The Water Works Board of the City of Auburn intends to build a water pipeline from an aquifer south of Sand Hill Road (south of Chewacla State Park) to supply the City with drinking water for further demands as the city continues to grow.   This petition requests to reroute the proposed pipeline to avoid any negative impact to Chewacla State Park.  

Per documents obtained from the Auburn City Manager, Jim Buston, the proposed path of this pipeline crosses Chewacla State Park.  The pipeline project would consist of a 50’ wide clearing to install the pipeline that stretches from Old Wrights Mill Road, through the CCC campground area, across Town Creek, and through one of the most pristine parts of Chewacla to the property line, where the line will exit the park.  This 50’ wide clear cut will be cut through mature hardwood groves, across a pristine creek, and cross 11 miles of multi use trail temporarily closing some sections of the park to visitors.  Once the construction is completed, a 20’ wide cleared easement will be maintained in perpetuity for all future users to see.  

Chewacla State Park represents a natural oasis, increasingly surrounded by suburban development.  Although a smaller state park, Chewacla has seen expanding usage as outdoor recreation is sought by more and more people in the surrounding communities.   Chewacla, including the trails and area of the proposed pipeline, has hosted many events, including bike and running Races, scout camps, group cookouts, and serves as the training ground for the 60 member strong local NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association)  Middle and High School Mountain bike team.  This team has come in first or second place state wide every year since the league’s inception.  A mainstay of the NICA race circuit, the Chewacla race brings in over 2200 racers and spectators each year for the “Crankdown in TigerTown”.   It is not uncommon to see users from several states away visiting the Auburn area and enjoying Chewacla.  The trails at Chewacla have been featured in national publications for mountain biking, and draw tourists from all over the country who spend money with local businesses while they visit. In addition to human users, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, foxes, owls, turtles, and various aquatic species that call the lakes and streams within the park home.  

It is extremely short sighted of the Water Works board, and by association the city of Auburn, and the Alabama State Parks to even consider this sort of damaging project through this unique and “protected” piece of land in the name of saving money on a pipeline project.  Long after the savings are forgotten, an indelible scar will be left and maintained through an increasingly rare resource, unmodified wild land for public recreation and wildlife habitat.  Furthermore, Chewacla State Park does not belong to only the citizens of Auburn and Lee County, but to all of the residents of the Great State of Alabama.  Alabama ranks 38th in the United States with regards to percentage of Public land.  Sacrificing any portion of otherwise protected State land for the exclusive benefit of one municipality shouldn’t be considered.  According to the Alabama State Parks Website, (www.alapark.org) the Mission Statement of the Alabama State Parks is to "To acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment."  This project does not further that mission.  

We, the undersigned, formally request that the described water pipeline project be rerouted such that Chewacla State Park is spared from any clearing whatsoever.  To continue forward with the designated plan would be a grave misuse of precious natural resources of the State of Alabama with impact that will be felt for generations to come.  

Addendum added August 4th, 2019 Below.  

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Please read the update below labeled “Please Read...” It contains some clarifications to items in the original petition that I think are important to all concerned.  I do not believe in editing the body of the above text, as over 2,300 people have signed on as stated above.   Further signers should read the petition and the updates to be most fully informed.