A Publication of WILD

Volume VIII, No.1 Protecting your favorite wild places Winter 2006

Virginia Governors Advocate for Full Protection of Inventoried Roadless Areas*

GOOD NEWS DEPARTMENT: As By supporting Warner's policy, Gov- There are three important ways you a big present to all of us, on Decem- ernor Tim Kaine has shown the citi- and your friends and family can help: ber 22, 2005 outgoing Governor Mark zens of Virginia that he recognizes the value of keeping our wildlands intact. Warner officially filed a petition with • SIGN the national petition to the The George Washington and Jefferson the United States Department of Ag- Bush Administration (petition is at National Forests already have 3,000 riculture for permanent protection of www.wildvirginia.org) over 394,000 acres (23.7% of the total miles of roads, with an accompanying maintenance backlog estimated at $20 National Forest acreage) in Vir- • CONTACT Senators John War- million. ginia’s George Washington and Jef- ner and George Allen and your Rep- ferson National Forests. Warner’s resentative to ask that they support petition to Secretary Mike Johanns, ”Roadless areas in Virginia's and promote protection of Virginia’s who oversees the management of all national forests are critically roadless areas. It is only with the National Forests, asked that the fed- important for wildlife habitat support of Virginia’s Federal legisla- eral government follow the terms of and help safeguard drinking tors that the roadless protection peti- tion will be accepted. Write a letter the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation water for thousands of citizens. or e-mail as soon as possible. Rule in Virginia to ensure all inven- Our forests also present really toried roadless areas receive perma- outstanding opportunities for • SEND letters of support and en- nent protection from logging, road recreation and tourism” said couragement to say THANK YOU to building, mining and drilling. The Governor Warner. Tim Kaine. It is important that Tim Bush Administration repealed in the Kaine continue to pressure the For- Roadless Rule in May 2005. "I have determined it is in the est Service to protect roadless areas. best interest of the Common- On March 1st, Virginia’s new gov- wealth to have these areas ernor, Tim Kaine, showed his sup- protected in their current port for Warner’s policy by writing Please contact them soon. undeveloped state for current Thank you for helping in the directly to Mike Johanns and the and future generations." chief of the U.S. Forest Service ask- effort to protect Virginia’s ing for full protection of roadless ar- last wild places! eas in Virginia. His letter was ac- The demand for backcountry recreation companied by a petition signed by Governor Tim Kaine in the national forests is projected to more than 5,000 Virginians asking Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor, increase 170 percent by the year 2050. 1111 East Broad Street, the Forest Service to reinstate the This increase in demand could help our Richmond, VA 23219; 804-786-2211 2001 Roadless Rule. This is in addi- economy as Virginia has the most tion to the more than 80,000 com- Senator John Warner roadless acreage of any state in the ments the U.S. Forest Service has 1003 First Union Bank Building eastern half of the country. 213 South Jefferson Street already received from Virginians in Roanoke, Virginia 24011; 540-857-2676 support of full protection for roadless areas. If the U.S. Forest Service accepts Senator George Allen Virginia’s roadless protection petition, 3140 Chaparral Dr. Bldg. C, Suite 101 it will then negotiate a detailed plan Roanoke, VA 24018; 540-772-4236 *Not all roadless forests are included in the US with the state. Under the current Ad- Forest Service inventory. For example, Wild Vir- The contact information for your district ginia is actively researching the “loss” of roughly ministration, the Forest Service will Representative can be found at: 18,000 acres from the Roadless Area on the Lee Ranger District ( likely deny the petition. This is where www.house.gov/writerep. Watershed) between 1979 and 1994. the members of Wild Virginia come in.

PAGE 2 VOLUME VIII, NO.1

Wild Virginia Hikes and Outings

Signal Corps Knob Great Eastern Trail Tale of Two Timber Sales Timber Sale Scouting Trip on on Walker Mountain Shenandoah Mountain The Forest Service is planning a We will be looking at two timber sales, 230 acre timber sale on a remote Join Wild Virginia and the Potomac one recently cut and another that the part of Shenandoah Mountain near Appalachian Trail Club while we dis- forest service is planning. Come learn Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness. Help cuss new plans for a “Great Eastern about local ecosystems, national forest us scout the proposed cutting units Trail” and hike part of the route. We management, and corporate welfare and create a plan to stop this timber are very excited to learn about this for timber companies. sale. plan to create a trail from Northern Alabama to the Adirondacks in New

York. The trail would come through When & Where: When & Where: Virginia on the west side of the Shen- andoah Valley and cross all 60 miles Sunday June 11, meet at 9 am. Meet Sunday March 12th. 9 am. Meet at of Shenandoah Mountain. We will at Java Java, 2214 Ivy Road (by Java Java, 2214 Ivy Road (by Sneak hike from FS road 95 to Reddish Sneak Reviews) in Charlottesville. Reviews) in Charlottesville. Knob, one of Virginia’s most spectacu- lar peaks. Hike Details: Hike Details: This is a moderate hike. We will be We will be hiking on logging roads hiking on logging roads and hiking and hiking into the woods to explore When & Where: into the woods to explore some of the some of the different cutting units. Saturday April 8, meet at 7:30 am. different cutting units with some off This is a moderate hike with some trail adventuring. Bring hiking shoes, off trail adventuring. Bring hiking Meet at Java Java, 2214 Ivy Rd (by Sneak Reviews) in Charlottesville. lunch, water, and a camera (optional). shoes, appropriate winter clothing, We should be back in Charlottesville lunch, water, and a camera Hike Details: around 6:30 pm. Call contact person (optional). Mountain biking to some for rain date information. of the furthest cutting units may be This is a difficult hike, 8 miles, 1,500 ft a possibility (for those who bring climb, with stream crossings. Bring mountain bikes). We should be back hiking shoes, lunch, and water. Call Restoration Outing for in Charlottesville around 6:30 pm. contact person for rain date information. Call contact person for rain date Shenandoah Mountain information. Shenandoah Mountain is one of Wild Wildflower Hike in the Virginia’s priority areas. That’s be- Trillium Fields cause it is the largest chunk of un- Contact Person fragmented forest in the eastern U.S. that does not enjoy permanent pro- Mike Kruse This is a special hike for those who tection. Join Wild Virginia and the [email protected] donated $100 or more in response to Virginia Native Plant Society to learn our last fundraising letter. about invasive plants and restoration (434) 293-7401 efforts. Bring your work clothes and If you are not yet a $100 donor and gloves as we may be pulling weeds! would like an invitation to this hike, (Now that’s direct action!) Contact Mike if you are please contact Jason Halbert, [email protected] When & Where: planning on attending. Also When: contact him with any Sunday July 9, meet at 9 am. Meet at Java Java, 2214 Ivy Road (by Saturday, May 6, 2006 questions, for directions, or if Sneak Reviews) in Charlottesville.

you’d rather meet the group Hike Details:

in the forest. To be announced. VOLUME VIII, NO.1 PAGE 3

Ancient Mountain Sentinel- Wild Virginia Field Update Volume VII, Number I - Winter 2006

A species of particular concern to Wild Virginia is the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta). The Wood Turtle is found on the George Washington WILD VIRGINIA National Forest (GWNF) and is officially listed under Virginia’s Endan- gered Species law as “Threatened”. It is “very rare and imperiled” and is considered a “Tier 1” species, meaning it is in the greatest need of conser- vation.

The Wood Turtle’s natural habitat is clean-running streams and associ- ated forest in the far northern portion of the state, an area subject to in- tense growth and development pres- Protecting Your Favorite Wild Places sures. Protecting Wood Turtle popu- lations and habitat PO Box 1065 on the GWNF ap- Charlottesville, VA 22902 pears essential to (434) 971-1553 the long-term sur- http://www.wildvirginia.org vival of the species [email protected] in Virginia. Unfor- tunately, the secu- rity of Wood Tur- E d i t o r s & C o n t r i b u t o r s tles continues to be Ernie Reed, Jason Halbert, Steve threatened by tim- Photo of Wood Turtle by Steve Krichbaum taken on the Krichbaum, Mike Kruse, Eric Gilchrist, ber sales and other George Washington National Forest. Kristin Taverna, and Jen Creasy US Forest Service Layout Design-Gillian Shasby & management activities. Kristin Taverna Wild Virginia moved on several fronts in 2005 in our efforts to improve protection of this beautiful reptile. Wild Virginia staff and volunteers con- Submissions ducted numerous field surveys on the GWNF to collect information on We welcome submissions of articles, Wood Turtle locations, habitat, and numbers. Our findings were communi- op-ed, poetry, cartoons, photos, draw- cated to the Forest Service, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fish- ings, etc. Please try to keep text under eries, and Virginia Division of Natural Heritage. We have also communi- one typed page. Please be advised that cated our concerns and recommendations to the Secretary of Natural Re- we reserve the right to edit for space. sources at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Due Our next issue will be coming out in partly to pressure from Wild Virginia and specifically Conservation Direc- Spring 2006 so please submit by April tor Steve Krichbaum, these agencies are currently in the process of devel- 1st. Thanks! oping a formal Conservation Plan for the Wood Turtle.

