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Friends of Blackwater Canyon

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Friends of Blackwater Canyon Friends of Blackwater Canyon June 2005 501 Elizabeth St.reet Room 3, Charleston, WV 25311 • 304-345-7663 • www.saveblackwater.org • [email protected] Friends of Blackwater and the Smokey the Bear, don’t cut out the Wilderness Society submit joint scoping letter heart of Blackwater Canyon!! On May 31, Friends of Allegheny Wood Products, a timber Virginia’s Blackwater and The Wilderness Society company owned by John Crites, wants to “”natural submitted extensive comments to the turn the beautiful, world-class Blackwater treasure” (that’s Forest Service on the scope of the Canyon Trail – located on our public how Senator Blackwater Trail study and questioned National Forest land — into a commercial Robert C. Byrd the legal basis of AWP’s request. The logging road and an access road to AWP’s described the letter was also signed by the WV Rivers planned condominiums. Blackwater Can- Coalition, the WV Environmental Our United States Forest Service (yes, yon.) Council, the Ohio Valley Environmental Smokey the Bear and gang) owns the We must demand that our public Coalition, the WV Chapter of the Sierra land that AWP wants for its commercial officials speak out, and tell the Forest Club, and the WV Highlands Conser- logging road. Over ten thousand people Service not to destroy the natural vancy. We told the Forest Service to so far have told the Forest Service that integrity of the Blackwater Canyon. address the following: AWP’s request is a bad idea. Now, the Go to our website, saveblackwater.org, 1. Research on endangered species Forest Service is preparing an Environ- and follow our mailings and e-mails along the Trail and on lands that border mental Impact Statement (EIS) study of throughout the coming summer, to learn the Trail — where a logging road and AWP’s plan; with some results likely in how you can make your voice heard on intended land use changes to develop the fall of 2005. these important issues. condominiums sites will alter critical If you are one of more than 10,000 habitat. More endangered species have commenters so far to the Forest Service, Save This View been found in the area, including THANK YOU!! Without you, we never additional West Virginia flying squirrels, would have even seen an EIS study. Cheat Mountain salamanders, and Now the real work begins! Indiana bats raising young in the forests In the coming months, we must show in the Blackwater drainage. all of our public officials the horror that 2. Study cultural resources. New we feel at AWP’s plan to despoil West information is available from the West Virginia Division of Highways on the already prone to erosion and slippage. cultural resources in their Blackwater 4. AWP’s claim that they must have Trail Phase I study, published in May of access to the trail under ANILCA must 2003 which states that the trail is a be studied. Our lawyers say this law historically protected site. does not apply because the AWP prop- 3. De-watering of the Blackwater erty is not surrounded by federal land. River from a newly permitted mine See full comment letter at our website, should be studied. The reduction will saveblackwater.org. make the River more vulnerable to We will let you know when the EIS degradation from sediment from road Draft Alternative Plans for the Blackwa- building and development in an area ter Canyon Trail are published. Inside:Inside:Inside: Director’s Update ...................................... 2 North Fork Watershed News .............. 4 The Economics of National Parks ...... 8 Mountain Trail Rides ............................... 10 Tribute to Joseph Johnson ................... 2 Clifford Play Draws Large Crowd ...... 4 Bridge and Boardwalk for State Park 8 In Memory .................................................. 10 Diane Baisden and Sam Jinks .............. 3 Keep Dolly Sods Wild News Briefs .... 5 IMBA and National Parks Agree ......... 8 Charleston Fish Fry ................................. 11 Canyon Kids Club Winner .................... 3 Cheat Canyon Update ............................ 5 Spruce Country Signs of Summer ..... 9 Get Away to the Brookside Inn ........ 12 Legislative Update ..................................... 3 Summer Calendar of Events ............. 6,7 Davis: My Home Town ........................... 9 Membership Continues ........................ 