On Nov 14, 2009 Landon Medley wrote

Dear State Rep. McDonald,

I know that you and other members of the Tennessee General Assembly are deeply concerns about environmental protection for Tennessee State Parks. I wish to update you and other members of the current status of the coal exploration drilling done in the 1987 Lands Unsuitable for Mining area of the Rock Creek Watershed in southern Bledsoe County and northern Hamilton County. Exploration drilling was completed last week. SOCM had been told that test results from drilling samples will be completed in about 60 days.

Highland Lands Company and America Energy Company are planning to seek a SMCRA permit for surface coal mining of approximately 1700 acres in the Rock Creek watershed, if they can meet LUMP designation. (see attachment) SOCM will oppose any such plans.

The environmental concerns are well known about the Sewanee coal seam. The Sewanee is the most toxic coal seam in Tennessee. However, there are additional economic concerns of impacts to the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park planning and operational budget and economic impacts to the recreational industries of Hamilton County. If members of Tennessee General Assembly are worried about impacts from rock harvesting, think about a 1700 acre surface coal mine in the watershed of the Cumberland Trail State Park’s Rock Creek Section.

Over the past three years, SOCM has expressed its environmental and economic concerns to Deputy Commissioner Sloan and Direct Paul Davis at Water Pollution Control. TDEC can not do anything until an actual permit application has been submitted to them.

I fully understand that members of General Assembly not do anything at the moment, but I need help in gathering economic data for the Cumberland Trail State Park. I need copy of the park’s current budget and data for dollars that the park brings into Tennessee from the Tennessee recreational industries. My argument is that the park’s Rock Creek Section plays a key role for economic growth in Tennessee and Hamilton County from tourism and recreational dollars. The state’s growing whitewater industry brings in thousands of tax dollars to Tennessee and Hamilton County. These state economic benefits and investments should be protected from any potential harm, such as surface coal mining in the Rock Creek watershed’s lands unsuitable area.

It is SOCM standing position that no surface coal mining should ever be done in “lands unsuitable” areas because of harm to water quality. Tennessee has four designated Tennessee Federal Program LUMPs. Tennessee citizens followed all laws in getting these areas declared as “lands unsuitable”. The Rock Creek designation in 1987 was the first such designation east of the Mississippi River by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The result of the 1987 designation for Rock Creek resulted in the area now being part of the Cumberland Trail State Park and Tier 2 designation for Hall Creek and Suzanne Branch in the watershed. Fish and Wildlife Service and TWRA are working to declare the Laurel Dace in Horn Creek as a federal endangered species. The Rock Creek watershed has one of the largest populations of state rare species in Tennessee.

While members of the Tennessee General Assembly may disagree with SOCM on issues, I hope we can set aside our differences and work together to protect this lands unsuitable area.

I and other Tennesseans, along with the small business recreational industries of Tennessee would deeply appreciate any help from members in gathering the requested economic data or members seeking such a report themselves. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Landon Medley
558 Bald Knob Mountain Road
Doyle, Tennessee 38559