VWC Newsletter - October 2005
The Long Haul
As you well know, the Virginia Wilderness Committee has a reputation for sending out a Newsletter only when there is real news and action is requested and required. This time we are violating that principle. There is no news with respect to the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005 (HR 1975 & S 942). Nothing of substance has happened since our last communication. There was indeed a brief flurry of interest last week when Richard Pombo (Chairman of the House Resources Committee) announced a hearing on HR 1975, but that apparently was only a shot across Congressman Goodlatte’s bow with respect to jurisdiction, and the hearing did not take place. Normally eastern wilderness bills come first to Goodlatte’s Agriculture Committee, but Pombo seems to be asserting the prerogative of Resources.
Apparently the Congress is now waiting for a response from the Forest Service about the bill. Months ago the Forest Service came out with an “unofficial” analysis that was full of inaccuracies. They received a well-informed and rather caustic reply from Senator Warner. Their second attempt should be forthcoming as early as this week, when we shall have a better appreciation of their willingness to go along with the terms of the bill.
Meanwhile, what should we be doing? We need to keep up a steady drumbeat of letters to members of Congress. If you have not written recently, do so. If you have, then get a friend to write, with your help. If you live in the 6th district, ask Mr. Goodlatte to schedule a hearing. If you live in the districts of Eric Cantor or Thelma Drake ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill. And a little more heat on Senator Allen might bring him around.
The Honorable _________________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510The Honorable _______________
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Endangered Species Act
You will doubtless have heard (there has been a lot of sympathetic press coverage) that the House of Representatives has passed a disastrous revision of the Endangered Species Act. For this we have to thank Congressman Richard Pombo. However, all is not yet lost. The Senate has a better record on this matter than the House. Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chaffee is said to be preparing more moderate legislation to counter the excesses of the Pombo bill. Let your Senators hear from you about this critical matter.
The Hills of West Virginia
In developing a new Forest Plan, the Monongahela National Forest has been going through the same mind numbing process that is all too familiar with us on the Jefferson. The Draft Plan is now available for comment (see www.wvwild.org) and you will have until November 14th to weigh in on the various alternatives. As is usual with these things one is offered half a loaf. The “preferred alternative” contains four new wilderness study areas: Cheat Mountain, Cranberry Expansion, Dry Fork, and Roaring Plains West. These comprise about 27,700 acres, or 3% of the forest area. Matt Keller is leading the charge in favor of Alternative 3, which would be much more wilderness oriented, embracing 8 more WSA’s, including such gems as Middle Mountain, Spice Run, Gaudineer, and Seneca Creek. Our brethren in West Virginia have worked very hard to get as far as they have, and they deserve our full support.
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President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (434-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, 11 E. Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540-662-7043)
Secretary: Laura Neale, 423 Sheep Creek Lane, Fairfield, VA 24435
Field organizer: Don Giecek, 19484 Running Cedar Ln., Maidens, VA 23229 (804-749-1992)
As you well know, the Virginia Wilderness Committee has a reputation for sending out a Newsletter only when there is real news and action is requested and required. This time we are violating that principle. There is no news with respect to the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005 (HR 1975 & S 942). Nothing of substance has happened since our last communication. There was indeed a brief flurry of interest last week when Richard Pombo (Chairman of the House Resources Committee) announced a hearing on HR 1975, but that apparently was only a shot across Congressman Goodlatte’s bow with respect to jurisdiction, and the hearing did not take place. Normally eastern wilderness bills come first to Goodlatte’s Agriculture Committee, but Pombo seems to be asserting the prerogative of Resources.
Apparently the Congress is now waiting for a response from the Forest Service about the bill. Months ago the Forest Service came out with an “unofficial” analysis that was full of inaccuracies. They received a well-informed and rather caustic reply from Senator Warner. Their second attempt should be forthcoming as early as this week, when we shall have a better appreciation of their willingness to go along with the terms of the bill.
Meanwhile, what should we be doing? We need to keep up a steady drumbeat of letters to members of Congress. If you have not written recently, do so. If you have, then get a friend to write, with your help. If you live in the 6th district, ask Mr. Goodlatte to schedule a hearing. If you live in the districts of Eric Cantor or Thelma Drake ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill. And a little more heat on Senator Allen might bring him around.
The Honorable _________________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510The Honorable _______________
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Endangered Species Act
You will doubtless have heard (there has been a lot of sympathetic press coverage) that the House of Representatives has passed a disastrous revision of the Endangered Species Act. For this we have to thank Congressman Richard Pombo. However, all is not yet lost. The Senate has a better record on this matter than the House. Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chaffee is said to be preparing more moderate legislation to counter the excesses of the Pombo bill. Let your Senators hear from you about this critical matter.
The Hills of West Virginia
In developing a new Forest Plan, the Monongahela National Forest has been going through the same mind numbing process that is all too familiar with us on the Jefferson. The Draft Plan is now available for comment (see www.wvwild.org) and you will have until November 14th to weigh in on the various alternatives. As is usual with these things one is offered half a loaf. The “preferred alternative” contains four new wilderness study areas: Cheat Mountain, Cranberry Expansion, Dry Fork, and Roaring Plains West. These comprise about 27,700 acres, or 3% of the forest area. Matt Keller is leading the charge in favor of Alternative 3, which would be much more wilderness oriented, embracing 8 more WSA’s, including such gems as Middle Mountain, Spice Run, Gaudineer, and Seneca Creek. Our brethren in West Virginia have worked very hard to get as far as they have, and they deserve our full support.
*************************************
President: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911 (434-973-6693)
Vice-Pres: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, 11 E. Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540-662-7043)
Secretary: Laura Neale, 423 Sheep Creek Lane, Fairfield, VA 24435
Field organizer: Don Giecek, 19484 Running Cedar Ln., Maidens, VA 23229 (804-749-1992)