Report Eyes Park Service To Run BendA process for public input is expected once the final report is completed, which could be in a few weeks.
The draft envisions Moccasin Bend being designated a national historic site by Congress and owned by the federal government. The area would be administered by the superintendent of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park.
The draft found that Moccasin Bend is: "nationally significant'; "suitable' for inclusion in the national park system; and "feasible for inclusion ... if the incompatible uses and any hazardous wastes are removed ... at no cost to the National Park Service.'
A "phased' approach would be used to acquire the land for the park service, with total acquisition anticipated by 2009.
Included in phase one (by 2000) would be riverbank stabilization efforts.
In phase two (by 2002), removal of the law enforcement training facility and a remote control airplane park are contemplated.
In phase three (by 2005), removal of the golf course would occur.
In phase four (by 2009), removal of the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute and acquisition of a private residence on the property and the WDEF radio tower site would be accomplished. Electrical transmission lines and towers would be placed underground.
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Chattanooga, who worked to secure funding for the study, met with city and county leaders last week about the draft.
He said, "The biggest hurdle to this proposal adding 956 acres to the national park system will be the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute.
"It was clear the city and county would only be able to support adding the bend to the park system if the legislation would guarantee that the mental health community would continue to be adequately served in Chattanooga.
"They have a valid concern. I have the same concern.'
Rep. Wamp said any plan for Moccasin Bend must satisfactorily address the needs of the mental health community, which he said the institute is currently meeting, "ensuring continuation of those mental health services in Chattanooga.
"That's one of the big challenges this proposal will face.'
The congressman said, "I look forward to the public input process so that we can build consensus hopefully among all parties, the city and the county and the state, which all have land and assets there, and the golf course users and owners.'
The draft foresees the Park Service cooperating with interested parties on interpretation of historical sites, and staffing and funding personnel necessary for the site's operation.
The draft states the Park Service's support of a visitor/interpretive center that has been proposed by the Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park, a grass-roots group which has worked to protect Moccasin Bend's cultural heritage.
The Park Service would "encourage participation by Native American groups in the protection, preservation and interpretation of their heritage' located at the bend, the draft said.
Plans would be developed for protection of the area's natural resources and restoration of the cultural landscape.
"There would be no commercial uses or active recreational facilities such as ballfields, swimming pools, recreation centers, golf courses or other large scale development,' the draft said.
"The National Park Service would work closely with federal, state and local governments and the private sector to provide an attractive external gateway and appropriate historic setting for Moccasin Bend.'
Mickey Robbins, president of the Friends group, said, "We're enthusiastic about the draft and are really delighted that the Park Service study team seems to be giving serious consideration to the plan that we have felt was the best one for everybody, for all concerned.
"We feel that this is a very responsible treatment of those unusual cultural resources, including both the Native American and the Civil War resources that are on the Bend.
"We think that this is a wonderful opportunity for Chattanooga and this area to both preserve and protect, and then to interpret in a very vital and full way, for the community to enjoy and to understand what's there.'
Mr. Robbins said, "We really couldn't be more pleased. We're very appreciative of the way Congressman Wamp, as well as the elected officials from the city and the county and the state, all seem to be receiving the report in an open and positive fashion.'
Alternatives considered and rejected were:
