IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERSTATE THREE (I-3) THROUGH
THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS
WHEREAS, in August 2005 Congress appropriated $1.3 million
to study a process for determining if I-3 should be built; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of the proposed
I-3 is to connect Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee, with little if
any benefit to North Carolina; and,
WHEREAS, travelers going from Savannah
to Knoxville currently make the 415-mile trip through connecting highways,
this route is shorter than any possibilities for the construction of I-3;
and,
WHEREAS, no proposed routes have been
identified; and,
WHEREAS, five Georgia counties – Habersham, Rabun, Towns, Lumpkin
and White – have passed resolutions opposing the construction of an I-3; and,
WHEREAS, Macon, Cherokee, and Clay Counties in North Carolina
recently passed resolutions opposing the construction of I-3; and,
WHEREAS, both the Georgia and North
Carolina Departments of Transportation refused to be the lead agency to conduct
the study and it will now be lead by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA);
and,
WHEREAS, the proposed I-3 construction
would impose massive habitat damage and disruption to wildlife, particularly
to threatened or sensitive flora and fauna; and,
WHEREAS, there are bound to be unanticipated
obstacles and consequences which would drive up any projected costs; and,
WHEREAS, both state and federal funds
are scarce in current times, and not apt to get better anytime soon, and there
are far better and less damaging ways to spend scarce public funds,
NOW,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, gathered
in convention in Raleigh, NC on March 11, 2006, opposes the construction of an Interstate 3 along any route in North
Carolina; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study process for
the proposed I-3 be open to the public for full participation including dissemination
of information and opportunities to provide oral and written public comment.
For more information about The Stop I-3 Coalition go to www.stopi-3.org