NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2831 CHAS., WV 25301

Published by the Highlands Conservancy Constantz hits homer baseline study The Pine Run Ecological Laboratory has other agricultural industries) and because just released "Portrait OfA River", their previous tests have shown the river to be: ecological study of the Cacapon. The report is healthy as far as dissolved oxygen and levels of the fruition of fom yeatS of field, community chemical pollutants. and lab work by the staff and many concerned After the data was in, it was analyzed citizens. The baseline has been acclaimed as from several perspectives, that of the whole being the most comprehensive ever assembled river and from each ofthe four sections or for an entire river continuum. By learning a reaches of the river. n was also analyzed as to good deal about the rivers condition now, we the effect oftotal water flow on various can become aware of present or potential parameters. threatening conditions. But it is also a ..conser­ Several interesting conclusions were vation tool that can be: used to trigger enfOI'I» drawn from the study. Even though the men1 ofenvironmental laws. to help develop Cacapon River lies in a region of severe acid new policies, and to involve the public in the rain, tests show the water not to be: at all acidic. process of leaming about and protecting During periods of high water flow the alkaline · rivers. •• (opposite ofacid) nature of the water Would Although many might consider the diminish but still not become acidic. This is of science in the report 1o be the lleart of the great benefit to snails in the Cacapon, whose matter, I was particularly pleased with all the shells tend to dissolve in acid waters. The extras: great photos and maps ofthe river, line ability of the River to buffer acid deposition is drawings of the critters, many enlightening side most likely due ro the limest.ooe prevalent in bars Clll the geology. fi.sbes. birds. and bow the the basin. I Molt

arc:ua in the space atooag gravel water the same IIDlQQDt of pollution. This ad baaJdcn below ... aJonpide tbe cbaDaei fact is Wbat's at the tart of lhc c:um:at piMblllal by .mm.ls clc:prMant Qll the riw:r .•• COUboveny in the WV)qisbotnre over water 'Ihii11DC1cqrouad 'WOrld can nm la1emlJy for a quality slaDdards.lDduslry wmts the Slalc to mile or more. At least a dozeR new species define allowable pollution emissjons on an (such as blind shrimp and primitive wonns) average flow, despite the fact that wbcn have been discovered living in these hidden droughts occur and water flow is minimal, waters. polluters would be allowed to dump the same The baseline co:nsi.sts of the results amount of pollution that is considered barely and safe at nonnal flow. Rivers also tend to become .. and analysis of hundreds of samples .~ '~ Jl. ..'t. thousands of water quality tests. Water more polluted as they flow downstream. On the . ' ? . - •. •[i •• temperature. turbidity (amount ofsilt in water), Cacapon River, both these patterns are Aerial view of the Cacapon River downstream of the community of Forks of pH. alkalinity, ammonia, phosphate. fecal reversed. Cacapon, Hampshire County. From the front cover of the study. Courtesy of ~teria, and water flow volume were the Why is this? According to the study, Pine Run Ecological LaboratOfY. parameters that were tested. These specific "the answer appears to be: nonpoint source tests were chosen because of the particular pollution. Unlike point source pollution, which problems that the Cacapon River faces comes from an easily identifiable source, such - (economic development and poultry, cattle and conffnued on page 8 !!/Legislative Alert!!! By Beth linle and writing to say they want trails. After two The ORV bill (SB 269/HB 2510) is being years they still don'tget it, and there's less strong-armed through the Legislature. All pro­ than 3 weeks left in this session. Call or write conservation bills, such as funding for non­ your legislators and let them know you want game wildlife, are being held hostage to get the legislation that regula1es ORV use and protects ORV bill passed without needed safety restric­ citizens. private property and our natural tions, environmental protection, public input or resoorces: NOT a bill that provides millions of balancct fimding. Although the WV SAFE dollars of funding to promote ORV use. And if KIDS Coalition has called for restricting ATV they can't fix it, then kill iL (Editor's note -to use to people over 14, the current bill would make it easy for your legislators just tell them allow a five-year-old to ride a 3-wheeler down to kill it.) an interstate as long as she has a slow vehicle triangle and says she is going to look at the cows. And under the bill. public funds can be: INSIDE given to private groups as grants to build trails on public lands without public inpul Other Corridor H, page 3 & 7 states that have passed inadequate ORV The Spruce ecosystem, page 4,5 legislation have had such problems that they have to go through the legislative process~ Forest Activist Weekend, page 6 and spend more money to fix it; but the ORV WVHC goes to DC, page 8 lobby~ funded by m.anufacturers and dealers, is Poem from Red Creek. page 8 busy painting the rosy picture that building lots pag~ ofORV trails will solve all the problems, and Federal Affairs, 3 they've got the members of ORV clubs calling The Highlands Voice, April 1993 - Page 2

