Prevent profiteers from spoiling land Rob Woodfin (Dec. 6) laments the fact that myopic developers haven't yet turned Marion County into the crowded, noisy, trafficchoked paradise that they and their stooges on the Hamilton County "Planning" Commission have created here in Chattanooga. It's clear that big-box stores and the concepts of building a hotel in the middle of a park or crowding exclusive million-dollar condos up against the riverbank are right up his alley, too! He apparently has forgotten that the land in question does not belong to Marion County -- nor to the Tennessee Valley Authority. It was first stolen from its rightful Native American owners, then taken by powers of eminent domain from third-generation white settlers for a pittance so it could be placed in trust for the benefit of all Americans. As one of the current owners, I oppose the government putting this land in the hands of politically connected billionaire profiteers no matter how much they might covet it. If Mr. Woodfin wants to promote urban sprawl in Marion County, he should urge private Marion County landholders to get busy concreting their own land -- as they are free to do. Maybe the fact that they haven't should tell him something.
BRUCE WILKEY
We all are blessed to live in Southern Appalachia. This region contains some of the most diverse temperate forests and biological diversity in the world. One area that hosts such rich, special and endangered forests is the Cumberland Plateau. The Cumberland Plateau has long been neglected and abused by industry and our society. The plateau has especially suffered at the hands of the pulp and paper industry, which is engaged in large clear-cutting and converting native mixed hardwood forests to monoculture pine plantations. In addition to biodiversity, the plateau is host to a number of communities and economies that do not rely on destruction to work. Tourism, outdoor recreation and saw-timber economies are all impacted by large scale clear-cutting. As Americans and residents of Appalachia, we have a right to demand that the paper industry change into something more sustainable. The industry has the resources to change; it simply lacks the will. Nontree fiber crops can be grown in rotation on existing farmlands. The 50 percent of the municipal waste stream that comes from the forest can be intercepted and recycled. Think of all the jobs that would create.
JOHN JOHNSON
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