Heard County commissioners oppose proposed ATV park plan, ask chairman to write DNR

The Heard County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 27 to oppose the Department of Natural Resources(DNR) proposed all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) park as it is currently planned and directed Chairman Lee Boone to send a letter to DNR reflecting the board's position.

Commissioner Larry Hammond introduced the motion, which Commissioner Gwen Caldwell seconded. "I make a motion to bring it up to a vote to express to them that the way it is proposed to us, we do not support it and for Chairman Boone to follow-up with a letter from the Board to them reflecting the same," Hammond said. The motion passed unanimously.

Kathy Knowles, executive director of the Development Authority of Heard County, told the board the authority had sent a list of questions to DNR about the plans but that DNR would not answer some questions until the public comment period closes on June 30, 2017. Knowles asked the board to wait until after the July 4 holiday and a meeting with DNR before taking a final position and urged that, if the board acts now, it should oppose the park as proposed and ask DNR to review and possibly revise the plan to address public concerns and to consider development of water trails and access to the shoals.

Knowles flagged specific concerns about the park being unmanned and about erosion. Several Heard County residents voiced opposition during the meeting: Jane Barker, Scott Parrott, Peter Underwood and Jimmy Adams each spoke against the proposal, citing local concerns.

Commissioner Keri Denney said she had not been contacted by DNR and said she was offended that DNR would tell her constituents the board had the authority to decide whether the park would come to Heard County without having discussed the project with the board. Commissioner Larry Hooks thanked the Development Authority for its work but said the proposed plan was not attractive to Heard County, while Commissioner Joe Adams suggested DNR could develop the area into something other than an ATV park.

Chairman Lee Boone will follow up with a letter to DNR conveying the board's opposition to the current plan. DNR representatives, according to the Development Authority's update, will review public comments after the close of the hearing period before deciding whether to proceed. The board adjourned at 7:45 p.m.