WVEC Action Alerts
February 15, 2005
Take Action to protect the New River Gorge
from Massive Development
A real estate development firm based in Atlanta, GA, Land Resource Companies (LRC),
is proposing a 2,200-home development along ten miles on the rim of the New
River Gorge in Fayette County. The 4,300-acre property is currently owned
by Rush Creek Land Co. but LRC hopes to complete purchase by the end of
February. Located north and south of the Cunard community, 613 acres of the
proposal actually lies within the boundary of New River Gorge National River,
the remainder is immediately adjacent to the National Park Service (NPS)
boundary, which follows the rim of the Gorge.
The area of proposed development is zoned by Fayette County for "land
conservation." However, LRC filed an application on January 21 requesting that
the area be re-zoned for "planned development." The NPS supports the county
commissioners and zoning board members' continued protection of the area as a
conservation zone, particularly those areas within the park boundary, and that
are along the canyon rim. In fact, the original Environmental Impact Assessment
recommended no development within 500 feet of the rim.
This development could be visible from several popular overlooks on the east
side of the Gorge such as Diamond Point on the Endless Wall and Babcock State
Park. In 1978, Congress charged the NPS with protecting the natural, scenic and
historic values of the New River Gorge. Congress also directed the NPS to work
with local governments to establish zoning laws or ordinances which would assist
in achieving the protection of those values. Fayette County has been a leader
in this arena and a valued partner of the NPS. This is an opportunity for
Fayette County to continue that tradition by maintaining the existing zoning
classification for this area.
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Fayette Co. Planning and Zoning
Commission for February 22 at 3:00 pm in the Fayette County Courthouse, followed
by another public hearing before the Fayette Co. Commission on Friday, February
25 at 9:30 a.m.
TAKE ACTION
1. Attend the public hearing on Feb.22, 2005 at 3:00pm, held by the
Fayette County Planning Commission, in the Fayette County courthouse in downtown
Fayetteville, WV. Persons wishing to speak at the hearing must sign-in before
the hearing starts. The Planning Commission will then forward a recommendation
on the re-zoning request to the Fayette County Commissioners, who will meet at
10:00am on Feb. 25, 2005 in the Fayette County Courthouse to rule on the
re-zoning request.
2. Submit written comments to:
Fayette County Planning Commission
Fayette County Courthouse
PO Box 307
Fayetteville, WV 25840.
3. Send a polite e-mail message to Matthew Wender, Fayette County
Commissioner, expressing how important protecting the New River Gorge is to
you. mwender@cwv.net
4. The NPS would appreciate being copied on any correspondence:
Superintendent, National Park Service
P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, WV 25846
Lorrie_Sprague@nps.gov
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous,
leading to the most amazing view." -- Edward Abbey
Dave Saville
Administrator
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
PO Box 306
Charleston, WV 25321
304-284-9548
www.wvhighlands.orgWVEC Home
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