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THERE ARE FEW PLACES IN THE UPPER CUMBERLANDS THAT ARE NOT SPECIAL TO SOMEONE.
THERE ARE EVEN FEWER PLACES THAT ARE SPECIAL TO EVERYONE.
SCOTT'S GULF IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES.

Scott's Gulf Wilderness Recreation Area: "A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity"

Press Release from the Scott's Gulf Committee, December 4, 1996

By Paul Miller
Chairman of the Scott's Gulf Committee

The Scott's Gulf Committee is pleased that Bridgestone/Firestone's contract with Charles Doyle for the Scott's Gulf/Chestnut Mountain property is over. The purpose of the Scott's Gulf Committee is to see this property in public ownership. We are continuing our publicity and fund-raising efforts. We plan to continue to work with Bridgestone/Firestone and the State of Tennessee to see this area permanently protected. Until the property is in public hands, we feel Scott's Gulf is still at risk.

Protection of the natural beauty of Scott's Gulf is one of the goals of the Scott's Gulf Committee. Last month Bridgestone/Firestone decided to protect their Scott's Gulf/Chestnut Mountain property by keeping it off the market. They are entertaining no deals at this time. They have no plans to develop the property. We thank Bridgestone/Firestone for acknowledging Scott's gulf as a valuable natural resource by protecting it from development.

Public access to Scott's Gulf is another goal of the Scott's Gulf Committee. Bridgestone/Firestone's action protects Scott's Gulf for the near future. However, a deal between Bridgestone and the State of Tennessee is not imminent. Bridgestone's official stance for access is as before. For liability reasons, no one is granted permission to trespass on posted areas.

Public access is where the Scott's Gulf Committee will focus its efforts. We must also continue to work to ensure that the property does not come up for sale for logging or development at some future time.

The Scott's Gulf Committee feels that public ownership is the best way to achieve both goals of protection and public access. We continue to seek and receive support from the public toward these goals. We encourage the public to write or call Governor Sunquist. People should let him know whythey feel Scott's Gulf should be Tennessee's next state park. If they have donated money to the effort they should let him know that too.

We also encourage Bridgestone/Firestone customers to let the company know that they support the effort. Scott's Gulf committee chairman, Paul Miller, drives on Bridgestone tires. Member Marvin Bullock of the Tennessee Trails Association drives on Bridgestone tires. Member John Harwood of the Sierra Club drives on Firestone tires. Bridgestone/Firestone can not afford to ignore their customers. If you have a receipt showing the purchase of Bridgestone or Firestone Tires, please mail a copy of the receipt to President Ono, along with a note telling him that you support Scott's Gulf as a park and want Bridgestone/Firestone to support it too.

Send your letter to Governor Sunquist to:
The Honorable Don Sunquist,
Governor State of Tennessee
State Capital
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0001

Send your note and copy of your receipt to:
Mr. Masatoshi Ono, President
Bridgestone/Firestone, Incorporated
50 Century Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37214

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[Any typos in this article are my own and not those of the Scott's Gulf Committee or its staff. - Editor]

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