Click Item For details
HOME
TANASI NEWS
INFO CENTER
QUICK FACTS
LANGUAGES
HISTORY
NATIVE ARTS
GENEALOGY
EVENTS
BUSINESSES
ORGANIZATIONS
BOOKS
MUSIC
VIDEOS
ART
Visit These Non-Profit Web Sites:
Alliance For Native American Indian Rights
Native American Educational Association
Tennessee Trail of Tears Association
Books about Indians:
Loud Hawk : The United States Versus the American Indian Movement
Exploration
of Ancient Key-Dweller Remains on the Gulf Coast of Florida
TANASI
NEWS
Moccasin Bend National
Park Bill Passes Committee Vote
By Toye Heape
(Nashville - 10-3-2001) A bill that would create a National Park unit on parts of Moccasin Bend National Historic Landmark in Chattanooga passed a U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Resources vote earlier today. It will now go before the full House for consideration. The legislation, H.R. 980, was introduced by Congressman Zach Wamp and is co-sponsored by all of Tennessee's representatives in the House.
A feasibility study conducted by the National Park Service had recommended that all 956 acres of the Moccasin Bend National Historic Landmark be included within the park boundaries and that inconsistent uses, including the Moccasin Bend Golf Course, the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, and transmission towers operated by radio station WDEF, be removed during a 10 year period. The bill, as passed by the Committee today, excludes the Moccasin Bend Golf Course and radio transmission towers from the park boundary, while the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute would be included within the park. The bill does not set a deadline for acquiring the golf course and radio tower properties and sets no deadline for removing the mental health facility.
In a subcommittee vote last week, Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen of the Virgin Islands voted no on the bill, citing the provisions that would result in inconsistent land uses in the park. During today's committee hearing she supported passage of the bill, saying "We have worked closely with Mr. Wamp and his staff, and the Administration as well, to make several important changes in the bill and look forward to continuing this process."
