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Tennessee's Natural Treasures
"It has been a labor of love over the last 9-years to serve on the Interior Subcommittee of Appropriations in the U.S. House of Representatives that has enabled me to provide support to the Ocoee Region that is considered the crown jewel of outdoor recreational sports in the Eastern United States.” The Interior Subcommittee is charged with assessing the needs of the National Park Service (NPS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), among other agencies, that supervise more than one-third of our nation's total land area. The Cherokee National Forest covers 640,000 acres in ten east Tennessee counties and is the largest single tract of public land in Tennessee. Over 300,000 people each year travel to the Ocoee region to enjoy its many amenities; from Olympic Whitewater rafting and hiking, to horseback riding, mountain biking and recreational hunting.
Congressman Wamp ensured that there was funding in the 2003 Interior Appropriations Bill to assist in the completion of the new state of the art Spring Creek Shooting Range that can be used by the public as well as government agencies. It will be a tremendous new asset to Polk County as it will meet and exceed the firearm training needs of law enforcement personnel while supporting the needs of the many recreational hunters in eastern Tennessee. “As managers of the public’s resources I encourage the Forest Service to continue its good stewardship by keeping this great addition to Forest Service recreation program accessible and reasonable for not only law enforcement but also the general public,” Congressman Wamp said.
To mark the official opening of this new facility, Zach joined the firing line and drilled the bullseye on the ceremonial first shot, and later joined Kevin Manning of the National Wild Turkey Federation of East Tennessee Zach where he was given the opportunity to break in an unfired 12-gauge shotgun.
Of the 300,000 people making their way to the Ocoee region each year, the majority come to take advantage of the hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Also included in the FY03 Interior Appropriations Bill was $200,000 to assist in the construction of the 1.2 mile Rhododendron Trail which completes the 30-mile system of trails.
Cherokee National Forest Supervisor Tom Speaks and Polk County Mayor Hoyt Firestone joined Zach at the Ocoee Whitewater Center where this trail begins its connection to the popular Thunder Rock Campground.
On hand for the ribbon cutting were Tom Speaks-CNF Supervisor, Jerry Barrow-USFS, Congressman Wamp, Stephen Cartwright-President Benton McKay Trail Association, Hoyt Firestone-Polk County Mayor, and John Lane-USFS.
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