Winter 2016-17 BILL LEA PHOTO BILL LEA PHOTO

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Winter 2016-17 BILL LEA PHOTO BILL LEA PHOTO INSIDE WILDFIRE! Pages 10-11 THINGS TO SEE & The Official Newspaper of Great Smoky DO Pages 4-5 Mountains National Park PARK MAP Pages 8-9 Winter 2016-17 BILL LEA PHOTO BILL LEA PHOTO NORTHERN CARDINAL Northern Cardinals are Bobcats find shelter in hollow logs, rock outcroppings, and under root- balls. Though rarely seen, bobcats are quite numerous in the Smokies. common year-round resi- Newfound Gap Road may be temporarily closed due to snow and ice. Bobcats are Phantom dents in the Great Smoky Enjoy This Winter in Mountains. They sing loudly the Mountains Safely Felines of the Smokies and frequently. One of ou don’t see them, but tains. They have plenty of prey he 33-mile-long New- 15-20 times each winter. Ythey are here. When you and few if any enemies. About their more common vocal- Tfound Gap Road (U.S. Even though driving hike, they peer from rock the only thing that will de- 441) is the main automobile conditions may seem fine outcrops and tangles of brush. press a bobcat population is a izations sounds like “what, route through Great Smoky near Gatlinburg or Cherokee, As you drive, you pass them crash in the number of rabbits, Mountains National Park. It Newfound Gap Road con- dozing on hillsides in hollow their favorite prey. But even cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer, crosses the crest of the Smoky tains very steep grades and logs and under the rootballs if rabbits are in decline, they Mountains at Newfound Gap is often coated with snow of windfall trees. This writer have plenty of other animals cheer.” Unlike most other (elevation 5,046’) to connect and ice in winter. Salt is not once watched a bobcat sitting to pounce upon, including: the towns of Gatlinburg, TN used to treat roads in the park on a boulder beside the busi- m squirrels m mice m songbirds, both males and and Cherokee, NC. Driving because it damages the plant est road in the park in broad voles m shrews m birds m time is typically one hour. and stream life that the park daylight, while scores of cars groundhogs m insects m box females are strong singers. At Newfound Gap, where was created to protect. passed unknowingly. turtles m snakes m lizards the road reaches its highest When driving on At 20-25 pounds, bobcats m opossums m white-tailed point, temperatures are fre- snow-covered roads, reduce are not small mammals, nor deer (often sick, young, quently 10-15° F cooler than your speed and avoid sudden are they scarce in the Great or carrion) m in Cherokee or Gatlinburg. In braking. Use lower gears or Smoky Mountains. But they The mountain lion is about addition, the higher eleva- brake gently when you need are incredibly stealthy. They the only wild animal that tions receive considerably to slow down. can sit motionless for hours, preys on bobcats, and it has more precipitation than the For current conditions their thick, mottled coats been extirpated from the Great surrounding valleys. Annu- call (865) 436-1200 or check blending perfectly with the Smoky Mountains. ally, Newfound Gap records Twitter at www.twitter.com/ leaf litter and vegetation. Protected as they are by over five feet of snow. smokiesroadsnps. When they do move, they the national park, bobcats are This combination of low Winter hikers should be do so soundlessly. And most doing very well here. Some temperatures and high pre- prepared for cold and wet of their activity is at dawn or biologists believe they are cipitation results in periods of conditions, even if the day dusk, a time when few people as numerous in the Smokies hazardous driving conditions. starts warm. Always bring roam the park and when light today as they were when Eu- For the safety of motorists, the rain gear, hat, and gloves. conditions make their camou- ropean-American settlers first Park Service imposes certain Dress in layers with wool or flage even more effective. arrived in the late 1700s. Of restrictions on winter driving. fleece. Avoid cotton clothing Bobcats are well adapted course that still doesn’t mean Typically, Newfound Gap in winter because it loses for life in the Smoky Moun- that you will actually see one. Road is temporarily closed insulation value when wet. winter greens these plants keep the winter woods lush and vibrant any off-season visitors to the Fraser Fir MGreat Smoky Mountains are These dense evergreens are native only surprised by how much green there is to the southern Appalachian Moun- in the winter forest. In fact, evergreen tains. In the Smokies, they are found at plants in the Smokies include every- elevations above 4,500’. For many years thing from ferns to shrubs to towering this species