SAMAB News Briefs is a periodic e-mail communication sent to SAMAB members and partners on activities, ideas, and directions. To respond/react to any of these news briefs or to contribute to a future "issue," please contact Robb Turner, SAMAB Executive Director, SAMAB, 314 Conference Center Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-4138, or phone 865-974-4583. To request removal from or additions to the mailing list, send request and email address(s) to samab@utk.edu.
SAMAB ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COORDINATOR POSITION AVAILABLE--The SAMAB Foundation seeks a dynamic individual to coordinate community, university, and agency staff in monitoring changing conditions in the southern Appalachian region. Applicant must have demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate activities of diverse groups of people and experience at building and working in partnerships. Applicant should have some knowledge of the science behind environmental monitoring as well as information-management/communication skills for organizing and disseminating information collected. Bachelors degree or higher, and willingness to travel regularly within the region are expected. See more detailed position description and application procedures at http://samab.org or call 865-974-4583.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL-TO-INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION NEEDS--SAMAB and the NBII Southern Appalachian Information Node (SAIN) played a key role in a breakout session on "Information Systems in Support of Effective Environmental Decision Making" at the National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment - Sustainable Communities: Science and Solutions, held in Washington DC on December 6-7. Presenters in the session included Bonnie Carroll, SAIN node lead from Information International Associates, speaking on the developing biodiversity information infrastructure from local to global perspectives; Anne Frondorf, Acting Deputy Geographic Information Officer, USGS, speaking on the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; Robin O'Malley, Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment speaking on the state of the nation's ecosystems; and Robb Turner, SAMAB Executive Director and Technical Director of SAIN speaking on the Southern Appalachian Regional Information System for integrated environmental data. Recommendations from this and other sessions from the Conference will be taken to the "Rio+10" Conference to be held in Johannesburg in 2002 and will help shape sustainability efforts in the US. The draft recommendations are on line at http://cnie.org/
APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD FOR KENTUCKY CONFERENCE--More than 800 people from the 13 ARC states gathered in Prestonburg, Kentucky, November 7 to examine community-based collaboration and interjurisdictional cooperation as linchpins to sustainable, "home-grown," economic development in rural Appalachia. Hosted by Appalachian native son and 2001 ARC States' Co-Chairman Governor Paul E. Patton, "the New Appalachia" conference was opened by ARC Federal Co-Chairman Jesse L. White, Jr., in Prestonburg's beautiful Mountain Arts Center. A full-house audience heard an inspiring keynote address presented by best-selling author Dr. Stephen R. Covey, who generously donated his services. Later in the afternoon at Jenny Wiley State Park, participants attended breakout sessions showcasing a small sampling of "Ideas that Work" -- best practices of community economic development projects pioneered across the Appalachian Region. The full listing of ARC's "Ideas that Work" projects, complete with local contact information and arranged by goal area and by state, is available online at http://www.arc.gov/infopubs/ideas/ideasix.htm.
NEPA/Environmental Coordination Items:
--US Army, Corps of Engineers:
Norfolk District has issued a public notice on a proposed 202-acre housing development by Shields Enterprises in Fishersville, Augusta County, Virginia. The project will fill approximately 2 acres of wetlands due to road construction and site preparation. The public notice can be viewed at
http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Regulatory/PN/PN.html
--USDA, Forest Service:
The Brasstown Ranger District, Chattahoochee National Forest, invites comments on removal of southern pine beetle-infected trees at the Brasstown work Center on SR 76 and along SR 288 west of Hiawassee. Information from Rick Semingson at 706-632-3031 or rsemingson@fs.fed.us
--USDA, Rural Utilities Service:
A FONSI has been issued on the proposed financing of a 8-mile transmission line to be constructed by Georgia Transmission Corporation in Hall County, Georgia. Copies are available from Bob Quigel, 202-720-0468 or bquigel@rus.usda.gov
--EPA/Tennessee Division of Community Assistance:
FNSIs have been issed on the proposed rehabilitation of sewer lines and the installation of new water lines in the Obed River drainage of Crossville, Tennessee. Copies can be obtained from Sam Gaddipati at sgaddipati@mail.state.tn.us
--Tennessee Valley Authority:
TVA is evaluating a site on Stone Mountain in Johnson County, Tennessee for a new wind turbine facility. An EA is expected to be available soon. For more information, contact Anita Rose at akrose@tva.gov or 865-632-1451.
--DOT, Surface Transportation Board:
Norfolk Southern Railway proposes to abandon a railroad line in Buchanan County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia. For a copy of the EA on STB Docket No. AB-290, contact Section on Environmental Analysis at 202-565-1552.
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Happy Holidays! The next SAMAB Email Newsbriefs will appear January 15.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SOUTHERN FOREST SCIENCE CONFERENCE--Charlie Van Sickle, SAMAB Foundation President, and Robb Turner, SAMAB Executive Director, presented "Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Program: A Model for Management-need Based Research" in the opening plenary session of the Southern Forest Science Conference in Atlanta, November 26-28. Over 250 researchers and managers engaged in a variety of plenary, concurrent, poster, and discussion sessions that reviewed past accomplishments and suggested priorities for future forestry research and management. Much of the discussion was made more poignant by the concurrent release of the Southern Forest Resource Assessment (see next item). Van Sickle and Turner's short paper can be viewed at http://samab.org
DRAFT SOUTHERN FOREST SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT RELEASED--This 30-month assessment examines the status and potential future of southern forests and their various benefits. The interagency work, led by the USDA Forest Service, addresses topics of forest sustainability in light of increasing urbanization and timber harvests, forest pests, climate change, and other factors that influence the region's forests. The 1200-pages of detailed report, 100-page summary, and 7-page executive summary describe potentially profound effects for the region as a whole and for particular subregions, including the Southern Appalachians. The geographic patterns and trends presented suggest significant ecological and socioeconomic changes for many areas of the South. At least the executive summary is a must-read at http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/sustain, and the Forest Service is seeking comment/feedback. Hard copy summaries of the report or the entire report on CD can be obtained by calling 828-257-4200. There would seem to be many needs and opportunities for interagency and public-private partnerships to address issues raised in this assessment.
5th ANNUAL ALL TAXA BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY ANNUAL MEETING--Discover Life in America and Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosted the meeting of 125 scientists, managers, and volunteers who are endeavoring to discover and document all life in the Park. Reports from the taxonomic working groups ranging from slime molds to mammals reviewed progress to date, ~1500 species new to the Smokies and 150 new to science! Much remains to be done, however. So far, only about 12,000 of the estimated 100,000 species in the Park have been found. Sessions on photography, fundraising, volunteer opportunities, education, data systems, and future research rounded out the agenda. A biodiversity auction raised $4000 toward future work. Keith Langdon, Smokies Branch Chief for Inventory and Monitoring, was recognized by Mike Tollefson of the Smokies and by John Yancy of the NPS Regional Office in Atlanta for his sustained leadership on the project. Robb Turner and Wolf Naegeli discussed with ATBI data managers and others how the NBII Southern Appalachian Information Node can assist in making the ATBI findings more accessible and useful to researchers, managers, and the public. http://www.discoverlife.org
OBJECTIONS TO NATIVE GRASSES IN CADES COVE--Surprisingly, managers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park have received complaints from tourists in Cades Cove who think the restored native grass meadows are unmanicured looking and hide the deer and other wildlife that they expect to see. The Park Service has prepared an explanatory roadside display, and is working to communicate with the public about the benefits to biodiversity of native versus exotic grasses. Jenny Beeler, a biological scientist working in the Park on native grass restoration, has written a short explanation of the restoration effort and its benefits for wildlife (see http://samab.org/Init/Plants/pubs.html). Comments on the native grass restoration efforts may be sent to bob_miller@nps.gov.
