🚀 go-pugleaf

June 8, 1995

To: All users of Umstead State Park, Schenck Forest and the Reedy Creek/
    Richland Creek area

From: Umstead Coalition, and concerned citizens

Subject: The Duraleigh Connector Road Project


Dear citizens of North Carolina,

  This is an urgent message to everyone who uses Umstead State Park, Schenck
Forest, and the Reedy Creek/Richland Creek area for recreation, research and
study.  The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has rekindled
the fire for the Duraleigh Connector Road Project which would connect 
Duraleigh road in west Raleigh with I-40.  The alternate they have proposed
would rip a 300 ft. right-of-way through recently donated land to Umstead 
State Park, destroying a whole section of Richland Creek bottomland in its
path.  The road is proposed to be built directly adjacent to Umstead State
Park for thousands of feet and thus severely impacting the quality of this
environment.  Further up the creek, the road will run right along the edge of
Schenck Forest, a research and study forest for N.C. State University with
hiking trails and scenic nature trails.  This road will also severely impact 
this forested area.

  Several years ago the Department of Transportation declared this alternate
the most damaging to the environment and the most expensive to build. 
However, unknown political pressures are driving the construction of this 
road.  NCDOT is trying to build the road right through recently donated 
Umstead State Park land against the will of the Raleigh City Council.

  In order to save Umstead State Park, Schenck Forest, and one of the last 
remaining undisturbed green spaces close to the city, we urge you to write,
fax, or call the governor and the members of the council of state (see below
for addresses and fax/phone numbers) demanding this road be terminated and 
taken off the Transportation Thoroughfare Plan forever.  This area is too 
valuable to the citizens of North Carolina to lose to poorly planned
transportation needs.  Umstead State Park and surrounding green space needs
you!  Please write, fax, or call as soon as possible to let the governor and 
members of the council of state know that NCDOT is wrong in proposing this 
road and severely impacting Umstead State Park, Schenck Forest and our last 
remaining green spaces!

  Thank you!


_Council of State_

Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.
Office of the Governor
116 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-4240 (o)
715-3175 (fax)


Mr. Dennis A. Wicker
Lieutenant Governor
Capitol Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-7350 (o)
733-6595 (fax)


Mr. James A. Graham, Commissioner
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-7125 (o)
733-1141 (fax)


Mr. Ralph Campbell
State Auditor
Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-3217 (o)
733-8443 (fax)


Mr. Bob R. Etheridge
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Education Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

715-1299 (o)
715-1278 (fax)


Mr. James E. Long, Commissioner
Department of Insurance
Dobbs Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-7343 (o)
733-6495 (fax)


Mr. Michael F. Easley
Attorney General
Department of Justice
Justice Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-3377 (o)
733-7491 (fax)


Mr. Harry E. Payne, Jr. Commissioner
Department of Labor
Labor Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-7166 (o)
733-6197 (fax)


Mr. Rufus L. Edminsten
Secretary of State
Legislative Office Building - Room 301
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

733-5140 (o)
733-5172 (fax)


Mr. Harlan E. Boyles
State Treasurer
Albemarle Building - Room 100
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605

733-3951 (o)
733-9586 (fax)


For More info:
<a href=www.duke.edu/~edf>Erik Frederick</a>
edf@deckard.mc.duke.edu