For the last 58 years, the residents of Swain County have suffered with the failure of the US Congress to fulfill a contract known as the “The 1943 Agreement.” In this agreement Swain County residents were promised the now infamous “North Shore Road.” This has been a recurring issue throughout the years and has surfaced again in light of a $16 million appropriation passed last year for the purpose of continuing road construction beyond the point where it was halted in the early 1970s.

This Council has long opposed the completion of this road and continues to oppose it for the same reasons that halted construction so many years ago. Those reasons were valid then and are still valid today. This column will not deal with opposing the road. Instead, it will address the need for the residents of Swain County to consider an alternative settlement proposal. This council believes that there are alternatives available to the people of Swain County that need their careful consideration.
These alternatives have the potential of providing for the immediate and future financial welfare of Swain County in ways that an additional road never can.

Year in and year out, Swain County finds itself in a very precarious financial and employment position. In recent years there has been an exodus of many of the region’s larger employers. This puts Swain County at or near the top of the unemployment list for this state every year. The extremely small tax base from which the county raises its revenues compounds this problem. It cannot improve the unemployment condition because it does not have the financial resources to attract and maintain a diversified business/industrial base. The county is in a self-perpetuating situation where it cannot take advantage of opportunities when they are available. Swain County is in desperate need of an economic shot in the arm that will allow it to jump ahead of the financial curve and secure its economic future. That opportunity is available now but may disappear if not taken advantage of.

At the time the “1943 Agreement” was signed, the means of settlement were entirely appropriate for the needs of the county. In the last 58 years, however, the entire economic, political and environmental landscape of our country has changed dramatically. So have the needs of Swain County’s residents.
Since Congress has failed to perform its contractual obligation, it seems entirely appropriate for the intended beneficiaries of that agreement to change the means of settlement to meet their current and future needs, not the needs of 58 years ago.

This council would like to ask the residents of Swain County to carefully consider a settlement of cash, and other considerations, in lieu of completing “The North Shore Road.” While the cash portion would no doubt be worth many millions of dollars, this council will defer to those more knowledgeable in matters of finance to determine the exact value. We would like to suggest some of other possible options.

Most important among these is the proper recognition of the families who sacrificed in uncommon fashion so the Fontana Reservoir could be created.

Their cultural heritage, skills and trades, love of the land and devotion to church and family must be properly honored and preserved for future generations. A Cultural Heritage Museum could be established for this purpose so that historical artifacts, documents and pictures can be archived for preservation and educational displays can continue to tell this remarkable story.

Other possible considerations include the construction of a National Park Service Memorial to these families, an additional campground at the end of the existing road and improvements to the current transportation opportunities provided for those wishing to visit the many cemeteries located in the park. Interest revenue from the cash portion could be used to erase the county’s debt, reduce the burden on taxpayers, and give the county a guaranteed yearly income with which it could provide the best possible services to its residents. In addition, the county could provide for its future by giving its greatest natural resource, its children, an education experience that would be second to none.

These are just a few suggestions that we propose. We are sure that the citizens of Swain County will have many other ideas once they are involved in the process. A group known as the Citizens for the Economic Future of Swain County (CEFSC) formed earlier this year with the purpose of educating county residents and elected officials to the alternative settlement possibilities. This group is intent on initiating a dialog between all county residents and their elected representatives to determine the best possible outcome for Swain County in settling the “1943 Agreement.”

The National Park Service has indicated a willingness to be flexible as to its participation in providing alternative accommodations if the decision is made by Swain County to reach a settlement in lieu of the road. It should also be noted that the very same organizations in the conservation community that have used their considerable organization size, financial support and political clout to prevent the completion of the road will still be involved. Every single organization has let it be known that they have not forgotten the sacrifices that were made or the necessity to seek appropriate reparations for the economic injustice performed against Swain County for the last 58 years. They have pledged their full support, on a national scale, if an alternative settlement to road construction is requested. Many members of congress would also give their complete support to an alternative settlement but are obliged to wait and see what is the true sentiment of the people and leaders of Swain County.

Every resident of Swain County needs to answer two questions for themselves. The first is how much longer do they let this issue go unresolved to the financial detriment of their home, and the second is what legacy will be left for the county’s children?

Will the citizens of Swain County insist on construction of a road that will serve no substantial economic purpose and draw a national firestorm of resistance, or will they seek a settlement that will insure a sound financial future and have universal support? This is an important decision that must be made soon before the media makes this a national public lands issue and the needs of Swain County are lost in the commotion.

In the coming weeks and months, the CEFSC will be holding meetings in which all interested residents can be involved. They will also be giving presentations to the Swain County commissioners and North Carolina’s congressional delegation to let them know that alternatives exist that would be of much greater benefit than a road.

The U.S. Congress, which will ultimately decide this issue, will listen to the recommendation of the Swain County commissioners, as they are the elected voice of the people. What is important is that these commissioners hear from their constituents, act in the best long-term interest of Swain County, and give careful thought to the consequences of their decision.

Our council respectfully requests that each resident of Swain County take appropriate time to educate themselves to the possible benefits of an alternative settlement. Then we ask that you make your feelings known to the county commission. They will then be able to ask for a settlement that will secure the county’s financial future and provide proper recognition and honor for the families who’s descendants continue to be the backbone and future of this community.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Robert W. (Bob) McCollum
Chairman, N.C. National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council.

(The N.C. National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council is a seven-member appointed policy recommending body concerned with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the state and national Forest lands and parks in WNC.)

 

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