Drew Forrester

Drew Forrester

West Virginia Environmental Council G.G. R.R. E.E. E.E. N.N. Grass Roots Environmental Effort Newsletter Volume: 16 Number: 2 Date: September 30, 2005 WVEC's 17th Annual Fall Conference October 14th ~ October 16th ~ Camp Frame, Hedgesville WV What could be more enticing than spending time Top 10 Reasons to Attend: this autumn in Berkeley county - especially when com- bined with the e-council's 17th annual fall conference! 10) You can be among the most progressive community of Camp Frame in Hedgesville is the site for this enviros ever and be part of making this year the biggest & best year's gathering scheduled from Friday October 14 conference ever. through Sunday October 16. We hope you are planning 9) You need to be updated on such issues as water quality & to break away from your usual routine and join us for a quantity, mountaintop removal mining, stream monitoring, powerful conference - dedicated to strengthening our role campaign finance reform, WV's wilderness campaign, the bottle bill, urban sprawl, landfills, uses for herbs..... in protecting the environment and sustainable economic development. 8) You want to learn more about alternative fuels, and don't want This is the first time since WVEC formed in 1989, to miss Bill McGlinchey's presentation on Friday or seeing Abe Mwaura's veggie powered car. (see pg. 7) that we have located our fall event in the eastern pan- handle! I'm sure many of you remember "the garbage 7) You've always intended to visit this region and take advantage war" battles, particularly in the early 1990's against mega of the mineral springs, spas, biking & hiking trails, lush scenery, historical landmarks - but never had a good excuse, until now! landfills. The struggle continues, and this beautiful area faces other challenges including urban sprawl. Hear more 6) You want to hear the latest on the effects of global climate on these & other issues from around the state and beyond. change, air quality, dirty coal fired power plants - and learn more about sustainable energy in general, and know that Allan The weekend promises to inspire, educate and Tweddle and Jim Kotcon will be there to tell you. even renew your enthusiasm for working together towards a better future. Whether you are a long time member or 5) You've been wondering, "What does the political landscape look like? Can I be a lobbyist? Could I run for office?" just now getting to know us, you'll find many activities of interest to choose from. WVEC has worked carefully to 4) You want to bring your musical instruments so you can play create a balanced weekend to include a Saturday keynote and sing timeless Dylan tunes around the campfire with others. address by Senator John Unger, Friday and Sunday 3) You want to hear Senator Unger's Saturday evening keynote presentations on alternative energy, numerous workshops, address, and let him know how much you appreciate his hard excursions, and a wonderful variety of booths throughout work at the legislature. the entire weekend. 2) You just need a boost that only connecting with other environ- Regional and state-wide environmental groups, mentally conscious folks can fulfill. individuals, artists, and sustainable businesses are partici- 1) You are frustrated with the slow pace of change! pating offering their particular area of expertise. You won't regret leaving behind other obligations Registration is easy! to be there - and besides, the fall foliage will be at its Please see conference program & registration information peak! We hope to see you at Camp Frame! on pages 7, 8 & 9 of this issue. Visit our website: Denise Poole, WVEC President www.wvecouncil.org for conference updates. G.R.E.E.N. News page 1 Drew Forrester Bestows Gift to WVEC West Virginia This past year Drew Forrester, a long time social activist and e-council Environmental Council member passed away - bequeathing a very generous donation to us. 2004~2005 Board of Directors The WVEC Board of Directors decided to take this much needed and unexpected opportunity to honor Drew's vision and support our organization in a Denise Poole, President few fundamental ways. We hired three half-time contract staffers for a six month Chuck Wyrostok, Vice President period: Chuck Wyrostok as Outreach Coordinator, Don Garvin as Legislative Fred Sampson, Past President Coordinator, and Denise Poole as Program Coordinator. Don Alexander will Mary Ellen O'Farrell Secretary continue as Website & E-mail listserve Coordinator. Our hope is to be able to Laura Spadaro, Treasurer make this gift work for us to sustain these efforts. Don Alexander Greg Carroll Drew bequeathed this same gift to other organizations in West Virginia Janet Keating Liz Garland including: The WV Highlands Conservancy, WV Citizen Action Group, and ACLU. Don Garvin Don Gasper Please see page 6 of this newsletter to learn more about Drew's Bob Hamburg Chris Hogbin life and social