The invasive exotic Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) grows profusely along
sunny corridors such as roadsides and railways, its seeds easily distributed by wind
currents. Photo by Bob Gale
Accent
a Grassroots Environmental Organization
(828) 258-8737 • 29 North Market St., Suite 610 • Asheville, NC 28801 • www.wnca.org
Issue 69 Volume IXX, Number 4 Winter 2004-2005
Western North Carolina Alliance
Although meetings are normally scheduled
as listed below, changes are sometimes made
due to holidays, scheduling conflicts, and so
on. Please check with the listed Chapter
leader or staff member to confirm meeting
dates and other information.
WNC Alliance Offers to Help Rid
Watershed of Invasive Species
by Jody Flemming
Jody Flemming and Bob Gale re-
cently met with Charlie Casey of the
Asheville Water Resources Depart-
ment at the North Fork Watershed to
look at the exotic plant infestations.
Miscanthus sinensis, or “Chinese
Silvergrass”, is an exotic invasive grass
originally imported for ornamental
landscaping, but which spreads rap-
idly under the right conditions.
The city would like to remove this
plant from the watershed to reduce
the risk of fire danger, to minimize
erosion problems caused by the plant,
and prevent over-competition with
native species.
The WNC Alliance is looking into
various strategies and treatments ap-
propriate for volunteer participation
and has urged the Water Department
to take advantage of such citizen in-
volvement. The staff is currently con-
sidering this request, and we’ll be ask-
ing for volunteers in the spring to help
with this project if it becomes imple-
mented.
by Greg Kidd
On September 25, the Western
North Carolina Alliance Public Parks
Task Force and National Parks Con-
servation Association co-hosted a con-
ference titled: “Blue Ridge Parkway:
Scenic Byway or Commuter High-
way?” at UNC-Asheville. The confer-
ence focused on the current General
Management Plan (GMP) being cre-
ated by the Blue Ridge Parkway staff.
A number of expert speakers gave
presentations on the values, design
history, and issues facing the scenic
road. Special direction was provided
on how the public can give important
input into the GMP, which will guide
the protection of the Parkway corri-
dor over the next 10 to 20 years.
Notable speakers at the confer-
ence included Landscape Architect
Carlton Abbott, whose father, Stanley
Abbott, was primary designer of the
scenic road, David Hill, another land-
scape architect who has been work-
ing to restore views in Virginia that
were impacted by development, and
Cindy Szwarckop, a highway consult-
ant who specializes in long term (and
usually unforeseen) impacts from
highway construction. These speak-
ers provided an overview of the his-
tory, scenic values, and solutions/pre-
ventative measures to past and future
impacts related to the Parkway.
Greg Kidd, Associate Southeast
Regional Director with NPCA (and the
Public Parks Task Force representa-
tive to the WNCA Steering Commit-
tee) presented a citizen’s plan for deal-
ing with planned North Carolina high-
Public Parks Task Force
Blue Ridge Parkway Forum a Success!
Fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Photo by Bob Gale
The most interesting part of the
field trip to us was the distinct differ-
ence in appearance of separate
Miscanthus colonies. It was obvious to
all of us that the plant thrives in open
sunlit areas, but does not under the
shade of an intact forest canopy. Plants
Forest Task Force
Speed Rogers – (828) 883-3048
Last Tuesday of each month
at 5:30 pm, at WNC Alliance
Asheville office. Contact Bob at
(828) 258-8737 or bob@wnca.org
Public Parks Task Force
Dan Pittillo – (828) 293-9661
2nd Friday at 2 pm, at the WNC
Alliance’s Asheville office. Contact
Greg at (865) 329-2424 or email
gkidd@npca.org
– Task Force Information –
Tusquittee Chapter (Cherokee,
Clay, Graham Counties)
Contact Aurelia Stone
(828) 835-8473 or email
astone@tri-county.main.nc.us
Tuckasegee Community
Alliance & Smart Roads
Alliance (Jackson County)
Contact Lydia Aydlett
(828) 631-3824 or email
aydlett@email.wcu.edu
Macon County Chapter
Bill Crawford – (828) 524-2280
Madison County Chapter
3rd Sunday at the Madison County
Library in Marshall. Contact Carol
Diamond (828) 689-5399 or email
caroljo@main.nc.us
McDowell County Chapter
Z Woods - (828) 658-7550
3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm at the
Marion Welcome Center. Contact
Teena Hayden at (828) 658-7550,
or email hayden@horttech.us.
Watauga River
Conservation Partners
(Ashe, Avery, Watauga Counties)
3rd Thursday, 5:30 pm at the
Agricultural Extension Office in
Boone. Contact Richard at
(828) 963-8682
– Chapter Meetings –
Membership Committee
3rd Monday, 4 pm at the WNC
Alliance Asheville office. Contact
Jody or Karen at (828) 258-8737 or
email karen@wnca.org.
Steering Committee
4th Thursday. 6 pm at the WNC
Alliance’s Asheville office. Contact
Jody at (828) 258-8737 or email
jody@wnca.org.
– Committee Meetings –
continued on page 3
continued on page 3
Dee Eggers, WNC Alliance
2 Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005
Accent is a quarterly publication of the
Western North Carolina Alliance, a
grassroots environmental organization
which aims to promote a sense of
stewardship and caring for the natural
environment. The WNC Alliance’s primary
goal is to protect and to preserve our
natural land, water, and air resources
through education and public participation
in policy decisions at all levels of business
and government. The WNC Alliance
encourages its members to recognize the
interrelationships among environmental
issues and to take personal responsibility
for achieving protection of the environment
in their communities.
Editor
Bob Gale
Layout/Design
Simone Bouyer
Steering Committee
Lydia Aydlett, John Baker,
Randall Boggs, Susan Broadhead,
Ben Brown, Jim Carroll,
Dee Eggers, Teena Hayden,
Scott Jackson, Gil Johnson,
Greg Kidd, Jo Ellen Wade
Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Jody Flemming - jody@wnca.org
ECOLOGIST:
Bob Gale - bob@wnca.org
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS:
Norma Ivey - norma@wnca.org
Roger Turner - roger@wnca.org
BUSINESS & FINANCE COORDINATOR:
Karen Austin - karen@wnca.org
Foundation Partners
American Rivers, Appalachian
Forest and Resource Council,
Beldon Fund, Brad Stanback,
CS Mott Foundation,
Fred Stanback, Merck Family
Fund, New Leaf Fund,
Southern Alliance for Clean
Energy, Southern Appalachian
Forest Coalition, Z. Smith
Reynolds Foundation
Main Office
29 North Market St., Suite 610
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-8737
fax: 258-9141
Western Office
16 Stewart Street
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3899
franklin@wnca.org
Visit us online at
www.wnca.org
Accent
Unsolicited article submissions to
ACCENT are welcomed, and every
effort will be made to include them,
if appropriate to the issue theme
or WNC Alliance goals. Submis-
sions not published due to space
limitations may be considered for
subsequent issues. Photos should
include the photographer’s name,
permission to use, and detailed in-
formation for use in captions.
Articles and photos must be re-
ceived on or before the issue dead-
lines as follows:
Editorial Policy
Winter October 15
Spring January 15
Summer April 15
Fall July 15
In the recent presidential debates,
environmental issues were barely
touched on. To me, this indicates that
news organizations consider environ-
mental quality to have low relevance
to the voting public. Instead, national
security and the economy were the
issues du jour. What the general pub-
lic and the news media missed was
the opportunity to understand and
discuss the strong link between envi-
ronmental quality and these key is-
sues.
Loss of grasslands, spreading dis-
ease, deforestation, soil erosion, wa-
ter scarcity — each of these has caused
security and economic problems in
areas ranging from Calcutta, India, to
Lima, Peru - from Bangladesh to Is-
rael. Just as humans are not separate
from nature, Western North Carolina
is not separate from the rest of the
world. While we work to preserve and
improve the quality of the environ-
ment where we live, we must remem-
ber that our work benefits people in
other areas and even other times. It
benefits generations yet unborn. And
it makes possible a healthier economy
because, as leading business schools
like Chapel Hill and Harvard are
teaching - the size of the healthy en-
vironment is a limit on economic ac-
tivity: healthier environment, more
potential for the economy. This is a
new idea to many in the U.S., but it’s
gaining ground fast.
Fortunately, the world community
is increasingly recognizing the rela-
tionship between environmental qual-
ity and national security. Leaders ev-
erywhere are beginning to recognize
that the world’s political security may
be bound to the health of the land,
air and water. Perfect evidence for this
is the recent announcement that an
environmental activist won the Nobel
Peace Prize. Wangari Maathai of
Kenya is a 64 year-old professor who
has worked tirelessly to improve en-
vironmental quality and governance
as means to improve the quality of life
for her people. She totally “gets it.”
Apparently, the Nobel Prize commit-
tee does as well. This is an extraordi-
nary step forward.
Here in western North Carolina,
we live in one of the most diverse re-
gions of the planet. We are the stew-
ards, willing or unwilling, of an abun-
dance of extraordinary genetic infor-
mation stored in the DNA of the life
around us - and the yet-to-be-discov-
ered gifts that life holds. One of the
best examples of such gifts, albeit not
local, is the beautiful little flower, the
Madagascar periwinkle (
Catharanthus
roseus). Western researchers noticed
the plant in the 1950’s when they
learned of a tea Jamaicans were drink-
ing to treat diabetes. At that time,
about 85% of children diagnosed with
childhood leukemia died from the dis-
ease. Scientists discovered a bevy of
biologically active compounds in the
plant, including vincristine and vin-
blastine. These compounds have an-
ticancer properties and because of
them, now about 85% of childhood
leukemia patients live. (In addition to
any value to humans, the life with
which we share these mountains has
inherent value, but I’ll leave that is-
sue for another time.)
People who are healthy, who live
in a healthy environments with clean
water and ample food, people who
have life opportunities and hope for
the future do not become terrorists.
Sociologists find that people living in
desperation and uncertainty are much
more likely to be influenced by radi-
cal ideologies and take extreme and
destructive measures. It is therefore
important that we realize the larger
picture in which we are operating.
This is not just about protecting an-
other forest from chainsaws or an-
other creek from runoff. This is about
preserving national security, making
farms and therefore food possible in
the future, protecting the global cli-
mate cycle, curing disease and increas-
ing the stability and potential of our
economy.
Environmental protection is an
issue intrinsically and causally related
to our national security and our eco-
nomic future. Part of our task is to
help people understand this so that
environmental issues are rightly val-
ued as among the most important of
our time. This begins in the class-
rooms and at the dinner tables across
the land. It expands with letters to the
editor, TV news coverage, and creates
a growing level of environmental lit-
eracy. People care deeply about these
issues already. They just have not
learned about the relationship be-
tween them. Four years from now, I
want to see Jim Lehrer asking presi-
dential candidates about their specific
plans to address the major environ-
mental issues of our time — climate
change and the loss of biodiversity —
and I want the American public on
the edge of their seats listening for the
best answer.
At the Western North Carolina
Alliance, we are contributing to cre-
ating that future. Please consider gift
memberships to WNCA for friends
and family during this holiday season
to support the work we do and have
those dinner table conversations that
will spread awareness and possibili-
ties for a brighter future.
Members Ask for
Land Use Task Force
by Jody Flemming
Several members have asked
about firing up a new Land Use Task
Force to spearhead WNC Alliance ef-
forts to advance sustainable develop-
ment and open space preservation. As
you all know, this is an issue that de-
mands creative solutions if we hope
to maintain the unique character of
our region.
If you’d like to help get this Task
Force off the ground, give us a call to
let us know. We’re working to set up
a meeting of interested folks in the
near future and we’d love to have you
involved.
We currently
have an intern, Joe
Mohar, working to
identify current ob-
stacles to progres-
sive planning, and
creative solutions
to those problems.
He’s bright, ener-
getic and eager to
make a difference. Say hi to him if
you call or stop by the office!
(Ask him
about signing up for some tap dancing
lessons while you’re at it!)
Joe Mohar is a
UNC-Asheville
intern working
with the WNC
Alliance on land
use issues.
Photo by Jody
Flemming
Letter From the Chair
by Dee Eggers, PhD
Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005 3
continued from page 1
WNC Alliance Offers to Help Rid
Watershed of Invasive Species
growing along the roadsides and on
the dam were much taller and fuller,
and contained an abundance of
flower and seed heads.
In contrast, the specimens under
the forest canopy, though extensive,
were in a more stressed condition
and nearly devoid of seeds, making
rapid spread very unlikely. And as
Bob noted, as that previously
thinned canopy continues to grow to-
gether, more thoroughly closing out
sunlight, this
Miscanthus population
can be expected to decline, making
the dam and roadside areas the most
urgent as target areas for the plant’s
removal.
Mr. Casey, who has worked for
the Water Department for 28 years,
commented that the patch we vis-
ited was of a shorter height than it
had been in the past, which backs
up our statements and those by For-
est Service and N.C. Natural Heri-
tage biologists, that
Miscanthus does
not thrive under an intact forest
canopy, and therefore does not con-
stitute a significant fire risk through-
out the forest, as the forestry con-
sultant asserts in the management
plan. The visit also clearly illus-
trated the fact that if the roads are
daylighted (clearcut to 50 feet along
the roadsides) as prescribed in the
management plan,
Miscanthus will
spread and flourish in the new
openings, as it is doing along cur-
rent roads.
Your involvement in this work
can help ensure the watershed’s
long term protection. Stay tuned for
details.
continued from page 1
Public Parks Task Force Blue Ridge
Parkway Forum a Success!
way improvements to roads that in-
tersect with the Parkway corridor.
Blue Ridge Parkway Resource Chief
Bambi Teague provided a summary
of the natural resources found in the
13 watershed headwaters and 600
miles of streams that cross the Park-
way, as well as challenges in protect-
ing these resources. Finally, Gary
Johnson, Chief Planner for the Park-
way, updated the participants on
where the GMP process stands and
where it is headed.
The Parkway will accept com-
ments from the public for some time
to come, and public meetings will be
scheduled in 2005. WNCA and
NPCA will be following the process
closely and publicize these meetings
when scheduled.
Forest Task Force Busy with Site Visits,
Decision, Appeal of Tanasee Sale
by Bob Gale
On August 20, the Grandfather
Ranger District proposed a timber sale
in the Upper Creek area of Burke,
Caldwell and Avery Counties. The
proposal is only preliminary and
boundaries of timber stands will likely
be adjusted during the environmen-
Rob Messick, Hugh Irwin and Bob
Gale met with Grandfather District
officials to urge the Forest Service to
avoid logging in old growth. They also
proposed that the Forest Service des-
ignate an old growth “Medium Patch”
for the 499-acre old growth stand. The
current Forest Management Plan,
which guides the process of timber
Forest Service Urged to Protect Old Growth
vide a clear and perfect example for
medium patch designation. The meet-
ing appeared to be very fruitful, and
the Forest Service seemed to agree
that a medium patch was warranted.
We are awaiting word, as the District
reviews legal language regarding old
growth protection designation under
the Plan.
The Forest Task Force has identified one stand that overlaps with an old
growth forested area identified in the 2000 WNC Alliance Old Growth Report.
tal review and comment period. The
Forest Task Force has identified one
stand that overlaps with an old growth
forested area identified in the 2000
WNC Alliance Old Growth Report.
Also nearby, but not within, the pro-
posed stands, is another old growth
stand (approximately 670 acres) and
a proposed N.C. Natural Heritage “Re-
search Natural Area.”
In mid September, FTF members
sales and other activities in the Pisgah
and Nantahala National Forests in
North Carolina, includes sections
which define the establishment of
large patch, medium patch and small
patch old growth stands. While large
and small patches have been typically
established, unclear wording of the
Plan has resulted in virtually no es-
tablished medium patches. The situa-
tion at Upper Creek appears to pro-
The FTF is also concerned about
the cumulative impacts from this sale,
given other previous logging that has
occurred in the adjacent area. A Draft
Environmental Assessment (EA) is
anticipated either late 2004 or early
2005, and members will be comment-
ing on these impacts and any other
concerns that the EA might raise.
by Bob Gale
On October 4, Forest Task Force
members Steve Novak, Rachel
Doughty and Bob Gale visited the
Tanasee Project area in the Pisgah
District (Transylvania County) of
Pisgah National Forest. Joining them
to listen to the public, a significant
amount of new road construction has
been eliminated from the sale. We did
notice some storm-caused erosion that
extended a considerable distance
through one of the proposed timber
stands.
sale is still going to cause significant
impacts. Environmental groups fol-
lowing this issue believe that the
agency did not meet its obligations
under the Forest Management Plan to
give adequate consideration to wild-
life, cumulative impacts, sedimenta-
Thanks to the persistent efforts from WNC Alliance... a significant amount of
new road construction has been eliminated from the sale.
were new volunteers Jennifer
Rennicks and Caroline Douglas, and
Charlie McDade, a UNC-Asheville
student who is doing intern work on
environmental policy with the WNC
Alliance. These three “newcomers”
have been learning about the process
of timber sale proposals and the pub-
lic comment process under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act.
Forest Task Force members have
made several visits to the Tanasee site,
which has undergone several changes
since it was first proposed as the
Parker Creek sale in 1998. This par-
ticular visit was scheduled to deter-
mine if the existing roads had eroded
due to the recent hurricanes. (See For-
est Highway 50 article.)
Thanks to the persistent efforts
and comments from WNC Alliance
and other groups and citizens over the
last few years, and also due to a more
sincere effort by the Pisgah District
This backs up the major concern
about sedimentation that people have
with this sale. It is being proposed in
the uppermost headwaters of the West
Fork French Broad River that feeds
into the nationally recognized trout
fishing waters of the Davidson River.
These West Fork headwaters have
had a history of severe sedimentation
and are finally beginning to recover
from poor management from farming
and timbering. Part of the drainage is
classified as “impaired” under the
Clean Water Act. Critics contend that
this is no place to be conducting a
project involving road-building of any
kind, since roads cause erosion and
sedimentation even if attempts are
made to “minimize” such impacts.
On September 3, the Forest Ser-
vice issued a Decision Notice to pro-
ceed with the sale in it’s modified
form called “Alternative C”. Though
more environmentally friendly, the
tion, illegal off road vehicle use, and
potential for increased hemlock wooly
adelgid infestation.
The WNC Alliance Forest Task
Force, Southern Appalachian
Biodiversity Project and individual
FTF member Than Axtell appealed
the Decision on October 15. Wildlaw,
Inc., with help from the Southern
Environmental Law Center, filed the
appeal. As required by law, the For-
est Service met with the appellants to
see if both parties could reach an
agreement that would satisfy the is-
sues of the appeal.
While agreement on a couple of
minor points seemed possible, no
major solutions were reached. Pend-
ing some further discussion among
the appellants, the appeal will likely
be sent on to the Forest Service’s Re-
gion 8 office in Atlanta for a final rul-
ing.
WNC Alliance: People
working together to conserve
our natural heritage.
4 Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005
by Steve Novak
In the early 1990’s, the Forest Ser-
vice Pisgah District moved, upslope,
a 1.3-mile portion of a forest road bor-
dering the Davidson River in
Transylvania County. The road had
been contributing sediment to the
river, and a new proposal was being
pursued to pave this and other forest
roads which connect US 276 with
N.C. Highway 215. The new road was
to be called Forest Highway 50.
There was immediate opposition
to this major change in the middle of
National Forest lands, and following
years of public comment and more
than one Environmental Assessment,
the Forest Service decided only to
pave the 1.3-mile stretch beginning at
the Fish Hatchery and Pisgah Envi-
ronmental Education Center and end-
ing at Cove Creek Group Camp-
ground. There was still major opposi-
tion. The road had been placed in an
unstable granodiorite rock formation
and, twice over the last few years,
portions caved in due to severe storm
precipitation. The Forest Service ge-
ologist had, from the very beginning,
warned against relocating the road
uphill, recommending improvement
of the old roadbed instead. Despite
this, despite repeated washouts, and
despite public comments and an ap-
peal of the Decision, plans have been
moving ahead with the paving project,
though no construction has begun.
In September, Hurricanes Frances
and Ivan wrought havoc on the road
corridor. Serious cracks occurred
along edges of the new road, which
had been compacted with 18 to 24
inches of gravel and fine granite
screenings. (The usual thickness of
this “crusher run” surface is only 6 to
12 inches.) It was probably only due
to this unusually thick surface, that
the new roadbed did not completely
collapse, but it was close. In two
places holes washed through it in the
middle of the road, and slides oc-
curred both above and below this
crusty surface in several places.
Even worse, the old roadbed be-
low suffered no less that 5 major land-
slides, one over 70 feet wide. This and
another slide washed tons of soil, trees
and debris into the Davidson River
below. Debris clogged the intake struc-
ture to the Fish Hatchery facility just
downstream and caused a drop in
oxygen, killing thousands of trout. The
new roadbed above certainly contrib-
uted to the runoff that caused these
landslides.
Because of this situation, several
environmental groups and citizens
worked with Wildlaw and the South-
ern Environmental Law Center to
draft a letter to National Forests in
North Carolina Supervisor John
Ramey and Pisgah District Ranger
Randy Burgess requesting that “thor-
ough thought and analysis” be given
to Forest Highway 50 before the pav-
ing project is implemented. Under the
National Environmental Policy Act,
this situation can be considered “new
information” which supersedes infor-
mation contained in old documents.
A NEPA document is no longer ad-
equate when there are “significant
new…circumstances or information
relevant to environmental concerns
and bearing on the proposed action
or its impacts.”
This letter was sent in mid-
October and we are awaiting a re-
sponse from the Forest Service. The
agency has indicated that it hasn’t
fully inspected the damage or ana-
lyzed the project area yet, but will
soon be doing so.
– annual membership meeting –
Hurricanes Cause Major Landslides
on Forest Highway 50
Groups ask Forest Service to rethink paving project
The old roadbed of Forest Highway 50 was lost in a landslide during Hurricane
Frances. Untold tons of soil and debris washed into the Davidson River, smothering
aquatic life and killing thousands of trout. Photo by Bob Gale
This bike trail on the old roadbed appears to go around a corner and downhill, but this
view is literally the end of the trail. Beyond, thanks to a landslide, is a 50-foot plunge into
the rocky Davidson River. Photo by Bob Gale
Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005 5
The WNC Alliance Annual Fall Meeting was a mixture of
reporting on the wonderful work of our members,
workshops, award presentations and fun.
Far left: Members survey a table of goodies to determine their bids for
the silent auction offered at the meeting. Photo by Karen Austin
Center: Scot Sanderson, winner of this year’s Esther Cunningham
Award, models the traditional shawl crocheted by Esther for the
occasion. Photo by Norma Ivey
Left: Membership Chair Randall Boggs gives Madison Chapter Chair
Carol Diamond a big hug after presenting the New Growth Award to
the Chapter for the second year in a row. Photo by Norma Ivey
Walton Trail Dedicated
by Bill Crawford
On September 25th, family and
friends of Walton Smith met for the
dedication of the Walton Trail at the
trailhead in Alsrka Laurel. Walton
Smith was a Forest Service vision-
ary and patron saint of the West-
ern North Carolina Alliance’s early
policy of selection cutting (rather
than clearcutting) in the National
Forests. During his retirement,
Walton and his wife Dee lived in
the Cowee Mountain Range near
Alarka Laurel, where he raised
Christmas trees, ran a saw mill, and
tended to his honey bees. One of
Walton’s many ideas was that a
trail should extend from the High-
lands end of the Cowees all along
their crest to Cowee Bald. The
Walton Trail can perhaps inspire
the preservation and development
of recreation in the Cowees that
Walton loved.
Several people spoke at the
dedication at the trailhead in
Alarka Laurel. Paul Carlson, friend
of Walton, forester and Director of
the Land Trust of the Little Tennes-
see, spoke of the history of the
Walton Trail and the ecological sig-
nificance of its location along side
the southernmost North Red
Spruce Bog. Alarka Laurel is lo-
cated where the three counties of
Jackson, Swain, and Macon come
together. Wayah District Forest Ser-
vice Ranger Mike Wilkins talked
about the excellent work that the
Forest Service has done to make
the trail a reality. A beautiful trail
that Walton Smith had started is
now a masterpiece of interpreta-
tive signage completed by the For-
est Service.
Ramsey Smith, son of Walton
and Dee, spoke for the family; all
of the children and Dee were
present. Ramsey thanked all of
those attending and those individu-
als who had a role in the trail’s
completion. Norma Ivey and Dick
and Gill Heywood of the WNC Al-
liance, Paul Carlson, Claudette
Dillard from the family, and Sally
Browning, Forest Service Recre-
ation Ranger, were all part of a
committee that has worked for sev-
eral years to make the trail pos-
sible. Near the end of the dedica-
tion, Dee decided to speak. She
said she “felt Walton was in
Heaven looking down and smiling
at what was going on this occa-
sion.”
The dedication was well at-
tended and Speed Rogers, Chair of
the Forest Task Force, and his wife
Beth drove from Brevard to attend.
After the ribbon cutting, most at-
tendees walked the trail and then
enjoyed a reception hosted by the
family at Walton and Dee’s home.
The Waldee Trail is officially opened as Dee Smith performs the ribbon cutting.
To her left are USFS Wayah District Ranger Mike Wilkins and Land Trust for
the Little Tennessee Director Paul Carlson. To her right are family members
Ramsey Smith and Claudette Dillard, and USFS Recreation Director Sally
Browning. Photo by Norma Ivey
Is Your “Year-End Gift List” Finished?
Join Us at the
Holiday Party!
You’re invited to join us at the Holi-
day Fundraiser Party for an evening at
the Governor’s Western Residence. The
party is scheduled for 6:00–9:00 p.m.,
on Thursday, December 9th.
You can
be as dressy or casual as you like, and
there’s no charge for attending. But
of course, we’ll be asking for donations
to help make the fundraiser a success.
We’re also inviting civic leaders
from western North Carolina. This
year’s special invited guest is Great
Smoky Mountains Superintendent Dale
Ditmanson.
The Governor’s Western Residence
sits atop Sunset Mountain overlooking
Asheville and the surrounding area. The
residence, decorated for the holidays,
and boasting an incredible view, prom-
ises to be a cozy and welcoming loca-
tion for our party.
As a special incentive, along with
the food, drinks and good company, you
have the chance to enter our Super
Raffle for a fun two-day getaway to
Tybee Island, Georgia. “Tybee Turn-
around” is a restored 1920’s home just
1-1/2 blocks from the beach and a short
drive from historic downtown Savan-
nah. It has a full kitchen, living areas,
six bedrooms (for up to 14 people), open
and screened porches, five baths and a
whirlpool tub. During the off-season,
the home rents for $960, but we’re of-
fering $30 raffle tickets, or 4 for $100.
So take a chance on winning and know
that your raffle ticket donation supports
our effective grassroots environmental
organization! To see this house and get
more information visit the website:
www.tybeeturnaround.com.
by Karen Austin
It’s easy to find gifts for some
folks on your list, but others can be a
real puzzle. What do you do for that
family member or friend who already
has everything you can think of? A
membership in the Western North
Carolina Alliance might be the answer
to your quandary. The recipient of
your gift membership will receive:
•
“Accent”, a seasonal newsletter on
issues, member activities, and ways
to take action on behalf of western
North Carolina’s natural heritage
• “
Accent on Action”, a monthly
flyer with updates on pressing is-
sues and member activities
•
Email alerts, usually one or two
each month, with information on
late-breaking issues, updated event
schedules, and other up-to-the-
minute information.
As an extra bonus, both you and
the recipient will know that you’re
helping to support one of the most ef-
fective grassroots environmental or-
ganizations in our region.
You can use the membership form
in this issue of “Accent” to give a gift
membership. Please give us your
name and address, as well as those of
the gift recipient. We will notify the
recipient of your gift by sending a
card, along with information about the
WNC Alliance.
Finally, as you consider gifts for
the people on your list, take a moment
to think about making a gift to the
Western North Carolina Alliance. The
generosity of our supporters has a di-
rect impact on our ability to continue
making a difference in western North
Carolina.
As a final incentive, please re-
member that your donation or gift of
a membership is completely tax-de-
ductible and can be made through a
personal check or by Master Charge,
Visa, or American Express.
If you have questions, call Karen
at the WNC Alliance office in
Asheville, (828) 258-8737.
Happy
Holidays!
6 Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005
Many voices united cannot be ignored!
ACCENT
Action
on
President
George W. Bush (R)
(202) 456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC 20500.
President@whitehouse.gov.
Congress is a full-time job, with
members often returning home or
vacationing for weekend and for a 3-
4 week recess in the summer.
U.S. House
11th District —
Buncombe except Fairview-Skyland,
Henderson except Fletcher-Naples,
Marion & most of McDowell,
Rutherfordton-Forest City-Spindale & S.
Rutherford, S. Polk, Morganton, Shelby,
all of Yancey, Madison, Haywood,
Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Macon,
Graham, Clay, Cherokee.
Charles Taylor (R)
(202) 225-6401
231 Cannon House Office Bldg.,
Washington, DC 20515
Charles.Taylor@mail.house.gov.
828-251-1988
10th District —
Fairview-Skyland, Fletcher-Naples, S.
McDowell, Chimney Rock-Lake Lure,
N. tip Polk; all of Mitchell & Avery;
Burke, except Morganton; all of
Alexander, Catawba, Lincoln, Yadkin;
part of Caldwell, Davie, Forsyth &
Winston-Salem, Iredell, Wilkes.
Cass Ballenger (R)
(202) 225-2572 or
800-477-2576 (NC Office).
2182 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515.
cass.ballenger@mail.house.gov.
US. Senate
Elizabeth Dole (R)
(202) 224-6342
Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC 20510
John Edwards (D)
U.S. Senate:
(202) 224-3154
225 Dirksen Office Bldg.,
Washington, DC 20510.
senator@edwards.senate.gov.
828-285-0760
Federal Office Building, Ste. 200,
151 Patton Ave., Asheville 28801
N.C. Governor
Michael Easley (D)
800-662-7952
Fax: 919-733-2120.
20301 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
N.C. House
Dist. 114 — Susan Fisher (D)
North/Central Buncombe Co.
258-5355, 36 Claredon Rd., Asheville
28806. SusanF@ncleg.net
Dist. 115 — Bruce Goforth (D)
East/South Buncombe Co.
298-8093, 137 Stonecrest Dr.,
Asheville 28803 Bruceg@ncleg.net
Dist. 116 — Wilma Sherrill (R)
West/South Buncombe Co.
254-5770, P0 Box 18561, Asheville
28814. Wilmas@ncleg.net
Dist. 85 — Mitch Gillespie (R)
McDowell/SE Burke Co.
724-9995, 753 Lake Tahoma Rd.,
Marion, NC 28752.
Mitchg@ncleg.net
Dist. 82 — Eugene Wilson (R)
Ashe, Watauga Cos.
264-5365, 881 Queen St., Boone
28607. Genew@ncleg.net
Dist. 84 — Phillip Frye (R)
Avery, Mitchell, W. Caldwell Cos.,
765-4925, P0 Box 589, Spruce Pine
28777. Phillipf@ncleg.net
Dist. 86 — Walter Church (D)
North/Central Burke Co.
874-2141, P0 Box 760, Valdese 28690.
Waltc@ncleg.net
Dist. 90 — James Harrell (D)
Alleghany, Surry Cos.
336-902-0276, P.O. Box 626, Elkin
28621. Jimha@ncleg.net
Dist. 112 — Bob England (D)
Rutherford Co.
453-8807, P0 Box 908, Ellenboro
28040. Bobe@ncleg.net
Dist. 113 — Trudi Walend (R)
Polk, S. Henderson,
most of Transylvania Cos.
883-3790, 112 Ridgewood Pl.,
Brevard 28712. Trudiw@ncleg.net
Dist. 117 — Carolyn Justus (R)
N. Henderson, N. Polk,
NE tip of Transylvania Cos.
685-7433, P0 Box 2396,
Hendersonville 28793.
Carolynj@ncleg.net
Dist. 118 — Ray Rapp (D)
Madison, Yancy,
NW/Central Haywood Cos.
689-2214, 133 Quail Ridge Rd., Mars
Hill 28754. Raymondr@ncleg.net
Dist. 119 — Phil Haire (D)
Swain, Jackson, W. Haywood,
NE tip of Macon Cos.
586-1771, P.O. Box 727, Sylva 28779.
Philliph@ncleg.net
Dist. 120 — Roger West (R)
Cherokee, Graham, Clay,
most of Macon Cos.
837-5246, P0 Box 160, Marble 28905.
N.C. Senate
Dist. 50 — Robert Carpenter (R)
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood,
Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania Cos.
524-5009, 29 Admiral Drive, Franklin
28734. Robertc@ncleg.net
Dist. 49 — Martin Nesbitt (D)
Buncombe Co.
252-0490, 29 N. Market St., Asheville
28801. Martinn@ncleg.net
Dist. 48 — Tom Apodaca (R)
Buncombe, Henderson, Polk Cos.
696-0500, 214 North King Street,
Hendersonville 28792.
Toma@ncleg.net
Dist. 47 — Joe Sam Queen (D)
Avery, Haywood, Madison,
McDowell, Mitchell, Yancy Cos.
452-1688, 71 Pigeon Street,
Waynesville 28786. Joeq@ncleg.net
Dist. 46 — Walter Dalton (D)
Rutherford, Cleveland Cos.,
287-2908, 560 N. Main Street,
Rutherfordton 28139.
Walterd@ncleg.net
Dist. 45 — Virginia Foxx (R)
Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell,
Watauga, Wilkes Cos.
963-5829, 11468 Highway 105,
Banner Elk 28604.
Virginiaf@ncleg.net
Dist. 44 — Austin Allran (R)
Burke, Catawba Cos.
322-1410, P0 Box 2907, Hickory
28603. Austina@ncleg.net
Dist. 30 — John Garwood (R)
Stokes, Surry, Wilkes Cos.
336-838-5378, 453 Mark Lane, North
Wilkesboro 28659. Johnga@ncleg.net
Legislative Contacts
Blue Ridge Parkway Proposes
Unneeded New Visitor Facility
at Hemphill Knob —
Public Comments Needed
NOTE: An Alert on this issue also ran in the
September 27th issue of “Accent on Action”. We
are repeating it because the comment period
on the issue is ending in a few days. It’s
important that the National Park Service
receive as many comments as possible.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has been
seeking public comment on a proposal
to build a Regional Destination Visitor
Center at its Parkway Headquarters just
south of the Folk Art Center in
Asheville. This facility would include a
250 seat “Immersive Digital Cinema”,
“Orientation and Marketing Center”,
“Learning Center”, and “Mountain Ex-
perience Interpretive Center”. There are
several problems with this original pro-
posal.
A new visitor center is not needed
and would be a huge waste of taxpayer
dollars. The Parkway, like all national
parks, is desperately short of funding
for maintenance of existing infrastruc-
ture and resource interpreters. Congress
has fallen far short of providing such
funds recently. Despite this, Congress-
man Charles Taylor has obtained $1
million for planning this new facility
and is seeking an additional $3 million
for construction.
This facility would have a major
negative impact on the Folk Art Center.
This existing facility already serves as a
major visitor center destination, infor-
mation center and gift shop, and has a
270-seat auditorium. There is plenty of
room there for any expansion or alter-
ation of such facilities that might actu-
ally be needed.
Also, a project of this scope should
require a thorough Environmental Im-
pact Study, however Parkway literature
indicates that only a more cursory En-
vironmental Assessment may be done.
As this newsletter was going to
press, the Park Service announced, with
very little notice, a public meeting to
introduce a set of four alternative pro-
posals, two with the new Visitor Cen-
ter facilities constructed at the Hemphill
Knob Headquarters site, and two with
the facilities located at the Folk Art Cen-
ter. The public meeting was scheduled
to take place on Tuesday, November 9
at Asheville-Buncombe Technical
School in Asheville. The notice and pro-
posed alternatives were posted on the
Parkway website: www.nps.gov/blri.
Click on News in the right side menu
and then scroll to the bottom and click
on “Plan/documents Open for Com-
ment” to access the new proposals. Citi-
zens are urged to become familiar with
the proposals and express your com-
ments to the Park Service. The public
notice about the meeting was issued
only on November 1, and the agency
still is not conducting an Environmen-
tal Impact Study. The Parkway should
be urged to hold another meeting with
reasonable advance notification! The
deadline for public comment should be
extended, as well, so citizens can have
adequate time to digest the information
and potential impacts from the proposal.
Address your comments to:
National Park Service/Blue Ridge Park-
way; Attn: Planning Team-Regional Des-
tination Visitor Center; 199 Hemphill
Knob Road; Asheville, NC 28803
Express the above concerns and
urge the Parkway to perform an Envi-
ronmental Impact Study. The current
deadline for Parkway comments is Nov
29th, so be sure to express these con-
cerns, and any other comments you
might have by then.
For more information call Bob Gale at
(828) 258-8737; bob@wnca.org or Greg
Kidd at (865) 329-2424; gkidd@npca.org.
Request the email version of
Accent
On Action. Save trees and $ – Send your
email address to karen@wnca.org.
WNC Alliance
Calendar of Events
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS
Western North Carolina Alliance •
Accent •
Winter 2004-2005 7
Join WNCA Now!
WNC Alliance
Membership Levels
____ $25 Regular/Household
____ $50 Supporting*
____ $100 Sponsoring**
____ $1,000 Lifetime
____ $ Other __________________
RECIPIENT’S NAME ________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________________ STATE ______ ZIP __________________
PHONE __________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ___________________________________________________________________
VISA/MC # _______________________________________________________________
EXP. DATE __________________________________ SIGNATURE __________________
COUNTY _________________________________________________________________
YOUR NAME ______________________
__________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Clip and mail to:
WNC Alliance
29 North Market Street, Suite 610, Asheville, NC 28801
Lifetime members
Paul R. Moran
Margaret Ann Tuomi
Sponsoring members
Lee Barnes
Cindy & Stephen DuDose
John & Phyllis Edwards
Thomas W. Eshelman
Jeanne Finan
Charlotte Goedsche & Cynthia Janes
Bob & Judy Grove
William S. Jacobs & Susan Posey
Donna & Robert Kelly
Diane & David Kent
Martie & Kip Kingree
Christina Ross
David Stewart
Andrea Stolz
Michael & Della Weizman
Supporting members
Susan Anspacher
Bob Baschnagel & Julie Moran
Bruce & Rebekah Beerbower
Citizens for the Economic
Future of Swain County
Barry Halpert
Mark & Mary Holliday
Mort C. Jonas
Jo Kenney
Kathryn Jo Lynch
Ray Miller & Linda Griffith
George Rector Joan Byrd
Paul L. Saenger M. D.,
Cherry Lentz Saenger
Chester Sansbury
Peggie G. Stamper
James & Linda Taylor
Robert B. Thompson
Suzanne Williams
Mary Worrell & Casey Carmichael
Robert L. Wykle
Individual/Household Members
Dan Arnold
David C. Bailey
John Baker
Loveeta Baker
Margo Banks
Steve Barineau
Phil Barnette & Jerilyn MacMillan
Donald C. Beam
Jonathan Bell
Randall Boggs
Charles F. Boyd
Erin Bronson
Ben Brown
Audrey Bryant
Elizabeth Buchanan
Lora Anne Campbell
Francis J. Caputo, Jr.
