I received the message below concerning NASA having a race on Little
Shepherd trail. Anyone know anything about this?
Roseanna Denton
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Jennifer Honeycutt* <jjoy13@xxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, July 13, 2020
Subject: Little Shep. Trail needs some help
To: Roseanna Denton <roseannamd@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi Roseanna
I just wondered if you or anyone you know that has gone birding on Little
Shepherd Trail in Letcher county would be willing to write a message or
call the county judge executives office in support of maintaining the road
as a nature and birding drive. I just found out last Wednesday that they've
been collaborating with Harlan county and NASA sport car racing to allow a
nationally sanctioned car race on Little Shepherd trail on August 7/8th.
That is insanity! In a land surrounded by strip mining, that road and that
drive is the only intact natural area we have. The race will be a rally
sport timed event, where you race the clock. I just don't understand why
they can't see what they're doing...well yes I can, they have no concept of
ecology and no idea what they have, much less how that event will destroy
what they have in that one special place. The Pine Mountain State Scenic
trail and the Great Eastern Trail will run on that route, the Kentucky
Natural Lands Trust has being buying property for conservation, there is a
wildlife management area, and of course there is a wealth of plant and
animal life, some of which is rare. The drivers will be flying along and
there is no way to predict when an animal might be in the road. They could
swerve or run off the road due to excessive speed and be injured,
especially if they drop a long way down the hill...not to mention the
damage to the forest to extract the vehicle, on land potentially belonging
to KNLT or the wildlife management area. Any birds picking up insects or
downed fruits on the road will be killed. I was up there yesterday and
found a dead thrush on the road that had been run over.They will mow the
wildflowers along the road, which are very important to the butterflies and
other pollinating insects. I've seen warblers in those flowers, looking for
insects. The finches depend on their seeds. The road will no longer be safe
for anyone to drive. This event will embolden both locals and others to
want to drive the road fast. It will spread on social media and anyone up
there for a leisure drive, birding, or otherwise enjoying passive
recreational activities will be in danger of being hit by someone that is
driving fast. The hairpin curves will be especially hazardous. Its a no
fault road, it's totally unfair to advertise for a nature drive and get
someone to come for nature and them be hit by a speeding automobile and
have to pay for the damage. The road isn't policed in any way now, seems to
be no thought or plan for the consequences of allowing this to happen.
They're throwing all it's possibilities away by turning Little Shepherd
trail into a racecourse. These events get permits from the national forest
service to stage events on old logging roads and other little used areas.
They aren't held in popular recreation areas or on more traveled roads, for
obvious reasons. This event could have been staged on any of the seemingly
endless mining roads or strip mines that we have here. Anyway, if you could
pass this along, maybe it would help. The county judge executive's name is
Terry Adams, phone number 606 633-2129. Fax number is 606 633-7105. He's on
Facebook. the local paper is the Mountain Eagle, 606 633-2252, if someone
wants to write about birding opportunities/experiences,and how the road
will be dangerous to birders after it becomes popular to drive fast on the
road. Call the paper and they'll advise the best way to submit an article.
I don't care either if you give someone my number 606 331-1103. Texting is
best, my phone service is spotty at home.
Thanks
Jennifer Honeycutt
