If the North Shore Road is built, it will provide another scenic highway in the park and it will relieve all the congestion on the Tennessee side and bring more visitors to the North Carolina side.

Please build a road and also practice good stewardship of our land and natural recourses, quit undermining all the trees along the lake shore and letting them fall into the water each year. Protect the banks, build a road.

I think the economy, the tourist industry and future citizens of Swain County would benefit most from the road. We would have the road and we would also have nearly a half a million acres to hike in, for those people who want to hike. Settle up. Build the North Shore Road.

We need access to home places and cemeteries for all people. Hiking a narrow trail with the face always looking down at the ground is not my idea of enjoying the beauty of the Park.

And about 20 years ago we had a meeting in Waynesville. Yes, we put on these meetings, but I think we’re kind of peaceful. We never caused any trouble to anyone. And so, we still feel like we need that road. Twenty years ago this man in Waynesville at one of our meetings got up and said, “Well, in 20 years they’ll all be dead. We won’t need the road.” Well, let me tell you. That’s been over 20 years and we’re still alive and kicking. We still want the road.

Build the road at least to Bushnell. I use the lake, would like to see a boat ramp, campground, etc., down there at Bushnell. The right thing to do is that they would take the road all the way.

By continually delaying this project, it seems as if the NPS, and specifically the GSMNP, is insensitive to the local public. Burial traditions of East Tennesseans are an important facet of our lives, and we deserve and demand that the NPS fulfill this promise. Low Impact Road - how much will this end up costing the park in staff time, and how accessible will the cemeteries be to the descendants? If accessibility would not be a problem, this would be my preference. Otherwise, build the road to standards that would have applied in 1943.

There should be no question about the interest that Graham County has the right to protect in this decision process. Not only will Graham County be affected by the access potentially offered by a constructed North Shore Road, but also by the increased tourism that would result from more access to this southern area of the GSMNP. If the road is not constructed, Graham County should also share in any settlement.

The preferred alternative should be the full build of the Northern Shore Corridor, a principal park road, as was promised in the ‘43 agreement. For moral reasons, for our personal reasons and for economic reasons, we need this road. And one last thing, homes have been taken, and back in December there was a poll taken by the Asheville Citizen Times, and it indicated that the majority of the people in Swain County support building the road. And it’s the right thing to do; it’s the fair thing to do for Swain County. We lost.

I am in favor of building the road. And one item I would like to make is that the Road to Nowhere should be changed because the Road to Nowhere is for a few. It should be changed to a Road to Somewhere for all people coming.

I would like to see the road built. Seems like people in Swain County want to keep the area natural as they are possibly concerned with more visitors to their area. Swain County is looking at possible money to be received for the county and do not represent the rest of the USA. There are alternative ways to build a road to protect the environment, like the Blue Ridge Parkway road around Grandfather Mountain in NC.

Since the DEIS study has been finished and I think the people worked very hard on the study; nothing seems to be there to prevent the road from being built. A 52 million cash settlement would be like a little drop in a big bucket compared to what the road would be worth, not only for the economy but for the benefit of many thousand people that want to go back home to visit.

I think the road should be completed as promised to the people of NC. We should not let the Extremist Environmentalists (Judges and all) dictate as to what will be done with the road.

Study shows that the Northern Shore Corridor is the best choice to follow until it gets to Calhoun Branch, near Hazel Creek, then follow the North Shore the rest of the way. Ninety percent of this route follows existing roads and 4' to 5' wide trails. Please build the full road to Fontana Dam.

As long as the road provides access to the cut-off area, it doesn't need to be a super highway. If cost is an issue, a maintained dustless-surface road wide enough for personal vehicle traffic would be sufficient. If the objective is truly an "around the park" road that connects with Foothills Parkway in the east-Tennessee portion of the park, then the new road should meet the same standards as a well-maintained Foothills Parkway. In my opinion, US 129, which would be easily accessible between the new park road and Foothills Parkway, is "scenic" enough.

Please build the road and stop listening to the so called environment minded people. Your study proves the road would be the best way to go and nothing else will settle the promise given to our people.

That is an ugly scar, according to some of the environmentalists, which I am a strong environmentalist. There is nothing that I do ever to hurt the environment that I could help. But this road is not going to hurt the environment to the extent that most of you think it’s going to hurt the environment.

It’s very clear. It’s time to focus on facts and ecological studies, rather than on the false statement of environmental activists. It’s time to settle up by getting the road finished.

Money comes and goes, but roads are there forever. So let’s build the road for future generations to come so everybody can enjoy that beautiful, beautiful land.

Using the Federal Study how could any Elected Official or Citizen for the Economic Future of Swain County support anything less than the dollars the study says would come to Swain County with a full build road, they know the road would not take away the integrity of the Park.

I have been in and out of Swain County since 1943. I even wrote a letter to the Smoky Mountains Times when I lived in Virginia wherein I took the position of being opposed to the road. I do not believe that the existing road to the tunnel near Laurel Branch had been completed when I addressed that letter to the paper. At that time I cited NC 28 on the opposite side of Fontana Lake as a logical alternative. I no longer feel that way and I support the road being built as projected along the north shore as close as practical to Fontana Lake. I have read the DEIS and I see nothing in that report that should stop the road. I can also see the good in keeping a promise made so long ago and I can see why the former settlers feel so strong about being able to return to their roots in the North Shore area.

No other alternative will do, no road means no settlement money.

It’s time the government lived up to its word and stopped treating us like second-class citizens.

So go ahead and build that road that the contract promised and that’s kind of the end of the story because it’s us that’s suffered the most. We give the park to you people. Now build us a road.

They were not paid fair market value for their land, and these people should see the road built.

