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Blue Ridge Parkway AppalachianThe FREE October/November 2017 VOICE History & Treasures of the Blue Ridge Parkway Harnessing Solar Power in Appalachia Residents Seek Opportunities in Clean Energy ALSO INSIDE: Snail Tales | Rapids of the Russell Fork | Energy News The AppalachianVOICE A note from our team A note from our executive director ross App Appalachian Voices has been working to stop When it comes to implementing our most vital clean air and c alachia A publication of A Environmental News From Around the Region mountaintop removal coal mining for almost two de- water protections, state and federal agencies can be powerful AppalachianVoices cades. Regulatory agencies are essential for enforcing allies. But, if these agencies are asleep at the wheel — or worse, abetting harmful practices in the industries they oversee — they Bringing Rural Areas Up to (Internet) Speed environmental laws meant to protect our communities. Chimney Tops 2 Fire Review Discussed NC: 589 W. King St., Boone, NC 28607 • 828-262-1500 can rob citizens of their right to a healthy and safe environment. VA: 812 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-6373 Throughout our work, we have counted on them to listen Other Regional Offices: Knoxville, TN • Norton, VA In our region, federal mining regulators are charged with By Otto Solberg base package should provide 50 mbps By Rachel Pressley Park and how climate change has led to our concerns, consider all scientific evidence and carry download and upload speeds. ensuring that coal companies and states follow the law. Here, A Tennessee electric cooperative In August, the U.S. Deptartment of to a “new normal” of record-breaking AppalachianVoices.org | [email protected] out their work to the best of their abilities. A 2016 survey showed that 34 our Central Appalachian Program Manager Erin Savage dis- and a Kentucky municipal utility are the Interior released a report review- drought conditions and increased pres- At press time, the Trump administration had not yet percent of rural Tennessee residents EDITOR.................................................. MOLLY MOORE cusses some of the issues facing the U.S. Office of Surface working to bring high-speed broad- ing decisions made during Tennessee’s ence of dry, flammable brush. National ASSOCIATE EDITOR................................... KEVIN RIDDER nominated a director for the Office of Surface Mining Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement. lacked broadband access, a service that Park Service officials also said they CONSULTING EDITOR............................. JAMIE GOODMAN band internet to rural customers who deadly Chimney Tops 2 Fire last fall and Reclamation and Enforcement. Still, we have already is crucial to economic development did not expect the added danger of CONTRIBUTING EDITOR..................... ELIZABETH E. PAYNE For the future, otherwise may not have the options issuing future recommendations for the DISTRIBUTION MANAGER.................... MEREDITH SHELTON seen many rollbacks within OSMRE this year. and education. The Tennessee Broad- hurricane-force winds. FALL EDITORIAL ASSISTANT...................... OTTO SOLBERG that urban areas have. National Park Service and interagency In January, the White House rescinded the Stream Tom Cormons, Executive Director band Accessibility Act also started At a press conference, Chief Joe FALL EDITORIAL ASSISTANT..............KALEIGH UNDERWOOD The Tri-County Electric Coopera- fire community. SUMMER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT..... MEREDITH ABERCROMBIE Protection Rule, which would have better protected tive has been planning to bring broad- the Broadband Accessibility Grant The Chimney Tops 2 Fire started in Stutler, a wildfire expert who leads the SUMMER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT............. RACHEL PRESSLEY public waters from surface coal mining, before the rule OSMRE will continue to play a critical role in shap- Program to help rural areas that need fire management for the National Park GRAPHIC DESIGNER.............................. JIMMY DAVIDSON band internet access to rural Trousdale the Great Smoky Mountains National GRAPHIC DESIGNER................................. CARRIE HAYES could even be implemented. ing Central Appalachia’s future — through implementing Service, said that there was no way for County, Tenn., since 2014. Tennessee financial assistance for broadband Park on Nov. 23, 2016, and led to an GRAPHIC DESIGNER................................... CARA ADEIMY And in August, the Department of the Interior an- innovative mine reclamation, ensuring coal companies projects. The deadline for applications firefighting crews at the time to predict MARKETING ASSISTANT............................. JACK POWNALL law previously prevented electric estimated $2 billion in damage. Due to nounced that it was halting a National Academy of Sci- follow laws meant to protect communities and reauthoriz- to the program is Nov. 17. what the best decision would be, as the DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS: