VCN
E-NEWS: June 11, 2004
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NEWS
ITEMS
FOUR
VIRGINIA PROJECTS MADE ROAD TO RUIN LIST
The report highlights 27 road projects that will drain
federal tax dollars, and harm communities, and damage
the natural environment. In total, these projects would
cost federal taxpayers at least $24 billion.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Contact: Keith Ashdown, TCS (202) 546-8500 x110
Erich Pica, FOE (202) 222-0739
(Washington, DC) -- As lawmakers begin final debate on
the federal transportation bill, a new report released
today calls for elimination of the nation's most wasteful
and environmentally harmful highway projects, many of
which are key factors in bloating the current legislation.
Road to Ruin: The 27 Most Wasteful Road Projects in America
chronicles the nation's most wasteful and environmentally
harmful highway projects and ranks the ten worst. Eliminating
the 27 projects would save federal taxpayers more than
$24 billion. The report was released by Taxpayers for
Common Sense, a leading fiscal critic of highway and transportation
boondoggles, and Friends of the Earth, one of the nation's
leading environmental organizations.
"At a time of ballooning deficits, it is shocking
that lawmakers would attempt to shove more billion-dollar
white elephants onto taxpayers," said Erich Zimmermann,
Research Analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense. "The
bottom line is that our nation cannot afford this 'have
our cake and eat it too' spending. We need to set priorities,
and should start by eliminating these projects immediately."
"All these projects are bad for the environment and
for local communities," said Erich Pica, Director
of Economic Programs at Friends of the Earth. "Our
nation's transportation dollars should not go to road
projects that run over communities and put the environment
in the backseat."
The release of Road to Ruin coincides with reauthorization
of the six-year transportation bill, which is currently
being considered in Congress. The version of the bill
passed by the House of Representatives includes specific
earmarks for 16 of the projects in the report. "Earmarking
amounts to congressional micromanagement of regional transportation
needs. It takes control out of the hands of local communities
and ensures the continuation of these projects even though
they are unnecessary, wasteful, and have little community
support," said Zimmermann.
In April, the House approved legislation to replace TEA-21,
which would provide $275 billion over six years for road
construction, transit projects, and related safety initiatives.
The Senate approved its version of the bill in February
and would provide $318 billion over six years. The White
House supports a $256 billion transportation package and
has threatened to veto any version of the bill that surpasses
this funding level. A joint conference committee will
soon consider differences between the Senate and House
versions. Senate leaders named conferees last week, and
House leaders are expected to name conferees in the next
two weeks.
The report recommends that the $188 million earmarked
in this year's transportation bill for the 27 roads mentioned
in the report be eliminated. "Wasting hundreds of
millions on projects that won't even reduce traffic congestion
is ill-advised. It's time for the proponents of these
roads to pull over and ask for directions," concluded
Zimmermann.
"Each of these projects would be a poor use of taxpayer
dollars, harm local communities, and negatively impact
the environment. The report concludes that the brakes
must be applied to these projects before another dollar
is wasted," continued Pica.
In addition to eliminating these projects, the report
proposes other changes to federal transportation policy
that would increase accountability and efficiency, including:
1) the federal share for new or significantly expanded
highway projects should be reduced to 50 percent; 2) all
projects should face equally tough scrutiny before receiving
federal funding; and 3) transportation agencies at every
level of government should be required to provide information
to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) detailing
expenditure of all federal funds for every project they
oversee.
Local residents concerned about their communities and
the surrounding environment also oppose these projects.
Each highlighted project would negatively impact local
areas and the surrounding natural environment. Some of
these impacts include urban sprawl, loss of farmland,
harm to local businesses, and damage to historic sites.
The 27 highways in the report were all nominated by local
citizen organizations and individuals, and then researched
by Taxpayers for Common Sense and Friends of the Earth.
This list represents the most wasteful and environmental
harmful highways in the U.S. The Top 10 was selected by
ranking the roads according to costs to the taxpayer and
impact on the environment. Interstate 81 and the Western
Transportation Corridor made the Top Ten List and Interstate
73 and Route 29 Charlottesville Bypass also made the list.
2. Interstate 81 (VA) Adding truck lanes to the entire
325 miles of I-81 through Virginia would cost an estimated
$13 billion, with at least $1.6 billion expected to come
from federal taxpayers. Some 40 towns and counties have
formally declared their opposition to expanding I-81.
I-81 would have dramatic effects on historic Civil War
battlefields in the region, and would contribute to soil
erosion and degraded air quality.
10. Western Transportation Corridor (VA) Although the
state of Maryland has canceled its involvement in the
proposed project, the Virginia Department of Transportation
continues to push the WTC, which would be a significant
piece of the proposed "Outer Beltway" around
Washington, D.C. Several north-south corridors already
exist, making the proposed WTC, with a total estimated
cost of $2.0 billion, redundant. The proposed project
would do little to reduce the region's congestion and
would encourage sprawl and traffic while exposing rural
areas to increased development that would overwhelm the
area's existing infrastructure and destroy acres of farmland
and wetlands.
Go to http://www.taxpayer.net/road2ruin/
to read the entire report.
CLEAR THE AIR REPORT RELEASED
Clear the Air released a report titled Dirty Air, Dirty
Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution
from Power Plants. This report follows up on their 2000
report, Death, Disease, and Dirty Power. This report is
based on a detailed analysis of the health effects of
pollution emitted by power plants on a state-by-state
basis and includes some city-specific data as well. The
analysis was performed by Abt Associates, a firm that
EPA uses to do similar studies. This report is posted
on their website at www.cleartheair.org
HOUSE PANELS EYE MAJOR CUTS
TO LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
From the APA - This Week In Washington - - FY05 INTERIOR
SPENDING BILL PROPOSES $120 MILLION CUT The House Interior
Appropriations Subcommittee approved by voice vote an
FY05 spending bill that marks a dramatic shift in federal
priorities for land conservation. Subcommittee Chairman
Charles Taylor (R-NC) opposes additional government land
acquisition for conservation. Accordingly, his bill provides
money solely to cover administrative costs for managing
land already under federal ownership. The cuts fell heavily
on the Land and Water Conservation Fund. If passed into
law, it would mark the first time in the 40 year history
of LWCF that no funding was available for land acquisition.
The measure provides $50 million for land management while
eliminating funding for acquisition. The change amounts
to a $120 million cut from current fiscal year levels
and is $170 million less than the amount requested by
the Bush Administration. Clean energy research and arts
programs were also cut. Much of the savings was added
to accounts for fighting wildfires. The spending bill
is slated for consideration by the full House Appropriations
Subcommittee later this week.
The move comes on heels of an Office of Management and
Budget memorandum to federal agencies outlining even larger
program cuts for FY06 - assuming President Bush's re-election.
OMB officials characterized the memo as routine budget
planning but critics pointed out that the funding levels
described in the memo would force further cuts in most
domestic programs.
REQUESTS FROM VCN MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
VCN LEGISLATIVE
TRAINING IN YOUR AREA !?!
Would you like VCN to provide the basic legislative training
session in your region this summer? We are looking for
at least two VCN member organizations to host the presentation.
As a host, you will need to determine a date with us,
identify a location, and help recruit participants. The
program runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We provide sandwiches
or pizza and beverages. After introductions, we use the
Legislative Program - PowerPoint that explains how the
legislative process works in Virginia and how an individual
can have an impact! We then respond to questions and have
a bit of role playing - how to talk about legislation
with your legislator. If you are interested in hosting
a session this summer, let us know soon. This is a joint
project with VCN and the Virginia League of Conservation
Voters Education Fund. Call David at 804-644-0283 or email
Ellen at ellenshepard@yahoo.com.
