FREE AppalachianThe Voice February/March 2015

On the Trail of the Past Appalachia’s Frontier History Revival

Cleaning Up Coal Ash The Saga Continues

Bristol: The Cradle of Country Music

Lake Sturgeon Ancient Fish, Modern Recovery ss A The ppalachian OICE cro ppalachia A V A Note from Our Executive Director A Environmental News From Around the Region A publication of 2014 was a remarkable and exceptionally busy year for Appalachian Voices. We responded to a string of envi- AppalachianVoices ronmental crises, uncovered coal industry violations of unprecedented scale, and advanced groundbreaking energy Mountain lion shot in Bourbon savings projects — all while strengthening our organization to take our work to the next level. We’ve charted an ambi- An Early Warning for the Birds By the Numbers NC: 171 Grand Blvd., Boone, NC 28607 • 828-262-1500 By Kimber Ray 1 County, Ky., this December, mark- VA: 812 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-6373 By W. Spencer King of northeast Tennessee for tracking re- tious course of action for 2015 to pursue our shared vision for Appalachia’s future: ing the first confirmed sighting since DC: 122 C St NW, Ste 240, Washington, DC 20001 • 202-266-0479 search. They incidentally noticed this • With just two years left in the Obama presidency, we’re escalating our pressure on the administration to crack Just before tornadoes devastated 10 million before the Civil War; the question of unusual out-of-season migration while Visitors to Great Smoky Mountains down on mountaintop removal coal mining. Recent court decisions affirm the EPA’s authority, and with abun- several central and southern states in whether it had wild or captive origins AppalachianVoices.org | [email protected] National Park last year, the most of any dant scientific evidence incriminating the practice, there’s no excuse not to. looking at data following the storms. remains under investigation Editor...... Jamie Goodman April 2014, one group noticed the warn- national park in the country, followed by Streby told scientific journal Cur- Managing Editor...... Molly Moore • On Capitol Hill, we’ll leverage our strong relationships to defend against attacks on environmental protections. ing signs and fled to Florida. the Blue Ridge Parkway rent Biology that the birds were most Associate Editor...... Kimber Ray • We’ll continue working with our partners in Kentucky and elsewhere in Appalachian communities to hold lax Golden-winged warblers left their 800 Contributing Editor...... Brian Sewell likely alerted by the low-frequency Consecutive years that Virginia state Gallons of tree sap that spilled in south- officials and lawbreaking coal companies, such as Frasure Creek Mining, accountable in court. nests while the storms were more Contributing Editor...... Eliza Laubach 6 parks have achieved record attendance west Virginia this January and shut down • With new state and federal rules on coal ash disposal, 2015 is our chance to make sure Duke Energy and sounds that tornadoes produce. The Distribution Manager...... Lauren Essick than 250 miles away. The birds breed half of a gas station parking lot Editorial Assistant...... Dac Collins sounds, which are below what humans North Carolina leaders keep their promises to stop coal ash pollution and permanently close the sites threat- throughout the Appalachian region and Number of states where the Ten- Editorial Assistant...... Lorelei Goff ening communities (see p. 10). can hear, travel hundreds of miles. 7 Rank of Ashe County, N.C., among top Editorial Assistant...... Chris Robey migrate to South America for the winter. nessee Valley Authority has ended Earthquakes, avalanches and light- 1 Christmas-tree producing counties; Marketing Assistant...... W. Spencer King • As states work to comply with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan for cutting carbon pollution, Appalachian Henry Streby of University of its policy of removing all trees within the Ashe growers harvest about 12 percent of Graphic Design Assistant...... Katie Johnson Voices is engaging with citizens to demand robust clean energy initiatives, which would bring tremen- California Berkeley, along with Univer- ning also produce low-frequency sounds, utility’s right-of-way corridor that are, or could be, 15 feet high or taller the nation’s 17 million annual trees dous economic benefit to our region. sity of Tennessee scientists, tagged the and scientists note that golden-winged DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS: Jacqueline Andrusky, Alison Auciello, Karen warblers are unlikely to be the only Austin-Clayton, Debbie Bahr, Heather Baker, Becky Barlow, Aaron Barr, Shawn • We’re working with residents and officials in Tennessee and North Carolina to encourage electric cooperatives warblers in the Cumberland Mountains Becker, Bob Belton, Blue Smoke Coffee, Maria Bolton-Joubert, Charlie Bowles, to set up programs offering financing for home energy efficiency improvements. species using them as an early warning. Funding Cuts for Hazardous Waste Management Lynn Brammer, Ben Bristoll, Steve Brooks, Teri Crawford Brown, Derek Burke, • We’re expanding our work in southwest Virginia to advocate for alternatives to the ill-conceived Coalfields Sarah Smith Caskey, Charlie Chakales, Kim and Shay Clanton, Patty Clemens, EPA Cannot Regulate Lead in Ammunition By W. Spencer King News that money being cut from the Expressway (see p. 23) and bring much-needed economic diversity to an area that has Darlene Cunningham, Sister Beth Davies, Deborah Deatherage, Finley Dula, By Chris Robey spent ammunition and lead poisoning Starting this year, Kentucky’s hazard- budget was set aside in case of an ex- Nels Erickson, Lara Foster, Frank Frey, Charles Garratt, Dave Gilliam, Scott suffered too long from over-dependence on the coal industry. ous waste management fund will have $1 pensive hazardous waste emergency. Goebel, Lisa Goodpaster, Bruce Gould, Gary Greer, Kelly Griffin, Bill Harris, in wildlife spurred the U.S. Fish and • In North Carolina and Virginia, we’re opposing expansion of infrastructure for the natural A recent federal court ruling deter- million less to work with annually. Officials say funding cuts will make Susan Hazlewood, Sandy Heim, Sharon Helt, Paige Higginson-Rollins, Wildlife Service to ban lead buckshot for Some contaminated sites, such as it difficult for the state to coordinate Michael Hughes, Tim Huntley, Pamela Johnston, Mary K., Denny Keeney, gas industry, which would endanger communities and delay clean energy expansion. mined that the U.S. Environmental Pro- waterfowl hunting in 1991, but lead is old fuel refineries, will be abandoned cleanups and monitor hazardous sites Rose Koontz, Frances Lamberts, Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Debra Locher, Joy Please join us in these efforts to protect our home. Visit AppalachianVoices.org to sign tection Agency cannot regulate use of still permitted for other types of hunting. due to the tight budget. Tim Hubbard, that are not considered a federal priority. Lourie, Diane Lucas, Gail Marney, Mast General Store, Kathy McClory, Kim up for action alerts and get involved. lead ammunition, which raises concerns Greene McClure, Rich McDonough, Mike McKinney, Ed and Pam McNally, Raptors, like waterbirds, are especially assistant director of Kentucky’s Divi- The state legislature will vote to over the effects of spent ammunition on sion of Waste Management, told WDRB reauthorize the fund in June 2016. Steve Moeller, Nick Mullins, Catherine Murray, Don O’Dell, Bob Partida, Dave For our future, vulnerable to lead in the environment; Patrick, Bronwyn Reece, Martin Richards, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, raptors and other wildlife — especially exposure occurs when they eat con- Jenny Rytel, Debbie Samuels, Steve Scarborough, Gerry and Joe Scardo, as bald eagles rebound from dwindling Frank Schaller, Kathy Selvage, Brian Shults, Brenda Sigmon, Rachel Simon, taminated fish and carrion or directly populations during the 1960s. Lucy Spencer, Jennifer Stertzer, Zach Swick, Robert Thompson, Mike Wade, consume bullet fragments. Bill Wasserman, Dean Whitworth, Amy Wickham, Graham Williams, Barbara Tom Cormons, Executive Director The decision closely follows a gov- Some experts believe that promoting Williamson, Diana Withen, Zach Witt, Gabrielle Zeiger, Ray Zimmerman ernment spending bill that blocks the non-lead alternatives, such as copper Printed on 100% recycled newsprint, cover 40% recycled paper, all soy-based inks EPA from regulating lead in shot and bullets, would be more effective than fishing tackle. prohibition. Many hunters, however, environmental & cultural events See more at appvoices.org/calendar The well-documented link between GET INVOLVED remain skeptical of these alternatives. Come In and Appalachian Voices Webinar Series Virginia Native Plant niques and guide guests on the three mile delayed $8. The Purple Fiddle, 21 East Ave, Thomas, W. Join experts, impacted residents and Appala- Society Speaker Series harvest section of Big Snowbird Creek. Culinary Va. Visit mountainmusictrail.com/event WV Repeals Changes to Climate Science Standards ® chian Voices staff for an engaging conversation Feb. 22, 2-4 p.m.: At “Familiar Flora Amid Siberian classes on trout preparation. Snowbird Mountain Appalachian Studies Association By Chris Robey be open for public comment until mid- Smell the Spices! on issues featured in our newspaper. Upcoming Splendor,” learn about eastern U.S. ecology and Lodge, Robbinsville, N.C. Visit snowbirdlodge. Annual Conference February. In March, the board will vote how drifting continents, volcanoes and glaciation com or call (828) 479-3433 Following a heated public rebuke, the webinars in the series are “Health Hazards in the March 27-29: This year’s theme is “Many Moun- on final standards for the 2016-17 school Life Cycle of Coal” on March 5 and “Assessing created similarities to eastern Siberia’s plants. Free. West Virginia Board of Education reversed Hand-Mixed Spice Blends Tennessee Environmental Conference tains, Many Musics.” Keynote speaker is Margo year. If adopted, the standards will mark the Evolving Impact of Coal Ash,” scheduled for Tri-County Feeds Conference Room, 7408 John March 17-18: 14th annual conference features Miller, executive director of the Appalachian Com- its decision to alter newly proposed na- the first time West Virginia students are Gourmet Sea Salts mid-April. Learn more and register at appvoices. Marshall Hwy, Marshall, Va. Visit vnps.org/events presentations on statewide environmental con- munity Fund. $150-175/individuals, $100-125/ tional K-12 science education standards. required to study evidence supporting org/webinars or call Kimber at (828) 262-1500 2015 Sustainability Film Series cerns such as resource preservation, sustainable students; scholarships available. East Tennessee The board’s alterations would have Naturally-Flavored Sugars human-caused climate change. Banff Mountain Film Festival Feb. 24: Thin Ice | March 17: Surviving Prog- development and human and environmental State University, Johnson City, Tenn. Visit ap- required West Virginia teachers to frame Environmental and outdoor recreation films. Tour ress | April 21: Mission Blue |All films 7-9 p.m.: health. $250 before Feb. 27, $350 after Feb. 27. palachianstudies.org/annualconference or call The reversal comes just days after human-caused climate change as a debate Exotic Teas will visit Charlottesville, Va. March 8-9, Knoxville, Film series examining our planet’s environmental, MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention (866) 244-0626 the conservation group, Friends of the rather than an accepted body of evidence. Tenn. March 23, Boone, N.C. March 27-28, and economic and social challenges. Free. I.G. Greer Center, Kingsport, Tenn. Visit tnenvironment.com Environment Virginia Symposium Blackwater, released a report highlight- Gifts & Accessories Morgantown, W. Va. April 3. Visit banffcentre.ca/ Hall, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. Teachers and environmental groups Growing Appalachia March 31-April 2: Topics include sustainable de- ing rising temperatures in the state’s mountainfestival/worldtour Visit sustain.appstate.edu/2015filmseries velopment, energy and freshwater conservation. denounced the alterations as an attempt March 21, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.: Workshops on small- Allegheny Highlands region. View the Experience Your Smokies Clinch River Youth Summit scale farming, energy efficiency and renewables Prices vary from $50 for undergrads to $400 for to undermine peer-reviewed evidence ® report, titled “On the Chopping Block,” March 17: Blacksmithing at Mountain Farm Mu- Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: High school youth, sponsored by the Big Sandy chapter of Kentuck- businesses. Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, of climate change. The Spice & Tea Exchange at alleghenyclimate.org seum | March 24: Wildlife and vegetation manage- teachers and educators invited. Presentations ians for the Commonwealth. Donations accepted. Va. Visit vmi.edu/Conferences/EV/Environment_ The newly restored standards will 1087 Main Street | Blowing Rock, NC ment at Cataloochee | April 14: Air quality and trail on environmental stewardship projects. Tour Jenny Wiley Conference Center, Prestonburg, Ky. Virginia or call (540) 464-7361 828-372-7070 | [email protected] crew at Clingmans Dome | April 28: Fisheries, of Wetlands Estonoa. Free. Estonoa Learn- Visit kftc.org/events/growing-appalachia or call West Virginia Make It Shine Program About the Cover D. Rex Miller captured this image of a fern location TBA | May 9: Salamanders at Purchase ing Center, St. Paul, Va. Visit clinchriverva. (606) 263-4982 April 6-19: Statewide cleanup held the first two leaf embedded in snow on North Carolina’s wordpress.com/events or call (276) 679-1691 Knob | Full-day class sessions accompanying Corn Potato String Band weeks of April each year. Volunteers can receive Grandfather Mountain. Miller is a member of Appalachian Voices and a park employees; must attend all classes. $50. Purchase our unique Blue Ridge Mountain spice blend, and Snowbird Trout Festival March 27, 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m.: Authentic Appala- support to conduct cleanups on public lands. To native of Appalachia. He hopes his work instills a sense of the beauty and Register by Feb. 27. Visit friendsofthesmokies. we’ll donate 10% of the proceeds to Appalachian Voices! March 10-12: Four USA Fly Fishing Team mem- chian folk musicians who are champion fiddlers, be considered for cleanup assistance, submit ap- mystery of nature’s wild spaces. View his art at drexmillerphotography.com org/events.html or call (828) 452-0720 bers will teach casting/fly tying and stream tech- and also play banjo, guitar, bass and mandolin. plications by Feb. 28. Visit bit.ly/1zSPQ92 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 3 ross Appa a Ac lachi Preservation Gains Across Region Former Freedom Executives Indicted By Dac Collins and Lorelei Goff to seek permanent protection of the property was to preserve the scenic and for Elk River Chemical Spill At the end of 2014, several regional agricultural character of the land,” Page land trusts finalized a host of ease- By Kimber Ray avoid blame and protect his assets Dickson told the land trust. from lawsuits ments, conserving views, habitats and Federal prosecutors in December The Southern Appalachian Highlands In response to the spill, Gov. Earl cultural sites. charged the now-bankrupt Freedom Conservancy protected a 76-acre tract Ray Tomblin signed a bill to create the In a typical conservation easement, Industries and six former employees of land near Carver’s Gap in the Roan nation’s first requirement for inspec land trusts protect property from de- for criminal violations of the Clean - Highlands. With trout waterways, wildlife velopment that might affect ecological Water Act in relatation to the January tion of aboveground storage tanks, habitats and views from the Appalachian integrity, while private landowners 2014 chemical spill that contaminated according to National Geographic. Trail, this “jewel in the crown of the Roan” retain ownership. the water of more than 300,000 West As of mid-January, inspection certi- was on the land trust’s radar for 40 years. The Dickson family of Monroe Coun- Virginia residents. fications required for approximately In the highlands of southwestern ty, W.Va., recently donated their 600-acre The FBI released supporting docu- 20,000 of the state’s more than 47,000 North Carolina, The Highlands-Cashiers farm to the West Virginia Land Trust as ments showing that at least a decade aboveground tanks were not submit- Land Trust acquired the 48-acre Black a conservation easement. The family has before the spill, Freedom was warned ted by the Jan. 1 deadline and, of those Bear Trail property in Jackson County, owned Spring Valley Farm since Richard of problems at the Elk River site such submitted, nearly 1,100 did not meet N.C, increasing the size of a vital wildlife Dickson settled there in 1776. as critical deficiencies with the tank new safety requirements. corridor to more than 1,000 acres. The easement is ripe with heritage and containment wall that allowed Industry lobby groups have tried The Foothills Land Conservancy had and rural culture. Remnants of old mills chemicals to seep into the river. The to weaken the new chemical safety a record year and preserved more than and other historic structures are visible agency also reports that company bill, in one instance proposing changes 11,700 acres across southern Appalachia. along the banks of Second Creek as expenditures were almost exclusively that would exclude thousand of tanks The tracts range from 112 acres to 2,620 near drinking water sources from new it winds through the property. “One devoted to projects that would in- acres and are located in South Carolina, inspection and safety standards. of the motivating reasons we wanted crease revenue, rather than compli- Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee. Such changes could provide am ance with environmental regulations. - The Kentucky Creative Industry Report Former Freedom Industries Presi- nesty to Lexycon, a company cre- dent Gary Southern faces additional ated by former Freedom executives By Dac Collins technology and communications industry fraud charges related to the company’s three months after the spill. The new and it is significantly more than the esti- Arts advocates were thrilled when bankruptcy filing the month of the company has already been cited for mated 12,000 workers directly employed the Kentucky Arts Council released the spill. According to these charges, charges such as improper storage of by Kentucky’s coal mining industry. Kentucky Creative Industry Report this Southern, a company executive since MCHM — the chemical associated This 2.5 percent includes tradition- winter, the first report of its kind to fully 2009, falsely stated under oath to have with the notorious spill — and releas- al artists, such as painters, musicians acknowledge the contribution of the cre- assumed leadership with the company ing chemicals into waterways without and writers, as well as non-traditional ative industry to the state’s economy. only days before the spill in order to a permit. No fines have been issued. The creative industry accounts for artists, such as web designers, advertis- $1.9 billion in annual state revenue and ers and architects. approximately 2.5 percent of all employ- Bob Stewart, secretary of the state The Crooked Road Drives Mountain ment in the state, providing about 60,000 Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, says jobs. That is roughly equivalent to the the report finally gives supporters of the Music into Classrooms amount of jobs created by the information arts “the data we need to prove the arts’ significance economically.” By Lorelei Goff The course will give teachers the Virginia Highlands Community knowledge and techniques to present College recently announced the Crooked the region’s rich musical heritage to stu- Road course, a hybrid course taught in- dents in a multimedia format. Teachers class and online, for K-12 teachers will use their training to educate their students about old-time string bands, The Crooked Road, a living history a cappella gospel, blues, 300-year-old OM FFICIENT of Appalachian mountain music, me- H E ballads, bluegrass and more through anders through 333 miles of southwest audio/visual resources, live demonstra- Comfort, Efficiency, Savings Virginia. The tour, comprised of music tions and field trips. venues, museums and wayside exhibits, More information about the Building Performance Specialists providing: was conceived as part of the state’s ef- Crooked Road course can be found on Insulation • Weatherization • Enclosed crawlspaces • Energy audits forts to diversify economic development. the Virginia Highlands Community It has thrived so well that it’s driving Serving Watauga County, N.C. and surrounding counties College website: vhcc.edu. mountain music into K-12 classrooms. 828-773-3298 || [email protected] || homefficient.net

