[at-l] Trail History Clarification Requested

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

There are two books on the ATC Ultimate Trailstore ("The Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail: A Time to be Bold" and "Trail Years: A History of 
the Appalachian Trail Conference") which address the history of the trail 
but I have not read either so I cannot say whether either talks in this 
kind of detail about how property was obtained. Robert Rubin was one of the 
authors of the second book and is on this list. Perhaps Robert could tell 
us whether that book talks about the use of eminent domain and how common 
it was.

I too am interested in knowing how often is "very often". A lot of 
generalizations get thrown around in these discussions by both sides. What 
are the facts?

At 07:57 AM 9/5/2003 -0400, rick boudrie wrote:
>If I understood Jim Owen's post correctly, he is saying the AT was aquired 
>"very often by condemnation thus breaking faith with the people who 
>welcomed the trail in the first place."
>
>Can anyone provide additional information on this?  If possible, with more 
>than an anectdote about a person who was "screwed" by the ATC and NPS, but 
>rather with information that addresses the degree to which the AT was 
>aquired this way.  My interest is getting a handle on the "very 
>frequently" part.
>
>I am less interested in hearing about how the NPS condemded land over 
>which the trail passes in the Smokines and SNP and the BRP for reasons 
>that had had nothing to do with the AT, than I am interested in the kinds 
>of condemnations of land alluded to by Jim.
>
>I have no doubt some have been screwed by the Trail and other entities in 
>the name of some greater good, real or perceived.  One of my favorite 
>places to walk and look for porkies around here is around a reservior in 
>central MA where you can wonder along and roads and celler holes 
>representing entire towns.  Those people got screwed by the thousands, but 
>at least Boston has water.  I have no doubt that people have been screwed 
>specifically to form National Parks, and the AT.
>
>But have thousands  parcels of the AT been aquired by condemnation?
>Hundreds?  Scores?  Or just a few.   And to put things in perspective, 
>does anyone have a notion to what percentage of Trail Miles these represent?
>
>And of these condemnations, how how many were instigated or associated 
>with the AT project, thus breaking the faith of the people who welcomed 
>the Trail in the first place.   We all know about the Smokies and SNP, but 
>that I think that is a whole seperate kettle of fish.  Like Jim Owen, I 
>have learned to question what I read.  By doing so, please understand that 
>I am not saying he is wrong or challenging his manhood. He may well be 
>right that the AT was aquired "very often by condemnation thus breaking 
>the faith with the people who welcomed the Trail in the first 
>place".  Perhaps there are numbers and data to back this up?
>
>Rick B