If it will for certain become a state park. Is that guaranteed?

From the Wilderness Society ...

Wilderness Under Siege

I could see some great utilization of a Seven Islands Park as a starting point for regular kayak/canoe trips down to the south waterfront. River Sports has done that in the past.

With camp sites for folks starting farther up river as a stopover on two days trips to downtown.

Integrating this into what's evolving in South Knoxville could be pretty nice setup.

According to Donila, the state plans to build some cabins and a bridge over to the island. Wonder how this would impact the wildlife refuge aspects of the property?

He also has this quote from South Knox Commissioner Mike Brown: "It’s a beautiful area with lots of birds and wildlife. We also should be able to get a lot of traffic off that and traffic means business."

Sounds like a move toward commercialization. Anyone else remember when Sundquist said the only way to save state parks was to build golf courses in the wilderness and turn them over to concessionaires?

The bridge has been planned for years, not sure why it hasn't been built yet. At some point I believe there was some grant or state money to help pay for it.

Don't know about the cabins, but the bridge is noting new.

I hope it remains a wilderness area. It's one of hte most beautiful spots in Knox County....it takes you to ridges and waterside in the same hike. Absolutely gorgeous.

The bridge has been planned for years, not sure why it hasn't been built yet. At some point I believe there was some grant or state money to help pay for it.

Don't know about the cabins, but the bridge is noting new.

I hope it remains a wilderness area. It's one of hte most beautiful spots in Knox County....it takes you to ridges and waterside in the same hike. Absolutely gorgeous.

Who is Big Bill?

What Mr. Brown and others seem not to get is that the biggest threat to “wildlife” is man. (i.e.: “traffic” & “tourists”)

Yes, it’s not that easy to get to. And yes, that’s part of the reason it’s been preserved the way it has.

Maybe it comes down to a case of benign neglect by the county that benefits wildlife v. willful neglect by the state for the future benefit of resort developers.

Prior efforts toward building a bridge near Seven Islands were scuttled when TVA and USFWS noted the presence of protected mussel species in that stretch of the river.

edit- according to the IRS the Seven Islands Foundation holds the easement on 360 acres.

"Mussel species?" Like a snail darter?

In reviewing some of the property data (KGIS) for Seven Islands, it would appear the Legacy Parks Foundation donated some of the land. It seems that at least 13 acres (parcel ID 113 078) has a 2010 deed restriction the land is restricted to facilities for a pedestrian footbridge and related uses of such a pedestrian footbridge and of a public and/or community park and recreation area, etc. If not used for restricted purposes within 5 years it reverts back to the Grantor, Legacy Parks Foundation.

Can't say that I know anything about deeds, restrictions, or property details. For all I know there could be other documents changing these restrictions.

Also note, it appears the islands are privately owned, two by Peter H. Claussen, etc.

IF anybody is responsible for the creation of 7 Islands, it's Pete Claussen, who led the effort and donated much of the land.

This move would shift expenses from Knox County to the state, but it also shifts an asset from county ownership to state ownership. Is that wise?

The Seven Islands Foundation (Claussen) holds the conservation easement on 360 acres. If it takes the state to come in and create that pedestrian bridge or maybe ferry access/whatever on those 13 or so acres the LPF bought in 2010 then yes, I think this is a good idea.

This report on its history and the fact that the county does not own the conservation easements should keep the refuge in its natural state.

When the resolution for the transfer of ownership does hit the CC I hope it includes a very detailed history of the refuge and thanks all the many groups and individuals that have worked so hard to preserve it for the public's enjoyment.

Then again, do these groups support this transfer to the state?

To clarify, I don't have a problem with the product here so much as the process. It doesn't seem right for this to be presented to the public as a done deal, where the votes of county commission and whatever other legislative bodies need to approve it are conducted as an afterthought, and so few details about scope and costs are known.

Is this being done because it enables state funding for the bridge or because Burchett doesn't want to pay for bushhogging the fields? I think the public has the right to know what's going on here, what it will cost and why it's a good idea.

Cummins Falls was saved from developers primarily through the work of Kathleen Williams-Mooradian, director of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. She worked tirelessly to raise the money and awareness to get this done.
She is, btw, Don Williams' sister.