Lumpkin Commissioners Oppose I-3,
Support Local Highway Infrastructure
Read
the resolution (pdf)
Macon County commissioners vote to oppose interstate
corridor
FRANKLIN, N.C.— The Macon County (N.C.)
board of commissioners voted unanimously tonight to oppose
construction of the Interstate 3 corridor in its backyard.
. . .
Read the press release
>>
More county commissions vote to oppose I-3
corridor
Two additional sets of local elected officials,
the county boards of commissioners in Cherokee County, N.C.,
and Lumpkin County, Ga., have voted to oppose construction
of the Interstate 3 corridor in Southern Appalachia. . . .
Read the press release
>>
Clay Co., N.C. Commissioners
State Reasons, Opposition to I-3
RESOLUTION BY THE CLAY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WHEREAS, The Clay County Board of Commissioners recognizes
that in order for county government to function effectively,
the governing board and citizenry must be informed of and
part of the planning processes in which Clay County is involved,
and
WHEREAS, The federal government has appropriated
funds for a feasibility study and intends to conduct a feasibility
study for a proposed interstate highway, referred to as Interstate
3, extending from Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee,
which would possibly enter onto and through portions of Clay
County, and
WHEREAS, To date Clay County has been excluded from
any substantive involvement in the planning process surrounding
the feasibility study for I-3, and
WHEREAS, Because of the possibility of negative ramifications
surrounding the construction of Interstate 3 in the form of
lost ad valorem revenue, environmental impacts, and lost tourism
revenue;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Clay County
Commission objects to and opposes the construction of the
proposed Interstate 3 because neither Clay County government
nor its citizens have been included as participants in the
feasibility study and planning process.
Adopted this 1st day of December, 2005.
Stephen C. Sellers, Chairman
Clay County Commission
Stop I-3 Coalition gets support
from state Senator John Snow
From The
Franklin Press, January 17, 2006
North Carolina Senator John Snow (D-Murphy) was a guest speaker
at a Stop I-3 Coalition rally hosted by the League of Women
Voters at the Tartan Hall Thursday. It was a full house with
approximately 80 people attending. Another expected speaker,
N.C. Representative Roger West (R-Marble), could not attend
due to work-related conflicts. Snow said he is against the
idea of I-3 route coming into our area, citing concerns about
construction damaging the pristine landscape when the interstate
isn't needed or wanted. Read
more...
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 9:06 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Charles Jenkins
Georgia Representative – District 8
State Representative Charles Jenkins, on September 10, 2005,
presented the following message to members of the House of
Representatives:
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I would like to bring before
you for information the subject of an interstate highway study
that has been included in the National Transportation Budget.
Earlier this year, citizens of Northeast Georgia, more particularly
District 8, comprised of Towns, Union, Rabun and White Counties
learned that a study was being proposed for a road identified
as I-3. It would determine if such a road should be constructed
which would run from Savannah via Augusta to Knoxville. The
study also includes an East-West route; however, my comments
this morning will not address the East-West portion of the
study.
I want to direct your attention to the Savannah-Knoxville
route. The consensus I have gained from 8th District
constituents is that most people in the mountain counties
do not want the Interstate built through the beautiful North
Georgia Mountains.
It is the opinion of many that the billions of dollars that
would be required to construct the road would involve too
much expense for our country, which is already experiencing
a financial crunch.
Next, it is the opinion of many that our beautiful mountains
should be preserved for the citizens of Georgia and other
visitors to enjoy. It is felt that the U.S. Government
should not come into communities, towns and counties to build
interstate highways against the will of a majority of the
property owners who live in the respective areas and who do
not want the pollution and crime that the citizens feel are
inherent with interstates.
Also, there is a strong opinion of many North East Georgia
Citizens that the economic gains from such a road would be
minimal.
I thank you Mr. Speaker and colleagues in the House for
the opportunity you have given me to bring this subject to
your attention.
Mountain People Represented!
Habersham, Rabun, White, Towns County Commissioners
Statements All Formally Oppose I-3
Habersham County Commissioners
Habersham County Commissioners sent the following
letter opposing Interstate 3 to U.S. Representative Charles
Norwood, to U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, and Johnny Isakson,
and to Georgia State Representatives Nancy Shaefer and Ben
Bridges.
August 5, 2005
The Honorable Charles Norwood
Member, U. S. House of Representatives
2452 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: 202-226-0776
Dear Congressman Norwood:
We are writing to you to express our uneasiness with the
proposed I-3 study. This opinion is shared by the overwhelming
majority of our community and as best as we can tell, all
of the communities in Northeast Georgia. We’re sure you’ve
been inundated with calls, e-mails, letters and resolutions
expressing opposition to an interstate highway in this area.
Thus, we’ll be succinct. We feel the highway would adversely
impact environmentally sensitive areas, natural resources,
and quite simply our quality of life. We see no benefits from
the road that would overcome the harm it would cause.