ALLIANCE FOR THE CUMBERLANDS INITIATED--The Cumberland Round Table, organized and hosted by Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning's Public Lands Committee, convened in an all-day session on November 14 in Oak Ridge. 35 individuals represented 21 organizations including NPS at Obed and Big South Fork, USFS's Forest Legacy Program, Daniel Boone National Forest, TVA, TWRA, TN Division of State Parks and Natural Heritage, KY Nature Preserve Commission, The Nature Conservancy from TN and KY, TN Parks and Greenways Foundation, KY Natural Lands Trust, the Foothills Land Conservancy, National Parks and Conservation Association, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, Cumberland Trail Conference, TN Environmental Council, TN Conservation League, TN Ornithological Society, Historic Rugby, and TCWP. The northern Cumberland Plateau is the focus of the "Alliance." Some hopeful prospects were discussed, such as The Nature Conservancy's recently funded project for the Cumberlands, TWRA's efforts to acquire 81,000 acres that would link Frozen Head to Royal Blue WMA, and prospects that the Forest Legacy Program would include a section of the northern Cumberland Plateau.
--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new online resource designed to facilitate and support smart growth--development that serves the economy, community, and the environment. Recent studies have demonstrated that smart-growth development approaches have clear environmental benefits, including improved air and water quality, increased wetlands preservation, more brownfield sites cleaned and reused, less development pressure on farmland and wilderness areas, and clear economic and fiscal benefits for communities as well. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
SAMAB ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COORDINATOR POSITION AVAILABLE--The SAMAB Foundation seeks a dynamic individual to coordinate community, university, and agency staff in monitoring changing conditions in the southern Appalachian region. Applicant must have demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate activities of diverse groups of people and experience at building and working in partnerships. Applicant should have some knowledge of the science behind environmental monitoring as well as information-management/communication skills for organizing and disseminating information collected. Bachelors degree or higher, and willingness to travel regularly within the region are expected. See more detailed position description and application procedures at http://samab.org or call 865-974-4583.
NEPA/Environmental Coordination Items:
--US Army Corps of Engineers:
--USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service:
A Record of Decision has been completed for the Upper Tygart Valley River Watershed project in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties, West Virginia. Copies may be obtained from William J. Hartman, 75 High Street, Room 301, Morgantown, WV 26508; telephone 304-284-7545.
--Department of Energy:
DOE proposes to demonstrate the commercial viability of the fixed bed British Gas Lurgi process and the operation of a high temperature molten carbonate fuel cell using synthesis gas at Trapp, Kentucky, adjacent to the Cumberland Mountains. A Draft EIS has been released on the Kentucky Pioneer Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Demonstration Project. Information from Roy Spears at rspear@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-5460.
EPA/TDEC:
A FONSI amendment was completed for the facilities plan of the City of Loudon, Tennessee to extend sewer service to new locations in the Matlock Bend area west of town. Information from Sam Gaddipati at (615) 532-0445.
--USDI/Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement:
An EA was completed and permit issued for the application of S&H Mining for a surface coal mine near Briceville, Tennessee, in the New River watershed. Information from Douglas Siddell at 865-545-4103x173.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAMAB ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE OVER--190 registered participants--federal and state agency staff, watershed and other community groups, university faculty and students, and interested citizens of the southern Appalachians--exchanged ideas about stewardship in the southern Appalachians in Gatlinburg November 6-8. The 80+ oral and poster presentations were kicked off by Mike Tollefson, Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park who opened the meeting, and Denny Fenn, USGS Assistant Director for Biology, who provided the keynote address. Sessions included regional assessments, sustainable communities, cultural and historic resources, management-needs-based research, citizen science/monitoring, invasive exotic plants, watersheds, information resources, and environmental streamlining. Program and Abstracts are available at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COOPERATIVE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEET--In meetings before the Fall Conference on November 5, SAMAB leaders assessed progress and looked forward. The Foundation Board welcomed new members Danny Sells, Bob Williams, Michael Clark, and Kevin Johns, and reviewed development progress, the Appalachian stewardship/National Forest Foundation Grant, and strategic directions. Cooperative members surveyed agency activities, reviewed committee and project progress, and discussed steps toward new activities and the Spring Planning Meeting.
USGS APPALACHIAN INTEGRATED-SCIENCE WEBSITE--The new website http://www.appalachianregionscience.usgs.gov/appal/ contains a report and abstracts from the USGS Appalachian science planning meeting held October 22-26 in Gatlinburg.
NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT DATA BASE AVAILABLE--This database currently lists 857 commercial and non-commercial non-timber forest product species and is intended to help in the identification, development and conservation of NTFP species in your region. You can search by scientific name, common names, product use, parts used, state range and distribution, and whether or not it is known to be commercially harvested. In addition to the Product Database the U.S. NTFP Website has a searchable bibliographic database and Internet links database. The U.S. NTFP Website is a free service hosted by the Institute for Culture and Ecology. http://ifcae.org/ntfp/
867 ECOREGIONS--A NEW MAP OF LIFE ON EARTH--Beautiful photos, regional descriptions, and maps are the result of an 8-year effort by the World Wildlife Fund, David M. Olson, Eric Dinerstein, and numerous other scientists. It's reported about in the current issue of BioScience http://www.wwfus.org/ecoregions/bioscience.pdf. See it all at http://www.wwfus.org/ecoregions/index.htm for the 867 ecoregions; http://www.wwfus.org/ecoregions/ecoregions_map.htm to go directly to the map; http://www.nationalgeographic.http://com/wildworld/terrestrial.html for a version for students. [Ed. note -- there still seem to be some bugs in the web-based implementation, but looks promising.]
FALL 2001 SOUTHERN RESEARCH STATION PUBS LIST--The new Southern Research Station (USDA Forest Service) catalog of recent publications covers a broad range of natural resource research. http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/pubs/2001-11_publications.htm.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM--EPA Region 4 Office of Environmental Justice will assist community-based/grassroots organizations and tribal governments working on local solutions to local environmental problems with grants of $15,000 for non Superfund projects and $20,000 for Superfund projects. (Region 4 grants include the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.) Applications are due February 21, 2002. See http://www.epa.gov/oeca/main/ej or email: love.gloria@epa.gov
NEPA/ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATION ITEMS:
--US Army Corps of Engineers:
A Draft EIS has been released on the Marlinton Local Flood Protection Project, Pocahontas, West Virginia. A copy can be viewed at www.lrh.usace.army.mil/pd/MarlintonLPP/ or obtained from stephen.m.worley@usace.army.mil
--Public Notices (http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/cof/Pnlist.htm):
--USDA-Rural Utilities Service:
An EA is being prepared for financing assistance to Georgia Transmission Corporation for the construction of 55 miles of transmission line in Heard, Carroll, and Douglas Counties, Georgia. For more information contact bquigel@rus.usda.gov or 202-720-0468
--Department of Energy:
UPCOMING EVENTS
USGS PLANS APPALACHIAN INTEGRATED-SCIENCE INITIATIVE--About 100 USGS scientists met October 22-26 in Gatlinburg to share their research and identify opportunities for interdisciplinary, integrated research addressing issues confronting the Appalachian region. The draft research plan resulting from the meeting will soon be posted on an AppalachianScience Web site for broad review and input. A "partners'" meeting will be scheduled in the spring in which other agencies and organizations will be invited to participate in further planning and eventual implementation of the initiative.
