Moccasin Bend SolidarityActually, this historic, archaeological and scenic treasure should have been made a part of the park several decades ago. It almost happened, but it got snafued at the last minute.
In the intervening years, there naturally have been changes at Moccasin Bend. A mental health facility was constructed at the "toe.' A golf course, sewage treatment plant and firing range went in. However, 965 acres of Moccasin Bend remains in ownership of the city, county and state, and many of its outstanding natural features remain intact.
An energetic Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park group is in high gear. A National Park Service planning team is in the middle of its Congressionally-funded study of Bend management options. The motto "Save the Bend' seems to have wide public acceptance.
It makes sense to have all the public land on the Bend under the National Park designation rather than fragmented under several governments. The Park Service has the expertise to properly mark and interpret the many historically significant Bend sites. The Friends group stands ready to lead a Phase 2 effort that would establish an interpretative center on the outskirts of Moccasin Bend. It may focus on the captivating Trail of Tears tragedy and be an additional tourism draw for Chattanooga.
At a breakfast Monday at the Trade Center, Rep. Zach Wamp pointed out that the Bend deserves preservation, but reminded that it will be a long process requiring much cooperation and patience.
The Friends group's leaders have been careful to cultivate the needed solidarity, including involvement and backing of one of the most important groups. That is the American Indians, whose home it was for many centuries. A number of Indian leaders at the breakfast endorsed the national park concept, saying it will be the best method for ensuring that Indian graves are not violated.
There seems to be no dispute that Moccasin Bend, with its panopoly of colorful history, is worthy of National Park status. But making it a reality is a complex project, involving multiple governments and agencies. Decisions must be made about how the park would interrelate with the mental health facility, the golf course, etc.
Despite the daunting obstacles, the city, county, state, federal and private interests should join hands in providing the permanent protection that is decades overdue at Moccasin Bend.
Leaders of the 34 democracies in the Western Hemisphere are setting an ambitious goal of establishing the world's largest duty-free trade zone. This Free Trade Area of the Americas is supposed to be in place by 2005.
Leaders at a summit in Chile have signed a "joint action plan' that is designed to lead toward "the free flow of products, know-how and investment.'
Prior to the Santiago sessions, President Bill Clinton tried to get Congress to give him "fast track' trade authority. That would mean that whatever Mr. Clinton and other countries agree on trade rules would be brought to Congress for debate and a simple "yes' or "no' vote. No changes would be allowed.
Congress has been unwilling to grant that authority because many people do not trust what might emerge in an unamendable trade agreement and many people do not trust Bill Clinton.
American exports throughout the world are important for sustaining jobs for our people. Freer trade may help boost our marketing efforts _ as long as it works out fairly and is based on reciprocally beneficial terms.