Wednesday, February 16, 2005

The Inter-Modal Transportation Authority has invited a delegation of American Indians led by Principal Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of Kentucky Marty Soaring Eagle Martin to visit the Kentucky TriModal Transpark to offer input on the sites development.

We anticipate being able to meet with him tomorrow at the transpark, which he indicated should work for him, said Transpark Vice President Dan Preston. Preston is also vice president of economic development for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

Martin sent a letter to ITA Chairman Curtis Sullivan and Dave Harmon of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets Division of Environmental Analysis. In his letter, Martin asked that construction at the transpark be halted and that members of the Kentucky Cherokee Alliance, the Circle of Wisdom Unity Conference, the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Center for Native American Arts & Culture be permitted to visit the site and examine the affected areas.

A cave with prehistoric drawings and apparent Indian remains was discovered on transpark property in late December and kept confidential until Feb. 9. The ITA reported the discovery while announcing the groundbreaking for the technical training center. The groundbreaking was a month later than expected while experts surveyed the cave.

We are extremely concerned that any, and all, native American remains be afforded the respect and honor they are due and that we are given the opportunity to assure they are properly returned to Mother Earth, the letter said. While we are not opposed to growth and progress, we do not feel that it should be at the cost of our heritage and tradition.

The letter asks that the Kentucky Cherokee Alliance and the Circle of Wisdom Unity Conference be added as consulting parties for the Section 106 process. The groups also wants the transparks interior roads included in the process.

Section 106 refers to a portion of the National Historic Preservation Act that requires federally funded projects to consider how any district, site, building, structure or object that is included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register might be impacted.

Michael Goins, executive director in the Office of Public Affairs for the state Transportation Cabinet, said his office had not yet received the letter and couldnt respond until then.

Sullivan, in a phone call and letter to Martin, expressed the ITAs intent of proceeding carefully with development.

As development continues at the transpark, special care will continue to be taken to ensure that any future findings go undisturbed, Sullivan wrote. Areas slated for development will undergo extensive … tests to identify underground anomalies. Cultural, historic and prehistoric findings will continue to be treated with care and respect.

Martin said he and others would be coming to Bowling Green soon to meet with Mr. Sullivan, to examine the site and determine how we might be involved as the transpark project goes forward.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700