THREAT TO FOSTER FALLS 

Dear Members and Supporters of Friends of South Cumberland State Parks,

I am writing to invite you to join us in opposition to a proposed development of over 80 lots on approximately 130 acres of land immediately adjacent to Foster Falls and crossing Little Gizzard Creek. We encourage you to attend the Marion County Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 2, at 4:00 pm at the The Lawson Building, 300 Ridley Drive, Jasper, TN 37347. Let’s all wear green so they know who we are! As one member said, “We need to keep showing up to show them that we are a force to be reckoned with.”

We stand in opposition to this development as it’s currently proposed for many reasons. Friends of South Cumberland State Parks supports wise and sustainable economic development in our area, but the high-density housing proposal adjacent to Foster Falls is neither wise nor sustainable. It will be detrimental to the economy and the environment, with negative impact on park visitors, the water of Little Gizzard Creek and Foster Falls, the fragile and unique ecosystem of the area, and public services and infrastructure. It will therefore detract from the overall economic well-being of the county.

Foster Falls, Horsehair Falls, and Small Falls would be threatened by the nearly 80 construction sites and 80 septic tanks along a mile of Little Gizzard Creek, less than half a mile upstream from the falls. We also are concerned about the excessive burden on water, fire protection, and other services required by such high density housing.

The state parks on the south cumberland plateau are critical to our communities and the regional economy. We encourage our members, friends, and neighbors to get informed and get involved.

A map and proposed plat of the development are attached to this email. 

Here’s what you can do:

1. Wear green and come to the meeting Tuesday, April 2, at 4:00 pm at the Marion County Commission building at The Lawson Building, 300 Ridley Drive, Jasper, TN 37347. I am on the agenda and will outline a more detailed case for opposition to the current proposal on economic, environmental, legal, technical, and political grounds.

Email, call, and/or write to the two elected officials who are on the Marion County Planning Commission and express your opposition to this development as it is currently proposed because it will be detrimental to the economy and environment of the area.

Mr. David Jackson, Marion Co. Mayor and Chair of Planning Commission

PO Box 789

1 Courthouse Square, Suite 105

Jasper, TN 37347

Phone: 423 942 2552

Mr. Gene Hargis, Marion Co.Commissioner

PO Box 789

1 Courthouse Square

Jasper, TN 37347

ghargis@marioncountytn.net

3.Show your support for our efforts to protect and promote our parks by joining or donating to Friends of South Cumberland State Parks at friendsofsouthcumberland.org, and we will keep you abreast of developments and additional ways you can help the cause.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ned R. Murray, D.Min.

Executive Director