To complete their Oconee River Greenway Plan, Athens-Clarke County plans to take riverfront property from citizens who are unwilling to give it. ACC wants to take from Vaughn Road property owners (and others upriver) the most valuable portion of their property- the riverfront- just so people can walk and bike along a residential portion of the Middle Oconee River. And ACC forges ahead with these plans despite the fact that Georgia law says that the Middle Oconee River is NOT FOR PUBLIC USE!

Instead of forceful acquisition of riverfront property from citizens, ACC could do something that would benefit all citizens of Tallassee and connecting roads. USE THE TIME, EFFORT, AND MONEY TO ADD PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE LANES ALONG TALLASSEE ROAD. For those who drive often on Tallassee Road, you know how dangerous it is for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially when trying to cross the bridge by Westchester Drive and the old Hogan Lumber. Since ACC transit system busses do not go past the bridge, those who utilize the busses MUST walk or bike across this dangerous, narrow bridge every day. This bridge has needed a pedestrian/bike lane for years, and now ACC has a perfect opportunity to add one as a part of their Greenway Plan without disregarding property rights of citizens along the river.

ACC already owns Tallassee Forest, a 310-acre tract of land which has ample access to the Middle Oconee River, and which ACC already plans to use as a park/greenspace with hiking, biking, etc. It is located across from Burney Harris Lyons Middle School, about 3.5 miles from Loop 10. If you look at the Greenway Plan (https://athensclarkecounty.com/7143/Greenway-Netwo...), a small portion of the proposed Greenway goes North from Ben Burton Park and connects directly to Tallassee Road. Another goes East from Ben Burton Park along Mitchell Bridge Road to Tallassee. All of these connect to Tallassee Forest.

Taking land from all citizens who own land along the river between Ben Burton Park and Tallassee Forest is a poor idea. Thanks to other, more sensible paths between the two, it is unnecessary and above that it is outright wrong. These citizens bought riverfront property so that they may utilize and enjoy the river, and ACC nor the Oconee Greenway Commission has any right to force them to give up any portion of their properties. According to the proposed and approved Greenway plan, no property owner in this area shall own riverfront property. Instead, it will all be owned and controlled by ACC, and property owners will be forced to allow strangers onto their beloved riverfronts. We will no longer be able to swim, fish, or relax on our own properties, nor will our pets.

ACC and the Greenway Commission conveniently ignore Georgia laws regarding water rights and public use of rivers. According to these laws, no part of the Middle Oconee River is legally for public use. Georgia boaters only have a right of passage down "navigable waters,". which Georgia law defines as those “capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or a part of the year. The mere rafting of timber or the transporting of wood in small boats shall not make a stream navigable.” (See Georgia Code 44-8-5(a) at http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2015/title-44/...). If our State's law says that the Middle Oconee is NOT large enough for public use, how can Athens-Clarke County plan to take dozens of properties alongside it for public use? ACC cannot be allowed to continue to ignore State law, nor can they be allowed to ignore the water rights and property rights of its citizens.

PLEASE sign this petition today to let ACC know that we do not agree with the proposed Greenway Extension along the Middle Oconee River. Tell ACC and the Greenway Commission that instead of using funds to steal DOZENS of riverfront properties, they should use those funds to add a bike and pedestrian lane along Tallassee Road. Let those paths complete their Greenway connection to Tallasee Forest...then funds used will be serving a dual purpose: 1) to complete the Greenway Trail, and 2) to make safer pathways along Tallassee Road. The safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and children should be top priority, not forcibly taking properties along a river that, according to Georgia law, the public has no right to trespass upon.

Thank you for reading. Please sign the petition today!