Consolidated Transportation and Sprawl Crisis Calendar
September, 1998
** Asterisks highlight critical events where large public turnout is needed. Please take special note of those opportunities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Regional II. Inter County Connector III. MD Transportation / Land Use IV. Howard County V. 301 / Waldorf Bypass VI. Chapman Forest VII. Smoot Cove / National Harbor VIII. Restore The Core (DC Issues) IX. Western Bypass X. Wilson Bridge / Beltway MIS XI. Loudoun County XII. Prince William County XIII. Fredericksburg Outer Connector XIV. Elsewhere in the Region XV. Conferences And Other...
I. Regional (MD, VA, DC) Contact Stewart Schwartz or Debby Sugarman of the Coalition for Smarter Growth at 202-588-5570, 703-683-5704, or stopsprawl@aol.com The Board of Trade continues to push on several fronts for unaccountable authorities and higher taxes just to build more highways. Their efforts include the Robb/Moran Bill for a regional transportation authority, a separate panel to be appointed by Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, and an obscure ballot referendum in Virginia which would create unaccountable regional authorities to raise taxes and issue bonds. The Board of Trade efforts are an affront to the democratic process. They are intended to end- run the community consensus reached in the Council of Government's visioning process. Many of our elected officials seem to be willing participants in this effort to ignore public opinion. Action: Contact your local, state and federal elected representatives. Tell them that you support comprehensive regional reforms as agreed to in the citizen's "Getting There" visioning process and not the Council of Government's new "spiderweb" of new highways!. Remind them of the Coalition for Smarter Growth's main points: 1) Fix it first: Spend $ on fixing roads, bridges, intersections and for maintenance and service improvements for bus and Metrorail. 2) Provide real choices in transportation: expand bus and rail networks and service, and build walkable and bikeable communities. 3) Protect existing communities and stop subsidizing new development: revitalize communities in the inner suburbs and the District of Columbia and use transit- oriented development to concentrate jobs, residences, and services 4) Establish Greenbelts to protect our parks, our air and water, our farmland, and our history. For a list of elected representatives in the region, contact the Coalition for Smarter Growth. For more information on the Council of Government's vision plan, call 202-962-3200 or see http://www.mwcog.org/trans/vision1.html. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ II. Inter County Connector Contact Greg Smith of the Campaign to Stop the Inter County Connector (C-SICC) at 301-309-2362, or gsmith@essential.org. See also Anacostia/Rock Creek Earth First web site: Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ III. MD transportation / LAND USE issues CONGESTION RELIEF STUDY: Contact Carl Henn of Stop That Infernal Road (STIR) at 301-251-0310 or stoproads@juno.com The SHA is conducting a "congestion relief study" to target a dozen or more intersections in Montgomery and Prince George's County for expansion. The study is based on the faulty premise that if an intersection is congested it should be widened. Demand side measures to reduce traffic are completely overlooked as are land use issues. Most of the widenings outlined in the public information meetings recently completed would make intersections less pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Many citizens are also concerned that certain targeted intersections may represent pre-staging for the ICC, while other very congested intersections are not being addressed. The State Highway Administration intends to make a determination in August about which intersections to widen. Action: Contact Neil Pedersen at the State Highway Administration to broaden the scope of the Congestion Relief Study to include demand side. For specific measure to include, contact Carl Henn. TRANSPORTATION POLICY STUDY: Contact Pam Lindstrom of the Citizens Planning Association at 301-869-7139 or ptlindstro@aol.com Citizens in the Washington area have the chance to assist, and even help shape an ongoing project in Montgomery County that has many of the attributes of the LUTRAQ project in Portland. The Citizens Planning Association is involved in a County long range transportation study called the Transportation Policy study. This study evaluates different combinations of transit, highway options, land use changes, and various pricing incentives. The Citizen's Planning Association will provide an alternative land-use scenario based on LUTRAQ-like principles. Action: Please contact Pam Lindstrom at 301-869-7139 or Debby Sugarman at 202-588-5570 if you are interested in participating or learning more about this project. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IV. HOWARD COUNTY Contact Pete Oswald at 301-725-6156 or oswaldp.hehs@gao.gov Background: In 1992-93, Howard officials rezoned several large properties, including over 800 acres of farm land along the county's southern border, to permit high density "mixed use development" (MXD). The rezonings were opposed by hundreds of County residents, along with Montgomery and Prince Georges Co. officials, in part because they would add several thousand residences to failing local roadways, and along the congested commuting corridor between Columbia and Washington. At the same time, these officials decided against rezoning a 500+ acre tract in North Laurel as MXD. Update: Within the past year, developers submitted preliminary development plans for the two rezoned parcels (Cherry Tree and Fulton / Maple Lawn Farm) in southern Howard County. They also included a plan for the 500+ acre Laurel site that had not been zoned for MXD. Development plans for two projects (Cherry Tree and Laurel) were approved. The Laurel site developers (the Rouse Company) successfully argued that the Zoning Board had made a mistake when it did not rezone the property for MXD in 1993. This argument was vigorously opposed by a southern Howard County land use group comprised of residents from 16 communities and the group is appealing the decision. The development plan for the Fulton / Maple Lawn Farms was temporarily withdrawn after the local community rejected several minor development concessions and a $100,000 offer from the developer. The community expects to oppose this project when it is resubmitted (the developer has said it will be resubmitted with higher densities) in December or January Action: The Southern Howard Co. Land Use Committee is raising money to cover the costs of the appeal and needs financial help as well as help with the fundraising. Contact Greg Fries at 301-220-2220 (w) or Bill Waff at 301-725-1089. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V. 301 CORRIDOR / WALDORF BYPASS (MD) Contact Amy Freise of Citizens Against the Waldorf Bypass (CAWB) at 301-932-7098; or amy@aard-res.com or Millie and Harry Kriemelmeyer at 301-372-8766 or hkriemel@radix.net Summary: The Waldorf Bypass would direct sprawl growth to the rural and agriculture areas of Southern Maryland. Alternatively, the upgrade of US 301 on its existing alignment through Waldorf has been identified by the US 301 Task Force's Environmental Committee as the only way to solve the safety and congestion problems caused by multiple traffic lights and opportunities for left and U turns without irreparable environmentally damage. Unfortunately, the US 301 Task Force denied these recommendations, and voted instead to recommend building the Waldorf Bypass. Overwhelming citizen opposition prompted Governor Glendening to appoint a blue ribbon commission (composed of elected and appointed officials and agency representatives - no citizens) to study implementation of the US 301 Task Force recommendations. Charles County Commissioners appointed a citizen committee to study the upgrade of US 301 through Waldorf. Update: The Charles County Citizens' Advisory Committee (formed to study the upgrade of US 301 through Waldorf on the current alignment as well as eastern and western bypasses of Waldorf) is slowly getting off the ground. The members were briefed superficially on some of the environmental features of Charles County. It is of concern that the information being provided to the members comes only from the SHA. CAWB will be looking from assistance from other Metro groups on the bigger picture so that a more balanced information load can be passed on. Public attendance at the meetings is encouraged and any written comments to the chairmen will be forwarded to all members of the committee. Action: All concerned citizens are encouraged to vote on primary election day, Sept. 15th. The CAWB has prepared a voters' guide to assist in choosing candidates. For a copy, contact Amy Freise (301-932-7098 or amy@aard-res.com). ***Northern Corridor US 301*** Public hearings were held in Bowie and Upper Marlboro on the Draft EIS for the "northern corridor" of 301 from US 50 to Brandywine. Approximately 30 people spoke at the hearings, overwhelmingly in opposition. Copies of the DEIS are available at public libraries throughout Prince Georges' and Charles Counties. The SHA plans to convert this 25 mile stretch of US 301 into a limited-access freeway with interchanges. US EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers are concerned that US 301 has been illegally segmented into several projects. A new citizens group has been formed to address the US 301 "northern corridor". Interested persons should contact Pam Austin at 301-574-3832. Calendar: *** Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting Thurs, Sept. 24th, 6:30-9 PM,TBA. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VI. CHAPMAN FOREST (MD) Contact Bonnie Bick of Friends of Mount Aventine at 301-283-2948, or foma@radix.net or Joy Oakes of Sierra Club at 301-261-2314 (DC line), 410-268-7411, or joy.oakes@sierraclub.org WEB SITE: http://www.radix.net/~foma Summary: Chapman's Landing was to be the largest development project currently proposed in Maryland, transforming the ecologically sensitive riverfront forest into a 2,250-acre city almost as big in area as Annapolis. A GIANT STEP FORWARD... On August 20, Governor Glendening and Legend Properties signed a Letter of Intent, to sign a contract on October 1, and complete a sale by October 31, that would have the following elements: 1) The State is to buy 1850 acres of Chapman Forest for $25.3 million. Fifty acres will be deeded to Charles County, which is to use the land for "economic development." 2) A nationally-recognized conservation organization (understood to be The Conservation Fund ) will have one year to buy the remaining 375 acres. The price will be negotiated by the Conservation Fund and Legend. If the option parcel is not sold in one year, then the developers can attempt to build 800 residences and nearly half a million square feet of business space. 3) The 1850 acres are to be managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - except for 170 acres around the historic house, Mt. Aventine, which the County is to manage. The good news: ** Legend has stopped destructive activities on the site, **The Conservation Fund has given the strongest assurance that it intends to preserve the entire property (the Campaign to Save Chapman Forest believes it can accomplish this), **The constituency for saving Chapman Forest is stronger and more organized than it has ever been. But Chapman Forest is still far from safe: ** Until the money is raised to purchase the option piece, there looms the threat of a large riverfront development that would fracture Chapman Forest and the Potomac corridor. **The Charles County Commissioners have opposed preservation of this land from the beginning. Now there are already signs that they want to misuse it. Commissioners President Murray Levy, who until January of this year recused himself on votes regarding Chapman's Landing because of a conflict of interest arising out of a financial interest has now begun to promote developing the forest as a site for athletic fields. **It is also troubling that the Charles County Commissioners would have any say at all about use of the area around the historic park. They do not have a good record in managing the public heritage. Calendar: Discover Chapman Forest and Celebrate Public Lands Day Sat, Sept. 26, 10-4 Remove invasives to uncover rare natives such as Virginia Day Flower and Chinquapin Oak. Meet at library parking lot at Ruth Swan Park. Bring gloves and bag lunch. Call Marc Imlay at 301-283-0808 Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VII. SMOOT COVE / National Harbor Contact Robert Boone at 301-699-6204, aws3@his.com or Karen Egloff at 301-855-7476 Summary: Smoot Cove is the site of a proposed Disneyesque development by Peterson Companies to be called National Harbor. Most of the waterfront (100 acres already clearcut) will be closed off to the community for a $20 to $40 per day theme park.The project would impose a 6 story, 8000 car parking garage on nearby homes, and would bring 35,000 average daily visitors and 10,500 employees with 59,000 daily car trips to the area on average days. This represents 20 to 25% of future Beltway traffic. In a real sense, the project is forcing a 244 foot monster Wilson bridge onto the historic community of Alexandria. At the same time, the citizens of Prince George's County have no assurance that they will receive the upscale retail that they hope for. Update: On June 2, the Prince George's County Council voted to approve the conceptual site plan with only minor conditions. The focus is now on the National Capital Planning Commission which has initiated a Federal Environmental Impact Statement process. The NCPC has their study on a fast timeline and may have its Draft EIS available for public review in September. A new coalition has formed to save Smoot Cove, restore the Potomac Heritage Trail and riparian buffer along the Potomac River front, and bring quality retail economic development to the beltway parcel along with a metro stop at the site and metro rail line on the new 10 lane Wilson Bridge. Contact Karen Egloff 301-855-7476 for details. Next meeting Tuesday, Sept 29, 7:30 pm, 6907 Oxen Hill Rd. at the JC Community Center. Action: Write letters to local officials, the NCPC and local papers to express outrage and concern over the destruction of the Potomac shoreline and the proposal for a theme park. Letters should ask for restoration of public access, the hiker/biker trail and shoreline tree buffer, better protection of historic resources, water quality, and neighboring communities. Please call 703-683-5704 if you have information or expertise in water quality, historic resources, fisheries, traffic impacts, or light and noise pollution. This information is needed in preparation for comments on the DEIS. Back to Contents ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. RESTORE THE CORE (DC Issues) SHAW CONVENTION CENTER Contact Beth Solomon of the Shaw Coalition at 202-789-7864 or Debby Henrehen at 202-462-2054. Summary: A new convention center that will destroy the historic African- American neighborhood