Roster of Officers, Board Members -from the heart ofthe mountains­ and by Cindy Rank Committee Chairs OF ELEPHANTS, GNATS, AND THE W.V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEGISLATURE PRESIDENT: Cindy Rank HC 78, Box 227, Rock Cave, WV 26234, 924 5802 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: John McFerrin Walking from the bouse to the mailbox and stream the first day of I 14 Beckley Ave., Beckley, WV 25801 spring, i marveled at how much easier it was to maneuver even in a foot of VJC&PRESIDENT FOR STATE AFFAlRS: Norm Steenstra white snow-turned slush-than it was to plow through the thigh-high snow that IOC)l Valley Rd., Charle$0n, WV 25302 W- 346 5891 H- 346 8924 blew in from the south just a week befure. VICE~PRESIDENT FOR FEDERAL AFFAIRS: Vacant SECRETARY: Richard diPret.ero 264 High Sl, MorgantOwn. WV 26505, 298-8963 For most of us in West Vuginia, the ..blizzard of '93• didn't create TREASURER. Tom Micbeals extreme hardship, but it did slow life down to a snail's pace for a few days .... . RL 2, Box 217, Lost Creek, WV 26385,623-3447 Here on our hillside, the thick blanket of white brought a return of winter's PAST PRESIDENT: John Purbaugh silence and some delightful scenes like the one at the bird feeder where feeder 6019 49th St., NW, Gig H.arbor, WA 98335, (208) 572-4343 and surrounding trees were filled with hundreds of birds who braced the winds DIRECTORS -AT-LARGE for a few sunflower seeds and the scraps that feU to the ground were shared by (Ternu expire October 1992) pesky squirrels who have invaded the garden shed for the third straight winter, William P. McNeel. It 18 Second Ave., Marlington, WV 24954, 799-4369 one of many groundhogs who normally feast on the best of our garden fare, and Andrew Maier, 509 Jefferson SL, Morgantown, WV 26505 Carol Bradshaw, PO Box 177, Ranson, WV 25438, 728-7281 a small band of big bird turkeys on their daily trek through the area. Bill Ragette', 144 Trace Fork, Culloden, WV25510 (304) 824-3571 Frank Young, Rl 1, Box 108, Ripley, WV 25271, (304) 372-9329 But, even though folks along the east coast saw far more damage than most of us in W. V ., the big white dump surely brought a hefty dose of reality to DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE anyone paclcing away winter woolens, and combing the maUs for the latest in (ferms expire October 1991 A.D.) Donna Borders, Apt 14, 1226 20th St, ParltersbW"g, WV 26101, 428-4746 summer fashions. Geoff Green, Rt 1, Box 79A, Burlington. WV 26710, 289-3565 Sa}TC Rodman. 32 Crystal Dr, Oakmont. PA 15139, (412) 828-8983 In Charlestoo several overly zealous daffodils lay flattened on the Carroll Jett,Rt 1, Box 22, Shennan, WV26173, 273-5247 ground outside the state capitol giving witness to the crushing weight of that Peny Bryant. 1604 McClung, Apl202, Cbarlestoo, WV 25311 reality, while inside the marble halls the daffodils of hope for economic sanity ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORS were also feeling the crushing blows of reality - not of mother nature in her last NATIONAL SPELEOLOOICAL SOCIETY: Virginia Regioo- Judy Fisher blast of winter, but the traditional reality of the mammoths of power and greed. P.O. Box 276, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 258-4974 POTSBURG CLIMBERS: Jean Rodman The harbingers of spr:ina in the economic rcaJin came in the ;'i;;f:ia.~-~32~Ccystal~~~Dr~,~--P~~A·I~S~13~9~, ~82ij8-8~9&~3~~--~~~~·---~·~t-... -J! State oftbc SCam addrals aud budget11mtfbllowcit. The UDiiijif)aiF'i M()rgaoto\\111. WV 26505, 296-8860 or hope was the proposal to plug a major portion of the 82 million dollar a year MSM office: 264 High St., Room 204, Mol'giUlU)wn. wv 26505, 298-8963 hole in the budget (caused by super tax credits) by increasing the severance tax BROOKS BIRD CLUB: Mar.y Moore R.i.ffenberger on coal by 75 cents a ton for the industry that benefits the most from those tax Rl 1, Box 253, Ellcins, wv 26241 , 636-4559 MOUNTAINEER CHAPTER TROUT UNLIMITED: Phil Rossano credits without delivering the promised return investment of increased jobs. Rt 2, Box 375, Buckhannon, wv 26201 472.{)942 WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALIDON: Roger Harrison It was a praiseworthy gesture that promised to st:rike a blow for 49 W. Main St, Buckhannon, WV 2620 I, 472-0025 fairness and equity in the tax revenues ofWest Virginia. COMMITT'EE CHAIRS COMMIITEE: Linda Cooper Elkington However, the reality of coal weighs as heavy in the halls of the state R1. 5, Box 228A, Morgantown, wv 26505. 296-0565 MINING COMMITTEE: John McFerrin house as it does our local roads. and it seems to be squashing those lwbingers 114 Bec:keley Ave., Becb:ley, WV 25801 of spring leaving behind a creative accounting project of dismal proportions. POBI.JC LANDS MANAGEMENT COMMITIEE: Sayre Rodman. Where a month ago over 30 million dollars was to be got in one feU (and 32 Crystal Dr. Oakmon1. PA 15139, {412) 828-8983 justified) swoop, legislators are now scrounging for pennies from every corner Donna Borders: Apt.l4, 1226 20th Sl, Parkersburg, WV 26101 , 4284746 of every program in the state. PUBUCATIONS COMMriTEE: WE. "Skip• [)eegans AIR/WATER TOXICS COMMITfEE: Brian Hagenbacll County governments will see less money than ever, home care for the elderly will be cut; in education the gifted program and class size limitations RIVERS COMMITTEE: Donna Borders will suffer, not to mention promised pay raises. We're scraping for money for Apt. 14, 1226 20th St., Parkersburg. WV 26101, 428-4746 EDUCATION COMMilTEE: Vacant heaJth care. and every environmental enforcement program will see MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Frank Young consolidation rather than increases. Consideration is even being given to selling Rt 1, Box 108, Ripley, WV 25271 , (304) 372-9329 off our state parks and forests to private interests ..... lmagine a Westvaco WV SOLID WASTE COMMlTIEB:CarroU Jett controlling the future ofthe old growth in , or the treasures Rt l,Box22, Sherman, WV26l73, 273-5247 of !! ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES Richard Wood:Membenhlp Secretary Bill Ragette': Voice Editor Our illustrious vice president for state affairs likens the whole scenario P.O. Box 648 144 Trace Forlc Rd to a comparison of elephants and gnats. At this point in time it seems that all Lewisburg, wv 24901 Culloden, wv 25510 the gnats in West Virginia cannot begin to equal or overcome the mass or might 647-5130 824-3571 of this single elephant. 7b Hig/llllluft Voice is published by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, P.O. Box 306. Charleston, wv 25321 . Articles, letters to the oditar and other inf