has been a favorite choice trees. for Christmas tree growers and buyers because the trees hold their needles and “Why We Have have a sweet, balsam scent. Evergreens” Rosebay Rhododendron from Cherokee “Rhodo” is one of the most common shrubs in the park. Its long thick leaves storyteller curl up like cigars when the weather is Freeman Owle: very cold. This action helps the plant conserve moisture. The Great Spirit made all the trees and the plants and the animals, Christmas Fern and he asked them to stay awake The common name for this fern comes and fast and pray seven nights, from the fact that it is still green at in reverence to the Creator. And Christmas time and throughout the the first night they all did, but winter. the second night some fell asleep, and the third night more dropped out, and so on. By the seventh night, only a few were still awake: the holly, the laurel, the cedar, the hemlock, and some others. And the Great Spirit, the Creator, said that they would be able to keep their hair—their leaves—all year round. And he gave them special power to be medicine for the Cherokee American Holly people. These evergreen trees are recognizable by their thick, spiny leaves and bright Red Cedar red berries. A century ago hollies were The eastern Cherokee hold popular as Christmas trees. Its very the cedar tree in particular white wood has been used to make reverence. Green twigs piano keys. from cedar trees are thrown on the fire for Pines their pleasing fragrance Six varieties of pines are native to the during special Cherokee Smokies, including the short-leaf, long- ceremonies. leaf, Table Mountain, pitch, eastern- white, and Virginia. art by Emma DuFort 2 v smokies guide, Winter 2016-17 smokies trip planner to order maps and guides: www.smokiesinformation.org accommodations pets in the park Le Conte Lodge (accessible by Pets are allowed in frontcoun- BILL LEA PHOTO trail only) provides the only try campgrounds and beside lodging in the park. Call (865) roads as long as they are 429-5704. restrained at all times. Pets For information on lodg- are not allowed on park trails, smokies guide ing outside the park: except for the Gatlinburg Bryson City 1-800-867-9246 and Oconaluftee River trails. Smokies Guide is produced Cherokee 1-800-438-1601 Dogs on these trails must be Fontana 1-800-849-2258 leashed. five times per year by Great Gatlinburg 1-800-267-7088 Smoky Mountains Asso- Maggie Valley 1-800-624-4431 road closures ciation and Great Smoky Pigeon Forge 1-800-251-9100 The following roads close for Mountains National Park. Sevierville 1-888-766-5948 the winter. Listed below are Publication dates are roughly Townsend 1-800-525-6834 the estimated 2017 opening as follows: dates. This schedule is subject to change. SPRING: March 15 Clingmans Dome—April 1 Rich Mountain—April 7 SUMMER: June 1 BILL LEA PHOTO Roaring Fork —March 24 LATE SUMMER: August 10 Parson Branch—April 7 AUTUMN: September 13 Campgrounds at Smokemont and Cades Cove are open all year. WINTER: December 1 camping in the the national park special events December 10, 2016 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR The National Park Service elevations, and maximum RV Festival of Christmas Past: maintains developed camp- lengths. For current camping Steve Kemp Sugarlands Visitor Center grounds at nine locations in fees and dates of operation, NPS COORDINATOR the park. There are no show- visit www.nps.gov/grsm. December 17, 2016 Nigel Fields ers or hookups other than ABRAMS CREEK 16 sites, Holiday Homecoming at EDITORIAL BOARD circuits for special medical elev. 1,125’, 12’ trailers Oconaluftee Visitor Center Lynda Doucette uses at Cades Cove, Elkmont, BALSAM MOUNTAIN 42 Kristine Johnson and Smokemont. sites, elev. 5,310’, 30’ RVs April 11-April 15, 2017 Campsites at Elkmont, BIG CREEK 12 sites, elev. Mike Maslona Bicycling Cades Cove in winter. Spring Wildflower Pilgrim- Smokemont, Cataloochee, 1,700’, tents only Laurel Rematore age: parkwide Cosby, and Cades Cove may CADES COVE 159 sites, elev. Stephanie Sutton be reserved. For reservations 1,807’, open year-round, 35’- bicycling May 10, 2017 call 1-877-444-6777 or contact 40’ RVs Most park roads are too Start of bicycle mornings in Contributors www.recreation.gov. Sites CATALOOCHEE 27 sites, narrow and heavily traveled Cades Cove LISA HORSTMAN, may be reserved up to six elev. 2,610’, 31’ RVs. Reserva- by automobiles for safe or months in advance. Reserva- tions are required. KAREN KEY, EMMA DUFORT enjoyable bicycling. However, for rent tions are required at Cata- COSBY 157 sites, elev. 2,459’, Cades Cove Loop Road is loochee Campground. 25’ RVs an exception. This 11-mile, The Appalachian Clubhouse © 2016 Great Smoky Site occupancy is limited DEEP CREEK 92 sites, elev.