In 2006 we will continue to gather on-the-ground data about Wood Tur- tles on the GWNF and will continue to press for effective and strict protec- Donations to Wild Virginia are tions for them in our national forests. These protections include expanded gratefully accepted. Please make buffer zones, revised logging and road building plans, and designation of checks payable to VOP (our fiscal Special Biological Areas. Wild Virginia is optimistic that through our per- sponsor) and send to address above. sistent involvement Wood Turtles and all wildlife will get the respect and consideration they deserve on the George Washington National Forest.

Ancient Mountain Sentinel is printed on 100% recycled, non-chlorine bleached paper. Your use of this or similar paper will prevent the destruc- tion of native forests. Recycle.... Pass this newsletter on to a friend! PAGE 4 VOLUME VIII, NO.1

Public Lands Legislative Update

This update refers to legislation System: Brush Mountain, Brush protecting native biodiversity. pending before the U.S. Congress Mountain East, Garden Mountain, While this bill might encourage regarding public lands in Central Hunting Camp Creek, Lynn Camp widespread use of herbicides, the Appalachia. Each bill is supported Creek, Raccoon Branch, Stone intent is sound. Use your judgment by Wild Virginia and we list the Mountain, and additions will be in supporting this bill. Virginia Congresspersons who also made to the following existing Wil- support each bill. Please write to dernesses: Mountain Lake, Kimber- thank them! If you do not know ling Creek, Lewis Fork, Little Wil- HR 3107 Ecosystem Protection who your Representative is, please son Creek, , and Act of 2005: This bill, introduced by go to this website: http:// Shawvers Run. For more informa- Robert Andrews (D-NJ-1) would www.house.gov/ or call Wild Vir- tion and sample letters please go to establish a set of core areas as re- ginia 434-971-1553 and we’ll help www.wildvirginia.org or serves for ecosystem protection and you. www.virginiawilderness.org. This water quality. It would also allow bill is supported by Congressman land acquisition to add to the core Please note that Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA-11), James Moran Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-6) from Roa- reserves and allow buyout of graz- (D-VA-8), Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), and ing permits on public lands. noke represents most of the George Frank Wolf (R-VA-10). Washington National Forest and . He is the Chairman of the House Agriculture HR 3166 Multiple-Use Conflict Committee where most legislation HR 3563 National Forest Resolution Act of 2005: This bill, regarding National Forests is re- Roadless Area Conservation Act: introduced by Congressman Raul viewed before going to vote before This bill was introduced into the Grijalva (D-AZ-7) and supported by the full House. He is a powerful Senate by Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Virginia Congressman Moran, Congressman and historically op- on March 2nd and is supported by would provide compensation to any poses most Wilderness and conser- Virginia Congressmen Boucher, holder of a grazing permit on public vation measures on National For- Moran and Scott. The bill would land who voluntarily relinquishes ests. If you live in, or know someone codify the 2001 Roadless Area Con- their permit and removes their ani- who lives in Bob Goodlatte’s dis- servation Rule as law and protect mals. This is especially important trict, it is especially important that over 58 million acres of roadless Na- for many western lands, but also you write to him in support of these tional Forest lands. Senator John applies to grazing permits on Fed- bills. Warner supports this bill despite the eral lands in Virginia. Bush Administration’s hostility to- If you have time for only one or ward protecting roadless areas. There are dozens of other bills two letters, please write to support affecting your public lands. Please the first two bills below. Hand- search http://thomas.loc.gov for written letters are best, followed by S. 1897 Act to Save America’s more information. emails, then post cards. We encour- Forests: Former Senator John age you to write often! Corzine (D-NJ) introduced this bill last year. It would ban clearcutting in favor of protecting native biodi- HR 1975/S.942 Virginia Ridge versity on National Forest lands. It and Valley Act of 2005: This bill, would also protect many special ar- introduced by Congressman Rick eas including all roadless areas. This Boucher (D-VA-9) in the House bill has been introduced in various and Senator John Warner (R-VA) forms for the last 14 years. in the Senate, would establish 55,000 acres of new protected areas on the Jefferson National Forest in S 1541 Public Land Protection Virginia. Specifically, the bill would and Conservation Act of 2005: create the Seng Mountain and Bear This bill would establish a national Creek Scenic Areas and the follow- grants program for targeted control ing areas would added to the of invasive species on public lands, Stream in Dolly Ann Roadless Area, National Wilderness Preservation among other programs focused on GWNF. Photo by Clint Farlinger VOLUME VIII, NO.1 PAGE 5 Species Spotlight Cow Knob Salamander (Plethodon punctatus)