Page 4 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 5 Naturalist’s Notebook Hiking the Highlands The Lake Sturgeon The “Pinnacles” of Berea

A Dinosaur in the Tennessee River By Nick Mullins INDIAN FORT MOUNTAIN Journeying thirty miles south of By Dac Collins on the Tennessee River and Difficulty: Ranges from easy to Lexington on I-75, the low, undulating difficult The lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulve- its tributaries, and these hills of Kentucky farmland transform Mileage: Trails total 9 miles with scens, is the largest and longest-living obstructions prevented the • Male sturgeon reach sexual sturgeon from reaching into forested mountains rising to the a variety of options and distances freshwater fish native to the southeast- maturity at 14-15 years old, their spawning grounds. meet the sky. Tucked against the edge Cost: Free and open to the public ern United States. They can live for up to females between 15-20 With their populations deci of the Cumberland Plateau sits Berea, Contact: (859) 985-3587 or visit 150 years and there are recorded catches - years old; males spawn mated and their migration every other year, females a small town that began as a settlement www.berea.edu/forestry/indian-fort- of sturgeon that were over eight feet long mountain-trail every 2-3 years of abolitionists seeking to teach their and weighed more than 300 pounds. routes blocked off, the lake sturgeon that inhabited the message that “God has made of one In evolutionary terms, this primi- • When spawning, up to Tennessee River watershed blood all peoples of the Earth.” Berea is choices that heighten the tive fish has changed little since it swam fifty males may surround a The winter sun breaks through the clouds over Baker Hollow, one of the many striking vistas found were headed towards ex- now known for the college of the same sense of adventure on the among dinosaurs. The species has exist- single female along the 9-mile Indian Fort Mountain trail system. Photo by Nick Mullins name founded in 1855 that provides mountain. After only a short hesitation, ed since the Upper Cretaceous Period, tinction until restoration a tuition-free liberal arts education to I choose to go right, making the East Pin- 136 million years ago. Today, it is listed efforts began in 1995. • Lake sturgeon spend most Kitchen to see the icy cliffs and unique A former coal miner, Nick Mullins of their lives at the bottom students of limited means, and for the nacle my first destination. as either threatened or endangered in 19 Dr. Larry Wilson, a fish- rock formations? Or I could make my attends Berea College and is a volunteer of deep reservoirs but they town’s thriving arts and crafts industry. The trail wraps around the moun- of the 20 states within its historic range, eries management expert at way to the Indian Fort Overlook or distributor of The Appalachian Voice. To- spawn in shallow areas of Of the many extraordinary things tainside and makes for a pleasant walk including Tennessee, North Carolina, the University of Tennessee, the West Pinnacle to watch the town of gether with his wife and their two children, Graduate student Christina Saidak holds a young, healthy lake rivers with rocky or gravel Berea is known for, few realize too that before climbing further to the next split. Kentucky, Georgia and Ohio. Anglers is part of the Tennessee Berea waking from beneath the blanket the Mullins family spends their summers sturgeon at Fort Loudon Reservoir on the Tennessee River. bottoms and flowing water Berea is home to Kentucky’s largest Small pines droop over the trail under the in these states are required by law to River Lake Sturgeon Work- Photo by Keith Darner, University of Tennessee. Above right, of snow. I choose just to make a choice, speaking out against mountaintop removal privately managed forest — more than weight of ice and new snow, some bob- immediately release all sturgeon. ing Group, a cooperative a lake sturgeon at the Toledo Zoo searches for food along the each trail beckoning me, each bend add- coal mining through the Breaking Clean bottom of the aquarium. Photo by Flickr user Crow911. 8,400 acres owned by the college and bing up and down as I brush past them. Lake sturgeon were regarded as trash effortbetween state, federal ing eager curiosity to my hastening steps Tour. Nick is also known for his blog The maintained by the wonderful folks in Halfway along the ridge, fox tracks fish until the mid-19th century, when the and private organizations crunching through the fresh snow. Thoughtful Coal Miner. help of Christina Saidak, a graduate sturgeon’s ability to procreate in the their forestry department. What’s more, join the trail and keep me company, fishing industry realized the value of the to reintroduce lake stur- student at the University of Tennessee Tennessee River watershed depends the forest contains a variety of natural stopping only once from their stride to sturgeon’s eggs as caviar. At the time, the geon to the Tennessee River watershed. who has implanted acoustic telemetry entirely on whether or not they can suc- landmarks, many of which are accessi- perhaps observe a sound before con- caviar industry was young and extremely Members of the group include the U.S. transmitters in 49 sturgeon. Saidak cessfully navigate a complex system of ble to the public through nearly 12 miles tinuing on. I emerge from the darkness profitable, so there were no regulations Fish and Wildlife Service, the Tennessee says that “we are seeing both upstream dams. Those without locks, like Chero- of trail networks, including 9 miles that of the pines onto the rocks that form to speak of and boats harvested unsus- Wildlife Resources Agency, The Uni- and downstream movement of fish, kee Dam on the Holston and Douglas traverse Indian Fort Mountain. the East Pinnacle. Cold wind from the tainable numbers of fish. This vigorous versity of Tennessee and the Tennessee and we have seen positive weight and Dam on the French Broad, are dead ends At 8 a.m., I’m the first one in the valley rushes up to meet me as I stand overfishingcontinued for around a hun- Aquarium Conservation Institute. growth patterns similar to the weight for migrating sturgeon. parking lot of the Indian Fort Theatre, exposed on the bluff. I look down upon dred years and it was a major factor in the The first hatchery fish were released and growth patterns of lake sturgeon All nine dams on the main stem of which serves as the primary trailhead the homes dotting a patchwork of farms collapse of sturgeon populations. into the Tennessee River in 2000. Since elsewhere in their home range.” the Tennessee, however, have naviga- to the Indian Fort Mountain trail system below, watching thin blue lines of All waterways in the United States then, the group has stocked approxi- The ultimate goal of the project is tional locks, and the locks at many of and the scenic “Pinnacles.” The night smoke rise from their chimneys. were closed to commercial sturgeon mately 150,000 fingerlings — juvenile to restore a self-sustaining population these dams are now being held open dur- brought with it a fresh snow that cov- The silent cold of winter sharply fishing by the 1970s. By that time, the sturgeon — in the Upper Tennessee of lake sturgeon to the Tennessee River ing certain times of the year in order to ers the trees. Small clumps fall to the contrasts with the sounds of Mountain Tennessee Valley Authority had built and its tributaries, including the Clinch, watershed, but this could take years — enhance the potential for migratory fish ground as a slight breeze shuffles the Day from years past, when dozens of dams throughout the South, including Holston and French Broad rivers. Wilson monitors the fish with the even decades — since the species takes to move through. “Thirty years ago, no- leafless canopy of limbs and branches. Berea College students gather on the an unusually long time to reach sexual body thought about it or cared about it,” My lungs are invigorated as I take a East Pinnacle to hear the college’s choir maturity. Females might not produce says Dr. Wilson, “but biologists are now deep breath of the clean, crisp air and sing as the sun rises from beneath the eggs until their twentieth year, which making water control officials aware of the foggy breath I exhale signals the distant mountains. I close my eyes to see is still five years away for even the spawning patterns of different fish and beginning of my trip into solitude. the brilliant reds and yellows of fall and first reintroduced sturgeon. But Saidak their movements, so there is quite a bit Tracks of squirrel and rabbit cross the the bright smiles of people clapping and has reasons to be optimistic: “We have of coordination between the two.” path in front of me. The first half-mile of dancing to fiddle music after the choir Energy Efficient, Non-Toxic, identified potential spawning and The restoration efforts of the Ten- the trail begins with a gentle grade and has finished singing up the sun. Environmentally Responsible staging areas through direct observa- nessee River Lake Sturgeon Working a small creek crossing before climbing I trek the half-mile back to the last Residential Construction tion and reports collected from local Group are contingent upon the coop- steeply up several switchbacks that cause split in the trail, this time taking the Licensed General Contractor fishermen. Within the next ten years eration of water control officials with my heart to pump harder and harder. Lookout Trail where another steep climb Serving the High Country or so, we hope to see some [evidence fishery biologists and a continued I pause to take my outer jacket off quickens my breath with a variety of of spawning sturgeon].” moratorium on commercial fishing. If and listen to the near silence of the snow, switchbacks. Reaching the top of Robe Because they have to migrate long these conditions are met, the primitive interrupted only by a small creaking from Mountain I consider my choices of trails distances in order to spawn, sometimes lake sturgeon might once again thrive the canopy above. I continue upward to and destinations. The Eagle’s Nest or the sunnydayhomesinc.com | [email protected] | 828.964.3419 swimming hundreds of miles, the lake in the Tennessee River. the first split in the trail, one of the first Buzzard’s Roost? Perhaps the Devil’s Page 6 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 7 This GREEN House Smoke in the Hills: Wood Stoves in Appalachia By Eliza Laubach Although chimneys take wood smoke Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn outside, Doll says, particulate matter Wise website. A damper, which reduces An inexpensive heat source and can pollute the home through a leaky updraft through the chimney and keeps Families Win Energy Savings supply of wintry comfort, the cast-iron stove and when opening the door to add the fire from going out, may help to stove’s nostalgic character holds strong By Eliza Laubach and Sarah Kellogg to make them more comfortable wood. In addition, she found that smok conserve wood, but dampers increase in Appalachia. Up to 30 percent of home- - and healthy while lowering their pollution so it is best to use them only at Amidst children’s toys, juice bottles owners in the region are estimated to use ing indoors increases particulate matter energy bills. night or when away from home. and furniture, a plastic tube snakes wood stoves as a primary heat source, levels enough to mask the effect of wood The true root of energy Dry wood boosts a stove’s perfor through Sean Dunlap’s home in Boone, according to a survey of census data. smoke pollution in a home. - N.C. The front door to the 1930s farm- efficiency lies both under and Burning a low fire releases more mance. The higher the wood’s moisture above a home: the attic and Some cherish wood heat as a renew- house is covered in thick, red plastic and able, inexpensive energy source that off- particulate matter, according to the U.S. content is, the more energy it takes to a giant fan is depressurizing their house. crawlspace. Insulating and ignite the log and less energy is available air-sealing a house’s uncon- sets fossil fuel use, but wood stoves have John Kidda, a local home energy contrac- been under fire in recent years for smoke for heating, according to the EPA. Soft- tor, walks through the house holding a tool ditioned spaces makes a huge Best Burn Practices woods such as pine, cedar and hemlock impact on the comfort within pollution. Researchers have found evi- that produces a visible vapor. He watches are less dense, translating into less energy the house and cuts costs on the dence of particulate matter air pollution 1. Burn mostly hardwood. Soft- to see if the vapor is sucked through the potential. Efficient fire management and home's energy bill. as a result of wood stove use in areas of wood bark is deeply furrowed wall or stays floating in the air. an EPA-certified wood stove can counter The average person spends In his home, Zach Dixon, right, talks with Rory the west and northeast, while the central and the wood has a reddish tinge. Check for an EPA-certified metal label on the back The procedure Kidda is running, bring his house in alignment with cur- McIlmoil of Appalachian Voices about his high the damage stoves pose to the environ- of a wood stove. If manufactured before 1992, the about 40 percent of their energy bill on and southern Appalachian valleys have 2. Firewood should season for at called a blower door test, is part of a rent building code. Weatherstripping will heating bills. Photo by Jaimie McGirt ment and health. wood stove is inefficient, says the EPA. Photo by heating and cooling, and about 30 per- received less scrutiny. Despite being least six months. Properly dried complete energy audit, which tracks also be installed around his garage door The EPA estimates 75 percent of Jamie Goodman cent of conditioned air is lost through blamed for pollution, wood stoves can wood has cracks in the end grain all the places where energy is lost, es- and attic hatch, and the crown moulding quality concerns. Woodie and his wife, wood stoves in peoples’ homes are not ceilings, floors and walls. Many homes be an efficient, low-impact heating source and sounds hollow when hitting wood stove lines (see page 15). pecially where heated air is escaping. will be caulked throughout his house to Thelma, have also noticed that the certified by the agency’s 1988 standard in the Appalachian region are old and when operated and maintained correctly. against another log. Gary Yoder, sales manager at High According to Kidda, the average cover gaps that allow cold air to enter and room farthest away from their furnace because they were purchased before the not updated to current building codes Dr. Susan Doll, assistant professor of 3. Keep your fire burning hotmost Valley Stoves out of Abbeville, S.C., says home has the equivalent of an open heated air to escape. is always the coldest, due to their leaky EPA regulated wood stoves, although a that require more insulation. Technology and Environmental Design at of the time. Regularly cleaning some manufacturing companies cannot window’s worth of air leaks. For Dun- Thirty miles away in Ashe County, and uninsulated ductwork. modern stove will surpass that standard. Zach Dixon, who is out of work due Appalachian State University, found that out the ashes allows proper air afford the investment caused by the new lap, the age of his house combined with Vance Woodie, a retired Korean War The contractors plan to completely An updated rule was released February to a serious medical ailment, uses space stove operations have a major impact on intake to keep a fire burning hot. rule. John Ackerly, president of the wood- the style of wood-slat walls and ceilings veteran, lives with his wife in a turn-of- replace, seal and insulate Woodie’s 4, so most wood stoves manufacturers heaters to heat his house and chroni- indoor air quality through her limited Source: epa.gov/burnwise heat advocacy group Alliance for Green equals a leakier home. the-century home that was once heated ducts, which is very important for those will have to redesign and recertify their cally struggles to pay his electric bill. research on wood stoves in Appalachia. continued on p. 15 Dunlap is among three homeown- by a coal stoker furnace. The ducts were with central heating, to