FREE AppalachianThe April / May 2017VOICE Hitting the Trail More hikers than ever are traveling the Appalachian Trail The science of trailbuilding The Problems with Pipelines Fracked-gas pipelines would deepen the region’s reliance on fossil fuels Also Inside: Leave it to Beavers | Budget Blowback | Refuge and Restoration at Laurel Fork A note from our team A note from our executive director AppalachianVOICE As you may know, Appalachian Voices and partners are com- As of this writing, federal regulators are poised to ap- mitted to opposing multi-billion dollar investments in destructive A publication of prove two massive interstate gas pipelines proposed in and unnecessary fracked gas pipelines that would tear through AppalachianVoices Appalachia. A final environmental review for the 300-mile the forests, farms and communities of our region. Below, our Mountain Valley Pipeline could be published any day. And NC: 589 W. King St., Boone, NC 28607 • 828-262-1500 Virginia team members Lara Mack and Peter Anderson provide VA: 812 E. High St., Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-6373 the federal public comment period for the 600-mile Atlantic Other Regional Offices: Knoxville, TN • Norton, VA • Raleigh, NC their perspective on these important battles. Read more about the Coast Pipeline is drawing to a close. pipelines beginning on the centerspread. AppalachianVoices.org | [email protected] These projects and dozens of others like them jeopar- For the future, EDITOR.................................................. MOLLY MOORE dize our region. The Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipe- ASSOCIATE EDITOR.......................... ELIZABETH E. PAYNE lines alone would cost a combined $9 billion to construct. Tom Cormons, Executive Director CONSULTING EDITOR............................. JAMIE GOODMAN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR............................. BRIAN SEWELL These costs would be borne predominantly by us, on our DISTRIBUTION MANAGER.................... MEREDITH SHELTON programs. Or we can sit quietly while some companies and electric and heating bills. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT......................... CARL BLANKENSHIP regulators pursue business as usual. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT............................ ADRIENNE FOUTS But the unintended costs could be much worse. Our neigh- EDITORIAL ASSISTANT..................... KALEIGH UNDERWOOD Appalachian Voices and our partners are determined to GRAPHIC DESIGNER.......................... MAGGIE SHERWOOD bors would see pipeline easements forced upon their properties GRAPHIC DESIGNER.............................. JIMMY DAVIDSON fight for a clean energy economy. We are committed to push- through eminent domain. Ecosystems would be starkly frag- ing our elected officials, regulators and energy companies to DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS: Another Season Honey mented, and construction could severely damage stream water make massive investments in sustainable resources, rather Farm, Alison Auciello, Karen Austin-Clayton, Debbie Bahr, quality, private drinking wells and habitats of protected species. Becky Barlow, D’Arcy Batson, Shawn Becker, Bob Belton, than in another fossil fuel. The costs are not just borne by locals. All Americans Charlie Bowles, Lynn Brammer, Ben Bristoll, Steve Brooks, Teri Stand with us. Tell your elected officials and your energy Brown, Christa Brusen, Bill Bunch, Derek Burke, Rob Campbell, would pay for these pipelines as permanent tree removals providers that you want investments in wind, solar and energy Sarah Caskey, Charlie Chakales, Shay and Kim Clanton, Cara destroy treasured views. And citizens of every nation would Cooper, Dave Cooper, George Cortesi, Carly Crickenberger, efficiency. Tell them you want the clean air, land, water and jobs pay, as the combined life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Darlene Cunningham, John David, Sister Beth Davies, that they bring. Our voices can be heard well beyond the voting Deborah Deatherage, Clint Dye, Bill Elliott, Jakob Elliott, Nels these two pipelines would be roughly equivalent to building booth in November. We look forward to hearing yours. Erickson, Frank Frey, Joe Geiger, Dave Gilliam, Scott Goebel, 46 new coal-fired power plants. Lisa Goodpaster, Bruce Gould, Janet Hagy, Bill Harris, Jackie For our communities, Havenaar, Susan Hazlewood, Sharon Helt, Tim Huntley, Mary So we are at a crossroads. Studies show that our region & K., Dennis Keeney, Allison Keith, Frances Lamberts, Carissa doesn’t need the additional infrastructure to supply our elec- Peter Lara Lenfert, Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Joy Lourie, Diane Lucas, Gail tricity and that the industry is overbuilding. Wind and energy Marney, Kate McClory, Kim McClure, Rich