examine the negative as well as positive highway through our~ highlands number of deficiencies in the study, we want to A.r many ofyou may know the impacts of economic development Both the could be a ''positive visual experience." The thank you for the reasonable and thoughtful Corridor Scheme selection has been made for Transportation Needs Study and SDEIS give Tnmsportation Needs Study, which is the compilation of dota during this coaidor the West Virginia section ofthe higlrway. super1ic1al review of economic development in foundation of the build alternatives, is totally selection phase of &hi: process;·We urge tbat the Virgmia is svpposetlto mah rts deci.Sit:il in general, and no review of the negative impact inadequate and desperately needs to be re-dooe. same and even greater care be given to the May. The scheme ulected avow the wont of of economic development. For example, the The no build alternative needs to ben> alignment selection phase Ifthe Division of the environmental damage but still has examines examined and given - for the first time - a fair High~'ll)'S adopts one of the build alternatives, SDEIS properly the problems problems. In comparison to the other "D" associated with forest fragmentation but never bearing. so that the least amount ofhmn will come to schemes it dou aWJid Greenland Gap, but liiUt mentioos community fragmentation. Similarly, After a new and exhaustive review, all "D" optioru it runs up the Lo$t River for families, fanns, homes and other natural should the Division ofHighways conclude that resources along the chosen route. will either the assumed increased transient many milu. One ofthe 'features' ofthis populabon or increase in residents lead to a build alternative is absolutely necessary, then particular scheme i.J its 'short cut'from Kerms Sinc:ere.ly' increased crime rates? There is no diSCUSSton of the WVHC would recommend that the Division Cindy Rank. Prestdent, WVHC to PanotU along Shavers Forlr.. thLs issue, and even tf the data d1spe1s tlus of Highways adoplsn alt.e:m.ative tba1 preserves The Conservancy and ma11y pther notion, it should be documented and included as much as possible of the highlands area of groups still have problems with deficiencies in The following article ha.s been extracted in the FEIS. West Virginia and promote economic devetop.. the SDEIS. WhaJ folJOWJ are extracts from from the Conservancy's Commenuon the Also. the Transportation Needs menl. The WVHC strongly recommends tba1 if WJIHC's comments and two letten from folks SDEJS for the propoud r.omdor H J/ighway. Study Is, franJdy stated, totally i.udequate. a build alternative is adopted. it should be living close to the 'chosen' route. First Cindy's Although the bulk ofour comments were lt simply reviews the recent history of employ­ Scheme Option E1 . lerter. directed at the ludicrous nature ofScheme A ment trends in various industries m the study (which hopefolly is behind us TJ(lWj, I have area, but fails to make projections about the Mr. VanK.i.r'k, Commissioner selected portions from the 10 pages ofexcellent increase in employment in the industries. So Cindy as'"d me to add this final (I) note West Virginia Division oflligbways work by Perry Bryant that deal with general while; even if there is, indeed. excess capeci­ abo111 the DOH decision. February 18, 1993 dejidmcies and problems particulor to ties ofwater snpply and sewage treatment. 1l is The recent WVOOH recommendation to SchemeD. anpossible to evaluate whether this excess choose Scheme 05 leaves unan.swen:d serious Dear Commissioner VanKirlc capacity is sufficient to accommodate tbe questions about at least 4 major issues, that I am writing to you on behalf of the Among the deficiencies in the SDEIS are unkno\\n number of an increased population. were not adequately addressed in the SDEIS. West Virginia Highlands Conservancy the following; The WVHC stroogly recommends 1.) Consideration of the no build/upgrade [WVHC) in regard to the Supplemental Draft option. Env1romnental Impact Statement [SDEIS] for the proposed construction of Cotridor H linking For the Division of Highways to now recom- hi~==~~:eand~~gh Elkins with J-81 in Virginia. The West Virginia Highlands mend that SchemeD be the preferred alternative ~==::;~~·::~~a:~~or Conservancy is a 25 year old volunteer organization that represents over 600 individual would raise serious and very legitimate ques- rnin~~i===~ewashington and orpniz.atiana.l mc:mbers. mauy who ll\"C tions about why should public hearings be held NationalForest.Apin,cspecially~othcr and work in the state. and others who tome altcruatn:~J~t; ~h cxill1bal ~ liom stale& to . lbc ~ '-_ ~the ~m ~ilt~s nrlfug discarded in·-~-"'"---'· -~,~~~!1\0!i:lDlpetts. ·puu" ~.P 5v to be 4.) Details oo cultural resources. The Highlands Conscn-ancy bas D laag history ofinvOlvc:menl with the Appala­ favor of a preconceived position. chian Corridor H Project. The earliest docu­ ment in our ever growing file oo Corridor H is A) 1bcrc is DO discussioo of the visual that the Divisioo of Highways cocnpktely redo dated January 18, 1973 It is a sta•emeotal a impact of billboerds within each Sc:bane the Transportalioo Needs Study and tbc:n re­ public hearing sponliOred by the West Vltginia Our is Option. understanding that billboards examine the DO build alternative within the Division of Highways and it was delivered by will be permitted along any Scheme Option that FEIS. Clearly a bias toward the build alterna­ Bob Burrell, President oftheHigblands may be adopted. In the W

Sub ~pine Ecosystem Spruce Decline

Thi, article i4 bas«/ on a nport to the DNR by has over 200 ~-pecies know only as cave Been to the virgin spruce oo Gaudincer Knob of the decline from Maine all the way south Rodney Burtgi.f. inhabitants (except for one species eOOemic recently? Notice how many of the trees are indicates that 300le widespread condition is From Maine to Tennessee and North to Cranberry Mtn). The Snowshoe Hare is dead or in declining ooodition? Of course the complicating the dcclioe. Several rescarcbc:rs Carolina the suN.~pine fan:st.a occupy tbe also restricted to the subalpioc: forest. forest service's beaY)' hand \\oith the chain snw higbest peaks ofthe AppoiDChian Mouma.i.ns. Spru;;e in tbe 1800's and today. didn't help much. but sp1JCe decline appears to have suggested that acid rain and other airborne inia Size estimates of the ecosystem in West The high elevution forests of West Vi ... be quite ,.idespread Field iJlsnectioos "'-1• chc:micals are contributing to the dectiDc. A.H.. --- -r- '"' lohmlao in his .,...... ,of the -'-•=-- (cnu··•-' Virginia, range from 30 to I 00 thousand acres. were some of the last virJin forests to b: cut iC\-eral researcbcrs have renalcd slow grov.'lh...... 1