ensure that all The two bedrooms in his house are over ers in the North Carolina High Country never replaced when he upgraded to an the heat generated by the furnace reach- an uninsulated garage, which creates a who are benefitting from insulation and oil furnace, and the air intake is in the es the conditioned areas of the house. major heat sink. Zach previously used air-sealing upgrades in their homes. basement, which is still littered with As for Sean Dunlap, he is looking a wood stove in his garage, and had cut They won an energy contest held by coal. “I guess that’s why the dust still forward to a tighter house this winter out a hole in the hallway floor so that Appalachian Voices to raise awareness comes in thick in the house,” Woodie so his children, who are the fifth gen- the heat would rise into his house. He about how homeowners would benefit says when told of the air quality issue. eration to live there, will have a home no longer uses the wood stove due to a from energy efficiency upgrades and Though most homes do not have to play and grow in without feeling a fire scare, however, and the only barrier programs to finance them. Dunlap, along coal dust floating around, many houses persistent chill. The comfort of his kids, between the two spaces now is a rug. with Zachary Dixon of Boone and Vance have ductwork traveling through Dunlap says, is the greatest prize he Woodie of West Jefferson, won free en- According to Dixon, he hopes his moldy spaces, a cause for indoor air could have won. ergy audits and special energy upgrade electricity will be more affordable once packages. Local home energy contrac- his house is adequately insulated. Con- tors, who donated to the contest, will tractors will install insulation on the Insulation and Air-sealing Are the Root of Energy Efficiency soon begin work on the winners’ houses ceiling of his garage and in his attic to • Apply caulk around doors and windows to greatly reduce the draftiness of your house. Antique Reclaimed Lumber, Flooring, • Insulation installed in attics should rise Mike Windhom’s Millwork, Log Cabins and Beams above the rafters and be about six to 10 We are dedicated to the preservation of our remaining inches thick. Blown cellulose insulation can old-growth forests and sincerely believe they should be old wood left as a legacy to our future. be displaced by wind, so be sure to have correct dampers in place at the eaves. • Crawlspace insulation should be in di- rect contact with the floor of the house, not hanging down. The moisture barrier should be facing up with the insulation facing down. • When sealing ductwork, use mastic paint, not tape, to create a lasting seal. John Kidda, a home energy contractor, www.mikewindhomsoldwood.com • [email protected] • 276.744.2505 prepares a blower door test at Sean Dunlap’s home. Photo by Eliza Laubach Page 8 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 9 Despite the status of Duke Energy’s Belews Creek coal ash pond as the largest in the state, this site, located just 35 miles upstream from the Dan River spill site, is not slated for high-priority cleanup. On Jan. 31, local grassroots group Residents for Coal Ash Coal Ash Cleanup and Appalachian Voices gathered to protest continued inaction. Photo by Jaimie McGirt “There’s still a thou- should be public under federal law, you MANAGEMENT sand-plus tons of coal ash can’t go to a website like in North Caro- in the river, so for the EPA lina, you need to go to the agency office to say [the river’s] back and stand there all day with a scanner Long-Awaited, Still Debated to pre-spill conditions and huge boxes of hard copy discs.” By Kimber Ray the city of Eden. Under the ensuing is totally irresponsible,” Since North Carolina’s system glare of public attention, last Au- Williams states. was put in place in 2010, reports have State regulators have known about gust state legislators passed what revealed that sites at all 14 of Duke toxic groundwater contamination near Citizen amounts to today’s toughest rules Energy’s coal-fired power plants have Duke Energy’s coal-fired power plant Enforcement on coal ash in the nation. been polluting local water sources. This in Salisbury, N.C., for years. North Carolina’s claim to One widely praised pre-existing water quality data for North Since 2011, officials have disclosed aspect of the federal rule regulatory fame is a source of palachian Voices, the publisher of this Carolina sites may require the state to more than 226 water quality test viola- is a requirement for all coal ash sites to major disappointment for many Coal Ash paper — that brought the EPA to fulfill close coal ash impoundments earlier tions near the Salisbury plant that bear Continued from previous page install water quality monitoring wells environmental and public health this promise in 2014. than current state-mandated deadlines similarities to coal ash, the hazardous within the next two years and disclose advocates across Chronically Lax Even if the rules had arrived sooner, because, once groundwater violations byproduct that remains after burning this data online in order to aid citizen the country, who Oversight however, it’s unlikely the new regula- are discovered, federal law requires the coal for electricity. enforcement. had hoped to see tions could have prevented last year’s facility to close within five years. Of course, regulators decided to Sites such as the Dan River are just “In some Southeast states right a stronger coal ash disaster on the Dan River. Final wording But, as Harrison warns, “It’s not play it safe — for the power indus- the tip of the ashburg — a word used now, it can be next to impossible to rule passed by the Guilford College students, above, in front of the retired of the federal rule — which, at press quite so cut and dry. The federal law also try, that is. The N.C. Department of to describe the hulking masses of coal get all the information about a given U.S. Environmental Dan River Steam Station during a river outing with the time, had yet to be published — sug- provides second chances for the compa- Environment and Natural Resources’ ash that decorate the scenes of spills. Al- facility and understand what’s going Protection Agency Dan River Basin Association in 2013. The association gests that it would not allow the EPA ny to demonstrate that it has the problem repeated claims that perhaps the pol- has long promoted citizen water quality testing as a vital though the exact number is unknown, on,” explains Harrison of Waterkeeper this December. to require the removal of coal ash from under control in some other way.” lution was simply a natural occurrence component of healthy waterways. Photo by Brian Williams more than 1,000 coal ash disposal sites Alliance. “If you want records that The cumulative inactive ponds at shuttered facilities like Continued on p. 18 were a predictable line of defense when No effective controls prevent coal ash from blowing into the are located in 37 states. costs of weak coal the one that spilled. considering that historically, the regula- neighboring community at this combustion waste landfill, According to a 2011 analysis of ash regulations are tory directive on coal ash might as well pictured left, near the Cane Run power plant in Jefferson County, state regulations by the nonprofit law No rule can mend the botched tremendous. In a have been “look away.” Ky. Photo courtesy Kentuckians For The Commonwealth organizations Earthjustice and Appa- cleanup of the Dan River, which did not 2014 analysis of just Though that could prove a difficult ing nearby surface and groundwater oversee enforcement. lachian Mountain Advocates, some of begin in earnest until six months after five of Duke Energy’s 14 power plant feat for the second largest source of with toxic levels of pollutants such as But while all new coal ash waste pro- the most dangerous and least-regulated the spill. “The coal ash is now too bur- sites in North Carolina, Dr. Dennis industrial waste in the United States, arsenic, lead, mercury and selenium. duced by Duke Energy must be dried and ponds are in Appalachia. Low numbers ied by sediment to ever fully remove,” Lemly, a research biologist with the U.S. government officials have achieved this “The EPA spent years developing stored in lined landfills, how the state of water quality violations in Kentucky remarks Williams from the Dan River Forest Service and an associate profes- with astounding finesse. this rule and turning up lots of evi- law will address the utility’s existing 33 may seem to indicate otherwise until Basin Association. sor at Wake Forest University, estimated Despite more than 150 federally ac- dence on how dangerous coal ash is,” unlined surface impoundments remains considering that, as has been the case in Only about six percent of the coal that environmental and economic im- knowledged cases of water contamina- says Pete Harrison, an attorney for the to be seen. The state rule requires all coal most states, there are no groundwater ash was removed, but, with the ash pacts totaled almost $2 billion. tion and several notorious spills, mea- nonprofit Waterkeeper Alliance. “In the ash ponds to close by 2029, but so far, monitoring requirements for coal ash now covered, Williams says water “As far as what’s happening on sures such as water quality monitoring, end, they gave in to intense political only four are marked as high-priority disposal sites in Kentucky. tests no longer show any levels of coal the ground right now, there’s been no safety inspections and protective liners pressure and turned in an extremely and slated for relocation to lined landfills. In Tennessee, more than six years ash contaminants such as arsenic and change [either nationally or in North for coal ash ponds remain rare on the weak and minimally enforceable rule.” Closure plans for the other 29 sites, have passed since a poorly constructed mercury. This means the river is safe for Carolina],” Lemly says. “These rules state level and, until this past December, Although the federal rule sets to be announced by the end of the year, dam at the Kingston Fossil Plant col- recreational use such as paddling, but still allow surface impoundments of nonexistent on the federal level. minimum standards for the disposal may permit ash to remain in unlined lapsed and unleashed more than one local residents remain concerned about coal ash, which is really the root of all “There are plenty of people who and monitoring of coal ash, the EPA will ponds with an impermeable clay cap billion gallons of coal ash across hun- the inevitable arrival of annual winter evil in terms of fish and wildlife damage say ‘I really don’t care, I just want a neither enforce these regulations nor installed on top. This cap-in-place type dreds of acres and into two rivers. State floods, which will stir up the coal ash that we’ve seen for many, many years.” job,’” states Brian Williams, program require states to do so. If a state chooses of closure, also permitted by the federal officials have yet to enact even the most and sweep it across adjacent farmlands. manager for the Dan River Basin As- Familiar Disappointments not to adopt the rule, the only enforce- law, could allow toxic waste to leach basic of regulations, such as annual in- Another concern is the gradual buildup of toxic contaminants in fish and sociation, which works to protect and Under the new federal rule passed ment will be through citizen litigation into groundwater indefinitely. spections of massive containment dams wildlife. During the initial impact, many promote that river. “And I understand this December, coal ash disposal will after a problem has already occurred. Another unresolved problem is like the one that failed. bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrates that: people need to eat and they need now be held to safety standards simi- States are free to take greater initia- where to relocate coal ash from Duke’s Although this historic 2008 spill such as mussels, clams and crayfish were a job. But they also need to drink, and lar to those for household trash — and tive and craft more restrictive standards, ponds that are being emptied out. The prompted the EPA to promise the na- choked by the coal ash, and Williams has you can’t live without water.” that’s an improvement. Unlike munici- though on that front, North Carolina utility is already grappling with this tion’s first coal ash rule, it was a 2012 little doubt that conditions will worsen The most recent high-profile coal pal landfills, coal ash waste sites were stands alone. Unlike the federal rule, the issue at its four high-priority sites. Cur- lawsuit brought by a coalition of en- over time. ash spill occurred in North Carolina in not historically required to have liners North Carolina Coal Ash Management rent plans to haul millions of tons of ash vironmental groups — including Ap- February 2014, when more than 30,000 and, consequently, many don’t. The lim- Act could put an end to the nationally to landfills in Chatham and Lee counties To discuss the evolving impacts of coal ash, join our upcoming webinar conversation this tons of ash emptied into the Dan River ited available data indicates that nearly popular method of coal ash disposal have proven controversial, and resi- April with a panel of experts including Amy Adams, North Carolina campaign coordina- from a containment pond at Duke En- all unlined ponds are seriously impair- — storage in unlined, wet surface dents continue to rally in opposition. tor with Appalachian Voices and a former regional supervisor for the N.C. Department of ergy’s retired coal-fired power plant in impoundments — and the state will Continued on next page Environment and Natural Resources. Visit appvoices.org/webinars Page 10 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 11 By Matt Grimley encourage local residents to think back on the land and A small clay bead. A hunk of carved soapstone. its layered history, and to help conserve it. A shattered pipe. After building their fort, the Spanish lasted only “You can’t put a shovel in the ground at the 18 months in the Appalachians. The native people, Berry Site without finding artifacts,” says David realizing their gifts of food and services would not Moore, an archaeology professor at Warren Wilson be reciprocated, burned down the strange forts and killed all but one soldier. The Spanish failure opened Warren Wilson College field school students help uncover College outside of Asheville, N.C. Appalachia’s 16th-century Spanish history at the Fort San Before Sir Walter Raleigh or the Puritans, there the way for the English and the dramatic morphing Juan excavation site near Morganton, N.C., in June 2014. Photos courtesy Warren Wilson Archaeology Lab were the Spanish. Since nearly the start of the 1500s, of the American frontier. they had marched through swamps and forests The Sense for Change into the heart of the yet-to-be United States. They At the center of preserving history is the growing very aware of their significance, and that is unfortu- Lost Time were fresh from conquests of native populations in market of heritage tourism, where travelers schedule along the cruel march to their new home in Oklahoma. nate,” she says in an email. The race to save history has always been a race Central and South America, and they wanted more. their vacations around historical landmarks. It’s a History, whether good or bad, provides a sense More than 40,000 visitors come every year to against time. Stories fade without frequent telling, and More state-level societies to manipulate for their booming industry, according to a 2009 study from the of place. And more and more, Wood says, communi- Serpent Mound, a little more than an hour east from for Sam Compton, who is married to a descendent of economic gain. More silver. More gold. U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, ties want to build their own place in history. Cincinnati — which, incidentally, was built over an Daniel Boone, the retelling of Boone’s story is personal. In 1566, Juan Pardo and his troops built six forts with more than 110 million heritage-driven tourists earthwork. Tourists at the serpentine effigy can visit Compton, as president of the Boone Society, as they plowed from the Carolina coast to the Ap- What Could Have Been pumping $192 billion into the U.S. economy every year. a museum, walk on trails and take in