Recommended publications
  • Applications of Pueraria Lobata in Treating Diabetics and Reducing Alcohol Drinking
    Chinese Herbal Medicines 11 (2019) 141–149 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chinese Herbal Medicines journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/chmed Review Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking ∗ Jing Liu a, Yeu-Ching Shi b, David Yue-Wei Lee a, a Bio-Organic and Natural Products Research Laboratory, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA b Taiwan Indigena Botanica, Taipei 10684, China a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: Pueraria lobata is one of the most important medicinal herbs used traditionally in China. According to Received 31 January 2018 Shanghan Lun ( Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease ), it has been used traditionally to relieve body heat, Revised 29 June 2018 eye soring, dry mouth, headache associated with high blood pressure, and stiff neck problems. Modern Accepted 19 December 2018 studies in the 1970s revealed that isoflavonoids extracted from P. lobata were the bioactive components Available online 5 April 2019 of an herbal remedy namely Yufeng Ningxin Tablets for the treatment of patients after stroke. This article Keywords: reviews recent application of P. lobota in the treatment of diabetics and in reducing alcohol drinking. In diabetics view of its low toxicity profile, P. lobota stands an excellent chance to be developed as a phytomedicine Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi for treating human diseases. reducing alcohol drinking ©2019 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Historical use of Pueraria lobata .
    [Show full text]
  • Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants September 2008 Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L
    United States Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire in Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Ecosystems General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-42- volume 6 Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants September 2008 Zouhar, Kristin; Smith, Jane Kapler; Sutherland, Steve; Brooks, Matthew L. 2008. Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 6. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 355 p. Abstract—This state-of-knowledge review of information on relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants can assist fire managers and other land managers concerned with prevention, detection, and eradi- cation or control of nonnative invasive plants. The 16 chapters in this volume synthesize ecological and botanical principles regarding relationships between wildland fire and nonnative invasive plants, identify the nonnative invasive species currently of greatest concern in major bioregions of the United States, and describe emerging fire-invasive issues in each bioregion and throughout the nation. This volume can help increase understanding of plant invasions and fire and can be used in fire management and ecosystem-based management planning. The volume’s first part summarizes fundamental concepts regarding fire effects on invasions by nonnative plants, effects of plant invasions on fuels and fire regimes, and use of fire to control plant invasions. The second part identifies the nonnative invasive species of greatest concern and synthesizes information on the three topics covered in part one for nonnative inva- sives in seven major bioregions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Central, Interior West, Southwest Coastal, Northwest Coastal (including Alaska), and Hawaiian Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion
    Randall Stocker Karen V. S. Hupp Chapter 6: Fire and Nonnative Invasive Plants in the Southeast Bioregion Introduction ____________________ does the frequency of freezing temperatures. Tropical conditions occur at the southern tip of Florida. The This chapter identifies major concerns about fire and percentage of evergreen species and palms (Serenoa nonnative invasive plants in the Southeast bioregion. spp., Sabal spp.) increases along this climate gradient The geographic area covered by this chapter includes (Daubenmire 1978). the entire States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida; Plant communities within this portion of the tem- all except the northernmost portions of Delaware and perate mesophytic forest are complex and subject to Maryland; the foothill and coastal ecosystems of Vir- a long history of natural and anthropogenic distur- ginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and bance. Various methods have been used to estimate Alabama; and the lower elevation plant communities the dominant presettlement forest types. Plummer of Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southeastern (1975) reported that pine (Pinus spp.) and post oak Oklahoma, southwestern Tennessee, and eastern (Quercus stellata) were the dominant trees on histori- Texas. This area coincides with common designa- cal survey corner tree lists in the Georgia Piedmont, tions of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Piedmont and Nelson (1957) used soil type to estimate that 40 (the plateau region between the Atlantic and Gulf of percent of the Piedmont was dominated by hardwood Mexico Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains). species, 45 percent was in mixed hardwood and pine Soils are generally moist year-round, with permanent stands, and 15 percent was predominantly pine.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park THIRTY YEARS of AMERICAN LANDSCAPES
