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To Preserve...
The effort to preserve the natural qualities of free-flowing whitewater rivers in the Mid Atlantic region, and to preserve paddlers rights on these rivers, is one of the proudest traditions of the CCA. For example, CCA founded the Potomac Conservancy, and co-founded the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. The current Conservation Chairman, Courtney Caldwell, and two of his predecessors, Steve Taylor and Pope Barrow, have received the National River Conservationist of the Year Award from Perception, Inc.
The Conservation Committee continues the battles against unwarranted development on CCA's favorite rivers. We have a lot of fun doing it! It's easy to slice off a piece of conservation. Many of our conservation volunteers work on discreet projects, which are very helpful and which make a real difference - even if they can put in only an hour or two per month.
Some examples are:
● Calling or writing other CCA members to inform them of new conservation and environmental threats.
● Assisting fund raising activities to benefit organizations that work on protecting our local rivers.
● Assisting with river cleanup programs.
You will work with one of the knowledgeable members of the Committee. They are always available to instruct and counsel on these tasks.
Contact Congress
Tell your congressional representatives how you feel about river conservation issues. American Canoe Association's ACA Action Net makes it easy to contact your senator or house representative. Send an email, fax or letter by entering your zip code in the field below, then press the 'GO!' button below, the field.
Friends of the Rappohannock
The Friends of the Rappahannock has a regular schedule of fun conservation outings. See the following link for details: http://www.riverfriends.org/Default.aspx?tabid=65
Friends of Blackwater
The wild and scenic Cheat River gathers strength in Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, and Preston Counties for a final rush through the Cheat Canyon from Albright to Cheat Lake. This 16 miles stretch is well known to kayakers and rafters from around the world. The steep walls of the Canyon feature spectacular cliffs and slopes under an unbroken forest canopy. It has been an important playground for Eastern outdoorsmen for over fifty years.
These steep, rocky slopes are also home to several rare and endangered animals. Allegheny Wood Rat, the Cheat Canyon Green Salamander, and the Indiana bat all live here. It is the only location in the world where the Cheat Three-Toothed Land Snail can be found. These small creatures have an important place in the web of life that supports us all and are legally protected by the endangered species act.
Allegheny Wood Products knew these protected species existed when they bought the land but has chosen to ignore the law and the interests of people who care about this place. They began road building and logging in the Cheat Canyon almost two years ago and will not rest until they have "worked" the entire canyon..
They closed the Allegheny trail, the longest footpath entirely within West Virginia, giving no advance notice to the group that had their permission to maintain it. They keep other recreational groups at arms length, refusing to work with them.
The Fish and Wildlife Service, which enforces the Endangered Species Act, has come under intense political pressure. Today their biologists will not comment on what is happening, much less take action to enforce the law.
The West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, The Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association and Friends of Blackwater have stepped in to stop this destructive and illegal assault on the Canyon. Despite months of negotiations, this company has refused to protect its the most sensitive areas. Reluctantly, we have filed a lawsuit and expect to go to trial this fall. We have expert pro-bono legal help but badly need funds for court fees, experts and research.
Help us keep the Cheat Canyon from being degraded! Please send your donations to Friends of Blackwater, earmarked for the Cheat Canyon Fund, by writing Cheat Canyon on the memo line of your check. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Judith S. Rodd
Director, Friends of Blackwater
501 Elizabeth Street
Charleston, WV 25311
877-WVA-LAND
info@saveblackwater.com
Georgetown University plan to build
a boathouse on C&O parkland
For an update on this important issue and guidance about what you can do see the following link: http://www.savethecanal.org/
Contact Conservation Committee
If you want to volunteer to help save a river, want more information, or want to see something here on the Conservation web page, email the Conservation Chairman.
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