions, contact me at _lemzala@aol.com_ (mailto:lemzala@aol.com) or reply to
the forum post. We are trying to get the facts straight to be as accurate
as possible; this is what I know to be true as of now. -- Lisa Lemza, TVCC
River Conservation

S-A-M-P-L-E
----------------------------------------------------------
------

_ask.tdec@tn.gov_ (mailto:ask.tdec@tn.gov)

Paul E. Davis, Director
6th Floor, L & C Annex
401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-0625

Dear Mr. Davis,

a. I am writing you in concern with the Rock Creek and Hall Creek
Watershed located on Walden’s Ridge in Tennessee, located outside Chattanooga,
Tennessee, in Bledsoe and Northern Hamilton County.

b. I am a member of the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, centered in
Chattanooga. This club, with over 200 members, exists to promote recreational
paddling opportunities on all kinds of water
.
c. Rock Creek is Tier 2 Stream, with high recreational opportunities for
the region. It is located near the Cumberland Trail System, and its
world-class whitewater stream is enjoyed by many kayakers and canoeists from across
the Southeast throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring.

d. Here is a listing of the recreational opportunities that will be ruined
if Coal extraction is allowed.

Rock Creek/Hall Creek

_http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/rockcreek.htm_
(http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/w ... kcreek.htm)

McGill Creek

_http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/McGillCreek.htm_
(http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/w ... lCreek.htm)

e. Under the Tier 2 designation under the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) act, the Hall Creek and Rock Creek watersheds
are determined as unsuitable for Coal mining and all Coal mining
activities.

f. We ask the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the
Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control’s Mining Section continue
not allowing surface coal mining in the designated Rock Creek watershed and
its gorges.

[Signed your name and address]

[cumnock]

Dear TDEC Deputy Commissioner Sloan (Paul),

Over the past 22 years SOCM has worked for the protection of the Rock Creek watershed related to its 1987 designatioin as "lands unsuitable" for surface coal mining. As the result from this work Tennessee now has designated Hall Creek as a Tier 2 stream and created a state park in the watershed. Hall Creek and its upper tributaries are part of the Rock Creek ecosystem. Hall Creek and its tributaries play a key part in water supply and water resources along the Cumberland Trail State Park's Rock Creek Section. The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently developing a designation for the Laurel Dace has an endangered species. The Laurel Dace is only found on in the Rock Creek watershed.

The Stripmine Issuies Committee of SOCM wishes to request that TDEC consider an economic analysis of the benefits of designating the waters of this watershed or sections thereof as an ONRW (Outstanding National Resource Waters) in future development planning for the Cumberland Trail State Park. The park is in the early developing stages. SOCM feels that the Rock Creek watershed and ecosystem will play a major economic role in future planning for the park. SOCM conducted an economic study for the Rock Creek LUMP in celebration of the 20th anniversity in 2007 and submitted to TDEC. As TDEC moves forward in planning and developing the Cumberland Trail State Park and its recreational activities for the citizens of Tennressee such an economic analysis of ONRW would be helpful.

SOCM understands that state departments and agencies' budgets are tight. But, due to proposals of opening the watershed up to 1700 acres for surface coal mining raises serious concerns to the future of the Cumberland Trail State Park's ability to grow. This would have an economic impact on future State of Tennessee funding for the park. Hikers and campers do not want to come to a park filled with acid mine drainage from the Sewanee coal seam. The loss of job develpment to the regional recreational industries is undetermine at this point in time. The Sewanee coal seam is considered the most toxic coal seam in Tennessee. These key points was a cornerstone to former Gov. Don Sundquist's position in protecting Fall Creek Falls' watershed in 2000 from surface coal mining.

It is SOCM's position that water supply and water resources will have an economic impact on the future of the Cumberland Trail State Park and Tennessee's growing recreational industries, and the growing recreational industries of Hamilton County, TN and the greater Chattanooga, TN area, and the growing recreational job markets in Tennessee. It is important to address these concerns at the early stages of the development planning for the Cumberland Trail State Park and for southern Bledsoe County and northern Hamilton County. Such a study will be helpful as a blueprint in future development planning for all sections of the Cumberland Trail State Park.

