November 3, 1999
1) BREAKING NEWS: Congress Passes Dugger Mountain Wilderness
Bill
2) New York Times Pro-LWCF Ad Includes Gov. Siegelman and Jimmy
Buffett
3) Nature Conservancy Receives Land Donation
4) Pinhoti Trail Honored at Millennium Trail White House Ceremony
5) Enviro. Tidbits : New Rivers Position Opening, Madison Discusses
Growth
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"There are far too many examples of missed opportunities to save and preserve Alabama's environment. Dugger Mountain isn't going to be one of them." - Alabama Congressman Bob Riley
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1. BREAKING NEWS: Congress Passes Dugger Mountain Wilderness Bill - There will be a celebration in East Alabama today. After nearly a decade since it was first proposed, Dugger Mountain will become Alabama's newest designated wilderness. In a remarkable 48 hours, Dugger Mountain Congressional champions Rep. Bob Riley (R) and Senator Jeff Sessions (R) were able to pass out favorably identical legislation in the House (by a voice vote)and the Senate (by unaimous consent). The bill will be going to the President's desk - where he is expected to sign the legislation (the administration endorsed the bill at the House hearings on the bill).
The new Dugger Mountain Wilderness will encompass more than 9200 pristine acres in the Talladega National Forest straddling Cleburne and Calhoun counties. Dugger Mountain, Alabama's second highest peak at 2,140 feet and an area abundant with rare and unique habitats, received "universal" local and statewide support ranging from the Calhoun Chamber of Commerce, mayors, county public officials and adjacent landowners to Alabama's environmental community. Dugger will join the Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest and the Cheaha Wilderness in the Talladega National Forest as Alabama's only federally designated wilderness areas.
There are many people who worked on this victory. Special thanks
need to go to Rep. Bob Riley who masterfully worked the bill through
the House, and Senator Jeff Sessions who championed it through
the Senate. On the local front, the husband and wife team of Bruce
and Francine Hutchinson worked tirelessly on this issue and gave
Dugger its voice and passion. And let's not forget Pete Conroy,
director of the Jacksonville State University Environmental Policy
and Information Center who "made it happen" , pulling
everything together, the legislation, the diverse coalitions,
and the vision.
For additional details about this great environmental victory in Alabama contact Pete Conroy's office at: 256-782-5681.
2. New York Times Pro-LWCF Ad Includes Gov. Siegelman and Jimmy Buffett - Two famous Alabamians, Governor Don Siegelman and entertainer Jimmy Buffett, joined forces with 121 governors, mayors, entertainers, sports figures, and CEO's of industry and national environmental groups from across the country, in co-signing a full page ad that appeared in Sunday's New York Times (Oct. 31) calling for full and permanent funding of the Land Water and Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The ad, which shows a picture of Theodore Roosevelt states, "If he were around today, he'd sign this ad too. - And he'd sign the bill creating this once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve our parks and open spaces. Forever."
It is great to see Don Siegelman and Jimmy Buffett "sign on" this important issue. For information on how you can get involved in pushing Congress to pass meaningful LWCF legislation this year, visit the Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation website at: http://www.ahrinfo.org or call Pat Byington at 205-226-7739.
3. Nature Conservancy Receives Land Donation - The Nature Conservancy of Alabama (TNC) continues its efforts to protect Alabama's natural treasures with the recent acquisition of 80 acres atop beautiful Chandler Mountain in ___. The newest preserve which will be called the Gulf Creek Canyon Preserve, was donated to the Conservancy Trustee Jerry Lanning and his wife Joyce of Birmingham. The area is home to spectacular views several rare plants and a mature hardwood forest.
To learn more about the Nature Conservancy's new preserve and ways people can donate land and easements to TNC, contact their state office at: < 205-251-1155.
4) Pinhoti Trail Honored at Millennium Trail White House Ceremony - Pete Conroy, the director of Jacksonville State University's Environmental Policy and Information Center (EPIC) and Alabama First Lady Lori Allen Siegelman flew to Washington last Thursday (October 21st) for a White House Ceremony with Hillary Rodham Clinton. The occasion was an announcement of the nationís 50 Millennium Legacy Trails. Conroy and Ms. Siegelman co-chair the Alabama Millennium Trails Committee which recently forwarded the Pinhoti Trail as Alabamaís top pick. Forty-nine other trails were announced representing a total of 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Pinhoti National Recreation Trail is considered one of Alabamaís best long distance hiking paths. Starting south of Cheaha Mountain, it follows the ridges and crests of the Talladega Mountains for 110 miles. Future plans are to connect the Pinhoti to the well-known Appalachian Trail, allowing hikers an opportunity to walk the full length of the Appalachian Mountains, from < Maine to Alabama.
Accompanied by Alabama State Parks Director Don Cooley, Conroy and Alabamaís First Lady met with a variety of officials to promote Alabamaís natural assets and increase ecotourism. To learn more about the Millennium Trails Program visit their website at: http://www.millenniumtrails.org
5) Enviro. Tidbits : New Rivers Position Opening, Madison Discusses Growth -
New Rivers Position - Associate Director of Hydropower Programs, Southeast Region for American Rivers, Inc.
American Rivers, Inc., the nation's leading river conservation group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C. American Rivers employs a staff of 43 and administers an annual budget of five million dollars. Regional offices are located in Phoenix and Seattle. Field offices are located in Iowa, Maine, Montana, and Nebraska.
Description: The Associate Director will represent American Rivers in Southeast regional hydropower relicensing proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and assist and coordinate regional grassroots groups with interests in this complex regulatory process. This position will be located in American Rivers' Southeast Field Office in a location to be determined.
Qualifications: Prefer masters degree, law degree, or equivalent experience in public affairs, environmental law, aquatic ecology or other academic areas relevant to the work of American Rivers. Notable personal ability to work cooperatively with other staff, government representatives, and members of the public in the achievement of organizational objectives. Requires an ability to develop and manage a program budget and exercise discretion and independent judgment.
CONTACT: Please forward your resume and salary requirements to: Walt Sisson, Director of Administration, American Rivers 1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, Email: wsisson@amrivers.org
Madison Discusses Growth - John Rice, a longtime BEN reader and greenspace coordinator on the Recreation Advisory Board for the city of Madison Alabama, is holding a Forum Tuesday November 16th, 6:30 at the Madison City Council chambers. The agenda will include land preservation, trails, and open discussion. Madison, near Huntsville, is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. This meeting will be a great opportunity to help map out city's future. John can be reached at 830-4841 or RiceJon@aol.com for more information.
Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists.
If you have any questions about BEN, contact Pat Byington at
205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com
