Moccasin Bend holds 12,000 years of human history and is one of Chattanooga's most treasured natural and cultural landmarks. Generations have fought to preserve its incredible resources, leading to designations like the National Historic Landmark status in 1986. Building a new mental health institute on Moccasin Bend would irreparably damage this historic site.

Please sign this petition urging state officials not to rebuild at Moccasin Bend.

Key points:

• The proposed rebuild location is within the culturally significant Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District. A transparent planning process with stakeholder involvement is needed, not just a state decision.
• The community expected the institute would relocate when replaced to protect extensive cultural resources. State officials are backtracking on prior commitments made to the National Park Service, the Tribal Nations with Moccasin Bend ancestry, and all Tennessee residents who are co-owners of this public land.
• Rebuilding will maintain non-conforming land use in a National Park site for generations.
• Completing the 2003 vision for an expanded archaeological district can celebrate 12,000 years of Moccasin Bend's history and provide tremendous economic benefits.
• Relocating the institute could benefit patients with new healthcare partnerships while allowing state land to join the protected National Archaeological District as promised before - win, win!
• Moccasin Bend contains irreplaceable Native American sites, Civil War earthworks, Trail of Tears and Underground Railroad history, and more. We don't accept new construction that further disrupts and paves over nationally significant resources.
• New construction would negatively impact natural habitats and geographical features that showcase Chattanooga's rich heritage.
• Moccasin Bend was approved for National Park status in the 1950s. Its importance merits honor and protection, not short-term economic gains.

Please sign this petition calling for a transparent planning process, stakeholder involvement, and ultimately, a new location for the mental health institute off of the sacred Moccasin Bend site. Moccasin Bend's cultural resources and habitats deserve preservation, not damage from unnecessary new construction.