ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, May 13, 1996 TAG: 9605130023
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: The Green Scene
SOURCE: CATHRYN MCCUE
Regional recycling, tourism, greenways, horse-logging, community "visioning" and long-term planning all are different forms of the same thing, a concept called "sustainable development." The idea is to continue economic growth, job creation and social progress in ways that maintain and even improve natural resources for future generations.
Throughout Virginia, more than two dozen initiatives were identified as following this concept, including eight in Western Virginia, in a recent report by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Law Institute.
Two years ago, the nonprofit institute wrote a "blueprint" for sustainable development in Virginia. A follow-up report, "Building on the Blueprint," was published last month. Although a task force established by the General Assembly in 1994 failed to come up with recommendations for a statewide plan for sustainable development, several communities pursued their own projects, the report noted.
It's still to early to tell whether the projects are correcting fundamental social, economic and environmental problems that hinder sustainability, the report said.
In Western Virginia, the projects included in the report are:
The Appalachian Regional Recycling Consortium, which provides cooperative recycling service for 24 rural counties and six rural cities that otherwise might not be able to undertake recycling efforts.
The Clinch Powell Sustainable Development Initiative, which finds, among other things, local markets for locally grown produce and wood products from trees harvested in an ecologically sound manner.
The Giles County-New River Greenway Project, which would develop canoeing and a walking/bicycling trail along 37 miles of the river through Giles County, and create a series of parks along the river.
The New Century Council, based in Roanoke, which brought together more than 2,000 volunteers to brainstorm a 20-year strategic plan for growth in the Roanoke and New River valleys and the Alleghany Highlands.
The Powell River Project, which brings together the coal industry, government and Virginia Tech to research ways to reclaim old mines for forestry and agriculture, and as wetlands to benefit wildlife and water resources.
The Roanoke County 2010 Visioning, begun in 1995, which involved about 500 people discussing housing, transportation, health, growth management and planning, natural resources and other issues.
Virginia Water Project, which over the last 25 years has helped 109,000 rural households gain access to water and wastewater facilities.
Virginia's Explore Park, a living history museum intended to create tourism income for the region.
Call the Environmental Law Institute at (202) 939-3800 for copies of the original "blueprint" report and the recent follow-up report.
`Rat Pack' gathers at Ferrum
Ever hear of the Alleghany woodrat? Nor have I, but the little critter was important enough in the wildlife scientific community to draw 28 researchers to Ferrum College last month for a woodrat conference.
"The woodrat is an attractive but secretive rodent, about 10 to 12 ounces when full grown, that inhabits caves, cliffs and rock outcrops in the mountains of Western Virginia," said Michael Mengak, associate professor of forestry and wildlife. Researchers believe that parasites, predators and development are causing a decline in the woodrat. To aid in future studies, three Ferrum College students, including James Rogers Jr. of Cloverdale and Jeffrey Sturm of Roanoke, will spend the summer in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests surveying up to 100 possible habitats.
On a different mission, three other students will be scouting the national forest for bats. Using ultrasound recording devices and computer analysis, the students will be evaluating how bats use different parts of the forest, ultimately helping forest officials determine land uses for those areas.
Also at Ferrum last month, the college broke ground for a $700,000 expansion of Garber Hall, the main building for the environmental sciences program. The new wing will include an ecology lab, a botany lab, computerized GIS (or Geographical Information Systems) drafting rooms, and a two-story greenhouse. The building is expected to be finished in time for fall classes.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB