AppalachianThe FREE August/September 2018 Voice

Stewarding Our National Forests America’s public lands are a place of refuge and recreation, but how we manage them is a topic of intense debate

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Pipeline Update Legal challenges, protests continue against MVP and ACP

Remaking Downtowns Communities strive to bring back main street The Tom Cormons enjoying a AppalachianVOICE A note from our executive director swim at Harper Creek Falls A publication of in Pisgah National Forest this summer. AppalachianVoices My three young kids have been belt- major victory for pipeline ing out all six verses to Woody Guthrie’s opponents, the three-judge Giant Hogweed Sprouting up in Appalachia NC: 589 W. King St., Boone, NC 28607 • 828-262-1500 1940s patriotic classic “This Land is Your panel unanimously ruled in VA: 812 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-6373 Land” this summer. The rousing an- favor of the Sierra Club, Ap- New patches of giant hogweed, a ton, the sap is photo sensitive, meaning it Washington, Michigan, Vermont, New Other Regional Offices: Knoxville, TN • Norton, VA them to the American landscape seems palachian Voices and Wild toxic species indigenous to the Caucasus reacts when exposed to sunlight, but not Hampshire and Maine. AppalachianVoices.org | [email protected] especially poignant now, as thousands Virginia, sending the hastily Mountains in Eastern Europe, have been every individual experiences an extreme The tall plant contains flowers that of citizens rise up to confront goliath issued federal permits back discovered growing in western North reaction. Individuals who encounter the resemble those on the much smaller Editor...... Molly Moore Associate Editor...... Kevin Ridder pipeline companies manipulating the to the drawing board and Carolina’s Watauga County. Accord- sap should immediately wash the area Queen Anne’s lace, and is often confused Consulting Editor & Designer...... Jamie Goodman system to wrest long stretches of land leading FERC to issue a stop- ing to Dr. Jim Hamilton, director of the with soap and cold water and avoid the with cow parsnip, a plant loosely related Distribution Manager...... Meredith Shelton from ordinary citizens. work order for the Mountain Unfortunately, such “silent acquies- North Carolina Cooperative Watauga sun. If sap gets in your eyes, rinse them to giant hogweed but native to North Editorial Assistant...... Sara Crouch cence” to the will of powerful interests Editorial Assistant...... Locke Curtis This nearly 80-year-old song reso- Valley Pipeline the next week. County Extension, officials have been with water and put on sunglasses. If you America. According to Hamilton, hog- Editorial Assistant...... Hannah Gillespie nates in our children’s young ears, I Not mincing words, the court made is too often the habitual response of dealing with the noxious weed in the experience any reaction, call a doctor. weed seeds can live dormant in soil for Graphic Designer...... Jimmy Davidson believe, because of its insistence on a clear that the Trump administration those entrusted to safeguard our shared county for the past 10 to 15 years. It was Watauga is the only county in North up to 15 years before germinating, mak- Graphic Designer...... Cara Adeimy truth much, much older. At a deep level, failed in its duty to Americans to protect natural wealth. But we are seeing how originally planted by some homeowners Carolina so far where giant hogweed ing it especially challenging to eradicate. Chad Taylor, plant pest specialist with the NC Depart- DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS: Ellen Adams, Courtney Alley, Alison our system of checks and balances, in the land — like our air and water — is this priceless land: as a decorative yard plant. has been identified. The weed is also If you identify giant hogweed, do ment of Agriculture, has been working for years to Auciello, Jill Averitt, Cathy Bachara, Debbie Bahr, Nelson and Lanie concert with a robust citizen response, something we all share. This truth about “[Mountain Valley Pipeline’s] pro- Giant hogweed can grow to 15 feet found in Clarke, Faquier and Rock- not try to cut it down; instead call your eradicate giant hogweed like this patch in Watauga Bailey, Gretchen Barelski, Ashly Bargman, Becky Barlow, Terrie can compel our decision makers to County, N.C. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Hamilton, Baumgardner, Laura Bayer, Sara Bell, Bob Belton, Teresa Board- our relationship to the land, and the call posed project would be the largest tall and excretes sap that can badly blis- ingham counties in Virginia, and CBS state invasive species division or contact think again. The late Woody Guthrie’s Watauga County Cooperative Extension wine, Roberta Bondurant, Charlie Bowles, Bethann Bowman, Dale to action it entails, seems more relevant pipeline of its kind to cross the Jefferson ter skin and cause blindness if it comes in News reported patches in New York, your local agricultural extension agent.­ Brady, Lynn Brammer, Ben Bristoll, Steve Brooks, Anne Brown, Paul wisdom, channeled through the next now than ever. National Forest,” the opinion states. contact with eyes. According to Hamil- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, — By Locke Curtis & staff Corbit Brown, Teri Brown, Christa Brusen Bill Bunch, George Buraz- generation, won’t let us forget the rights er, John Calhoun, Pat Calvert, Debra Cantwell, Sarah Caskey, Shay And so we — like families all across “American citizens understandably By the Numbers and Kim Clanton, Helen Clark, Ridge Cook, Dave Cooper, Dave Cop- our region — celebrated in late July place their trust in the Forest Service to and responsibilities we have to the land River boat access points currently under per, George Cortesi, Sarah Crouch, Darlene Cunningham, Nancy when a federal appeals court rescinded protect and preserve this country’s for- we share. Dagley, John David, Sister Beth Davies, Heather Dean, Deborah Clinch-Powell Clean Rivers Initiative Extended 4 construction by the West Virginia Divi- Deatherage, Tina Del Prete, Rose DeProspero, Denise DerGarabe- the government permits allowing the ests, and they deserve more than silent For a just future, The U.S. Environmental Protection Virginia, will continue working together stress from relatively low-concentra- sion of Natural Resources. 12 are in the de- dian, Cynthia Dunn, Heather Earp, Bill Elliott, Patricia English, Mike Mountain Valley Pipeline to cut through acquiescence to a pipeline company’s Agency, Tennessee Department of En- to restore the watershed over the next 10 tions of metals and polycyclic aromatic sign phase and 10 are in the concept stage. Feely, Sandy Forrest, Frank Fry, H A Gallucio, Lashonna Geter, John the rugged Appalachian landscape of justification for upending large swaths Gillespie Dave Gilliam, Scott Goebel, Lorelei Goff, Bruce Gould, vironment and Conservation, Virginia years through the Clinch-Powell Clean hydrocarbons.” Species in Kentucky that are Gary Greer, Tauna Gulley, Kelly Haber, Christine Harris, Bill Harris, the Jefferson National Forest. In this of national forestlands.” Tom Cormons, Executive Director Department of Environmental Qual- Rivers Initiative. The agencies included in the initia- 300 considered vulnerable or en- Paul Hayes, Michael Hayslett, Susan Hazlewood, Eberhard Heide, dangered. A new membership-based state Sharon Helt, Regina Hendrix, Laura Henry-Stone, Matt Hepler, Pa- ity and Virginia Department of Mines, The Clinch-Powell watershed is an tive aim to reduce the amount of nitro- program called Kentucky Wild aims to raise mela Hill, Sherry Hopkins, Cricket Hunter, Tim Huntley, Dakota Icen- Minerals and Energy are extending a important area for biodiversity in North gen, phosphorus, sediment and toxic funds to protect at-risk species and offers hour, Mary Jacobs, Nicholas Johnson, Mary K, Thom Kay, Alisa 2008 Memorandum of Understanding America and is home to 20 endangered pollution going to the rivers by working Keegan, Denny Keeney, Donita Kennedy, Wayne Keplinger, Katie environmental & cultural events opportunities for members to join biologists Kienbaum, Briana Knisley, Mary Ann Kokenge, Leonard Kosup, GET INVOLVED to protect and restore the Clinch and freshwater mussel species. In an EPA with local farmers to implement best in hands-on conservation projects. Deborah Kushner, Frances Lamberts, Waltr Lane, Don Langrehr, See more at appvoices.org/calendar Powell rivers in Tennessee and Virginia. news release, Clinch-Powell Clean Riv- management practices. They also plan to Geology and Natural ACP Compressor Public Hearing Tennessee counties that will no longer Christine Laporte, Tracy Leinbaugh, Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Bill Communities Talk & Walk Sept. 11, 5-9:30 p.m.: Speak at a public hear- Limpert, Joyannah Lonnes, Marion Loper, Maggie Louden, Diane With this extension, the agencies ers Initiative Science Team Chair Braven reduce stormwater runoff, improve local require vehicle emissions testing under Aug. 18, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Learn about the ing for an Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor through workshops and lectures. $50, lunch 6 Lucas, Jacki Lucki, Lara Mack, Paula Mann, Gail Marney, Brian responsible for administering the Clean Beaty said that the team’s research has wastewater management and restore a new state law. The law will not go into ef- geology of Brasstown Bald and how it af- station, or submit a public comment by Sept. included. Hurricane, W.Va. Call (304) 542- McAllister, Kate McClory, Kim McClure, Rich McDonough, Tom Mc- Water Act and Surface Mining Control shown “that habitat conditions in the land and water that has been impacted fect until approved by the EPA, which could Intosh, Mike McKinney, Sherri McMurray, Kevin Mcwhinney, Tim fects living things. $5, children under 16 free. 11. Buckingham County, Va. Visit: tinyurl.com/ 1635 or visit: wvherbassociation.org/events. take three years. Milling, Joy Miracle, Steve Moeller, Caroline Noel, Don Odell, Lynne Hiawassee, Ga. Call (706) 896-2556 or Visit: BuckinghamHearing or call (804) 698-4000 Cranberry Shindig and Reclamation Act, as well as corre- rivers are fairly good, but that rare by coal mining with the Abandoned Oglesby, Rob and Allison Osborne, Sheila Ostroff, Ken Pace, Lee tinyurl.com/Geology-NaturalCommunities Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Local artisans will sponding state laws in Tennessee and freshwater mussels are under chronic Mine Land Fund. ­­— By Sara Crouch Days of racing involved in the long- Payne, Adam Pendlebury, Rick Phelps, Cleve Phillips, Natalie Pien, ASAP’s Local Food Experience 22nd Annual Appalachian Festival Sept. 13, 6-8:30 p.m.: Enjoy delicious food demonstrate and sell their goods, including 9 distance American Solar Challenge, Laureen Poole, Niki Powell, Chase Pugh, Sister Ann Marie Quinn, both during and after Thomas Jefferson’s payments ceased until 2017 despite efforts Aug. 24-26: Enjoy three days of music, arts and socialize with regional farmers and chefs blacksmithing, soap making and dulcimer Students Uncover Slave a biannual, international solar vehicle race. Justin Raines, Bronwyn Reece, Collin Rees, Carolyn Reilly, Jake ownership,” states the university program’s by county officials and the district’s current Resor, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, Jenny Rytel, Debbie Samuels, and crafts, food and more. Free admission. to connect your food with where it comes making at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Appalachian State University and the Uni- Artifacts at Poplar website. — By Locke Curtis and former congressional representatives. Steve Scarborough, Gerry and Joe Scardo, Frank Schaller, Sandy Beckley, W.Va. Visit: appalachianfestival.net from. $30. Asheville, N.C. Call (828) 236-1282 Center. Free. Hillsboro, W.Va. Visit: tinyurl. versity of Minnesota tied for second place Forest Plantation According to Smoky Mountain News, Schlaudecker, Elvira Schrader, Susanne Seiler, Kathy Selvage, or call (877) 987-3847 or visit: asapconnections.org com/CranberryShindig or call (304) 653-4826. behind Italy’s University of Bologna. Mayzie Shelton, Charles Shelton, Brenda Sigmon, David Skinner, Throughout June and July, college Swain County to Swain County Commission Chairman Phil Virginia Environmental Assembly Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Percentage of honeybee hives Bradford Slocum, Meg Smith, Martha Smith, Janeen Solberg, Lucy OVEC Annual Meeting students from the University of Virginia un- Carson said, “hopefully [the principle on Spencer, Andrea Steegmayer, Jennifer Stertzer, Jim Stockwell, Em- Sept. 7-8: Join the Virginia Conservation Net- and Treehuggers’ Ball Oct. 4-7: Enjoy three days of music, art and Receive $35.2 Million lost in Virginia during the winter earthed slave artifacts from former president this sum] will help future generations not 59.5 ily Terrell, Gail Thomas, Pat Tompkins, Bonnie Triplett, Renita Wade, work as conservation leaders host a forum Sept. 15, 3-10 p.m.: Join the Ohio Valley En- education. Swing by the Appalachian Voices for “Road to Nowhere” of 2017-2018, the highest percentage lost Thomas Jefferson’s plantation at Poplar have to pay higher tax rates to be able to Bill Wasserman, John Weitzel, Tina White, Tamara Whiting, Martha about key environmental issues in Virginia. vironmental Coalition for their annual meeting table! Early Bird tickets: $90 adult, $45 ages After eight years of waiting, Swain since 2000. — By Molly Moore Willard, Ann Williams, Barbara Williamson, Diana Withen, Chuck Forest in Bedford County, Va., as part of an live here.” — By Locke Curtis $40. Free for College of William and Mary stu- and food, music and fun. Cost TBA. Hunting- 13-15. No pets. Pittsboro, N.C. Call (919) County, N.C., received a $35.2 million settle- Wyro, Danny Yousef, Gabrielle Zeiger, Ray Zimmerman ongoing archaeology program. dents, $20 for other students. Williamsburg, ton, W.Va. Call (304) 522-0246 or visit: ohvec. 542-8142 or visit: shakorihillsgrassroots.org. ment from the federal government over the “This is a part of a larger effort to even- Va. Call (804) 644-0283 or Visit: tinyurl.com/ org/ovecs-annual-meeting. National Storytelling Festival incomplete “Road to Nowhere” located in tually restore that structure and open it up VirginiaEnvironmentalAssembly. Brushy Fork Annual Institute Oct. 5-7: Enjoy live storytelling and workshops Bryson City. Construction on the road be- About the Cover as an interpretative place where the public WV Black Heritage Festival Sept. 18-20: Network and train on leader- at the 46th annual festival. Ticket prices vary. gan after World War II under a 1943 federal Jonesborough, Tenn. Visit: storytellingcenter. can interact with the issue of slavery here on Sept. 7-9: The 28th annual festival will include ship and economic development to provide agreement to give access to the North Shore net/festival or call (800) 952-8392. the property,” said Poplar Forest’s Associate 2018 CLEAN ENERGY WORKSHOPS vendors, live music, a youth block party and skills needed to combat pressing issues in ancestral lands and cemeteries made inac- Archeologist Eric Proebsting to WSET news. a church service Sunday morning. Free. our region. $475, $400 for AmeriCorps and Homestead Dreams Workshop cessible by the creation of Fontana Lake. Sept 7 Closing the Loop: Why Do We Need Post Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: An entry-level workshop These discoveries help fill in the histori- Clarksburg, W.Va. Visit: wvbhf.com or call students. Berea, Ky. Call (859) 985-3858 or Construction stopped in 1970 for for those wanting to work towards self-reliance cal gaps of the lives of the 94 slaves owned Occupancy Evaluations for Buildings? (304) 641-9963. visit: berea.edu/brushy-fork-annual-institute. financial and environmental reasons after through living off the land. $65. Buncombe by Jefferson, as well as scores of others Sept 14 2018 Appalachian Clean Energy CLE 27th Annual Cherokee Fields Edge Farm Fall Festival conservationists garnered national support County, N.C. Call (828) 214-7833 or visit: tinyurl. who were enslaved by the Cobbs and Hutter Fall Festival Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Enjoy agricultural to oppose the project because of the dam- Photographer Bob Stough took his photo “Clear- com/HomesteadDreams. families later on. The students have found Sept 21-22 Microhydro System Design & Installation ing Storm on North Fork Mountain” looking down Sept. 8-9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Enjoy Cherokee history tours, local food and farm tours. Free age it would cause to local ecosystems. In Save Your Streambanks plates, bottles and smoking pipes at two of on the Monongahela National Forest in West food, arts and crafts, music and reenact- admission. Floyd, Va. Visit: fieldsedgefarms. Sept 28 Energy Modeling for Zero Energy Ready Oct. 9, 6-7:30 p.m.: Join Bluegrass Greensource 2010, Swain County made an agreement Virginia. Stough is a nature photographer from the ments at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. com or call (540) 789-2347. the slave quarter sites. Homes for a workshop on local watersheds, grant op- with the U.S. Department of the Interior that Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania who uses his The theme this year is “From the Ashes.” No “These sites will reveal new data West Virginia Herb Association portunities, the benefits of streamside buffers allocated $52 million to the county by 2020. images to celebrate the wilds of Appalachia and pets. Adults $10, children ages 13-18 $5, un- about the daily lives of both enslaved and For details, continuing education credits & more workshops: Fall Conference and how to spot and remove invasive species. After a $12.8 million payout in 2010, these inspire others to cherish and preserve them. See free people who labored on this plantation [email protected] 828-262-8913 der 12 free. Vonore, Tenn. Visit: tinyurl.com/ Sept. 29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Network with fellow Free. Carlisle, Ky. Visit: bggreensource.org or energy.appstate.edu more of his work at bobstoughphotography.com CherokeeFallFestival or call (423) 884-6246. herbalists and learn about herb cultivation call (859) 266-1572. The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 3 The STAY Project Celebrates 10 Years SolSmart Designation By Sara Crouch have access to clean water, or high pay- Olivia Lowery D’Amato, a STAY in Works for The Stay Together Appalachian ing jobs, or healthcare, or education, or steering committee member from Big Southwest Virginia Youth (STAY) Project celebrated 10 years if you are LGBTQ or a person of color Stone Gap, Va., says that “I found STAY and don’t feel safe in your community.” at a really great time because I was In June, several counties and towns in July. The STAY Project is a youth-led in Southwest Virginia received a tech- organization of people ages 14 to 30 The STAY Project works to help feeling loneliness, and STAY gave me Appalachian youth a space where I could nical assistance grant from the Depart- that aims to “make Appalachia a place ment of Energy to help develop solar young people can and want to stay,” reach their full poten- be exactly who I am.” tial through asking re- The 10-year anni- energy in the area. A technical advisor according to Lou Murrey, current STAY will work with local officials in these project coordinator. gional young people versary was celebrated what they need to stay at their annual STAY communities for six months to ensure STAY was formed as a result of a the community can receive SolSmart conversation at the 2008 Appalachian and work in their com- Summer Institute, munities, connecting which allows mem- designation, which signifies that the Studies Association Conference about area has worked to make solar energy “pathways to meaningful participation them with resources and recognizing bers to come together, learn from one young leaders who are already creat- another, voice their goals for the coming more accessible. of young people in the social justice Lou Ann Wallace, SolSmart Proj- work that was taking place in our re- ing change. year and decide which issues the group The organization’s focus shifts as will address. This year, members who ect Sponsor, says, “We consider the gion,” says Joe Tolbert, one of STAY’s SolSmart program an economic de- founding members. members age out and new members have aged out of STAY were invited. come in. “STAY ... is the people who are To Lowery D’Amato, this milestone velopment initiative. By attaining According to Tolbert, STAY also SolSmart Designation we can show that works to counter “brain drain” — the there,” Murrey says. is a “beautiful time of reflection and To Murrey, STAY is home.“I finally celebration of where we come from Southwest Virginia is open for solar “notion that in order to go to good business.” schools and to be successful, you have felt like there were people who under- … It’s this moment of reinvigoration, stood me, who were from Appalachia especially in this political climate.” SolSmart supporters argue that the to leave the region.” To Tolbert, “it was designation could encourage economic clear that if we wanted people to stay and recognize that importance and Tolbert says he is grateful for this what it means,” Murrey shared. They anniversary. “At 10 years, my belief in diversity by bringing in new industries home and in the region, we had to make that are interested in renewable energy. sure that our home and region were able found people like them who are “radical people working to change their realities and queer, and allowed me to mess up is definitely strengthened because of the A press release from Appalachian to support our staying and thriving.” Voices, one of the members of the Solar Murrey says, “It’s really hard to ac- and do better, to hold me accountable, legacy of us coming together to try.” but to be gentle as I learned.” Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and cess our full potential when [we] don’t the publisher of this newspaper, ex- plains that the program is also designed 90 Percent Reduction Proposed for Red Wolf Protected Habitat to make solar energy more affordable and accessible “by engaging with On June 21, the U.S. Fish and Wild- Creation of the original protected tend to push out coyotes. utilities and installers to provide clear life Service announced a plan to decrease area was met with some public opposi- “The Trump administration’s Fish information for homeowners, as well the protected habitat of the endangered tion from concerned livestock owners and Wildlife Service is declaring open as working with local government to red wolf in Eastern North Carolina by and coyote hunters. However, Perrin de season to kill the last of America’s establish financing mechanisms for low- nearly 90 percent, even though the spe- Jong, a staff attorney at the Center for red wolves, which are on the verge income communities.” — By Sara Crouch cies has only 35 remaining members in Biological Diversity — a nonprofit en- of extinction,” de Jong said in a press the wild. According to the agency, this dangered species protection organiza- release. If the new plan is adopted this key flaw of the reintroduction effort proposal intends to refocus conserva- tion — says red wolves have only been November, hunters will no longer have was the lack of community outreach tion efforts on a smaller area since the responsible for five livestock deaths to consult the Fish and Wildlife Service and education about the benefits of program has been largely unsuccessful. since 1997 and healthy wolf populations before killing wolves spotted outside of protecting the species. A public com- the 200,000-acre protected area in North ment period on the new proposal took Carolina’s Hyde and Dare counties. place in July. —­ By Locke Curtis * * According to conservationists, the we are new expanding hours Asian Carp Spreading Near East Tennessee Asian carp, an invasive species in the state: bighead, silver, black and * * originally brought to the United States grass carp. Each type can change the in the 1970s for aquaculture purposes, food web of the area they have invaded. could be spreading to East Tennessee’s Silver carp, which travel in large quanti- monday- saturday part of the Tennessee River. Evidence of ties, are of special concern because they 11:00am- 9:00pm Asian carp was found in Chickamauga jump out of the water when scared, Lake northeast of Chattanooga, accord- potentially injuring boaters or recre- 828.268.9600 | 4004 nc hwy 105 s. banner elk, nc ing to Chattanooga News Channel 9. ationists. — By Sara Crouch reidscafeandcatering.com There are four types of Asian carp

Page 4 visit: August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice Mountain Valley Pipeline for Pipeline Challenges species conducted by the Protesters confront EQT step down from the fed- Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast failure to control erosion and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- Midstream Partners, eral agency in August. Continued from previous page developers of the MVP, stormwater runoff, which could vice was insufficient. at the company’s He was nominated by Pipeline Challenges Continue lead to the state agencies issuing Scheduled to enter service in late 2018, FERC did not require June shareholders’ President Trump in May fines or stop-work orders. Mountaineer XPress had received six Atlantic Coast developers meeting in Pittsburgh. 2017. FERC will be split By Kevin Ridder might have to be relocated or notices of violation from West Virginia to take any further steps to Photo by Steve Dietz/ 2 to 2 between Demo- Steep Slopes Appalachians Against abandoned.” regulators as of Aug. 2. protect endangered species crats and Republicans On Aug. 3, the Federal Energy Regu- In the predawn hours of Pipelines FERC’s order notes that The Indian Creek Watershed Asso- in North Carolina, even when Powelson leaves, latory Commission issued a stop-work June 7, TransCanada Corpora- pipeline developers are per- ciation, a community group in Monroe though the approved sec- which could put pipe- order for the entire Mountain Valley Mountain Valley tion’s Leach XPress Pipeline mitted to do work that FERC Pipeline construction County, W.Va., expressed their concerns tion intersects rivers desig- line approvals on hold. Pipeline, effective immediately. The or- exploded in Marshall County, or other land management near Indian Creek about the similar landscape the Leach nated as critical habitat for A coalition of 25 unions der cited a July 27 decision by the 4th U.S. W.Va., and burned for several agencies deem necessary “to in West Virginia. XPress and the Mountain Valley Pipeline the endangered Atlantic and energy and business Circuit Court of Appeals that stripped Photo courtesy ensure the stabilization of the hours. No injuries or proper- Mountain Valley of permits from the of Appalachians slash through in a July 17 letter to the sturgeon. The Neuse River trade groups wrote to right of way and work areas.” ty damage were reported, al- U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Against Pipelines Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. waterdog — a type of sala- Senate leadership and The Atlantic Coast though the blast left a crater and Management needed for the pipeline “The similarities of terrain — partic- mander under review for implored them “to vote Pipeline’s permit to cross scorched an estimated 10 acres, to cut through 3.5 miles of the Jefferson ularly the prevalence of steep slopes and federal protection and list- as early as possible on the George Washington and according to WTRF News. The National Forest. The July decision came landslide-prone areas along [Mountain ed by the state as “special checked by a doctor and arrested. She FERC confirmations.” Monongahela national forests pipeline began service in Janu- as a result of a challenge from the Sierra Valley Pipeline’s] 300-mile route through concern” — also lives in the pipeline’s has since been released from jail on bond. In a statement, Mary Anne Hitt, is facing a similar challenge ary, at which time TransCanada Club, Wild Virginia and Appalachian West Virginia and Virginia — make the approved path. In Monroe County, W.Va., a protestor senior director of Sierra Club’s Beyond brought by Sierra Club, Wild President and CEO Russ Girling Voices, the publisher of this newspaper. Leach Xpress explosion yet another Dominion has continued construc- named Max was sentenced to two days Coal campaign, said, “The next com- Virginia and other organiza- said, “this is truly a best-in-class The federal judges wrote, “Ameri- wake-up call about the dangers of MVP’s tion in West Virginia areas not affected by in jail after locking himself to pipeline missioner must be a strong advocate for tions. It is scheduled for a pipeline and we look forward to can citizens understandably place their selected route,” the letter reads. The pending litigation and intends to begin construction equipment in early June, considering climate change in FERC’s hearing on Sept. 28. many years of safe, reliable and trust in the Forest Service to protect and organization also pointed out that the 42- construction in Virginia later this year, ac- according to Appalachians Against Pipe- decision making process, curtailing the The slew of legal battles efficient operation.” preserve this country’s forests, and they inch diameter Mountain Valley Pipeline cording to the Charlotte Business Journal. lines. Fern MacDougal, who obstructed dangerous overbuilding of fracked gas against Mountain Valley has The U.S. Pipeline and Haz- deserve more than silent acquiescence is wider and would carry more gas than On July 31, four Republican senators pipeline construction for 12 days on an pipelines, and stand firmly against reck- caused developers to push ardous Materials Safety Admin- to a pipeline company’s justification the 36-inch Leach XPress Pipeline. introduced a bill to make it more dif- aerial platform in the Jefferson National less coal and nuclear plant bailouts the back the expected completion istration estimates the explosion for upending large swaths of national On June 29, Mountain Valley volun- ficult for states to use the federal Clean Forest in May and June, also spent two Trump Administration and grid opera- date from late 2018 to early resulted from a landslide that forestlands. Citizens also trust in the tarily suspended construction in parts Water Act to slow or prevent construc- days in jail, according to the group. tors are proposing.” 2019. In June, the 4th Circuit put stress on a weld, and stated Bureau of Land Management to prevent 401 to allow the pipeline to cross streams of Southwest Virginia after heavy rains tion of fossil fuel infrastructure. The bill The pipeline opponent known as Since 1999, FERC has only rejected suspended the pipeline’s construction in July that “it appears conditions undue degradation to public lands.” and wetlands in the commonwealth. The overwhelmed sediment and erosion would limit the scope of what states can “Nutty,” who blocked pipeline construc- two out of approximately 400 pipeline across waters in West Virginia when the exist on [TransCanada’s] pipeline system In its August stop-work order, FERC 4th Circuit also ruled in favor of pipeline control measures. Virginia regulators consider when conducting a section 401 tion in a monopod for 57 days on Peters projects. An official comment period judges granted a stay of a crucial permit that pose an integrity risk to public safety, stated that “should the agencies autho- developers on July 25 by upholding issued a formal notice of violation on review, further streamlining the permit Mountain in Virginia, is scheduled to regarding FERC’s pipeline approval under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. property or the environment.” Although rize alternative routes, [Mountain Valley Mountain Valley’s usage of eminent July 9, outlining eight likely violations process and removing states’ authority appear in court in August, The Roanoke process ended on July 25. The agency The permit, issued by the Army Corps of TransCanada identified six other “areas Pipeline] may need to revise substantial domain to take private land against of the law. Work had resumed at 33 of to protect their waters. Times reported. Three men — Doug sought feedback on how it evaluates Engineers, is needed for the Mountain of concern” along the 160-mile pipeline’s portions of the project route across landowners’ wishes. the 35 locations by July 23 after Virginia Protests Block Chancey, John Nicholson and Galen pipeline need, use of eminent domain Valley Pipeline to cross nearly 600 water path, the pipeline resumed service in non-federal lands, possibly requiring Ben Luckett with Appalachian regulators approved the new measures, Shireman-Grabowski — who attempted for pipelines, regulatory efficiency and bodies in West Virginia, including the mid-July. Construction further authorizations and environ- Mountain Advocates, a nonprofit law Kallanish Energy reports. to resupply Nutty with food and water how it assesses environmental impacts. Greenbrier, Elk and Gauley rivers. The Leach XPress explosion has Protests against the Mountain Val- mental review. Accordingly, allowing firm involved in the Clean Water Act Atlantic Coast Pipeline during the protest were each fined $100. Environmental groups, including On Aug. 1, the same court ruled in intensified calls from environmental ley Pipeline have continued throughout continued construction poses the risk case, told The Roanoke Times that the “I am not a criminal, although I have Appalachian Voices, submitted com- favor of Mountain Valley, upholding groups to stop construction on fracked On July 27, the U.S. Army Corps of the summer. On July 31, retired Monroe of expending substantial resources and groups will “continue to pursue all other been treated as one, having been placed in ments asking FERC to conduct a deeper the Virginia State Water Control Board’s gas infrastructure snaking across Ap- Engineers suspended construction of County, W.Va., teacher Becky Crabtree substantially disturbing the environment available legal avenues to oppose this leg shackles for over five hours during my analysis of both the market demand for decision under Clean Water Act section palachia. TransCanada is also building the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline at blocked construction for several hours by constructing facilities that ultimately harmful and unnecessary project.” arrest,” Chancey told The Roanoke Times. fracked gas and the environmental im- the 165-mile Mountaineer XPress Pipe- all West Virginia river crossings at the by barricading herself in a 1971 Ford As of Aug. 2, Virginia and West pacts of existing and proposed pipelines. line through 14 West Virginia counties. request of Dominion Energy and other Pinto on top of wooden blocks. The Pinto FERC Changes Virginia environmental regulators have Additionally, the groups want FERC to developers, following the court-ordered was on a section of her land that Moun- On June 28, FERC Commissioner Mountain Valley Southgate Extension issued six notices of violation to the Continued on next page give more weight to the voices of those stay on the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s tain Valley obtained through eminent Robert Powelson announced he would  In June, Mountain Valley Pipeline states of North Carolina and Virginia. So directly impacted by the projects. water crossings, according to the Rich- domain. After police safely extracted developers held open houses in three far, residential heating provider PSNC On July 27, Huntingdon, Pa., retired spe- mond Times-Dispatch. counties to address questions and Energy is the only purchaser of the gas. Crabtree, she was arrested and charged Mariner East 2 cial ed teacher and pipeline protester Ellen concerns regarding MVP Southgate, the Opponents of the pipeline like “Allowing this additional time for with a misdemeanor, according to the Sunoco’s 350-mile Mariner East 2 Pipe- Gerhart was jailed and placed on a $25,000 pipeline’s proposed 70-mile expansion Ridge Graham, North Carolina field review is in the best interest of the en- Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Crabtree was line is slated to stretch across Pennsylvania. cash bail for allegedly violating a court order to into North Carolina. Announced in May, coordinator with Appalachian Voices, vironment and West Virginia’s natural In July, three environmental groups — the not interfere with pipeline construction workers, released from jail the same day. VOTED BEST BBQ the 24-inch fracked-gas pipeline would are skeptical of the pipeline developers’ resources,” Dominion spokesman Aaron Mountain Watershed Association, the Clean according to StateImpact Pennsylvania. Her “Today’s effort was a bit extraordi- run from Virginia’s Pittsylvania County claims that it is needed to bring afford- Air Council and the Delaware Riverkeeper daughter Elise told StateImpact that Ellen is Ruby told the Richmond newspaper. nary but these are extraordinary times,” IN THE REGION through North Carolina’s Rockingham able natural gas to the region. Network — dropped their appeals over unable to meet bail and will remain in jail until On July 23, FERC approved full she told the Telegraph. “Pintos are obso- and Alamance counties. Industrial com- “The fact is that this extension is by Appalachian Voices’ staff of tasters! permits the Pennsylvania Department of her next court appearance on Aug. 3. construction of a 115-mile North Carolina pressor stations to pressurize the gas ultimately unnecessary,” said Graham. lete and so are fossil fuels!” Environmental Protection issued to Sunoco, As of Aug. 2, the DEP has issued 70 notices section of the 600-mile Atlantic Coast would be built in Pittsylvania County “PSNC Energy, the only announced On June 28, Emily Satterwhite, a OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER. according to the Tribune-Review. In return, of violation to Mariner East 2 developer Sunoco. CLOSED MONDAYS. and Rockingham County. purchaser of gas for the extension, Pipeline, according to the Charlotte Virginia Tech associate professor of the DEP agreed to increase transparency with Construction on parts of the pipeline in West Hwy 321 Bypass The private companies behind is served by eight other pipelines, in- Business Journal. Construction has been Appalachian studies, locked herself to pipeline project documents and will create a Whiteland Township, Pa., remain halted as of Blowing Rock,N.C. MVP Southgate expect the $350 million cluding the massive Williams Transco halted along 100 miles of the pipeline in stakeholder group within 90 days composed press time after a judge ordered a safety review pipeline construction equipment in Jef- (828) 295-3651 project to be operational by late 2020, Pipeline that runs through the very of representatives from the DEP, the three en- in May. The adjacent Mariner East 1 Pipeline, Virginia and West Virginia since mid- ferson National Forest. Police removed contingent on approval from the Federal same county.” www.woodlandsbbq.com vironmental groups and pipeline proponents. however, was allowed to restart in June. May, when a federal court determined her after 12 hours, after which she was Energy Regulatory Commission and the that a review of impacts to endangered

Page 6 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 7 offer us Public Lands respite While national parks are focused on and recreation, and provide refuge conservation, recreation and education, for the natural world. Between Penn- Stewarding national forests have a much broader sylvania’s Allegheny National Forest charter. The U.S. Forest Service’s mis- to the north and Georgia’s Chatta- OUR sion is to “sustain the health, diversity hoochee National Forest to the south, and productivity of the nation’s forests Central and Southern Appalachia is and grasslands to meet the needs of home to 11 national forests, all with stun- present and future generations.” Deter- ning scenery, wilderness areas, waterways mining the needs of recreational visitors, and waterfalls, camping options, a variety hunters, anglers, various industries and of trails and their own unique features. at-risk species and ecosystems is a chal- The National Forest Foundation, a non- NationalNational lenging task. Impassioned forest-lovers profit that supports these public lands, esti- may disagree about how well the agency is mates that visitor spending contributes $13.5 doing, especially given its complex charter Even the smallest of us billion to the economy annually. These forests are and budget constraints. But because national can be part of something very big. also the site of scientific research on subjects such as forests belong to all of us, we all have an op- { } climate change and invasive species. Yet they are si- ForestsForests portunity to shape their direction — both through multaneously home to significant logging projects and stone removal or drilling for oil and gas. Some forests the national forest planning process (see p. 11) and often mineral extraction, which can include mining, are also scarred by long-abandoned mines or oil wells. through the ballot box.