We respectfully request that you give serious consideration
to the concerns we’ve outlined here, those expressed
by other groups and governmental entities and the significant
breadth and depth of the opposition to the interstate and
not pursue the study if the route would be located in extreme
northeastern Georgia.
Cordially,
Lynne M. Dockery, Chairperson
Jim B. Butterworth, Jr., Vice-Chair
Rick M. Austin, Ph.D., Board Member
Dr. Brenda Garland, Board Member
Douglas R. Vermilya, Board Member
Rabun County Commissioners
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, a feasibility study is in the process of being conducted
to determine the feasibility of constructing an interstate
which will be known as Interstate 3 (hereinafter referred
to as I-3); and
WHEREAS, I-3, if constructed, would possibly traverse through
or near Rabun County, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the construction of a federal interstate highway
either through or in close proximity to Rabun County, Georgia,
would have a devastating environmental, economic, cultural
and aesthetic affect on Rabun County; and
WHEREAS, a large number of Rabun County citizens and leaders
have voiced their objection to an interstate highway coming
through or near Rabun County, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Rabun County Board of Commissioners act as the representatives
and voice of the people of Rabun County;
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Rabun County Board of Commissioners
that it is opposed to a federally-funded interstate highway
corridor being routed through or near Rabun County, Georgia.
Resolved this Tuesday, 23rd day of August, 2005
Rabun County Board of Commissioners
Eston Melton, Commissioner
Attest: Debbie Westberg, Clerk
White County Commissioners
The following letter, which "does not endorse,
and, in fact, does oppose" Interstate 3 being routed
"through White County or the Northeast Georgia Mountain
area" was sent by White County Commissioners to:
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson
U.S. Representatives Nathan Deal and Charles Norwood
Honorable Governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue
Honorable Harold E. Linnenkohl, Commissioner, Georgia Department
of Transportation
Georgia State Senators Nancy Shaefer and Chip Pearson (Secretary,
Transportation Committee)
Georgia State Representatives Ben Bridges, Charles Jenkins
and Stacey Reece
Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Honorable J. Richard Capka, Federal Highway Administration
At the White County Board of Commissioners' meeting held August
2, 2005, there was a great deal of opposition to the proposed
Interstate 3 and its projected route through the Northeast
Georgia area.
As Commissioners, we recognize that adequate transportation
is one of the greatest needs in our rural but fast-growing
area. However, the Northeast Georgia Mountains are unique
and a haven for vacationers and retirees, as well as home
to many irreplaceable historical sites. We must be both planners
for the future and protectors of our environment — and
heritage.
Proposed major changes, such as the I-3 project, deserve
much study and contemplation before any action should be taken
that could have devastating effects on our beautiful rural
area. With those thoughts in mind and based on the current
information and the needs currently expressed, the White County
Board of Commissioners does not endorse and, in fact, does
oppose any Interstate 3 project that would have a route through
White County or the Northeast Georgia Mountain area.
On behalf of White County, we ask that you keep us informed
and that we be involved in the process, plans, studies, etc.
on this very controversial project. I am sure you can understand
our concerns.
Thank you for your time and consideration to this matter.
Chris Nonnemaker, Chair
Dennis Bergin
Craig Bryant
White County Board of Commissioners
Towns County Commissioner
RESOLUTION
Office of the Commissioner, Towns County, Georgia
Controversy over the proposal to construct an Interstate
highway known as Interstate -3, hereafter referred to as “I-3”,
through the heartland of the southern Appalachians has grown
significantly during the last 7 months, as a result of numerous
public informational meetings; and
As Commissioner, I know the immense value of good road infrastructure
thorough out our fast growing county. Towns County needs a
safe & well maintained road network that adequately serves
the citizens of Towns County. However, an Interstate in Towns
County is unnecessary and would negatively impact our environment
for present and future generations.
Therefore, as sole Towns County Commissioner, I hereby make
the following RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the Federally funded feasibility study for
I-3 (Savannah Ga. to Knoxville Tenn.) has commenced, or is
about to commence; and
WHEREAS, the present route of I-3 is currently unknown,
but does not exclude Towns County, Ga.; and
WHEREAS, the construction of any interstate highway
through the southern Appalachians or specifically Towns County,
Ga. would have a devastating environmental, economic, cultural
and aesthetic impact, and severely harm the quality of life,
historical landmarks, cemeteries, churches and farms and the
livelihood of Towns County citizens;
NOW THEREFORE, I HEREBY RESOLVE, as Commissioner of
Towns County, that I am opposed to the construction of I-3
specifically in Towns County and in the Southern Appalachian
corridor. I further urge all like minded citizens to show
their opposition to I-3 by signing the petition that has been
drafted by the STOP I-3 coalition, and is now in circulation
in Towns County.
RESOLVED this 9th day of January, 2006
Signed: _____________(signed )____________________
Bill P. Kendall
Sole Commissioner, Towns County, Georgia
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