12 Director’s Update Is this special place going to be taken Dear Friends, from us? Will bulldozers come and cut a For those of you new to the Blackwater wide raw swath of dirt and rock knock- Trail, it is a wonderful 10-mile-long hike ing down the beautiful evergreens and in the heart of the Canyon — starting at maples and poplars and cherries that line an elevation of 3,000 feet in Thomas, the Trail — on our public land — so that and dropping to 2,000 feet at Hendricks, AWP’s log trucks can haul timber out of where the Blackwater enters the Dry our Canyon? Fork. Everywhere along the Trail—a Will we let another precious part of wide, grassy path—there is water, with our West Virginia heritage be destroyed the river rushing below and small and shipped overseas? We can’t let this tributaries like Tub Run, Big Run, and happen!! Please send your letter to the Maple Run forming waterfalls and Forest Service and the Governor — with rivulets above, under, and below the a copy to us — letting them know how Trail. much you love Blackwater Canyon. Red spruce and hemlocks along the Trail are home to the endangered West Write to Bill Shields, Monongahela Virginia flying squirrel and Cheat The Blackwater Trail NF, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV Mountain salamander. Dramatic stone Canyon. Remote from civilization we 26241 and Governor Joe Manchin at archways act as culverts under the Trail, find peace and tranquility and feel at one 1900 Kanawha Boulevard E, Charles- and remind us that this was once the with nature — and blessed to live in a ton, WV 25305. steepest railroad grade in the East. This country where the natural world is still Trail contains all that we love about the revered. Judith S. Rodd, Executive Director In memory of Joseph “Joey” Johnson by fellow AmeriCorps members Linda Reeves, Cindy Phillips, Kip Ambro, Charles Barker, Amy Bonfiglio, Roxanne Hofer, Rod Newton, Holly Smith, Ellen Voss, and AmeriCorps advisors Eleanor Palko and Matt Quattro. Tribute to Joseph Johnson Joseph “Joey” Johnson was one of 10 learning Nature’s nuances and Above the canyon walls members of our AmeriCorps team. subtleties. This deep reverence for Nature Birds soaring the blue skies Together, in 2000 and 2001, we worked reflected a humanity beyond his years. We think of him. on community projects in Tucker and And his smile.....his smile would light up a Randolph Counties. It was a privilege room and just make the day go better. knowing Joseph and working with him. We miss you, Joey. His kindness, creativity and generosity of spirit inspired us. After the initiation ceremony into the AmeriCorps program in Charleston, Joseph asked us to come with him to the rotunda area of the Capital Building. There, much to our surprise and delight he walked to the center of the rotunda and began playing a beautiful melody on a wooden flute he had made. The acoustics were incredible and we felt honored to be a part of something so special. It was an amazing way to start our wonderful year of working together. Joseph was strongly connected to the Joey Johnson at Lindy Point atop the natural world: its birds and trees, walks Blackwater Canyon along mountain trails, observing and 1968-2001 Photo by Linda Reeves 2 Judy Rodd, President Our Volunteers Paul Hill, Vice President Jeannie Dalporto, Secretary Linda Cooper, Treasurer The King and Queen of Tucker County Recreation: Sandy Fisher Diane Baisden and Sam Jinks Board of Directors Sheila McEntee If you’re not quite sure how to begin Annie Dillard enjoying the exquisite beauty, adventure, Larry Groce and health of the highlands of West Jason Halbert Virginia, there’s only one place to start: David Hammer, Esq. Highland Scene Tours. Owners Sam Jinks Alan Karlin, Esq. and Diane Baisden have been sharing their love of the outdoors with visitors, Patrick McGinley, Esq. and expanding their business, for ten Deborah McHenry, Esq. years. J. Lawrence Smith Highland Scene Tours offers mountain Advisory Board Rafe Pomerance bike rentals, kayak rentals, snowshoe and Joe Rieffenberger cross country ski rentals, shuttle service, Steve White, Esq. nature/ecology tours, and overnight Christopher Wood biking trips. They book multi-day Work as a health consultant ultimately packages that include biking, whitewater lead to the purchase of a few mountain rafting, kayaking and horseback riding. bikes. Today, ten years later, Highland Judy Rodd, Director Highland Inn and Spa offers lodging, John Brown Scene Tours and Highland Inn and Spa exercise classes and four types of massage. have grown to offer many more services: Janel Ferron Staff Staff Both Sam Jinks and Diane Baisden cheery accommodations, exercise and Yoga Valerie Little have traveled long roads to be where they classes, massage therapy, and popular Emily Smaargo are today. Sam, originally from Texas, had outdoor adventures like mountain biking, a career in the navy that took him all over flat-water kayaking, back-country hiking, the world. He spent time in all parts of and much more. 2005 Legislation the U.S. and in Japan, Korea and Kuwait. Sam and Diane are also active on the Sam occasionally worked at recreation Davis/Thomas Business Committee of the The staff, board of directors, facilities on military bases, which pro- Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia and advisory members of vided some of the background he would Ecotourism Association, and the Allegheny Friends of Blackwater wish need to run an outfitting business. Highland Trail board. to thank Senator John A Mingo County native, Diane worked Sam and Diane opened their new Yoder and Delegate as a schoolteacher for the Department of outfitter store on Front Street in Thomas Sharon Spencer for Defense.
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