of Shaw, displace residents and businesses, cripple downtown traffic, increase noise and pollution, and raise taxes on all D.C. businesses. Costs for the project are approaching $1 billion. An alternate site at Union Station North, which currently consists of storage lots and abandoned buildings, would cost approx. $270 million less to build, would allow for above ground parking (rather than 5 stories underground), would be walking distance from Amtrak and Greyhound stations, as well as Metro and commuter rail, and would allow for further expansion. (The Mt Vernon site is too small to be expanded -- as is the current convention center). Update: Despite many unanswered questions regarding the actual cost of the project, the legality of some of the imposed taxes which would finance the project, potential dangers to surrounding homes from excavation into a high water table, and empty promises about job training and apprenticeship programs for residents of Shaw, City Council, Financial Control Board, and Congress approved the project. Proponents want to begin breaking ground in October. However, in 1994, a law was passed requiring the Convention Center Authority to give a fixed price for Convention Center construction before any tax could be collected. But $50 million of tax money has already been collected from restaurants, bars, etc., without the fixed price. Concerned citizens and organizations including the Shaw Coalition and the Green Party have hired a lawyer and are preparing to file suit.on the illegal collection of the tax. Action: Donations toward the lawsuit are greatly needed. If we win the case, your money will be refunded! To donate contact Jenefer Ellingston at 202-546-0940. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE THE CORE / FEDERAL JOBS RETENTION: Contact Danilo Pelletiere of the Sierra Club, New Columbia Chapter at 202 543 7791, or dpelleti@gmu.edu. WEB SITE: http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/dc Restore the Core is a long-term volunteer campaign to improve the environmental quality the National Capital Region by encouraging environmental improvement, residential development, and economic investment for existing communities within the District of Columbia and the inner suburbs. Through community outreach, regional coalition building, and an on-going dialogue with regional policy-makers and businesses, the Restore the Core campaign has been able to become proactive in the policy-making process working on issues of neighborhood redevelopment, the location of federal facilities, suburban sprawl, the Anacostia clean-up, and other issues that affect the environmental and economic health of the region. The Legislative committee is working with regional allies to get the House and Senate appropriations committees to designate funding and require the Food and Drug Administration and the General Services Administration to evaluate Metrorail accessible sites for the new FDA Headquarters, currently being proposed for White Oak, MD. Hopefully this will lead to consideration of the SE Federal Center or similar public transit accessible locations in the core, conserving green space in the region and bringing jobs and economic development to brownfields. Action: Ask your organization to sign on to the Restore the Core Campaign's "Federal Facilities Recruitment and Retention Pledge." Encouraging elected officials to keep federal jobs in the District and inner suburbs near Metro is one antidote to federally subsidized sprawl. Contact Larry Bohlen at 202-783-7400 x251 for more information. Calendar: Restore the Core monthly meeting Tues, Sept 8th, 7:00 -9:00 pm Friends of the Earth, 1025 Vermont Ave, NW (McPherson Square Metro) In addition to strategizing about where RtC is and should be going, we will also meet Jim Schulman a Capitol Hill ANC Member who is working with the Ivy City neighborhood and hear about some of the lessons he has learned first hand about community-based economic development. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IX. WESTERN BYPASS (VA) Contact Jolly de Give of the Piedmont Environmental Council at 540-347-2334 WEB SITES: http://www.pec-va.org , http://www.erols.com/card1997, http://www.members.aol/vawtc Summary: The Western Bypass is a 59-mile, 1.5 billion dollar highway proposed for construction west of the Washington suburbs, and as currently planned would connect Rte 7 in Leesburg and I-95 at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) ultimately intends the highway to cross the Potomac River and continue for another 30 miles through Maryland agricultural land to end at I-70 in Mt. Airy, MD. Update: VDOT and the highway lobby were handed a defeat on the Western Transportation Corridor when the federal agencies confirmed what they've been saying and what citizens have been saying for two years: VDOT has not established the purpose and need for the highway and would be violating federal law if it limited its Environmental Impact Study to the one mile corridor. This sends VDOT back to square one!! Action: Provide any data, background information, minutes