the panoramic wanted to make a more perpetual reminder of his palachians. Historians knew the locations of these Many communities find that investment into It winds through the rolling farmland and forests view from an observation tower. backcountry legacy. Using his background as a busi- forts from Spanish documents, but no supporting landmarks yields more money. The Appalachian of southern Ohio, lifting just above the Earth, stretch- Unlike other earthworks, Serpent Mound was nessman, he began the process of making a heritage archaeological evidence had ever been found. Regional Commission reported in 2010 that every 40 ing to 1,348 feet long and weighing innumerable tons. not a burial site. It holds no attributable artifacts. trail called the Boone Trace Corridor. That is, until a couple years back. The Berry Site, cents the federal agency spent on tourism projects The Serpent Mound, under consideration for Instead, current research suggests it may have been The corridor of roadside stops would follow the located on a tributary of the Catawba River near Mor- spurred another dollar in private investment. In the UNESCO World Heritage site status, is the world’s built to direct spirits of the dead to farther-on resting footsteps of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone. In ganton, N.C., was home to the Native American town case of Burke County, N.C., for example, where Joara largest surviving example of an animal effigy spots. Nearby conical burial mounds suggest the 1775, on the eve of the country’s independence, he was of Joara, as well as Fort San Juan, which the Spanish and Morganton are located, tourism jobs increased mound. A huge number of original earthworks in builders may have been from the Adena Culture paid by the Transylvania Company to take 30 axmen built in 1567. After digging for years, Moore’s group 5.8 percent in 2013 alone. That’s the largest jump Ohio — placed along livable rivers and arable val- or the Fort Ancient Culture, whose timeframes run and clear a path for settlers from the Cumberland finally uncovered a ditch outlining the fort, giving in such jobs out of any North Carolina county that leys — are already destroyed. separate from each other by more than a millennia. Gap about 119 miles north to Fort Boonesborough, Ky. life to what they had only read of. year, says Ed Phillips, director of the Burke County Serpent Mound, thankfully, was protected from “I think the modern people of Appalachia have a The trail currently passes a handful of historic Now they had to show it to the world and Tourism Development Authority. the get-go, says Crystal Narayana, program director lot in common with the ancient Native Americans,” cities, state parks and museums. Under Compton’s keep it safe. History abounds underfoot, and yet material for the Arc of Appalachia, which manages the site Narayana says. They lived off the land, hunted, guidance, and with help from more than 120 state and “Preservation in archaeology is a tricky subject,” preservation is often facilitated only by a single as well as thousands of acres of regional wilder- gathered nuts and grew gardens. Native American local partners, the path will expand to include more says Moore. “For us, preservation involves as much mean: ownership. ness and historical sites. The mound was made a blood persists in the region, though lessened from sites and a series of self-guided education stations education as anything else.” “To control your own destiny,” says Rick Wood, publicly-accessible archaeological park in the late earlier times, and preserving this place of mystery along the road. “The more places that you can create Moore’s archaeological team is composed of Tennessee state director of the Trust for Public Land, 1800s, and has been in the hands of Ohio History may be just one more important step to connecting within your county, [the more the tourists will] slow students and fellow academics. They work mainly “you have to buy a piece of property.” Landown- Connection for more than 100 years. Dense forest with the shared past. the traffic down and they’ll spend more money in that with private landowners who are will- ers, he says, can also protect the land in perpetuity buffers the 60 acres and a tributary of Ohio Brush county,” says Compton. ing to preserve their sites and allow through an easement, a legal arrangement where Creek, home to endangered fish and mus- access to researchers. an organization preserves the property and the sels, from potential development. continued on p. 15 History, it seems, is lost every day: landowner receives money or tax benefits in return. A few earthworks exist in government Trailing the Past already, Christmas tree nurseries and Bequesting land in a will to a favored organization or nonprofit hands, Narayana says, but Lewis & Clark Overmountain Victory other landscaping projects have ruined will also do the job of preservation. many lie with private owners, who may Eastern Legacy Trail: Trail of Tears: National Historic Trail: about 25 potential research sites in the Wood notes that even in rural places, historical not always have preservation in mind. Though still needing a final study A section of the the Unicoi Turnpike The Overmountain Men of the Ap- area. Moore notes that Exploring Joara, an preservation garners growth. In Charleston, Tenn., Twice, she says, the Arc of Appalachia has and congressional approval, a pro- Trail — one of the oldest known trails in palachian frontier won the Battle of Kings educational archaeology nonprofit that he for example, the community has invested in trails stepped in to save earthwork sites from posed road route would follow the pair’s North America — was used by prehis- Mountain and helped win the Revolu- fascinating trip back to Monticello and toric Americans, later tribes and Euro- tionary War. Nowadays, you can follow helped to create, brings in school groups and a greenway around its historical Fort Cass, which the auction block. Her organization, which Washington, D.C, from Louisville, Ky. pean settlers before serving as part of these frontiersmen’s footings through and kids to their dig sites. The group’s At Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, reenactors served as an internment camp for Cherokee, Creek and has saved 4,000 acres of wilderness and Did you know Lewis took an astronomi- the Trail of Tears for Cherokee and Creek 330 miles of roadways or a separate 87 commemorate the first crossing of the gap by European interpretive center has also helped edu- enslaved African Americans at the beginning of the historical sites since 1995, will soon start cal observation at the Cumberland Gap tribes. A two-and-a-half mile segment of miles of walkable paths from Virginia settlers in 1775. The trail marker denotes the beginning of cate local governments, businesses and Trail of Tears in 1838. Of the 15,000 people who were fundraising to buy another site back from in 1806? Or that Clark was a month the trail was recently transferred to the to South Carolina. Fun enough to start the Boone Trace pathway at the park. Photo by Roberta Mills, people, totaling more than 10,000 contacts forcibly removed from their homes, it is likely that a mining company. behind Lewis because he was courting U.S. Forest Service for public access another Whiskey Rebellion! Boone Society, Inset photo by Sam Compton a Louisville woman? and preservation. just last year. He hopes that Joara will several thousand died in such internment camps or “The people who live here are just not Photo by Malcolm Wilson Smoke in the Hills Preserving History Continued from p. 9 wood and coal. The researchers assessed Continued from p. 13 poverty levels and solid fuel use as a pri- Tourists are no longer the byprod- Heat, doesn’t entirely buy the industry mary heating source across the country, uct of historic preservation; they are argument, however, but is well aware that and they found a high coincidence of the mechanisms by which it happens. As many families cannot afford to upgrade two. Out of 117 U.S. counties designated such, Compton is focused on mak- their stoves. as high priority for research on health ing an adventure of the Boone Trace. To alleviate this problem while im- effects of household air pollution from Towns and highways block a fully proving air quality, the EPA sponsors burning solid fuels, 34 were in the Ap- walkable trail such as the Appalachian wood stove change-out programs. Bill palachian region. Trail, but the corridor can still step off Beachy, who facilitated such a program Modern designs have increased Bristol Museum Celebrates Birthplace of Country Music to dramatic destinations. Just off the in Christiansburg, Va., upgraded 20 low- wood stoves’ efficiency, but some also By Megan Northcote portable recording studio inside the Taylor- The number of original instru- road, beyond the education stations income families’ stoves, some made of tin increase impact on the environment and Christian Hat Company on State Street. ments on display include a Gibson and history signage, visitors could When Salt Lake City native Thomas and burning whatever was available, to health. The EPA’s new rule brings these Over the course of 10 days, he record- harp guitar, Maybelle Carter and step in the exact footsteps of Daniel Richardson took a family trip to the city modern, efficient wood stoves. new types of stoves under regulation. ed 76 songs by 19 different acts originating Jimmy Rodger’s guitars, and an auto- Boone, canoe the rivers, walk the trails of Bristol, on the Virginia-Tennessee line, In rural central Appalachia, wood Pellet stoves, which burn processed saw- View of the ancient Serpent Mound in southeast from New York to Atlanta, including yo- harp made for A.P. Carter’s daughter, and take horses into the backcountry. in 2003, he had to admit he was a little heat is especially used for its low-cost dust compacted into pellets, are cleaner Ohio. Photo courtesy Arc of Appalachia deling sensation Jimmie Rodgers, Ameri- Janette, built from wood reclaimed Activity becomes meaning felt through disappointed. benefit. “There are high levels of poverty and more efficient, and the pellets are won’t be enough. can folk group The Carter Family, and from her father’s old grocery store. cultural memory, and the end result is Having grown up in a family of “old- in this part of the country,” says Tricia taken from a waste stream. A wood-fired History becomes old, tired. Kids Ernest Stoneman, the recording veteran But, Turner says, the last thing something that everyone can keep. time music living-room pickers,” Richard- Metts, associate professor in the Depart- furnace or outdoor wood boiler, which will stop learning about Boone, and who encouraged Peer to travel to Bristol. the museum wants to do is “museu- “There would be no Oregon son had hoped his cross-country journey ment of Environmental Health at East Ten- transfers the heat from the stove through then one fine day, he’s gone. One of While many of the acts were pre- mize” the living musical legacy these Trail or Santa Fe Trail or Gateway to to a town where country music got its start nessee State University. “We don’t see a ducted vents or water pipes throughout the society’s Boone impersonators, arranged, Richardson describes how A.P. Bristol Sessions gave to the region. the West in St. Louis had it not been would have had a little more to show for lot of EPA-certified, modern and properly the house, increases the heating efficiency speaking about the disappearance of Carter, founder of The Carter Family, just “We want visitors to see that for Daniel Boone making those first itself than a downtown mural depicting a maintained woodstoves.” but has a higher particulate matter output. frontier history, once said to Compton, happened to see an ad recruiting local our musical heritage is a living steps,” says Compton. smattering of country music greats. Metts co-authored a survey of census Learn more about wood stove efficiency, “It’s almost like God created man and talent. Together, A.P., his wife, Sara, and tradition, and not He says that Boone is already Last August, Richardson, who holds data to gain better insight into the con- burn practices and change-out programs then there was the Civil War.” his eight months pregnant sister-in-law, just history,” Turner vanishing from school curriculums. a doctorate in ethnomusicology, got his nections between poverty, household air at epa.gov/burnwise. Like all history — that which you Maybelle, traveled 20 miles by truck in says. “Early country The Kentucky Department of Educa- wish with the opening of The Birthplace COMING UP Virginia Governor Terry pollution and burning solid fuels, such as can still hear or feel or touch — it was the heat of summer to record in Bristol, music is still very tion is working on new Daniel Boone of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Va. McAuliffe listens to a and is so much more than that. quickly becoming one of the most influ- accessible to people, “New Harmonies” Exhibit Bristol Sessions tune with lessons, but he’s still worried that it where he currently serves as curator of MARCH – SEPTEMBER ential groups in country music history. and we want our Jessica Turner, the museum’s New Wood Stove education and outreach. On loan from the Smithsonian, Yet, not all acts from the Bristol Ses- museum to help executive director. Photo by The museum is housed in a historical this exhibit highlights all the Jonathan McCoy Standard brick building just one block away from the sions have endured such a lasting legacy. visitors relate to it.” different musical genres, While Peer primarily produced “hillbilly For this reason, from gospel to Cajun, that In response to a lawsuit filed by recording studio of the renowned 1927 Bris- have influenced the sound of seven states whose air quality is im- tol Sessions. “[Those sessions] were the first, records” featuring white, Southern talent, the museum also in- American roots music. Located WBCM-LP radio station in the Special Exhibits Gallery on pacted by wood stove use, the U.S. most commercially successful recordings the museum does highlight a little-known cludes the ultimate and recording studio will the first floor of the museum. Environmental Protection Agency in the history of country music,” museum record by El Watson, the lone African music “playroom,” begin broadcasting live released a final rule updating wood Executive Director Jessica Turner says. American act recorded at the 1927 session. featuring a listening from the 1920s building, stove standards on February 4. The In 1927, Ralph Peer, a record producer At the museum, visitors can watch station of contem- and will feature old-time and bluegrass EPA rule greatly reduces the amount from the Victor Talking Machine Company the introductory film, “Bound to Bristol,” porary artists’ remakes of these old-time tunes around the clock. Split wood dries faster. No wider than six of particulate matter allowed to be re- inches is what the EPA recommends. in New York, traveled to Bristol, a booming narrated by Johnny Cash’s son, John tunes, a mixing station for visitors to The seatless Immersion Theatre ex- leased through a chimney and allows railroad town where regional musicians Carter Cash. Visitors can then hear all of recreate the Bristol Sessions songs, and a hibit presents an open dance space that exempt, so the impact on air quality will five years for manufacturers to redesign often jammed together while waiting for the original Bristol recordings and learn karaoke booth for guests to belt out the invites visitors to partake in the ultimate not be noticeable until homeowners their products to meet compliance. the next train. In Bristol, Peer set up a about changes in technology that made original lyrics — or yodels — as these art- music festival being shown on the curved upgrade their stoves. the sessions possible. ists would have done in 1927. screens surrounding them. Existing wood stoves in homes are “I always thought this room would “Today, [visitors and] musicians who be the kids’ room, but I couldn’t have aren’t country music musicians are still been more wrong,” says Richardson, being inspired by and learning from the who has caught grandmas pulling their artists who recorded at the Bristol Ses- grandkids into the karaoke booth. sions,” Turner says. “We want to continue This spring, the museum’s own that tradition.”

