And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:52:11 -0600 From: Tusweca Subject: Nancy Ward Memorial To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/porton/73/seals/seal.htm X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.04 (Win95; I) PRESERVING HISTORY, ESPECIALLY NATIVE HISTORY, IRKS TENNESSEE LAWMAKERS Several months ago we were alerted to this situation. We contacted TDA (Tennessee Department of Archeology) who related there was sufficient cause to order a archeological examination of the right of way of State Highway 411 in regards to the proposed road widening project. Based on this and the NHPA (National Historic Preservation Act), TDOT agreed to reroute the road. There are 3 options being considered. Alternative C would widen the existing road from 2 to 4 lanes and is supported by Zach Wamp and Senator Bill Frist. Alternative B would bypass the Nancy Ward site entirely and is the alternative selected by TDOT. However, the city of Benton is considering using the right of way for water line placement. The problem, as related to us, is business owners and owners of large farms who oppose the loss of revenue and or land. Now we have learned some of these people are attempting to influence state lawmakers to lobby to change historic preservation laws due to extra costs in such projects. Amazingly some of our legislators are supporting this! A trend is being seen where cost overruns due to avoidance of historic sites, and Native American sites in particular, is fueling an outcry to change federal preservation laws. Complaints were lodged at Brentwood Library, WalMart- Nashville, and now the Nancy Ward Memorial site about the excess cost of preserving or removing these sites to comply with present legislation. Below is an article about a public meeting to discuss this project. Many will remember Representative Buck from 1996 when he opposed the changes in Tennessee law to discourage artifact trafficking. Now we find he is asking "what right the federal government has to prohibit Bishop from tearing down his own house." We received a tape of the meeting and were shocked by certain comments. Representative Newton: "...in all actuality she is not buried on that knoll..." '...we need to urge, encourage our federal folks to evaluate, reevaluate that preservation act and see what it's costing them." "... when common sense dies, something as silly as this frustrates me." Bishop: ...70% of THC's work involves roads and their decisions are controlled by TDOT, which makes no rhyme or reason..." '...originally 3 acres now it's 13 acres', "she becomes more historical the longer she's dead." Representative Buck: " We're spending some $400,000 dollars when they are not even buried there. That's real bright." Many Tennessee politicians are attempting to circumvent federal law. They are concerned it is costing too much money to preserve history, especially Native history. The Nancy Ward Memorial is a nationally registered historic site and should be protected and not ravaged for the pursuit of the all mighty dollar as some of our legislators propose. TDOT, TDA, THC (Tennessee Historical Commission), are doing what's best in this situation and should be commended. However, the legislators who are proposing such changes must be sent a message to leave history alone, especially Native history. The following is the full text article from the Feb 2, 1999 issue of the NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN. HIGHWAY ROUTING AROUND CEMETERY IRKS LAWMAKERS by Duren Cheek, staff writer. State lawmakers fumed yesterday at federal regulations that require routing a four-lane segment of US 411 around a Benton, Tenn. cemetery named for a Native American princess who may not be buried there. Benton-area business and government leaders want to convert the existing two lane highway through town to four lanes. State transportation officials said that can't be done because it would disturb the Nancy Ward cemetery and the Clemmer House. The cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Clemmer House is eligible for that designation because of the brick pattern used in its construction. TDOT alternative calls for building a bypass around the community, near Chattanooga in southeast Tennessee. "It doesn't make any sense" said state Rep. Chris Newton, R-Turtletown. He estimates a bypass will cost up to $1 million more than four-laning the existing road and force as many as 30% of Benton businesses to close. Preservationists maintain that Nancy Ward, a Cherokee who befriended white soldiers and settlers, is buried in the 16-acre cemetery along with her son, Five-Killer, and her brother, Longfellow. Locals say there is no hard evidence that is the case. Ken Bishop, who own the Clemmer House, has offered to tear it down and donate the property to the state if the state will simply widen 411 through town. But Transportation Commissioner Bruce Saltsman said it can't be done because federal law prohibits the state from using federal highway funds for any project that requires the use of any land from a historic site. State Rep. Frank Buck, D-Dowelltown, asked Saltsman what right the federal government has to prohibit Bishop from tearing down his own house. Saltsman said it won't make any difference because the land is also classified as historic. "We are only doing what we have to do," Saltsman said. Governor Sundquist's [EMAIL PROTECTED] Representative Chris Newton [EMAIL PROTECTED] Representative Frank Buck [EMAIL PROTECTED] &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