and other records of the WTC process to Trip Pollard of SELC (804-977-4090). Continue to collect information on historic, environmental, and community impacts of the highway. Calendar: Commonwealth Transportatation Board (CTB) meeting Sept. 16-17 Bristol, VA. The (CTB) is expected to award $8 million in Transportation Enhancement funding for locally sponsored projects throughout Virginia at their next meeting on September 17. Examples of local enhancement projects include pedestrian facilities in Old Town Manassas, streetscaping (including bike lanes and bike racks) in the Town of Haymarket, and restoring the historic Brentsville Courthouse in Prince William County. To support funding for, comment on, or learn about new enhancements, please contact your representatives on the Commonwealth Transportation Board. For more info., contact Allen Muchnick at 703-237-8967. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ X. Beltway MIS / WILSON BRIDGE Wilson Bridge: Contact Judy McVay 703-683-6943, jamcvay@erols.com or Ron Ullrich (703-739-9472) of Coalition for a Sensible Bridge WEB SITE: http://dctoday.jones.com/nonprofit/bridge MD Beltway MIS: Contact Jim Clarke at 301-340-8994 or jim.clarke@sierraclub.org VA Beltway MIS: contact Jim Wamsley at 703-751-6086 or jwams@erols.com Summary: Maryland and Virginia are conducting separate Major Investment Studies which could result in the Virginia section of the Beltway being widened to twelve lanes, with Maryland making transit improvements instead. The Springfield Interchange, required for a wider Beltway, is already under construction, with at least 46 overpasses and a price tag of half a billion dollars. Hundreds of acres, 60 houses and dozens of businesses will be lost. The proposed Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be widened to 244 feet, nearly three times the current width. Advertised as a 12 lane bridge, it would be wide enough for 20 lanes, and would sacrifice a high rise apartment building and garden apartments, displacing 600 residents from affordable housing. It would overwhelm the historic city with traffic, air pollution, and noise. In response, Alexandria City and its citizens have sued the Federal Highway Administration. Other interchanges, like those planned for Route 1 and for Telegraph Road in the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project would consume four times as much area, with overpasses soaring over adjoining neighborhoods and off- ramps extending deeper into communities. Update: The Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth sponsored a meeting with VDOT in which it became apparent that VDOT is fast-tracking its Beltway study. They have not allowed public input into their scoping process, have decided to do the less thorough Environmental Assessment, rather than the Environmental Impact Statement, and have refused to consider a rail alternative. Authorities have segmented their study into four parts: Springfield Interchange, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Virginia Beltway and Maryland Beltway, and are not studying the cumulative impact of the entire project which could cost several billion dollars. VDOT also admitted that the green buffer of trees that protects neighboring communities will be largely destroyed. However, Maryland will study rail alternatives AND will model rail for Virginia (although the Virginia rail study will be outside the EIS process). Engineering studies for 3 interchanges ( MD I-295/MD 210, US 1, and Telegraph Road in VA) are set to begin in fall. Action: Fairfax, Alexandria, Montgomery, and Prince George's residents should help to mobilize neighborhood concern about a 12+ lane Beltway and massive interchanges. Call, write, and visit your local, state, and federal elected officials to register your opposition to a widened Beltway and 12 lane bridge. Urge elected officials to consider alternatives such as fixing existing roads, improving and expanding rail and bus service, prioritizing bike and pedestrian pathways, and enacting land use policies that stop sprawl and preserve existing communities. Calendar: Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth Thurs, Oct. 8, 7:30 Meeting with County civic associations to discuss Beltway widening. Contact Roger Diedrich at (703) 352-2410, or roger.diedrich@sfsierra.sierraclub.org Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XI. LOUDOUN COUNTY (VA) Contact Gem Bingol of the Sustainable Loudoun Network / Piedmont Environmental Council at 703-771-1645 or cbingol@juno.com WEB SITE: http://www.pec-va.org DULLES TOLL ROAD PLAN: The Planning Commission takes up review of the Toll Road Plan at its September 15th worksession. The Board of Supervisors is still expected to have its public hearing in October/November. A strong showing of speakers will be needed. The Sustainable Loudoun Network has developed a "Citizens Alternative to the Toll Road Plan" which they are sharing with Supervisors this month. Suggestions focus on a few major changes: 1) Reserve the Dulles to Ashburn corridor for office space only. With existing residential, this creates the desired balance of jobs and houses in the greater Ashburn community. 