Just got this email, wanted to share it with everyone who hikes the Pinhoti!
Rebecca Mountain Update
The following is an update on the purchase of Rebecca Mountain by Michael Leonard. Rebecca is an area of significance not only for hikers which will allow the extension of the Pinhoti Trail to the southern most end of the Talladega National Forest, but also increase the size of the greenway for wildlife.
The U.S. Forest Service is currently moving forward on constructing the Pinhoti Trail along the crest of the 7.5-mile portion of Rebecca Mountain that lies south of Bull Gap and Alabama Highway 148.
In 2007, Congress appropriated $750,000 to assist in the purchase of a key 1,200-acre tract on Rebecca Mountain in the Talladega National Forest. That tract includes 2.25 miles of the 7.5-mile ridge crest of Rebecca Mountain. Acquisition will complete U.S. Forest Service ownership of the key portions of Rebecca Mountain and allow the U.S. Forest Service to complete the Pinhoti Trail along Rebecca Mountain.
The $750,000 Congressional appropriation “triggered” the donation of $300,000 in private funds. As a result, the tract is now under contract to be purchased and protected, and protection will happen if the remaining $1,500,000 in funds needed to purchase the tract can be obtained.
Therefore, in 2008, conservation and trail groups are seeking another $1,250,000 in Federal funds that will “trigger” the donation of another $250,000 in private funds and allow the completion of this important conservation and trail project.
IN 2008, YOUR LETTERS AND EMAILS HELPED SECURE THE ALL-IMPORTANT FIRST $750,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS. PLEASE SPEAK UP AGAIN IN 2008 AND BRING THIS PROJECT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
What You Can Do:
Write or email Congressman Mike Rogers, Senator Shelby and Senator Jeff Sessions (their email and mailing addresses are below:
The Honorable Mike Rogers
United States House of Representatives
324 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0103
Telephone: 202/225-3261
Fax: 202/226-8485
Email:
Mike.rogersAL03@mail.house.gov The Honorable Jeff Sessions
United States Senate
335 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0104
Telephone: 202/224-4124
Fax: 202/224-3149
Email:
Senator@sessions.senate.gov The Honorable Richard C. Shelby
United States Senate
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0103
Telephone: 202/224-5744
Fax: 202/224-3416
Email:
Senator@shelby.senate.gov Send communications to Senator Shelby to the attention of Greg Polley.
Thank them for supporting the $750,000 appropriation for Rebecca Mountain in 2007 which led to the donation of $300,000. Ask them to support the final $1,250,000 appropriation in 2008 that will complete acquisition of the last major privately held tract on Rebecca Mountain. Tell them that the acquisition of this 1,100 to 1,200-acre tract will complete public ownership of the mountain and allow the U.S. Forest Service to complete the Pinhoti Trail along the crest of the mountain.