by BiU 8Jzget18' I took this photo after pc:netrating the there at the moment What do the wind and thicket ofrbododendroo.s, rocks, rooes, fallen trees llOUDd like? What crittc:rs are about? Have trunks and brush for 50 yards off trail in the any of the ai8DlS died and fal.lcn over in the last Old Growth on Shavers Moun1ain; maybe ten last wiDdstonn? How thick is the snow and are )arJ ego. This was my first trip to a reel forest, the flying squi.rrel.s and sai!ITTWlders alrigbt? a fon:st with roots extnvting back for millioos I have camped and hiked in virgin forests of years, barely disturbed by man. The light bad several times since. I usually go to the Smokie a magical quality filtering through the canopy. Mountains because they are so e:xu:nsive, the The !.hick humus on the forest 1lDor was so Jat&cst tract of ancient fcnst in the east. Too springy. The denSl:DeS$ of the undergrowth bed it's so far away. All my efforts to }X'Otect made these few eaes of ancient forest seem the Monongahela National Forest are fueled by quite extensive. Giant spruce. hemlocks, the destre to bave an ancient forest equal to the moiDltain and red maples, beech and birch, thal Smokies a little bJt more acoessable, ifDOL to I wanted to visit or sit under and rest by, were me, than to the future generations that will live not far off; but time was short and the brush here. I try to base my appeals ofForest Service was thick. I hoped the picture would capture decisions to cut and manage nature in the Moo some of the mystery, the longing I felt there, on science and law- how clearcu.tting harms and remind me, wben l was far away, why I biodiversity, increases sedimentation, frag­ should return. ments populations, inc:rea.ses exotic species, rve always been a big fan of trees, even threatens neotropicaJ migrants_ But it an burdened my sons with names like Oak and comes down to the fact that unless we leave Hick~ but I never understood the majesty of nature alooe in these few remaining great tracts fon:sts till that day oo . I of wildness. we'lllole something essential to have to coofcss rve only been back ooce, but human. There's no way 8Il)Uie can know oft.c:n in the bustle of saving the planet or beiDa danity, but by spending time in tbe aciem makin& a living 1 try to remember the bolinesa forests \\1: bqin to appoecb it. or that &JOYe> to think: aboUt what is happen ina The Highlands Voice, April 1993 - Page 5

At play in Forests of the Lord or the Forest Service manages Grassy Mtn.

Grassy Mountain lies just southwest of usually 5% is also the maximum they decide Spruce Knob. The Pendleton/Pocahontas upon. This time its up to almost 8%. rm kind County line rises over its peak. Most of the of partial to the 1OOOAI figme mysel.( water drains off it into Big Run of the North Now the bad news. The FS hopes to cut Branch of the and Chesapeake 9 to 10,000,000 board feet oflumber from over Bay. To the west the water runs into Gandy 1500 acres ofland. They plan to build 6.5 miles Creek and the Gulf ofMexico . Northc:m Flying of new road. while abandoning 8 (not restoring Squiirels live quite close to its top. The once to origi.oal condition). Other management devastated spruce forests and assoc&ated projects include the a-eation of22 ' wildlife wildlife of the high elevations are making a openings' of maybe 100 acres total. This comeback. practice, \\-hile it may seem li.lre a good idea, Grassy Mountain Opportunity Area fragments the forest. introduces exotics to (OA) is an artificial construction of the Forest forest interior and encourages deer and other Service and they have plans for it The OA pest species. The type of habitat created by contains 8,448 acres of National Forest land. these openings is abundant throughout the The northeastern boundary is the road to state. But the Mon is the only place in the state Spruce Knob, the western border is the county where extensive forest interior is possible. line, the east.em boundary is Big Run and the Another questionable practice is the con.struc­ southern boundary is Teeter Camp Run. tion of 30 trout habitat improvement structures ··· ··· ...... • On the positive side (and lets get this out m Elk Run (of Big Run). In the past (Little of the way) for the first time ever (as far as rm Blackfork) the FS has destroyed creeks with aware) the FS is PJ'OPOSin8 a CORRIOOR. these projects. Even trout fishing aficianandos Cotridors are all the rage these days m detest them. What the forest service is tryiog to The Cheat Mountain Salamander Conservation Biology. And for good reasoos do is outguess nature. Old growth forests too. This Spruce Corridor attempts to p-eserve naturally create fish habitat impove:ments . The cheat mountain salamander (Pleth­ know about the salamanders' life history. The habitat for dependam species (flying squirrel, wbc:n the old giants fall into the streams. odon nettingi) lives high in the mountains and few observations that have been made sugcst varying hare) and CDCOW1Iges migration of Putting in man made dams without declaring cmly in West Virginia. It was lint spoUcd em that the female lays 4 to J 7 eggs in DCSlS in individuals aod gCDeS between DOW disjunct all riparian habitat 'old growth' is li.lre Mountain back in 1935. 11 wasn't late May to mid August Studies ofsimilar populaticms. Some other steps in the right throwing blocks in front of a car without until 1979 that its status as a distiuct species species reveal that females become mature at directioo., that I can't argue with, are fcocing brakes. That may stop the car this time but the was detennined. Oo Sept. 28, 1989 the US fish four )"ean, may live to 20. 8Dd Jay eas ooJy cattle ou1 ofa riparian an:a (did )'ou mow that better idea is to Fix the bra.b:s!l and Wildlife Service listed it as a threaleDcd every ocher year. Dr. Tom P.wcy reports cattle p112.e em our DlllicmaJ forests?), dcsigna­ lfycu take a look at the FS topo map fer­ species. Ccmidcrina it bu bcc:D fouod 11 cmly ICIC:iDa a female with Blwtt:blinp (lbout 213• tiGa ol6SO acra • fiJiure old gowth aod the this OA )'OU 'll XC approximaldy 90 project 68 sites in ill 700 ..-.;mile---dlflllt IIIII) ill IIIIa Scj+ klk...... dill nrr-...a(I.S.