Healthy or Harmful? The hotly Debated Topics of timber harvests and prescribed burns By Kevin Ridder cies and mitigating the decline of where the groups allege soil loss Before much of what are now Cen- fire-resistant species like oak and caused by logging has prevented tral and Southern Appalachia’s public pine over the last century. trees from growing back. lands gained federal protection in the According to a 2017 Forest “There was no indication that late 19th and early 20th century, they Service report, fire has played an the Forest Service learned anything were the lands that nobody wanted. important ecological role in Ap- from Hogback, and the Tumbling “Almost all of our eastern national palachian forests for millennia. Creek project was even riskier, with forests are these lands that were essen- The report states that fire “essen- more ground disturbances, larger tially cut over,” says Jim Sitts, Appala- tially operated as a filter on tree harvests and steeper slopes, all con- chian timber manager with Columbia establishment within fire-prone centrated on the banks of Tumbling Forest Products, a hardwood product sites by destroying the seed- Creek,” Axel Ringe, conservation manufacturer. “They weren’t managed, lings of fire-sensitive species.” chair for the Tennessee Chapter of they were just used,” he adds. However, due to human efforts the Sierra Club, said in a statement. Sitts is thankful that the govern- to suppress wildfires, these and The Clinch Coalition, a Virginia ment had the foresight to buy these other fire-dependent ecosystems grassroots environmental organi- lands after the mass clearcuts. are being replaced by more fire- zation, has been critical of timber “[Most people] don’t realize when sensitive species like mountain harvests in Jefferson National For- they take a Sunday drive through the laurel that crowd out mature trees est since the group was founded national forest and think, ‘wow, what a and block light from reaching in 1998. In a 1999 statement still beautiful forest this is,’ that it’s an 80- to seedlings. Targeting these species endorsed by the group, the coali- 100-year-old stand of timber that came for harvest can allow for oak and tion claims that the “overwhelming up from a clearcut at the turn of the last pine to regenerate more success- majority of timber harvest sites have By selectively removing undesirable trees while leaving century,” he says. fully — but many environmental been managed in a manner that de- groups believe the Forest Service preferred trees standing, forest managers hope to guide the grades the forest ecosystem leading Today, the U.S. Forest Service is next generation of forest. But opinions vary on how often — responsible for the management of na- overuses these methods. or if — this practice is helpful. Photo by Neil P. Thompson to declines in forest health, water tional forest lands and conducts timber In June, the Forest Service quality, and ecological diversity.” cancelled the proposed 534-acre According to the organization’s harvests and prescribed burns — fires The plaintiffs asserted that the proj- “Dinkey Project” timber sale in Ten- president, Diana Withen, “Ideally, The that are intentionally set in a designated ect put a popular trout stream alongside nessee’s Cherokee National Forest after Clinch Coalition would like to see an area. The agency typically cites a need to the timber sale site at risk of sediment the nonprofit law firm Southern Envi- end of commercial logging on national improve forest health and biodiversity, pollution and that the Forest Service hid ronmental Law Center and Knoxville forest and other public lands but until The grown-up sense of discovery at every turn around as well as economic benefits through risks from the public and ignored citizen attorney Shelby Ward filed a lawsuit on such a time that this happens, we are the mountain will only be surpassed by the childlike GRANDFATHER timber sales. In Central and Southern concerns over several years. The conser- ® behalf of several environmental organi- committed to working with the Forest wonder our natural playground evokes. Appalachian forests, two issues the vation groups warned that the project MOUNTAIN zations including Heartwood and the Service on sustainable forest manage- agency often focuses on are creating would repeat problems associated with www.grandfather.com WONDERS NEVER CEASE Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. more young forest lands for certain spe- the nearby 2015 Hogback timber sale, Continued on page 10

Page 8 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 9

VERY BIG Full-page ad — August-September 2018 Grandfather Mountain Contact: Frank Ruggiero (828) 733-2013 Appalachian Voice [email protected] Healthy or Harmful a lot of the closed-cano- A U.S. Forest Service firefighter and unlikely to exceed 8 20 Years of Protecting Jefferson National Forest py bird populations are acres,” Heartwood states Continued from page 8 uses a driptorch to conduct a The Clinch Coalition: fairly stable, including prescribed burn on Brawley on their website. “A At left, Clinch Coalition the cerulean warbler Mountain in Northern typical prescribed burn ment planning in the hope that it will volunteers, including sawyer Georgia’s Chattahoochee By Molly Moore pursue sustainable logging practices.” population. on eastern public land and retired District Ranger National Forest in March 2016. He states that it’s currently ranges from The Clinch Coalition is busy Jorge Hersel, clear fallen Photo by Holly Krake/USFS Competing Needs important to think about 200-500 acres, with a re- preparing for its annual High trees on Roaring Branch According to the Forest Service’s how public and private cent project in Kentucky Knob Naturalist Rally. The free, Trail. At right, hikers study Southern Regional Planning Director lands support each other. planned for thousands day-long event with activities a map in Nettle Patch, Peter Gaulke, timber harvest is important When people look of acres.” and presentations is designed to where the Forest Service is proposing a large timber in order to maintain a variety of forest at the Southern Appala- According to Heart- showcase the extraordinary bio- project. Photos courtesy of succession stages, or periods in a forest chian forests, Smalling wood’s website, these diversity and natural wonders of The Clinch Coalition growth cycle. For example, wildflowers says, they typically point large burn projects result Southwest Virginia. And this year and shrubs that grow first in a forest out that forest interior partially from a 2001 pol- there’s a special happening on the Harry Warren and a treasure it is, especially here,” says after clear-cutting are considered early species are doing fine, icy change that increased agenda — The Clinch Coalition’s Martie Bell, both active Withen. “I think being able to raise the succession. which he attributes to the Forest Service’s bud- 20-year anniversary celebration. members, embody that awareness of what a special place this In an email, Gaulke commented on the region’s expansive to promote biological and structural di- get for fire management. The grassroots environmental sense of stewardship. is on the planet will hopefully get more the composition of forest types in the closed canopy system. Smalling explains versity. This process mimics how wildfires The organization claims this “acts as an group formed in 1998 when resi- The couple serves as people interested in trying to protect it.” general landscape, both within and be- that increasing early successional habitat may leave certain trees unscathed in their incentive for the Forest Service to find dents of Virginia’s far southwest campground hosts at In 2016, The Clinch Coalition sub- yond national forest boundaries. “Our for birds like the golden-winged warbler reasons to burn in the eastern United corner joined together in oppo- path, while burning others,” wrote the considered one of the most biodiverse High Knob Recreation mitted detailed comments during the landscapes are generally lacking early “may help those species but then reverse States, thereby increasing their revenue.” sition to a proposed 1,400-acre timber Forest Service’s Peter Gaulke in an email. zones in North America, and by some Area, home of the naturalist rally. From initial public input stages of the Forest [successional] stages as called for in our the stability of the others, which we don’t One prescribed burn that attracted sale in the Bark Camp Area of Jefferson But Josh Kelly, public lands field measures, the world. The area also hosts a their perch at the campground, Bell and Service’s proposed Nettle Patch logging forest plans,” Gaulke wrote. “Timber want to happen.” controversy was a 2014 proposal to con- National Forest’s Clinch Ranger District. biologist with MountainTrue, a Western number of popular outdoor destinations, Warren have witnessed the agency’s project, and at press time was continuing harvest allows for us to have the range of “We want to help early successional duct a 1,500-acre burn at Straight Fork With the support of then-Congressman North Carolina grassroots environmental including campgrounds and recreation funding shortfalls and need for vol- to advocate against the agency’s stated [successional] stages to meet the habitat birds like the golden-winged warbler, but in the George Washington and Jefferson Rick Boucher, the group led an awareness nonprofit organization, states that there areas, the High Knob and Birch Knob unteers. In 2017, The Clinch Coalition plan. This summer, the coalition also needs of a variety of wildlife species.” we don’t want to do that at the expense National Forest. The Forest Service stated campaign and participated in the public are some key differences between fires observation towers, a variety of trails, and helped the Forest Service conduct the drew attention to the negative impacts on The golden-winged warbler lives in of other closed-canopy system birds,” it would improve oak and pine regenera- input process; ultimately, the U.S. Forest and clearcuts. lakes and rivers frequented by boaters, inspection surveys needed to open camp- water quality caused by local ATV trails the early successional stages of forest. he adds. tion, create early successional habitat and Service reduced the size of the timber sale “I think that logging projects can anglers and swimmers. Steve Brooks, the grounds, picnic areas and other sites for running through streams. Since the songbird’s population is declin- Forest Service Planning Officer Mi- reduce wildfire fuel. to 620 acres. mimic the light environment that you coalition’s associate director and a found- the season, and has helped mow lawns Going forward, group members see ing, timber harvest in more mature forest chelle Aldridge in North Carolina says, The Clinch Coalition formally ob- The Clinch Ranger District is widely get after a very severe fire, but there are a ing member, notes that because so much and otherwise tend the area. new and familiar challenges as woods areas can help create more habitat. “I think there is a role to look beyond the jected to the proposal in a comment lot of ways that they are not similar — in of the surrounding landscape has been The group also aims to increase local face pressure from logging for timber, According to a 2005 Forest Service Forest Service line and think about how submitted to the Forest Service, claiming fact, they’re kind of the opposite,” Kelly mined for coal, the Clinch Ranger District awareness of the region’s natural riches, chip mills and biomass power. Withen paper, “The high reproductive success of the forest is affecting and is affected by the the agency had not provided enough says. “Fire, in general, kills the smaller is particularly valued for its recreation particularly among children. The Clinch also details new opportunities to pro- the [golden-winged warbler] in clearcuts things that are standing next to it.” information and that the topography of trees in the forest, and logging tends to and ecology. This also makes the national Coalition sponsors an Earth Awareness tect and value the forest, such as local in the Southern Appalachians, while the “When we put Forest Service lands the area suggested it “would not likely take the largest ones, so you have big forest valuable to the timber industry. Art and Essay Contest in local schools, interest in tourism and harvesting me- species is disappearing from areas with- in the context of a broader landscape, it benefit from and could be harmed by fire.” differences in the resulting forest struc- “This area of Virginia was considered with different categories for various age dicinal plants and maple syrup. As the out management intervention, argues helps the landscape goals become more According to The Clinch Coalition’s ture. You also have big differences in the kind of a timber basket for the Forest groups, and has hosted a free, public group celebrates 20 years, attendance is strongly for repeated disturbances in clear,” she adds. Associate Director Steve Brooks, a forest species composition that occurs because Service,” says Diana Withen, who became naturalist rally every year since 2007 strong at the monthly meetings, and an these landscapes.” service representative explained to him Burning Questions fire actually gives a competitive edge to involved in the late ‘90s and is now The (see sidebar). estimated 350 people attended the 2017 Yet these practices might take away some species that don’t do as well in the that although there are some areas in And in 2014, the organization kicked High Knob Naturalist Rally. Native Americans are widely Clinch Coalition’s board president. “I’m habitat from vulnerable species like the absence of fire.” greater need of burning, they are harder off the inaugural 10-kilometer Hellbender “[The Clinch Coalition] is a very thought to have used fire as a tool to clear Sat., Sept. 29, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. a biology teacher,” she says, “so the more cerulean warbler that prefer later succes- “There’s a lot of benefit that the fire and more expensive to reach. Race — with more than 2,000 feet of eleva- issue-driven, love-of-the-Earth group underbrush and improve wildlife habitat High Knob Recreation Area I learned about the biodiversity here and sional stages of forest. The U.S. Fish and provides that mechanical management “It would be much better to use the tion gain — as a fundraiser and to educate that does a lot beyond just saving the for thousands of years. Fire-resistant trees The family-friendly High Knob Naturalist that we have a lot of rare and endangered Wildlife Service states that “some forest just can’t provide,” he adds. limited funds to burn fewer acres where attendees about the rare, large hellbender trees,” says Bell. “It’s a group that really like oak and pine depend on regular Rally celebrates the natural world of South- species here, it made me want to protect management practices remove the largest According to Gaulke, “prescribed fire it is needed, than burn many acres where salamanders found in the region. has an impact; it doesn’t just talk, it has fires to weed out competitors, and small- west Virginia. Attend programs about bats, the forest as much as a citizen can.” trees, eliminating the structurally diverse is critically important in our fire adaptive it is not needed and may potentially cause snakes, wolves, birds of prey and wilder- “I think when you grow up in an actions.” Learn more or become a member at scale fires can reduce dry fuel to prevent The organization’s past accomplish- canopy that ceruleans need.” ecosystems,” and is the Forest Service’s harm,” Brooks wrote in the objection. ness survival presented by knowledgeable area, you oftentimes don’t realize what clinchcoalition.net.  catastrophic wildfires and create a more ments include blocking the development Jim Sitts with Columbia Forest Prod- “most common and most important for- The agency later decided to indefinitely naturalists, or participate in guided hikes on diverse habitat. topics such as mushrooms, salamanders, of a 30-mile ATV trail on High Knob, suc- ucts thinks the public lands in Western est management tool” in the Southeastern suspend the burn after the comment In the last century, however, fires regional geology and edible and medicinal cessfully opposing a proposal to remove North Carolina play an important role United States. period ended. RTE 23 MUSIC FESTIVAL have been largely suppressed to protect plants. Additional activities throughout the surface decorative rock from High Knob’s in the landscape. He says that national Forest management plans often in- According to the Forest Service’s day include canoeing, fly fishing and nature human interests. This has led to oak and Cliff Mountain section, and implement- August 25, 2018 • 5-10PM • UVA-Wise forests add “a lot of value because you clude goals for amount of acres burned. Michelle Aldridge, the public has a critical arts and craft. FREE pine forests being replaced by more fire- ing a stream monitoring program. have these core forests, an intact forest But groups like Heartwood, a regional role in providing input on forest manage- FREE event; entrance fee is waived and sensitive species like red maple, accord- Aware that the Forest Service is landscape, whereas all the private land is nonprofit forest conservation organiza- ment plans, which set goals for activities lunch is provided. Folks are encouraged ing to a 2017 Forest Service paper. Due to often shorthanded, The Clinch Coali- The New Respects very fragmented and becoming more and tion, have been critical of the Forest like prescribed burns and timber harvests. to bring chairs. Campsites are available at this, the Forest Service often makes use High Knob Recreation Area for $10/night. tion pitches in by holding events where more fragmented … It’s a place where all Service’s wide use of prescribed burns. “I think it’s important for people to Cordovas of prescribed burns, timber harvests and members and other volunteers help clear, your different species can seek refuge.” “While fire is not completely without know about and be involved in because other methods to mimic the forests’ fire- maintain and build trails. The group of- Young Mister According to Curtis Smalling, direc- a place in the eastern hardwood forests, it’s public land, it’s land that is shared by adapted ecosystem. ficially adopted the 18-mile Chief Benge tor of bird conservation for the nonprofit having been used by Indigenous Ameri- all of us,” Aldridge says. “Management “Contrary to popular belief, all Scout Trail in 2013 to ensure it stays in RTE23musicfestival.com environmental organization Audubon cans as a management tool in a variety of that land is something that Americans clearcuts do not remove every tree from a good condition. Brooks notes they’ve also North Carolina, the state is lucky because of ways, the fires would have been small have a stake in.”  Brought to you by stand; instead, ‘leave trees’ are left behind raised money for features such as bridges The Birthplace of Country Music and bear-resistant trash cans. Recreation in Nantahala-Pisgah Groups Aim to Reshape Nantahala-Pisgah Plan (l-r): Volunteers ride on By Kevin Ridder horseback to clear debris on the Woods Mountain At the moment, Deirdre Perot’s fa- Stewarding Trail. Photo by Deirdre vorite part of Western North Carolina’s OUR Perot. Aron Smith speeds Pisgah National Forest is the 18.5-mile by on a mountain bike. Buncombe Horse Range Trail. She re- Photo by Cecilio Ricardo/ calls riding the trail on horseback in the USFS. Backpackers pose summer of 2017. National near a swimming hole “It got up to 95 degrees here in in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. Photo Rutherfordton, but it barely broke 70 Forests courtesy of Maeve Gould degrees up there,” Perot says. “We were riding up above the clouds, it was just absolutely gorgeous.” Perot is the national public lands rep- cacy groups signed a Memorandum of Grandfather National Recreation Area Wilson wrote in an email. “Less than Pisgah-Nantahala Plan Understanding. It recommended nearly with Lost Cove and Harper Creek es- one third of one percent of North Caroli- resentative for the Back Country Horse- Continued from previous page men of North Carolina, part of a national 110,000 acres — including three current tablished as wilderness areas, they felt na’s land area is designated wilderness. nonprofit organization that works to wilderness study areas — for wilderness there was little hope of one being ap- For example, the Harper Creek and Lost mountain bikers on wilderness land maintain backcountry horse trails. She designation, excluding existing moun- proved under the Republican-controlled Cove [Wilderness Study Areas] are only designation reared its head in late 2015. is also one of the founding members of tain bike trails. However, the memoran- Congress. If the Forest Service removes one percent of the 1.25 million acres of Wilderness areas are considered the the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership, dum also proposed removing the Forest its recommendation for wilderness national forests in North Carolina.” gold standard of conservation. Agencies a collaborative group of conservationists, Service’s wilderness recommendations designation, Congress could more eas- Paul Stahlschmidt — a co-signer of can recommend areas of federal land an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Lost Cove and Harper Creek in ily pass a bill to strip Lost Cove and the memorandum and current board for this special status, but creating new representative, recreational users, timber North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, as seen from atop Mt. Mitchell, favor of creating a 57,400-acre “Grandfa- Harper Creek of their wilderness study member of the Northwest North Caro- wilderness requires an act of Congress industry representatives and more who fades into the horizon. The management plan that determines the ther National Recreation Area.” National area status and even open it to logging. lina Mountain Bike Alliance, a nonprofit future of both the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests is being and the president’s signature. recreation areas are federally protected In March, U.S. Sen. Greg Gianforte mountain biking association — says are seeking to shape the revision of the revised for the first time since 1994. Photo by Kevin Ridder Five areas in the two forests are des- Nantahala and Pisgah national forests’ and can contain wilderness areas, but (R-MT) proposed a bill to nullify the wil- that mountain bikers are underserved ignated as wilderness study areas, parcels need to be approved by Congress. derness study area status of nearly 700,000 in some areas. management plan. very well known or used, partially due lands field biologist with MountainTrue, Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather of land that are recommended by the For- - The proposal acres of public land in Montana, signify- “The Grandfather Ranger District Individual national forest manage to its limited parking — a challenge for a Western North Carolina grassroots Mountain State Park damages visitor est Service to be wilderness and largely ment plans are usually revised by the ultimately crum- ing the possibility for [which contains Lost Cove and Harper horse trailers. environmental nonprofit organization, experiences and closes some areas to the managed as such, but have yet to receive U.S. Forest Service every 15 to 20 years. bled after backlash similar bills affecting Creek] as a whole only has 21 percent of its According to Michelle Aldridge, the there should be more timber harvest on public for months while trees are being congressional designation. Pisgah’s Lost Forest Plan Q&A The plan for Nantahala and Pisgah was from wilderness We asked several stakeholders in the more states or even trails open to bikes,” Stahlschmidt wrote Forest Service’s planning staff officer for national forest lands to provide habitat- cut,” Wilson wrote in an email. Cove and Harper Creek Wilderness Study last released in 1987 and amended in advocates like John Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan what the entire nation. in an email. “That is 57 miles out of 267.” the Nantahala-Pisgah forest plan revi- for some declining species (read more on According to Michelle Aldridge, Areas are particularly valued by moun- 1994, and guides the management of the Wilson. While many they most want to see from the new “We have so According to Wilson, many indi- sion, the 2012 rule allows the agency to page 8). Additionally, he says it can pro- “previous forest plans were focused tain bikers and conservationists. plan. Read their responses at forests’ combined 1 million-plus acres. In wilderness advocates little wilderness in viduals and conservation organizations more fully consider the different ways vide habitat for popular game animals. a lot more on output, like how many In December 2015, a coalition of 2012, the Obama Administration released would like to see a North Carolina,” Continued on page 21 people use their public lands. “That being said, I still think that board-feet [of timber] are we going to outdoor recreation and wilderness advo- appvoices.org/forest-plan an updated forest planning rule allowing “It was pretty typical in the past private lands are being harvested too produce, how many acre-feet of water greater public input in the process. The that we would develop a proposal and much, and national forests should not are going to be coming off the land.” Forest Service is slated to release the draft we’d share it with the public and say, be expected to produce that much tim- Now, she says, forest plans are focused Where Does Your Forest Stand with the Plan? plan and draft environmental impact ‘What do you think?’” says Aldridge. ber; nowhere near as close,” Kelly adds. more on long-term outcomes like forest from commodity production to further em- the plan would be up for revision in 2019, scheduled in the immediate future. statement in fall 2018, after which there “Whereas now, we’ve gone to the public “If you look at the past 15 years in the health goals and wildlife habitat — By Locke Curtis phasize long-term ecological sustainability but the agency is behind schedule for Monongahela National Forest in will be a 90-day public comment period Beneath the bureaucracy of the much earlier to say, ‘Help us form this Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest, our things that were already being done but and increase community involvement. many reasons (budget, new rule, etc.).” West Virginia completed its last plan in and a series of public meetings. national forest planning process lies a plan, help us identify what needs to forests have been putting out about 800 were not addressed in the forest plan in In North Carolina, the forest planning McDonald stated that they will likely initi- 2006 and will be due for another revision In their recommendations for the valuable opportunity for citizens to voice change and give us your thoughts.’” acres of timber harvest annually, which the way they can be now. process for the Pisgah and Nantahala ate the next plan between 2024 and 2026. in 2021. their opinions on the future of public land. new plan, the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest is well within sustainable limits. In over “All of us who work on the plan National Forests is underway. Here is an Daniel Boone National Forest in In South Carolina, Sumter National Timber Harvest In 1976, Congress passed the Na- Partnership outlines their support for a 100 year period, that’d be less than 10 love the forest. It’s why we enjoy our update on where the other national forests Kentucky completed its last plan in 2004 Forest planning finished in 2004. While tional Forest Management Act to find sus- a forest plan that allows the interests of Jim Sitts, Appalachian timber man- in the Appalachian region are in their plan- and the next is scheduled for 2024. Forest under the law they should begin their next percent of the forest being harvested; so work and why we think it’s so impor- tainable, productive ways to utilize forest their 31 members and affiliates to “co- ager with Columbia Forest Products, ning process: staff are currently revising their plan to plan in 2019, Sumter is currently sixth in a there’s definitely room to expand on the tant and such an incredible opportunity land while also protecting its beauty and felt it was “extremely important” to Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National include new scientific information on the queue for funding and personnel, accord- exist and thrive.” This includes better- current levels of harvest.” to do this work and to help chart the creating public green spaces. Forest revised its plan in 2007 after five endangered Indiana bat population. ing to forest staff, so they estimate starting maintained trails and campgrounds, have the voice of the forest products in- This act requires national forests to Many wilderness advocates such as path to the future,” Aldridge says. years of public collaboration. The George Washington National the next revision in 2024 or 2026. improved protection for wilderness dustry at the table, especially consider- develop a plan every 15 years — budget John Wilson from Avery County, N.C., Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, which is primarily in Virginia and Ohio’s Wayne National Forest com- ing what he describes as animosity over Mountain Bikes permitting — for how the land will be study areas, ecosystem restoration and only want to see logging in “appropriate Forest revised its plan in 2004. It is due also crosses into West Virginia, revised pleted its plan in 2006. The forest held eight the years between the timber industry used in the future and undergo a public more. The partnership also backs an areas” of the national forest. and Wilderness for revision in 2019, but the forest service its forest plan in 2014. The plan increased meetings in the spring of 2018 to include comment period. The plan initiatives often “increase in ecologically sound timber and non-governmental organizations. The path to the forests’ future is uncertain about the next start date. This stream protection buffers, opened more the public in the beginning stages of plan- “The new forest plan must reflect include safeguarding native plant diversity, practices that support both our local Sitts expects the plan to open up hasn’t been without bumps, however. July, the forest published a Monitoring and land to potential logging and recom- ning. Rewriting is scheduled to begin in the fact that the Pisgah-Nantahala Forest protecting air quality and watersheds, and more areas to timber harvest. “I know Evaluation Report to assess progress in the mended areas for wilderness and national April 2019. The forest service says they economies and healthy forest habitats.” is a major recreation and tourism desti- Stemming from a 1984 Forest Service determining the extent of timber harvesting implementation of the 2004 plan. scenic designation. intend to announce more public meeting One item Perot wants to see in the it’s not going to be a huge amount, but decision banning mountain bikes in as well as other government and private nation, and critically important to West- Tennessee’s Cherokee National For- The Jefferson National Forest, which dates as soon as August 2018 on the for- revised forest plan is greater access to it will certainly be more than has been wilderness areas, an ongoing debate projects. ern North Carolina’s economy. Logging est completed its last plan in 2004. In an spans portions of Virginia, West Virginia est’s website. Among other topics, the next equestrian trails. For instance, she says available in the past,” he says. In 2012, the Obama administration re- in popular tourist areas like Pisgah’s between wilderness advocates and email, Public Affairs Officer Terry McDonald and Kentucky, revised its plan in 2004. The plan will address controversial oil and gas the Buncombe Horse Range Trail is not According to Josh Kelly, public vised the planning rule to expand the focus Globe Forest below Blowing Rock, the Continued on next page wrote that, “under normal circumstances, revision of the Jefferson Forest Plan is not fracking in the forest.

