VWC Newsletter - December 1993
Mount Pleasant Bill Problems Overcome
by Ernie Dickerman
Progress! Two much needed changes have been agreed to by Congressman Robert Goodlatte (R-VA6) in the wording of his Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area bill, H.R. 2942. In Section 2(1), Purposes, the phrase "natural characteristics" is to be added, so this section will read: "Ensure appropriate protection and preservation of the scenic quality, natural characteristics, water quality, and water resources.: Keeping the natural characteristics of the area, including its pure, abundant source of water for the Amherst County public water system, unchanged by the Forest Service or any other agency is the prime purpose of the bill. This wording greatly strengthens the hand of all those who want to keep the area like it is, wild and undeveloped. In agreeing to add the phrase "natural characteristics", Rep. Goodlatte stated that it had inadvertently been omitted when H.R. 2942 was originally printed.
The very serious change needed was to eliminate the contradiction between the first and second sentences of Section 3(d), the first of which as worded would prohibit all logging, while the second would permit unlimited logging. The problem was in the second sentence which said that "vegetation manipulation" -- meaning anything the Forest Service wants to do to the plant life including logging--could be practiced on the "existing wildlife habitat"--which describes the entire Mount Pleasant area and indeed all the George Washington National Forest. By the Congressman agreeing to replace the word "habitat" with the word "clearings", any vegetation manipulation would be restricted to the few wildlife clearings or openings already being maintained by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. It is clear from his earlier written statements that "existing wildlife clearings" is the meaning Rep. Goodlatte had intended.
Congressman Goodlatte has confirmed in writing to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors his consent to both these changes. He has further repeated his earlier declared intention to add a provision to be contained in the bill when reported out by the House Agriculture Committee which would prohibit all mining, drilling for oil & gas, and geothermal extraction (none of which are known to be present in the Mount Pleasant area). Now he, the Amherst Board of Supervisors, and wilderness adovcates generally are in agreement on the wording of H.R. 2942. It may be noted that getting these changes worked out was helped by Ernie Dickerman going to Washington last month and lobbying Capitol Hill on the bill.
The Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, based at Lynchburg, VA, had objected to wilderness designation under the Wilderness Act because its members would not be allowed to use chain saws and motor-powered weeders to clear trails. No such restriction is contained in H.R. 2942, and they will be able to continue their present practices.
With Congress recessed until late January, the House Agriculture Committee (which has jurisdiction over the Mount Pleasant bill and on which Rep. Goodlatte sits) is not expected to take any action meanwhile. However, it will continue to pay for individuals who want the biodiversity, the inspiring wildness, the clear, tumbling mountain streams, the towering peaks kept unchanged, unimpaired to write their own letters to Congressman Robert Goodlatte (address U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515). He, like all Members of Congress, is encouraged to act by knowing that the voters want the particular bill, in this case, H.R. 2942, the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area bill. Please encourage him!
Forest Watch Report
by Lynn Cameron
VWC members who are participating in the Forest Watch group are keeping a close eye on actions the Forest Service is proposing to carry out in roadless areas in the George Washington National Forest. So far, we have objected in force to a helicopter salvage sale in the Little River Roadless Area and a timber sale in the Little Allegheny Roadless Area.
Briery Branch Helicopter Salvage Sale This Dry River District sale was first proposed in Fall, 1992. A number of environmental organizations objected to the sale, and the VWC, Sierra Club, and Wilderness Society filed an appeal. The Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund is now considering going to court to stop the sale. This project has received national media attention (Washington Post, Oct. 15, 1993, Metro Section). Aside from the fact that this is a Special Management Area which is supposed to be managed for biological values and primitive recreation, the sale area has a very small population of gypsy moths - certainly not enough to kill the trees. In the coves that are to be salvaged, there is a wonderful variety of hickory, poplar, maple, birch, basswood, red oak, beech, and ash. Some of the larger trees are up to 3' in diameter. According to Dan Boone, forest ecologist for the Wilderness Society, this area is the closest thing we have to old growth in the East and it should be protected. Several VWC members recently surveyed the sale area for gypsy moth egg masses. In the coves the populations were very low, well below the 1200 per acre reported by the Forest Service. Jim Sitton, Chief Timber Officer for the GW said that the FS will survey the area for gypsy moths before Christmas, 1993. If they find low populations, they will not conduct the sale this fiscal year. Should they decide to proceed with the sale, the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund will most likely go to court to protect this important area.