Courtney Alley, Alison cooperatives from providing internet extreme wind and drought conditions, ences review of the impact of Central Appalachian surface ing the Abandoned Mine Land Fund. To do this, it needs a Other rural areas in Appalachia are park had never seen fire conditions like Auciello, Karen Austin-Clayton, Debbie Bahr, Another season services. But the Tennessee Broadband the fire joined with other fires outside of coal mining on human health. The review was funded by forward-thinking director who will consider the needs of this before. Honey Farm, Becky Barlow, Shawn Becker, Bob Belton, Charlie Accessibility Act, passed earlier this also struggling to keep up with aging the park in Sevier County and resulted Bowles, Bethann Bowman, Lynn Brammer, Ben Bristoll, Steve OSMRE (read more on page 20). local communities over the profits of the coal industry. You The park plans to upgrade the year, along with a $20 million loan from telecommunication infrastructure and in 134 injuries and 14 lives lost. Brooks, Paul Corbit Brown, Teri Brown, Christa Brusen, Bill Last year, outgoing OSMRE Director Joseph Pizarchik can urge your senators to consider Appalachia’s communi- are finding ways to bring high speed department’s radio system communica- Bunch, Sarah Caskey, Charlie Chakales, Shay Clanton, Megan the U.S. Department of Agriculture and The report discusses poor staff announced the agency would undertake a rulemaking to ties and future when confirming OSMRE’s new director. internet to their residents and business- tions and to issue portable radios and Ong, Ridge Cook, Dave Cooper, George Cortesi, Darlene explicit permission from the county availability due to the Thanksgiving hol- address problems with the bonding system. Coal compa- For our communities, Cunningham, Nancy Dagley, John David, Sister Beth Davies, government has allowed Tri-County es. Thanks to their municipally owned iday and restrictions that hindered radio personal protective equipment to the Deborah Deatherage, Clint Dye, Bill Elliott, Mike Freely, Frank nies are required to post bonds that would cover the cost of Electric to move forward with their utility, Barbourville, Ky., residents have communications with other agencies. seven neighboring fire departments. Frey, Dave Gilliam, Scott Goebel, Bruce and Kate Gould McClory, reclamation should the company go bankrupt or otherwise been offered cable television since the The report also includes recommenda- Gary Greer, Janet Hagy, Christine Harris, Bill Harris, Susan Fiber-to-the-Home project. The report revealed many prepared- abandon a mine — but in many cases bonds are woefully ‘50s and cable internet since the ‘90s, tions for park leaders to reconsider fire Hazlewood, Sharon Helt, Dr. Laura Henry-Stone, Tim Huntley, The electric cooperative plans to ness and planning weaknesses within insufficient. Under the new administration, it is unclear Erin Savage Nicholas Johnson, Mary K., Allison Keith, Denny Keeney, bring affordable, fast and reliable inter- but that internet technology is now the Great Smoky Mountains National suppression practices. Donita Kennedy, Katie Kienbaum, Frances Lamberts, Carissa whether this badly needed rulemaking will happen. Central Appalachian Program Manager net access to a majority of the county outdated. Lenfert, Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Diane Lucas, Lara Mack, Gail This September, the Barbourville Marney, Brian McAllister, Kim McClure, Rich McDonough, Mike within three years. Construction could Utility Commission started construc- McKinney, Sherri McMurray, Tim Milling, Joy Miracle, Steve begin in November, and residents that Moeller, Nick Mullins, Don Odell, Rob Osborne, Lee Payne, pay for the service could have it by the tion to bring 4,000 Kentucky residents Adam Pendlebury, Tessa Perkins, Rick Phelps, Cleve Phillips, GET INVOLVED environmental & cultural events end of the year. Currently, residents and businesses access to a gigabit fiber Stephanie Pistello, Jim Plitt, Chase Pugh, Sister Ann Marie Dance for the River Exhibit Debut Appalachian Elk Viewing Tour See more at appvoices.org/calendar network that will provide 1,000 mbps Quinn, Bronwyn Reece, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, Jenny can generally only receive six megabits Oct. 21, 5:30-8 p.m.: Check out photogra- Nov. 4, 5:30-10 a.m. and 4-8 p.m.: Ride along download speeds. This is up to 1,000 Rytel, Debbie Samuels, Mar Sartari, Steve Scarborough, Gerry pher Christine Rucker’s debut of a year-long with a Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Tour to 4th Annual Race to the Rock per second download speeds and one Scardo, Frank Schaller,
Recommended publications
  • Spring-2015-Guide.Pdf
