Dear ____________:

Should the taxpayers of Pennsylvania subsidize a private club and the destruction of the Appalachian Trail?

The Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Act states:

"Political subdivisions, including municipalities as defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, through which the Appalachian Trail passes shall have the power and their duty shall be to take such action consistent with applicable law, as at least an interim measure, to preserve the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the trail and to conserve and maintain it as a public natural resource." 64 P.S. Sec. 804

But it seems Alpine Rose Signature Motorsports Club developer Richard J. Muller Jr. and the club's members aren't concerned about the damage their private club will do to the environment or the Appalachian Trail.

If built, the 4.2-mile Alpine Rose racetrack would be carved into the steep slopes and dense hardwood forest along the north face of the Blue Mountain in western Monroe County. It would be immediately adjacent to the Appalachian Trail. Many of the high-performance sports cars, which would be driven at race speeds, would be unlicensed for street use and would not be noise-restricted. Maybe that's why the developer didn't obtain the support of the affected area's state representative. Or state senator. Or county.

Instead, relying on the political connections of a private lobbyist, he now seeks to raid the public treasury. It's a travesty of special interest politics at public expense.

Mark Singel, lobbyist for the developer, has been actively pursuing government funding for this private racetrack/country club for more than two years. Mr. Singel seems to believe that using public money -- our tax dollars -- for a private club is appropriate. We believe the citizens of Pennsylvania have better uses for their tax dollars!

The site proposed for the racetrack is bordered, to the north, by the scenic Appalachian Trail, the federal corridor protecting the Trail and State Game Commission Lands No.168.

The property is bordered on the south by the Aquashicola Creek, which is deemed a high-quality cold water and migratory fishery (Title 25 Chapter 93 of the Pennsylvania Code).

Access to the property is via a scenic, winding, narrow road containing several one-lane bridges.

This is a wooded, environmentally sensitive area with wetlands, steep slopes and rock outcroppings. Soil erosion, runoff, and sediment would be a major concern to any type of development, let alone one that seeks to clear-cut 92 acres.

Other municipalities have taken steps to avoid these types of problems. It is not a coincidence that the developer chose the only municipality in Monroe County without a zoning ordinance.

This project, which is the midst of litigation brought about through the combined efforts of the Appalachian Trail Conference and the Blue Mountain Preservation Association Inc., deserves no public funding.

The proposed Alpine Rose racetrack, which would be a PRIVATE CLUB for a limited number of wealthy individuals, will degrade both the environment and the Appalachian Trail if it is built. This PRIVATE CLUB for the wealthy should NOT receive federal, state or local funding.

Safeguard the Appalachian Trail. Protect the appropriate use of our tax dollars.

OPPOSE ALPINE ROSE!

Sincerely, __________________