Dear sir or madam:
 
I wish to express my strenuous opposition to the proposal to build a new Route 64 north or south of the existing Route 64 through the Ocoee River Gorge Any new terrain highway in this area would be devastating to the natural environment of the Cherokee National Forest. It would destroy wildlife habitat, poison streams, increase air pollution and pave over hiking trails.
 
I would suggest that, instead, safety improvements and changes to improve traffic flow be made in the footprint of the existing Route 64. It would also be desirable to improve existing secondary roads that offer alternatives to 64.
 
I have driven roads in several states that are dangerously neglected, for example not painting the lane lines for night visibility. We live in a time of tight budgets and concern over deficits. It makes no sense to spend money on new roads that would be better spent making existing roads safer to drive.
 
Although I am not a resident of your area, I'm an American citizen and hence a part-owner of the Cherokee National Forest. I enjoy hiking in various national parks and forests in the South, and I do not want to see any part of it destroyed.
 
Please enter my comments into the official record.
 
Sincerely,
 
Tom Hoffman
135 Davis Lane
Pearisburg VA 24134
540-921-1184
gopullman@aol.com