READ MORE ABOUT TCWP
ARTICLES
“Citizen Effort to Save Natural Treasures.” (Slide presentation requires Internet Explorer 5 or above)
Information on the North Ridge Trail
How the Obed was Saved
Tennessee Forestry Issues (Forests Facts from Tennessee Forests Council (pdf document))
LINKS TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
READ TCWP'S NEWSLETTERS
The Latest Newsletter - March 2008 - No. 278
January 2008 - No. 277
November 2007 - No. 276
September 2007 - No. 275
July 2007 - No. 274
May 2007 - No. 273
March 2007 - No. 272
January 2007 - No. 271
E-Mail Us Waterfalls, deep gorges lined by stunning cliffs, rivers with challenging rapids and calm pools, sandstone arches reminiscent of Utah, and miles of hiking trails. What else could these words describe but the Cumberland Plateau, the broad middle section of Tennessee? This natural wonderland is the home of Pickett State Park, the Obed Wild and Scenic River, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the Savage Gulf State Natural Area, to name a few of the remarkable places on the Plateau.
Among those most familiar with the Cumberland Plateau are the members of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning. This group of 500+ volunteers, perhaps more than any other organization, is devoted to the protection and preservation of the wonders of the region.
Formed in 1966 by Bill and Liane Russell and a few others, TCWP cut its teeth on the protection of the Obed River. The Obed and its major tributaries, Clear Creek and Daddy's Creek, have cut spectacular gorges through the Plateau. These pristine and unspoiled rivers were virtually unknown, even to those who lived nearby, until the Tennessee Valley Authority proposed building a dam that would have inundated the gorges.
TCWP successfully opposed this project, showing that the supposed benefits--downstream flood control--were considerably less than the project's costs. TCWP then worked to ensure passage of Federal legislation to permanently protect the Obed River under management by the National Park Service. An area that was largely unknown is now a popular--and challenging--white-water river.
What worked well for the Obed was then applied to the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Threatened by the proposed Devils Jump Dam, TCWP mobilized opposition to the dam and, as was true for the Obed, fought for permanent protection--this time in the form of the 125,000 acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area covering parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.
TCWP members continue to work for the protection and enjoyment of these national resources. TCWP helps to generate Congressional support for appropriations, both to complete authorized land acquisitions and to provide operating funds for the National Park Service. In addition, TCWP serves as a watchdog against proposed watershed projects that would pollute or reduce water flows in the rivers. TCWP also works with the National Park Service on its management plans to ensure the protection of these areas for future generations. TCWP's annual March for Parks raises money for projects in these two areas.
In the late 1960s, TCWP helped gain passage of the State Scenic Rivers Act. In the early 1970s, TCWP worked to assure passage of the State Trails Act. TCWP also played a major role in achieving passage of the Tennessee State Natural Areas Act led to protection of several areas, the largest being the Savage Gulf on the southern Cumberland Plateau. Largely through the efforts of Don Todd, former TCWP president, the state created the Frozen Head State Natural Area, surrounding the state park. TCWP helped win support for various State Scenic Trails, including the Cumberland Trail along Waldens Ridge.
For decades, coal strip mining ravaged the mountains of Tennessee, destroying forests and polluting waterways. TCWP volunteers lobbied in Nashville for passage of state strip-mining legislation in 1972 and again in Washington, DC for passage of federal legislation in 1977. Although much remains to be done to ensure that regulations are actually enforced, mining and reclamation have improved.
When strip mining threatened Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area, TCWP sounded the alarm. Again, TCWP worked to ensure protection of this area, by getting it designated as unsuitable for mining.
TCWP concerns go beyond the Cumberland Plateau. The organization's interests extend to the Great Smoky Mountains, the Cherokee National Forest, the still-natural lands surrounding TVA lakes, and the Oak Ridge greenbelts. TCWP also conducts outings so that members and others can enjoy these wonderful areas. For example, TCWP leads several hikes a year to these and other places in the eastern half of Tennessee. TCWP also sponsors lectures and slide shows on Tennessee's scenic and natural areas. TCWP's annual meetings include a stimulating mix of lectures, discussions, hikes, and good fellowship.
TCWP publishes a fact-filled and up-to-date newsletter six times a year. The newsletter contains a wealth of information on environmental issues in Tennessee and the United States as a whole. The "action items" are a valuable feature of the newsletter because they help members decide what they can do on issues of particular interest to them.
In 1994, TCWP mobilized support for state protection of 6,000 acres adjacent to Pickett State Park. This spectacular area is every bit as beautiful as the state park and the Big South, with its rock houses, arches, cliffs, overlooks, creeks, and waterfalls. In early 1993, the Stearns Coal Company offered to sell the land to the State of Tennessee. However, in the summer the deal fell through and Stearns announced its intention to sell the land to a developer. The developer planned to construct homes in the area, which would have destroyed many of the landscape features, placed an enormous infrastructure burden on the county government, and made this area "off limits" to all the people who enjoy hiking, hunting, and camping there.
Jenny Freeman, TCWP's former president, organized a campaign to write letters and make phone calls to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. This outpouring of citizen concern worked. The State now owns 6,000 acres of the land and plans to buy an additional 3,000 acres. According to Freeman, "This land is a wonderful addition to Pickett State Park and Forest."
TCWP is also working to provide more effective state and local oversight of logging operations. This concern is stimulated by recent actions from Champion International Paper Company to clearcut 60,000 acres in Anderson County and even more land in Campbell County. Currently, Tennessee has no regulations on clearcutting to protect the land against erosion and the watersheds against pollution.
If you'd like to learn more about TCWP, write us at 130 Tabor Road, Oak Ride, TN 37830, or call us at (865) 481-0286
JOIN TCWP To join TCWP, send a check for $35 annual dues for family membership; $25 for individual membership; $100 for sustaining membership; $200 for supporting membership; and $500 for lifetime membership.
Annual dues for seniors, students and low-income individuals is only $15. Send your check to:
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning
130 Tabor Road
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
01428 hits since January 25, 2007