AGENCIES DISCUSS COMMON INTERESTS IN MONITORING ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES--The Forest Service hosted a teleconference on October 30 of agency managers and scientists to discuss existing monitoring programs, monitoring needs, and opportunities for cooperation in region-wide monitoring of species and habitat requirements. The group will continue discussions around four themes--species distribution/status, habitat mapping, research priorities, and long-term monitoring.
ATTEND THE SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE (November 6-8, 2001)--Program and Abstracts, an overview agenda, and registration form are available at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html. The conference focuses on opportunities for stewardship in the southern Appalachians. Denny Fenn, USGS Assistant Director for Biology will give the keynote address. Sessions include regional assessments, sustainable communities, cultural and historic resources, management-needs-based research, citizen science/monitoring, invasive exotic plants, watersheds, information resources, and environmental streamlining.
"CLEAR THE AIR" ACID RAIN REPORT RELEASED--This recent NGO acid rain report is summarized at http://cta.policy.net and the full report can be found at http://cta.policy.net/relatives/18480.pdf
PART-TIME POSITION, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GREENWAYS, TRAILS, AND PARKS TASK FORCE--Nine Counties, One Vision, Knoxville, Tennessee. Contact Bucky Smith, Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, 1600 Breda Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37918 for position description and application procedures.
NEPA/Environmental Coordination Items:
--Forest Service Projects:
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAMAB FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT FROM NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION--This $100,000 cost-share grant for Monitoring and Assessment of the Appalachian Trail Environment will be used to develop a scientifically based, regional approach for stewardship of natural and cultural resources in the Appalachian region, focusing on lands and gateway communities near the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the national forests and park areas through which the Appalachian Trail passes. See next item.
APPALACHIAN REGION MONITORING PROJECT PLANS PROGRESS--Twenty SAMAB, Appalachian Trail Conference, National Park Service, and Forest Service representatives met October 11-12 in Harpers Ferry WV to continue planning for the AT-region monitoring project. Volunteer/community interests, agency resource management needs, education/outreach opportunities, and funding will shape what will be monitored, where, and by whom. Indicators and areas to be monitored likely would include conditions in the trail corridor as well as on nearby lands that help define the Appalachian experience. Participants endorsed a Southern Appalachian prototype (pilot project) that could involve one or more segments of the AT including a number of trail clubs, agency land-owners, and nearby gateway communities. Additional planning meetings will engage more partners and identify specific activities to get underway in the next year.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE (November 6-8, 2001)--An agenda and registration form are available at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html. The conference focuses on opportunities for stewardship in the southern Appalachians.
Cultural resources activities and perspectives are highlighted in a Wednesday Nov 7 concurrent session. Historic and cultural resource specialists will address the ethnohistory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and American Indian perspectives on forest product gathering and availability. Other presentations focus on cooperative efforts to preserve and manage the region's historic resources at three different North Carolina sites.
Activities aimed at helping Southern Appalachian communities achieve sustainability are featured in a Thursday Nov 8 symposium. These activities range from building community leadership and understanding of resource management activities to managing community growth to private and community resource management programs.
Research into critical regional issues--air quality, forest pests, and effects of land use and forest fragmentation on salamanders, endemic fishes, and macroinvertebrates--and the resource management implications of this research are the focus of another Thursday morning session. The goal is to further communication between scientists and resource managers to improve regional resource management.
Other panels and symposia on citizen science/monitoring, invasive exotic plants, watersheds, information resources, and environmental streamlining have been featured in earlier newsbriefs. For more information see the SAMAB website at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html.
NATIVE GRASS RESTORATION WEBSITE--A website on native grass and wildflower restoration has been established by Kari Cohen, one of SAMAB's 2001 summer interns at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The site documents efforts to restore native grasses and wildflowers to various locations on the Oak Ridge Reservation, including seed mixes, photos, information on species and benefits, and useful links. See http://www.esd.ornl.gov/facilities/nerp/nativegrass.html
NEPA/Environmental Coordination Items--
Section 26a actions:
For more information on the above TVA reviews, contact hmdraper@tva.gov
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SAMAB FOUNDATION LAUNCHES MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN--Join SAMAB in supporting resource sustainability, creating economic and cultural solutions to growing regional demands, and promoting a harmonious relationship with our Southern Appalachian Region. The membership drive will provide unrestriced operating funds for SAMAB and facilitate start-up and funding of programmatic activities. Individuals can find a membership form at http://samab.org or request a brochure from (samab@utk.edu) or 865-974-4583. SAMAB Foundation members receive a discount to the Fall Conference, and can also join when registering for the conference at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html. The Foundation will also solicit corporate members, "angel donors," and other forms of support--email (samab@utk.edu) or call 865-974-4583 to discover more about these opportunities. See http://samab.org for more on SAMAB including our strategic plan, activities, and data and information on the region.
FOUNDATION BOARD LOOKS AGGRESSIVELY FORWARD--At its September 24 meeting in Asheville the SAMAB Foundation reviewed a five-year development plan and fund-raising campaign to support it. The Board of Directors elected three new members, established committees, and took additional steps to develop the organizational capacity to be a more active and effective complement to the SAMAB Cooperative of Federal and state agencies. The Board is seeking additional candidates for Directors as well as candidates for an expanded Board of Advisors. Contact Charlie Van Sickle (chair, Board of Directors) (cvans@prodigy.net), Tom Hatley (chair, nominating committee) (jthatley@home.com), Kevin Johns (chair, Board of Advisors) (kevin.johns@parsons.com), or (samab@utk.edu).
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE (November 6-8, 2001)--An agenda and registration form are available at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html. The conference focuses on opportunities for stewardship in the southern Appalachians. "Opportunities" highlighted at this year's conference include "citizen science" and agency programs to assist with watershed management and restoration.
"Citizen science" represents a fantastic opportunity to meld the worlds of scientific research and public involvement, resulting in a deeper understanding of our natural resources on the part of both groups. A session at the SAMAB Fall Conference (Nov 6-8) explores various aspects of incorporating enthusiastic lay-people as observers, monitors, and recorders of information that may otherwise go uncollected. There are a myriad of ways in which citizen science can and does express itself, ranging from high-school biology classes that test their community's streams for water quality to enabling an amateur entymologist to key-out beetles found in the spruce-fir forests of the Smokies. Citizen science programs provide researchers, natural resource managers, and policy makers a deeper pool of data from which to base their work. For the public, these programs provide an opportunity to experience hands-on science and become involved in their communities in ways that broaden their understanding of human and natural systems. With this understanding, they can more effectively participate in debates over economic-development and natural-resource policy.
If you are part of a watershed group and are wondering where you can find help, attend the Wednesday Nov. 7 session of the SAMAB Fall Conference. This session is designed for watershed group members who want information about programs that might advance their watershed protection activities. Resource managers will also appreciate the overview of stewardship opportunities related to watershed protection. At this session, representatives of several agencies and a non-governmental organization will talk and answer questions about their programs, focusing on opportunities for assistance, partnering, and funding. Representatives of a few watershed organizations will also provide overviews of activities ongoing in their watersheds.
INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS MONITORING--SAMAB hosted a workshop on monitoring invasive exotic plants in the southern Appalachian region September 27 at the North Carolina Arboretum. Twenty-one invasive plant specialists and resource managers from several land management agencies and environmental organizations discussed their ongoing efforts and identified criteria they would apply to a regional monitoring effort. Needs/opportunities identified include attracting the attention of the average citizen to the issue, engaging citizens in the monitoring process, establishing reasons for monitoring and what protocols are needed to address these reasons, developing monitoring protocols and training materials including one or more high-profile "poster plants," and coodinating agency and citizen/private-sector efforts. SAMAB is evaluating opportunities for establishing prototype monitoring efforts in/around gateway communities and along transects/corridors such as the Appalachian Trail, greenways, and other connectors. Follow-on discussions are scheduled at the SAMAB Fall Conference -- register now.