-.GIIIIdllllllill..raa.a -.rm~kalllbiJ "'!I' /4ths of these populations tl:iOi'OUgh searches their diet consists of mites,~ blt.'~cal about hiling tiails but ac.ccpt them ment at a great deal of expense and loss of turned up less thco 10 specimens, the beetles, llies aod 81\lS. ll appears that the because folks usually won't fight for land that trees. can do the job as nearly as wd1 as nature salamander desperately needs protection. sal"""""'cr doeiD 't travel uwch, pcrbapl DO 'they baVCD't oome to kDow aod apprecialc. I does for free. The WVHC bas cunmented em Physical Cbaracteristics. Tbcn:'s DOt JD(R tbcn 3 or 4 feet fiam its home durin& its alia wish that there was more old growth this plan and is looting for IIKII"e folks coocem­ much to distinguish this saiiiJJVIJlder. Its life. dcsigDilcd. The 'FORSt Plari' requires a ed aboul this area to help defc:od it and ifneed maximum length is about 4 incbes. Its back is Species History. That fact got me minimum of S% dedicated to this 'use' (?) and be monitor its riumagement Drop us a line. blackish with brassy or whitish specks. Its thinking How is it that the popnletioos 11e 10 venter (abdomen) is uniformly dark gray to scattcrcd DOW ifthe)• doll'l travel more thco a black. Similar species in its t.euitory have yard? Some of these popdarioos an: miles spotted venters or a white spot near the eyes. apart Tests ofthe seliUJ)3!1der's DNA reveal Range and Habitat. The oorthemmost thai the genetic material within and between population was discovered in Blaclcwater Falls populations is nearly identical; that they ~~e State~ the southcmmost near Bald Knob in very closely related aod populations that are central Pocahontas County. Most of the popu­ now distinct were interbreeding as recently as lations are in the spruce forests on McGowan. a few thousand years ago. I called Dr. Pauley Cheat and Shavers Mountains and Spruce about this. He said thai these critters have Knob. The liverworts that can cover the ground been around for millions of years and always in spruce forests keeps the soils moist Some in this area. A lot of things can bappe:o in that populations occur in mixed northe:m hardwoods amount of time. It appears from the data thai but always at high elevations. Leaf litter and the salamanders must at one time have thick humus layers are essential in these types enjoyed a much wetter climate when their of forests. Although it appears from laboratory populations were more or less contiguous. tests that the salamander can survive in the Then about 3,000 years ago, the climate heat of lower elevations, competition from the became much drier and many populations not dusky mountain salamander keeps them from near wet spots died of[ ~their nmge down the mountain. Threats - The two types of threats to Populations extend vertically about 200 feet the survival of the species are other Horizontal extent of two populations has been salamanders and humans. One experiment determined to be 26 and 11 hundred feet The that put the red backed salamander with the Cheat mountain salamander needs a more moist cheat mountain salamander showed that habitat then other salamanders and can be although the cheat mountain salamander was fOWld only in microhabitats within its range more aggressive, the red back won the day by a small section ofthe FS topo showing Vtrious management f#'O}eclsfor GnmyMtn OA. that offer this moisture. Its present nmge is biting its adversary on the head The threat probably only a small fraction of its historical from humans is more complicated, but is wildfire. Since Plethodoo neUingi requires populations and reduce the available gene pool. nmge. as vast acreages of its prime habitat have mainly due to destruction of habitat. I already moist cool habitats over 2980 feet, any Smaller gene pools weakened a population's been cut over and burned since european mentioned the c:xtco.sive c:uts and fires earlier alteration of the habitat thai reduces soil ability to adapt aod survive. Roads, right of settlement of the area. Although clearcutting is in the century, but habitat destruction through moisture and/or relative humidity may have ways and heavily used foot trails can also definitely harmful to the salaJJ\Bllders' habitat. the removal of the canopy still ccmtinues. detrimental effects on Cheat Mountain divide populatioos. in that it dries out the forest floor, the fires that According.to.Dr. Pauley, ..Activities that Salamander populations. Removal of the forest The drawing and infol'mQtionfor this article if raged through the cut-.<>ver fiRsts in the first remove the forest canopy include road canopy permits a greater percentage of sunligbt from a stlldy by (and conver3ations with) Dr. decade of this century and burned otrmost of development, ski slopes, various methods of to reach the forest floor, n:su.lting in an increase Tom Pauley ofManhallllnmrsity, conrmi3- the debris and humus were particularly timber harvesting. wildlife openings, utility in soil tc::mperature and a deacase in liOil sioned by the US Full and Wildife.. 1M report devastating rigbt-<>f-ways, mining activities, insect moisture." Habitat destruction not only can kill if mtitled CheatMOtmtgin Salamgnder, Life History. Actually not very much is infestatioos such as gypsy moth and scxne salimvinders outright it can alao isolate tl &coyr, Plan. ., . ~ 1 . The Highlands Voice, April 1993 - Page 6 Heartwood to host National Forest Reform Pow Wow

