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In 2001 I purchased 10 acres of land bordering a portion of Cane Creek and in in 2003 <br /> built my house and have lived here ever since. This will be the last place I ever plan to live. <br /> I was attracted to this land for several reasons: Its beauty, the privacy it afforded, and <br /> the existing environmental easement which was already in place at the time of purchase. <br /> Because of this easement which protects my land in perpetuity, I cannot develop, clear, or <br /> despoil in any way almost half of my 10 acres and I would not have it any other way. When I <br /> walk on this protected area of my land I do so with much respect. I tread very lightly and use <br /> the utmost care not to harm either flora or fauna--not breaking branches or trampling on the <br /> forest understory of plants; not harming or harassing spiders, snakes, or other living creatures; <br /> not compromising the banks of the creek by careless walking or other activity. <br /> Could I trust total strangers to take the same care? Would they value my land the <br /> same way I do? We all know the answer to this is "No". I do not want to see even one plastic <br /> bottle, even one stray piece of paper, or one of anything else discarded or even inadvertently <br /> dropped into this pristine environment. That would inevitably happen if other people, even well <br /> intentioned ones, were granted free access to my land and that is unacceptable to me. <br /> I am highly opposed to having my property become a part of this trail system and will <br /> fight hard against that happening. Please do not put me and many others in the position of <br /> having to do so. Find another path." <br /> Respectfully, <br /> Jeff Stephens <br /> 4515 Mystic Lane <br /> Hillsborough NC 27278 <br /> uiams mindsprinq.com <br /> Geoff Hegedes said that the Mountains to Sea Trail should not be placed where <br /> it is currently proposed. He has a lot of experience hiking all over the U. S. in very <br /> remote places. He said that trails that have easy access points to the public tend to <br /> attract an undesirable crowd. One example is the Tobacco Trail, which has had 30 <br /> incidences this year, which were near access points. He said that the Mountains to Sea <br /> Trail does have easy access points and this is worrisome. Secondly, he is concerned <br /> about the fire hazard because of no fire roads being built into the area. <br /> Jim O'Connor read a prepared statement: <br /> "I'm puzzled. Aren't you the same people, along with the OWASA members and <br /> various citizens, who worked as a team to do an excellent job of protecting Cane Creek <br /> Reservoir for its original purpose till now? <br /> And here we are now talking about uncontrolled access, uncontrolled hours for <br /> who knows who traipsing at will for 365 days a year for who knows what besides simply <br /> hiking. <br /> This land wasn't set aside as multi-purpose land. What happened to our regard <br /> for the initial purpose of the reservoir and adjacent property owners? <br /> Why spoil this now? <br /> - Till now, all access has been limited to one Gated Controlled Entry <br /> - Sections most likely to be breached have 8 ft chain link fence <br /> - Teer Road has been gated to stop the proliferation of accumulated trash and <br /> uncontrolled parties. <br /> - "No Trespassing" signs virtually surround the entire perimeter <br />