Sierra Club News A Publication for Members and Friendsof the Roanoke Group of the Sierra Club April-May 2006 Contents (quick links): MYSTERIES OF MOUNTAIN LAKE - APRIL 14
MYSTERIES OF MOUNTAIN LAKE - APRIL 14 Dr. Jon Cawley to speak at Earth Friendly Friday. The popular Roanoke College biology professor, who did extensive research at Mountain Lake, will explain how, due to its unusual geology, Mountain Lake is a "mine canary," an early indicator of changes in local air and water quality. In addition to leading the college's Environment Program, Cawley studies and teaches about geology, ecosystems and human land use in the Appalachians. He is interested in biodiversity and sustainability issues, particularly as related to human development, human-impacted riparian and stream systems, planning issues, and wetland restoration. He serves on the advisory board of the Wilderness Conservancy at Mountain Lake. Location: Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Road (at Brandon, across from Patrick Henry HS). This program is free and open to the public. Bring snack food to share (optional) at 6:30 PM; socializing and music before and after the program, which begins at 7:00 PM. Roanoke River Project - A Crime Against Nature? We agree with Congressman Bob Goodlatte on one important point. The Roanoke River should be (in his words) " . . . a centerpiece for the community instead of the industrial drainage that it has been for the past century. The addition of a ten mile long greenway along the entire length of the river through the City, and other features, will open up the river to become an important part of community life." Unfortunately, there our agreement ends. As the work proceeds on the flood control and "greenway" project, citizens are for the first time getting a look at exactly what is happening to the river in the name of flood control. Native trees and shrubs are being unselectively ripped away. This vegetation provided shade and habitat for an ecosystem that will quite simply be destroyed in the process AND WILL NEVER RETURN. In our view this project is an environmental disaster for this segment of the Roanoke River, nothing short of a crime against nature. It should be stopped at once! This project barely has a 1:1 cost-benefit ratio. In other words, every dollar spent destroying this riparian ecosystem will yield about $1 in benefit from future flood control! These numbers put this project dangerously close to the boondoggle category. No protection from a major flood should be expected (which makes us wonder why all this expense and destruction to avert a minor flood). In 2005, the Roanoke Times reported that a reduction of 1-3 feet in flooding could be expected. The flood of 1985 was nearly 14 feet above flood stage! What's worse, in the upper Roanoke River watershed, construction continues willy-nilly. Concrete, brick and mortar replace forests, fields and natural areas. Quite simply, this means that FUTURE FLOODING WILL BE WORSE! We agree there should be a greenway along the river, but not a sterile park with some ornamental trees. Instead, existing streamside vegetation should be preserved and augmented with new plantings of native trees and understory plants. We support the public purchase of land in the flood plain. This is the most cost effective way of reducing flood damage. We need to mitigate runoff of rainwater by using wetlands, rain gardens and low impact development strategies. Nothing will stop the flooding, but these measures will help reduce the impact, and they will NOT destroy the natural resources of the Roanoke River. They will contribute to the healing process of this distressed ecosystem. Even though the bulldozers are rolling, we still have a chance to get this right. The Roanoke River project will continue only if Congress appropriates more funds. If enough people tell them it's a bad idea, maybe they'll see the light. "Being Caribou" Award-Winning Video EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY - MAY 12, 2006 President Bush may not know it, but he took his own advice of 2001 when he challenged people to visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to "go and see how beautiful that land really is." In 2003, from early April into September, filmmaker Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer migrated on foot with the 120,000-member Porcupine Caribou Herd from Canada to the caribou calving grounds in Alaska, and back. They took along a 15-inch George Bush replica doll! The film of the threesome's epic 1000-mile journey with the caribou and what they saw, called 'Being Caribou', was produced from the footage Leanne shot during the 5-month experience. The migrating caribou led Heuer, Allison and mini-Bush across three mountain ranges, icy rivers, and past wolves and hungry grizzlies emerging from their dens. Surrounded by skittish caribou waiting to birth in their sacred calving grounds, they became hostages in their tent for the 10-day calving season, crawling on their bellies for water, peeing in cups inside the tent, and never speaking over a whisper for fear of disturbing the caribou. This is the exact place oil companies want to develop! The team traveled another 10 weeks with the mothers, bulls and newborns - witnessing the drama of separations, drownings, eagle attacks and the height of the insect season. Spectacular footage and intimate video diaries give a glimpse into a landscape and a way of 'being human' that creates a journey never before undertaken. The experience transforms the team, leaving them to try and convey their story on Capitol Hill one week after returning with the caribou to their winter range in the Yukon. As for the 15-inch president, after seeing all this he simply refused to return home. A Word From the Chair - Volunteer Needs Our success depends on volunteer vigor! We have an on-going need for willing workers to help us with our conservation campaigns, events, and social activities. For more information about any of these, call Mark McClain 387-0930
TAKE ACTION - The "5-Minute Environmentalist" HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE I-81 PROJECT Go to www.I-81.org Here you will find links to enter your comments on-line or by email. Do this soon! THE SIERRA CLUB'S POSITION IN SHORT:
If you think this issue is worth more than 5 minutes, consider attending one of the public meetings (details on that same web site). Something New . . . Roanoke Valley Nature Walk Series We're excited to announce a new recreational and educational opportunity! Each month we'll explore a corner of our beautiful valley, taking time to smell the flowers, watch the birds, and learn about diverse plant and animal communities. We may only cover a couple of miles in as many hours. The emphasis will be on getting better acquainted with places we visit! Our first walk will be April 15. Check our calendar page for details . . . bring your binoculars, field guides, camera, and lunch! If you responded to our survey last year and requested a native tree for your property, these may be picked up at the Roanoke College booth at Earth Day. Some additional trees (persimmons) may be available. If you requested your tree to be donated, these will be included in plantings this spring by Roanoke College students. Thanks for your support! Be sure to check our calendar page for all the activities of Earth Day 2006 (April 22) GET LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS BY EMAIL FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON OUR LOCAL EVENTS, CLICK HERE! |
Roanoke Group
of the Virginia Chapter
