To: The Mayor, City Council and Knox County Commission
From: Concerned Residents Cunningham Road neighborhoods - District 7 in Knoxville

Summary of Concern
We, the undersigned residents, are writing to bring urgent attention to a growing safety and wildlife crisis on Cunningham Road.

Due to ongoing construction and habitat disruption in the surrounding areas, wildlife, including opossums, raccoons, rabbits, turtles and deer, are being displaced and forced into active roadways. This has resulted in a sharp increase in animals being injured or killed, as well as dangerous near-collisions for drivers.

Residents are witnessing this daily. In one instance, five opossums were found dead along the road in a single morning. There are also repeated reports of orphaned wildlife, including baby opossums found in the pouches of deceased mothers. Encounters with disoriented deer, including juveniles separated from their mothers, are becoming increasingly common.

This is not only a wildlife issue. It is a public safety concern.

Why This Matters

• Increased risk of vehicle accidents due to animals unexpectedly entering the roadway
• Emotional and ethical distress within the community witnessing repeated animal fatalities
• Disruption of local ecosystems due to rapid development without mitigation measures
• Preventable suffering of wildlife during peak breeding seasons

Request for Immediate Action

We respectfully request that the City implement the following measures as soon as possible:

1. Install Wildlife Crossing / Slow Down Signage
Clear, visible signage along Cunningham Road alerting drivers to active wildlife crossings and encouraging reduced speeds.

2. Temporary Speed Reduction Measures
Consider reduced speed limits in high-incident zones or temporary traffic calming measures during peak displacement periods.

3. Conduct a Site Assessment
Send a city official or wildlife/environmental specialist to observe conditions firsthand and assess the scale of the issue.

4. Coordinate with Construction Developers
Require or encourage current development projects in the area to implement basic wildlife mitigation strategies (e.g., fencing, phased clearing, or safe escape corridors).

5. Explore Long-Term Solutions
Evaluate the feasibility of wildlife crossings, barriers, or other infrastructure solutions if the problem persists.

Community Support
This issue has already generated significant concern among residents, with dozens of community members reporting similar experiences and expressing a desire for immediate action.

We are prepared to provide documentation, including resident reports and photographic evidence, to support this request.

Closing
We understand that development is ongoing and necessary. However, simple, timely measures can significantly reduce harm to both wildlife and residents.

We respectfully ask for your attention and prompt action on this matter.

We also request the opportunity for a brief on-site meeting with a city representative to review conditions directly.