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Contact Your Representative about Moccasin Bend
Elected officials at every level – local, state, and federal – agreed in 2003 to preserve more than 750 acres on Moccasin Bend through the National Archeological District designation, and to remove nonconforming uses (including the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, built in 1961) at the earliest opportunity.
That opportunity is NOW as Tennesseans face another pivotal moment in the story of our complicated relationship with Moccasin Bend. As landowners of this public property, residents are demanding a voice in deciding the highest and best use of this historically and culturally significant landscape for the next 60+ years. While National Park Partners recognize the importance of modernizing and expanding our state’s mental health facilities, we categorically oppose new construction of nonconforming uses that directly threaten the integrity of culturally and historically significant resources within the National Historic Landmark on Moccasin Bend.
Make YOUR voice heard - contact Tennessee officials today and tell them YOU choose to SAVE THE BEND!
Representatives to Contact:
Marie Williams, Commissioner, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Sen. Randy McNally, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate
Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the House
Tre Hargett, Secretary of State
Jason Mumpower, Comptroller
David Lillard, State Treasurer
Jim Bryson, Commissioner, finance & administration
Greg Martin, District 26 State Representative
Greg Vital, District 29 State Representative
Patsy Hazlewood, District 27 State Representative
Yusuf Hakeem, District 28 State Representative
Bo Watson, District 11 State Senator
Todd Gardenhire, District 10 State Senator
Dear (NAME OF ELECTED OFFICIAL),
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Given the importance of this monumental decision, the community would benefit greatly from transparency on the process leading to this proposal, including: The vision for the new facility and guiding principles for the project.
The objective criteria considered in assessing the reported 40+ potential locations for a new facility and in recommending a rebuild on Moccasin Bend
Consultations with other Moccasin Bend stakeholders including local government, the National Park Service, and Tribal entities
Any local, state, or national experts consulted in the process
Without an understanding of this critical information, supporting a proposal to rebuild on Moccasin Bend – one that that will keep a non-conforming use within a National Park site for generations to come - is difficult. Please consider the following:
In 2003, the US Congress approved the creation of the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District as a unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
The community and multiple Moccasin Bend stakeholders long expected that when the time came to build a new Mental Health Institute, the State would identify a new location off the Bend given the extensive culturally sensitive resources that are well-documented since the time of the original construction. The state’s 88 acres would then become part of the National Archeological District and developed appropriately, facilitating an extension of the Tennessee Riverwalk.
The Mental Health Institute would move from its isolated location on Moccasin Bend and enjoy a new setting, one with opportunities for the dedicated hospital staff to work closely and holistically with other healthcare providers in delivering valuable services to those in need of mental health care.
Completing the 2003 vision for an expanded National Archeological District is a tremendous opportunity for Tennessee residents and visitors alike to celebrate Moccasin Bend’s 12,000 years of human habitation, as well as its significant role in the 1863 Battles for Chattanooga as the US Army supply line route and an important artillery position.
Moccasin Bend is a crossroads of many layers of history, featuring a major route along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and, through the Jacob Cummings story, a designated location along the Underground Railroad National Network of Freedom.
The economic benefit to the greater Chattanooga area from the nearly one million visitors to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park totaled $81M in 2022; tourism studies anticipate an additional 250,000 visitors to the area once the National Archeological District is fully interpreted.
We respectfully request that the State complete a comprehensive plan with stakeholder involvement before investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a generationally important land use decision that will impact our mental health community, the State’s partners and neighbors on Moccasin Bend, and the National Archeological District that belongs to all Tennesseans and Americans.
With gratitude and respect,
(NAME)
(CITY, STATE)