ALERT: URGE SEN. WARNER
TO OPPOSE SENATOR YOUNG’S TRUCKWAY PROJECT
-- From VCN
Member Organization - RAILSOLUTION
Once again we are at a critical crunch point. Even if
you have already done so, please FAX another letter to
transportation reauthorization committee conferee, Sen.
John Warner, urging him to oppose Don Young's (Alaska)
$910 million earmark for truck lane demonstration projects.
The House bill doesn't specifically designate this for
VA's I-81. This item is NOT in the Senate bill. Urge Warner
to support the largest allocation for Virginia and not
a trucklane earmark that usurps local consensus and trumps
Virginia's option to choose a rail solution for I-81.
You can use the Sierra Club Alert system to send a free
FAX to Sen. John Warner's office and others in the VA
Congressional delegation (Va. Congressmen Tom Davis and
Ed Schrock also will serve as conferees) by clicking:
virginia.sierraclubaction.org/showalert.asp?aaid=381
Tentative deadline: Monday, June 14th
Please act today. Thank you for all your past efforts.
Rees Shearer, Rail Solution
ALERT: PLEASE CALL SENATOR
ALLEN- VIRGINIA RIDGE AND VALLEY WILDERNESS AND NATIONAL
SCENIC AREAS ACT
-- From VCN
Member Organization – VIRGINIA FOREST WATCH
Message from Christina Wulf, shewulf@nexet.net, with Virginia
Forest Watch
Senator John Warner and Congressman Rick Boucher, with
co-sponsorship from Reps. Tom Davis and Jim Moran, introduced
the "Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National
Scenic Areas Act" legislation on April 22nd. We need
you to contact Senator George Allen and ask him to co-sponsor
and support the Senate bill, SB 2342.
The bill would protect nearly 41,000 acres in the Jefferson
National Forest in Rep. Boucher's district -- 29,000 as
wilderness and the remainder as national scenic area where
mountain biking would be allowed.
Please emphasize with Sen. Allen’s office that all of
the areas in the bill are supported by the local county
boards of supervisors or recommended by the U.S. Forest
Service in its Revised Jefferson Forest Plan. The bill
is supported by a number of businesses including outfitters,
hunting stores and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and
has the endorsement of the International Mountain Biking
Association.
Please call Senator Allen’s office at 202-224-4024 or
fax him at 202-224-5432. We recommend you contact the
Senator AS A CONSTITUENT AND NOT AS A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION.
*Please make these calls as soon as possible!*
A fact sheet about the bill is below:
Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic
Areas Act of 2004 - S. 2342/H.R. 4202 - KEY FACTS:
* Protects nearly 29,000 acres of the Jefferson National
Forest in southwestern Virginia as wilderness.
Each of the new Wilderness and National Scenic Area designations
has been endorsed by either the U.S. Forest Service or
the Board of Supervisors of the County in which the area
is located. The proposed new Wilderness Areas are:
*1. *Stone Mountain (Cave Springs)* – The Stone Mountain
proposed Wilderness Area is a 3,200-acre tract of land
adjacent to the North Fork of the Powell River in Lee
County. The property is considered to be the least disturbed
forest in all of Southwest Virginia and is home to rich
populations of two rare salamanders. The Stone Mountain
and Payne Branch trails are included as part of the proposed
Wilderness Area and provide convenient access for hikers
and hunters wishing to visit the Wilderness Area. The
trails are also connected to an adjacent campground at
Cave Springs.
*2. *Raccoon Branch* – The Raccoon Branch proposed Wilderness
Area is located in Smyth County in the Mount Rogers National
Recreation Area. The property contains 4,400 acres of
extremely rugged country characterized by high ridges
and low streams. Eight major trails provide excellent
access for hunters, fishermen, hikers and horseback riders
and two nearby campgrounds serve as convenient trailheads.
In addition, 4.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail also traverses
the proposed Wilderness Area.
