West Virginia

Access Fund work in West Virginia

Preliminary research and coalition-building to support potential acquisition of Nelson Rocks, WV (2007)
Authored letter of management suggestions on behalf of climbers interest in Coopers Rock National Forest planning document. (2007)
Work with the New River Alliance of Climbers, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the National Park Service regarding viewshed and camping issues at the New River Gorge.. (2006)
Reviewed the New River Gorge National River General Management Plan to ensure that proposed management alternatives do not negatively affect climbing or the climbing resource (2006)
Meetings with the National Park Conservation Association in Washington, DC regarding advocacy efforts to limits the visual impact of two large housing developments at West Virginia's New River Gorge that could forever change the unique viewshed of all that use the New River Gorge including climbers; also at issue at the New River Gorge is an on-going general management plan that could provide much needed camping for climbers. (2006)
Working with members of Coopers Rock Regional Climbers' Coalition on organizational and private land issues (2005)
Monitoring proposal by developer that would impact scenic values at New River Gorge. (2005)
Outreach to the climbing community and submission of Access Fund Environmental Impact Statement and Forest Plan for Monongahela National Forest that could affect the climbing experience throughout the forest. (2005)
Access Fund representation at the Eastern Climbers Rendezvous at the New River Gorge, WV, which included outreach to the climbing community concerning a proposed luxury housing development that would significantly alter the view shed along the rim of the New River Gorge. (2005)
Provided guidance to climbers from: West Virginia to form the Coopers Rock Regional Climbers’ Coalition. (2004)
New River Gorge, WV. Helped to finalize the details of the New River Gorge climbing management plan which eventually became much more climber-friendly than the original NPS proposal that included blanket closures. (2003)
Drafted administrative comments and related advocacy work on management plans for various public land units across the country, including New River Gorge National River (WV) (2003)
New River Gorge, WV. Negotiated with the NPS regarding their proposed closure of The Endless Wall to provide speculative habitat for migrant peregrine falcons. (2002)