I am attaching an executive summary of a study related to ONRW in Monroe County. It maybe helpful in considering such a study for the Rock Creek watershed and its trubutaries. SOCM believes that our request for such a study is reasonable and timely. If you have any further questions please contact Ann League at the SOCM Lake City Office. I thank you for this opportunity to make our request. We appreciate any efforts to address these concerns.

Sincerely,
Landon Medley



A study conducted by agricultural economists with the University of Tennessee's Agricultural Experiment Station finds potential profits for communities in Tennessee who work to protect their natural waterways by obtaining and maintaining designations of "Outstanding National Resource Waters." An executive summary of their analysis follows. To obtain a copy of the full report, contact the lead researcher, Paul Jakus.

Economic Analysis of Designating Outstanding National Resource Waters in Tennessee:
Theory and An Application in Monroe County

Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Dr. Paul M. Jakus Dr. Matthew N. Murray, Professor, Paula Dowell, Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Business and Economic Research, University of Tennessee

March 2000

Executive Summary



The goal of this report is to outline procedures to be used in cost-benefit analysis of designating Outstanding National Resource
Waters in Tennessee. These procedures are then applied to a watershed located in Monroe County, Tennessee.

Environmental Protection Agency and Tennessee State Water Quality regulations require surface waters to be classified into three categories. Tier 1 waters are those of "average" quality. A tier 1 designation is a minimum water quality standard for all water. Degradation of Tier 1 water can occur as long as existing uses of water can be maintained. Tier 2 waters are those of "higher" quality. Tier 2 water quality may not be degraded unless an appeal is made. The appeal must demonstrate severe economic or social hardship associated with maintaining the antidegradation goals of the Tier 2 standard. Tier 3 waters are those surface waters of exceptional quality whose quality may never be degraded. No appeal for exemption from water quality standards is permitted.

The Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) designation is used to upgrade Tier 2 waters to Tier 3 status on the basis of exceptional ecological and/or recreational significance. Water quality, as measured by traditional parameters, need not be especially high to satisfy "exceptional" ecological or recreational significance.

Once a region is named as an ONRW, a community may not appeal for an exemption to antidegradation statutes. Thus, it is imperative that cost-benefit analysis be conducted prior to designating ONRW regions.

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in a public policy setting requires that all private and public costs and benefits be included in the analysis. Costs are measured in terms of compensation for ONRW classification, also known as a "willingness to accept" measure. Benefits are measured as "willingness to pay" for the designation.

Costs may take the form of (1) the additional out-of-pocket costs (increased market expenditures) by firms, private individuals, and public entities that are required to satisfy ONRW antidegradation standards and, (2) opportunity costs associated with foregone economic development opportunities.

Benefits may take the form of (1) use values, those values associated with high quality recreation and increased residential property values and, (2) non-use values, those values which may be associated with existence of the region, vicarious use of the region (through photographs, for example), or maintaining the option to use the area in the future.

Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) can be used to measure benefits and costs in terms of increased value of output, income, and jobs in an economy. EIA provides analysis that is complementary to cost-benefit analysis.

Generally speaking, CBA and EIA are two complementary types of analysis. CBA measures "social" well-being in which all economic consequences for individual people are assigned an estimated dollar value and then added across all people. EIA measures economic consequences in terms of changes in income, jobs, tax revenues, etc. EIA uses these estimates to assess "regional" well-being.

Most Southeastern states have already designated some ONRW regions, although they might use a different name for the region such as Exceptional Resource Water, or Outstanding Resource Water. Only Florida and Louisiana have required formal economic analysis for ONRW designation in the past; Alabama, South Carolina, and Virginia will require economic analysis for future ONRW classification.

The potential ONRW region used in the application of cost-benefit analysis is located in Monroe County. The ONRW is in the Lower Little Tennessee watershed, and includes portions of the Tellico River and Citico Creek. Most of the region is on US Forest Service land (in the Tellico District of Cherokee National Forest).