*3. *Brush Mountain* – The Brush Mountain proposed Wilderness
Area is located in Montgomery County, adjacent to the
Town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. The area is 4,700
acres in size and extends approximately 8 miles along
the northwest slope of Brush Mountain. The property is
characterized largely by its remoteness, despite its proximity
to the suburbs of Blacksburg, providing hunters and hikers
with a feeling of true wilderness solitude.
*4. *Brush Mountain East* – The Brush Mountain East proposed
Wilderness Area is adjacent to the Brush Mountain proposed
Wilderness Area and is located in Craig County. This tract
is 3,800 acres in size and shares many of the characteristics
of its neighboring proposed Wilderness Area. Brush Mountain
East also possesses excellent views along Craig Creek
and Brush Mountain’s steep mountain face and is near the
Audie Murphy Monument lookout near the top of the ridge.
* Creates two new National Scenic Areas to protect almost
12,000 acres of Virginia national forests – Seng Mountain
National Scenic Area (6,455 acres) and Crawfish Valley
National Scenic Area (5,400 acres). The proposed National
Scenic Areas designated in the legislation are:
*1. *Crawfish Valley* – The Crawfish Valley proposed National
Scenic Area is located in Smyth County and includes 5,400
acres. The area extends from the crest of Walker Mountain
southward to the crest of Brushy Mountain and includes
the enclosed valley between the two mountains. An extensive
network of trails is included in the proposed area, including
more than four miles of the Appalachian National Scenic
Trail.
2. *Seng Mountain* – The Seng Mountain proposed National
Scenic Area is 6,400 acres in size and is located in the
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Smyth County.
Rowland Creek Falls, a 45-foot cascading waterfall is
a major scenic attraction in the area. The area also includes
a network of recreational trails and convenient access
is provided to visitors via the Hurricane campground and
Skulls Gap Picnic Area.
* Designates as additions to existing wilderness areas
– Mountain Lake Wilderness (5,673 acres), Lewis Fork Wilderness
(748 acres), Little Wilson Wilderness (1,862 acres), Shawvers
Run Wilderness (2,789 acres) and Peters Mountain Wilderness
(1,570 acres).
* Recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping,
canoeing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, backpacking,
bird watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, spelunking, rock-climbing and many other
outdoor activities would be continued and encouraged in
the new Wilderness Areas.
* Wilderness designation protects habitat for bear, song
birds and wild turkey and includes many stands of old
growth.
* Located near the growing population centers of southwestern
Virginia, the wilderness areas provide opportunities for
solitude, wilderness recreation, and spiritual renewal
in these forests that are our heritage from the past.
* Establishes a continuous non-motorized trail between
County Route 650 and Forest Development Road 4018 for
mountain bike, equestrian and hiking use. The bill also
directs the Forest Service to develop appropriate trail
plans for the wilderness and national scenic areas.
CALENDAR
TRANSPORTATION
INITIATIVES FOR A GREATER RICHMOND MEETING-JUNE 16, 2004
Location: American Lung Association of Virginia
Office Headquarters, 9221 Forest Hill Avenue
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Program: Jonathan Brown will offer a presentation on growth
management issues. Jonathan is the State Conservation
Coordinator for the Virginia Sierra Club. Jonathan is
working on behalf of the Sierra Club to assist communities
with growth issues as a part of their statewide "Challenge
to Sprawl" campaign. One of the goals of the campaign
is to galvanize support for growth management within the
Richmond Metropolitan Region. He will be discussing one
of the main objectives to achieving this goal.
Transportation Initiatives for a Greater Richmond Better
Communities: More Transportation Choices
For more information contact Donna Reynolds, (804) 267-1900
ext. 125, dreynolds@lungva.org
RECOGNIZING SMART GROWTH
– CAN DEVELOPERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS AGREE?
–JUNE 30
With Sam Black, Chair, Smart Growth Alliance Jury and
Senior Counsel, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.,
representing the Board of Trade; and Stewart Schwartz,
Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth
June 30, 2004
6:00 pm Refreshments; 6:30 pm Program
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)
401 9th Street, NW - North Lobby, Suite 500 (between E
& D St;
Metro Stations: Gallery Place, Metro Center, Archives,
Federal Triangle). Please arrive before 7 pm and bring
photo ID.