Page 12 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 13 A Journey Through the Sky Bridge arches over is carried out as proposed, an increase in Daniel Boone NF the trees in Daniel Boone adverse effects on federally-listed species Continued from previous page National Forest, Wolfe Co., Ky. Photo by Chuck Sutherland is anticipated.” A decision on the amend- Daniel Boone National Forest in 1969, the governor of Kentucky an- ment was not made at press time. Stunning rock formations, the Red River Gorge, a colorful history nounced he would not approve construc- According to Nedlo, increasing and many rare species highlight this Eastern Kentucky forest tion at the original site, and it was never commercial timber harvest on the Daniel constructed. Boone creates different habitat types (see By Hannah Gillespie that had mined all the easy Also in the late ‘60s, the Forest Ser- page 8). With its signature red cliffs, deep coal to get,” says London vice acquired the 60,000-acre Redbird “We feel that commercial timber hemlock groves, sky-spanning stone District Ranger Jason Nedlo. Purchase Unit from Red Bird Timber harvest is an important tool that allows arches and towering hardwood trees, the “Those companies were es- Corporation. Much of this land was previ- us to get a lot of other beneficial work Daniel Boone National Forest receives its sentially moving on to other ously owned by Fordson Coal Company. done,” says Nedlo, noting that proceeds fair share of visitors annually. The more areas so the government The Forest Service sought the land to from timber sales can help fund stream than 708,000-acre forest is composed of bought those lands from protect the headwaters of the Kentucky restoration, invasive species removal, four districts in Eastern Kentucky and is them.” River, as much of the state’s Bluegrass rare plant management and cleaning up a popular destination for outdoor adven- Through multiple region depends on the river for water. abandoned mine lands. “And the benefit ture and experiencing nature. acquisitions, the forest Since this area became part of the to timber harvest is it’s essentially a man- “We need the Daniel Boone and other expanded throughout Stewarding national forest, significant improvements made disturbance so it gets a lot more national forests to be a place of solace, a the decades and was re- OUR to soil, water and land have occured, ac- light on the ground.” place of respite, a place of peace,” says named the Daniel Boone als across the mine drainage. As of 2015, there were also cording to a July 2018 statement issued In February of 2018, the agency pro- Dave Cooper, a Lexington, Ky., resident National Forest in 1966. country pro- 49 abandoned oil and gas wells. by Daniel Boone National Forest staff. posed the South Redbird and Pine Creek Coal mining and oil and who visits the Daniel Boone once a week. tested strip min- Excluding those abandoned wells, Protecting Natural timber projects, which would log a total gas drilling on what is now National ing in the Cum- there were 1,626 oil or gas wells in the for- of over 7,000 acres. The public comment “We don’t always look at what the forest Wonders provides to us in terms of clean air, clean Daniel Boone National For- berland National est as of March 2015, 1,166 of which were periods for both projects ended in April Forests Towards the end of the 20th century, water, wildlife habit and just a place to est began in the 1800s. In one Forest. In a 1955 private and 460 of which were federal. and May, respectively. several government actions increased unwind.” particularly contentious chapter, victory for mine op- Of the Daniel Boone National For- In October of 2017, the Greenwood protections for some of the forest’s sig- But the protection of these treasured in 1953 the Stearns Coal and Lumber ponents, the Department of Agriculture est’s 708,800 surface acres, the federal project was approved. It was proposed at nificant land and water features. areas did not happen overnight. The Company requested to strip mine for upheld the Forest Service’s decision. government owns the subsurface mineral 2,500 acres, which was the forest’s largest In 1993, Congress granted National forest today is the result of decades of coal a 47,000-acre tract of the Cumberland In 1977, Congress prohibited surface rights to 177,000 acres — and 35 percent logging project in the past decade at the Wild and Scenic River status to 19.4 miles decisions and actions — some controver- National Forest. The Forest Service had mining of coal on federal lands, so only of that is leased. The remaining roughly time, according to Scheff. of the Red River within the national forest. sial — by Daniel Boone National Forest purchased surface rights to the tract from underground coal mining is currently al- 531,000 acres of underground mineral “One of the problems we have with Congress also designated nearly 18,000 staff, government officials, environmental the Stearns Company in 1937, but the lowed in the national forest. As of January rights are privately owned. [the Greenwood] project was that that acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest groups and volunteers. company still owned the mineral rights, 1, 2003, there were three active coal leases Mineral extraction is far from the particular landscape area actually has according to Collins’ history of the forest. and three requests for new and modified only contentious chapter in the forest’s as wilderness areas — undeveloped zones 750 types of flowering plants and 170 The most recent forest plan for the a number of small areas that have fairly History of the Forest But the following January, the Re- leases. Updated mining information was history. with the highest level of conservation pro- species of moss, as well as endangered, Daniel Boone National Forest came out high diversity of regionally and state rare The early 1900s brought the passage gional Forester declined the company’s not available at press time. In 1962, the U.S. Army Corps of En- tection.Clifty Wilderness in the Red River threatened or rare plants and animals. in 2004. Among other changes, the plan floral that we would consider prairie type of legislation that allowed the relatively request — and declined it again when “There’s still a legacy from [min- gineers proposed to dam the Red River Gorge and Beaver Creek Wilderness in The Daniel Boone National Forest also proposed two Research Natural Areas, plants; things that need a fairly persistent new U.S. Forest Service to purchase land. the company proposed the project for ing],” says Nedlo. “We have a lot of acres to prevent flooding downstream and the Stearns Ranger District are known for shelters at-risk plants such as the rare prohibited camping in rock shelters to open forest structure and not the type On February 23, 1937, President Franklin the second time in 1954. This controversy with super-compacted soil where grass damage to property, crops and livestock rugged terrain with breathtaking views, Lucy Braun’s snakeroot, the endangered protect archeological resources, and in- of structure that’s created by logging,” D. Roosevelt designated the Cumberland attracted national attention, as individu- and nothing else will grow there. We also at the request of local residents. Initial sandstone cliffs, natural arches, stream Cumberland sandwort and running buf- cluded plans to restore watersheds and says Scheff. Purchase Unit in Kentucky as the Cum- have acid mine drainage in a lot of areas studies estimated that 2,000 acres of valleys and hemlock groves. falo clover and the threatened Virginia improve soil productivity and air quality. “As part of [Kentucky Heartwood’s] berland National Forest, which acquired [that results in] extremely low pH water national forest land would be flooded at “[The Daniel Boone National Forest spiraea and white fringeless orchid. The The plan set seasonal restrictions on advocacy and work through the objection 336,692 acres by June of that year. At the in creeks and streams.” pool level and about 8,000 acres affected has] a tremendous amount of biodiversity forest’s caves and rivers are home to 18 logging projects in an effort to protect bat process some of the logging was reduced time, the forest proclamation boundary According to the 2004 Forest Plan, by management and use of the reservoir. essentially because it’s a canyon-type species of endangered animals and four populations that were being adversely af- and there was some beneficial changes to — the land the Forest Service can pur- the demand for minerals from the Daniel In August of 1967, the Cumberland landscape,” says Jim Scheff, director of species of threatened animals, which fected by the contagious and fatal disease their herbicide plans,” says Scheff. Now chase without congressional permission Boone negatively impacts air and water Chapter of the Sierra Club voiced their the nonprofit forest advocacy organiza- include bats, fish and mussels. white-nose syndrome, which, in 2004, the group is working with the Forest — spanned 1.3 million acres and was quality with particulate matter and acid formal opposition to the project “on the tion Kentucky Heartwood. These forests also host invasive spe- was new to Eastern Kentucky. According Service and the Kentucky State Nature home to 8,000 families. grounds that development within the Red The striking scenic areas in Daniel cies that pose a major threat to native to Nedlo, new research proves the forest Preserves Commission to thoroughly According to Robert Collins, former River Gorge would destroy the scenic Boone National Forest are formed by trees; the hemlock wooly adelgid, the plan was too restrictive. In February 2018, survey specific areas. forest supervisor of the Cumberland Na- and natural values of that area,” accord- eroded sandstone and result in the cliffs, bark beetle and more recently the em- the agency proposed an amendment to In 2012, Kentucky Heartwood suc- tional Forest and author of “A History ing to Collins. Yet the study conducted gorges, rock shelters, waterfalls, natural erald ash borer. While infected trees can the plan that would loosen some of those cessfully urged the Forest Service to of the Daniel Boone National Forest,” by Daniel Boone National Forest staff bridges, arches and caves that provide be treated with pesticide if caught early limitations. withdraw the Crooked Creek Project, a some of these families were offered cash showed no major impact on the ecology, habitat to plant and animal species. enough, this is a costly procedure. The proposal was met with criticism timber harvest that would have impacted payments for their land, while others scenic value, sport fishery, water quality “In terms of describing something by many in the environmental commu- the regionally important Climax Spring “were given permission to occupy and or future development. This created a that makes the Daniel Boone unique and Current Projects nity. Scheff states that removing these and the Little Egypt area. cultivate a small portion of the land in major controversy between local citizens, really special, I think it really derives Addressing invasive species is just restrictions would weaken protections for “We documented a fair amount of return for protecting the property.” who had thought the dam would be con- from that geology and geography that one topic included in the forest’s long- old growth in some county record plant Parts of the Redbird Crest Trail, at top, would the Indiana bat and increase the scale of “Originally [the forest] was mostly structed soon, and the Sierra Club. then creates this space for a richness of term plan. Roughly every 15 years, nation- be rerouted for a large timber project. Photo logging in the forest. In a March 2018 pub- species including the second-oldest dated purchases from large corporate land- Although the Daniel Boone National diversity that you wouldn’t otherwise al forests undergo a planning process to courtesy of Kentucky Heartwood. A fallen tree, lic comment to the Daniel Boone National shortleaf pine in the country all in this holders, timber companies that had cut left, along Daniel Boone’s Scutterhole Trail. Forest supported the proposed dam, expect,” says Scheff. set desired future conditions and provide Forest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service timber area,” says Scheff. all the timber off and coal companies Above, an oil drum filled with litter on the side The Clifty Wilderness alone contains broad guidance for upcoming projects. Kentucky Field Office states, “If the action of Forest Road 193. Photos by Hannah Gillespie Continued on next page Continued on page 21