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park THIRTY YEARS OF AMERICAN LANDSCAPES Richard Mack Fo r e w o r d b y S t e v e K e m p Great Smoky Mountains National Park THIRTY YEARS OF AMERICAN LANDSCAPES Richard Mack Fo r e w o r d b y S t e v e K e m p © 2009 Quiet Light Publishing Evanston, Illinois 60201 Tel: 847-864-4911 Web: www.quietlightpublishing.com Email: [email protected] Photographs © 2009 by Richard Mack Foreword © 2009 Steve Kemp Map Courtesy of the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Harvey Broome quote from "Out Under the Sky of the Great Smokies" © 2001 courtesy The Wilderness Society. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Design: Richard Mack & Rich Nickel THIRTY YEARS OF AMERICAN LANDSCAPES Printed by CS Graphics PTE Ltd, Singapore All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, taping of information on storage and retrieval systems - without the prior written permission from the publisher. The copyright on each photograph in this book belongs to the photographer, and no reproductions of the Richard Mack photographic images contained herein may be made without the express permission of the photographer. For information on fine art prints contact the photographer at www.mackphoto.com. Fo r e w o r d b y S t e v e K e m p First Edition 10 Digit ISBN: 0-9753954-2-4 13 Digit ISBN: 978-0-9753954-2-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2009921091 Distributed by Quiet Light
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Harry: a Phenomenon in the Great Smoky Mountains
    The Blount Journal, Fall 2003 FORT HARRY: A PHENOMENON IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Submitted By Pete Prince, author of ©Ghost Towns in the Great Smokies Seasoned hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park claim echoes of the Cherokee Indians are still heard at the site of the old Civil War fortification within the Park, yet ten million tourists annually drive through the site of Fort Harry unaware such a place ever existed. The site of this historical fort is unmarked and unnoticed on a main highway in the nation's most visited park. Fort Harry, a Confederate fort, was built in 1862 by Cherokee Confederate troops and white Highlanders. The fort was to prevent Federal forces from Knoxville and East Tennessee from destroying the Alum Cave Mines on the side of Mount LeConte which provided gunpowder and chemicals for the Confederacy. Built on a bluff. Fort Harry looked straight down on the Old Indian Road leading to Indian Gap, the Oconaluftee Turnpike and Western North Carolina. The Federal troops did raid Western North Carolina but it was by way of Newport, Asbury Trail, Mount Sterling, Cataloochee, Waynesville and Oconalufree. Fort Harry was at the 3300-foot elevation of the Great Smoky Mountains eight miles south of Gatlinburg, TN. The Confederate army confiscated the Sugarlands farm of Steve Cole for Fort Harry. Cole Creek is nearby. Fort Harry was on a ridge on West Prong Little Pigeon River .03 mile south of today's intersection of Road Prong and Walker Camp Prong. The fort site is on ^ewfound Gap Road 6.0 miles south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center at Gatlinburg dnd 0.5 miles north of the first tunnel at the Chimney Tops parking area on Newfound Gap Road.
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Kudzu, Pueraria Montana 2010 (Revised 2013)
    Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Kudzu, Pueraria montana 2010 (Revised 2013) Name: Kudzu, Pueraria montana; a.k.a. Japanese arrowroot, porch-vine, telephone vine; Synonym: Pueraria lobata Family: Pea, Fabaceae Findings of This Review and Assessment: Kudzu has been determined to be a category “A” noxious weed as defined by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Noxious Weed Policy and Classification System. This determination is based on a literature review and analysis using two ODA evaluation forms. Using the Qualitative Noxious Weed Risk Assessment v.3.8, kudzu scored 63 indicating an A listing and score 17 with the ODA Noxious Weed Rating system, v.3.2. Introduction: Kudzu, Pueraria montana is a fast growing vine native to China and Japan. It was introduced and has become a major pest of the southeastern US where an estimated seven million acres are infested. Kudzu is a federally listed noxious weed and was placed on the ODA Noxious Weed List in 1995. Prior to the Oregon listing, the species was not known to occur in the Pacific Northwest. In1990 an inquiry was received by ODA to approve the importation and use of kudzu for forage. This inquiry prompted a review by ODA and ultimately a quarantine listing of kudzu in 1993 to prevent import, transport, or sale in the state. The first weedy infestation in the Pacific Northwest was found near Aurora, Oregon in 2001 and two additional sites were found in southwest Portland the following year. It was not determined how the plants where introduced, but was most likely intentionally planted as ornamental or for erosion control.