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY SEEKS LANDS PROGRAM DIRECTOR--SAHC, a regional land trust working with individuals and communities to identify and conserve important lands in the Southern Appalachian mountains, is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a full-time Lands Program Director. The Lands Program Director will use voluntary land protection techniques to conserve key sites in the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and raise public awareness of options, methods and incentives for such techniques. For full postion description and to apply (before November 1), contact Carl Silverstein, SAHC Executive Director, sahccarl@ioa.com, (828) 253-0095.
SOQUE RIVER WATERSHED SEEKS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE--The Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) is a community-based, non-profit organization formed approximately three years ago in Habersham County in northern Georgia. Its Mission Statement is "To Work Together With Individuals And Organizations In Habersham County To Maintain And Improve The Soque River, Its Tributaries, And Its Watershed." Because of the organization's growth and the increasing complexity of issues related to maintaining water quality, SRWA's Executive Board has created a Program Executive position which will work under contract with the Board. See http://www.ejobs.org/posts/soque.html for a complete position announcement.
NEPA/environmental coordination items:
NATIVE GARDENS FALL OPEN NURSERY--September 28-October 6. FR&SA 9-4, M-TH 10-5. Native Gardens, 5737 Fisher Lane, Greenback, TN 37742, (865) 856-0220, mclebsch@earthlink.net, http://www.native-gardens.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
EDITORIAL--I would like to thank the number of international colleagues who have communicated their thoughts and condolences about the disaster last week. Some have asked how we are doing. I think CNN and other media have provided a good picture of the range of reactions, at least in this country. Personally my reactions have ranged from awe, to sorrow, to sadness (tears), to anger, to inspiration to do something. I am disturbed by some of the rhetoric about "rooting out evil" and the use of military force to do so. Some sabre rattling and demonstration of "defensive" destructive force regrettably may now be a necessity. However, I hope that that will be balanced by a massive, equally visible, global effort to build, teach, and learn. I hope we will all be inspired to more effectively work in our global network of communities for understanding, communication, tolerance, and stewardship. If we fail to do that, this disaster/wake-up call truly will be an international tragedy...Robb Turner (http://www.earthflag.net/) (http://www.payitforwardfoundation.com/home.html)
FALL CONFERENCE SYMPOSIA PLANNED--The SAMAB Fall Conference agenda includes several issue-specific symposia that will be important steps in coordinating resource management and environmental evaluation in the southern Appalachians. One symposium addresses "exotic invasive plant management issues and actions." The symposium is designed to build understanding of issues across the Federal, state, and local management levels and identify who needs to be involved in the cross-boundary collaborations essential to addressing exotic invasive plant problems. Speakers include representatives of the Federal Interagency Council on the Management of Noxious and Invasive Weeds, the National Invasive Species Council, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and private organizations. Important new developments will be discussed.
"Environmental streamlining" is the focus of a panel discussion that examines trends in environmental impact assessment in the southern Appalachians. Agency environmental review staff, community groups interested in review procedures, and resource managers whose activities are affected by review actions are encouraged to join this panel discussion. "Hot" issues in NEPA to be addressed include tools and techniques of environmental streamlining, agency efforts to improve their environmental review processes, lands planning, and the Federal Highway Administration's "environmental streamlining" initiative, which aims to bring collaboration among resource and permitting agencies and thereby improve the effectiveness of NEPA.
Watch the SAMAB Web site next week for full conference agenda and registration information.
WORKSHOP ON TOOLS FOR COMMUNITY DESIGN AND DECISION MAKING--The U.S. Department of Energy, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the University of Colorado at Denver, and others are sponsoring a meeting on Tools for Community Design and Decision-Making, October 11-13 at the Executive Tower Hotel in downtown Denver. The meeting is for community planners, facilitators, tools developers, foundations, members of civic organizations, and others who have been involved in developing sustainable, healthy communities. Visit http://www.i4sd.org/TCDDM or http://www.tcddm.org for agenda, background, and registration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SEARCH ENGINE--Care2.com has launched an Environmental Search Engine for Neighborhood Eco-Reports. The 'Care2 Get Local' system provides Zip Code based neighborhood reports on over 70 topics, from pollution to hiking trails and organic farms. Visit http://www.Care2.com
NEW FOREST FOUNDATION--Healing Harvest Forest Foundation is established to develop, implement, and support community-based sustainable forestry initiatives through the widespread use of animal-powered extraction of logs and "worst first" selection of individual trees in timber harvesting. Their mission is "to address human needs for forest products while creating a nurturing coexistence between the forest and the human community."
ACID MINE FUNDING--As part of the Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative, funds are available to award cooperative agreements to not-for-profit(501c3) organizations, especially small watershed groups, that undertake local acid mine drainage (AMD) reclamation projects. The maximum award amount for each cooperative agreement will normally be $100,000 in order to assist as many groups as possible to undertake actual construction projects to clean streams impacted by acid mine drainage. Projects in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are eligible for funding. For complete grant guidelines and a list of state contacts, visit http://www.osmre.gov/acsifunding.htm.
EPA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS--This program "supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed decisions that affect environmental quality." Any local education agency (public schools, boards of education, city/county departments), state education or environmental agency, college or university are eligible to apply by NOV 15, 2001. Contact EPA at (202) 260-8619 or online at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed. Region 4 (Southeast Office) contact for the Environmental Education Grants is Ben Blair (404) 562-8321.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS--Southern Region SARE calls for proposals for Sustainable Community Innovation Grants, a pilot grants program jointly administered by Southern Region SARE and the Southern Rural Development Center. These projects will strengthen both agriculture and Southern communities through explicit linkages between sustainable agriculture and community development, and improve understanding of the mutual benefits of such linkages. Applicants may be farmers, ranchers, researchers, community organizations, environmentalists, ag and community development professionals, entrepreneurs, governmental and non-governmental organizations. Projects may be funded up to two years for a project maximum of $10,000 for proposals from individuals or organizations. Due date is November 2, 2001 with awards announced February 4, 2002. The call can be obtained from the Southern SARE web site http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/sare or the Southern Rural Development Center web site at http://www.ext.msstate.edu/srdc. Obtain a mailed copy of the call by phoning (770) 412-4787 or email (ppatton@gaes.griffin.peachnet.edu).
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND PROPOSALS--The USTfields Initiative: Proposal Guidelines for USTfields Pilots (EPA 510-B-01-001). EPA will provide $4 million in financial assistance to clean up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks around the nation. The Agency expects to select up to 40 pilot projects to help states and cities clean up these properties and foster redevelopment by returning them to productive economic and public use. EPA is inviting states, territories and federally-recognized Indian Tribes as well as eligible intertribal consortia to compete for these pilots. Each selected pilot will receive up to $100,000 in Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund monies. The deadline for submitting proposals for the USTfields Pilots is October 22. View or download the request for proposals at http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/ustfield/guidline.pdf. For hard copies, contact (800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190 or fax to (513) 489-8695.
NATIVE GARDENS FALL OPEN NURSERY--September 28- October 6 (except Sunday) FR& SA 9-4, M-TH 10-5. Native Gardens, 5737 Fisher Lane, Greenback, TN 37742, (865) 856-0220,http://www.native-gardens.com
NEPA/environmental coordination items--
NATIONAL BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE BRIEFS DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR--The NBII Coalition briefed Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget; Tom Weimer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science; and Jim Tate, Science Advisor to the Secretary on August 29 and 30 regarding NBII status and plans for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003. Their responses, including questions, were positive and encouraging. Presenters included Robb Turner, SAMAB; Jack Hill, Houston Advanced Research Center; Bonnie Carroll, Information International Associates; Paul Schmidt, USFWS; Bob Worrest, Columbia University; and Kate Kase, USGS.
SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE DEADLINE--The deadline for summary paragraphs/abstracts for presentations, posters, films, sessions, workshops, or other proposed participation has passed. If you have not yet sent in your abstract, please do so before the end of this week, or let us know if you intend to. Theme and hotel information are at http://samab.org/Events/Conf/conf.html. The planning committee is reviewing abstracts and will construct a preliminary conference agenda September 11.
SARIS WATERSHED MAP AND ORGANIZATIONS ON LINE--SAMAB's Watershed Initiative has developed an interactive Web page http://samab.org/saris/watershedorgs/ where you can click on any basin in or near the SAMAB region and get information on the watershed organizations within the basin. Basins are deliniated by 8 digit hydrologic unit codes. There also is a link from each basin to EPA's "Surf your Watershed." This product was developed to increase dialog between and among SAMAB, local watershed organizations, and agencies that can provide assistance in watershed development, restoration, and protection. Please provide feedback on this Web site, including content you would like to see, other organizations that should be listed, or other ideas using the feedback link on the page or email to glryan@usgs.gov.
ALL SAA RASTER DATA NOW AVAILABLE ON WEB--All SAA raster data sets can now be downloaded from http://samab.org/data/SAA_data.html. When datasets from the Southern Appalachian Assessment were first made available on the Internet for downloading, files larger than 70 MB were not included. Increased internet speeds, decreased cost of online storage, and improvements in software translation and compression routines combine to allow the raster datasets to take up less than half the space they would have occupied previously, and take less than half as long to download.
SOUTHERN FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS USER GROUP MEETING--Overviews of the national and southern FIA program directions will be presented and feedback solicited at a FIA user group meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Knoxville on Thursday, September 20 from 8:30am-4:00pm. Contact jperdue@fs.fed.us for agenda and hotel information.
NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION FUNDING-INFO MEETING--The NFWF Southeast Regional Office will convene a meeting in Chattanooga on Wednesday, September 26, from 1:00-3:00pm to explain funding opportunities through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. They will also use this opportunity to learn more about perspectives on conservation in Tennessee. The meeting will be held in the TVA University Facilities on the 5th floor of the Chestnut Tower, 605 Chestnut Street. The Chestnut Tower is on the corner of 6th and Chestnut Streets, and easy to access from Highway 27 and I-24 via I- 75. (Mapquest has excellent directions). There are two parking garages nearby. Visit http://www.nfwf.org for more info on NFWF. If you plan to attend, please respond by email to Joe DeVivo (devivo@nfwf.org) by Monday, September 24.
BUY RECYCLED-CONTENT PRODUCTS--Buying recycled-content products and other environmentally preferable products expands markets for recycled products and reduces pollution and energy consumption associated with virgin materials production. The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive has issued a Model Affirmative Procurement Plan on environmentally preferable purchasing to meet the requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Section 6002, and Executive Order 13101. Under RCRA, federal agencies, as well as state and local agencies and government contractors that use appropriated federal funds, are required to buy EPA-designated recovered/recycled product. Construction related products designated for federal procurement include: building insulation products, carpet, carpet cushion, cement and concrete containing coal fly ash, cement and concrete containing ground granulation blast furnace slag, consolidated and reprocessed latex paint, floor tiles, flowable fill, laminated paperboard, patio blocks, railroad grade crossing surfaces, shower and restroom dividers and partitions, structural fiberboard, park benches and picnic tables, playground equipment, playground surfaces, running tracks, plastic lumber landscaping timbers and posts, lawn and garden edging, food waste compost, and hydraulic mulch. The Affirmative Procurement Plan, including Federal Acquisition Regulation language is available at: http://www.ofee.gov - click under "What's New" on the sidebar.Information on EPA Buy Recycled and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing programs are available at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg; http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/. Contact task_force@ofee.gov for additional information.
NEPA/environmental coordination Items--
COOPERATIVE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AT GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN--The SAMAB Cooperative Executive Committee and representatives of the SAMAB Foundation met August 14 to visit one of their Biosphere Reserve Units, discuss agency activities, and review and plan projects. Hugh Morton, owner of Grandfather Mountain and an accomplished photographer, presented a slide show on the treasures of Grandfather and some of the threats they are facing. Don Duerr of the Forest Service Health Protection Unit in Asheville made a special presentation on damage caused by the southern pine beetle.
NBII OMB BRIEFING--Robb Turner, SAMAB Executive Director and Technical Director of the Southern Appalachian Information Node of the National Biological Information Infrastructure, participated August 15 in a briefing of Office of Management and Budget staff on NBII status and plans for Fiscal Year 2003. The OMB staff reaction was enthusiastic, and they offered encouragement and advice to USGS for positioning NBII for what they anticipate will be a tough '03 budget-review process this Fall. Other presenters included Dr. John Hill, Houston Advanced Research Center; Kate Kase, USGS; Bonnie Carroll, Information International Associates; Paul Schmidt, USFWS; and Dr. Robert Worrest, Columbia University.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL/REGIONAL MONITORING PLAN PROGRESSES--Tom Gilbert, Tom Hatley (both of the SAMAB Foundation), Robb Turner, Pamela Underhill (NPS Appalachian Trail Park Office), Dave Startzell (Appalachian Trail Conference Director), and Christina Auch (Appalachian Trail Conference Director of Development) met in Harpers Ferry August 16 to review progress and plan next steps for the AT monitoring partnership. They reviewed status and funding options for a trail-wide effort and for a Southern Appalachian start-up/pilot effort.
SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PARTICIPATION--Many of you received a postcard announcement of the Fall Conference to be held November 6-8 in Gatlinburg. Those not on our snail-mail list can access the theme and hotel information by clicking on "Events" and then on "SAMAB Conference." Summary paragraphs/abstracts for presentations, posters, films, sessions, workshops, or other proposed participation are due August 31.
EDA PROJECTS FUNDED IN CHEROKEE, NC--EDA has funded a Federal Emergency Management Agency map revision study for Cherokee, NC. EDA also will be funding a continuation of the sewer line funded by other sources which runs from the camp grounds in the northern portion of the reservation and part of the National Park into town. Provisions of the EDA funding require thorough coordination with NPS and regulatory agencies.
HYDROLOGIC FORECASTING IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS--The USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station has initiated a project with UGA Geography professor Tom Mote on hydrologic forecasting in Southern Appalachians as part of the National Fire Plan. This hydrologic forecasting is part of the work of the High Resolution Modeling Consortium that was funded as part of the National Fire Plan. Although the Consortium has a broader scope, one use of this South-wide, high resolution, weather prediction model is to forecast water quantity within watershed basins of the Southern Appalachians. There is a prototype website (www.uga.edu/atsc/shrmc/jdyer.html) for the SHRMC, and a description of the specific project on hydrologic forecasting. If you are interested in hydrological or meteorological projections in the South, you may want to attend a meeting in Athens, GA on 5-6 Sept to discuss the several regional modeling consortia; the agenda will focus on National Fire Plan issues but should be of interest generally to the doers and users of modeling. Encourage your hydrological modellers to attend. Contact: Gary Achtemeier [USDA-FS, SRS, Athens, GA: gachtemeier@fs.fed.us or (706)559-4239] and Al Riebau {USDA-FS, Wash., DC: (703)605-5280].