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum

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Page 14 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 15 Appalachia’s triumphs and tragedies, its beauty and Virginia Climate Fever: Turning Carolina Red: An Appalachian Bookshelf mystery, and its people’s tenacity, love and good humor have How Global Warming Will Transform Our Cities, Shorelines, and Forests Reports from the Front of an Energy Culture War long been enshrined in fiction. This year, the stories of the By Stephen Nash Book by the Staff of Environment & Energy Publishing region’s struggles with coal are reaching a national audience thanks to John Grisham’s bestselling “Gray Mountain,” a legal thriller that pits a As visiting senior research scholar at the Hampton Roads Five years River coal ash spill in 2014, the book Gray Mountain small but dedicated team of individuals against a rapacious coal industry. Also University of Richmond, Stephen Nash ex- region. This trend ago, North Caro- gives a detailed account of how the di- spreading awareness, the debut novel from Christopher Scotton weaves the impacts By John Grisham plores the stunning local aspects of climate could result in cli- lina veered from saster influenced environmental policies of mountaintop removal mining into a poignant story of humanity and healing. disruption. This digestible work employs mate refugees as being a fairly in the new paradigm and explores the Across the region, writers are offering brilliant new work of all stripes, including It’s 2008, ten skilled — and charming — trial lawyer intro- enough facts and visuals to demonstrate limited financial re- moderate, pro- broader context of electricity generation several don’t-miss endeavors featured here. To find more of the best recent writing days after the fall of duces her to the environmental devastation on Appalachia, we suggest a visit to your local librarian! the amount of damage that global warming sources cover only gressive state and in the state. Lehman Brothers, of mountaintop removal coal mining, the promises for the Old Dominion. the costs of protect- took a hard right when the Republican The book also studies the players when 29-year-old dangers of careless coal trucks, and crimi- Nash, a journalist, takes the reader with ing high-value in- party gained control. The eBook “Turn- shaping policy, from members of the chia and fight alongside her new community. and also spoke extensively with Dr. Matt Samantha Kofer is nally negligent mining practices that have him as he travels around Virginia, talking frastructure and leave homeowners behind. ing Carolina Red: Reports from the Front General Assembly and state regulators, Fans of John Grisham expect a good- Wasson of Appalachian Voices, the publisher laid off from her deadly consequences for local families. To with scientists, citizens, officials and busi- Throughout the book, Nash compares of an Energy Culture War” examines the to environmental groups and conserva- guys-versus-bad-guys legal thriller, and of The Appalachian Voice. profitable but uninspiring career at a New her horror, she also witnesses the ways that ness people. Through these encounters, two scenarios of human response to global forces that shaped the sudden change in tive think tanks. Throughout, the authors “Gray Mountain” delivers. Readers will “Grisham expressed keen interest in York law firm. Within days she finds herself companies can manipulate the law to deny Nash reveals that our temperature averages warming, labeled “business as usual” and the state’s political ideology. With this in- weave a cautionary tale of the power of find themselves rooting for the locals, and, understanding and accurately represent- traveling the hairpin roads of southwest federal black-lung benefits to dying miners. will gradually rise during the next hundred “work and hope,” while maintaining that novative eBook, Environment & Energy money in politics. You won’t find a bet- like Samantha, shocked that our legal and ing the damages that surface mining cause Virginia to intern with the Mountain Aid Amidst all this, the local residents are years, essentially turning Virginia into pres- Virginians are not entirely the masters of Publishing provides a comprehensive ter account of the changes and impacts regulatory systems allow the coal industry in central Appalachia,” says Wasson. “His Legal Clinic, a nonprofit law firm in the genuine and welcoming. Samantha lets her ent-day Alabama. Graphs show increasing their fate because global warming is a prob- look at how this political shift is affecting on North Carolina than this. — Review to get away with such heinous violations. novel has exposed readers across the country fictional town of Brady, Va., nestled deep in guard down and finds a sense of family and numbers of days with temperatures surpass- lem that requires a global response. environmental and energy policies in the by Amy Adams, Appalachian Voices N.C. Though “Gray Mountain” is a work of to these issues, and we hope it will inspire Appalachia’s coal country. even a bit of romance. But after the shocking ing 90 degrees, with drastic consequences This book is fact-based and never over- state and across the country. Campaign Coordinator fiction, the crimes inflicted by the coal com- readers to support the fight for justice in There, while learning to use her legal death of a main character, she finds herself for life-forms from trees to fish, and to both stated, making it mandatory reading for Opening with the catastrophic Dan panies on nearby communities are based on these communities.” training to help rural clients struggling drawn ever more deeply into a threatening, rural and city-dwelling humans. Virginians seeking a primer on a complex reality. Grisham toured the area near Whites- At press time, Gray Mountain had spent with debt, domestic violence and substance murky struggle against Big Coal and must Nash’s most compelling passages deal topic. — Review by Hannah Wiegard, Appa- burg, Ky., with attorneys from Appalachian 14 weeks on the New York Times Best Sell- abuse, Samantha is soon confronted with the decide whether to follow the allure of her with sea level rise and the increasingly for- lachian Voices Virginia Campaign Coordinator Self-publishing: Citizens’ Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, ers list for fiction. — Review by Molly Moore fallout of the region’s dominant industry. A former big-city lifestyle or to stay in Appala- midable threat of property destruction in the A Modern Avenue for Appalachian Authors