    [Show full text]
  • Weathering of Sulfidic Shale and Copper Mine Waste: Secondary
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 2003 Weathering of Sulfidic Shale and Copper Mine aste:W Secondary Minerals and Metal Cycling in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina, USA Jane M. Hammarstrom US Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, VA, [email protected] Robert R. Seal II U.S. Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, USA, [email protected] Allen L. Meier US Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225, USA John C. Jackson US Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, VA Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Hammarstrom, Jane M.; Seal II, Robert R.; Meier, Allen L.; and Jackson, John C., "Weathering of Sulfidic Shale and Copper Mine Waste: Secondary Minerals and Metal Cycling in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina, USA" (2003). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 339. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/339 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Original article Weathering of sulfidic shale and copper mine waste: secondary minerals and metal cycling in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina, USA Jane M. Hammarstrom Æ Robert R. Seal II Æ Allen L. Meier Æ John C. Jackson Abstract Metal cycling via physical and chemical Keywords Secondary minerals Æ Great Smoky weathering of discrete sources (copper mines) and Mountains National Park Æ Tennessee and North regional (non-point) sources (sulfide-rich shale) is Carolina Æ Acid drainage evaluated by examining the mineralogy and chemistry of weathering products in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Status of the Kudzu Bug, Megacopta Cribraria, in North America
    Presentation to: Annual Meeting of the National Plant Board Current Status of the Kudzu Bug, Megacopta Mystic, Connecticut Acknowledgments 24 July 2012 cribraria, in North America Wayne A. Gardner, Professor Department of Entomology John All University of Georgia University of Georgia Lisa Ames Georgia Dept of Agriculture Griffin Campus Chuck Bargeron Emory University Griffin, Georgia 30223 USA David Buntin USDA Forest Service 770‐228‐7341 Keith Douce USDA‐ARS [email protected] Wayne Gardner USDA‐APHIS‐PPQ Jim Hanula Clemson UiUnivers ity Scott Horn NC State University Tracie Jenkins NC Dept of Agriculture Robert Kemerait Wingate University Joseph LaForest Virginia Tech Hal Peeler University of Georgia Auburn University Phillip Roberts College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Megacopta Working Group Dow AgroScience John Ruberson Florida Dept of Agriculture Paul Smith Mississippi State University Alton (Stormy) Sparks, Jr. Dan Suiter Clay Talton Michael Toews Yanzhou Zhang The Insect Megacopta cribraria Initial Discovery Hemiptera: Plataspidae October 2009 A Development time from egg to Samples submitted to the UGA adult = 24 to 56 days. Homeowner Insect & Weed Diagnostics Laboratory. Numbers of eggs produced per female = 26 to 274 with 15 eggs per egg mass. October 28, 2009: Site visit to Jackson Co., GA, thousands of Eggs usually deposited in 2‐3 adult kudzu bugs on homes. parallel rows stuck black Upper images provided by Jeremy Greene, Clemson University substance deposited by female. Kudzu growing 30 m from homes harbored large numbers 5 nymphal instars. of adults and some late‐instar nymphs. Adult longevity = 23 to 77 days. Overwinter as adults in groups Adults seeking overwintering usually under debris or under sites at the homes.
    [Show full text]
  • Kudzu's Invasion Into Southern United States Life and Culture
    Blaustein, Richard J. 2001. Kudzu’s invasion into Southern United states life and culture. In: McNeeley, J. A. ed. The Great Reshuffling: Human Dimensions of Invasive Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. The World Conservation Union: 55-62. Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture Richard J. Blaustein ...Up telephone poles, Which rear, half out of leafage As though they would shriek, Like things smothered by their own Green, mindless, unkillable ghosts. In Georgia, the legend says That you must close your windows At night to keep it out of the house. The glass is tinged with green, even so, As the tendrils crawl over the fields. The night the Kudzu has Your pasture, you sleep like the dead. Silence has grown Oriental And you cannot step upon the ground … James Dickey " ALL: Kudzu" Abstract Kudzu, a perennial vine native to Japan and China, was first introduced into the USA in 1876 and was actively promoted by the government as a “wonderplant", It expanded to cover over 1 million ha by 1946 and well over 2 million ha today. When Kudzu invades a forest, it prevents the growth of young hardwoods and kills off other plants. Kudzu causes damage to powerlines, and even overwhelms homes, Kudzu has invaded important protected areas, requiring significant investment of management resources, The management response to date outside the protected areas has been insufficient to deal with this very significant threat. Introduction The Kudzu plant (Pueraria lobata) is an invasive alien species that has penetrated and persisted in the South-eastern United States for most of the twentieth century, and continues to debilitate natural communities and human well-being at the beginning of the twenty-first century .In fact, Kudzu has pervaded Southern life to such an extent that for many it has become a distinct emblem of the South.