The ONRW is a popular recreation site, hosting about 650,000 to 900,000 recreation visitor days (about 1.95 million to 2.70 million trips) each year. Recreational activities include fishing, hunting, camping, whitewater boating, and sightseeing along the Cherohala Skyway.

The ONRW watershed is not entirely on public lands. Some 2400 county residents live on private land in the region. The vast majority of these residents have onsite wastewater treatment systems that dispose of wastewater using subsurface drainfields.

Benefits of ONRW designation were estimated using a telephone survey of 829 East Tennessee residents. Interviews were conducted with 136 residents of Monroe County, while the remainder of the interviews were with residents of Blount, Bradley, Hamilton, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Roane counties. These counties were selected because the bulk of non-resident recreation in the ONRW region would come from these counties.

About 50% of Monroe County residents indicated that they had recreated in the ONRW region in the previous twelve months, whereas only 25% of non-residents said that they had been to the ONRW region.

Both residents and non-residents were highly supportive of ONRW designation, with over 80% of each group indicating they were in favor of the designation. Only 7% of residents and 4% of non-residents were opposed to the designation.

The only industrial activity in the ONRW region is timber harvest. Timber companies must follow USFS Best Management Practices. These practices are currently sufficient to satisfy ONRW water quality standards, so no costs to the timber industry are expected as a result of ONRW designation.

County officials do not anticipate further industrial development within the ONRW region, so costs associated with foregone economic development are zero.

Public water supply and treatment facilities all lie downstream of the ONRW region, so no costs associated with expansion of supply and treatment facilities are expected.

Major costs of ONRW designation will be to private homeowners. ONRW classification may lead to heightened monitoring and enforcement of water quality standards in the region. For current residents in the region, this may result in accelerated replacement of failing septic systems.

New homes locating in the ONRW region are assumed to require more expensive onsite wastewater treatment systems to satisfy antidegradation standards. The additional cost of using recirculating sand filter systems, in comparison to standard septic systems, is approximately $6,600 per household. The annualized cost for this amount (at 8% per year over 20 years) is $671. The additional cost of the recirculating sand filter system, relative to a conventional septic system, is about 2.2% of median annual household income.

County officials estimate that 7-10% of future population growth in the unincorporated portion of the county will occur in the ONRW region. Aggregating over all households and discounting over the 20 year time horizon, the total cost is estimated to be just over $480,000.

The benefits of ONRW designation are those associated with increased recreation use. Eighteen percent of respondents said they would increase recreation in the region following designation, whereas 2.5 percent said they would decrease recreation.

The net economic value of a recreation trip in the ONRW region is estimated to be $21.98. ONRW designation is predicted to increase trips to the ONRW by 144,000 trips per year. The increase in net economic value over 20 years is estimated to be $33.6 million.

Expenditures for recreation in Monroe County by non-residents is estimated to be $9.51 per person per day. Economic impact analysis indicates that these expenditures are expected to increase in the annual value of total output in Monroe County by $925,000 and increase income in the county by $280,000 annually. Expenditures provide about 14 or 15 full-time equivalent jobs each year. Over a 20 year period, the additional income is valued at $2.97 million.

Benefits in terms of increased income ($2.97 million) exceed the costs ($0.5 million) over the 20 year time horizon. Non-market benefits exceed $30 million over the same 20 year horizon.

Contact: Margot Pantalone

Posted February 13, 2001 by: Lindsey Harrison

[cumnock]

Dear Mr. Davis,

I have spent my life canoeing and today I share my love of our Appalachian watersheds with friends and clients from around the world. As a 3x world champion whitewater canoeist I have explored some of the most pristine and remote creeks in the world. I began my paddling career in WV in the 1980's, canoeing on orange stained runoff from King Coal. I still remember the feel, taste and smells of the degradation of West Virginia's natural resources. Tennessee still has incredibly beautiful recreation areas. I ask that you continue to protect these precious resources for our future generations.

I am writing you specifically with concern for the Rock Creek and Hall Creek Watershed located on Walden’s Ridge in Tennessee, located outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Bledsoe and Northern Hamilton County.