The native forests throughout home ranges in damp forests and it is 43,000 acre Special Interest Area the mountains of Virginia and the most abundant in high-elevation old- when the George Washington Na- Southeast are home to the greatest growth hardwood and hemlock forests1. tional Forest Plan was revised in diversity of salamander species in 1993. The Special Interest Area is the world. These shy, secretive The Cow Knob salamander was not located on the crest of Shenandoah creatures are rarely seen by people recognized as a distinct species until Mountain above 3,000 feet in the not specifically looking for them as 1972 and it currently has no federal Dry River Ranger District. This most hide during the day in places protection under the Endangered Spe- designation precludes logging but such as rotting tree stumps and cies Act. It is listed as a species of spe- allows traditional uses such as typically emerge only on rainy, cial concern and is considered a sensi- hunting, fishing, hiking and berry foggy or misty nights to feed or tive species by the George Washington picking. mate. National Forest. In 2000, Wild Virginia Con- Salamanders have a com- servation Director Steve plex life history that includes Krichbaum submitted a pro- both an aquatic and terrestrial posal to the Clinton Admini- component and require shaded, stration to create the damp, cool forests with abun- “Shenandoah Mountain Na- dant rotting downfall and leaf tional Monument”. This desig- litter. They are very sensitive nation would permanently pro- to high temperatures and mois- tect the Cow Knob salamander ture loss, and are quite vulner- habitat on Shenandoah Moun- able to habitat alterations, such tain as well as the largest group as logging, that often removes of roadless areas in the Eastern vegetative cover and allows US. The Clinton Administra- sunlight to reach the forest tion did not accept the proposal floor. and Wild Virginia is currently revising the proposal with the Most salamander species in hope that this special area will the Southeast are widespread someday receive permanent and abundant. Their wide Cow Knob Salamander. Photo by Jeff Humphries protection to ensure the native range of habitat allows their forests remain intact and the populations to remain rela- Cow Knob salamander popula- tively stable in the midst of logging The status of the Cow Knob sala- tions thrive for generations to come. and other disturbances. New popu- mander is entirely dependent on intact lations will migrate in from forests in the George Washington Na- neighboring woods as the logged tional Forest. Thus, logging that opens forest recovers. Of particular con- up the forest canopy and increases References: cern, however, are those whose moisture loss has a high potential to 1Pague, C. A., K. A. Buhlmann, and J. range is limited to a single or a few threaten the salamander’s viability. A C. Mitchell. 1991. Cow Knob Sala- mountains, valleys, caves or study conducted in 1987 by University mander, Plethodon punctatus streams. of Richmond researchers found that if Highton. Pp. 437-439 in K. Terwil- the Forest Service continued logging liger (coord.). Virginia's Endan- One such species is the Cow the habitat of the Cow Knob salaman- gered Species. McDonald and Knob salamander found only in the der it would drive the species to extinc- Woodward Publishing Company, George Washington National Forest tion. The salamander disappeared Blacksburg, Virginia. on Shenandoah, North and Great from sites that had been clearcut and 2 North Mountains between 2,400 was very slow (50 to 70 years) to Zaber, D.J. 1998. Southern Les- and 4,300 feet. The Cow Knob sala- recolonize regenerating patches of for- sons: Saving Species Through the National Forest Manage- mander is medium-sized (up to 3" est2. long) and is dark brown to black ment Act. Defenders of Wildlife with various cream to yellowish The results of this study prompted Publication. spots. The species maintains small the Forest Service to designate a URGENT ACTION ALERT : US NATIONAL FOREST LAND UP FOR SALE!

The Bush administration's FY2007 Budget proposes to fund budget shortfalls by selling nearly a billion dollars worth of our National Forest land. The administration has identified more than 300,000 acres of National Forest, in- cluding thousands of acres in the Southeast, that could be sold to fund the Secure Rural School and Community Self- Determination program . In Virginia, the total proposed acreage for sale is 5,717acres, largely within the Jefferson National Forest. Funding our nation’s education system should be a priority, but selling off public land isn’t an appro- priate solution. Our public lands deserve better than to be treated as a budgetary slush fund!

The official notice and call for comments was released by the Forest Service on February 28, 2006. Here is the USFS link to the Lands Potentially for Sale: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/spd.html

Please submit comments to the Forest Service! The deadline for comments is March 30, 2006.

No amount of money is worth the permanent loss of our public lands. National Forests are where we hike, camp, paddle, and renew - NOT where we fund the Rural Schools program. Let’s keep the ‘public’ in public lands! Talking points for your comments can be found at : www.safc.org/campaigns/USFS_Land_Sales.php

Submit your comments by e-mail to: [email protected] By fax to: (202) 205-1604 By mail to: USDA Forest Service SRS Comments, Lands 4S 1400 Independence Ave., SW Mailstop 1124 Washington, DC 20250-0003

WILD VIRGINIA Protecting your favorite wild places

P.O. Box 1065 Charlottesville, VA 22902 www.wildvirginia.org