Can developers and environmentalists agree on what smart
growth is? Smart growth advocates at the same table with
the Board of Trade and the homebuilders? You can't miss
this event!
Learn about the Smart Growth Alliance and how its jury
of smart growth advocates, developers, architects, and
environmentalists is recognizing development projects
from around the Washington region. This is an opportunity
to see what types of projects are being endorsed, to ask
about the criteria being used, and to discuss the best
ways to get to win-win development solutions in the region.
RSVP (attendance only): WRN, 202/667-5445, or e-mail:
mailto:staff@washingtonregion.net>. This event is free
of charge.
For more see: www.washingtonregion.net
CITIZENS FOR
WATER QUALITY
Please join us for the 2004 Citizens for Water Quality
Summit
July 24, 2004
Registration 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Summit 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
University of Virginia, Clark Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia
Topics to be discussed: Erosion and Sediment Control Bacteriological
Monitoring Community Involvement and more If you would
like to have a display or other materials YOU MUST PROVIDE
YOUR OWN TABLE! See www.vasos.org/cwq2004summit.htm for
Full Agenda Announcing the 2004 Citizens for Water Quality
Outstanding Organization Award You may fill the form online
at www.vasos.org/cwqaward Nominations must be received
by July 9, 2004. Awards will be presented at the annual
Citizens for Water Quality Summit on July 24th, 2004.
Directions: University of Virginia, Clark Hall, 291 McCormick
Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123. Clark Hall is building
#10 on the following map:
http://www.virginia.edu/webmap/GMcCormickRoadArea.html
>From I 64 (East or West) and 29 North:
Take exit 118B, 29 North to Charlottesville/Culpeper.
Take the first exit and turn right onto Fontaine Avenue/29
North Business. Get into left lane. Continue straight
through 2 stoplights until you come to a Y intersection
at 250 Business. Turn left onto 250 business/Emmet Street.
You will go under a bridge and take the next left that
will take you up a ramp onto McCormick Road. Turn left
onto McCormick Road. Cross over a bridge and take the
next driveway to the right (not marked) - this will lead
you to parking behind Clark Hall. There should be plenty
of parking in a couple of lots behind Clark Hall. The
main entrance to Clarke Hall is off McCormick Road there
will be sidewalks (through construction area) leading
from the parking lots to the front of the building. LOOK
FOR SIGNS!
>From Northern Points - 29 South:
Take 29 South into Charlottesville. Continue on 29 South
- it will turn into 29 South Business and eventually Emmet
Street. At the intersection with University Avenue, continue
straight on Emmet Street. You will pass the University
Parking Garage and Bookstore on your left, take the next
ramp to the right to McCormick Road. Turn left onto McCormick
Road. Cross over a bridge and take the next driveway to
the right (not marked) - this will lead you to parking
behind Clark Hall. There should be plenty of parking in
a couple of lots behind Clark Hall. The main entrance
to Clarke Hall is off McCormick Road there will be sidewalks
(through construction area) leading from the parking lots
to the front of the building. LOOK FOR SIGNS! The entrance
to Clark Hall is off of McCormick Road
Stacey T. Brown, Virginia Save Our Streams
stacey@vasos.org
540-461-0044 - THIS IS A CHANGE! or leave message at 888-656-6664
www.vasos.org
VCN
SUMMER SCHEDULE – CAPACITY BUILDING & COMMUNICATION
TRAINING DATES AND LOCATIONS
The Legislative Contact Team program continues to grow
stronger and it is going to be even stronger after this
summer. Last summer we sponsored legislative process training
in four regions of the state. This summer we are taking
the LCT program to the next level.