Hetrtwood is a coalition ofindividuai.J sections, juice. milk. coffee, & tea. and groups from Missouri to West Virginia AGENDA FOR POW WOW 9:30 Building Coalitions:Labor & Environment- working for the preservation ofthe NatiOIUll The basic framework for the 7th Annual Pow Richard Miller-Oil, Chemical & Atomic Forests. The National Forest Reform Pow Wow Wow is in pl~ a more detailed agenda will Workers Union; Ron Judd(invited}Oregon has been heldfor several years and allows be available at Registration. Heartwood's goal Bldg.&Trades Council; Leslie Kochan forest activists andforest activist lfltl1UIObees a is to provide a forum for interactive discussion, (invit.ed)-labor/Environment Solidarity chance to get educated and generally have a coalition building & national strat.eg.izing. Network. Communities in Economic Transi- good time. Two years ago the Pow Wow was in Friday, May 28 tion-Bob Mitchell-1N Valley Hardwood New Mexico, last year Vuginimu for JYddu­ 3:00pm Registration opens Alliance~ Henry Carey- Forest Trust IU!S$ sponsored the Pow Wow near the George 6:00 Supper-Vegetable Enchilada, salad, 12:30pm Lunch-Walnut cheddar loaf/gravy, Washington National Forest. This year its chips/dip, squash pie in ginger crust parslied potatoes, gm. beans, com, rolls, pie. Heartwood's tum. It's being held over 7:30 Evening~~ Welcornt; Ned 2:15 Waste & Consumption-louie Mann-Urban Memorial Day weekend at Cathedral Domain, Fritz..Fa:est Refonn Nemuk-Braocbing Out f(r & Industrial recycling programs; Maurice a clcusy private camp within the boundary of Broader Unity.nuk Rain & James Alexander Sampson-Institute for Local Self-Reliance; Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, Thom- Local History &native Culture Denny Haldeman-TAGER near Red River Gorge. All types oflodging/ 9:00 Socializing.BYOSlidesbow, music& 4:30 Outdoor Festival: storytelling & live music camping and food arrangements are available. canpfire ~th Bill Oliver, Glen Wald.eck, &mOlds. featuring Dillon Bustin, games auction, supper, What follows is Heartwood's spiel about the Saturday, May 29 and morel forest and the agenda for the Pow Wow. I The goal of Saturday's workshop & field trips 8:30 Evening Program: Invitatioos have been hesitated about putting all the menus in, but if is to give forest protectors the skills and tools extended to members ofCoogrcss & the new it persuades a few morefQJ.ks to go then it will needed to be effective. aOOlinisttation to

by Chuck Merrin Corridor H. the long discussed. cussed and the effectiveness of this wellands area as Black Fork River just downstream of Hamble­ Stewed in the Canoe studied 4-lane highway running from lnlerstate \Vllterl'owl and other wildlife habitat No, ton, WV. It then cuts up the M.ackeyville Road 79 at Weston, WV to either Winchester or Leading Creek is not a trout stream (just area destroying more rural homes and impact­ On May 1, 1993 Down the Strasburg, VA, has entered a new level of smallmouth bas:>, sucJ.:ers and catfish) but the ing chun:hes and lightly used rural areas while Road/High\\-'3)' Alternatives is hosting imperative. We concede the inevitability of the wildlife and people along it call it home, just bypassing the e.xisting U.S. 219 as it clunbs a Benefit Canoe Adventure and highway reaching Elkins from the west. Oh, but the same! Backbone Ml The highway, if built, will Dinner Dance in and near Elkins. the fight is going to get hotter in the coming I previously mentioned Sub-Scheme KP. become the dominant view from Olson Have a good old time while saving the year as to its fate in trying to blast through the When citizens of Montrose, WV saw that the flfetower as it cuts through national forest planet. Complete (canoe, paddle, mountains and on to Interstate 81 in Virginia. northern routes would bisect thciJ' town, they lands. It will also destroy the quiet and wild Ufejackets. shuttle service) Outfitting On March 11, at an all ngency (state and turned out in some numbers ( 400 to 500 letters character of the area and raise notse pollution Available $12.50 each. Breakfast at federal) meeting in Charleston. WV, state and petition signatures) and protested to the levels as far away as Otter Creek Wilderness 8:30, trip starts at 9:30 highway officials made the ~>'tate's choice of state and to Senator Byrd's office in Washing­ Area as trucks "jake" brake down the grades preferred routing known. A scheme of neither ton, DC. Senator Byrd, who has said in many to the bridge crossing the Black Fork Rlver Dinner and square dance southern nor northern orientation. called 05, letters that he had no input into the route The destructive path then crosses the featuring the fabulous and zany was chosen. While it does avoid the heart­ selection, had his sta.tr(Pat Brain) place a call headwaters and feeder streams of Big Run and Stewed Mulligan - 7 pm at the wrenching environmental destruction of the to the WV Dept of Highways and left Tub Run. Both have significant wetlands American Legion. Call 478-4922. southern routes, it still racks up many gut­ Montrose untouched by forcing the choice of within their watersheds and drain into the wrenching environmental and cultural casual­ Sub-Scheme KP. This. is a costlier (in both Blackwater River in the canyon section. This ties in its outdated and insensitive path. During money and enVU'OilDle:ntal damage) routing of area bas, in the past, suffered some stnp the public comment period, ending in late the 4 lane through many miles of, at present, mining and heavy logging but is recovering and Letter on the Corridor February, 6400 letters and statements about lightly impacted nation.al fcnst and a quiet is a high quality game (deer and bear) hab1tal Dear Editor: Corridor H were tabulated and categorized by rural comnnmity ofindividual homes and Road kill losses will be high as the highway When you read this, a route will have Michael Baker Assoc. Of these 70% favored churches. Sub-Sc.heme KP completely alters or will be a difficult obstacle to avoid for these been chosen for the Corridor Hjuggemaul We building the highway. I am gratified that, in obliterates the histone Ctvil War battle site of highly mobile animals. bettt won't go south. We pause in our wodc ooly a few short months, the truly less damag­ Coaiclcs Ford where the first Confederate The casualties of the ..benign. middle against the road to aclcnowJedge your good ing option of not building a 4-lane highway at Genc:rallcilled in actioo (General Garnett) met road" keep mounting and I have not fully intentions and credit your role, Time is of the all was choseo by fully JOO/o of responses his fate. The Highway conidor crosses the covered one third of its length. Down the Road/ essence for the build-it bunch. and they know Scheme A would mean delay. tabulated and. I feel, probably mentioned by Shavers FOI'k River at the mouth of Pleasant Highway altemati\·es sees the price in all .. many more. But as to Scheme D, only 34 letters Run. This in a segmeot of the river that is beinB aspects of this damnable Scheme 05 as too Most of you thought "Go