Fivewood Timber Sale This sale, located in the Warm Springs District, was proposed in June, 1993. Despite numerous objections by environmental organizations and concerned individuals (many from our Forest Watch group), the FS has decided to proceed. The total project will cover 3,160 acres, 2,150 of which are located in the 10,000 acre Little Allegheny Roadless Area. The method of harvest will include shelterwood (another word for clearcutting) and thinning, and 3.3 miles of new roads will be constructed. The FS claims that all this activity will have no significant impact on future consideration of the area for wilderness since up to 20% of a roadless area may be logged without being disqualified for wilderness designation. A number of threatened or endangered species can be found in or near the Little Allegheny Roadless Area, including nesting bald eagles, ginseng, Indiana bats (just 9 miles away), rock voles, water and pygmy shrews, and butternut. At this point the only recourse we have is to appeal the decision. Unless an injunction is granted, the sale can be carried out at any time. This sale would yield a net return of $120,048, according to FS figures.
Membership
Membership in the VWC is open to anyone who believes in the need for preservation of wilderness. To join, send a copy of a recent letter supporting wilderness written to a public official, OR send $5.00 or more per year to the VWC Treasurer, address below. Thank you.
Officers
PRESIDENT Lynn Cameron 95 Hope St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (703) 434-1318
VICE PRES Dan French 107 Merry Acres Dr., Madison Heights, VA 24572 (703) 845-1605
TREASURER Julie Simpson P.O. Box 3889, Winchester, VA 22601 (703) 662-7043
SECRETARY R.D. Floyd Rt. 1, Box 510A, Tye River, VA 22922 (804) 263-5003
by Ernie Dickerman
Progress! Two much needed changes have been agreed to by Congressman Robert Goodlatte (R-VA6) in the wording of his Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area bill, H.R. 2942. In Section 2(1), Purposes, the phrase "natural characteristics" is to be added, so this section will read: "Ensure appropriate protection and preservation of the scenic quality, natural characteristics, water quality, and water resources.: Keeping the natural characteristics of the area, including its pure, abundant source of water for the Amherst County public water system, unchanged by the Forest Service or any other agency is the prime purpose of the bill. This wording greatly strengthens the hand of all those who want to keep the area like it is, wild and undeveloped. In agreeing to add the phrase "natural characteristics", Rep. Goodlatte stated that it had inadvertently been omitted when H.R. 2942 was originally printed.
The very serious change needed was to eliminate the contradiction between the first and second sentences of Section 3(d), the first of which as worded would prohibit all logging, while the second would permit unlimited logging. The problem was in the second sentence which said that "vegetation manipulation" -- meaning anything the Forest Service wants to do to the plant life including logging--could be practiced on the "existing wildlife habitat"--which describes the entire Mount Pleasant area and indeed all the George Washington National Forest. By the Congressman agreeing to replace the word "habitat" with the word "clearings", any vegetation manipulation would be restricted to the few wildlife clearings or openings already being maintained by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. It is clear from his earlier written statements that "existing wildlife clearings" is the meaning Rep. Goodlatte had intended.
Congressman Goodlatte has confirmed in writing to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors his consent to both these changes. He has further repeated his earlier declared intention to add a provision to be contained in the bill when reported out by the House Agriculture Committee which would prohibit all mining, drilling for oil & gas, and geothermal extraction (none of which are known to be present in the Mount Pleasant area). Now he, the Amherst Board of Supervisors, and wilderness adovcates generally are in agreement on the wording of H.R. 2942. It may be noted that getting these changes worked out was helped by Ernie Dickerman going to Washington last month and lobbying Capitol Hill on the bill.
The Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, based at Lynchburg, VA, had objected to wilderness designation under the Wilderness Act because its members would not be allowed to use chain saws and motor-powered weeders to clear trails. No such restriction is contained in H.R. 2942, and they will be able to continue their present practices.
With Congress recessed until late January, the House Agriculture Committee (which has jurisdiction over the Mount Pleasant bill and on which Rep. Goodlatte sits) is not expected to take any action meanwhile. However, it will continue to pay for individuals who want the biodiversity, the inspiring wildness, the clear, tumbling mountain streams, the towering peaks kept unchanged, unimpaired to write their own letters to Congressman Robert Goodlatte (address U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515). He, like all Members of Congress, is encouraged to act by knowing that the voters want the particular bill, in this case, H.R. 2942, the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area bill. Please encourage him!
Forest Watch Report
by Lynn Cameron
VWC members who are participating in the Forest Watch group are keeping a close eye on actions the Forest Service is proposing to carry out in roadless areas in the George Washington National Forest. So far, we have objected in force to a helicopter salvage sale in the Little River Roadless Area and a timber sale in the Little Allegheny Roadless Area.
Briery Branch Helicopter Salvage Sale This Dry River District sale was first proposed in Fall, 1992. A number of environmental organizations objected to the sale, and the VWC, Sierra Club, and Wilderness Society filed an appeal. The Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund is now considering going to court to stop the sale. This project has received national media attention (Washington Post, Oct. 15, 1993, Metro Section). Aside from the fact that this is a Special Management Area which is supposed to be managed for biological values and primitive recreation, the sale area has a very small population of gypsy moths - certainly not enough to kill the trees. In the coves that are to be salvaged, there is a wonderful variety of hickory, poplar, maple, birch, basswood, red oak, beech, and ash. Some of the larger trees are up to 3' in diameter. According to Dan Boone, forest ecologist for the Wilderness Society, this area is the closest thing we have to old growth in the East and it should be protected. Several VWC members recently surveyed the sale area for gypsy moth egg masses. In the coves the populations were very low, well below the 1200 per acre reported by the Forest Service. Jim Sitton, Chief Timber Officer for the GW said that the FS will survey the area for gypsy moths before Christmas, 1993. If they find low populations, they will not conduct the sale this fiscal year. Should they decide to proceed with the sale, the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund will most likely go to court to protect this important area.
Fivewood Timber Sale This sale, located in the Warm Springs District, was proposed in June, 1993. Despite numerous objections by environmental organizations and concerned individuals (many from our Forest Watch group), the FS has decided to proceed. The total project will cover 3,160 acres, 2,150 of which are located in the 10,000 acre Little Allegheny Roadless Area. The method of harvest will include shelterwood (another word for clearcutting) and thinning, and 3.3 miles of new roads will be constructed. The FS claims that all this activity will have no significant impact on future consideration of the area for wilderness since up to 20% of a roadless area may be logged without being disqualified for wilderness designation. A number of threatened or endangered species can be found in or near the Little Allegheny Roadless Area, including nesting bald eagles, ginseng, Indiana bats (just 9 miles away), rock voles, water and pygmy shrews, and butternut. At this point the only recourse we have is to appeal the decision. Unless an injunction is granted, the sale can be carried out at any time. This sale would yield a net return of $120,048, according to FS figures.
Membership
Membership in the VWC is open to anyone who believes in the need for preservation of wilderness. To join, send a copy of a recent letter supporting wilderness written to a public official, OR send $5.00 or more per year to the VWC Treasurer, address below. Thank you.
Officers
PRESIDENT Lynn Cameron 95 Hope St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (703) 434-1318
VICE PRES Dan French 107 Merry Acres Dr., Madison Heights, VA 24572 (703) 845-1605
TREASURER Julie Simpson P.O. Box 3889, Winchester, VA 22601 (703) 662-7043
SECRETARY R.D. Floyd Rt. 1, Box 510A, Tye River, VA 22922 (804) 263-5003