    SPRING | | SUMMER | | 2015 www.advguides.com Proudly Partnered with Thanks to all our supporters for making 2013 a productive year. Here are some highlights from the year, as we partnered with our 300 collaborating organizations to make the French Broad River Watershed a destination to live, work, and play; now and into the future. 2013 RiverLink Accomplishments: • Was voted “Best Environmental Group” for the 8th year in a row in the Mountain Xpress. Thank you, Western North Carolina! • Continued on-going work at Karen Cragnolin Park using phytoremediation. • Added a new river access point at our • Opened three new French Broad River Performance Plaza and received funding paddle-in campsites, which are free and to add another river access in 2014. open to the public with no reservation. • Partnered with the City of Asheville • Hosted the second year of RiverMusic, and the UNCA Foundation to develop a a free family-friendly summer long greenway along Reed Creek. concert series by the river. • We accepted numerous riparian • In addition to our 1700 amazing conservation easements, including a 13- existing volunteers, we welcomed acre easement along the French Broad 785 new stewards of the river who River in Madison County. contributed 2539 hours of service. • Received $400,000 in funding for the • Participated in the 2013 North Carolina Craven Street (New Belgium Brewing Big Sweep cleaning over 20 miles of the Company) clean water and stormwater French Broad River and its tributaries. improvements. Become a voice of the river. Please call 828-252-8474 or visit www.riverlink.org to make your tax deductible donation.
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  • Goshen Pass/Jump Rock Hike
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  • Blue Ridge Parkway DIRECTORY & TRAVEL PLANNER Includes the Parkway Milepost
    Blue Ridge Park way DIRECTORY & TRAVEL PLANNER Includes The Parkway Milepost Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive, Virginia Luray Caverns Luray, VA Exit at Skyline Drive Milepost 31.5 The Natural Bridge of Virginia Natural Bridge, VA Exit at Milepost 63.9 Grandfather Mountain Linville, NC Exit at Milepost 305.1 2011 COVER chosen.indd 3 1/25/11 1:09:28 PM The North The 62nd Edition Carolina Arboretum, OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION, INC. Asheville, NC. P. O. BOX 2136, ASHEVILLE, NC 28802 Exit at (828) 670-1924 Milepost 393 COPYRIGHT 2011 NO Portion OF THIS GUIDE OR ITS MAPS may BE REPRINTED WITHOUT PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE USA. Some Parkway photographs by William A. Bake, Mike Booher, Vickie Dameron and Jeff Greenberg © Blue Ridge Parkway Association Layout/Design: Imagewerks Productions: Fletcher, NC This free Travel Directory is published by the 500+ PROMOTING member Blue Ridge Parkway Association to help you more TOURISM FOR fully enjoy your Parkway area vacation. Our member- MORE THAN ship includes attractions, outdoor recreation, accom- modations, restaurants, 60 YEARS shops, and a variety of other services essential to the trav- eler. All our members are included in this Travel Directory. Distribution of the Directory does not imply endorsement by the National Park Service of the busi- nesses or commercial services listed. When you visit their place of business, please let them know you found them in the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Directory. This will help us ensure the availability of another Directory for you the next time you visit the Parkway area.
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  • Blue Ridge Park Way DIRECTORY TRAVEL PLANNER
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  • Grandfather Mountain Trail
    generations to come. to generations www.grandfather.com the mountain in its awesome state for for state awesome its in mountain the And with your help, we’ll preserve preserve we’ll help, your with And nowhere else on earth. on else nowhere say that Grandfather is like like is Grandfather that say Reserve family, it’s safe to to safe it’s family, Reserve the International Biosphere Biosphere International the in the Southeast. Southeast. the in including induction into into induction including of the most wonder-filled places places wonder-filled most the of to worldwide recognition, recognition, worldwide to Grandfather Mountain is one one is Mountain Grandfather features and natural diversity have led led have diversity natural and features and an impressive array of wildlife, wildlife, of array impressive an and imperiled. As its unique unique its As imperiled. Known for sweeping views views sweeping for Known 29 of which are globally globally are which of 29 and endangered species, species, endangered and and protect at least 70 rare rare 70 least at protect and communities that house house that communities you can fi nd 16 distinct ecological ecological distinct 16 nd fi can you of this ancient mountain, mountain, ancient this of On the slopes and peaks peaks and slopes the On impression. impression. Wonders never cease never Wonders visit here is sure to leave an an leave to sure is here visit High Swinging Bridge, a a Bridge, Swinging High NORTH CAROLINA NORTH MOUNTAIN scenery, to making the trip across the Mile Mile the across trip the making to scenery, Welcome to Grandfather Mountain Grandfather to Welcome ® GRANDFATHER habitat, to relaxing among unparalleled unparalleled among relaxing to habitat, Linville, NC 28646 Linville, NC explore.