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
and the Virginia Conservation Network are sponsoring five
regional communications trainings. We have brought together
the communications experts from many of Virginia’s environmental
organizations including: Avenel and Associates, International
Institute for Environmental Communication, American Rivers,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Southern Environmental Law
Center, New River Land Trust, Coalition for Smarter Growth,
American Lung Association, James River Association, and
Piedmont Environmental Council. The trainings will focus
on audience assessment, message delivery, persuasion,
and phone techniques. These training could have a significant
impact on how we carry forward environmental issues to
legislators.
Trainings will be held in Staunton, Roanoke, Richmond,
Norfolk, and Arlington. Trainings will run from 5:30-8:00PM.
Sandwiches or pizza will be provided at each of the trainings.
We are continuing to recruit LCTs but we need your help.
If you have colleagues or neighbors who have not yet signed
up to become LCTs and you think they might be interested,
it is not too late! They can still go to www.vcnva.org
and sign up in time for the workshops.
A list of trainings is below. For additional details about
the trainings go to www.vcnva.org and there is a link
on home page under the "JOIN THE TEAMS” banner.
We think these trainings are very important, and we hope
that you attend. Please email ellenshepard@yahoo.com if
you are going to be able to attend.
· Central Virginia Training: Wednesday, July 14,
5:30-8:00 PM, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 520 N. Boulevard,
Richmond
· Southwest and Southside Training: Thursday, July
15, 5:30-8:00 PM, Roanoke Higher Education Center, 108
N. Jefferson St., Room 501, Roanoke
· The Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont: Wednesday,
July 21, 5:30-8:00PM, Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton,
214 W Beverley St., Staunton
· Northern Virginia: Monday, July 26, 5:30-8:00
PM, George Mason Arlington Campus, 3401 North Fairfax
Drive, Rooms 3 and 4, Arlington
· Tidewater-date and location to be announced soon
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
EPA
Region III Announces a $1 Million Grant Program for Projects
that Protect Human Health and the Environment
PHILADELPHIA: Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator
for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region, announced today that $1
million in Regional Geographic Initiative (RGI) grants
is now available for projects that can demonstrate specific
environmental results in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
We are looking to fund projects that can show measurable
results within a specific time frame,” Welsh said. The
individual grants, ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, will
go to projects that showcase innovation, promote collaboration,
identify opportunities for leveraging other funding sources
and address a combination of environmental issues such
as solid waste and clean air in the same project.
Specifically, grant applications must address one of three
regional priorities:
* Watershed restoration, which includes source water protection,
acidification, water supply, wet weather, and total maximum
daily loads (TMDL).
* Reducing environmental exposure to sensitive populations,
which includes reducing lead exposure in children, reducing
asthma in children and the elderly, and reducing exposures
to pesticides, asbestos, radon and harmful food exposures.
* Enhancing environmentally responsible development, which
includes low impact development projects, greenways, transportation,
economic development, Energy Star/green energy, minimizing
environmental impacts, and green architecture (reducing
storm water).
The RGI grants are open to state, city, and township governments,
special districts, Indian Tribes, school districts, public
and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit
organizations, community action agencies and other organizations
having 501(c)(3) status.
To be eligible, all applications must be postmarked by
the U.S. Postal Service or date stamped by courier service,
on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time,
Friday, July 16, 2004. Selection of potential recipients
will be based on EPA’s Policy for Competition in Assistance
Agreements.
Awards will be made for projects starting Oct. 1, 2004
or later with performance periods not to exceed two years.
For more information, visit our website at:
http://www.epa.gov/region03/grants/pdf/RGI_Final_5_26.pdf
Mike Giuranna
EPA, Region III
1650 Arch Street (3WC21)
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
215-814-3298
215-814-3163 fax
e-mail giuranna.mike@epa.gov
***************************
VCN's mission is to protect the Commonwealth's air, lands,
and waters for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed
by the Virginia Constitution.
If
you have an item that should be included on this list,
please send it to Jim Wamsley at jwamsley5@comcast.net
. VCN E-NEWS is emailed the second and fourth Friday
of every month, except during the session when it is weekly.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday.
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