Please consider the promise made to us and our ancestors in the 1940s. The United States government is obligated by their word in writing if nothing else. This is our right as American citizens. Since our ancestors cannot be here to voice their opinion or stand up for themselves, we feel it is our responsibility. This road should go forward if for no other reason than what is stated. We as descendents of these people who fought for their country without prejudice feel the rightful way to react would be to honor your word.

I think that they should build the road that was promised to them and that environmentalists that are opposed to the road, I think they should consider other people that have lived here and I think most of those probably aren’t natives of this area, and the natives are the ones that suffered, and not a lot of those that oppose the road.
I would think most of the environmental experts feel that the Blue Ridge Parkway is the "Jewel" of Western North Carolina. If the proposed Road to Nowhere will be environmentally unfriendly, then the Blue Ridge Parkway is equally an environmental hazard in the Upper Pigeon River (Canton Class III Watershed) and the upper region of Allen's Creek (Waynesville Class I Watershed). Thus, the Parkway should be removed and the area be returned to its original condition. If the Blue Ridge Parkway is environmentally friendly to our area, then the Road to Nowhere will be the same.

You’ve heard the expression, recently I saw a book, and I’ve read it, Mountains Are Forever. That’s true. Roads are forever. The money can be gone, but the road will be here forever. We need that road. Swain County needs the road.
People who are against the road can hike as they always have. The road would not keep them from hiking. Animals always move when they see people or machinery.

Build the road or the younger generation will keep fighting until it’s built.

They moved out, left everything they knew, everything they grew up around, and that’s all they’re asking for is this road to be built. I mean, if you all are going to be like that, you might as well just sit there and say – give the whole piece of property back to the people and let them deal with it, because that’s the way it ought to be. It was their property to begin with. They agreed to move out to have this lake built to have the power and have the bomb built. And now all they want is a road to go back to where they used to be.

The land taken from the people of this area in the 1943 agreement, which keeps them from a reasonable access from the area of their heritage and the resting place of their departed loved ones should rightly be restored to them by the building of the road.

With the federal government completing the EIS and finding the detriments to the environment can be overcome and a successful project can coincide with the environment, there are only a few issues which should be considered, public sentiment and rationale being the first; then the path to the ultimate successful completion of the road to benefit all involved, the people of Swain County, as well as the protection of our environment. I sincerely believe that both are achievable in the construction of this road project.

DEIS states that none of the alternatives would harm the integrity of GSMNP or AT resource values.

I am tired of hearing outsiders say the Park belongs to everyone. They know nothing about the cost of what this National Park cost our parents and Swain County. Yes it does belong to everyone but we have paid the cost for them.

If you choose not to build the road, it is my opinion the money settlement is an insult when you see how long Swain paid for the flooded road without use of any road. The settle up group is selling Swain short. If you do not recommend road build, I hope the settlement for money is also denied or tied up forever.

After looking at the proposed routes and environmental concerns, I believe that NPS can do a good job with the full project, and the cost is justified if done right. The entire population of the country and local area will benefit, with the full North Shore Road completion, not just a small segment of nearby residents. No way that any payoff should be considered to Swain or any other nearby county or community. The biggest payoff for local residents will be to provide jobs on road crews, and later on, jobs on maintenance crews serving this part of the park. Instead of a road to nowhere, it will be another tremendous opening for everyone to enjoy the Fontana area.

I don’t think reparations can ever be told. Too much time has passed. But I think it’s time to turn around and see the wrong that’s been done and to right that wrong, as best as possible.

The people of Swain County have waited 62 years for this agreement to be fulfilled. Isn't that long enough for us to wait for the road to be built as promised? A complete road, one that goes somewhere, as promised. Our small town could use the tourist business this road would bring. A cash settlement would not satisfy the agreement. To honor the agreement without delay would be the "right" thing to do.

Swain County commissioners would not take the money because long term they would benefit more from a road and tourist dollars as well as Graham County. Tennessee should listen instead of talking. Build the road and watch the progress.

Why don’t they build that cotton-picking road like they promised, and have a memorial honoring the vets and the families that gave their lives for our freedom in World War II, as you call it. All they’d have to do is put the tar and take a motor grader and grade that road and put the tar and gravel in and we’ve got the road. That’s what it calls for, nine miles of that road covered.

I think the gov't should live up to its word and contract. The government stole their property with no plan to do what they promised.

Swain County has lost over half of our land. We’ve lost over half of our job force, our tax base, because of the National Park. It’s time that the National Park fulfills the agreement and builds the entire North Shore Road.

The money will not do the people any good because most of them have moved or have already died and all they wanted was to go back to their home place and grave sites.

The land should be given back to the people or build this road as promised. These people aren't asking for the land back, but they are asking for a road for access to the places they once called home and to be able to visit the graves of relatives. The people are not asking for much, just what was promised to them in 1943.

The road would help the economy of Swain County and the money would be spent and gone with maybe a few things only accomplished. The road would make more and more jobs for people.

I'd like to go back down there. I'd like to drive back to my home place. I can't do that, thanks to a lot of you people that oppose it. I have the right to be able to drive back to my home place.

The commissioners of Graham County provided a resolution to the governor of North Carolina and to our folks in Washington, identifying that they are in favor of building the road. They gave their specific, particular reasons for the development of this. So, folks, think about what this would bring to this area. We have long been held captive that we do not have the infrastructure to support jobs, etcetera.

But I’ve been over there a few times across the lake and I would like to see something, if not a four-lane Class I road, A Class C, just a gravel road would be where people could get in and out.

To build a road to fulfill the agreement that our parents never expected our government to renege on. Our families gave so much and received so little. The road should be completed.

I'm a hiker. I am a fly fisherman, and I’m a thinking person. But I support the road.