VWC Newsletter - May 2002
ARCTIC VICTORY
Ernie Dickerman, who campaigned tirelessly for federal wilderness designation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be resting more easily after the action of the Senate on April, 18th. Despite relentless pressure from the administration and from the senators from Alaska, the Senate did the Right Thing and rejected the attempt to authorize drilling for oil in the Refuge. Everyone in the environmental community owes a profound debt of gratitude to Senators Tom Daschle, John Kerry, Joseph Lieberman, and Harry Reid for their enlightened leadership on this contentious issue. Let them hear from you how proud you are of their steadfast devotion to principle. Our thanks also go out to all of you who have let our Senators know how important this issue is to you. Tell them that we want wilderness status for this jewel in the crown of American wild lands.
Senator John Warner (202-224-2023)
Senator George Allen (202-224-4024)
US Senate, Washington DC 20510
MARK MILLER AND THE SAFC CONSERVATION VISION
VWC Vice-President Mark Miller has become a professional. He has accepted a position with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition as Field Coordinator for the Jefferson National Forest. Mark’s immediate task is to organize the launch of SAFC’s Conservation Vision (see next item), a conference that will set the conservation agenda for Virginia for the foreseeable future. He has also begun criss-crossing the Jefferson region, making contacts with people and firming up a network of wilderness supporters. As many of you know, Mark is a tireless mountain walker (with shoes or without), who knows our wild places like the back of his hand. He is also a talented writer and an excellent communicator. We are delighted to see him take on these extra duties.
RETURN THE GREAT FOREST
The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition is calling on all Virginia conservationists to gather at Virginia Tech on May 17th and 18th to celebrate a new beginning for southern mountain lands. Entitled “Return the Great Forest”, the two-day conference will envision a sustainable future of clean air and water, healthy populations of native species, and opportunities for satisfying the increasing demand for back country recreation. Participants will hear from such noted speakers as Steve Nash and Rupert Cutler, and will join in on the music, dancing, and hiking.
JEFFERSON PLAN POSTPONED AGAIN
VWC members have been looking forward eagerly to the opportunity to present our views on wilderness to the team working on the long-delayed plan for the Jefferson National Forest. Meetings for public participation had been mooted for the month of March, but unfortunately the word has come down that they have been delayed yet again. When will we have a chance to weigh in on the next version of the plan? Probably not until mid to late August, according to Nancy Ross, the responsible planner in the Roanoke headquarters. Meanwhile the packet of wilderness proposals prepared by the Radford Group is at the printers and will be in the hands of participants in the near future.
2002 Annual Meeting of the VWC
– Buffalo Gap – Sunday, June 29thEvery member of the VWC and everyone else who is a friend of Wilderness is invited to attend the annual meeting at 10 am on Saturday, June 29th at the Dickerman Farm near Buffalo Gap. Folks who want to arrive on Friday will find plenty of space for camping. Bring your own food and gear.
Directions to the Site: From Staunton, take Va. Rt. 254 west for about 10 miles to Buffalo Gap. Continue past the junction with Va. Rt. 42 for one mile, looking out for a white church on the right. Just before the church, turn right on Rt. 688 and go one-half mile. Look out for a VWC sign on the left. The Dickerman house sits well back from the road. Drive in and Welcome!
Mailing List
We are trying to keep our mailing list current to include all those who favor wilderness designation on our federal lands. Check the label to see whether you have sent a contribution within the last year. If not, please do so, or else send us a copy of a recent letter that you have written to a public official in support of wilderness.
Virginia Wilderness Committee Officers
President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (804-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: John Rice
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)
Ernie Dickerman, who campaigned tirelessly for federal wilderness designation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be resting more easily after the action of the Senate on April, 18th. Despite relentless pressure from the administration and from the senators from Alaska, the Senate did the Right Thing and rejected the attempt to authorize drilling for oil in the Refuge. Everyone in the environmental community owes a profound debt of gratitude to Senators Tom Daschle, John Kerry, Joseph Lieberman, and Harry Reid for their enlightened leadership on this contentious issue. Let them hear from you how proud you are of their steadfast devotion to principle. Our thanks also go out to all of you who have let our Senators know how important this issue is to you. Tell them that we want wilderness status for this jewel in the crown of American wild lands.
Senator John Warner (202-224-2023)
Senator George Allen (202-224-4024)
US Senate, Washington DC 20510
MARK MILLER AND THE SAFC CONSERVATION VISION
VWC Vice-President Mark Miller has become a professional. He has accepted a position with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition as Field Coordinator for the Jefferson National Forest. Mark’s immediate task is to organize the launch of SAFC’s Conservation Vision (see next item), a conference that will set the conservation agenda for Virginia for the foreseeable future. He has also begun criss-crossing the Jefferson region, making contacts with people and firming up a network of wilderness supporters. As many of you know, Mark is a tireless mountain walker (with shoes or without), who knows our wild places like the back of his hand. He is also a talented writer and an excellent communicator. We are delighted to see him take on these extra duties.
RETURN THE GREAT FOREST
The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition is calling on all Virginia conservationists to gather at Virginia Tech on May 17th and 18th to celebrate a new beginning for southern mountain lands. Entitled “Return the Great Forest”, the two-day conference will envision a sustainable future of clean air and water, healthy populations of native species, and opportunities for satisfying the increasing demand for back country recreation. Participants will hear from such noted speakers as Steve Nash and Rupert Cutler, and will join in on the music, dancing, and hiking.
JEFFERSON PLAN POSTPONED AGAIN
VWC members have been looking forward eagerly to the opportunity to present our views on wilderness to the team working on the long-delayed plan for the Jefferson National Forest. Meetings for public participation had been mooted for the month of March, but unfortunately the word has come down that they have been delayed yet again. When will we have a chance to weigh in on the next version of the plan? Probably not until mid to late August, according to Nancy Ross, the responsible planner in the Roanoke headquarters. Meanwhile the packet of wilderness proposals prepared by the Radford Group is at the printers and will be in the hands of participants in the near future.
2002 Annual Meeting of the VWC
– Buffalo Gap – Sunday, June 29thEvery member of the VWC and everyone else who is a friend of Wilderness is invited to attend the annual meeting at 10 am on Saturday, June 29th at the Dickerman Farm near Buffalo Gap. Folks who want to arrive on Friday will find plenty of space for camping. Bring your own food and gear.
Directions to the Site: From Staunton, take Va. Rt. 254 west for about 10 miles to Buffalo Gap. Continue past the junction with Va. Rt. 42 for one mile, looking out for a white church on the right. Just before the church, turn right on Rt. 688 and go one-half mile. Look out for a VWC sign on the left. The Dickerman house sits well back from the road. Drive in and Welcome!
Mailing List
We are trying to keep our mailing list current to include all those who favor wilderness designation on our federal lands. Check the label to see whether you have sent a contribution within the last year. If not, please do so, or else send us a copy of a recent letter that you have written to a public official in support of wilderness.
Virginia Wilderness Committee Officers
President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (804-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: John Rice
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)