ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, May 27, 1996 TAG: 9605300016
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
COLUMN: The Green Scene
SOURCE: CATHRYN MCCUE
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest last week banned groups of more than 10 people from traveling in the forest's wilderness areas.
Forest spokesman Dave Olson said the rule is needed to help preserve the solitude many seek in wilderness areas and to reduce the impact of humans in the forest's 15 specially designated areas.
Wilderness areas are regions set aside by Congress where human interference, including recreational activities, is limited. There are no RV hook-ups, paved roads, bathrooms or other visitor conveniences. Even the trails are sparsely marked. Hikers and horseback riders are allowed in; bicycles are not.
For the rest of 1996, groups exceeding 10 people will be contacted and asked to find ways to adhere to the new rule, such as breaking up into smaller groups. Starting in 1997, the Forest Service will start more rigorous enforcement, including the issuance of fines of up to $5,000, six months in jail, or both, Olson said.
The new order is part of the forest's "Leave No Trace" program. Other ways to "leave no trace" include camping in places that have already been used, using a camp stove, building a campfire using only dead or downed wood, and keeping noncombustible items, such as cans, out of the fire.
For more information, call Al McPherson: (540) 265-6054.
Citizen 'right to sue' not set yet
Gov. George Allen has signed the General Assembly's "citizen standing" bill, which gives people the right to sue the state over water pollution and solid waste permits. To get into court, claimants first have to show "immediate, substantial and financial harm" from the permit, the same standard that applies to air pollution permits.
But environmentalists say the standard is still too strict for all three types of permit and falls short of the broader access required by federal environmental laws.
Before signing the bill, Allen added a provision that Virginia's standard would mirror the federal standard only if he loses his lawsuit against the EPA. The Allen administration sued the EPA last year, when the federal agency rejected its air pollution control plan, largely because the plan did not allow broader citizen standing.
In a related matter, the EPA ruled this month that states must allow citizens to challenge permits for water pollution discharges. The ruling strengthens the federal government's position that Virginia must allow broader access to courts to challenge all permits, says Kay Slaughter, staff attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center in Charlottesville.
Slaughter is counsel for a coalition of environmental groups and localities that petitioned the EPA in 1993 to take over Virginia's water program because, under state law, only the person seeking a discharge permit could challenge the state's actions on that permit in court.
A decision is expected this summer in the suit.
Want clean water? Come to a summit
The Izaak Walton League of America is co-sponsoring a conference June 22 and 23 for people interested in monitoring and protecting the quality of streams and rivers in their communities.
"I'm anxious to have as many 'citizen advocates' from watersheds all across Virginia signed up to participate," said Jay Gilliam, coordinator of the league's Virginia division.
The conference features speakers from state and federal agencies as well as groups such as Friends of the Shenandoah River and Ferrum College that will share their success stories.
On June 22, specialists with the Izaak Walton League will train and certify participants in how to check stream water quality. That session is limited to 10 people, but a similar session June 23 will be open to everyone.
The conference, co-sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Quality, will be at the University of Virginia's architecture school in Charlottesville. The registration fee is $25, which can be waived upon requested if it presents an economic burden, Gilliam said.
To register, call Gilliam at (540) 377-6179, or write him at Route 2, Box 309-G, Raphine, VA 24472.
DEQ hazardous waste program heralded
The Department of Environmental Quality has received a special achievement award from the EPA for its outstanding performance in managing hazardous waste.
The agency has met all federal requirements for hazardous waste permits, landfill closure and post-closure plans in 1994, and exceeded those requirements in 1995.
The award was presented to Hassan Vakili, the DEQ's director of waste operations, by Stanley Laskowski, deputy regional administrator of EPA's Region 3. Laskowski said the quantity and quality of hazardous waste permits issued in Virginia has shown significant improvement.
Citizens as environmental stewards
Reflecting Secretary of Natural Resources Becky Norton Dunlop's oft-repeated principle that people rather than government regulators are the best protectors of the environment, the DEQ has published a brochure titled: "25 Ways to Help Virginia's Environment."
The brochure offers tips on ways to improve your environment, both near and far. A sampling:
To cut down on harmful ozone levels, keep your car tuned and the pollution-control equipment working properly, or walk, bicycle or carpool when possible.
To cut down on pesticide contamination in the soil and water, use pesticides only according to direction, sparingly, or not at all. Move wood piles away from your home to reduce termite infestations. Remove old tires and buckets that collect water and attract mosquitoes.
To reduce air pollution and preserve nonrenewable resources, save household energy. Fans use one-tenth the energy of air conditioners. Turn off lights when not in use. Insulate your home and hot water heater thoroughly.
Recycle historic buildings.
Be involved in your community government.
For a copy of the brochure, which is printed on recycled paper, call (800) 592-5482.
LENGTH: Long : 119 linesby CNB