By Dac Collins diana” as a serial book on his website, Joe Potato’s Real Life Recipes randallawells.com, which has been up and The Secret Wisdom of the Earth Appalachian Toys and Games from A to Z Self-publishing is Tall Tales & Short Stories running since 2013. His inspirations for on the rise in today’s By Christopher Scotton By Linda Hager Pack and Pat Banks “Floydiana” are the events, people, places By Meriwether O’Connor progressive literary and scenes that characterize Floyd County, scene, and quite a few Va. Wells currently has around fifty chapters The debut novel by Christopher Scot- the land. The This colorful and educational book teaches children writers in Appalachia have foregone the Characters bold and bright populate into what is now and counting. ton is a coming-of-age story that takes shortsighted about a simpler time when dolls were made out of corn traditional process of submitting their Meriwether O’Connor’s vivid and often called ‘Grit Lit,’ While working at the Appalachian work to publishers in favor of publishing familiar themes — tragedy and the quest concentrate husks and apples, and games relied more on imagination State University bookstore in Boone, N.C., humorous short stories. Rooted in rural a more down-to- it themselves. to find healing — and explores them with only on what than electricity. Hugh Howey self-published his science Appalachia, these tales feature animals, earth version of Julie E. Calestro-McDonald and the backdrop of a central Appalachian can be taken. With the help of Pat Banks’ watercolor illustrations, fiction novel, “Wool,” as an eBook in 2011. humans and plants that celebrate country Southern Goth- Peggy Calestro self-published “Lost and By 2012, the novel was on The New York community beset by mountaintop removal “Men like Linda Hager Pack introduces some of the games that were played and the toys that Found in Appalachia” with the help of the living while being brave — or perhaps stub- ic.” A decidedly non-traditional recipe Times bestseller list, and Howey was able coal mining. Bubba Boyd were popular in nineteenth-century Appalachia. In an age when most children see a CreateSpace Independent Publishing Plat- born — enough to stand unflinching in the follows each tale, and, like her characters, to sell print rights to Simon & Schuster form, an online service. The paperback is a Set in 1985 in the fictional Medgar, think the Earth owes them a living,” Pops television or computer screen as their primary source of entertainment, “Appalachian while retaining the e-book rights. Howey face of hardscrabble realities. the recipes don’t take themselves too seri- personal account of their road trips through Ky., a richly conceived mountain hamlet explains. “They take whatever wealth they Toys and Games from A to Z” will inspire young readers to get outside and play a game advocates that self-publishing can be more O’Connor’s writing is frank, entertain- ously, either. central Appalachia, and the reader is given populated by colorful characters, “Secret can from the mountains and move on.” of Fox and Hounds or Kick the Can. — Review by Dac Collins lucrative than the literary establishment ing and imbued with a sense of magical “Joe Potato’s Real Life Recipes” is a glimpse of the region through photo- would like writers to believe, and he has Wisdom of the Earth” traces the summer Though not about environmentalism graphs, anecdotes and hand-drawn maps. realism. In an interview with Story Circle nominated for the Weatherford Award, and already self-published and released “The 14-year-old Kevin Gillooly spent at his on the surface, an environmental ethic Randall A. Wells self-publishes “Floy- Book Reviews, O’Connor, who was raised O’Connor plans to release another collection Shift Omnibus,” a prequel to “Wool.” mother’s childhood home in the mountains permeates the novel and gives readers per- The Girls of Atomic City: in Kentucky, says that “‘Joe Potato fits next year. — Review by Molly Moore as he comes to grips with the tragic death of spective on the threats posed by energy The Untold Story of Women Who Helped Win World War II his younger brother. Exploring Medgar and extraction in Appalachia today. By Denise Kiernan the surrounding hills, Scotton uses prose at At first, mountaintop removal is de- once elegant and approachable to weave picted as a pervasive but rarely-seen evil Back when African Americans and Caucasian Americans VOTED BEST BBQ together the stories of longtime residents, encroaching on Medgar as Bubba Boyd couldn’t drink from the same water fountains and women IN THE REGION close friends and unabashed enemies, grabs up more and more land surround- were an anomaly in the workforce, a team of young women including many struggling with whether ing the town. Ultimately, however, it’s the unknowingly helped enrich fuel for the world’s first atomic by Appalachain Voices’ staff of tasters! or not to abide by the bounds of tradition. friction created in the small community by bomb in the hills of East Tennessee. In mending his broken life, Kevin de- mountaintop removal that precipitates a In this New York Times bestseller, author Denise Kiernan OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER. CLOSED MONDAYS. velops deep ties with some folks including story of family, friendship and overcom- unravels the secrets of Oak Ridge, Tenn., the administrative headquarters of the Man- Hwy 321 Bypass his stoic grandfather, Pops, and Buzzy, an ing odds that will change Kevin’s life and hattan Project. The classified town, cloaked in secrecy, was practically built overnight Blowing Rock,N.C. adventurous local boy with whom he be- the town of Medgar forever. — Review by to house 75,000 people by the end of World War II. Through dozens of conversations (828) 295-3651 comes fast friends. Others, like Bubba Boyd, Brian Sewell with surviving workers and residents, Kiernan reveals an astonishing history. — Review www.woodlandsbbq.com a prideful and blustering coal baron, offer Read an interview with Christopher by Meredith Warfield powerful lessons too. The wiser respect Scotton at appvoices.org/scotton Read an interview with Denise Kiernan at appvoices.org/atomic-city

Page 16 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 17 Looking on the Bright Side, States Seek Solar Benefits By Eliza Laubach buys a solar panel and sells the electricity Company to levy such a fee in 2014. Home- Appalachia’s Political Landscape U.S. jobs grew nearly 20 times faster to the host site at a reduced rate. The bill owner associations across Virginia also in the solar industry than the whole would allow this type of solar leasing, thus tried to block rooftop solar installation, for President’s Budget Proposal economy’s national average, reports The eliminating the need for up-front invest- aesthetic reasons, despite a bill passed last Energy and Environment Star in First Act of New Congress Includes Boons for Appalachia ment when a utility customer considers June banning them from doing so. Solar Foundation. Recent findings by the By Molly Moore The first bill introduced during States should change its energy policy By Brian Sewell buying a solar panel. In North Carolina, the Utilities Com- Central Appalachian communities nonprofit projects a slowdown by 2017, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McCon- to reduce climate change both failed to Net metering, a model that allows a mission renewed an order that requires The 114th Congress had barely weathering coal’s long decline would see when a federal tax credit is scheduled to Photo courtesy O2 Energies nell’s term, the Keystone XL Pipeline achieve a 60-vote majority. rooftop solar producer to sell excess elec- state utilities to provide standard contracts opened its doors when the subject of a boost in funding under the White House monumentally shrink. In the meantime, Act, would expedite the approval of But the vast majority of the amend- budget released in February. tricity back into the grid, was bolstered when buying electricity from indepen- Last month, The Tennessee Valley climate change rolled up to Capitol Hill, however, some southeastern states are the hotly contested pipeline and allow ments proposed during the Keystone The Obama administration’s 2016 in South Carolina this December. Utilities dent solar installations that generate five Authority announced that it will offer its unpacked its suitcase, and settled in for catching the rays of the burgeoning in- Canadian company TransCanada to debate never saw a vote, and were likely budget calls for an additional $200 million agreed to compensate rooftop solar pro- megawatts or less. Duke Energy and Do- version of a standard contract for up to what appears to be a long stay in federal per year over the next five years to restore dustry with policies encouraging growth send tar sands oil through America to written as signals to various agencies, in both privately-owned and utility-scale ducers at the same rate they charge for minion Power, meanwhile, had pushed to 100 MW of renewable energy develop- politics this year. dangerous, unreclaimed mines, mostly in the Gulf Coast. During the debate over industries and other groups that the the Appalachian region. solar. electricity. The agreement also restricts lower that threshold to installations 100 ment. Projects between 50 kilowatts and “The best scientists in the world the bill, which passed the Senate and Senate is interested in those topics. The budget proposal also includes $20 utilities from levying additional fees on kilowatts or less. Solar energy advocates 20 megawatts are eligible, and the con- are all telling us that our activities The Georgia House of Representatives received a veto threat from President One amendment introduced by million to provide employment services and rooftop solar owners. argued that negotiating custom contracts tracts last for 20 years. While solar energy are changing the climate,” President is expected to pass a bill that will remove a Obama, senators submitted 247 amend- Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), was designed job training specifically to help laid-off coal A tactic utilities say offsets their cost with Duke and Dominion would cripple represents only 1 percent of nationwide Barack Obama said during his State of major economic barrier to rooftop solar for ments — mostly about environment to prevent the Office of Surface Mining, miners and power plant employees transi- of connecting solar panels to the grid, independent solar development in the electricity generation, the solar installation the Union address. This summer the tion to jobs in other fields. The Appalachian homes and businesses: the lack of financ- Reclamation and Enforcement from standard fees discourage potential rooftop state. Duke owns only 4 percent of the and energy — and held roll call votes Regional Commission would see its $70 ing options. State law currently outlaws sector is already larger than familiar fossil U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 42 of them. completing their rewrite of the Stream million budget grow by roughly one-third, solar installations. The Virginia Utilities solar energy in its portfolio, according to fuels, such as coal mining, oil and natural will move forward on a key element third-party financing, when an investor Among these votes were three Protection Rule, a regulation that limits with $25 million in new funding directed Commission allowed Appalachian Power Charlotte’s WFAE News. gas, The Solar Foundation report found. of the president’s climate change plan statements on climate change. The Sen- mine waste in waterways. Even though to communities “most impacted by coal by finalizing the first limits on carbon ate overwhelmingly passed a measure senators did not vote on the amend- economic transition” to support a range of dioxide emissions from power plants. economic development initiatives. decision not to classify coal ash as haz- concerns about this proposal. acknowledging that climate change ment, it sends a clear message that Coal Ash Rules In the fall, world leaders will gather for The president’s proposed budget may Continued from page 11 ardous waste, they claim two aspects of “We have seen, over and is real, but one amendment affirming Congress is likely to stay involved in the potentially pivotal United Nations never become law, but legislators are likely the federal rule could prove particularly over again, that state agencies that human activities contribute and the workings of federal agencies. climate summit in Paris. to debate the measures as Congress crafts The validity of water quality data troublesome for estimating costs associ- will not effectively enforce another suggesting that the United its own budget proposals. provided by the companies is also an ated with coal ash. laws [related to coal ash TH Kentucky Tennessee North Carolina Virginia West Virginia important consideration. Aside from According to Harrison, some mem- disposal],” stated Holleman. 114 CONGRESS: Below are recent congressional bills and amendments on envi- ronmental issues and how central and southern Appalachian representatives voted. To more notorious cases in which compa- bers of Congress have since proposed “Without the citizen right to see other recent votes, or for congressional representatives outside of the five-state area, nies were caught altering water pollu- changes to address these concerns, enforce the law, local com- visit thomas.gov. =pro-environment vote✗ =anti-environment voteO =no vote such as prohibiting the EPA from ever munities cannot count on tion reports, Judy Petersen, executive McHenreyP. T. Massie H. Rogers A. Barr RoeP. J. Duncan Fleischman S. Desjarlais V. Foxx M. Meadows R. Hurt B. Goodlatte M. Griffith D. McKinley A. Mooney E. Jenkins HOUSE (R) KY-04 (R) KY-05 (R) KY-06 (R) TN-01 (R) TN-02 (R) TN-03 (R) TN-04 (R) NC-05 (R) NC-10 (R) NC-11 (R) VA-05 (R) VA-06 (R) VA-09 (R) WV-01 (R) WV-02 (D) WV-03 director for the Kentucky Waterways returning to the rule to relabel coal ash state agencies to effectively H.R. 351, the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act, would expedite the Alliance, says that accuracy is an issue. as hazardous waste. protect them.” approval process for exporting natural gas. 277 AYES, 133 NOES, 23 NV PASSED ✗✗✗O ✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗ The federal rule requires a minimum Combined with this effort is a push However the rules are SENATE Note: Senate legislation needs 60 votes to pass M. McConnell (R) R. Paul (R) L. Alexander (R) B. Corker (R) R. Burr (R) T. Tillis (R) T. Kaine (D) M. Warner (D) J. Manchin (D) S. M. Capito (R) of four wells, but that data’s usefulness to limit legal avenues for citizen enforce- enforced, Petersen of the Ken- ment by requiring all states to adopt and tucky Waterways Alliance S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, approves and expedites construction of the pipeline, depends on the location and depth of which would transport crude oil from Canadian tar sands to Gulf Coast refineries and export ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ the wells, as well as whether the state enforce the federal rule, which would notes that her state faces addi- facilities. 62 YEAs, 36 NAYs, 2 NV PASSED agency has the resources to evaluate a shift enforcement responsibilities to state tional challenges unaddressed S.Amdt.3 to S.1 would promote energy efficiency in buildings and encourage energy efficiency ✗ company’s monitoring plans. agencies. In a recent testimony before by the law. Approximately 50 for building tenants. 94 YEAs, 5 NAYs, 1 NV. PASSED the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy percent of Kentucky is com- Salem College biology students joined the Dan River S.Amdt.15 to S.1 would expedite the approval process for exporting natural gas. Continued Challenges 53 YEAs, 45 NAYs, 2 NV. FAILED ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ and the Economy, Frank Holleman, prised of karst, a rock forma- Basin Association this January to help collect sediment While representatives for utilities samples for microbial analysis. Photo by Brian Williams S.Amdt.71 to S.1 would expedite applications to drill for oil and gas on public lands. senior attorney with the Southern En- tion easily dissolved by water 51 YEAs, 47 NAYs, 2 NV. FAILED ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ across the country supported the EPA’s vironmental Law Center, expressed his that forms into extensive dicial elections occur. Opportunities to S.Amdt.75 to S.1 would provide communities whose drinking water could potentially be networks of caves and sinkholes. “buy influence in the state courts” have affected by a tar sands spill from the Keystone XL pipeline with an analysis of the potential ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ Offers a diverse mix of music & informative programming for the heart of Appalachia. “[Kentucky] coal ash sites never fill continued to expand in recent years. risks to public health and the environment. 36 YEAs, 62 NAYs, 2 NV. FAILED up, and part of the reason is because A report published by the center last S.Amdt.77 to S.1 would establish a national renewable energy standard that requires electric companies to provide a certain percentage of power from renewable sources between 2015 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ they’re leaking into the ground,” says November found that North Carolina’s and 2039. 45 YEAs, 53 NAYs, 2 NV. FAILED usic m the Mountains Petersen. “If a karst cave development court was more likely to rule in favor of M fro S.Amdt.92 to S.1 would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Trust forms a sinkhole underneath a coal special interest groups who had given Fund, which helps secure public access to public land for recreation. Does not specify a ✗ ✗ ash impoundment, it doesn’t matter if the largest campaign contributions to funding level. 59 YEAs, 39 NAYs, 2 NV. FAILED there’s a liner — it’ll take the liner and judge nominees. S.Amdt.113 to S.1 expresses the Senate’s support for public lands and affirms that designa- tion of federal public land should continue where appropriate. 55 YEAs, 44 NAYs, 1 NV. FAILED ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ everything else with it.” In the long-run, Williams believes no rule will be a strong force for change S.Amdt.29 to S.1 expresses the Senate’s support for the scientific consensus that climate The Final Judgement change is real and not a hoax. 98 YEAs, 1 NAY, 1 NV. PASSED until people reconsider how they value Some critics, such as The Center for S.Amdt.58 to S.1 expresses the Senate’s support for the scientific consensus that climate and monitor water quality. “We demand change is real and human activity is a significant cause. 50 YEAs, 49 NAYs, 1 NV. FAILED ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ American Progress, have suggested that cheap power and energy,” he says. “Well, implementation of coal ash rules could S.Amdt.24 to S.1 expresses the Senate’s sense that climate change is real, that human activity water is gold. It’s time we demand clean is a significant cause, and that climate change is already causing devastating problems so ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ be problematic in the 39 states where ju- water, and more water protection.” the U.S. should move away from fossil fuel use. Senate voted on whether to table a vote LISTENER -SUPPORTED RADIO WWW.WMMTFM.ORG on this amendment, so only 50 votes needed to pass. 56 YEAs, 42 NAYs, 2 NV. PASSED