    [Show full text]
  • In the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville
    IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE MICHAEL B. REED, Individually, as ) Next of Kin of Constance M. Reed, ) Deceased, and Surviving Parent of ) Chloe E. Reed and Lillian D. Reed, ) Deceased, and JAMES L. ENGLAND, JR.,) ) PLAINTIFFS, ) ) v. ) NO. ) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) the federal government, ) ) DEFENDANT. ) ________________________________________________________ COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES UNDER FEDERAL TORTS CLAIMS ACT _________________________________________________________ Case 3:18-cv-00201 Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 1 of 148 PageID #: 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. JURISDICTION AND VENUE. 1 II. NATURE OF THE ACTION. 5 III. PARTIES. 12 IV. PARK OFFICIALS, FIRE MANAGERS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS. 17 V. INAPPLICABILITY OF THE DISCRETIONARY FUNCTION EXCEPTION. 20 A. Acts or Omissions Deviating From NPS or GSMNP Fire Management Policies.. 20 B. Neglect of Safety Policies and Directives.. 22 VI. FACTUAL BACKGROUND. 24 A. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 24 B. Surrounding Areas. 25 C. Eighty Years of Built-Up Fuels and Record Drought Levels Made the Risk of Wildland Fire in the GSMNP Significant in November 2016.. 26 D. DAY ONE – Wednesday, November 23, 2016 – a Small Wildfire (Less Than an Acre) Is Discovered Near the Peak of Chimney Tops – About 5.5 Miles From Gatlinburg. 30 1. Organizational Roles and Responsibilities. 33 2. NPS Fire Management Policies.. 33 3. Complexity Analysis and Fire-Command Structure.. 36 4. Salansky Improperly Functioned in Five Critical Roles During the Chimney Tops 2 Fire: Zone FMO, GSMNP FMO, IC, DO and Safety Officer. 43 E. DAY TWO – Thursday, November 24, 2016 – Salansky Fails to Order Aviation Support; Decides On An Indirect Attack; and Fails to Order Additional Resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Smoky Mountains NATIONAL PARK Great Smoky Mountains NATIONAL PARK Historic Resource Study Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Service National Park Great Smoky Mountains NATIONAL PARK Great Smoky Mountains NATIONAL PARK Historic Resource Study Resource Historic Park National Mountains Smoky Great Historic Resource Study | Volume 1 April 2016 VOL Historic Resource Study | Volume 1 1 As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historic places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. GRSM 133/134404/A April 2016 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 1 FRONT MATTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................. v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K
    SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF MARATHON & 5K SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 Vacation Races | National Park Half Marathon Series Race Guide EVENT SCHEDULE WELCOME TO THE SMOKIES! FRIDAY Welcome! On behalf of Great Smoky Mountains If this is your first time to the area, I hope you’ll National Park, I would like to welcome the 2017 enjoy your visit as you explore and discover Race Expo & Packet Pickup Starts 11:00 am Great Smoky Mountain Half Marathon runners what the Smokies have to offer. If you have *We cannot accommodate runners before 11:00am and spectators to the area. We’re thrilled to have been here before, welcome home. How lucky we Race Expo Ends & 5K bib pickup closes 6:00 pm you as guests to our area and hope that while all are to get to share in the ownership of our 5K runners line up 6:15 pm you are here that you will take some time to visit National Parks, established and preserved “For 5K STARTS 6:30 PM Great Smoky Mountains National Park! the benefit and enjoyment of the people!” All of 1/2 Marathon Bib Pickup closes 7:00 pm us here wish the runners great success and hope 5K Awards Ceremony 7:15 pm On August 25, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson all the participants have an enjoyable and safe SATURDAY signed a bill that mandated the brand new experience. agency “to conserve the scenery and the natural Finish line parking area opens 4:30 am and historic objects and wildlife therein, and Sincerely, Shuttles load and depart for start line 5:20 am to provide for the enjoyment of the same in First prize raffle such manner and by such means as will leave (Every 5 minutes) 5:30 am them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future Runners line up and 6:45 am generations.” Thus the National Park Service Cassius M.
    [Show full text]