Stop I-3*
and Corridor K*
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Which would you rather have? This?
Or this?
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An interstate (known as the 3rd Infantry Division Highway or Interstate 3) has been proposed to connect Savannah, Ga. to Knoxville, Tenn. through our magnificent Appalachian Mountains, including part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The devastation this would cause our watersheds, rivers and streams, forests, wildlife, air quality, small towns and businesses, and overall quality of life is immeasurable but assured.
The Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the study of the proposed Interstate 3 may be issued as soon as this fall. It’s crucial that the contractors bidding on this project know that many legislators and the citizens they represent in this area oppose the construction of this road.
Please join the effort to stop this or any new interstate from being constructed through our Piedmont or Appalachian regions. Use the information below to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative to express (or reiterate) your opposition -- before it's too late!
- Urgent -- read the newest Action Alert concerning the proposed I-3
- The Problem -- see Maps of potential routes and Key Impacts
- What's Being Done -- see which counties, cities, and other organizations have passed Official Resolutions of opposition
- What You Can Do to Help -- Let your voice be heard! Contact your Congressmen to express your opposition. A Sample Letter and Contact Information are provided below.
Urgent Stop I-3 Action Alert!
Below is the latest Action Alert from the Stop I-3 Coalition, posted in August, 2008. Also read the most recent Action Alert from Georgia ForestWatch on this topic, posted in August, 2007.
The Problem with I-3
Check out the maps below to see the areas that would be devastated by a mountain highway three football fields wide. And read the key impact points that make it so vital to stop this road before it gets started.
Maps of Potential Routes
The map on the left shows the route of I-3 as originally conceived in the bill that was passed by the U.S. House and Senate in July 2005 -- stretching from Savannah to Knoxville via Augusta. Since then, however, specific routing guidelines have been removed from the bill, and several alternate routes through the Southern Appalachian Mountains may be considered, as shown on the right.
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(Click here for larger image) |
(Click here for larger image) |
Key Impacts
- Practical -- It is already possible to travel from Savannah to
Knoxville on existing superhighways I-95, I-26, and I-40. The distance
traveled on these existing roads is shorter than any possible route that
could be used for the proposed I-3 or similar roadway.
- Financial -- The cost to build interstates through mountains is
over $25 million per mile, according to a University of Kentucky study; even
non-mountain interstates cost $15 million per mile. Spending billions
for an unnecessary highway when other priorities are straining the federal
and state budgets is wasteful and would burden future generations of
taxpayers to finance this massively expensive project. (Think
$25M x 150 miles plus $15M x 250 miles.)
- Economic -- Rather than help, the proposed highway would be
detrimental to local economies which are currently based on seasonal homes,
health care, tourism, agriculture, crafts and cottage industries, small
business, retirement and light industry. In addition, landowners in
the path of this project would be subject to having their homes, farms, and
businesses appropriated by the government through eminent domain.
Others nearby would see their property values decrease due to the noise and
pollution from the intrusion of a heavy-duty industrial highway.
- Environmental -- The proposed highway threatens 4 national
forests and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The damage to the
mountain ecosystem, water and air quality, endangered species, recreational
assets, and the beauty of this region would be irreversible. And the
potential danger to our citizens from the radioactive cargo that would be
hauled on this highway is incalculable.
- Political -- County commissioners in 5 North Georgia, 3 North Carolina counties, and numerous community-based organizations representing thousands of citizens have passed resolutions opposing the proposed I-3 highway. Several Congressmen (some of whom are running for re-election this fall) in the areas that would be affected by I-3 have made public promises that the highway would not go through any county that passed a resolution against it, and we have a right to expect their promises to be kept.
What's Being Done -- Official Resolutions Opposing I-3
Many counties and cities that are in the potential path of I-3 have passed official resolutions opposing construction of the highway, as have more than 40 other organizations. See www.stopi3.org for a complete list along with their statements.
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What You Can Do to Help Stop I-3
Sample Letter
Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative to express your opposition to the proposed I-3. This Sample Letter can be downloaded as a Word 97-2003 file and customized as you see fit. (See Suggestions below.)
Dear Senator Isakson,
As citizens of North Georgia, we recognize that adequate transportation is one of the greatest needs in our rural but fast-growing area. However, the Southern Appalachian Mountains are unique in their beauty, character, and way of life, and it is therefore our responsibility that as we plan for the future, we also protect our environment and heritage.