NEPA/environmental coordination Items--
SAMAB FALL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PARTICIPATION--Many of you received a postcard announcement of the Fall Conference to be held November 6-8 in Gatlinburg. Those not on our snail-mail list can access theme and hotel information by clicking on "Events" and "SAMAB Conference." Summary paragraphs/abstracts for presentations, posters, films, sessions, workshops, or other proposed participation are due August 31.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL FEDERAL LAND MANAGERS MEET--Tom Gilbert participated in the meeting July 12-13 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shephardstown, WV. Tom made the introductory presentation to the session "Resource Management: External Threats, the Insidious Stuff," urging strengthening of the Appalachian Trail Cooperative Management System to deal with the wide variety of threats that originate outside the protected Trail corridor. He discussed partnering with the Conservation Fund's Gateway Community Program as an example. Discussion centered around how the AT Park Office, the Appalachian Trail Conference, and other Cooperative Management System members should develop the capacity to monitor, plan, and manage the AT as part of the larger Appalachian Regional Environment.
ATBI QUARTERLY ON-LINE--See summer issue of the ATBI QUARTERLY online (www.discoverlife.org). After getting on, click on "research" and then "publications." Lots of cool stuff new to the Smokies and to science!
COMMUNICATING SUSTAINABILITY WITH THE PUBLIC--This is an interesting paper describing a process for translating the indicators of regional ecological condition used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency into common language for communication with public and decision-making audiences. View it online (www.consecol.org/Journal/vol5/iss1/art19/index.html).
NGA REPORT SAYS SPRAWL HAS A SOLUTION--See the news-release on the report and link to the report (www.nga.org/nga/newsRoom/1,1169,C_PRESS_RELEASE^D_2342,00.html).
FEDERAL LAND MANAGERS PUBLISH CONSOLIDATED LIST OF AIR QUALITY RELATED VALUES--Common guidance, agreed to by three Federal Agencies for land management, should reduce the uncertainty of applying for air permits. Information in this document is useful for anyone inside and outside government who is interested in evaluating the effects of air pollution on public lands. See the web site for the report (www2.nature.nps.gov/ard/flagfree/index.htm) or call (970) 295-5981.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN SPECIAL ISSUE--In going through my mail, I unwrapped the latest edition of the Wildlife Society Bulletin and started scanning the table of contents. Zounds! There's a special section of this issue (Summer 2001, Volume 29, No. 2) that is devoted to "Conservation of Woody, Early Successional Habitats and Wildlife in the Eastern United States." I recommend it highly to wildlifer and non-wildlifer alike. In particular, Margaret Trani et al. have a nice paper on the "Patterns and trends of early successional forests in the eastern United States." There's another one by William Hunter, Dave Buehler et al. on "Conservation of disturbance dependent birds in eastern North America." And another one about the "Importance of early successional habitats to mammals in eastern forests" by John Litvaitis. Then Frank Thompson and Dick DeGraaf finish up with a paper on "Conservation approaches for woody, early successional communities in the eastern United States." Lots of good information that may help in determining future research needs, to provide background for discussion portions of papers, or for general enlightenment. Check it out!
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE WEB: A NEW TOOL FOR COMMUNITY DEBATES ON LAND USE--See the essay and images on making a town's cultural landscape accessible to citizens, planners, and public officials (classes.yale.edu/amst401a/guilford/index.html).
FOREST INFORMATION UPDATE (FIU)--is a free weekly email newsletter sent to people interested in the inventorying and monitoring of natural resources. FIU is produced by Forest Information Services (home.att.net/~gklund/) and is supported by organizations, agencies and individuals working in the natural resources field. Back issues of FIU may also be found online (www.foresters.org/fiu/index.htm). Currently FIU is sent to about 5,000 email addresses world-wide. To subscribe, contact gklund@att.net.
NPS INVASIVE SPECIES LIST UPDATED--An updated version of invasive species in natural areas now includes over 1,000 species, compiled from a variety of sources (EPPC, state, NPS, etc.) by Jil Swearingen.View it online (www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/a.htm).
NEPA/environmental coordination Items--
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN NBII NODE HOSTS ALL-NODES WORKSHOP IN CHATTANOOGA--The Southern Appalachian Information Node of the National Biological Information Infrastructure hosted the second all-nodes workshop of the NBII in Chattanooga on July 10-12. Chip Groat, Director of the US Geological Survey, presented a keynote address on "breaking away from traditional ways of communicating information to traditional audiences." Geographic and thematic node leaders presented FY01 progress, and working groups addressed technical, science, and organizational issues. Participants were treated to a private evening in the Tennessee Aquarium and a riverboat dinner-cruise into the Tennessee River Gorge (a SAMAB Biosphere Reserve unit) with commentary by Jim Brown, Executive Director of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Key participants in the Southern Appalachian Information Node include SAMAB, University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Chattanooga, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Information International Associates, with a growing list of additional regional participants/contributors. The NBII is a multi-agency, multi-organizational, public-private partnership whose goal is to make information on biological resources more readily available and useable by planners, students, educators, and scientists. See their web site (www.nbii.gov/).
FORESTRY IMAGES.ORG--Over 3,300 images of more than 800 insects, diseases, plants, wildlife, and management practices taken by over 150 photographers are available. Multiple levels of jpeg format images are downloadable and may be copied and used for any non-profit, educational purpose with appropriate credit and copyright notice. Although most images are North American in nature, the system also contains images of organisms that are "Non-U.S. Natives," or are considered to be "U.S. Invasives." The images are in this system to be used. It utilizes a fully searchable, relational database-driven system to track and provide scientific, descriptive and photographic credit information. Several search and browse options are available to help locate images, including: scientific and common names, and "key word" searches of descriptive information about the image. ForestryImages.org is an ongoing project supported by The USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team and Washington Office, Forest Health Protection Staff, look for many images and new features to be added in ensuing months.
NEPA/environmental coordination items--
From April through June 2001, TVA completed the following environmental reviews affecting the southern Appalachians:
Programmatic Reviews:
METADIVERSITY II--Robb Turner, SAMAB Executive Director and NBII Southern Appalachian Information Node Technical Director, attended the June 25-26 conference in Charleston, SC on assessing the information requirements of the biodiversity community. Participants including biodiversity researchers, information and computer scientists, librarians, publishers, and others explored the needs and capabilities of producers, users, and conveyors of biodiversity and ecosystem information. Presentations and workshop recommendations including streaming audio will be available (www.nfais.org)on the web.
AIR QUALITY INCENTIVES RFP--The Southern Appalachian Mountains Initiative (SAMI) seeks assistance in examining incentives to encourage earlier or larger air emission reductions than are likely to occur under existing regulations. The end product of this contract will include a set of proposed incentives for the SAMI Governing Body to consider for the SAMI final report. This project will focus on incentives for companies and organizations in contrast to consumer incentives.
The source sectors to be included in incentive program analysis include: industrial, electric generation, area, off-road, and on-road sources of air emissions. Private sector, public sector and institutional organizations should also be included. Demand management programs directed toward organizations in contrast to individuals should also be considered. The emissions of particular interest are SOx, NOx, fine particles and ammonia. See the SAMI web site for the complete announcement.
BIODIVERSITY AND SPRAWL--The Biodiversity Project just published a message kit focused on communications strategies to connect biodiversity and sprawl. "Getting on Message: Making the Biodiversity-Sprawl Connection" can be found on their website (www.biodiverse.org/mediakit.htm) or email (project@biodiverse.org) to order a copy (at $15 each).
CONFERENCE ON IMPROVING PUBLIC DECISION MAKING THROUGH PARTICIPATION: LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, AND COMMUNITY, Aug 29 and Sept 13--North Carolinians are using "stakeholder processes"--dialogue and consensus building--to understand and address important public issues. These processes can foster citizen participation, generate new perspectives, overcome impasse, reduce hostility, generate hope, and build coalitions. But they are not without their challenges. How well have they worked? This conference is an opportunity to share experiences and improve approaches to collaborative decision-making in the public sector. For registration and more information on the conference, see the website (www.iog.unc.edu/participation).
