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OVEC Action Alert - February 15, 2005 |
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Make Your Voice Heard, Take Action Today!
Make Your Voice Heard, Take Action TODAY!
Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign's Call for Energy Stewardship, Justice, and Sustainability is TODAY! As a constituent and a person of faith, express your voice and values concerning current and proposed national energy policy. People of faith have long recognized our shared human responsibility to be stewards of all of God’s creation, and to promote justice both now and in future generations. It is important that the United States’ energy policy reflect these universal principles.See www.protectingcreation.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2875 to take action.
Protect the New River Gorge from massive development
Thanks to the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy for this action alert: A real estate development firm based in Atlanta, Ga., Land Resource Companies (LRC), is proposing a 2,200-home development along ten miles on the rim of the New River Gorge in Fayette County. The 4,300-acre property is currently owned by Rush Creek Land Co. but LRC hopes to complete purchase by the end of February. Located north and south of the Cunard community, 613 acres of the proposal actually lies within the boundary of New River Gorge National River, the remainder is immediately adjacent to the National Park Service (NPS) boundary, which follows the rim of the Gorge.
The area of proposed development is zoned by Fayette County for "land conservation." However, LRC filed an application on January 21 requesting that the area be re-zoned for "planned development." The NPS supports the county commissioners and zoning board members' continued protection of the area as a conservation zone, particularly those areas within the park boundary, and that are along the canyon rim. In fact, the original Environmental Impact Assessment recommended no development within 500 feet of the rim.
This development could be visible from several popular overlooks on the east side of the Gorge such as Diamond Point on the Endless Wall and Babcock State Park. In 1978, Congress charged the NPS with protecting the natural, scenic and historic values of the New River Gorge. Congress also directed the NPS to work with local governments to establish zoning laws or ordinances which would assist in achieving the protection of those values. Fayette County has been a leader in this arena and a valued partner of the NPS. This is an opportunity for Fayette County to continue that tradition by maintaining the existing zoning classification for this area.
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Fayette Co. Planning and Zoning Commission for February 22 at 3:00 p.m. in the Fayette County Courthouse, followed by another public hearing before the Fayette Co. Commission on Friday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m.
TAKE ACTION
1. Attend the public hearing on Feb.22, 2005 at 3:00 p.m., held by the Fayette County Planning Commission, in the Fayette County courthouse in downtown Fayetteville, WV. Persons wishing to speak at the hearing must sign-in before the hearing starts. The Planning Commission will then forward a recommendation on the re-zoning request to the Fayette County Commissioners, who will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 25, 2005 in the Fayette County Courthouse to rule on the re-zoning request.
2. Submit written comments to:
Fayette County Planning Commission
Fayette County Courthouse
PO Box 307
Fayetteville, WV 25840
3. Send a polite e-mail message to Matthew Wender, Fayette County Commissioner, expressing how important protecting the New River Gorge is to you. mwender@cwv.net
4. The NPS would appreciate being copied on any correspondence:
Superintendent, National Park Service
P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, WV 25846
Lorrie_Sprague@nps.gov
OVEC note: Please also copy your communications to Senator Robert C. Byrd at http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html and to Representative Nick Joe Rahall-who opposes the development-at http://www.rahall.house.gov/feedback.cfm?campaign=Rahall&type=Contact.
For more info see: www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2005020136 and www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2005021046
Wanted: Coalfield community outreach organizers
The most challenging organizing job in the country!
Qualities needed in applicants:
Highly motivated and committed.
Good communication skills.
Concerned about environmental and cultural
destruction.
Culturally sensitive.
The terrain is rough and there is lots of footwork;
must be physically able.
Offered:
Housing and food will be provided.
Stipend provided.
Community organizing trainings provided.
Continued non-violence trainings through the summer.
We want 15 community organizers, through the summer of 2005. organizers will carry out community outreach to identify, activate, and organize folks in the West Virginia coalfields so that their voices are heard. We are working on a tight timeline and will begin bringing on organizers at the beginning of April.
To apply send an email with your resume to abe@ohvec.org and bamsterman@charter.com. Include 1 personal and 2 professional references with phone numbers.
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