RESOLUTION PASSED BY RRG EXCOM - DECEMBER 27, 2004 WHEREAS, the Sierra Club advocates, when construction and other development is deemed to be necessary for the public good, 1) that development and construction should be done so as to minimize degradation of the natural environment, including riparian habitat, flood plains, natural woodlands, and agricultural lands; and 2) that development should be located on unused or under-used land within the areas already served with streets, water, sewer and other public services; and WHEREAS, Roanoke County's preferred sites for a new correctional facility and other future development (adjacent to SW River Road near Dixie Caverns) are partially in the flood plain, contain some natural woodlands, consist largely of agricultural lands, and appear not to be served with adequate utility or road access; and WHEREAS, new construction, fill, or other alteration of the land in the upper Roanoke River flood plain may exacerbate downstream flooding; BE IT RESOLVED that the Sierra Club opposes development of the correctional facility at the SW River Road site(s), and further urges the Roanoke County government to choose an alternative site where this facility can be developed without the environmental degradation associated with the SW River Road sites mentioned herein. PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY SIERRA CLUB FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mark McClain SIERRA CLUB OPPOSES COUNTY JAIL ON ROANOKE RIVER Salem, Virginia, December 27, 2004 - The Sierra Club has announced its
opposition to the construction of a new Roanoke County correctional facility on a site
along the Roanoke River west of Salem. The Sierra Club has long held that construction and
development should be done so as to minimize degradation of the natural environment,
including riparian habitat, flood plains, natural woodlands, and agricultural lands. The
Club's conservation policies suggest that such facilities should be located on unused or
under-used land within the areas already served with streets, water, sewer and other
public services. Officials of the local group of the Sierra Club believe that the county's proposed site fails both these tests. The site (adjacent to SW River Road near Dixie Caverns) is partially in the flood plain, contains some natural woodlands, consists largely of agricultural lands, and is reportedly not served with adequate utility or road access. Club leaders also expressed concern that construction and fill operations in or near the flood plain may contribute to an increase in flooding for areas downstream from this site, notably in the cities of Salem and Roanoke. Speaking for the Sierra Club, Executive Committee member Mark McClain of Salem says, "We feel that the need for development must be tempered with the imperative to protect our environment. We strongly believe that Roanoke County can and should find a site for the new jail that does not contribute to the leap-frog urban sprawl across the region nor to the further degradation of the river whose valley we have borrowed for our home." ABOUT THE SIERRA CLUB - The Sierra Club is the largest grass-roots environmental organization in the United States with over 700,000 member. Nearly 700 members are represented by the local Roanoke River Group of the Virginia Chapter, which pursues the Club's objectives of exploring, enjoying, and protecting the natural environment in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding counties. - END - |