Page 14 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 15 Auxier Ridge Trail. Photo by Harper Creek Falls. Kerry Mark Leibowitz Photo by Jeff Clark Journey with us...... through the spectacular state and national forests our region has to offer. Unlike national parks, which focus on preservation of natural areas as well as visitor Hidden enjoyment and education, national forests are managed for many purposes — such as timber, grazing, conservation, wildlife and fisheries in ad- dition to recreation. There are 11 national forests in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains, and many more state forests. These state forests are also managed for multiple purposes, and some offer recreation opportunities. U.S. Forest Service data shows that the number of TreasuresTreasures visits to national forests have increased from roughly 142.5 Part 6: National Forests million visits in 2005 to 148 million in 2016. Eighty-four per- By Sara Crouch and Hannah Gillespie cent of national forest visitors traveled for recreation, largely the creek’s banks. As they are user-created, for hiking or walking. Visitors come from near and far; people Georgia not all campsites follow the Leave No Trace who traveled under 25 miles to the national forest averaged 33 natural world. Especially be sure to dispose of waste properly There are several primitive campsites along Principle of camping more than 200 feet away Raven Cliff Falls percent of visits, while 15 percent of visitors traveled from over so that each visitor to these public places can experience them North Carolina the path. — H.G. from water. 500 miles. in all their splendor. Chattahoochee National Forest The 150-foot Dukes Creek Falls is located When visiting these beautiful spaces, be wary of climbing Over the years, The Appalachian Voice has explored a wide Harper Creek Falls Wayah Bald  (770) 297-3000 nearby. Its parking lot — which costs $4 per day around waterfalls, and practice Leave No Trace principles, which array of the marvelous and wonderful hidden treasures of Appa- Pisgah National Forest Chattahoochee National Forest in Helen, — also offers incredible views of the rocky sum- Nantahala National Forest provide guidance on how to avoid human-created impacts to the lachia. Visit appvoices.org/hiddentreasures to explore them all.  (828) 759-0005  Ga. shelters a lush forest, moss-lined trout (828) 524-6441 mit of Yonah Mountain. Less than one mile into In the Harper Creek Wilderness Study stream and a beautiful waterfall for those will- Just outside of Franklin, N.C., in the Nan- the trail, there is a wheelchair-accessible viewing Area of Pisgah National Forest near ing to find it. platform. The falls can be reached through a tahala National Forest is Wayah Bald. With annually, and can be obtained through payment This road features broad vistas, Collettsville, N.C., the 50-foot Harp- The Raven Cliff Falls Trail is a moderate, moderate, two-mile out-and-back trail. — H.G. an elevation of 5,342 feet, the bald’s elevation envelopes on-site. — H.G. rhododendron and mountain laurel er Creek Falls cascades over slanted out-and-back hike that is great for families and offers beautiful views stretching to the Great and views of rocky, narrow ridges with rocks. dogs. The trail, which is 2.5 miles each way, Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and into Geor- Little Shepherd Trail steep slopes called hogbacks. One way to see the falls is through begins at the parking area and follows Dodd Kentucky gia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Only parts of this road are paved, a fairly easy 1.75-mile hike on the Creek upstream through the Raven Cliff Wilder- Kentenia State Forest The Wayah Bald is an accessible, fami- so vehicles without 4-wheel drive may Harper Creek Trail. When the trail ness. Two miles in, the sound of rushing water Auxier Area Trails  (502) 564-4496 ly-friendly recreation option with picnic tables not be able to make the entire 38-mile splits, take the Raider Camp trail on is evident as the falls become visible through Daniel Boone National Forest Kentenia State Forest is the oldest state and a paved path leading to the lookout tower. trip. Though rocky at times, visiting the left, and go left again to see Harper angled, 40-foot-tall granite cliffs.  (606) 663-8100 forest in Kentucky, having been gifted to the For many, the attraction to Wayah Bald is the Little Shepherd Trail is worth Creek Falls from above. There is an Free camping is available along the trail on Daniel Boone National Forest’s Red River state by the Kentenia-Cantron Corporation in the 53-foot lookout tower built in 1937 by the experiencing the views and history unofficial scramble trail to the base a first-come first-serve basis, with some stream- Gorge Geological Area is a popular recreation 1919. Located in Harlan County, there are seven Civilian Conservation Corps. Climbing to the embedded along the ridges of Pine of the falls and a popular swimming side campsites located close to the parking area destination for hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, scattered parcels which total 4,081 acres along top of this tower reveals stunning views of the Mountain. — S.C. hole. Another side-trail scramble re- and several backpacking sites scattered along hunting and fishing. This area is spectacular in the south side of Pine Mountain. The Savage River. Photo by Joey southern Appalachian Mountains. There are quires utilizing an old climbing rope its natural sandstone cliffs and rock formations. The Little Shepherd Trail, which is best for Beall / Wikipedia Creative Commons signs on the tower with historical information that could be in poor condition to The Auxier Ridge Trail near Slade, Ky., leads vehicle travel, starts at U.S. 119 and ends at U.S. about the structure and the surrounding moun- Maryland reach a pool between the second and hikers 2.1 miles along a narrow ridge that ends 421. It is a 38-mile narrow, winding road that In warmer weather, rhododendron and tains it was built to protect from wildfire. The third tier of the falls. Please exercise extreme with sweeping views of the gorge, including traverses the crest of Pine Mountain. A portion wildflower blossoms are prominent. The Poplar Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail also Poplar Lick Trail caution and do not bring small children or dogs. Haystack Rock, Auxier Branch and the Double of this road runs through Kentenia State Forest. Lick Trail follows a native trout stream and ends cross the bald near the tower. For a longer trek, follow the Mountains Arch. From here, hikers can follow the Court- Offering stunning views, some overlooks on the Savage River State Forest at the Savage River. For more adventure, stop at the Wilson  (301) 895-5759 to Sea Trail north from the Harper Creek Falls house Rock Trail through forests and across Little Shepherd Trail allow visitors to see both On the trail is a stone monument memorial- Lick Ranger Station first. Built in 1913, this At over 54,000 acres, Grantsville’s Savage overlook. From here on, there will be sever- streams. This leads back to the Auxier Ridge Trail sides of Pine Mountain. izing the five-person crew of a B-52 bomber that ranger station was the first in the Nantahala River State Forest is the largest state forest in al creek crossings. Turn left at the next four and the parking area for a total of three miles. crashed during a blizzard at Big Savage Moun- National Forest. Today it features an informa- Maryland and an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise junctions. When you reach the fifth fork, keep For a longer loop, from the Auxier Ridge tain on Jan. 13, 1964. The plane was carrying two tion kiosk with the history with designated areas for hiking, camping, fish- straight to access a cliff over- Trail, hikers can access the Auxier Branch Trail thermonuclear bombs. A week into the search of the ranger station, area ing, hunting and off-road vehicles. look with spectacular views at a fork where it joins with the Courthouse for the plane and crew, Air Force Maj. Robert forestry and Wayah Bald. The Poplar Lick Trail is a moderate 6-mile of South Harper Creek Falls Rock Trail. This trail is lined with ferns, poplar Lee Payne was found dead from exposure after From there, you can hike path on the remains of a 1934 Civilian Conser- and Grandfather Mountain. and beech trees and seasonal wildflowers. From ejection in the Savage River State Forest. The three miles northbound vation Corps roadway that offers hiking, biking Retrace your steps back to the this trail, follow the 4.4-mile Double Arch Trail. monument marks this tragic spot. on the Appalachian Trail and primitive camping. Backpackers must ob- Mountains to Sea Trail. This Hikers can take this trail to Double Arch for a In Grantsville and Salisbury, similar mark- to the Wayah Bald Look- tain a permit from the Savage River State Forest loop is 10.9 miles. A detailed scenic overlook or head straight for the parking ers are located where two other crew members out Tower. — S.C. Office for $10 a day. Camping is also available at Wilson Creek Area map and area. This hike is roughly 7.5 miles. were found dead. Over 50 years later, these Big Run and New Germany state parks within strong navigation skills are Continued on Raven Cliff Falls. Photo courtesy of Backcountry camping requires a permit, Little Shepherd Trail. memorials are still visited by the crews’ families, Wayah Bald lookout tower. Savage River State Forest. recommended. next page Atlanta Trails/ atlantatrails.com which costs $3 per day, $5 for three days or $30 Photo by Jamie Middleton Air Force members and citizens. — H.G. Photo by Brian Greer Yellow Branch Falls. Photo by est is surrounded on three sides by the Mark Oleg Ozboyd, Southeast Cherokee National Forest, making it Oil and Gas Drilling in Appalachia’s National Forests Nature Society Hidden possible to turn the Tennessee Gulf Trail By Molly Moore Mineral extraction is allowed are currently 12,000 conventional from a great day hike into much more. Public lands are no exception to on public lands, but it can be re- wells and 11 fracking wells in the The Tennessee Gulf Trail has an up- oil and gas companies’ footprint in stricted. The George Washington forest, according to the Forest Ser- TreasuresTreasures per and a lower trailhead. Four-wheel Appalachia. A U.S. Forest Service map National Forest prohibits drilling vice. In contrast, just 12 percent of Part 6: National Forests drive vehicles are recommended for the on 99 percent of its 1.1 million mineral rights in the Jefferson Na- By Sara Crouch and Hannah Gillespie showing where oil and gas resources lower trailhead, which requires a stream overlap with national forests reveals acres, according to the agency, tional Forest are privately owned. Continued from previous page crossing. There are also six primitive that the fuels can be found beneath six which released a statement say- According to the agency, as of 2014, campsites in the forest. — S.C. national forests in Central Appalachia: ing “Historically, the GWNF has there were 88 active conventional Allegheny, Monongahela, Wayne, never been a supplier of natural wells, 80 of which were private. Ohio Unicoi Turnpike Trail Daniel Boone, George Washington and gas and there has been no inter- As of June 2015, 59 percent Cherokee National Forest Jefferson. est in exploring or developing of the mineral rights in Wayne Monroe Outlook  (423) 261-2286 Some of the oil and gas wells in GWNF lands.” National Forest were privately Wayne National Forest The Coker Creek Area of the Chero- national forests date back to the early In situations where the min- owned and there were 1,273 ac-  eral rights are privately owned tive oil and gas wells, all of which (740) 753-0101 kee National Forest is home to a sec- and mid-20th century, and some even An oil and gas well in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National and the Forest Service is simply used conventional vertical drilling Just outside Glouster, Ohio, in tion of one of the oldest trails in North predate the forest’s status as federal Forest. Photo by Scott Stoleson, USDA Forest Service Wayne National Forest lies an area America, the Unicoi Turnpike. While land. Most use conventional vertical the surface owner, the agency methods. But a 2012 Forest Service cannot block the private owner’s decision opened up the Wayne known for panoramic views and wild- much of the approximately 67-mile trail drilling techniques, which are gener- obliterate trails or campsites,” but per- life watching. South Carolina Tennessee stretching across North Carolina and ally less controversial than the newer access to their minerals for what to potential horizontal fracking the Forest Service deems “an unreason- mits rerouting trails to accommodate wells, and in 2016 the Bureau of Land The Monroe Outlook is close to the Yellow Branch Falls Tennessee Gulf Trail Tennessee has faded, a 2.5-mile stretch horizontal fracking wells but can still drilling. Mineral rights are privately parking lot and offers 360-degree views has been restored inside Cherokee Na- bring negative environmental impacts. able amount of time.” Management began auctioning drilling & Other Waterfalls Martha Sundquist Other drilling restrictions can vary. owned in 38 percent of the Mononga- leases that permit fracking. As of Febru- for bird-watching or seeing wildflowers tional Forest so people can walk in the Yet there are now also some fracking hela National Forest. The agency cites and fall foliage, depending on the season. Sumter National Forest State Forest footsteps of history. wells in the region’s public forests. For instance, the Monongahela National ary 2018, the BLM had auctioned 2,300 Forest in West Virginia prohibits drill- 60 active wells as of 2018, all of which acres of fracking leases in the Wayne Nearby is the Monroe Overlook Trail, a  (864) 638-9568  (423) 625-4092 According to the Tennessee Over- These types of wells have been linked ing wells in wetlands and requires that are conventional. National Forest. Lease owners have 10 1.5-mile trail developed for walkers to The Andrew Pickens Ranger Dis- Martha Sundquist State Forest, hill Heritage Association, this road to water contamination, air pollution oil and gas activities do not “block or Allegheny National Forest has the years to develop their wells, and infor- view wildlife in early successional habitats, trict of Sumter National Forest in which was added to the Tennessee state was used by the Cherokee Nation as and health problems. highest percentage of privately mation about how many fracking wells which contains grasses, shrubs and tree Oconee County, S.C., contains multiple forest system in 2001, is home to the out- early as the 1600s, and possibly much owned mineral rights among Appa- are currently active was not available at saplings. Animals such as ruffed grouse, gorgeous waterfalls. and-back Tennessee Gulf Trail, which is earlier. The state commissioned the trail lachian forests at 93 percent. There press time. wild turkeys, black bears, rabbits and Yellow Branch Falls Trail, a mod- 3.5 miles each way. as a commercial turnpike in 1816. It was As the Climate Changes, white-tailed deer may be found in this area. erately difficult three-mile round-trip The fairly flat Tennessee Gulf Trail later used as a portion of the Trail of For those looking for a longer and path, leads to its namesake waterfall, a offers visitors a pleasant hike through Tears when the Cherokee Nation was Our National Forests Must Adapt more difficult hike, the nearby Wildcat 50-foot scenic cascade. rhododendron and magnolia trees forcibly removed from their homeland. By Locke Curtis forum for experiences and knowledge Hollow Hiking Trail offers both a five- The Andrew Pickens district is also along the Gulf Fork of Big Creek in In 1999, the White House Millenni- to be shared publicly, to create tools to mile loop and a 15-mile loop, which home to Brasstown Falls, Big Bend Falls, Cocke County. The trail crosses the Big um Council named the Unicoi Turnpike American national forests play a help private and public landowners can be combined for an extended King Creek Falls, Lee Falls, Long Creek Creek several times via rustic eastern one of 16 National Millennium Trails, crucial role in slowing the effects of manage vulnerable forest ecosystems, backpacking trip. Dispersed camping Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Opossum Creek hemlock bridges, two of which are which the council described as “trails climate change, according to the U.S. and to support efforts to implement is allowed along the scenic trail, which Falls, Pigpen Falls, Riley Moore Falls, named for people who were instrumen- of national significance.” Forest Service. Not only do forests offset adaptive responses to climate change. offers streams, meadows and tall pines. Spoonauger Falls, Miuka Falls, Station tal in the acquisition of the forest and To experience and pay respect to about 10 percent of America’s carbon In West Virginia, staff from the Burr Oak State Park is also nearby Cove Falls and Station Creek Falls. construction of the trail. the storied and complex history of the production, they provide water filtra- Monongahela National Forest used the and a popular destination for outdoor Still looking for an adventure in the Of Tennessee’s 15 state forests, Mar- Unicoi Turnpike Trail, visit the Coker tion, clean air, erosion protection and framework’s resources to help develop recreation, including hiking and camp- area? Stumphouse Tunnel Park, which tha Sundquist is one of the few with a Creek Welcome Center in Tellico Plains, biodiversity to the surrounding areas. a project focused on restoring native ing. — H.G. features Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse designated hiking trail, a true treasure Tenn., three miles from the trailhead. Climate change scientists across the red spruce populations to a former strip Tunnel, is located just outside the national for the state. In recent years, staff at the Inside the welcome center you will find country are compiling data on tempera- mining site for erosion control. forest. Note that the park closes at 5 p.m. Martha Sundquist State Forest and the brochures with historical information ture, rainfall and wildlife in order to In the George Washington and Jef- Local legends and an 1898 poem U.S. Forest Service linked the Tennessee about the area and opportunities for anticipate coming challenges for forests ferson National Forests, staff are work- say that the 200-foot Issaqueena Falls Gulf Trail to the Appalachian Trail near more outdoor experiences like panning and respond appropriately. While cli- ing on several projects related to climate is named for a Cherokee woman who Brown’s Gap. In addition, the state for- for gold and hiking to Coker Creek mate change prediction models do not change. Forest officials are creating warned white settlers of an Falls. — S.C. agree about the future effects of climate Tennessee Gulf Trail. Martha habitats for the amphibian species that impending attack. To escape Continued on page 20 change, most foresee extreme patterns Sundquist State Forest archives are most vulnerable to rising ambient pursuing American Indians, she of rainfall and drought resulting from temperatures. In addition, efforts are appeared to jump over the falls, an increase in average temperature. being made to restore and reinforce but Issaqueena was actually hid- In 2009, public and private forest vegetation in wetland areas susceptible ing behind the falls and survived. stakeholders in the Northern United to the increased threat of flooding. Great views of the cascading States established the Climate Change Efforts like these that anticipate Issaqueena Falls can be accessed Response Framework in an effort to and prepare for climate change are quickly through the viewing share climate change data and solu- taking place in national forests across platform or a steep hike down tions across 246 million acres in 19 the country. To find out how your local to its base. — H.G. states, including 14 national forests. Wildcat Hollow Trail near Monroe Overlook. Unicoi Turnpike Trail. The information-sharing framework forest is responding, contact forest staff Photo by Gary Chancey Wikimedia Commons has three main objectives: to provide a or visit their website.

Page 18 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 19 Cranberry Glades, photo by Forest Wander. Sundew ommends high-clearance vehicles as the (top) and road to the trailhead is steep and rocky. pitcher plants, photos by Hemp and Medical Cannabis Make Joint Gains Hidden For an extended trip, combine with Rosanna Springston By Kevin Ridder research or commercial purposes, could soon be converted to a medical the nearby Appalachian Trail at Cole Farmers across the nation including Kentucky, North Carolina, cannabis growhouse and cannabis oil Mountain for a total of 12 miles. may soon be able to add hemp Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. dispensary if local firm Dharma Phar- Also within the Mount Pleasant Na- TreasuresTreasures to their fields. In an effort spear- Morgan Leach, CEO of the West Vir- maceuticals is awarded one of five state Part 6: National Forests tional Scenic Area, the Old Hotel Trail is ginia Hemp Farmers Cooperative, says licenses to grow cannabis and sell the By Sara Crouch and Hannah Gillespie headed by Senate Majority Lead- a 3.2-mile hike that offers views of sur- er Mitch McConnell, the Senate’s that growing hemp as a cash crop could extracted oil, according to the Bristol rounding peaks and passes through old Continued from page 18 version of the Farm Bill passed “revitalize the agricultural economy.” Herald Courier. The five licenses cor- rock walls from long-abandoned hog in June with a provision remov- “If you put money in a farmer’s respond to each of the state’s five health farms. For another extended loop, con- ing hemp from the U.S. Drug pocket, you know where they’re going districts, and Dharma is competing nect with the Appalachian Trail. — H.G. Enforcement Administration’s Cutline to invest; which is right there on their with eight other applications for the Virginia farm and in their community,” Leach Southwest Virginia district. A decision is box at the entrance includes a pair of controlled substances list. Al- Guest River This trail is not steep, and with a says. expected in mid-August, and the facility Mount Pleasant crushed stone surface it is an easy-to- pruners to trim briars that could cre- though the House of Represen- Hemp harvest in Monroe County, W.Va. Photo courtesy of Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc., would be open by late 2019 if approved. Gorge Trail ate a problem for those with visual or tatives’ version of the Farm Bill George Washington moderate hike and a great option for West Virginia Farmers Cooperative a hemp processor in Spring Hope, N.C., In March, Virginia Gov. Ralph physical restrictions. does not mention hemp, Sen. National Forest Jefferson National Forest bikers. Trout fishing, canoeing and states that growing hemp is making use Northam signed a law expanding le-  (540) 265-5100 kayaking are permitted in the Guest Guides often lead nature and bird McConnell is expected to push close cousin of marijuana and contains  (540) 291-2188 of land leveled by mountaintop removal gal defense of possession of medical Located within the Jefferson Na- River. — S.C. walks along the trail, and its short dis- for its inclusion in the final bill. miniscule amounts of THC — the psy- In the Mount Pleasant National coal mining in Kentucky. cannabis oil from only patients with tional Forest is the Guest River Gorge tance accommodates the whole family. “Although it was a foundational choactive compound that gets mari- Scenic Area of George Washington “They’re converting old coal ter- intractable epilepsy to patients with any Trail, which is 5.9 miles each way. For those looking for a longer or more part of Kentucky’s heritage and today juana users high — growing hemp was National Forest near Buena Vista, Va., ritories … into greenhouses that are diagnosed condition. While this does Winding along the Guest River, this West Virginia strenuous adventure, the Wildcat Ridge you can buy hemp products at stores outlawed in 1970 under the Controlled the summit of Mount Pleasant offers going to produce [medical cannabis not make the oil legal, it allows doc- out-and-back trail features views and Polly trails are very close by. — S.C. across the country, most American farm- Substances Act. The 2014 Farm Bill le- a breathtaking sunrise and sunset Spotted oil], which is where most of the money tors to sign certificates that the patient of rapids,waterfalls, ers have been barred from planting it in galized state pilot programs to research destination for hikers is right now in the hemp industry,” may present to avoid legal prosecution. huge boulders, and Salamander Trail Cranberry Glades their fields,” Sen. McConnell said in a growing hemp under 0.3 percent THC. and beginning back- Perlowin says. Currently, patients have to take specific sandstone cliffs and press release. According to NORML, the National packers. Kanawha State Forest Botanical Area measures to obtain medical cannabis oil outcroppings.  Hemp has been used for thou- Organization to Reform Marijuana Virginia Passes Medical This 4.7-mile loop (304) 558-3500 while the state reviews the 49 submit- In addition to Monongahela sands of years to create paper, textiles, Laws, 40 states have passed legisla- Cannabis Oil Law marked by blue blazes In the Kanawha State Forest just ted applications for the five dispensary the natural trea- rope and more. But because hemp is a tion authorizing hemp cultivation for follows the Henry La- outside of Charleston, W.Va., is the National Forest A former J.C. Penney in Bristol, Va., licenses. sures, this trail me-  (304) 653-4826 num Memorial Trail, Spotted Salamander Trail. Named after anders through his- In Pocahontas County, W.Va., the traversing Pompey the most commonly found salamander Gorge, “rock climbers are spending $3.6 million tory by taking visitors Cranberry Glades Botanical Area is a Continued from page 13 Mountain before in the state, this quarter-mile trail was Daniel Boone NF dollars annually in an an area that includes some Pisgah-Nantahala Plan through the Swede true treasure of the Monongahela Na- reaching the summit Guest River Gorge’s Swede Tunnel. Photo built in 1987 and underwent major Continued from page 15 of the poorest counties in the United States.” Tunnel, constructed in tional Forest, protecting four rare bogs that want to see Harper Creek servationists,” Stahlschmidt of Mount Pleasant. by Bob Lawrence renovations in 2016. “Anecdotally, it seems that tourism and visi- 1922. The tunnel and and spanning 750 acres. and Lost Cove wilderness des- adds. “They go to the forest for Near the summit, A short, paved path, the Spotted Outdoor Adventure tation is increasing,” says Nedlo, noting that the trail is a part of the These glades support plants and ignations are helping to expand the same reasons that hikers two overlooks provide Salamander Trail was built to accom- Another high priority of the Daniel Boone agency tracks visitor use at a national scale and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nation- animals that are usually found in more mountain biking opportunities and hunters and equestrians an east-facing and west-facing view. modate people with visual and physical National Forest is sustaining recreation. The forest doesn’t have statistics specific to Daniel Boone. He wide network of hiking and biking trails northern latitudes such as cranberries, in the Grandfather area outside and fishermen and others Large, flat rocks serve as perfect seats impairments. It is wheelchair accessible, is a popular destination for a variety of outdoor explains that due to budget cuts, the Daniel Boone built on unused or abandoned railway skunk cabbage and the carnivorous sun- the two wilderness study areas. who seek nature, beauty, and for the spectacular panorama. However, and features guide posts and ropes enthusiasts. National Forest operates with less employees than paths. The Guest River Gorge Trail has dew and purple pitcher plants, many of “I don’t think wilderness solitude. There are certainly the westerly summit requires a seven- along the edge for the blind as well as The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife needed. been reclaimed from the old Norfolk which cannot be found further south and expanding non-wilderness some interests that are unique foot rock scramble. Keep an eye out for interpretive nature stations with braille. Resources maintains five wildlife management “The people aren’t going away and we still Southern railbed and transformed into than this specific area. recreational opportunities are to these groups, but the large rare peregrine falcons. The renovations completed in 2016 areas to provide species habitat. For hikers and don’t want them too,” Nedlo says. “But we also a beautiful hike along the Guest River. Cranberry Glades is encircled by mutually exclusive,” Wilson majority of interests are simi- Note that the U.S. Forest Service rec- include a paved parking area, asphalt backpackers, the Daniel Boone National Forest pro- don’t want them to have a bad experience because Cowpasture Trail, a seven-mile hiking wrote in an email. “Both are so lar. It is that which we should trail repairs, new guide posts and ropes, vides more than 600 miles of trails. The Sheltowee of sites in disrepair, a trail is washed out, a camp- trail that offers a closer look at many important to our people and to all rally behind.” Mount Pleasant. Photo courtesy of safety fencing and a shelter with a ramp Trace National Recreation Trail is a nearly 290-mile ground is filthy or something like that, and so that’s of the rare plants in this area. Do not our state’s economy. Working Once the draft forest plan Christin Healey and a wheelchair-accessible picnic table. trail that spans the Daniel Boone and nearby Big the balance we’re trying to strike with recreation.” step off the trail, as bogs are extremely together, conservation and rec- and draft environmental im- Volunteers played a major role South Fork National River and Recreation Area. According to Nedlo, volunteers can help with spongy and ecologically sensitive. For reation advocates can accom- pact statement is released this in the upgrades. In keeping with that But the forest is perhaps best known for the the maintenance of recreation sites. Ultimately, a more accessible option, a half-mile plish much more than we can fall, there will be a 90-day spirit, a volunteer trail maintenance Red River Gorge, which is designated as a national the Daniel Boone National Forest exists as it does wheelchair-accessible boardwalk goes separately. That collaboration is public comment period and a geological area, national natural landmark and today due to the influence of current and past through two of the bogs. more important than ever given series of public meetings. national archaeological district. volunteers, administrators, activists, industrialists The Cranberry Mountain the current political climate.” “As owners of our na- According to Lexington, Ky., resident and and more. But most importantly, the Daniel Boone Nature Center is nearby and Stahlschmidt says he sup- tional forests, Americans need Daniel Boone regular Dave Cooper, the gorge “is is open to the public for everyone to have their offers a wealth of information ports new wilderness designa- to be involved in how they’re now an international destination for rock climbers own experience. about the unique plants and ani- tions that are “accepted by managed,” Wilson states. and we’re getting hundreds of thousands of visitors “If I have something that’s troubling me or a mals in the botanical area. While the majority of the public. In “Public participation is criti- from all over the world coming into Kentucky. We problem that I can’t seem to work out in my mind, I the boardwalk and trail are open locations where other options cal in the actual development love to have them visit Kentucky and experience take my dog, put her on the leash and we go hiking year-round, the nature center could serve the public bet- of plans for our forests, not just what those of us in Kentucky have known for a in the Red River Gorge,” says Cooper. “I go for a is only open from mid-April to ter, gain more support, and reviews of completed drafts. I long time; we have a very beautiful state.” couple of hours and my problems are all solved. mid-October, so be sure to call continue to protect the land, I think the [Forest Service] has I’m able to work out anything that’s bothering me. Spotted Salamander Trail.  A 2015 study conducted by Eastern Kentucky support those [other options].” made genuine efforts to make before stopping in. — S.C.  Photo by Jennifer Bauman University researchers found that in the Red River I just go to the woods and that’s important.” “Mountain bikers are con- this participation possible.” 

