(the following letter appeared in the Charleston Gazette. The author also requested that it appear in the Highlands Voice)
May 04, 1998
Rick Steelhammer was right on the mark when he suggested that the outcome of Governor Underwood's economic plan would result in a West Virginia that was across between "Ohio and the moon." What future is there if we deplete our natural resources. No, I am not just talking about coal and timber; but how the earth is raped to extract that coal and chop down those trees. We decapitate the mountains, disturb the rock strata, destroy the water tables, decimate the topsoil, and we dump and drain the remains in the valleys to defile the streams. We build roads, ravage the forests, and yet are surprised by floods. Could there be a relationship between deforestation and flooding. Could there be a relationship between strip mining and the absence of hardwood trees on those very same sites?
Could there be a relationship between the passage of the mountain top removal bill and political contributions? [according to the research done by PERC, the answer is clearly "yes!" Ed.] Thank you Ken Hechler for bringing these questions to the attention of not only West Virginians, but also to the national level. I was appalled to read several weeks ago that Underwood was more concerned in protecting the coal industry from environmental regulations than even considering the impact of polluted air and acid rain on all citizens. What kind of scientific evidence does it take to get his attention?
The wildflowers are glorious this spring. Our hills and forests are replete with these wild beauties. My breath has been taken away by the pink and flame azaleas. I have been enchanted by the magic created by pink and yellow ladyslippers, trilliums, blue phlox, jack-in-the-pulpit and the showy orchis -- to name just a few of these natural marvels. We must not destroy our wild wonders. This fragile beauty is our gift.
Mae Ellen Wilson Wildt
Charleston
(Apologies to the writer and to our readship for not getting this letter in the May "Voice")
4-11-98
Dear Conservancy,
Please accept the enclosed check as payment for a years membership in your organization. I was informed by another member that you are trying to raise funds to address the unfortunate situation at the Blackwater Canyon.
I was a resident of West Virginia for a total of 22 years. I have lived out of state for 13 years since and still feel an enormous emotional bond with the landscape of West Virginia. I read recently that tourism has surpassed entertainment as the biggest industry in the U.S. I wonder to myself and others why West Virginia's leaders don't realize the tremendous gift they have before them and preserve it for aesthetic and economic reasons. If my lone opinion is of any help please let the residents of the state know that their native landscape really is unique even though they look at it every day. West Virginia has often been at the bottom of one list or another but will ultimately be the envy of the country if it is left intact.
Good luck with your endeavors.
Perry Kirk
South Bend IN