McDonough, Mike McKinney, Linda Meyer, Steve Moeller, Nick Mullins, Catherine efficiency are the cheapest energy resources, while the cost Murray, Don O’Dell, Rob Osborne, Adam Pendlebury, Tessa of solar installations has dropped over 60 percent the last 10 Perkins, Rick Phelps, Patti Phelps, Stephanie Pistello, Chase years. We can protect both our natural heritage and our wal- Pugh, Bronwyn Reece, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, Jenny lets by demanding clean energy and robust energy efficiency Rytel, Debbie Samuels, Steve Scarborough, Gerry and Joe Peter Anderson Lara Mack Scardo, Frank Schaller, Susie Seiler, Kathy Selvage, Brenda VA Program Manager VA Field Organizer Sigmon, Janeen Solberg, Lucy Spencer, Jennifer Stertzer, Andrew Tarley, Robert Thompson, Derrick Von Kundra, Bill Wasserman, Dean Whitworth, Barbara Williamson, Diana Withen, Gabrielle Zeiger, Ray Zimmerman GET INVOLVED environmental & cultural events About the Cover Annual Spring Nature Festival with trivia and games. Birthday cake included! See more at appvoices.org/calendar April 21-23: Enjoy a weekend of seminars Free. Matewan, W.Va. Call (304) 546-8473 or and guided walks that highlight the wonders visit wvminewars.com com/swva-econ-forum of natural history. Warriors’ Path State Park. People’s Climate March Appalachian Trail Days Kingsport, Tenn. Call (423) 239-8531 or visit April 29: March for climate, jobs and justice! May 19-21: Celebrate the Appalachian Trail tinyurl.com/warriors-path-nature-festival And if you can’t get to the nation’s capital, find and its hikers with a parade, festivities and Boone in Blossom a march near you. Free. Washington, D.C., and food. And stop by the Appalachian Voices April 21-23: This festival includes live music, across the country. Visit peoplesclimate.org table! Damascus, Va. Free. Call (276) 475- 3831 or visit traildays.us workshops on healthful living, yoga and more! Black Mountain $40-60. Butler, Tenn. Visit gatiproductions. Wildflower Weekend Friends of the WNC Fundraiser com/boone-in-blossom.html May 5-7: Join the Pine Mountain Settlement May 25: Event includes a film screening, silent Earth Day School to celebrate the rare wildflowers of auction, meet-and-greet with nature center April 22: Look for events near you to celebrate Black Mountain. $125-225. Pine Mountain, Ky. animals and more. Asheville, N.C. $25. (828) our planet, or join the March for Science in Wash- Call (606) 558-3571 or visit pinemountainsettle- 259-8092 or visit wildwnc.org/event/wild-on-film During a late spring 2015 hike along a portion ington, D.C. or one of many regional marches. mentschool.com/events.php Mountain Music Festival of the Appalachian Trail at Roan Mountain State Visit marchforscience.com SWVA Solar Fair June 1-3: Combine outdoor adventures in the Park, D. Rex Miller came across this flame azalea Outdoor Expo May 9: Join the Solar Working Group of South- New River Gorge — like whitewater rafting and blooming beside the trail. April 22: Spend the day exploring the abundance west Virginia for hands-on projects, presenta- mountain biking — with a weekend of live music. “Via section hikes, I have walked the southernmost of outdoor recreational activities available in tions, music and more! Read more on page Minden, W.Va. $85 for advance single-day tick- 800 miles of the AT, and this view of the trail winding Southwest Virginia. Free. Radford, Va. Call 540- 26. Free. Wise, Va. Call (276) 679-1691 or visit ets, weekend passes vary. Call (877) 382-5893 through Engine Gap and over Round Bald brought 639-9313 or visit swvaoutdoorexpo.com swvasolar.org/solar-fair or visit mountainmusicfestwv.com back pleasant memories,” he says. “The trail always Mother Jones Birthday Party SWVA Economic Forum Seedtime on the Cumberland offers natural beauty, quiet introspection, the sense April 29: Join the West Virginia Mine Wars Muse- May 10: Come learn how your business, or- June 2-3: This festival of traditional mountain mu- of accomplishment at completion of a hike — and um in celebrating Mother Jones’ 180th birthday! ganization or community can help revitalize sic and arts features live performances, dances, innumerable photographic opportunities.” Explore the prominent labor organizer’s legacy the economy of Southwest Virginia. $25-35. film screenings, art and more. Whitesburg, y.K View more of his word at drexmillerphotography.com Wise, Va. Call (276) 679-1691 or visit tinyurl. Call (606) 633-0108 or visit seedtimefestival.org Environmental News From Around the Region Study Reveals Threats to Southeast Watauga County Launches Seed Library By Adrienne Fouts to share in the library. Freshwater Biodiversity Following the example of other Dave Walker of Blue Ridge Women By Adrienne Fouts threatened the region’s watersheds. seed libraries in Appalachia such as in Agriculture says the Watauga Seed those in Berea, Ky., and Abingdon,