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  • Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top Hike
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  • Pisgah District Trails
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  • Blue Ridge Parkway Long-Range Interpretive Plan Was Approved by Your Memorandum, Undated
    6o/%. .G3/ . B LU E R IDG E PAR KWAY r . v BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE . ;HNICAL INFOR1uA1-!ON CENTER `VFR SERVICE CENTER Z*'K PARK SERVICE 2^/ C^QZ003 United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Harpers Ferry Center P.O. Box 50 IN REPLY REFER TO: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0050 K1817(HFC-IP) BLRI 'JAN 3 0 2003 Memorandum To: Superintendent, Blue Ridge Parkway From: Associate Manager, Interpretive Planning, Harpers Ferry Center Subject: Distribution of Approved Long-Range Interpretive Plan for Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway Long-Range Interpretive Plan was approved by your memorandum, undated. All changes noted in the memorandum have been incorporated in this final document. Twenty bound copies are being sent to you with this memorandum, along with one unbound copy for your use in making additional copies as needed in the future. We have certainly appreciated the fine cooperation and help of your staff on this project. Enclosure (21) Copy to: Patty Lockamy, Chief of Interpretation bcc: HFC-Files HFC-Dailies HFC - Keith Morgan (5) HFC - Sam Vaughn HFC - Dixie Shackelford Corky Mayo, WASO HFC - John Demer HFC- Ben Miller HFC - Anne Tubiolo HFC-Library DSC-Technical Information Center K.Morgan/lmt/1-29-03 0 • LONG-RANGE INTERPRETIVE PLAN BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 2002 prepared by Department of the Interior National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway Branch of Interpretation Harpers Ferry Center Interpretive Planning 0 TABLE OF CONTENTS M INTRODUCTION ..........................................1 BACKGROUND FOR PLANNING ...........................3 PARKWAY PURPOSE .......................................4 RESOURCE SIGNIFICANCE ................................5 THEMES ..................................................9 0 MISSION GOALS .........................................
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  • Horse Use and Pack Animal Rules and Regulations in Shenandoah National Park
    Shenandoah National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 2/2018 Horse Use and Pack Animals Overview Numerous trails in Shenandoah National Park burros, and llamas are all designated as “pack are designed for horseback riding and the use animals.” Collectively, we refer to them as horses of pack animals. Legally defined, horses, mules, in this guide. Horse Trails To minimize trail use problems with hikers, traffic only and are not maintained for horses. riders may take horses only into areas designated Meadows and native grasslands, including Big for their use. Horse trails are marked with yellow Meadows, contain sensitive vegetation and are paint blazes on trees. Most of the Park’s fire strictly off-limits to horse use. The paved roads roads are included in the horse trail system and and developed areas in the Park (such as lodging are blazed accordingly. Commercial horse use areas and campgrounds) have high vehicle traffic services, such as guided trail rides, require a and other visitor use and are not suited for Commercial Use Authorization. horses. Use of horses in these areas is prohibited. Exceptions include short stretches of travel The Appalachian Trail (white-blazed) and along paved roads to access horse use trailheads other hiking trails (blue-blazed) are for foot close to one another. Trails Open North District: Central District: StonyMan Mountain Horse Trail to Park Animal Use Beecher Ridge Trail† Berry Hollow Fire Roadº Stony Mountain Trailº Bluff Trail Conway River Fire Road Tanners Ridge Horse Trailº Browntown Trail
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  • The Balsams—MST Segment 2
    1 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 8/5/2019 Rays and ridges from Waterrock Knob Photo by Robert Stephens The Balsams—MST Segment 2 WATERROCK KNOB TO PISGAH INN By Jim Grode This 63-mile segment, located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world, showcases that diversity. Nearly all the major plant communities of the southern Appalachians are represented, from spruce-fir forests typically found in Canada to rich cove forests, and from rhododendron thickets to heath balds—and even a little of the rare spray cliff commu- nity. Around every corner is a view greater than the one before it. And the myriad streams and waterfalls provide delightful coolness even on the hottest summer day. Segment 2 | 2 This segment is also one of the least accessible parts of the MST— although it generally parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). Segment 2 crosses a paved road only 7 times in the 54 miles between the US 74 crossing (Eastbound (EB) Mile 9.4, Westbound (WB) Mile 54.2) and its eastern end. The segment is also rugged: elevations range from over 5,800 feet to less than 3,500 feet in less than 10 miles, and there is almost 25,000 feet of climbing and descending over the entire length of the segment. The trail is often rocky, muddy, or indistinct, making travel sometimes difficult. Almost all of Segment 2 is on federally owned land, encompassing the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and the BRP. As a result, there is virtually no development and no opportunity for resupply on the segment.
