Posted on 05/06/2002 4:52:13 AM PDT by sauropod
G'day,
There is right now a huge problem in Southern West Virginia. In the New River Gorge area is a proposal to build a "scenic parkway." The National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Highways is involved.
The NPS is pushing a concept called a "viewshed" that has been defined by one NPS official as:
"The viewshed is the area which can be seen from any particular viewing place, vista or viewpoint and conversely the areas from which these viewpoints may be seen"
What does this mean?
It means that if Joe Shmoe, elitist from the East Coast, member of the Sierra Club, or the Nature Conservancy, or American Rivers, drives down the "scenic parkway" and happens to see houses, that his "viewshed" will be spoiled. The "viewshed" is supposed to be all natural, you see.
Therefore: If you happen to own land along the New River Gorge area and/or have houses on the property, the NPS wants you out of there. The WVDOH is giving the NPS cover to do this. They will use tools like "eminent domain" and "conservation easements" to accomplish their goals (what 5th amendment?).
Suppose you only own land in the area. What then?
I can tell you from personal observation and discussions with some of the good folks of the New River Gorge area that the NPS has forbidden "tresspass" on large areas of the countryside along the river. No reason is given. The NPS is in the process of banning camping along the river. They have converted at least one place that has excellent well-maintained campsites to "day use only," i.e. no cars.
Action:
There is a document which is called the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) that has been published.
The comment period is 30 days and ends June 7th. You may request a copy to be mailed to you from Mr. Greg Akers of the WVDOH. (gakers@dot.state.wva.us) He is of the opinion that only a few locals care about the issue. (Sheila, please provide Mr. Akers contact info).
Recently, the Hinton News quoted Doug Tolbert, Coordinator of the New River Parkway Authority, as saying, "... because of a 'few opponents' we stand to lose federal funds!"
In other words, the local envirocrats down there are feeling the heat.
Action:
Also, please send Mr. James E. Sothen of the WVDOH a note supporting a "no-build" option that is not currently in the SDEIS.
Director
James E. Sothen
Phone: (304)558-2830
Fax: (304 558-0605
Email: jsothen@dot.state.wv.us
Action:
If you would like to give your opinion of all this to the Hinton News here is the contact info:
Letter to the Editor:
P.O. Box 1000
Hinton, WV 25921
Email: HINTON1000@aol.com
I am heading down to Hinton this morning. There is a "New River Parkway Authority meeting" tonight, and tomorrow there is a "public workshop." I will file an AAR when i get back.
Deus Vult! 'Pod
Doug Tolbert, Coordinator of the New River Parkway Authority, as saying, "... because of a 'few opponents' we stand to lose federal funds!"
--------------------------------
All, I sent this email to the addresses above. Peace and love, George.
LONG LIVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONSTITUTION
WITH ITS ATTENDANT AMENDMENTS
Want to do something? Go here:
Ignorance Making You Ill? Cure It!
for links, tools, & instructions about how to contact a pile of different people, and how to send a link to this story right here ( or anywhere else ) to a "mass email" using Outlook Express.
If, from my front porch, I can see one pretty view to the east, and another
pretty view to the southwest, would that make me Mark "two viewsheds" War?!
Mark W.
In other words, the local envirocrats down there are feeling the heat.
Ha! Bump!!!
Rectitudine Sto. 'Pod
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