SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- When you think of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you might imagine it as as an outdoorsman's paradise with breathtaking views, and probably not as "a national treasure surrounded by a bathtub ring of ugly, unplanned development," as National Geographic Traveler magazine describes the Smokies.

Pigeon Forge Tourism Director Leon Downey says he feels that the area will never get a good score, but the places that score well are in very remote areas. That's not to say there isn't room for improvement.

Traveler gave the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas a score of 49 on the Stewardship Index.

At least one tourist understands.

Sylvia Blazina says, "Some of it is ugly, the pollution, yeah, it would be nice to see that blue haze I've been told about."

The magazine referred to the national treasure as being surrounded by a "bathtub ring of ugly, unplanned development," and pollution is a growing issue.

David Perella, Gatlinburg's tourism director, says, "Obviously we don't like being put in the position that we were by National Geographic."

But Gatlinburg tourism officials say they are making strides with underground wiring, going green and recycling programs.

Perella says, "Our trolley system runs on biodiesel."

Kate Meyers with Friends of Wears Valley says, "They want the tourist dollar here, but we're killing it. We're absolutely killing it."

Meyers says Sevier County is not doing enough to curb mountainside developments.

Meyers says, "There are no guidelines here in Sevier County. People can pretty much build what they want."

She says $60,000 in taxpayer money was spent developing guidelines for hillside development, but were never adopted by the county.

Meyers says, "I think it was just done to keep some of our more outspoken residents quiet."

Despite a low score, that's not stopping traffic coming to the area.

Blazina says, "I do see a little bit about what they're saying, but I would still come back here without a doubt. Wouldn't hesitate to come back."

Gatlinburg has adopted the Saratoga Guidelines. Pigeon Forge is still meeting on the recommendations, but Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters was unavailable for comment.