Page 20 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 21 FIRE Summit: EmbracING Hands-On Learning in Kentucky Out-of-this-World: Students Develop Satellite Technology By Lorelei Goff FIRE Summit. Other By Sara Crouch altitude of 90,000 feet lem solving with it, and on the weather balloon, that’s what our kids When Belfry High projects funded by the In nine Southwest Virginia schools, grants during the 2017- the new Virginia Space ThinSat Pro- and send data back to the need,” Carter says. School students in Eastern students. “We have a lot of Kentucky tested ground- 2018 school year includ- gram is stirring excitement among stu- ed powering a blender dents and teachers alike. Wise County “At phase 3, we are kids who don’t want water in Pike County for going into extreme low- to do anything, and the a science project, they with a bicycle, detect- Public Schools is listed as one of 12 lead ing cancer using plants institutes for this program, meaning Earth orbit, and we will only reason they go to never expected to dis- be launching aboard the school is sports,” stu- cover contaminants in and gold nanoparticles, they offer guidance and assistance for hatching trout to release nine participating schools. Students Antares rocket on Nov. dent Elle Smith says. the area’s drinking water. 10, 2018,” explains Carter. “But now we’re turn- “We didn’t go into in streams, monitoring involved range from fourth-graders to water quality in streams, rising seniors. Once the ThinSats are ing that around and the this saying there was deployed, they will orbit reason they want to go something wrong with testing air quality for pol- The program is named after the lution levels, collaborat- ThinSat satellite, a slender satellite Earth for approximately to school in the morning the drinking water,” says At left, four Belfry High School students stand with their water-testing equipment in Eastern ing with NASA scientists capable of transmitting data from a five days and transmit is the ThinSat because Hannah McCoy, 18. “We Kentucky. The students sampled water quality at 10 drinking wells, some near coal mines, and to plan an experiment on a satellite, and relatively low orbit just outside Earth’s more data to the students. they know they’re gon- found that this drinking water is not found unhealthy levels of certain elements. Through a U.S. Department of State program, the Elle Smith, a rising na make a difference.” students then traveled to India to present their work at the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata, designing and building drones, as well atmosphere. Student engagement in this really safe.” junior at Central High A group of high school and elementary This program has India. They also met with Indian students, right, who tested the pH and residual chlorine levels of as student publishing projects. program is broken into three phases. The students found high levels of School, says she is excited students, above, brief U.S. Sen. Mark area river water. Photos courtesy of Dr. Haridas Chandran. A “health hackathon” held during In each phase, the students collect data inspired the students and barium, sulfate and sodium in some of to join participating stu- Warner on their satellite work. The the educators involved, the summit focused on the opioid crisis. at increasing altitudes. Wise County students’ ThinSat satellites will be wells they tested. McCoy and classmate School was chosen by the University of project is due to the experiences that we dents at Wallops Island, according to Carter. She Students created an app that connects schools completed phase one and launched on Northrop Grumman’s Aryn Adkins, 18, say the contamination Kentucky to receive water testing equip- have gained through the projects that Va., to watch the launch says, “For me as an ed- residents to local law enforcement to started phase two during the 2017-2018 Antares rocket, right. Photos by Tim Cox could be alleviated if there were federal ment as part of a project sponsored by we have received from the Appalachian report finding drug paraphernalia. school year. of the rocket with their ucator, that’s the most regulations regarding acceptable con- the U.S. Department of State’s Mission Renaissance Initiative grants.” The app pings the location and police Phase 1 included an introduction to satellites aboard. exciting part … they’re taminant levels in groundwater. to India that links schools in Kentucky The Appalachian Renaissance Ini- space and rapidly respond to collect it. The students also sensors and the development of a sen- The ThinSat program ready to go, they’re ex- In June, the group traveled to Kol- and India to do community-based wa- tiative, which is funded in part through test large satellite designed a 3D-printed sleeve to drop sor board. During Phase 2, the students was created by Virginia Space, a state cited, wanting to explore, kata, India, to exchange ideas and re- ter quality research and create cultural a U.S. Department of Education Race to subsystems at a over a used needle that can be placed in were supplied with an engineering program established in 1995 to “pro- see what all is out there search with peers working on a similar exchange. Dr. Haridas Chandran, a sci- the Top Grant, includes the twice-yearly low cost. an evidence bag. model to install their sensors into. The mote commercial space activity, eco- and what they can do.” project there. ence teacher at Belfry, wrote in an email Forging Innovation in Rural Education Carter explains “So many times we Another hackathon project invited model was then sent to Indiana to be nomic development and aerospace The project began after Belfry High that “the successful completion of the (FIRE) Summits sponsored by Kentucky that because the are stereotyped in this area, high school students to submit anony- tethered to a weather balloon, where research within the Commonwealth of Valley Educational Cooperative. students are collecting data and going and I think the students oftentimes allow mously written stories about how opi- the Wise County sensors are currently Virginia,” according to the program’s KVEC’s goal is to shift the focus of through a pilot program where even she that to dictate what they think they can do oids and drug use have affected them awaiting launch, according to Jane website. The program aims to advance the classroom away from activities that does not know the expected outcome, and where they can go,” continues Carter. personally. Sixty of those were compiled Carter, chemistry and environmental science, technology, engineering and simply comply with education stan- they are experiencing true science. “[But] they’re working on space projects into a book that will be published this science teacher at Eastside High and math education. Through this program, dards and toward driving innovation in “They’re engaged because it’s [where] Wise County Schools are listed fall. the lead mentor for all nine teams in participants will be able to research “I love your new format. the classroom. The cooperative distrib- hands-on, and ... there’s lots of prob- as a lead institute.”  This year’s event also included the region. The sensors will reach an the extreme low-Earth orbit region of It makes a classy magazine utes between 120 and 150 Appalachian “Building It Forward,” an ongoing Renaissance Initiative grants each year. even classier! You never tiny house project. Eight houses were KVEC Executive Director Jeff out here learning hands on, which is our communities and lift them up.” have, there is not enough diversity of cease to amaze me with designed and built by students using Hawkins says the FIRE Summits offer FIRE Summit how a lot of kids learn better. I’m not a He adds, “Our data tell us that jobs here to satisfy that. Especially in the $15,000 in grants from the Appalachian the great story topics students, educators and communities tan- Continued from previous page paper and pencil kind of person.” many of our kids who graduate will last five years, with the downturn of the Renaissance Initiative. They were auc- gible reasons to have hope for the future. Hawkins says small, sustainable not come back here to live because the coal industry it has become increasingly and excellent writers to tioned on theholler.org in May and June “It’s really a celebration of what’s Area Technology Center sophomore programs, such as Building It Forward, degree that they are in search of or the important for us to turn our students tell the great tales of our Proceeds go back to the school to fund right about education,” Hawkins says. Brandon McIntosh told Kentucky Liv- are at the heart of KVEC’s goal to help pathway that they have charted for toward the idea of entrepreneurialism the next year’s tiny houses. area. Carolina Mountain “It’s about kids as makers. It’s about ing magazine. “Over at the high school, solve the region’s big problems by de- themselves and the passion that they and place-making.”  “In school systems, there are a lot Life is now even more of a teachers as inspirers. It’s about con- it’s a lot of paperwork. Over here it’s veloping many small solutions through of things that will come and go with necting the passion that a student has take a couple of tests and then you’re long-term educational strategies. keepsake. Congratulations funding,” says KVEC Associate Direc- innately with a purpose so that they “If we only picked one thing that we on 20 years!” tor Dessie Bowling, who founded the can then advance themselves, but also would do to improve our communities, Building It Forward project. “That’s —Harris Prevost help others through their own personal that would have to be an awfully big why we designed this program to be VP of Grandfather Mountain advancement.” lever and we would have to have an sustainable, because the school gets During the fall FIRE Summit, awfully big fulcrum” Hawkins says. “By the money and it goes right back into educators present proposals for grants having a thousand levers and a thousand their budget to build tiny houses year that provide up to $1,000 for classroom fulcrums, we can incrementally advance after year.” projects. These micro-investments focus “What a great magazine!” Building it Forward exemplifies Each year, teams of Eastern Kentucky students on getting students more engaged and what Hawkins says is KVEC’s emphasis build tiny houses as part of the Building It connecting their passion to a purpose. on reaching every student to optimize Forward Project. Students collaborate and free wireless internet 828-737-0771 • PO Box 976, Linville, NC 28646 In the spring, the students and edu- Locally roasted Fair Trade learning. learn hands-on skills, and the homes are At stores & businesses almost everywhere in the High Country cators meet again for a show-and-tell to frappes & fruit smoothies “It’s more hands on,” Lee County auctioned to fund the following year’s project. ... and online at CMLmagazine.com share their projects during the spring homemade pastries & desserts Coffee & Espresso [email protected] Photo courtesy of The Holler. Continued on next page 221 w. state street black mountain, nc 828.669.0999 www.dripolator.com

Page 22 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 23 Remaking Downtowns nity on the same page, says Stushek. Continued from previous page “One of the first things is to really Remaking Downtowns focus the community on coming fabric and creates the social trust that together and defining that vision Cities and towns aim to enables your community to thrive and together,” she says. “That way they re-energize Main Street be resilient.” can see that the community rising up There isn’t a cookie-cutter solution and succeeding is more important By Dan Radmacher railroad-owned Tudor- to community revitalization, according than some of the squabbles they to Kaycie Stushek, community develop- might have.” Across Appalachia, communities are style hotel where ex- ment network coordinator for the West When the Hub begins work with striving to bring new energy to down- ecutives once stayed Virginia Community Development Hub, communities, “turf suppression” is a towns that have suffered as once-domi- — was closed. Down- an organization that works to improve big part of the job, says Tyree. nant industries have collapsed or moved town revitalization communities in the state. “Every situ- “In those communities, no mat- away, populations have declined and efforts stalled. When ation is unique, in the people and the ter how big or small, there are con- downtown businesses have shuttered. Darlene Burcham was West Virginia Route 20 becomes Mercer St. in downtown Princeton, pictured here in 2007. Photo by Tim Kiser history, the attitude, the specific chal- sistently fiefdoms,” she says. “Maybe Roanoke, Va., faced that situation in hired as city manager lenges, the relationships, how people it’s just human nature. There are the 1970s. Its downtown was a seedy, di- in 2000, she came to Building that he converted to upscale best Roanoke we could be.” work together,” she says. “Every single various groups all focused lapidated place. In a 2016 Politico article a city she says was mourning the past condominiums, followed by more af- A Thriving Downtown rather than thinking of the future. fordable apartments in the old Grand community is at a different spot.” on wanting to make their about Roanoke’s resurgence, Roanoke Top right, one of the 22 murals According to Shane Barton, down- Barton agrees, but says there are community better, but they Times editorial page editor Dwayne “I felt like the city was stuck in Piano and Furniture Company. Sud- in Artists’ Alley. Photo by Molly town revitalization coordinator for the don’t want to work together. neutral,” she says. “Everyone was be- denly, downtown was coming alive not some commonalities in what communi- Moore. Top left, Princeton, Yancey said of downtown in that era, University of Kentucky’s Community moaning the fact that Norfolk Southern just as a retail, dining and entertainment ties need to successfully work toward W.Va., community members We start working through “Decent people didn’t go there.” and Economic Development Initiative had moved its headquarters rather than district, but as a place to live. revitalization. plant a garden on Mercer St. those conflicts and that basic A revitalization effort began in the of Kentucky, other communities should looking to the future. The population The biggest development for Roa- “You need an engaged and ener- surrounded by vibrant murals. failure to collaborate.” late 1970s. The City Market Building, a look to Roanoke as a model. “If any- was declining.” noke in recent years is the collaboration gized team of local folks,” he says. “You At left, the city hosts its annual Barton sees the same once-bustling indoor marketplace down thing, Roanoke has shown the power New Year’s Eve celebration in Part of the problem was a lack of between Virginia Tech and Carilion need to figure out who the cheerleader issues in Kentucky. “Every- to its last few vendors, was turned into the reinvigorated downtown. of creating more connections,” he says. is, the spark in the community who can one comes to the table for a a food court. The creation of Elmwood attractive housing stock within the Health Clinic, which partnered to Photos courtesy of Princeton The initiative brought together different reason,” he says. city. “I had an assistant city manager open a medical school in Roanoke in advocate for new ideas or bring new Renaissance Project. Park provided some much-needed a team of academic and community who wanted to live in a townhouse or 2010. That has turned into a growing ideas to the table.” “What we find is there are public green space. A 1920s building specialists to focus on community revi- a condo and literally couldn’t find one biomedical research institute, creating similar priorities that we across from the City Market Building talization in eight counties in Kentucky, Princeton Renaissance in the city,” Burcham says. “One of the hundreds of high-paid jobs and attract- ney’s sister Melissa opened Stages Mu- One project that stuck in Princeton have to acknowledge the parties value. was renovated into Center in the Square according to Barton. Roanoke’s city In Princeton, W.Va., that spark was first things we did as a city was to jump ing talented researchers and physicians sic School. Working with the West Vir- was a collection of murals on downtown We have to find similar or overlapping and became home to several museums government was often criticized for Lori McKinney and her partner and start the whole housing issue.” while continuing to expand. ginia Community Development Hub, buildings. “The murals were a big turn- values and amplify the energy around and the Mill Mountain Theater. putting too much emphasis on down- husband Robert Blankenship. The city redeveloped the pair of According to Richard Rife, a local the community launched the Princeton ing point,” says McKinney. “It’s impos- those.” But in 1982, the Roanoke-head- town development, but Barton says in Like Roanoke’s downtown in the old Norfolk-Southern office buildings architect and a member of the city plan- Renaissance Project, bringing together sible to ignore eight giant murals. It was One key to the Hub’s strategy is quartered Norfolk & Western Railway his experience, there’s good reason for 1970s, downtown Princeton in the early across the railroad tracks from down- ning commission when the city updated leaders from nonprofits, the Princeton- a sweeping aesthetic shift that caused what Tyree calls “accompaniment.” merged with the Southern Railway, concentrating efforts in the city center. 2000s was not a place people would take town into an adult education center and its comprehensive plan in 2000, the es- Mercer Chamber of Commerce, local everyone to talk about downtown.” These communities may have seen a lot and the new Norfolk Southern moved “We see downtowns as an intersec- their families at night. an apartment building. tablishment of the medical school was banks and educational institutions and Now downtown features a number of people come in with programs to at- its headquarters to Norfolk. Roanoke, tion of all the things that are important,” “Mercer Street had been aban- Ed Walker, a young lawyer turned “dumb luck” — but luck the city helped local government to work together on of public arts projects, including sculp- tempt revitalization, according to Tyree, which had been a company town for he says. “They are concentrated places doned,” says McKinney, co-founder real estate developer, began a series of bring on itself. Princeton’s revitalization. tures and an artists’ alley. Events like the but they haven’t experienced an ex- more than a century, suddenly lost its where different aspects of civic life and and administrator of The RiffRaff Arts renovations of old commercial build- “Maybe we made our luck by The Princeton Renaissance Project Mercer Monster Mash and a New Year’s tended commitment to the community. company — and its identity. economic vitality bubble to the surface. Collective. “A dark element had taken ings into downtown apartments, start- having things going in a direction that was key, uniting a coalition of people Eve Downtown Countdown bring fami- “When we work with a group of The Hotel Roanoke — the iconic Downtown is an opportunity to show- over. But that thoroughfare was a blank ing with the Colonial American Bank you could attract the level of people working together with a common vi- lies downtown regularly. “Before this, community volunteers, we commit case who we are. They are a reflection canvas. We located a building on the that thing’s attracting,” he says. “The sion, according to McKinney. “That was the idea that people would bring their to working with them as long as they of ourselves and how we feel about corner of 9th and Mercer and we bought success of the comprehensive plan how the major transformative projects kids downtown to trick or treat was just need,” she says. “It’s not a program- ourselves — or how people perceive it. We transformed it, turning the bot- was understanding who we are and became possible,” she says. off the wall,” says McKinney. “That was matic commitment. If members of the that we feel about ourselves.” tom floor into an art gallery, the second who we aren’t. We weren’t trying to be Stephanie Tyree, executive director a paradigm shifting.” community don’t end up as part of a Downtowns are uniquely impor- floor into art studios. We turned the top Asheville, but we were trying to be the of the Hub, says ramping up commu- The first step is getting the commu- Continued on next page tant places, agrees Shaunna Scott, floor into a beautiful listening room, the nity involvement right from the begin- director of the Appalachian Studies Room Upstairs.” ning is vital. Program at the University of Ken- Partnering with fellow artist and “Programs that expect and require tucky. musician Robert Blankenship, McKin- huge community engagement on the “There’s a real value to having ney set out to transform her home town. front end can be very successful,” she • Delicious Deli-Style Sandwiches public and common spaces where “I didn’t expect to come back home after says. “Something really interesting hap- • Homemade Soups people interact,” she says. “There’s a I graduated,” she says. “But I saw West pens when you work with a community center. There’s a place where people Virginia with new eyes. I could see what and say, ‘what we expect in this project • Vegetarian Fare go. You need spaces for people to the assets were, and I realized you could is that you will have a huge number of create wherever you are. What makes • And Much More! The downtown center of Roanoke, Va., above, is home to a number of museums, interact to do commerce, but also people come in and we’re going to get including institutions dedicated to art, science, astronomy, African-American to make art and socialize and break a city great is people doing things and you the resources to do a lot of projects.’ history and the history of Western Virginia. Photo courtesy of Creative Dog Media bread together and worship together. making cool things happen.” The idea is to throw a bunch of projects - Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge. At right, Roanoke-based Deschutes Brewery hosts an The RiffRaff was a center of creative That’s the thing that builds the social at the wall and see what sticks.” 240 Shadowline Drive, Boone, North Carolina annual Street Pub event at Elmwood Park downtown where visitors can try brews energy, but more was going on. McKin- Continued on next page (828) 262-1250 • www.Peppers-Restaurant.com while raising funds for area nonprofits. Photo courtesy of Deschutes Brewery

