Red River Gorge United Ratchets Up Efforts to Stop “Gatlinburg-like” Overdevelopment

Slade, KY – Red River Gorge United (RRGU) is launching a fundraising campaign that will allow the group to expand its efforts to stop a development that threatens the beauty and enjoyment of this world-renown ecological resource.

At issue is an 891-acre resort proposed by Red River Economic Development on mostly forested and undeveloped land three miles from the Gorge. It would include a five-story, 180-room resort with room rates averaging $350 per night, spa, corporate distillery, two restaurants, café and multiple event spaces.

RRGU opposes the development for a variety of reasons, including its size, the lack of due diligence, its impact on aging critical infrastructure, erosion of small-town character, degradation of natural resources, increased safety concerns, and other negative fallout resulting from over-trafficking by inexperienced visitors.

The $60,000 fundraising campaign would allow the group to commission studies on environmental impact, infrastructure degradation, flood and erosion control and disruption of ancient burial sites – none of which have been done by the developers. The funding would also allow RRGU engage legal counsel and conduct more expansive community engagement and communications efforts, including the development of long-term plans to protect and enhance the Slade and Nada communities and exploring the creation of a land trust.

“We fully oppose the Slade resort as it is currently conceived not only because of its scale and scope but because it risks turning this incredible resource into the next Gatlinburg by attracting other developments that are simply out of character with the area. It’s a slippery slope,” said Kristen Wiley, RRGU board president. She is also a long-time Slade resident and co-founder of Kentucky Reptile Zoo in in the city.

“There has been some contention that this area needs the resort to help build its economy and create jobs,” Wiley continued. “But nobody in Slade is asking for this resort. Our local businesses are already struggling to find enough workers. This resort would make that situation dramatically worse.

“This doesn’t feel like help. It feels like exploitation, and we’re going to do everything in our power to stop it.”

RRGU’s fundraising will focus on the international community of rock climbers, backpackers, campers, and many others, who value Red River Gorge’s unique ecological resources,” said “We need to raise funds to protect the region for future generations and ensure it does not develop into something like Gatlinburg.”

More information about RRGU’s efforts and how to donate to the fundraising effort is available at www.rrgunited.org/donate and through a public service announcement created by the group.