North" specifically supported this route :;elected by the studied and should be eligible for Naticoal high. 1be costs are too great to the environ­ meant Scheme E. Please look again at D. Look state. It is truly a bastard route. wanted only by Wild & Scenic River status. The highway ment, to the pocket book, to the spirit and too at the wetlands, the faons, the forests, the those committed to building a highway. no would severely impact this stretch ofShavers great to be born into the future. Individuals and rivers, the communities. Look at us, the people matter where, just build ill Fad for close to fh"'! miles. The terrain is such organizations are changing their minds (such as who live here. We understand that this project Starting just north of Elkins in the Leading that as Scheme D5 approaches close to lhe Harrison County Eoviromneotal Council) would be lucrative for a few and a loss for the many. Creek watershed the environmental damage Parsc:m. WV the highway aill reqwre (10 avoid and supporting us ~ith !etten to the state and mounLi ~y. 11lia wltdbed caataios the local.Kiopford Chan:oal manufacturio& cspccWJy federal offtcials about the DOD-need What we have here is valuable not ooly to us but to those who visit and appreciate Dl1lllerOUS small. .)'Ct hiah CIUIIifJ.. wedlllll-areas ~a Bllftft ead !WJ:Jiilllide to tile IDil dminhiliiJ oftao ~,....ay a/or &lao lllilledJn l.be Draft Environmental Impact river. on national forest li!Dd. Tile river will be taxes to pay for tl! Come foin us Ill die nofli'g'bt a nn place.in tfle.=Bat tbat has DOC.8U1fen:d Statement studies In W:t, the highway corridor further impacted here by rip rap fill oo its ahcad-siJcoce is the \'Dice ofcomplicity , overdevclopment. We must protect and care for not debt to wbat consistently straddles Lead.ing Creek from its biDks and by the close proximiry of visual and Corridor H's dc:stn:k.-tive path lS a 1ong it. go further into destroy mouth on the Tygart River to where the noise pollution. Pou:otiaUy devastating spills CIOC,ItlUCh too loog 10 c:over iD this one article. I DW;es it special. corridor leaves it on its infamous Sub-Scheme from accideats on the highway could sew:rety will lake up fbe rest of Scheme 05 in a future These corridors were sketched thirty KP at Kerens, WV. The Slream impacts will be damage the ri\·er m this area. issue of the Highlands Voice ~ith your patience years ago ''Progress" then is not progress high as the wboJe an:a aloog Leading Crc:d: is Scbr:me 05 then cuts across a foothill of and permission oflbe editor. now. The is not south of a flood plain and will require a road bed raised For\Mt (Skirting Femow Expc:rimental Forest) Charleston. What Corridor G might do for above flood levels. The roadfilJ and bridge just south of the Quality Hill neighborhood of Chuck Merritt, Down the Road/Highway commuters in a densely populated area bas no crossings and/or channelization ofLeading Parsons WV. With anothe:t series of flood plain Alternatives, Box 11, Kerens, WV 26276 relevance to what Corridor H would do to our Creek will destroy the character and much of avoidance measures and a bridge, it crosses the (304) 478-4922 thinly populated mountains. The first executive director of the Appalachian Commission, Ralph Widner, reassessed the ARC ~ 25 years. He found, in essence, that uew highway construction was an idea whose time bas gone. Now, our best investment foc economic development is education. Corridor H is a dinosaur, dead on its feet. We need many goodhearted people with shovels to help bwy it Don't let lukewarm support for a northern route cool to apathy. ... River at the Look agnia We need your passion against this stupid idea. We need you to help us tell people mouth of across the countJy that they can save a billion Pleasant Run. plus right here, and save a precious jewel too. Typical class Tell your neighbors the gas tax is another bad idea; don •t encourage the highway department 1-2 whitewa­ to build more roads they can't maintain Tell ter ofthe them we want to fix highways through the proposed Wild mounta.ins-and they can keep the change. The first comment period is over, but there are and Scenic plenty of people to write: not ooly Sen. Byrd. • River Seg­ Vice President Gore. and Gov. Caperton, but ment. This is also Secretary of the Interior, whose Fish and Wildlife Service bas stood fum against the the site ofthe destruction, and the National Trust and Historic bridge that Preservation. We'U bet you think ofID(X'C_ would cross Write us tool Tcrry Miller Down the Road- Highway Alternatives PO Box 1J, Kcreos. WV 26276 The Highlands Voice, April 1993 - Page 8 Song of Red Creek Constantz (from page t) as a pipe from a factory, nonpoint source ... pollution comes from a broad array ofbard to by Robert Staugh you may wander among them, even the future, control sources. These sources include runoff wrapped in the ancient silence a vast primeval forest from farm fields, streets and highways, const:nu:tion sites, and logging areas. Another trunks still in your dreams under their great gray become bricks of gold source ofnonpoint pollution is malfunctioning you can wander upstream soaring far into the sky, in the vault of a big-city bank, septic systems that leach pollutants to the on a cool mountain morning, their deep-rooted serenity surface. " The pollutants from these sow-ccs past sun-sparkling rapids weaving through your weary bones, so though it may start cracks come in many forms. They may be bacterial, and clear quiet pools, still in dreams in your bark i tell you this tale, nutrients, sediment, or ammonia In other drinking pure sweet springs you may wander among them, cases, such as runoff from fann fields treated for you must not forget it, with pesticides or herbicides, the pollution may cascading down dark hollows and you in your turn include toxic chemicals." In the Cacapon Basi:o from high birdsong meadows, but only in dreams, must pass it on down, that all ''farming practices - particularly allowing climbing up the wild canyon for they are gone now, cattle free access to the river and plowing too may know what they have Lost, close to the riverbank - appear to be the majoc you follow the water-music 'not a stick left standing', and of what we still may regain