What an upside down world we live in: Through the middle of one of the most beautiful creek valleys and stretches of North Carolina deep woods, a paved transportation corridor is being considered.

Personally, I oppose any paving along the environmentally vulnerable Bolin Creek and its tributary, Dry Gulch Creek, which runs along the Town of Carrboro's Adam Tract and into Bolin Creek. Both these areas are under consideration as future transportation corridors.

Threatened is our last contiguous, large tract of land in our rapidly growing urban area, representing a creek valley of stunning natural beauty, important ecological value, much-needed serenity and great historical significance. A paved transportation corridor along Bolin Creek will change this area radically forever.

Bolin Creek is bounded by Estes Drive on the south and Homestead Road on the north, and makes up approximately a two-mile stretch. It is located within Carrboro's jurisdiction, with a key access point off Estes Drive that passes through the Chapel Hill Ironwoods neighborhood. This semi-wild area is a treasured oasis.

Unfortunately, the consultant hired by the Town of Carrboro has proposed a "paved greenway" to the town's Greenway Commission and its Board of Aldermen. The transit corridor will be designed not as an urban refuge for peaceful contemplation but as commuter lane designed to move numerous people and provide high-impact recreation.

Visualize Bolin Creek with a clearing as wide as 30 feet. Picture a 10-foot wide concrete transit route, with 10-foot of grading on either side. Imagine bicycles speeding along as their owners commute across town avoiding the birdwatcher. Imagine even lights. Imagine the tree canopy as broken, the beautiful stream losing oxygen as the water heats up from higher temperatures. Imagine owls, beavers and turtles frightened away by the noise and activity of speeding commuters.

Why then consider a paved route along Bolin Creek? The answer lies in the nature of greenway funding in North Carolina. Bike transit funds are administered by the N.C. Department of Transportation, and the state agency levies onerous requirements for paving, grading and setback from utility lines. In short, funding for the "greenway" project will require a concrete paved route with extensive clearing. If built, the paved transit route along Bolin Creek will occupy a much wider area than the present OWASA sewer easement, which has always been left as natural as possible.

How important is this natural area, its stream and its woods? The Orange County Natural Areas Inventory has called it "one of the few remaining wooded stream corridors in the vicinity of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the best remaining natural area along Bolin Creek. ..." The report notes at least a dozen species of neo-tropical migrant birds that breed here, as do red-shouldered hawks.

Luckily, for the past decade, Carrboro and Chapel Hill have sought to protect the deep woods around the creek. Both towns have endorsed the state funded Eco-System Enhancement Study of Bolin Creek, which established base-line criteria for the creek's health. Both towns have recently received an EPA grant to do restorative work along the creek's impaired portions. The consultant's recommendation for paving appears to be at odds with these actions.

Is it possible to save Bolin Creek and provide alternatives to automobile use? An important part of our future mobility means connecting bikeways so cyclists can move around. We need a comprehensive look at our bikeway needs, and we must turn to cyclists to determine these needs. We must select bike routes, moreover, that connect key points, including Carolina North, schools and neighborhoods. But we cannot direct commuters into the midst of a rare wildlife habitat, particularly when the proposed route fails to line up with key connections.

For more than eight years, I have worked with Friends of Bolin Creek (FOBC). I have served as co-chair with Dave Otto, and this week became chair. FOBC has not taken a formal position on the Bolin Creek "greenway." We regret readers may have thought Dave's guest column in last Sunday's paper represented our organization's views. It does not. The column here represents my personal view.

In its December vote, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen committed itself to more public comment. FOBC wishes to play a role in this community discussion. We will lead hikes, make existing studies available, and provide opportunities for dialogue as we strive to achieve the best possible outcome and protect Bolin Creek for future generations. We encourage citizens to engage in the discussion and study the consultant's report, found at www.greenways.com/bolin/html.