John & Laura Chase
Paula Childers
Eugenia Chilton
Jane & Leon Christiansen
Sal & Barbara Clarizio
Ron Coates
Gloria & Tom Cook
Rebecca & Scott Cramer
Richard L. Cundiff
Jim & Jean Ann Cunningham
Walter A. Damtoft
Steve Denny
John & Carol Deperczel
Caroline Douglas
Jan Durham
Michael & Shari Elliott
Harold & Brenda Elliott
Sharon & Vic Fahrer
Robert & Terry Fitzpatrick
Jean (Ellen) Forrister
Charles & Edna Foster
Avram Friedman
Mary R. Gillig
Monroe Gilmour
Nicole Grande
Robert & Opal Grove
Mr. Kim Gruelle
Stacy J. Guffey
Jack Hall
Dr. Edward J.P. Hauser
Teena Hayden & Z Woods
Rick & Lyn Herrick
Andrea Hessey
Richard & Sharon Heter
Joshua David Hill
Sharon & David Horner
John P. Humphrey
Maureen Jablinske
Scott Jackson
Kennon & William Jamieson
Kevin Johnson
Margo Johnston
Sally Kesler
Aklea Klock
Darin & Amy Kohler
Gloria Landers
Robert W. Lane
Betty Lawrence
Ginny Lentz
Michael L. (Mikey) Lewis
Glenn & Pat Liming
Edwina Margrett
Gary & Celeste Martin
Karen Masson
Ronald Mauney
Denise McClellan
Michael McCue
Alan McRae
Joe & Sue Miller
Mary Miller Stair & George J. Peery
Joe Mohar
Richard & Catherine Monet
Anne L. Moss
Nick & Linda Mystic
Cathy Parton
Jim & Fram Phelps
Nicholas & Sara Placentra, Jr.
Art Polansky
Linda T. Powell
Donna Reilly
Jennifer & Richard Rennicks
Edwin & Virginia Riebel
Edward & Jan Robles
Jan Rubino
Carl & Jean Saake
Rosemary M. Sells
Teri Sferlazza
Kelly Sheehan & Joshua Martin
Michael & Sally Beth Shore
Penny Smith
Hershella Smith
Deanne & Dee Smith
Jerry & Susan Smith
Bunk & Nancy Spann
Shirley Ann Sparr
Janet Spletzer
Heather Stevens & Jim McKay
Aurelia & Jim Stone
Jeanne Strickland
Tom Strode & Joan Candalino
Jim & Deb Swiatowicz
Virginia Talbot & Dean Zuch
Jessica R. Tavenner
Robert Thomas
Nancy L. Thompson
Helen Toms
Kirk Trowell
Null & Trudy Tucker
Bill & Sharon Van Horn
Theodora Van Houten
William W. (Billy) Wells, III
Christine Westfeldt
Judith Wikstrom and family
Jim & Suzanne Williams
Virginia C. Wilson
Carole Wilson
Carol (Jessie) Winters
Frank Wolfe
Lori Wright
Teryl & Doug Zurick
Give a
GIFT MEMBERSHIP
to a Friend!
Creation Stewards
Bright Hope Laurel
Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Hendersonville
Business Members
T. J. Walker
(The Dillsboro Inn)
George & Sandra Lawrence
(The Printing Press)
Ron Dalton
(Earth Connections)
Randall & Nancy Baskin
(The Celo Inn)
Elmer Hall
(Sunnybank Retreat
Association)
November
16 Tuesday
Good Earth Stewards of McDowell
meeting Marion, NC Welcome
Center, 7 pm. For more information
contact Linda at (828) 738-0060 or
Norma at (828) 258-8737
18 Thursday
Watauga River Conservation Partners
meeting, Boone, NC, 5:30 pm., at the
County Extension Service building.
For information call Richard at (828)
963-8682.
21 Sunday
Madison County Chapter meeting at
the Madison County Library in
Marshall, 3 pm. Note the new time!
Items on the agenda include planning
for next year, with a possible change
of meeting dates & times. Contact
Carol at (828) 689-5399 or email
caroljo@main.nc.us
30 Tuesday
Forest Task Force meeting 5:30 pm,
WNC Alliance Asheville office.
Contact Bob at (828) 258-8737 or
bob@wnca.org for more information.
December
7 Tuesday
Tuckasegee Community Alliance
Holiday Party at Soul Infusion Bistro
& Tea House in Sylva, 5-7 pm.
9 Thursday
Annual Holiday Fundraising Party,
Governor’s Western Residence,
Asheville, NC. Drinks & light hors
d’oeuvres, from 6 until 9 pm.
9 Thursday
Watauga River Conservation Partners
holiday party, 6:00 pm, at home of
Kathy Copley in Banner Elk. Contact
Richard DeMott at (828) 963-8682.
15 Tuesday
Holiday Party for Environmental
Activists at Barley’s Taproom in
Asheville, 6-9 pm (time approximate).
This is an evening to socialize with
our fellow volunteers from several
area environmental organizations.
For more information, contact
Norma or Karen at (828) 258-8737.
No Forest Task Force meeting in
December
Accent
a Grassroots Environmental Organization
Blue Ridge P
arkw
ay F
orum a Success
page 1
Forest Service Urge
d to
Protect Old Gro
w
th
page 3
Major Landslides on F
orest Highw
ay 50
page 4
Annual M
e
mbership M
eeting Photo
s
page 5
Action
ALERT
(828) 258-8737 • 29 North Market St., Suite 610 • Asheville, NC 28801 • www
.wnca.org
Issue 69 V
o
lume IXX, Number 4 W
inter 2004-2005
Proposed Parkway Regional Destination V
isitor Center
page 6
m
o
re
in
sid
e
:
Map courtesy of Blue Ridge Parkway
WNCA Offers Help on
Invasive W
atershed Plant
WNCA Offers Help on
Invasive W
atershed Plant
29 Market St., Suite 610
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-8737
www.wnca.org
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #217
Asheville, NC
Holiday Fundraising
Party
&
Raffle
Details Inside!
We print
Accent
on recycled paper.
Read it, share it,
then please,
recycle it again.
