John Edwards November 3rd, 2008
The Friends of Wears Valley will have a signature sheet for the Master Plan at the voting location on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
We hope to see you there!
Also, if you have not viewed the latest Planning Packet, it is now available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
John Edwards September 10th, 2008
Peter Bush presents at the Worshop at Tremont
The Friends of Wears Valley (FOWV) were guest speakers at the Fall National Outdoors Recreation & Rural Tourism Consortium held at Tremont on September 1, 2008. Faculty from Eastern Illinois University (EIU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Murray State University (MSU), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) along with 52 of their students, conducted a week-long study of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the surrounding gateway communities. The purpose of the program was to further understand the concept of Sustainable Tourism: the natural resources of an area, the effects of tourism upon them, and planned management of the two.
John Edwards and Terri Brown, president and treasurer of FOWV, and Peter Bush secretary for Sevier County Hillside Taskforce, spoke about the challenges of hillside development. Peter Bush discussed a Power Point presentation that he created for the Hillside Taskforce, which was presented to County Commission on 6/23/08. The presentation outlined the preliminary findings of the Taskforce on the subject of hillside development. Terri Brown, a graduate student/teaching assistant of the Earth and Planetary Science at the University of Tennessee, then showed a Power Point program on the subterranean geology of the area and the sensitivity of the eco-system to unmanaged development. She also spoke briefly about her efforts with the Cave Conservancy, pointing out that grants are available for students who want to excel in this field.
The hour-and-a-half presentation culminated with many questions from professors and students who endeavored to understand the efforts of the community in integrating a managed tourism economy, the resultant development that that brings, and the inherent beauty, natural wonder, and attraction of the Smokies.
John Edwards May 12th, 2008
The High Bridge development planned on Cove Mountain in Wears Valley is back on the Sevier County Planning Commission agenda in a meeting set for May 13, 2008. The last time the proposal was discussed, those opposed to the development, such as the Friends of Wears Valley, turned out in force and have promised to do so again.
Southern Design Group has submitted a plan for the property that includes 400 homes on 750 acres in the first phase of the development, with hundreds of acres marked for future development. Those opposing the project spoke out on a number of issues when it first appeared before the Planning Commission last year. Among their objections is the planned unit development’s proposed vehicle access, off Scottish Highland Way. The plan was previously denied by the Planning Commission as the private road sits on a 40-foot right of way, shy of the 50 feet the county requires for roads serving PUDs.
Read more about it in the Mountain Press: Cove Mountain development back before county planning commission.
John Edwards March 29th, 2008
Below is one example of why “mega” developments should be banned from building in areas where there are no public water system. The developer followed the existing Sevier County rules for PUD developments and was able to place the buildings too close for safety. The fire started in one structure and quickly spread to the others. The rentals were not occupied when the fire started. Firefighters used water from the swimming pool and nearby water tanks. Guests had rented one of the nearby structures and moved when the fire started.
Two cabins were completely destroyed and two more were damaged. Of the two damaged cabins, one of them is most likely a total loss, as the logs are charred and there is severe smoke damage inside. It took The following firefighting companies to contain the blaze:Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Sevier County Volunteer Fire Department.
The blaze could be seen for miles.
All that is left are the foundations.
This structure will probably be torn down.
The heat was so intense that the windows and blinds melted.
John Edwards November 23rd, 2007
The Nature Conservancy and the state of Tennessee have completed the largest conservation transaction in the state since the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s — to protect nearly 130,000 acres of majestic hardwood forests, mountains and streams on the Cumberland Plateau:
- The area saved — three times the size of the District of Columbia — also links to 66,000 acres of existing public lands.
- The result is a wildlife corridor amounting to 300 square miles of protected forestland for black bear, elk, white-tailed deer, turkey and numerous migratory songbirds such as the cerulean warbler and the wood thrush.
- All 193,000 acres of these lands are now also open to the public for recreation, including hunting, hiking and fishing.
- Nearly 11,000 acres purchased by the Conservancy and the state, on the north and east boundaries of Frozen Head State Natural Area.
- 75,000 acres of timber rights purchased for both segments of the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area. Acquired in 2003, these forested state lands were in danger of being cut drastically by any timber companies that acquired the rights.
- 42,000 acres of conservation easements purchased on timber company lands, restricting cutting to no more than new growth and allowing public access.