Rock Creek is Tier 2 Stream, with high recreational opportunities for the region. It is located near the Cumberland Trail System, and its world-class whitewater stream can be enjoyed by many throughout the year.

Here is a listing of the recreational opportunities that will be ruined if Coal extraction is allowed.

Rock Creek/Hall Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/rockcreek.htm


McGill Creek

http://www.waldensridgewhitewater.com/waldensridge/McGillCreek.htm


Under the Tier 2 designation, under the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) act, The Hall Creek and Rock Creek watersheds are determined as unsuitable for Coal mining and all Coal mining activities.


I, on behalf of my clients and friends, ask the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control’s Mining Section to not allow surface coal mining in the designated Rock Creek watershed and its gorges.

Thank You,
Eli Helbert


http://www.thecanoeguru.com

[cumnock]

Dear State Rep. McDonald,



I know that you and other members of the Tennessee General Assembly are deeply concerns about

environmental protection for Tennessee State Parks. I wish to update you and other members of the current status of the coal exploration drilling done in the 1987 Lands Unsuitable for Mining area of the Rock Creek Watershed in southern Bledsoe County and northern Hamilton County. Exploration drilling was completed last week. SOCM had been told that test results from drilling samples will be completed in about 60 days.



Highland Lands Company and America Energy Company are planning to seek a SMCRA permit for surface coal mining of approximately 1700 acres in the Rock Creek watershed, if they can meet LUMP designation.

(see attachment) SOCM will oppose any such plans.



The environmental concerns are well known about the Sewanee coal seam. The Sewanee is the most toxic coal seam in Tennessee. However, there are additional economic concerns of impacts to the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park planning and operational budget and economic impacts to the recreational industries of Hamilton County. If members of Tennessee General Assembly are worry about impacts from rock harvesting, think about a 1700 acre surface coal mine in the watershed of the Cumberland Trail State Park’s Rock Creek Section.



Over the past three years, SOCM has expressed its environmental and economic concerns to Deputy Commissioner Sloan and Direct Paul Davis at Water Pollution Control. TDEC can not do anything until an actual permit application has been submitted to them.



I fully understand that members of General Assembly not do anything at the moment, but I need help in gathering economic data for the Cumberland Trail State Park. I need copy of the park’s current budget and data for dollars that the park brings into Tennessee from the Tennessee recreational industries. My argument is that the park’s Rock Creek Section plays a key role for economic growth in Tennessee and Hamilton County from tourism and recreational dollars. The state’s growing Whitewater industry brings in thousands of tax dollars to Tennessee and Hamilton County. These state economic benefits and investments should be protected from any potential harm, such as surface coal mining in the Rock Creek watershed’s lands unsuitable area.



It is SOCM standing position that no surface coal mining should ever be done in “lands unsuitable” areas because of harm to water quality. Tennessee has four designated Tennessee Federal Program LUMPs.

Tennessee citizens followed all laws in getting these areas declared as “lands unsuitable”. The Rock Creek designation in 1987 was the first such designation east of the Mississippi River by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The result of the 1987 designation for Rock Creek has result in

the area now being part of the Cumberland Trail State Park and Tier 2 designation for Hall Creek and Suzanne Branch in the watershed. Fish and Wildlife Service and TWRA are working to declare the Laurel Dace in Horn Creek as a federal endangered species. The Rock Creek watershed has one of the largest populations of state rare species in Tennessee.



While members of the Tennessee General Assembly may disagree with SOCM on issues, I hope we can set aside our differences and work together to protect this lands unsuitable area.



I and other Tennesseans, along with the small business recreational industries of Tennessee would deeply appreciate any help from members in gathering the request economic data or members seeking such a report themselves. Thank you



Sincerely,

Landon Medley

558 Bald Knob Mountain Road

Doyle, Tennessee 38559

[cumnock]

Hello,

I wish to request that any of your members or friends who have walked the Rock Creek Section of the Cumberland Trail or whitewater down Rock Creek, please send me pictures. (copies please, for they can not be returned) This will be a great
help to me.

beaugard@blomand.net

Landon Medley
558 Bald Knob Mountain Road
Doyle, TN 38559