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  • THE HIGH COUNTRY NOTES BEACON HEIGHTS NEAR GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN at Mile 15.7, MST Crosses Boone Fork, Which Requires Wading
    2 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1/15/14 Beacn Heights to US 421 Near Deep Gap | 3 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE • The Linn Cove Viaduct, a 1,243-foot concrete engineering marvel that carries the BRP around the base of Grandfather Mountain. • Views of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, Hawksbill, and Pisgah National Forest that can encompass over 50 miles on a clear day. • Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, where the MST uses the park’s former carriage trails and passes by Flat Top Manor, which now serves as the parkway’s craft center. • Scenic long-range views, pastoral meadows, picturesque creeks, tranquil forests, and intriguing rock formations The nearby resort towns of Linville, Blowing Rock, and Boone offer all Mountains-to-Sea Trail below Linn Cove Viaduct amenities. They also make it easy to break this segment into several day PHOTO BY SHELTON WILDER hikes. THE HIGH COUNTRY NOTES BEACON HEIGHTS NEAR GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN At mile 15.7, MST crosses Boone Fork, which requires wading. Depending TO US 421 NEAR DEEP GAP on the water level, you will probably wade in water up to your knees. It by Carolyn Sakowski is worth the hassle as the MST from the creek crossing to Shulls Mill Road offers an easy stroll along an old turnpike road through the forest. This 43-mile segment offers the hiker some of the most astounding scenery FMST is trying to raise money to build a bridge here, so feel free to make in northwestern North Carolina. This part of the trail, which travels along contributions. the ridge line where elevations range from 3,400 to 4,300 feet, offers views looking down the escarpment into the North Carolina piedmont.
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  • BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, LINN COVE VIADUCT HAER No. NC-42-A
    BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, LINN COVE VIADUCT HAER No. NC-42-A Blue Ridge Parkway Roads & Bridges 1. A On Grandfather Mountain H rfEJv Ashville Vicinity Buncombe County North Carolina \ \. A t u \i \i WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C St. NW Washington, DC 20240 HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD > BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, LINN COVE VIADUCT HAERNo.NC-42-A Location: Grandfather Mountain, Linville Vicinity, Avery County, North Carolina Date of Construction: 1983 Designer: Jean Figg and Jean Muller Contractor: Barrett, Daffin, and Figg/Europe Etudes Present Owner: National Park Service Present Use: Parkway viaduct Significance: The precast, post-tensioned segmental concrete Linn Cove Viaduct was the first structure built in the North America using the progressive placement erection method. Its topography conforming horizontal and vertical alignment made it the most complicated structure of its type in the world at the time of its construction. Historian: Brian Cleven, August 1997 Project Information: The Blue Ridge Parkway Recording Project was undertaken in 1996-97 by the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER). The documentation was prepared under the direction of NPS historian Richard Quin and HAER architect Christopher Marston. For the overview documentation of the parkway, as well as photographs and drawings of the Linn Cove Viaduct, refer to HAER No. NC-42, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville Vicinity, Buncombe County, NC. For specific Linn Cove Viaduct documentation, see photographs NC-42-136 through NC-42-140, NC-42-256 (CT) and drawing Sheet No. 16, "Linn Cove Viaduct." Archives for HAER projects are located at the Library of Congress.
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