Page 24 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 25 Remaking Downtowns City politicians, the local cham- been abandoned and left open to the on the city website or Facebook page. Continued from previous page ber of commerce and others worked elements for decades. We’re moving Do the promotion the landowners can’t Appalachia’s PoliticalAppalachia’s Landscape Political Landscape together to create a tourism develop- into the time period where the op- afford to do.” network they can draw on for support ment board funded by a hotel/motel portunity to revitalize those properties “As with much of central Appa- Reauthorization of Mine Lands Program Advances Endangered Species Act Threatened or resources, they often end up right tax and supported by the city. They is swiftly closing. Some are becoming lachia, we have communities where ernments. These environmental rid- Kentucky and Pennsylvania); and In July, the Trump Administration issued new back where they started.” focused on renovating vacant or un- public health hazards. Some are literally there’s a memory of a more vibrant By Elizabeth E. Payne ers include: preventing U.S. Fish and the second amendment provided guidelines making it more difficult to grant protections Bringing people together is key to derutilized buildings. The city started falling down.” era,” says Tyree. “There’s been a hol- On July 19, the U.S. House of under the Endangered Species Act. At the same time, Wildlife from listing the sage grouse for $115 million in annual funding the ongoing efforts in McMinnville, a pilot program to provide a tax break Scott, the University of Kentucky lowing out of Main Street, just because Representatives passed a $35.3 billion Congress unveiled a package of nine bills to “modern- as an endangered species, removing instead of the $90 million initially Tenn., according to Michael Griffith, for developers, freezing property taxes professor, agrees. “It’s a property people have left and businesses have appropriations bill that would fund ize” the 45-year-old law that currently protects more endangered species protections for proposed. executive vice president of Security at pre-development rates for 20 years. ownership issue,” she says. “People shut down. The big question is how do the federal Department of the Inte- than 1,600 species and has saved an estimated 227 the gray wolf by 2019 and prohibit- Congress passed a similar fund- Federal Savings Bank. The small com- McMinnville also changed zoning or companies own these buildings and you do community revitalization in a rior, the U.S. Forest Service and the species from extinction, according to the nonprofit ing judicial review of that decision, ing package in last year’s budget and Center for Biological Diversity. munity between Nashville and Chat- to encourage mixed-use development parcels of land that have no intention community that was built up for two Environmental Protection Agency. and forbidding the EPA from requir- the grants have been used to reclaim Together, these changes would end the extension tanooga has been working to capitalize and attract more downtown residents. of doing anything with them. I don’t or three times the number of people it The bill passed by a vote of 217 to ing waste management systems at former coal mines in order to restore of endangered species’ protections for species listed on its location by encouraging start-up “If we revitalize downtown, it cre- know why. Maybe they don’t want to currently has?” 199, along party lines. as “threatened” and instead decide on a case-by-case large industrial livestock operations, vibrant local economies. businesses downtown. ates more life and people want to live sell short. They want to hold onto it Figuring that out can be a signifi- At press time in early August, basis; cause officials to take economic factors into ac- among many other provisions. “This program has funded some “I can’t stress enough that in a cul- here,” says Griffith. “If they want to live for the next boom when they can make cant challenge and takes a lot of com- the bill still needed to be passed by count when deciding whether to list a species instead Included in the appropriations great projects that have already ture that relies on private capital, you here, they’ll build houses and increase their fortune. That’s an obstacle to de- munity conversation about infrastruc- the Senate before becoming law. of purely scientific factors; allows the U.S. Secretary bill for the Department of the Interior, broken ground in coal communities need everyone working together: the our tax base.” velopment.” ture, along with vision and political Democrats opposed the bill, cit- of the Interior to ignore scientific data when deciding however, were two amendments that throughout Appalachia,” said Thom whether to designate an area as critical habitat; and tourism board, banks, city and county Condemning the buildings and leadership, according to Tyree. ing provisions that would weaken Confronting Hurdles would renew funding for a pilot pro- Kay, the senior legislative representa- generally make it easier to advance projects like oil governments, utilities,” Griffith says. tearing them down is one solution, but The widespread poverty across environmental protections and limit Downtown revitalization in Ap- gram that restores abandoned coal tive for Appalachian Voices, the pub- drilling, logging and fracked gas pipelines through A downtown farmers’ market city governments hesitate to go that Appalachia also creates a difficult chal- due process cited concerns for regula- protected habitat, to name a few. palachia has some special challenges, mine sites with economic develop- lisher of this paper. “Representatives provided the catalyst in McMinnville, route, for good reason, according to lenge. “We need people who have the tions that would limit environmental Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center according to Tyree. One very difficult ment potential. The first amendment Johnson and Griffith have ensured according to Griffith. “That started a Tyree. “Tearing them down is a solu- personal resources to volunteer their protections in their opposition, ac- for Biological Diversity, told Democracy Now! that the issue is tied to Appalachia’s history of expands the eligible states from the benefits of the program reach hub that allowed people to congregate,” tion that creates holes — physical holes time to improve their communities,” cording to the National Association proposal is “the most comprehensive, devastating absentee ownership — both of land and three to six (Virginia, Alabama and even more communities, and we’re he says. “More people started shopping in the downtown area,” she says. “It says Tyree. “Poverty, along with the of Counties, an organization that attempt to destroy this law we’ve seen in this entire of buildings. Ohio were added to West Virginia, grateful for their efforts.” time.” — By Kevin Ridder downtown. We realized that, though also creates fear in the community — opioid addiction crisis, just decimates represents the nation’s county gov- “Keystone properties on Main we were attracting folks from Nashville fear that there’s not a strategy or the capacity in individual communities.” Streets in communities across West who wanted second homes and retirees resources to put in new buildings, fear Community revitalization experts Virginia have been abandoned,” Tyree House Version of Farm Bill Guts Environmental Protections a landscape. The agency also would not from the Northeast who just love the that if you start down that pathway, it agree that there is no one solution, no says. “There’s an urgency to that chal- need to consider whether timber projects area, downtown didn’t have all the leads to the community going away. It silver bullet to guarantee the resuscita- By Kevin Ridder be required to examine the impact a pesti- into the coffin of some of America’s most lenge because those properties have are within a potential wilderness area or amenities they need.” severs the emotional connections that tion of a downtown. But the attempt is cide would have on species protected un- vulnerable species,” said Brett Hartl, In June, the U.S. House of Represen- if the projects would affect endangered or people have to a place and their com- important, for the health of communi- der the Endangered Species Act, accord- government affairs director at the Center tatives narrowly passed their version of threatened species. mitment to the community.” ties and people. ing to the nonprofit Center for Biological for Biological Diversity in a press release. the 2018 Omnibus Farm Bill that would Additionally, the House bill would The Hub’s Stushek says one key to “Downtowns are a place to get out Diversity. Additionally, Clean Water Act The House bill would also allow roll back protections for endangered spe- end or cut food stamp benefits for 2 million dealing with this issue is developing of the isolation that we as individuals permits would no longer be required for several new broad exclusions from the cies, water and public lands. The Senate people by imposing a work requirement an inventory of vacant buildings and sometimes feel,” says Scott. “By and releasing pesticides into waterways. The National Environmental Policy Act, which did not include any of these provisions for benefit recipients, according to the figuring out who owns what, what large, I get more meaning and happi- center states that the pesticide industry would exempt certain logging projects in their version of the bill. The Farm Bill Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. buildings are for sale, what condition ness when I’m collaborating and with has spent more than $43 million on lob- up to 6,000 acres from public input and is renewed roughly every five years, and This provision, which is not included in they’re in and who has a relationship people I like, love, respect and care bying this congressional session. environmental review. In granting these governs federal food and agriculture the Senate’s bill, is expected to be the most with the owners. “Every time some- about. That’s what makes me healthy “If [this farm bill] becomes law, this exclusions, the U.S. Forest Service would policy. hotly contested item as the House and Sen- 2018 SEEA Conference body asks about a particular property, and happy, and that’s what makes bill will be remembered for generations no longer need to consider the cumula- Under the House’s version, the U.S. ate work to reconcile their versions before someone should be writing a letter to communities healthy and happy. Appa- as the hammer that drove the final nail tive impact of several timber projects on on Energy Eciency Fish and Wildlife Service would no longer the current version expires on Sept. 30. the landowner detailing the interest in lachia needs to reinvigorate the notion the property so they know they could of the commons, a space that can bring TH Kentucky Tennessee North Carolina Virginia West Virginia  115 CONGRESS: Below are recent congressional bills and amendments on envi- be doing something with it,” she says. benefit to us all.” ronmental issues and how central and southern Appalachian representatives voted. To “The city can promote buildings for sale see other recent votes, or for congressional representatives outside of the five-state area, SAVE THE DATE! visit congress.gov. =pro-environment vote ✗=anti-environment vote O =no vote Cost-effective solutions HOUSE T. Massie H. Rogers A. Barr RoeP. J. Duncan Fleischman S. Desjarlais V. Foxx McHenryP. M. Meadows T. Garrett B. Goodlatte M. Griffith D. McKinley A. Mooney E. Jenkins October 22nd - 24th to improve your home (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 (R) WV-03 H.Amdt. 908 to H.R. 6147, the Interior & Environment Appropriations Act, would In 2018, the SEEA Conference efficiency Atlanta, GA prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from using funds to enforce the will focus on the fusion of multiple 2016 methane emissions limits on new and modified oil and gas industry emissions ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ opportunities which together share sources. AYES 215 NOES 194 NV 19 ... PASSED a common foundation in energy e
ciency. Join us in imagining the H.Amdt. 932 to H.R. 6147, the Interior & Environment Appropriations Act, would block the EPA from using Environmental Justice Small Grants intended to help marginalized Southeast’s energy future. ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ New Home Certification communities affected by environmental pollution. AYES 174 NOES 240 NV 14 ... FAILED Energy Efficient Renovations H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, cuts funding from a variety of programs, including $13 million from the Rural Utilities Service’s High Energy Design Consulting Cost Grants, $16 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and $50 million from ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ High Performance Insulation Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations. AYES 210 NOES 206 NV 11 ... PASSED Home Diagnosis SENATE 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) Energy Audit Senate on H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, (see ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ Join us! www.SEEAconference.com renewhomeinc . c o m H.R. 3 description above). YEAS 48 NAYS 50 NV 2 ... FAILED ✗

