See the petition
See the petition against the wintertime closure of Starr Mountain Road at www.thepetitionsite.com/963/310/259/save-starr-mountain-from-the-us-forest-and-a-few-greedy-property-owners/
The proposed seasonal closure of a U.S. Forest Service road in McMinn County, Tenn., is drawing the ire of opponents, who fear restricted access could lead to the permanent closure of a scenic mountain thoroughfare.
However, the Forest Service insists that closing the road in winter will not lead to a year-round closure of Starr Mountain Road in the Cherokee National Forest.
"That's not even being contemplated or a real possibility," said Andy Gaston, acting district ranger for the forest's Ocoee district. "That's too important of a road for public access and the different activities up there."
The Forest Service proposal does, however, call for possibly installing gates that would restrict access to the road from December through February due to road safety concerns and grievances from area residents.
"That road has some issues in the winter," Gaston said. "During severe freezing and thawing events, it becomes almost impassible."
In its proposal, the Forest Service also acknowledges it was contacted about closing the road because of "the dumping of trash" and "the selling and use of drugs."
Starr Mountain Road, also known as National Forest Service Road 297, is accessed about 8.6 miles northeast of Etowah from Mecca Pike.
Under the proposal, gates would be installed on the road three-quarters of a mile from the Mecca Pike intersection and just before its intersection with National Forest Service Road 220.
The proposal would reduce wear and tear on a windy, hilly road that can prove treacherous to motorists, who use it to obtain scenic views of the valley when foliage is dead during the cold months.
"In the winter months, when they want to shut this thing down, that's the best time to go up there and see off the mountain," said Gerald Hodge, executive director of the Athens-based Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association.
Hodge has rallied opposition to the proposal by writing local politicians and spreading a hard-copy petition against the idea that he said has garnered "several hundred" signatures.
A separate, online petition against the proposal had garnered 1,210 signatures as of Sunday afternoon.
"I am pleasantly surprised," Hodge said. "The Constitution allows the American citizen to petition the government when they have a grievance. Boy, they did it."
A public comment period on the proposal ended Aug. 29, and Gaston said the Forest Service is still compiling all the feedback it received.
No decision will be made until next year, he said, emphasizing that the proposed seasonal closure is just that: a proposal.
"I don't know if they're steamed," he said of the proposal's opponents. "But I'll say this: anytime a proposal goes forward to restrict access, it's not necessarily a popular endeavor."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.