Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 24, 1995 TAG: 9507240133
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cathryn McCue
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The couple, who continue to own the land, granted an easement to be jointly held by the National Committee for the New River, and the Roanoke-based Friends of the Rivers of Virginia. Under the easement, the Scotts agree not to subdivide their land, to build only one single-family house on each of the three tracts that make up the parcel, and to practice environmentally sound forest management plans.
The land, which would not be open to the public, fronts the New River for almost one mile upstream from Pearisburg. That section of river qualifies for state scenic river designation, and has been identified in the Giles County 1991 Comprehensive Plan as a recommended scenic river corridor. It also can be seen from Angel's Rest, a popular lookout along the Appalachian Trail.
All restrictions run with the land, meaning any future heirs or owners also would have to adhere to the easement. The two nonprofit conservation groups assume the duty of making sure the easement is enforced.
The General Assembly encourages easements and other means of preserving open space as serving a public purpose by " promoting the health and welfare of the citizens of the commonwealth by curbing urban sprawl."
The easement does not mean the Scott land becomes a public park, or otherwise open to the public. Rather, hikers, fishers, floaters and others will always enjoy the view of the land.
Randi Lemmon, with the National Committee for the New River, said another easement along the New was completed about two years ago. A 52-acre sliver straddling the North Carolina state line was granted to the American Farmland Trust and The Nature Conservancy.
Leave it on the lawn
Save the Earth, save money, save time and save yourself some hard labor - all in one fell swoop. Mow the lawn and leave the grass clippings fall where they are, says Clean Valley Council Director Ann Masters.
With all the rainfall we've had this summer, lawns throughout the Roanoke and New River valleys are taking on a distinctly jungle-like look. With this in mind, Masters met with John Arbogast, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent; Laura Wasko, Roanoke recycling coordinator; and Nancy Bailey, Roanoke County solid-waste coordinator.
They want to spread the word about "grasscycling."
Clippings decompose quickly, releasing nutrients such as nitrogen, potash and phosphorous - ingredients in the fertilizer you buy at the hardware store. They can also aid in compost piles to quicken decomposition of kitchen scraps.
Bagging and curbing grass clippings and other yard waste - an average of 750 pounds per household per year - costs your local government money in terms of landfill space and labor to haul it away. Plus, "grasscycling" means you won't have to spend money on plastic bags.
Orvis and Visa team up
Orvis, the well-known outdoor and sporting retailer with a distribution center in Roanoke, is now offering Conservation Visa Cards.
Customers who use the cards will automatically donate 5 percent of their Orvis purchases and 1 percent of all other purchases to conservation efforts.
Orvis, in conjunction with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will select the groups to receive the donations.
"Our customers are particularly interested in helping preserve critical habitats and contributing to conservation programs supporting wildlife throughout the United States," said Orvis President Perk Perkins in a news release. The projects include preservation of Big Blackfoot River in Montana to the Seatuck National Wildlife refuge on Long Island, N.Y.
The Visa cards will be offered through First USA Bank, which charges no annual fee and a low introductory annual percentage rate, currently 5.9 percent, until Oct. 1. Call (800)548-9548 for more information.
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