Page 26 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 27 The Cost of Trump’s The Energy Report The Energy Report Coal & Nuclear Bailout In July, a study found that the Trump Administration’s draft proposal to subsidize Black Lung Disease Surges as Support for Miners Dwindles EPA Rolls Back Coal Ash Protections floundering coal and nuclear plants for two By Elizabeth E. Payne fected miners are set to expire next year. differently. ologists — specialists of the lungs and years could cost between $9.7 billion and $17.2 billion per year. The study was com- Currently, coal companies pay $1.10 per “This is a problem that has been respiratory system — can now make By Elizabeth E. Payne national coal ash rule is that the state in the management of coal ash, while The incidence of black lung disease agencies failed to protect us from disas- ensuring human health and the envi- missioned by a group of six national energy ton of coal excavated underground to created by the coal industry,” Cecil Rob- this diagnosis for compensation claims. On July 17, the U.S. Environmental associations representing oil, wind energy, among Appalachian coal miners is at ters like TVA’s Kingston spill and Duke ronment are protected,” Wheeler said the federal Black Lung Disability Trust erts, president of the United Minework- According to an analysis by NPR, Protection Agency released a new rule natural gas, alternative fuels and other inter- a 25-year high, according to a recent Energy’s Dan River disaster,” said in a statement. study by scientists from the National Fund, which supports miners affected ers Union of America, told Reuters. “just six pulmonologists in Kentucky establishing national standards for ests. The administration’s draft plan would Frank Holleman, senior attorney with The original standards put in place stop coal and nuclear plants from closing Institute for Occupational Safety and by the incurable disease. But this rate “There is a system to help the victims of have the federal certification to read handling the storage and disposal of nonprofit law firm Southern Environ- included closure of existing ponds by forcing grid operators to purchase coal Health. is set to drop by more than half, to $.50 this disease already in place that the coal black lung X-rays and four of them coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burn- per ton, in 2019. industry pays for, and I see no reason routinely are hired by coal companies ing coal to make electricity. mental Law Center, in a press release. in favor of safer storage options and and nuclear power, citing national security Black lung disease results in the concerns. A similar plan was unanimously Such a reduction in funds would why we would put the taxpayers on the or their insurers.” This effort, which replaces stricter The 2008 and 2014 disasters he monitoring surrounding water for scarring of lung tissue when coal and rejected by federal regulators in January. — likely require a taxpayer bailout to hook instead.” Meanwhile, in July the West- mentioned dumped 1.1 billion and 27 contamination and were intended to silica dust are inhaled during mining. rules established by the Obama ad- By Kevin Ridder keep the black lung trust fund solvent, In Kentucky, new state regulations ern Kentucky District U.S. Attorney ministration in 2015, delays the dates million gallons, respectively, of coal ash protect nearby residents from toxic The disease is chronic and fatal, though sludge into surrounding waterways. heavy metals found in coal ash. The there are treatments that can improve according to an analysis by the Govern- make it harder for miners with black charged eight former employees of the by which existing coal ash dumps N.C. Solar Developers ment Accountability Office. lung disease to win workers’ compensa- now-bankrupt Armstrong Energy with must be closed, lifts requirements for The EPA’s 2015 regulations were put new regulations lift the requirements Lose Challenge to Duke quality of life. in place in response to these significant meant to both prevent and detect leak- Despite the sharp rise in reported Citing hard times, coal companies tion claims. The law prohibits radiolo- falsifying dust monitoring samples in monitoring surrounding groundwater In June, the N.C. Utilities Commission spills. age and contamination. denied the requests of two clean energy cases of black lung, the federal taxes on are in favor of this tax reduction, but gists from reading a patient’s x-ray and two Kentucky mines. for contamination, and allows states to the coal miners’ trade union sees things diagnosing the disease. Only pulmon- assume responsibility for regulating The new standards were signed Acting EPA Administrator Wheel- business associations to review conditions coal companies that help compensate af- for battery storage Duke Energy inserted into coal ash within their borders. by Andrew Wheeler, the acting ad- er applauded the changes, saying “our power-purchase agreements for 680 mega- According to the Energy News ministrator for the EPA and a former actions mark a significant departure Blair Mountain Returns to National Register of Historic Places lobbyist for the coal-mining company from the one-size-fits-all policies of the watts of new solar projects, according to the Network, Georgia is hoping to follow Charlotte Business Journal. The groups are Murray Energy. past and save [utilities] tens of millions hold three mountaintop removal coal period requires unconditional commit- Oklahoma by gaining federal approval concerned this would allow Duke to extend By Hannah Gillespie “These amendments provide states of dollars in regulatory costs.” mining permits that overlap the battle- ment from fellow West Virginians, in to regulate its own coal ash. its monopoly by punishing independent de- On June 29, the site of the Blair and utilities much-needed flexibility velopers that offer bids tying battery storage field. “The listing decision imposes particular Kenny King and Wilma and “The entire reason we have a Mountain labor conflict in southern into solar projects. — By Kevin Ridder West Virginia was placed back on the significant restrictions on the ability Terry Steele along with other coalition National Register of Historic Places of permittees to mine within the listed members.” Rural Residents Face Greater Energy Costs than National Average TVA Eliminating Energy after years of legal action led by en- area, and may prevent any mining In 1921, more than 10,000 coal min- Efficiency Rebates vironmental and historic preservation altogether,” states Sierra Club Senior ers marched for the right to unionize By Rory McIlmoil manufactured homes are hit particu- Cormons emphasized the role The Tennessee Valley Authority is dis- Attorney Peter Morgan. the southern coalfields. On August 31, continuing nearly all of the utility bill rebates advocates. Rural households spend about 40 larly hard. that Appalachia’s electricity providers “This victory is the culmination 1921, they were met by 2,000 armed offered under its eScore energy efficiency The 1,600-acre battlefield was origi- percent more of their income on energy The report shows that the problem could play in instituting such policies. of a 12-year saga that took many legal deputies and mine guards at Blair is particularly pronounced in the East “Utilities serving the region are way program by Sept. 15, according to the Knox- nally listed on the register in 2009, but costs than households in metropolitan ville News Sentinel. Funds for eScore, which twists and turns along the way in our ef- Mountain. The battle lasted for five days and Southeast regions of the nation. behind when it comes to making smart was delisted nine months later due to areas, according to a comprehensive offered rebates to customers who installed forts to save this part of West Virginia’s and ended with the arrival of the U.S. Appalachian Voices, the publisher successful lobbying efforts from Alpha new report. investments in energy efficiency,” he energy efficiency upgrades, will be redirected history,” Regina Hendrix, volunteer at Army and Air Corps. Dozens of people Used, Natural Resources and Arch Coal. In On July 18, the nonprofit orga- of this newspaper, works to advance said. “It’s time for Appalachia to ben- to programs assisting low-income families in the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra were killed. This remains the largest 2016, a federal judge declared the re- nizations American Council for an energy efficiency in the region and has efit not just from lower energy costs, Nashville and Memphis. Southern Alliance for Rare & Out Club, said in a statement. “Sustaining organized armed uprising in the United Clean Energy Director Stephen Smith told the moval to be unlawful. Energy-Efficient Economy and Energy identified families who spend as much but also the jobs and economic growth News Sentinel he feels TVA is “abandoning Combined, the two coal companies legal and activist action over such a long States since the Civil War. as 50 percent of their income on energy that energy efficiency investments can of Print Books Efficiency for All released a report their commitment to energy efficiency. They’re that analyzes the energy cost burden costs in the winter. achieve in concert with solar develop- Specializing in “It’s expensive to be poor,” Appa- ment and other sustainable economic putting a few million in high visibility weath- — or the portion of gross household erization approaches [in Nashville] and in Books about Black lachian Voices’ Executive Director Tom initiatives.” North Carolina Slashes Duke Energy Carolinas Rate Hike income spent on home energy costs Memphis, [but] the need is so great that barely Mountain College Cormons told U.S. News and World Read the full report at aceee.org/ By Kevin Ridder month. While lower than Duke’s re- ratepayers for Duke’s mismanagement (not including transportation) — for scratches the surface.” — By Kevin Ridder Report. “A lot of times, folks without research-report/u1806 quested amount of $17.79 per month, of the toxic material. rural households across the nine major On June 22, the North Carolina resources may end up facing higher the change stands to disproportionately The Sierra Club also filed a formal census regions of the United States. Utilities Commission denied Duke En- monthly costs because they don’t have impact residents who use little electric- notice of appeal. In a statement, the The report found that low-income ergy Carolinas’ request to enact a 13.6 the resources to make the investment ity but have to pay the increased flat nonprofit organization called the $70 households in rural areas spend a percent overall rate hike and rejected that’s going to save them money in fee. This could dissuade residents from million penalty “a slap on the wrist” percentage of their income on home Duke’s proposal to raise rates to pay the long term, such as upgrades to the adopting energy efficiency and renew- given the commissioners’ decision to energy costs that is almost three times for $7.8 billion in grid modernization house.” able energy upgrades. The commission allow Duke to charge customers $545 greater than higher-income households projects over 10 years. In the report, the authors advocate also fined Duke $70 million for the util- million for coal ash cleanup. In the across the country. Among households The commission instead approved for policies and initiatives that could ity’s coal ash mismanagement. statement, David Rogers with the Sierra of all income levels, the median energy a rate increase of 0.3 percent for residen- help alleviate high energy costs. “En- Part of the rate increase would Club’s Beyond Coal campaign wrote, cost burden for rural households across tial customers effective Aug. 1, accord- ergy efficiency upgrades can lessen cover approximately $545 million Duke “We strongly oppose the decision to the United States is 4.4 percent, com- ing to the Charlotte Business Journal. these energy burdens by as much as Jean & Carl Franklin Powered has already spent on coal ash cleanup. force families, businesses and people pared to 3.3 percent nationally. by (PV) After four years, residential rates will 25 percent, resulting in more than $400 103 Cherry Street Solar Cells In July, North Carolina Attorney Gen- struggling on fixed and lower incomes Demographic information com- increase by 1.2 percent. in annual energy bill savings for some Black Mountain, NC 28711 eral Josh Stein filed a formal notice of to foot the bill for Duke’s nearly 30 years piled in the report shows that renters, Residential customers’ grid access households,” a press release announc- (828) 669-8149 appeal with the commission against this of negligence and mismanagement.” elderly residents, non-white residents fee was raised from $11.80 to $14 per ing the report states. [email protected] increase on the grounds that it punishes and those living in multi-family or

Page 28 August / September 2018 The Appalachian Voice The Appalachian Voice August / September 2018 Page 29 Inside Appalachian Voices Inside Appalachian Voices Appalachian Voices is committed to protecting the land, air Wasson, Appalachian Voices director of and water of the central and southern Appalachian region. New Study Maps Increase in Land Disturbed by Coal Mining Member Tribute volunteer promoter for Kevin Our mission is to empower people to defend our region’s programs, “so every new mine is min- rich natural and cultural heritage by providing them with In a peer-reviewed a drastic increase in the ratio of ing thinner seams and having to blow Locke of the Standing Rock tools and strategies for successful grassroots campaigns. study published on July 25 land cleared to tonnage of coal up more mountain to get to them.” Clint Dye Sioux Tribe, promoting diver- in PLOS ONE, researchers produced over the last three The research team utilized the sity and multiculturalism. Organizational Staff from SkyTruth, Duke Uni- decades. In the 1980s, approxi- cloud-based Google Earth Engine to Honoring an Clint was a member of the Executive Director ...... Tom Cormons versity, and Appalachian mately 10 square meters of land analyze and process more than 10,000 advocate for justice Baha’i faith for 36 years and Deputy Executive Director ...... Kate Boyle Voices released the first-ever were disturbed per metric ton individual satellite images. Their model and human rights was a human rights advocate. OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT maps of the year-by-year (2,200 pounds) of coal produced. identified areas that lacked forest cover He strived to bring awareness Director of Philanthropy ...... Susan Kruse footprint of surface coal min- By 2015, approximately 30 square in contrast to surrounding forested Adapted from the to social injustice, and being a Controller ...... Maya Viknius ing in Central Appalachia. meters were disturbed to pro- areas on a yearly basis. After exclud- obituary by Nancy Dye global citizen was his passion. Operations Manager ...... Shay Boyd Director of Strategic Advancement ...... Brian Sewell The study, coupled with an duce the same amount of coal ing known roads, bodies of water and Clint lived by the motto, “one On June 28, Russell County, Development Coordinator ...... Leigh Kirchner earlier dataset, revealed that — a threefold increase. The study human family, one land, one cities, the team labeled any remaining Va., lost a dedicated human rights Operations and Outreach Associate ...... Meredith Shelton surface mining, including noted that these findings are con- deforested areas as likely surface mines, God, one people.” He served as proponent: Clinton Dale Dye of PROGRAMS mountaintop mining, has sistent with the depletion of coal validated by manually spot-checking an administrative assistant for the Kent’s Ridge section of Swords health counselor and as a juvenile Director of Programs ...... Matt Wasson been responsible for clearing reserves in Central Appalachia. the Baha’i faith for several years. acres in Central Appalachia. This total the results against aerial survey pho- Creek, Va. counselor at the Blackford Correc- Senior Legislative Representative ...... Thom Kay 5,900 km2 (approximately 1.5 million “The thickest, easiest-to-access In 1994, Clint survived a very serious area is roughly three times that of the tography and other imagery. The semi- Born June 27, 1949, in Mill Creek, tional Center. He then worked in Central Appalachian Program Manager ...... Erin Savage acres) of land between 1976 and 2015 coal seams in Central Appalachia have farm tractor accident and God blessed Great Smoky Mountains National Park. automated nature of the analysis allows Va., Clint was a son of the late Clarence the quality control department of Central Appalachian Field Coordinator ...... Willie Dodson — equivalent to one out of every 14 largely been mined out,” noted Matt his family to be able to share 24 addi- Central Appalachian Environmental Scientist ...... Matt Hepler In addition, the study found the dataset to be updated annually. Visit William Dye and Hazel Miller Dye E. Dillon and Company and helped appvoices.org/new-map to learn more tional years of his love and devotion. North Carolina Program Manager ...... Amy Adams Perkins. He was a 1967 graduate of with the Allan Block Development. North Carolina Field Coordinator ...... Ridge Graham and view an interactive map. “Clint was happiest when he was Powell Valley Electric Co-op Members Raise Their Voices Honaker High School and went on to He also worked as a salesperson for able to help someone, make their day Virginia Program Manager ...... Peter Anderson Over the last year, our Tennessee En- digital tools. We’ve also helped members monthly board meetings to all members. further his education at East Tennessee the Clinch Valley Limestone Quarry. a little better,” says his friend Kathy Virginia Field Organizer ...... Lara Mack Energy Savings Program Manager ...... Rory McIlmoil ergy Savings team has been meeting with research different topics of interest around Our team is proud to offer our support Tell Virginia’s Governor State University, where he graduated Clint served the Raven, Cedar Rowles. “He shared his positive spirit member-owners of electric cooperatives in co-op issues. to these members when needed. Check out N.C. Energy Savings Outreach Coordinator ...... Lauren Essick to Plan for Clean Energy in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree. Bluff and Swords Creek communi- with everyone from every walk of East Tennessee to share information and Recently, a group of members called their website, pvecmembervoices.wordpress. Tenn. Energy Savings Outreach Coordinator ...... Brianna Knisley Right now the Northam administration Clint entered the United States ties as a postal mail carrier from 1989 empower them to engage in the decision “Powell Valley Electric Cooperative Member com and contact them at (423)724-8258. life. I will miss his inspiration.” Tenn. Outreach OSMRE/VISTA ...... Nina Levison is developing its Virginia Energy Plan, a Army as an ROTC 1st lieutenant, a through 2014 and made many lasting making of their electric co-ops. Voices” launched a campaign to make their If you are a member of Powell Valley He was a wonderful husband of New Economy Program Manager ...... Adam Wells roadmap for the commonwealth’s energy Appalachian Voices has provided work- cooperative more transparent, accountable Electric Cooperative, support the work of trained paratrooper with the 81st bat- friendships during that time. He was 49 years to Nancy Herndon Dye as New Economy Field Coordinator ...... Lydia Graves policy over the next decade. Clean energy shops on member rights and responsibili- and responsive to the needs of its com- PVEC Member Voices by voting at the an- talion in Germany. He and Nancy did also employed by the U.S. Equal Op- Southwest Virginia Solar VISTA ...... Austin Counts advocates across the state want to ensure well as a father, grandfather, brother ties, the basics of how co-ops operate and munities. The group has three candidates nual meeting on September 15 from 9 a.m. a tour of duty in the Europe Division portunity Employment Commission Communications & Technology that Virginia’s economy is built on energy ef- and friend and shared a very special special programs they can offer, and train- running for board seats and submitted a to 1 p.m. at Hancock County High School of the U.S. Army, stationed in Frank- from 1988 to 2004. ficiency, solar power and smart storage solu- bond with his eight grandchildren. Director of Communications ...... Cat McCue ings on how to facilitate meetings and use bylaw amendment to open the cooperative’s in Sneedville, Tenn. Senior Communications Coordinator ...... Jamie Goodman tions instead of more fracked gas pipelines. furt, Germany during the Vietnam Following his retirement, he    Editorial Communications Coordinator ...... Molly Moore The administration is specifically seek- era, where he proudly served as a became a beekeeper and farmer. Be- The Appalachian Voice sends deepest Graphic Communications Coordinator ...... Jimmy Davidson ing input on policies affecting solar power, race relations facilitator. He left the ginning in fall 2016, he volunteered condolences to his family, and expresses Communications Associate ...... Kevin Ridder Empowering Citizens at the 2018 Water Justice Summit offshore wind power, energy storage, elec- military as captain in December 1975. as a distributor of The Appalachian IT Specialist ...... Jeff Deal Water defenders and community activ- rural municipal water systems, clean up coal Alliance for Appalachia, POWHR Coali- tric vehicles and energy efficiency, but are Upon his return to Southwest Voice, this newspaper, in Russell and our sincere gratitude and appreciation ists from across Central Appalachia and slurry, defend against fracked gas pipelines tion, Young Appalachian Patriots, The Stay welcoming comments on all energy issues. Virginia, he worked as a mental Tazewell counties. Clint was also a for his volunteer service. INTERNS beyond gathered in Blacksburg, Va., earlier and fight for indigenous sovereignty. The Together Appalachian Youth Project and Tell Gov. Northam that we should work Virginia Environmental Fellow ...... Quenton King this summer to network, share stories and event included special opening and clos- our Virginia Tech partners: The Institute for to replace an outdated, fossil-fuel based N.C. Social Work Associate...... Sarah Mathis strategize to protect the region’s water. The ing ceremonies honoring water. The day Peace Studies, The Appalachian Studies De- economy with a sustainable, clean energy Help Community and show up at the hearing to support the region. She heads out on an exciting N.C. Energy Savings Outreach Assistant ...... Alyssa Moore day included workshops on topics such as before the summit, attendees participated partment, The Gloria D. Smith Professorship economy. Four public hearings were held Union Hill and Buckingham communities! adventure to serve as an au pair for a N.C. Energy Savings & Editorial Assistant ...... Sara Crouch water quality monitoring, organizing basics, in a collaborative art exhibit, “What Color is in Africana Studies, The Perspective Gallery, Threatened by in July, but you can submit comments until Visit tinyurl.com/BuckinghamHearing. year in a small town on the French coast. N.C. Energy Savings & Editorial Assistant ...... Kennedy Kavanaugh media outreach and facilitation training. Water,” and a discussion panel, “Mothers and The Institute for Policy and Governance. Communications & Outreach Assistant...... Locke Curtis Aug. 24. For details and to add your voice, Compressor Station We thank these three fantastic indi- Community members whose water is imper- for Water Justice.” To learn more visit appvoices.org/ Dominion Energy wants to build A Fond Farewell viduals for their devoted and passionate Outreach Assistant ...... Mackenzie Morgan visit appvoices.org/2018-energy-plan iled by industrial threats shared their experi- The 2018 Water Justice Summit was empowering-citizens a massive compressor station for the Appalachian Voices would like to bid work, and wish them all the best in the Outreach Assistant ...... Michael Aguero ences and discussed efforts to repair their supported by Appalachian Voices, The Atlantic Coast Pipeline in the historic a very fond farewell to our two Energy future. Communications Assistant...... Rachel Bellerose African-American community of Union Savings AmeriCorps Project Conserve Editorial Assistant ...... Hannah Gillespie Hill in Buckingham County, Va. The giant outreach associates, Katie Kienbaum and engine would run 24/7, creating toxic air Becca Bauer, who both worked to bring Do you support FREE Board of Directors Defend Clean and The emissions and near-constant noise that energy efficiency to Western North Caro- Appalachian Chair ...... Kim Gilliam Appalachian lina. Katie worked with us for two service Affordable Energy for All The Appalachian Voice? could harm the health and well-being of Voices Vice-Chair ...... Dot Griffith April / May 2017 years, and leaves us for a full time position Across Appalachia, electric utilities like Duke, Dominion, TVA VOICE nearby communities. Dominion needs an Secretary ...... Bunk Spann Help us reach more readers by handing with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Treasurer ...... Christopher Scotton and even our electric cooperatives are attempting to protect air pollution permit from the Department NOW HIRING out papers at no cost to you. of Environmental Quality. DEQ will hold a in Minneapolis, Minn. Becca, who served Members-At-Large their outdated business model and lock us into a dirty energy Hitting Appalachian Voices is hiring a full- the Trail public comment period Aug. 8 to Sept.11 with us for the 2017-18 service term, heads Clara Bingham Pallavi Podapati future. They are standing in the way of a sustainable planet, Drop them off at work, meetings, cafes, „ More hikers than ever are traveling the Appalachian Trail out on several travel adventures including time, management-level position David Hairston Tracey Wright „ The science and synergy and will accept comments regarding the and harming vulnerable families and communities. visitor centers, libraries, grocery stores, of trailbuilding draft air permit and proposed compressor hiking the 500-mile Colorado Trail. for our New Economy Program Pat Holmes Tom Cormons (Ex-officio) universities, shops, doctor’s offices or Peggy Mathews To counter this threat, we need to join together to defend The Problems station. DEQ will also hold an information We also say a tearful goodbye to based in our Norton, Va., office. clean and affordable energy options. Follow the work we’re other areas in your community you feel with Pipelines Advisory Council Fracked-gas pipelines session Aug. 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lydia Graves, our New Economy field Applications will be accepted until would deepen the region’s the paper is needed. reliance on fossil fuels Jonathan C. Allen Van Jones doing in your community and join with your neighbors to the Buckingham Co. Administration Build- coordinator based in Norton, Va. Lydia the position is filled. Full job posting Also Inside: Jessica Barba Brown Landra Lewis create an energy future that benefits everyone. Leave it to Beavers | Budget Blowback | Refuge and Restoration at Laurel Fork Visit appvoices.org/raise-our-voice ing and a public hearing on Sept. 11 from joined as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017, is available online. EOE. Alfred Glover J. Haskell Murray or call our Boone office at (828) 262-1500. 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Buckingham Coun- and worked to build a new, sustainable Randy Hayes Rick Phelps ty Middle School. Send in your comments economy for the Southwest Virginia coal Silas House Kathy Selvage JOIN THE FIGHT: AppVoices.org/signup AppVoices.org/employment Christina Howe Brenda Sigmon Non-Profit The Appalachian Voice Organization 589 West King Street US Postage Paid Boone, N.C. 28607 Permit No. 294 appalachianvoices.org Boone, NC

Nothing begs more for a hike in the mountains than the dog days of summer. Photographer Shawn Mitchell took this photo of his Siberian husky Sora on a hike up Sitting Bear Mountain in Pisgah National Forest. Photographers of all levels are invited to enter their best shots of Appalachia into the 16th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photo Competition. Submissions will be accepted starting in mid-August, with a deadline of November 16 at 5 p.m. To enter visit appmtnphotocomp.org.

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