In view of the fact that a transportation corridor connecting Savannah and Knoxville already exists, we believe that the proposal I-3 (officially the 3rd Infantry Division Highway) is unnecessary. We also believe that it would adversely, and perhaps permanently, impact environmentally sensitive areas, natural resources, economic health, and quite simply our way of life, and we see no benefit that would overcome the harm it would cause. Therefore, we strongly oppose I-3.
You have made a public promise that I-3 would not go through any county that had
formally resolved against the highway. The
Lumpkin
County Commissioners long ago resolved that we do not want
this highway, as did the governments of Habersham, Towns, White, and
Rabun Counties in Georgia; Clay, Cherokee, and Macon Counties in North
Carolina; the city of Highlands, NC; and the Southwestern North
Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission.
Therefore, we respectfully urge you to terminate funding for any
feasibility study and do all in your power to prevent the I-3
project from going forward.
Sincerely,
Your Name
General Suggestions
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Remember that individual letters, even if similar, count as separate letters, while identical versions of a pre-written letter count as one letter. Therefore, we are asking for individualized letters. Use sample letters only for ideas -- write using your own words and your own personal experience.
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Keep it short and to the point, direct but courteous.
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Remember to include your return address and the date at the top and your full name at the bottom.
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Due to possible delays with regular U.S. Mail, we recommend you contact legislators via phone, e-mail, or fax.
How to Address Your Letter
| Addressee | Address | Salutation | |
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U.S. Representative |
The Honorable Full Name |
Dear Mr./Mrs. Last Name |
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U.S. Senator |
The Honorable Full Name |
Dear Senator Last Name |
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Governor |
The Honorable Full Name |
Dear Governor Last Name |
Contact Information for I-3
The names and contact information for Georgia's two U.S. Senators and the U.S. Representatives for Districts 9 and 10 are below. For other states and/or districts, please see www.congress.org.
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Website: chambliss.senate.gov Washington, D.C. Office:
416 Russell Senate
Office Bldg. Atlanta Office:
100 Galleria,
Suite 1340 |
Website: isakson.senate.gov Washington, D.C. Office:
120 Russell Senate
Office Bldg. Atlanta Office:
3625 Cumberland
Boulevard,
Suite 970 |
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Website: www.house.gov/deal Washington, D.C. Office:
2133 Rayburn House
Office Bldg. Gainesville Office:
Wachovia Center,
340 Jesse Jewel
Pkwy., Suite 520 |
Rep. Paul Broun (District 10) Website: http://broun.house.gov/
Washington, D.C. Office: Toccoa Office: |
Reconsider Corridor K*
Don’t Allow Corridor K to Carve a
Swath of Destruction Through our Mountains
Express your concern to the NC DOT
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Mountain stream in the Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina (photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service) |
A costly, destructive, unnecessary four-lane road is on the fast track to completion in rural, mountainous western North Carolina. The route would stretch from Asheville, NC to Chattanooga, TN and would literally pave the way for Interstate 3 to slice through the mountains from Tennessee to Georgia, bringing with it air, water, and noise pollution, forever changing local communities, landscape and wildlife habitats, not to mention the waste of taxpayer money for projects that do not have a justified need or purpose.
Rather than this destructive and costly proposal, upgrades along the existing route should instead be thoroughly evaluated and considered. If you are concerned about the integrity of the southern Appalachians (and the increased possibility of I-3)—the land and the people, and about irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars, take action and WRITE NCDOT.
Please read:
- Corridor K Action Alert for background on Corridor K, explanation of the current process, more detail about what is needed and what are the environmental, economic, and big picture concerns are.
- Corridor K Web Page for links to NC Department of Transportation 625-page report "Corridor K Draft Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement" and the supporting documentation.
- Conservation Impacts of Corridor K for detailed, enlargeable maps.
- Smoky Mountain News for one writer’s lucid perspective on the need for Corridor K alternatives to be developed.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
To stay informed about environmental legislation and receive alerts, join the Georgia Environmental Action Network (GEAN) by clicking here.
Click here to identify your legislators at My Elected Officials
*Primary source for information on this page is Stop I-3 Coalition. To access a copy of their brochure (.pdf ), please click here.
Lumpkin Coalition supports the efforts of the Stop I-3 Coalition by raising public awareness of the I-3 issue, directing folks to their well documented and informative website, and getting petitions signed. We also remain open and available to other requests they may have for our help.
