Conservation Impacts of Corridor K

The plans for Corridor K, generally aimed at linking Chattanooga with Asheville, were conceived and put into play over 40 years ago. Although there has been environmental analysis as sections have come up, there was never an environmental analysis, environmental planning, or any real environmental consideration of the entire route. Because of this lack of planning and forethought, the sections that have not been constructed are planned through the most difficult terrain and some of the most sensitive habitat and scenic areas of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.

These sections, if constructed, would cause profound environmental and scenic destruction and would cost billions in taxpayer money to build. These uncompleted sections have been put on hold for precisely these reasons. Their environmental and economic costs are just too high. Recently there have been efforts to revive these projects. This effort is ill-advised and ignores the environmental impacts and the high cost of these projects when existing roads need maintenance. If this road were to be punched through, one of the hardest sections of I-3 to construct would already be completed. If you want to be involved with this particular project of the Stop I-3 Coalition, let us know on the volunteer interests form.

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A general overview of the project gives an idea of the costs, impacts, and difficulties. The construction would have to cut through some of the most rugged mountain terrain in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. These mountains are on geologically unstable slopes containing acid-forming pyritic rocks. These slopes also contain numerous headwater streams that constitute and drain into fishing streams including prime trout waters. These streams are also upstream of municipal water supplies and recreation lakes. The lands that the route would pass through also are heavily in public land ownership, primarily national forestlands. These lands constitute valued wildlife habitat, including bear habitat, rare plant and animal habitat, and threatened and endangered species habitat.

Dozens of rare species, including state-listed threatened and endangered species could be adversely affected by Corridor K construction. Corridor K would also fragment and harm this valuable mountain wildlife habitat and lead to increased bear mortality. The plans would require drilling several tunnels. Besides the enormous expense of these tunnels, the tunnels would risk altering the hydrology and drainage of these mountain areas. The visual impacts of putting a four-lane road system in these mountain areas are also very troubling, specifically:

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  In the Cheoah area near Robbinsville, the corridor K route would pass through the small community of Stecoah, destroying the integrity of this rural community. Plans for Corridor K call for a corridor through or under Cheoah Bald Mountain. Much of the mountain is roadless and otherwise in wild and natural conditions that would be harmed by corridor K. The mountain is prime bear habitat and is home to numerous rare plants and animals. Much of the area in the road corridor is visually sensitive. The road would cross the Appalachian Trail. Even if the road is put in a tunnel at the intersection, the route is likely to be visible from the trail for miles, degrading the trail experience. Noise from the trail is also likely to degrade the AT experience in what is now a very wild section of the trail. Corridor K would also cut through or under the Snowbird Mountains, damaging wildlife habitat, visually sensitive lands, including the Ash Cove Mountain Treasure area. The road would cross many high quality streams including trout streams and streams feeding into Fontana Lake, Lake Santeelah, and the Valley River.
  
  
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  In the Ocoee area of eastern Tennessee, the corridor K route would pass between Big Frog and Little Frog Wilderness areas, passing virtually adjacent to the Little Frog Wilderness. Noise and visual quality are likely to be apparent along the slopes of this area. The planned route would also pass very close to the Olympic Whitewater Center, degrading the recreation experience in the area. Bicycle and hiking trails near the Center would be destroyed and likely could not be relocated satisfactorily. The corridor K route would cut through approximately 21 miles of Cherokee National Forest, disturbing habitat for bear, other wildlife, and destroying habitat for rare species of plants and animals. Bear habitat would be fragmented in one of the more remote portions of Cherokee National Forest. Migration corridors for bear would be disrupted and bear mortality would very likely increase. Visually sensitive lands would be impacted. Several trails would be destroyed, disrupted, or impacted, including the Benton MacKaye Trail, which would be crossed by the Corridor K route. Road cuts would be required across numerous high quality streams, including trout streams, in an area known for acid forming rocks. The route would pass very close to the Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area and the lower section of the Rock Creek Mountain Treasure Area would be heavily impacted. Rural communities including the remote community of Fairview would be impacted and quality of life degraded in the area. Campgrounds in the area, which are in close proximity to the route, would be impacted by the road.

Nevertheless, the Corridor K project is listed as project of the Appalachian Regional Commission and appears to have some support from elected officials at various levels of government. Please see http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=1006 for more background information.