Page 18 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 19 the ENERGY REPORT the ENERGY REPORT White House Moves to Regulate Methane Emissions than just lost profits. Methane is a major contributor to global climate change WV Repeals “Alternative” Energy Law New Contaminants Found in Fracking Waste By Brian Sewell volved, officials say, each targeting dif- to new and modified oil and gas sys- and is the second most prevalent green- By Brian Sewell constitutes “alternative” energy under By Eliza Laubach in areas where it is discharged or leaked ferent aspects of the oil and gas indus- tems and will mostly rely on voluntary After years of scientific research house gas after carbon dioxide. the law has allowed West Virginia’s directly into the environment,” Dr. Avner try. The Bureau of Land Management, efforts from oil and gas companies. West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin Two new pollutants were discov- pointing to methane’s outsized contri- Methane makes up 9 percent of U.S. largest utilities to easily meet the law’s Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and for example, will update standards to But, under the Clean Air Act, once signed a bill to repeal the state’s Alter- ered in wastewater from oil and gas bution to climate change, the Obama greenhouse gas emissions, about one- requirements by relying on coal and water quality at Duke University and reduce wasteful flaring of natural gas, rules are developed targeting future native and Renewable Energy Portfolio drilling, a Duke University study has administration will use its executive third of which comes from oil and gas natural gas without adding new solar lead author of the study, said in a press which is primarily methane, from oil sources of a specific pollutant, the EPA Standard, a law ostensibly aimed at pro- shown. Researchers tested wastewater power to regulate emissions of the po- production. Although its lifespan in the or wind capacity. release. “This practice is clearly damag- and gas wells on public lands. And is legally obligated to issue rules to cut moting adoption of renewable sources. discharged or leaked into Pennsylvania tent greenhouse gas from oil and gas atmosphere is much shorter than that of Clean energy advocates reacted ing the environment and increases the the Department of Transportation will emissions from existing facilities spew- In the opening days of the 2015 and West Virginia waterways and found productions and pipelines. carbon dioxide, methane’s contribution with indifference, since the doomed law health risks of people living in these propose new natural gas pipeline safety ing that pollutant too. legislative session, West Virginia leg- ammonium and iodide in abnormally In addition to developing the first to climate change is 25 times greater than did little to expand renewable genera- areas, and thus should be stopped.” standards that are expected to lower Oil and gas companies argue that islators moved quickly to dismantle high levels in hydraulically fractured regulations to limit methane emissions, carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. tion, but they say there is a silver lining: The findings add to the growing list the amount of methane leaked during their financial motivation to reduce the standard, arguing that they were and conventionally drilled oil and gas the White House described a set of actions Getting methane emissions in check lawmakers approved an amendment to of concerns from residents affected by transport. leaks eliminates the need for regulation. standing up for the state’s weakened operations, both of which are exempt it will take, beginning this year, to achieve could be more urgent than previously the bill that allows West Virginians who fracking. In West Virginia, 100 landowners Presented as the most significant But energy analysts say contractors and coal industry by putting clean energy on from the Clean Water Act. a reduction in overall U.S. emissions by thought. A 2014 study published in have solar panels to continue receiving living in the vicinity of oil and gas wells step the White House has taken to ad- smaller companies along the supply the chopping block. But the law has had The discovered pollutants become up to 45 percent by 2025. Without action, Science warned that methane may be credit for the excess electricity they gen- across seven counties are suing drilling dress climate change since releasing chain, who don’t actually own the gas, a negligible effect since it was passed toxic in the environment: ammonium mix- methane emissions are expected to rise leaking from oil and natural gas drilling erate and put back into the grid. companies for the disruption of their rules to limit carbon dioxide, the rules lack incentive to invest in better equip- in 2009. A broad interpretation of what es with stream water and becomes ammo- dramatically over the next decade. sites and pipelines at rates 50 percent daily lives and disregard for health and were nonetheless met with some doubt ment and monitoring. nia, killing wildlife, and iodide interacts Several federal agencies will be in- higher than official EPA estimates. the environment posed by fracking wells. by environmentalists. They apply only The escaped gas represents more Interior Dept. Opens Atlantic Coast to Drilling with chlorine in drinking water treatment By Brian Sewell days after the administration took steps plants, creating toxic byproducts. Lawsuit Challenges State Fracking Panel Revisions Expected for Surface Mine Blasting Rules The Obama administration an- to permanently protect millions of acres “This discovery raises new concerns The Southern Environmental Law the state. Lawyers for the environmental nounced plans on Jan. 26 to open up in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a about the environmental and human By Lorelei Goff face coal mine blasting do not spe- Center filed a lawsuit challenging the North group claim the legislature violated the state waters in the Atlantic to oil and gas sanctuary coveted by oil companies and health impacts of oil and gas wastewater Carolina legislature’s role in appointing the constitution, which requires that legislative cifically address harmful gas releases. The federal Office of Surface Min- exploration and drilling. The proposal, cherished by native Alaskans and envi- majority of members on the N.C. Mining and and executive powers “be forever separate This creates a loophole that some min- ing Reclamation and Enforcement which includes the coastlines of Virgin- ronmental advocates. The administration Clean Line Wind Energy Commission, the body responsible and distinct from each other.” Plaintiffs hope ing companies have used to disregard for developing rules to regulate fracking in for a ruling that voids the commission. announced in December that it will ia, North Carolina, South Carolina and firstproposed opening the mid-Atlantic safe practices. Project Clears Hurdle revise current rules to prevent toxic Georgia, is part of the U.S. Department to drilling in early 2010, but three weeks The agency’s public affairs spe- Houston-based Clean Line Energy gas emissions from surface coal mine of the Interior’s latest five-year plan, later an explosion and blowout at the cialist, Christopher Holmes, says the Partners LLC received initial approval from blasting operations. which lays out federal leases for oil and Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico revisions will clarify the intent of the Tennessee regulators to construct a 700- The announcement followed a gas development from 2017 to 2022. that led to the largest oil spill in U.S. his- current rules. mile transmission line that would deliver “What a great magazine!” petition from the environmental group The announcement came just two tory put those plans on hold. wind power generated in the plains of west- “[The Surface Mining Control and Wild Earth Guardians last April to pro- ern Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle to “Dear Babette, hibit the production of visible nitrogen Reclamation Act of 1977] says opera- customers in the Tennessee Valley. Absolutely Priceless! WV Legislative Maneuvers Disregard Water Quality Spring 2013 You and your staff of tors may not cause an offsite impact The Tennessee Valley Authority, which oxide emissions during blasting. The West Virginia legislature has intro- Under the bills, mining companies or carry out any activity that threatens provides power to approximately 9 mil- Used, writers continue to amaze. Nitrogen oxide — a greenhouse duced two new bills that would loosen coal would be shielded from many citizen law- In my view, the quality human health, safety and welfare, and lion people in seven southeastern states, gas linked to respiratory conditions, mining rules. If passed, the legislation would suits regarding water quality, including liti- signed a letter of support for the project last Rare & Out must prevent damage to property as of articles in Carolina acid rain and air pollution — is visible undermine the West Virginia Department of gation based on selenium violations. These November, and would become the largest Environmental Protection’s water quality stan- types of lawsuits have been successful in of Print Books Mountain Life have as an orange cloud when there is in- well,” says Holmes. “So, toxic gases buyer of the projected 3,500 megawatts of dards for coal mining permits, resulting in far- recent years. elevated your publication complete combustion during blasting would fall under that.” clean power. Specializing in reaching impacts on the state’s waterways. Clean Line hopes the project will Books about Black to #1. Congratulations at a surface mine. Holmes said no deadline has been on a sterling literary set for the revisions. begin operation in 2018, but the energy Mountain College The current rules governing sur- Alpha Agrees to Water Pollution Settlement developer still must obtain final federal and contribution to the High Alpha Natural Resources agreed to a penalties but would require Alpha to reduce state approval. Country!” settlement in a 2012 lawsuit, brought by the pollution so that the streams either meet — Barry M. Buxton, Ph.D. Sierra Club and other environmental groups, stricter requirements than set by state regu- regarding high levels of conductivity found lators or comply with a measure of conduc- President, Lees-McRae in streams at two of its mountaintop removal tivity designed by the U.S. Environmental A Taste of Our Mountain Life College • Delicious Deli-Style Sandwiches mining complexes in West Virginia. Protection Agency. Awaits You . . . Come Sit a Spell, The settlement includes no monetary Relax & Enjoy. • Homemade Soups • Vegetarian Fare Regulators Restore 1983 Stream Protection Rule read us online at cmlmagazine.com us online at read “...a wonderful read forCarolina 16Mountain years!”life Winter 2012/13 — 93 To comply with a federal court ruling, after determining that the agency failed • And Much More! the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclama- to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 828-737-0771 tion and Enforcement restored an earlier Service, as required by the Endangered PO Box 976, Linville, NC 28646 Powered version of a rule meant to protect water Species Act, when writing the regulation. Jean & Carl Franklin by (PV) At stores & businesses almost everywhere in the High Country ... and online at 103 Cherry Street Solar Cells quality and stream channels from coal Because the rule is intended to avert the CMLmagazine.com Black Mountain, NC 28711 mining waste. worst impacts of mountaintop removal, the [email protected] 240 Shadowline Drive, Boone, North Carolina Last February, a court threw out change will have the greatest effect on coal (828) 669-8149 (828) 262-1250 • www.Peppers-Restaurant.com amendments added to the rule in 2008 companies operating in Appalachia. [email protected]

