VWC Newsletter - April 2004
Wilderness in 2004
The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived! On April 22nd Congressman Rick Boucher and Senator John Warner introduced legislation (HR 4202 and S 2342) into the108th Congress to create 4 new stand-alone Wilderness Areas, 11 additions to existing Wilderness Areas, and 2 new National Scenic Areas. The 4 proposed Wildernesses are Brush Mountain in Montgomery Co., Brush Mt. East in Craig Co., Raccoon Branch in Smyth Co., and Stone Mountain in Lee Co. Seng Mt. and Crawfish Valley in Smyth Co. are the 2 proposed National Scenic Areas. We mourn the areas that got stripped out at the last minute, but we’ll be back for them.
We have passed the first mile-post, but as you all know the heavy lifting is yet to come. We have to provide support to our legislative standard bearers and convincing arguments to convert the wavering. So here are your marching orders:
Wind Energy
A growing concern among conservationists in Virginia is the question of the development of wind energy. While no one could be against the concept of clean, renewable energy, one has only to look at the map of wind speeds suitable for powering turbines to see the potential for enormous impacts on our mountains. The towers are 300’ tall, bearing vanes 150’ long. Haul roads for erection require bulldozing 100 yd swaths along ridge tops. Speeds of the blade tips exceed 100 mph, lethal for birds and bats.
The VWC is cooperating with the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative in order to keep abreast of developments and to have a say in how Virginia responds. Our own Don Giecek is sitting on the Environmental Working Group that is attempting to put together a list of places such as National Parks, Wilderness Areas, and Inventoried Roadless Areas, where such massive intrusions should not take place. We will keep you posted on the progress of VWEC.
Condolences
VWC members will be distressed to hear that one of the stalwart supporters of our wilderness movement has been in a terrible automobile accident. Ed Walters was severely injured and his wife killed. You may want to write him (Cowpasture River Farm, HCR-04, Box 76, Millboro, BA 24460) or send a donation to the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, PO Box 215, Millboro, VA 24460.
We also offer our condolences to Steve Krichbaum (412 Carter St., Staunton, VA 24401), whose Mother recently passed away.
President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (434-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: John Rice, [email protected]
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, 11 E. Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540-662-7043)
Secretary: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Field organizer: Don Giecek, 19484 Running Cedar Ln., Maidens, VA 23229 (804-749-1992)
The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived! On April 22nd Congressman Rick Boucher and Senator John Warner introduced legislation (HR 4202 and S 2342) into the108th Congress to create 4 new stand-alone Wilderness Areas, 11 additions to existing Wilderness Areas, and 2 new National Scenic Areas. The 4 proposed Wildernesses are Brush Mountain in Montgomery Co., Brush Mt. East in Craig Co., Raccoon Branch in Smyth Co., and Stone Mountain in Lee Co. Seng Mt. and Crawfish Valley in Smyth Co. are the 2 proposed National Scenic Areas. We mourn the areas that got stripped out at the last minute, but we’ll be back for them.
We have passed the first mile-post, but as you all know the heavy lifting is yet to come. We have to provide support to our legislative standard bearers and convincing arguments to convert the wavering. So here are your marching orders:
- Write to The Honorable Rick Boucher, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20515 and to The Honorable John Warner, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510. Thank each for introducing his bill, and urge them to push as hard as they can for passage.
- Organize a letter writing campaign among your friends and acquaintances to do the same, thereby multiplying your effect. If you are a member of an organization, send us an official letter of endorsement for inclusion in a packet to go to Congress. Some talking points to emphasize:
- Super areas.
- Good local support.
- First area on the Clinch.
- Two areas near Blacksburg, therefore serving an urban population with solitude.
- Clean water.
- Hunting and fishing allowed.
Wind Energy
A growing concern among conservationists in Virginia is the question of the development of wind energy. While no one could be against the concept of clean, renewable energy, one has only to look at the map of wind speeds suitable for powering turbines to see the potential for enormous impacts on our mountains. The towers are 300’ tall, bearing vanes 150’ long. Haul roads for erection require bulldozing 100 yd swaths along ridge tops. Speeds of the blade tips exceed 100 mph, lethal for birds and bats.
The VWC is cooperating with the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative in order to keep abreast of developments and to have a say in how Virginia responds. Our own Don Giecek is sitting on the Environmental Working Group that is attempting to put together a list of places such as National Parks, Wilderness Areas, and Inventoried Roadless Areas, where such massive intrusions should not take place. We will keep you posted on the progress of VWEC.
Condolences
VWC members will be distressed to hear that one of the stalwart supporters of our wilderness movement has been in a terrible automobile accident. Ed Walters was severely injured and his wife killed. You may want to write him (Cowpasture River Farm, HCR-04, Box 76, Millboro, BA 24460) or send a donation to the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, PO Box 215, Millboro, VA 24460.
We also offer our condolences to Steve Krichbaum (412 Carter St., Staunton, VA 24401), whose Mother recently passed away.
President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (434-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: John Rice, [email protected]
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, 11 E. Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540-662-7043)
Secretary: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Field organizer: Don Giecek, 19484 Running Cedar Ln., Maidens, VA 23229 (804-749-1992)