Trail extension project questioned

Long time Oconee County resident Berry Nichols says hikers and mountain bikers treat hunters poorly, and that’s partly why he’s no fan of the Palmetto Conservation project to extend the Palmetto Trail from the vicinity of Stumphouse Tunnel Park to downtown Walhalla.  Nichols spoke out during public comment last night at the August meeting of city council.  He raised questions about the environmental damage that could be inflicted to a pristine area, which he and others worked to save the property from a developer’s plan to build houses there ten years ago.  Walhalla operates the park and supports the Palmetto Conservation’s plans to add 16 miles to the mountain end of the trail and extend those hiking and biking opportunities to the downtown.  Councilman Tjay Bagwell and Mayor Danny Edwards sought to assure Nichols that conservation measures are followed.