Page 20 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 February/March 2015 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 21 INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work Appalachian Voices is committed to A Better Path than the Coalfields Expressway for Virginia protecting the land, air and water of Honoring Two Inspiring Leaders the central and southern Appalachian More than 50 local residents A resident looks at a map of the region. Our mission is to empower Appalachian Voices is paying tribute to the able leadership of Tom Cormons. I pledge recently attended three community proposed Coalfields Expressway during people to defend our region’s rich two outstanding individuals, Christina Howe to continue my support of the new Board and forums in southwest Virginia to express a community forum. Photo by Alistair natural and cultural heritage by providing them with tools and strategies and Bunk Spann, who rotated off our Board of the important work that is before us.” their views on ways to improve transpor- Burke, alistairburkephotography.com for successful grassroots campaigns. Directors after many years of devoted leader- Under Bunk and Christina’s success- tation in the area. Feedback included patterns in Pound and Clintwood, ship to the organization. ful leadership, Appalachian Voices nearly improvements that would benefit and providing better access to parks Organizational Staff Christina Howe joined Appalachian doubled its staff and established offices in residents and better protect the environ- and recreation areas by paving roads Voices in 2008, and served as the board’s Charlottesville, Va., and Washington, D.C., ment than the ill-conceived Coalfields and enhancing signage. Residents Executive Director ...... Tom Cormons chair since 2009. Before moving to Valle Cru- and took our nationwide campaign against Expressway. As proposed, the Coal- also suggested increasing funding for OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT cis, N.C., Christina built and sold offices and mountaintop removal coal mining to the next fields Expressway includes significant public transportation services in the Director of Development...... Jonathan Harvey Controller ...... Susan Congelosi airport hangars with her late husband in Miami, level. We discovered and sued over thousands mountaintop removal coal mining that area, including transportation options Operations Manager ...... Shay Boyd Fla. She formerly served as the president of the of falsified pollution reports that led to the three would bring more environmental dev- these ideas so that they can be shared with for senior citizens, and programs like Director of Leadership Gifts ...... Kayti Wingfield High Country Conservancy and is currently a largest fines ever levied against coal compa- astation to the region, and the suggested the Commonwealth Transportation Board the Spearhead Trails system, which brings Development and Operations Coordinator...... Maeve Gould route would also draw economic activity and Virginia Department of Transportation. tourism to the area. partner and the assistant director of the Boone nies in Kentucky, and defeated what would Operations and Outreach Associate ...... Lauren Essick Healing Arts Center, a holistic facility with 14 have been the largest coal plant in Virginia. Christina Howe (left) served as chair of the away from existing town centers. Citizen proposals include upgrading exist- To get involved, call Southern Appala- Appalachian Voices Board of Directors from PROGRAMS medicine practitioners. And we launched our successful campaign Local citizens have begun to compile ing road infrastructure, improving traffic chian Mountain Stewards at (276) 565-6167. 2009-2014, while Bunk Spann (above) filled the Director of Programs...... Matt Wasson “My time at Appalachian Voices is one of to promote energy efficiency financing options role of treasurer from 2010-2014. Kim Gilliam Campaign Director ...... Kate Rooth the most exhilarating experiences I have ever for rural electric co-op customers, a project and Kathy Selvage (below, top to bottom), will Addressing the Issue of Fracking and Pipelines Energy Policy Director ...... Rory McIlmoil had. I feel so fortunate to have been involved that could result in the creation of thousands 30 years. Since 2003, he has managed his now serve in those roles on the board. Washington, D.C. Legislative Associate ...... Thom Kay with people from the staff to the board,” says of clean energy jobs in the region. private consulting firm in Charlottesville, a.,V The rapid expansion of a the emerging threat of fracking in being proposed that could North Carolina Campaign Coordinator ...... Amy Adams Christina. “There is great new leadership and Both Christina and Bunk (who happen to and has worked closely with a wide range and Christina will be hard to fill, I am delighted natural gas drilling method called North Carolina and Virginia. threaten private property, wa- Virginia Campaign Coordinator ...... Hannah Wiegard a great spirit that’s going to carry the organiza- share a birthday!), have agreed to continue of environmental and social justice groups to be joining the Executive Committee,” Kathy “fracking” poses a serious risk to In 2014, North Carolina lifted ter resources and historic and Water Quality Specialist ...... Eric Chance Central Appalachian Campaign Coordinator ...... Erin Savage tion forward to a very special future.” their service to the organization on the board’s throughout the United States and Canada. says. “As an organization, we are ideally posi- human health and the environ- a long-standing moratorium on natural heritage sites. North Carolina Field Coordinator ...... Sarah Kellogg Milton G. “Bunk” Spann, also a board Advisory Council. “It is my privilege to bring my experience tioned to help in central Appalachia’s transi- ment in numerous U.S. states and fracking and began paving the way Appalachian Voices is AmeriCorps Energy Savings Associate ...... Eliza Laubach tion from the fuels of yesterday to the fuels of threatens to derail the movement to for drilling on untapped pockets teaming up with citizens and member since 2008 and board treasurer since “I can’t emphasize enough how Christina home to serve Appalachian Voices,” says Kim. AmeriCorps Outreach Education Associate ...... Jaimie McGirt 2010, is the founder of the National Center for and Bunk’s steadfast dedication, their wisdom “The staff is tireless in supporting tomorrow, and poised to make a shift the country to cleaner energy of natural gas in the state, and local, state and national groups sources. set weak regulations that offer to oppose expansion of natural Communications & Technology Developmental Education at Appalachian State and judgement, and their great love for the and protecting the people and real difference in the transformation We recently launched a new inadequate protection to nearby gas drilling and infrastructure Director of Communications ...... Cat McCue University, and a former elected member of the region and the Appalachian Voices family communities of our region of the of Appalachia into just, livable and A gasfield in Pennsylvania. Senior Communications Coordinator ...... Jamie Goodman section on our website that high- communities. And in Virginia, three in these states. To learn more, Boone, N.C., Town Council, where he helped have helped keep us inspired, ambitious, and country, and I am proud to be a sustainable communities.” Photo courtesy of Terry Programs Communications Coordinator...... Brian Sewell lights these issues and focuses on massive natural gas pipelines are visit appvoices.org/fracking. further environmental efforts in water conserva- — most importantly — focused on what really part of this exemplary work. “With Kim’s professional acu- Wild Stock Photography Editorial Communications Coordinator...... Molly Moore tion and smart growth. He recently retired to matters, which is continually taking our work Kathy Selvage, a long-time men and vast experience and AmeriCorps Communications Associate...... Kimber Ray Asheville, N.C., where he is currently working to the next level,” says Executive Director Tom board member, is stepping into the Kathy’s exemplary and inspirational Fire on the Mountain: AppVoices Teams Up With Floydfest IT Associate...... Toby MacDermott to make his neighborhood and community Cormons. “It was such a pleasure and privi- role of treasurer. A Wise County, record as a citizen activist, they’re FloydFest, a world music and arts mountains, rivers and people. INTERNS more environmentally friendly and sustainable. lege to spend my first two years as executive Va., resident and daughter of a both legends in their own right,” festival held just off the Blue Ridge Park- We’ll be working with Appalachian Water Watch Assistant ...... Claire Attiliis “I have been privileged to serve on sev- director during their tenures.” coal miner, Kathy has worked for Tom says. “We’re just incred- way near Floyd, Va., is gearing up for its FloydFest folks in the com- Appalachian Water Watch Assistant ...... Maggie Cozens eral boards but none have been more satis- James “Kim” Gilliam, is taking the helm years and with numerous groups ibly honored they have joined our Energy Efficiency Outreach Assistant ...... Sadi Aryal 14th annual event July 22-26 with a stellar ing months to dream up fun board’s leadership.” Energy Efficiency Research Assistant ...... Dan Stevenson fying than Appalachian Voices,” Bunk says. as board chair, has been involved in fundrais- and organizations to bring national lineup and a keener focus on family, com- and exciting ways to engage Virginia Grassroots Assistant ...... Tina Badger “The organization has a bright future under ing and nonprofit management for more than exposure to the issue of mountain- To learn more about our Board munity and celebrating the Appalachian attendees and let them know Virginia Grassroots Assistant ...... Linda Chen top removal coal mining. of Directors, visit appvoices.org/ mountains. And this year, the organizers how they can become involved in protect- Marketing Assistant ...... W. Spencer King “Though the shoes of Bunk about/team. have selected Appalachian Voices as the ing the mountains we all love. Tickets are DOES YOUR BUSINESS Editorial Communications Assistant ...... Dac Collins featured nonprofit, offering festivalgoers a already on sale, so get yours now and Editorial Communications Assistant ...... Lorelei Goff chance to make a donation to our organi- come join us for two, three or even five Editorial Communications Assistant ...... Chris Robey zation when purchasing their tickets, and days of joyous dancing, phenomenal music Web Design Assistant ...... Allison Cook SUPPORT AppalachianVoices even donating a portion of their proceeds ebrates our natural and cultural heritage and heartfelt community. Visit appvoices. to support our work! Quite simply, it’s a and an organization that works every day org/floydfest and stay tuned for more Board of Directors CLEAN WATER? natural partnership with a festival that cel- — for nearly two decades — to protect the information. Chair ...... Kim Gilliam Vice-Chair ...... Landra Lewis Business League Secretary ...... Dot Griffith Advertise in The Appalachian Voice and support New & Renewing Members Dec. 2015 - Jan. 2015 Hellos and Goodbyes volunteer and outreach activities. and as an intern for three Treasurer ...... Kathy Selvage She started with Appalachian summers. Kara brought Members-At-Large our work to protect clean water while reaching We’re thrilled to welcome Lauren Es- Voices as a volunteer back in incredible passion and Clara Bingham Pallavi Podapati Farnum and Christ Travel — Bristol, Tennessee sick to our staff as Distribution Manager readers who care about Appalachia’s future. 2009, helping to raise awareness enthusiasm to her work Pat Holmes Lauren Waterworth of The Appalachian Voice LifeStore Bank — West Jefferson, North Carolina of mountaintop removal coal with residents affect- Silas House Tracey Wright and as Appalachian Voices’ mining, and has helped us dis- ed by environmental Rick Phelps Tom Cormons (Ex-officio) Email: [email protected] | Call: (828) 262-1500 reNew Home, Inc. — Boone, North Carolina Operations and Outreach tribute The Appalachian Voice threats. We wish her well Associate. Lauren will man- Advisory Council Visit: appvoices.org/ads Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC. — Charlotte, North Carolina in Asheville, N.C., for the past during her next endeav- age the distribution of the Kara Dodson Jonathan C. Allen Van Jones Many thanks to employee Scott Hopkins who requested the donation four years. ors, and are glad that publication — which in- Jessica Barba Brown J. Haskell Murray We also bid a fond farewell to she will remain part of the Appalachian volves 61,000 newspapers Alfred Glover Brenda Sigmon Kara Dodson, who served as our Voices family as a volunteer! To join our Business League, visit AppVoices.org or call 877-APP-VOICE and nearly 100 volunteers Randy Hayes Bunk Spann Field Coordinator for the past year — and help coordinate our Christina Howe Page 22 | The Appalachian Voice | February/March 2015 Lauren Essick Non-Profit Organization The Appalachian Voice US Postage Paid 171 Grand Boulevard Permit No. 294 Boone, NC 28607 Boone, NC www.appalachianvoices.org

Photographer Michael Phillips captured this image of a tiny owl, titled “Hamlet - Northern Saw-whet Owl Portrait,” in Banner Elk, N.C. Phillips’ photo was a finalist in the 2013-14 Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition. Finalist photos from this year’s competition will be on exhibit at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone, N.C., from March through June. People’s Choice Voting is held from March 6 to 27. Vote online at appmtnphotocomp.org Help Build a Brighter Future for Appalachia Through our Energy Savings for Appalachia program, we are seeking ways to make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable for low-income families in Appalachia. With proper insulation, air sealing, and other home improvements, residents could keep their homes warmer while using less electricity — good for the planet and for their electricity costs.

Help us in our campaign to convince electric utilities to offer financing programs so all families can enjoy the benefits — and rewards — of an energy efficient home.DONATE TODAY.

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