NEPA NOTICES that may be of interest:
ATTEND SATELLITE DOWNLINK--GATEWAY COMMUNITIES: KEYS TO SUCCESS--SAMAB is sponsoring a session of this nation-wide television workshop on Thursday, June 21 in room 413B of the UT Conference Center Building, 12:30-3:00 pm ET, with local discussion following. This interactive televised workshop has been developed by The Conservation Fund in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. See the web site (distancelearning.fws.gov/gatewaycommunities062101.htm) for more information and additional downlink sites around the country.
BEAUTY, BOUNTY, AND BALANCE--THE TENNESSEE RIVER--TVA and the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments co-sponsored a conference June 14 and 15 in which speakers focused mostly on the "balance" aspect. Topics included challenges to TVA to keep a focus on water as well as electricity and to the people of the Valley to organize to protect the unique capabilities that TVA represents for the region. Speakers and discussion also centered around integrated system management, water-supply policy in the Valley and the Southeast, legal context of water policy, valuation of resources and benefits, the meanings of sustainability and carrying capacity, principles and examples of partnerships for water-resource management, and the need to better communicate and use the vast store of collective knowledge of watershed management that commonly is not put into practice in on-the-ground decision making. Participants departed with new contacts, perspectives, and "to-do" challenge.
STATUS OF PRIVATE FOREST LAND IN THE SOUTHEAST--Lark Hayes, staff attorney with the Southern Environment Law Center and member of the SAMAB Foundation Board, testified June 12 before the Forestry Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee. Read her remarks(agriculture.house.gov/hearings/testimony.htm) concerning the status of private forest land in the Southeast and recommendations on how the reauthorized Farm Bill could address some of the private forest issues in this region.
WHEN YOU COUNT THINGS, YOU CARE FOR THEM; WHEN YOU INCREASE CONNECTIVITY, NEW INTELLIGENCE EMERGES--This article (washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1132-2001May8.html) has inspired many. It nicely describes the vision for the Appalachian Trail/Regional Monitoring Project, citizen science, and SARIS. It describes an evolving new dimension in intelligence, in which potentially all people are connected with internet and wireless technologies, forming local, regional, and global observation and sensor networks. It touches on the developm;ent of a "digital earth": an interconnected, open, interoperable, and dynamic network of digital information about the Earth which will become an evolving knowledge base for our planet.
BILL MOYERS REPORTS: EARTH ON EDGE--This PBS broadcast at 8pm on Tuesday, June 19 (check local listings) will showcase data depicting the scale of human impact on the planet's life-support systems and explore one of the most important questions of the new century: What is happening to Earth's capacity to support nature and civilization? The film brings to life many of the findings in World Resources Institute's report "World Resources 2000-2001: People and Ecosystems: The Fraying Web of Life." The broadcast will be augmented by an extensive educational website (www.pbs.org/earthonedge/) providing in-depth information about ecosystems as well as updates on their status and information about how concerned citizens can take action. In addition, WRI is launching EarthTrends (earthtrends.wri.org), an informational portal to give free, global access to the vast amount of case histories, maps, and other scientific information from "World Resources 2000-2001."
ROLLING BLACKOUT JUNE 21--You may know of many ways to express your views on energy policy and conservation of resources, but this may be interesting. A widely circulated email states "In protest of ... energy policies and lack of emphasis on efficiency, conservation and alternative fuels, there will be a voluntary rolling blackout on the first day of Summer, June 21 at 7 pm - 10 pm in any time zone (this will roll it across the planet). It's a simple protest and a symbolic act. Turn out your lights from 7 pm-10 pm (your local time) on June 21. Unplug whatever you can unplug in your house... Let your government representatives know we want global education, participation and funding in conservation, efficiency and alternative energy efforts--and an end to over exploitation and misuse of the Earth's resources." FYI.
THE SAMI 2001 INTERIM REPORT on regional air quality is now available in PDF format on the SAMI website. SAMI also has plenty of hard-copy reports available. E-mail SAMI or call 828-251-6000.
CURRENT AND EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION ISSUES IN TENNESSEE--See the newly revised web site (www.state.tn.us/environment/epo/hotlist.htm) of "hotlist" issues. E-mail comments and suggestions to the Hot List editor, Melanie Catania(mcatania@mail.state.tn.us) or call (615) 253-4069.
NEPA NOTICES that may be of interest:
COORDINATING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT--John Ogden of the Economic Development Administration regional office in Atlanta met May 22 at the SAMAB office in Knoxville with Harold Draper, chair of the Environmental Coordinating Committee, and others interested in exploring ways SAMAB Cooperative agencies could assist EDA in assessing impacts, and especially, cumulative impacts of the hundreds of projects that EDA funds in the region each year. The group also discussed inter-agency opportunities for working with gateway communities in monitoring environmental change and promoting sustainable development in the Appalachian environment.
GOVERNORS' AIR SUMMIT--The governors of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia signed a set of "Southern Air Principles" that reinforces their commitment to finding effective, multi-pollutant, regional approaches to protecting and improving air quality in the Southern Appalachians. At the June 1 meeting in Gatlinburg about 200 people heard the governors, Congressman Joe Barton, TVA Director Skila Harris, ORNL Director Bill Madia, and numerous others discuss regional energy, transportation, and air-quality challenges.
SAMAB/JIEE INTERNS COMMENCE 10-WEEK SUMMER STUDIES--Ten student interns began work June 4 studying environmental decision making in the East Tennessee/Southern Appalachian region. They heard orientation presentations by Robb Turner, SAMAB Director; John Sheffield, JIEE Director; Milton Russell, JIEE Senior Fellow and former SAMAB Foundation President; John Evans, Knox County Solid Waste Administrator; and Randy Brown, Foothills Conservancy Executive Director. Interns are assigned with host/mentors at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park, City of Knoxville Stormwater Division, Ijams Nature Center, Alcoa Corporation, Bechtel-Jacobs Corporation, National Park Service Southern Appalachian Field Office, TVA, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, and Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Rotating weekly seminars will provide an overview of decision making in this diverse public-private array of organizations.
TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP--Robb Turner and Don Elam of SAMAB attended a June 5 JIEE seminar on technology and entrepreneurship featuring Dr. David Bodde of the University of Missouri speaking on change and entrepreneurial opportunity. The seminar engaged participants from engineering, law, business, research, and new-business incubators in discussion of opportunities and challenges in promoting entrepreneurial behavior.
WATCH AS THE POLLUTED WORLD TURNS--NASA's Terra satellite (www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/580600.asp) provides the most complete view ever assembled of the flow of global air pollution.
