Mountaintown Scenic Area Proposed

H.R. 5612 was introduced June 15, 2006 by Nathan Deal (R-GA 10) and Charles Norwood (R-GA 9) proposing the establishment of 13,382 acres in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest designated Mountaintown National Scenic Area, and the addition of 8,448 acres to existing wilderness areas in the state. Mountaintown, located southeast of the Cohutta Wilderness Area, is Georgia's largest Inventoried Roadless Area. The Appalachian Trail in Georgia traverses 4 of the existing wilderness areas affected by the bill.

The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT), Section 8, passes through the Mountaintown Inventoried Roadless Area, from McKenny Gap southwest to Fowler Mountain, and from there north, northwest over Flat Top Mountain to Dyer Gap. In recent years, GATC has regularly conducted dayhikes on Section 8. It is remote and wild, but ATV activity is obvious on that segment south of Flat Top. This section of the BMT will receive substantially greater protection under national scenic area designation, and the entire hiking community will benefit.

The House bill needs a corresponding Senate bill. If you are so disposed, please consider contacting Georgia's US Senators Chambliss and Isakson and encouraging their sponsorship of the legislation. Contact information is:

Senator Saxby Chambliss
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Contact Saxby Chambliss (Click on "Contact Us" the "Email" on the left)

Senator Johnny Isakson
120 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Contact Johnny Isakson

If you are a constituent of Congressmen Deal or Norwood, please consider contacting them and thanking them for sponsoring H.R. 5612. Contact information is:

Honorable Nathan Deal
2133 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1009
(202) 225-5211
Contact Nathan Deal

Honorable Charles Norwood
2452 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4101
Contact Charles Norwood

Denny Rhodes
Conservation Director
GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB