This is the letter sent to local representatives concerning the sightseeing helicopter that flies near Cherokee.

Greetings Senator Snow and Representative Haire,

I’m writing about the issue of touring helicopters in the Qualla community of Jackson County. I am a member of a group called SOS (Save our Skies) Coalition. We need the help of our state legislature in addressing the single most important issue surrounding the quality of life for the thousands of people (your constituents) who live in this valley.

We all saw (from our side of the mountains) what happened in Pigeon Forge as more and more helicopters moved into the area. We fear that unless you help us protect the Great Smokies National Park — our greatest tourism draw — from being surrounded by businesses like Smoky Mountain Helicopters, not only the peace and quiet in our own homes but our livelihoods will be negatively affected. We respectively request that you each introduce legislation to give our side of the park the same protection that Tennessee has provided for their side of the park — a nine-mile buffer zone in which no helicopters can operate.

I understand that this is only a partial solution as I would not wish this plague on my neighbors “down the road” either, but it would at least safeguard the eastern side of the GRMNP. The Tennessee legislation has stood the test of appeal in the courts and so should be a good template for drafting a similar law for North Carolinians.

The helicopter cannot (legally) fly over the park now, but flying on the edge of the park will over time take away the appeal of viewing nature in peace and quiet and our tourism will suffer as a result. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has, I understand, made their wishes known to each of you and desire this same outcome.

Our local group SOS coalition plans on making it known to residents and visitors alike that we resent and will not tolerate this intrusion into our community. Just because it is legal, doesn’t mean its right! We have begun putting up posters around town to express our sentiments and it is our fervent hope that visitors to our area will refrain from using helicopter touring as a way to enjoy our region and instead use any and all of the alternative ways to enjoy our area.

There will need to be a lot of discussion in Jackson County about what we want and don’t want as elements of our local economy. I hope both of you will play a role in seeking widespread community support for such an ongoing dialogue.

Peace,

Earl Davis