Keep Oak Mountain Wild - Opposition to Hotel/Convention Center Development in Oak Mountain State ...

We urge you to oppose the proposed over development of Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP). The city of Pelham in conjunction with Shelby County, the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR), and possibly others, wish to construct a hotel and conference center in the midst of this pristine gem. Oak Mountain State Park, like many state parks in Alabama, are recreational and ecologic treasures that contain acres of wilderness which support biologically diverse plants and animals. OMSP also provides healthy leisure activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It is one of the best destinations for fishing.

The people of this state, and not any one city or county, owns our State Parks. We are ready to step up and ensure they are protected from the dangers of this misguided plan. The proposal for a hotel/conference center presents a danger nobody wants. Such development will threaten existing watersheds; strain the earthen dams that encircle the lakes; and exacerbate already hazardous flash flooding conditions.

Your constituents have spoken out in past weeks to protect the park they love — for now and future generations. We argue that the long-term risks to the park significantly outweigh the shortsighted plan that the City of Pelham, Shelby County and the DCNR have concocted with out the input of the citizens of the State of Alabama. It is a bad idea for many reasons. The state parks in our area are a valuable unspoiled resource. State parks are the real Alabama. Leave them intact and as natural as possible. They are an irreplaceable treasures to pass on to the next generation. Is nothing sacred? State forests were created to provide access to nature for our families, not to be the economic engine that would drive the County and City of Pelham.

Again, we oppose and ask you to oppose the Oak Mountain Park Development Proposal. We look forward to any comments or questions you may have on this subject and offer our support to any leader standing in opposition to this irresponsible and irrevocable action.

Respectfully,