Keeping the ‘Wild’ in Wonderful West Virginia
Written by Jason Keeling on October 10, 2007
The state’s natural environment, including the
Less than 9% of the forest is protected by Congress, which includes the designated Wilderness areas of Dolly Sods, Cranberry, Otter Creek, and Laurel Fork. The rest of the forest is open to “multiple use” management including logging, mining and road building. Hundreds of citizens, businesses, and organizations are supporting efforts of the
Many are familiar with the Dolly Sods and Cranberry areas, which today remain in their natural condition due to Wilderness designation. However, areas like Seneca Creek, Big Draft, East Fork Greenbrier, and Spice Run have yet to be afforded the same protection, while external threats, such as pressures to build roads, log, mine, and develop these public lands continue to increase. I believe the public’s preference of the “Wild and Wonderful” brand is indicative of the connection to our lands, and as a native of the state, it has been my privilege to work with the coalition. Visit wvwild.org for more information on the Wilderness initiative.
Posted in Culture, Economy, Government, Tourism, West Virginia
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October 11th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I am all for wilderness designation, as it provides areas unscaved by machines, Wal-Marts and the dense population one finds in urban environments. Those lush, foliage covered paradises that I escape to when modern life drives me to the edge. I suggest to those who are serious about forest preservation to locate and contact their local Congressman or Congresswoman (each has a contact section on their website) and express your feelings on this matter. Unless the issue is pressed, it will be overlooked.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Amen to what Brandon said! We have some of the most gorgeous natural sites on the planet! They need to be protected.
Oddly enough, when my Dad was stationed in Dubai, he visited a photo shop to get his picture taken in ethnic garb. One of the backdrops they had in the studio in Dubai was the Grist Mill at Glade Creek. People all over the world appreciate the beauty of this state. It is our most important treasure, and we can not take it for granted!
October 16th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
But this Web site gets paid to say what it says. Who is running this thing anyway?
October 18th, 2007 at 7:41 am
West Virginia’s natural areas, well known and not so well known, are threatened by power lines slated to criss cross our state in the next two years: Allegheny Energy’s TrAIL across northern WV and AEP’s line from the Kanawha River through north central WV. Worse yet, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has designated over 40 of West Virginia’s 55 counties as part of a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. Within that corridor, FERC may exercise eminent domain to site a transmission line under certain conditions, thereby usurping states rights to do so.
These power lines, replete with 8 story high towers bearing 500kV lines, and possibly larger lines in the future, will destroy view sheds not only within areas like Dolly Sods et al, but in other areas treasured for their views and rustic nature by property owners and tourists alike.
If tourism is to continue as a capstone for our state, the state must better manage power line locations and carefully consider how much destruction we will tolerate for the betterment of areas in other states that cannot - or will not - manage their unbridled use of electricity at West Virginia’s expense.
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Comments Always Welcome, But Anonymity Discouraged
To those readers that provide feedback via comment, thank you. Most readers who comment don’t hide behind an anonymous screen name, and that is also appreciated.
I’d like to inform “Mountain Daddy” that this site does not “get paid to say what it says.” aBetterWestVirginia is an effort initiated by me as a trial project, so that I can master the new online medium of blogging. As a public relations consultant, I will soon be working with businesses and organizations to help them set up Web sites using the blogging platform. No one pays for content placement at aBetterWestVirginia, but I do reserve the right to allow future advertising on the site.
Don’t get me wrong, I welcome constructive criticism of any post, but I request that negative feedback not be done anonymously.
April 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
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