Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 4, 1993 TAG: 9307070431
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB GOODLATTE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I hiked several miles through that area of Amherst County with people from just about every side of the issue. Like everyone who sees the area, I was awed by its rugged natural beauty.
The Amherst Board of Supervisors, sportsmen, business leaders, hikers and families who simply enjoy looking out their windows and seeing the natural beauty, have made one goal clear - this beautiful area needs to be protected and preserved. From the beginning, accomplishing this goal has been a priority.
I announced recently that I am sponsoring a bill in Congress to designate 7,580 acres of land in Amherst County as the Mt. Pleasant National Scenic Area. This bold step forward will protect the natural beauty for our children and grandchildren and will provide the area with the appropriate level of protection.
Some feel that "wilderness" designation is the way to go, but after careful thought and hearing every side of the issue, I believe that Mt. Pleasant and families of the area are best served by the "scenic" designation.
Wilderness designation would leave this area more vulnerable to severe damage from wildfire, pests like the gypsy moth and southern pine beetle, floods, erosion and pollution.
The maintenance of the Appalachian Trail and other trails in the area, as well as wildlife habitats, would suffer due to the prohibition on the use of power tools in wilderness areas. Many senior citizens and handicapped people would lose their ability to enjoy Mt. Pleasant because no motor vehicles would be allowed on the small, unobtrusive forest-management roads currently in the area.
I talked with a man from Madison Heights during my tour. He told me how he and his son had fished around these parts for years and that creating a wilderness area would make it impossible for people like his son to enjoy the area. His son has an artificial leg.
What I've introduced will address all these and other concerns by allowing the area to be managed locally instead of having bureaucrats from Washington mandate the area's future.
In addition, Mt. Pleasant will be protected from environmental damage. Fish and other wildlife will still flourish and old forest stands within the scenic boundaries will be preserved.
I'm grateful to all concerned citizens who contacted me to provide their opinions. I'm going to work hard to see that the Mt. Pleasant National Scenic Area becomes a reality for the families of the Blue Ridge and Central Virginia to enjoy for years to come.
Bob Goodlatte represents Virginia's 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
by CNB