causes ofnonpoint source pollution. echoing among the giant hardwoods was the,lumber baron's boast, with honest labor and deep respect Lost River had the most cattle &(:CeSS sites and also yielded the highest fecal coliform thing~ through mazes ofboulders as their voracious maws consumed for each and every count In contrast. Lower Cacapon has the and dark tangled thickets every branch of the strength and the beauty and prosperity lowest number ofcattle access sites and the until at last balance lowest fecal colifonn count... The count ofpeople living in harmony exceeded state standards in all four reaches of you crest the high plateau, they call board-feet and pulpwood, with the land, and the peace the river at high flow, and at all flow levels for where the old creek until even the earth itself: and wisdom that grows from those the Upper Cacapon and Lost River. Down­ runs gentle and slow, stream from these reaches are located five the loam of uncounted ages, roots, children's summer camps. hundreds of and the peaty soil is dark and deep caught fire in a dry autumn the most precious things riverside homes and many public access sites from a hundred generations and slowly burnt to death, that ever were for recreation such as swimming, boating. aod fishing. of green mountain spruce, to bare quartzite rock, or ever shall be. But the Cacapon also faces other .. and still in dreams and then everything was gone, dangers. Major change is coming to tbe area, population growth. new and expanding industries, dams and possibly Corridor lL Although West Vuginia bas laws to pro1cct water quality, the funds and/or desire to enforce In DC with WVHC them and to document changes in water quality are absent The study makes four recQ!iin!Ol':ftlia. by John Sabtrom realistic and clearly in his power to carry tions to protect the Cacapon. 1) The riverbank On Febnwy 26, 1993 representatives groups made it perfectly clear that new and out Highlands Conservancy hit bard on the oonidors of vegetation that defend the river of grassroots citizens organizations, which are strong leadership was needed to undo 12 years against a wide nm&e ofthreats must <:clQCCIDCd about tbe ldwnD llffecb o£CI08l miniug Oil bames, C(MIIiii!abties, md the administratiaos. aD prevented. 3)The Cacapail's health must be environment. met in Washington. DC. All the Our day long meeting with the =carrying out mining law and monitored and 4) More study is needed. groups are members of the Citizens Coal leadership ofOSM was the most conftonting Because of its location, between the Cl· ..:~-ft from all .. ~., the Although it is difficult to forecast CouDci1, a natioowide organization. I repre­ Of the week...... , ...... ,.... what actual changes our meetings will bring mad growth to the east and coal mining to the sented Highlands Consenancy, the only West countiy gave powerful testimony as to the west, the Cacapon. bas escaped the fale of maoy Virginia organization in the CCC. absence of any enforcement of mining laws. about. it would be bard to present citizens' other rivers. The study asks "How long will Much planning went into the five either at the state or federal levels. It is concems in more forceful and poignant the Cacapon's luck hold out? Rather than days of meetings that followed. It is a pivotal perfectly clear, that time after time any and all testimony. than that~ in Washington. I waiting to find out, like a gambler. we should time for regulatory agencies generally because regulatory agencies spend more energy was very impressed wtth the staff ofthe act now to protect this special river. •• ofthe new Democratic .Administration. More justifying their reasons for not enforcing mining CCC and all of the ~ves from All quotes, photos, and drawinss specifically, big changes are needed, antici­ law than they do actually enforcing the law. ~ the ~try that went, like L.to associated with the article are from the baseline ~ ~portant study, which is available from Pine Run pated, and desired in the leadership of the During what was described as an deliver a sunple tremendously "historic meeting" that day at the Office of ~e. to Washington: ~ protec~on of Ecological Laboratory, Route 1. Box 469, High Office of Surface Mining. View, WV 26808 (304) 856-3911. Some of the In our meeting with the ''White Surface Mining verball and visuall ctbZCn nghls and the envuonment m presented Acting~~. Hord Ti~ with America's coalfields has virtually~ sidebars are from the periodical they also House" staff, stationed at the Department of publish entitled Cacapon. the Interior, in charge ofnew personnel, all seventeen " demands." We felt these were peared We need and demand that lt be brought back. ·------·1 Join the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Cacapon Basin•s Geological· origins I Category Individual Family Organization I Weathered outcrops and boulder-strewn together. The presence of sedimentary rocks mountainsides of the Cacapon River basin offer Senior/Student $12 and the occasional trilobite fossil teD us that an clues to a geologic history hundreds ofmillions ocean once coven:d the basin. $25 $50 Regular 1S of years old.About 250 to 300 million years The oldest rocks in the basin are 500 Associate 30 50 100 ago, Appalachia underwent its last phase of million years old. Much younger, however, are Sustaining 50 100 zoo mountain building. Peaks were thrust four to some of the landscape features. Only 20,000 Patron 100 200 400 six miles above sea level, then slowly eroded years ago huge landslides OCCUlll:d. Look Mountaineer 200 300 600 into the rounded shapes we see today. This carefully along the east side ofLost River, just period of mountain building-known as the north ofthe town of Lost River, and you can Name: Alleghenian orogeny~ left massive folds and find the remains ofone of these prehistoric ~------fractures in rocks of the Cacapon River basin. landslides. AJll)tOximately one million cubic Today, the area is part ofthe Ridge and feet of sandstone fellfulm the hillside and Address: ~------Valley Province. From the air or on a map you spilled into the valley. can see why: accordion-like folds have forced Cizy/S~~p:~------the Cacapon and other rivers into a series of Thanks to Vince for the Map of straight, parallel