activism. Jim Kotcon Bonnie Mallott Chelena McCoy Cindy Rank Elizabeth Sampson Service’s Preferred Alternative (#2) News Briefs: Carol Warren Mary Wildfire threatens the future of the Mon’s wild Frank Young Gary Zuckett Update on Marsh Fork Elementary lands by rolling back protections for roadless areas and failing to Coal River Mountain Watch is Chuck Wyrostok recommend an adequate number of new still waiting for substantive answers on Outreach Coordinator wilderness areas. Only Alternative 3, with their concerns about the Massey Energy wyro@appalight.com coal processing plant near Marsh Fork changes, goes the furthest in recommending new wilderness areas Elementary School. Read more by Don Garvin and protecting the Mon’s remaining visiting: www.ohvec.org. You can let Gov. Legislative Coordinator special wild places. Manchin know what you think: dsgjr@aol.com Gov. Joe Manchin YOUR COMMENTS are crucial to the preservation of this jewel of nature. 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E. Denise Poole Please take a moment to write your letter Charleston, WV 25305. Program Coordinator to the Forest Service and tell them you 1-888-438-2731 deniseap@earthlink.net Governor@WVGov.org. want them to keep the Mon wild. The public has 90 days to comment to the Don Alexander Forest Service. Please go to http:// Update on Blair Mountain—Park Web Site Coordinator & www.wvwild.org/mon_05.htm for an Service Action and OVEC Lawsuit E-Mail Listserve Coordinator overview and talking points. The National Park Service has paradox@spectrumz.com passed the Friends of the Mountains’ nomination for Blair Mountain to be listed on National Register of Historic Places Employment Opportunity G.R.E.E.N. is the monthly newsletter back to the state for more information. of the West Virginia Environmental This is good news. Lobbyists: The West Virginia Council (WVEC), a statewide OVEC, Coal River Mountain Environmental Council (WVEC) will organization dedicated to facilitating Watch and the Appalachian Center for have seasonal openings for full and communication and cooperation the Economy and the Environment filed a part-time environmental lobbyists among citizens in promoting lawsuit challenging the U.S. Army Corps during the upcoming 2006 regular of Engineers permit that would allow a legislative session. Mid January environmental protection in Massey Energy subsidiary to bury nearly through mid March. Call the WVEC West Virginia. 3 miles of streams at a mountaintop office: (304) 346-5905 for more removal operation it wants to conduct information and to see how to apply. LegislativeUpdate, is published near Blair Mountain. The Corps said the weekly during the regular Legislative mining would “not significantly affect the Employment Opportunity Session. quality of the human environment.” Hence, the lawsuit. To read more: Outreach Coordinator, Greenbrier G.R.E.E.N. welcomes letters, www.ohvec.org. River Watershed Association articles, and art work from readers and reserves the right to edit or Take Action to Protect the Environmental organization seeks a Monongahela National Forest leader to do community education, reject submissions. Submit materials: The US Forest Service’s official public direct water monitoring program and comment period for their newly released recruit volunteers. This is an G.R.E.E.N., Denise Poole, editor draft plan ends on November 14th. This Americorps Vista position that will deniseap@earthlink.net is our big chance to tell them we want last at least one year. Please email 1324 Virginia Street East Wilderness, clean water and wildlife grwa@peoplepc.com or phone 304- Charleston, WV 25301 habitat protected for all, including future 647-4792 for more information. (304) 346-5905 generations, to enjoy. The Forest G.R.E.E.N. News page 2 competitiveness of West Virginia’s coal industry.” To Under the Dome saner folks this might be considered a bit unnecessary in light of the millions of dollars the federal Congress just doled out to the coal industry for “clean coal” technology By Donald S. Garvin, Jr., WVEC Legislative Coordinator projects. But we already know that this committee wants to lower coal severance taxes. Special Session Food Fight The Forest Management Review Commission wants to lower the timber severance tax and make sure September’s Special Session of the WV Legislature that the US Forest Service sets aside a lot of trees for the resembled a scene right out of the movie “Animal House,” a timber industry to harvest in the Monongahela National political food fight over how much to reduce the food tax. Forest’s management plan revision. Everyone got in on the act. The Governor and the One judiciary subcommittee is about to consider a Democrats threw the first bits of Jell-O, proposing to lower “bottle bill” requiring refundable deposits on beverage the sales tax on food from 6% to 5%.

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