LEARN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION--Check the web site (www.mosaic-net-intl.ca), or e-mail: workshop@mosaic-net-intl.ca
SAMAB HELD ITS ANNUAL SPRING PLANNING MEETING on May 2-3 in Asheville. Participants reviewed regional issues that agencies and partners can tackle better by working together, some of which included relationships between forest health and invasive species, improving science-based management, and improving the availability of biological and other information to planners and decision makers. Current and future participants in SAMAB projects including sustainable communities, watersheds, invasive species, SA Regional Information System, and Appalachian environmental monitoring discussed the activities they would pursue in the next year or two. A large contingent of cultural-resource specialists also developed several project ideas. A USFS-sponsored, multi-agency meeting preceeding the Spring Planning Meeting explored agency involvement in and need for inventory and monitoring of sensitive and indicator species, as well as a potential role for SAMAB in coordinating agency activities in this area.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN--Tommy Gilbert and Robb Turner attended a National Park Service scoping meeting May 14-15 in Shepherdstown, WV for a resource management plan to be prepared for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This plan represents a fantastic challenge for management by the public-private Cooperative-Management Program. Ownership of the 2167-mile trail is split among multiple regions and units of the Forest Service, Park Service, state agencies, and private trusts, each with their own, sometimes conflicting, policies on planning, management, and decision-making. The partner organizations' information systems are stand-alone and communications among them have much room for improvement. Development of this plan and successful use, protection, and restoration of the trail's natural, historic, and cultural resources are dependent on innovative means of communication, inter-organizational understanding, and cooperation. The foundation is being laid for a model resource management plan, inventory and monitoring program, and information system for the Appalachian Trail and the Appalachian region through which it passes.
LITTLE TENNESSEE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION MEETS WITH ADVISORY BOARD--Robb Turner and others on the LTWA advisory board provided feedback on LTWA actvities of the past year. Paul Carlson (Little Tennessee Land Trust) presented progress toward local and regional visions for the 4600-acre Needmore Tract; Robert Wiley (representing Army Corps of Engineers), Jim Vose (Forest Service Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory), and Doug Johnson (Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District) outlined progress and plans for riparian restoration and research along Little T waterways; George Sweet (retired Nantahala/Duke Power) discussed the newly formed Macon County Watershed Council; and James Johnston (LTWA Executive Director) summarized other news and accomplishments. This is a watershed association working well with local folks on the ground (and in the water)--worth emulating!
ONE-DAY SESSION ON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE SMOKIES--An introducion to the park's divisions, key programs, and people; begins 8:00 am, June 12 at the Twin Creeks Pavilion. Presentations include: the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, the experimental elk release, fire management, bear and hog control, archeology, cultural resource projects, brook trout habitat restoration, aquatic entomology, threatened endangered and sensitive species, forest ecology, air quality, exotic vegetation, the park's GIS system, and integrating science and education at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. While the primary audience is incoming seasonal employees, the park encourages others to come learn more about what they do. Contact Larry Hartmann (larry_hartmann@nps.gov, 865-436-1245) for more information.
DISTANCE LEARNING - INTRODUCTION TO GATEWAY COMMUNITIES--June 21, 2001, 12:30 - 3:00 pm ET. This interactive televised workshop has been developed by The Conservation Fund in partnership with FWS and is offered through the Conservation Leadership Network. Register online (distancelearning.fws.gov/gatewaycommunities062101.htm), or contact Anne Desmarais (adesmarais@conservationfund.org) for more information.
FORECASTING PRINCIPLES AND NEW BOOK--Visit the Forecasting Principles web site (forecastingprinciples.com) for decision tools and a new book that may be useful to you.
WORTH READING--FICTIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN CULTURE--Check out Barbara Kingsolver's "Prodigal Summer" (2000, Harpercollins); a story (actually 3 stories) of a wildlife biologist/forest ranger living high in the wilderness, a city-girl entomologist widowed and learning to farm, and a feuding organic farmer and chestnut tree breeder -- beautiful writing and rare mix of science, rural culture, and human feelings.
HEALING ROOTS AND HERBS OF THE APPALACHIAN WOODLANDS--Ila Hatter, Naturalist, Teacher, Storyteller, and Wildcrafter, will present a unique slide "hike" identifying native plants used as medicine and food by people of Appalachia. Besides Homeopathic remedies, 25% of prescription medicines still come from native plants gathered by today's "wildcrafters" and botanical farms. This presentation features Cherokee folklore and other stories on how to use the medicine in plants that most people would call "weeds," rules for responsible foraging, and information about wild simulated cultivation as a means of preserving native species and as a possible economic boost for the region. May 22, 7-8:30 pm, Community Services Building, Sylva NC. Tuckasegee Community Alliance and Yellow Creek Botanical Institue. 828-479-4733 for more information.
NEPA NOTICES that may be of interest--
EARTH DAY AT ZOO ATLANTA--Jon Loney (SAMAB Cooperative Chair) and Robb Turner (SAMAB Executive Director) attended the interagency Earth Day event and "VIP Breakfast" at Zoo Atlanta on April 27. The breakfast, hosted by the Southeast Natural Resource Leaders Group (SENRLG), provided opportunity to discuss areas of common interest with a number of SENRLG leaders and agency staff. Briane Adams (USGS), Cory Berish and Cindy Nolan (EPA), and John Yancy (NPS) are among those who provide liaison between SAMAB and SENRLG.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS AND TRENDS IN THE SOUTHEAST 2000--A 76-page, well-illustrated, broad-brush assessment by SENRLG agencies of economic and natural resources in the Southeast. Request your copy by e-mail from Bob Cooper (cooper.robert@epa.gov), or call him at 404-562-8281.
MAIN STREET MATTERS--Attend a meeting on downtown revitalization May 23 in Greeneville TN, hosted by the Appalachian RC&D Council. Contact Roy Settle by e-mail (anetrcd@preferred.com)or call him at 423-854-9621 for agenda and registration form.
EDITOR SOUGHT FOR JOURNAL OF APPALACHIAN STUDIES--The Appalachian Studies Association seeks applications/nominations for person to oversee substantive development of, and the review process for, articles, essays, and reviews to be published in the journal. Contact Gordon McKinney, Appalachian Center, CPO 2166, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404 for full position description and application requirements.
NEPA NOTICES that may be of interest:
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SPRING MEETING PRELIMINARY AGENDA ON-LINE--See http://samab.org for preliminary meeting agenda and related information. Make plans to attend the May 2-3 meeting at the North Carolina Arboretum now! See instructions for hotel reservations below.
SAMAB MARCH NEWSLETTER ON-LINE--The SAMAB March Newsletter is in snail mail. If you have not yet received it, or are not on the snail-mail list, you can view it on the SAMAB home page. Press the Read the Newsletter button!
CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE REVIEWS PRIORITIES--The revitalized SAMAB Cultural Resources Committee met April 11 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The group reviewed its history and mandate, and discussed opportunities for collaboration with the Appalachian region/Trail monitoring project, landscaping with native plants adjacent to natural areas, assessing relationships between Native Americans and land-management agencies, investigating relationships between ancient climates and human settlement patterns in the region, and updating the SAMAB Web page and traveling display to highlight cultural and historic perspectives. The Committee will continue the discussions and invite broad-based input and comment at the Spring Planning Meeting.
SAMAB LEADERS MEET WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION--Jon Loney (SAMAB Cooperative Chair), Tommy Gilbert (Appalachian region/Trail Monitoring Project lead), and Robb Turner (Executive Director) met on April 14 in Atlanta with EDA regional staff Philip Paradice, John Ogden, and Tonia Reed. The group discussed EDA participation in the SAMAB Cooperative, EDA goals for environmentally sound economic development, and opportunities for EDA funding of regional and local projects in the SAMAB region.
CLEAN AIR CAR FAIRS--Cars that get 50 to 70 miles per gallon and produce very little pollution will be on display at Clean Air Car Fairs to be held from noon to 7pm on April 25 at the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville, NC and on April 26 at the Asheville Civic Center. The Fairs will inform the public on the links among air quality issues, automobile use, ecological effects, and human health. Vehicles on display at the Fairs will include electric cars and trucks, gas/electric hybrids, compressed natural gas vehicles, ethanol fueled cars, low emission vehicles, and other specialty vehicles. Sponsors include Carolina Power & Light, Volvo Construction Equipment, BP-Amoco, Friends of the Smokies, Clean Air Campaign, Waste Reduction Partners, Environmental