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4 <br /> 1 I was attracted to this land for several reasons: Its beauty, the privacy it afforded, and <br /> 2 the existing environmental easement which was already in place at the time of purchase. <br /> 3 Because of this easement which protects my land in perpetuity, I cannot develop, clear, or <br /> 4 despoil in any way almost half of my 10 acres and I would not have it any other way. When I <br /> 5 walk on this protected area of my land I do so with much respect. I tread very lightly and use <br /> 6 the utmost care not to harm either flora or fauna--not breaking branches or trampling on the <br /> 7 forest understory of plants; not harming or harassing spiders, snakes, or other living creatures; <br /> 8 not compromising the banks of the creek by careless walking or other activity. <br /> 9 Could I trust total strangers to take the same care? Would they value my land the same <br /> 10 way I do? We all know the answer to this is "No". I do not want to see even one plastic bottle, <br /> 11 even one stray piece of paper, or one of anything else discarded or even inadvertently dropped <br /> 12 into this pristine environment. That would inevitably happen if other people, even well <br /> 13 intentioned ones, were granted free access to my land and that is unacceptable to me. <br /> 14 I am highly opposed to having my property become a part of this trail system and will <br /> 15 fight hard against that happening. Please do not put me and many others in the position of <br /> 16 having to do so. Find another path." <br /> 17 <br /> 18 Respectfully, <br /> 19 <br /> 20 Jeff Stephens <br /> 21 4515 Mystic Lane <br /> 22 Hillsborough NC 27278 <br /> 23 uiams @mindsprinq.com <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Geoff Hegedes said that the Mountains to Sea Trail should not be placed where it <br /> 26 is currently proposed. He has a lot of experience hiking all over the U. S. in very remote <br /> 27 places. He said that trails that have easy access points to the public tend to attract an <br /> 28 undesirable crowd. One example is the Tobacco Trail, which has had 30 incidences this <br /> 29 year, which were near access points. He said that the Mountains to Sea Trail does have <br /> 30 easy access points and this is worrisome. Secondly, he is concerned about the fire <br /> 31 hazard because of no fire roads being built into the area. <br /> 32 Jim O'Connor read a prepared statement: <br /> 33 "I'm puzzled. Aren't you the same people, along with the OWASA members and <br /> 34 various citizens, who worked as a team to do an excellent job of protecting Cane Creek <br /> 35 Reservoir for its original purpose till now? <br /> 36 And here we are now talking about uncontrolled access, uncontrolled hours for <br /> 37 who knows who traipsing at will for 365 days a year for who knows what besides simply <br /> 38 hiking. <br /> 39 This land wasn't set aside as multi-purpose land. What happened to our regard <br /> 40 for the initial purpose of the reservoir and adjacent property owners? <br /> 41 Why spoil this now? <br /> 42 - Till now, all access has been limited to one Gated Controlled Entry <br /> 43 - Sections most likely to be breached have 8 ft chain link fence <br /> 44 - Teer Road has been gated to stop the proliferation of accumulated trash and <br /> 45 uncontrolled parties. <br /> 46 - "No Trespassing" signs virtually surround the entire perimeter <br /> 47 - Furthermore, hunters and a rowers' club who wanted access 365 days a year <br /> 48 were denied their requests. <br /> 49 <br /> 50 So why would we now even consider opening a "door" for all to follow? <br />