https://www.wymt.com/2020/07/12/kingdom-come-state-park-brings-rally-car-racing-to-eastern-kentucky-in-hopes-of-promoting-the-region/
Sent from a birding brain
On Jul 13, 2020, at 2:04 PM, Roseanna Denton <roseannamd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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