2) Include a Transition Area with lower density housing to separate Ashburn and Leesburg. 3) The Rt. 28 Tax District, a county priority growth area, should be built out before allowing commercial development to begin in the Toll Road area. Adequate infrastructure should also be already in place. IMPACT FEE TASK FORCE: The citizen task force has completed its work in crafting draft impact fee legislation to be introduced in the '99 General Assembly. Their suggestions now go to the Board of Supervisors for review. While these suggestions would increase revenue, impact fee legislation by itself is not enough to solve the county's growth-related fiscal problems. ONE LOUDOUN CENTER: This is the newest major project to come in with a rezoning request. Located between Route 7 and Ashburn Village across from University Center, the land is currently zoned for industrial and research park which the applicant is requesting be changed to residential, office park and commercial center uses. The applicant is requesting 543 homes to be built in the first phase of the project. Board action on this application will be a litmus test for their resolve on both controlling residential growth and follow their own directive on not allowing residential in keynote employment areas. There is no reason for the Board to have to accept this application with the current residential component. Action: Contact the Loudoun Board of Supervisors and tell them it's important to continue the growth reforms they started in Dulles South as they revise the Toll Road Plan. Encourage them to broaden their scope of revisions to include a review of commercial growth. Also remind them that their resolve to manage growth must not weaken as they consider the One Loudoun Center residential and retail components. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XII. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY: Waterfront Development Plan Contact Jim Waggoner at 703-497-0506, or Alli Alligood at 703-684-5923 Summary: The Prince William County shoreline includes several large and undeveloped parcels, beautiful estuaries where four creeks open to the Potomac, bald eagles, marshes, wetlands and steeply wooded slopes. Much of this is at risk of development. County Executive Bern Ewert wants to turn the entire waterfront into a "destination" and link the developments by a "parkway" along the Potomac shoreline. Enough questions have been raised about the park impacts of the road that the bond issue has been limited to a bridge across Quantico Creek and a road from Quantico through the Cherry Hill Peninsula (site of the proposed Southbridge development -- owned by, Legend Corp.) Update: On Sept. 1, the Board of Supervisors voted to include the Parkway as a separate referendum in the November 1998 election (instead of including it with other transportation issues.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XIII. Fredericksburg Outer Connector Contact Larry Gross at the Coalition for Outer Connector Alternatives (COCA) at 540-786-6843 or coca@pobox.com Summary: The Outer Connector is a proposed beltway around the Fredericksburg area. The Northwest Quadrant is currently the most controversial proposal of the entire connector project, which has ripened for public debate and controversy. The Draft EIS was released and declared deficient on a number of NEPA review grounds by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior and the EPA. Update: On June 9, Federal Highways issued a determination that a Supplemental DEIS will be required for the Outer Connector planned to cross the Rappahannock River near the confluence. This will probably not be completed for another 8 months since they must first survey the land for an endangered plant species. Meanwhile the Fredericksburg Metropolitan Planning Organization will vote on Sept. 9 on whether to build the northwest quadrant first. A delay would allow more time for much needed study on that most impacted quadrant. Action: COCA needs help assembling information to be included in the EIS. Please contact COCA if you have any personal experience or knowledge with recreational sites on the river, civil war sites, endangered/threatened species, historic and natural resources, or ESPECIALLY traffic data/analysis. VDOT information meeting September 16, 7:30 pm North Stafford High School (RT 610 West of I-95). Discuss HOV lanes: Reduce to 2 occupants? Toll road? Extend HOV hours? How to get cars off I-95? One driver - pay fee? Remember the HOV lanes will eventually be extended through Stafford, then across the Rappahannock River. To voice your opinions before meeting, email travesky@aol.com or call 888-395-0095. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XIII. ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION CORRIDOR H HIGHWAY (WV) Contact Bonni McKeown of Corridor H Alternatives (CHA), 304-874-3887, bmckeown@raven-villages.net or Ruth and Hugh Rogers, 304-636-2662. Corridor H, the $1Billion "road to nowhere" across the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, would cut through two national forests, cross 41 streams, and impact two civil war battlefields. The state of Virginia, citing the expense and the opposition of local communities, has refused to build its portion of Corridor H which was to connect to I-81. Corridor H opponents' appeal in federal court to stop the proposed road will be heard in September. The new TEA-21 transportation bills in Congress authorized $2.2 billion for Appalachian highway construction; West Virginia's share is about $330 million over six years, still only enough to build 30% of Corridor H. Not satisfied, Senator Robert C. Byrd is trying to get a $200 appropriation for FY 99 for Appalachian Roads. The Senate passed this, but the House has passed zero additional appropriation. Action: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETS THE WEEK AFTER LABOR DAY. If you live in Rep. Frank Wolf's district, please call his office, 202-225-5136, and ask him to stand firm: ZERO extra funds for Appalachian Corridors. CHARLOTTESVILLE RT. 29 BYPASS (VA) Contact Milt Moore at 804-979-2848, miltmoore@aol.com or George Larie of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Transportation Coalition (CATCO) at 804-971-5714, janetgeo@aol.com. The Charlottesville Route 29 Western Bypass is a 6.2 mile four-lane limited access highway located between the north side of the South Fork of the Rivanna River and the Route 29/250 Bypass. At $30 million per mile, it will be the costliest highway of its type in Virginia. The Metropolitan Planning Organization has blocked funding for the bypass for the last two years and will probably vote in September whether to continue to withhold funds. Back to Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ XIV. CONFERENCES and other... Sierra Club Press Conference Wednesday, September 9th, 9:00 am National Press Club. Release of National Sprawl Report. Contact Glen Besa at 410-268-7411. Regional Congestion Pricing Workshop Wednesday, September 9th Arlington, Virginia. Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration. Contact Tom Keane at 202-336-9242 or Marit Enerson at 612-625-8575. Enabling Transportation Research September 9-10 Sponsored by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to develop ideas and look for opportunities to finance research and development for safety, mobility, economic competitiveness, environmental protection and national security in transportation. The conference takes place in the Cecil & Ida Green Bldg., rm 130, 2001 Wisconsin Ave., Washington. For info, call Tracey Wilson at 202 334-1671. Potomac Conference: Developing Watershed Action Agendas September 8-11 Critically examine human activities that affect water quality on a landscape scale, share experiences and concerns regarding efforts to maintain good water quality, work cooperatively to produce action agendas for restoring the Potomac and other watersheds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nat'l Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Registration is $40 if postmarked by July 15. After that, it's $75. Does not include lodging / food. Call S. Leathery, 301-897-8616 x 211, or email sleathery@fisheries.org *** Virginia Conservation Network Fall Meeting Saturday-Sunday, September 11-13 Strengthen your local environmental and community campaigns, learn new skills, share ideas, and launch local and statewide education campaigns for smarter growth, cleaner air and cleaner water. Friday will be a pre-meeting Land Use seminar with Ed Risse of Synergy Planning. To be held at the Inn at Afton, Waynesboro, VA. For more info. or to register, please call the Virginia Conservation Network at 804-644-0283 or the Piedmont Environmental Council at 540-347-2334 Rail-Volution '98 Saturday-Wednesday, September 12-16 Portland, OR. This innovative conference is intended for those engaged in elevating the livability of communities with transit. The conference will feature workshops, case studies, plenary sessions, and Discovery Symposiums using examples from across the county. Registration fee is $345 after Aug. 21. For info, call 1-800-788-7077 or write to conference organizers at Rt. 2, Box 63B, Selbyville, Delaware 19975, or convene@aol.com Links to the Future Saturday, September 19th, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Department of Natural Resources, Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD. A roundtable to explore sustainable technology, septic systems, land and water. This roundtable will explore ways to use innovative technologies that allow us to have less impact, ways to use the land more efficiently, how to live in each watershed so the creeks and the bay survive. Contact Anne Pearson of The Alliance for Sustainable Communities at 410-990-0108 to register or for more information. Preparing Your Family and Community for Y2K Saturday, September 26th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Something that everyone needs to think about. Co-Sponsored by Citizens for Y2K Recovery & The George Washington University. Held in GW's Lisner Auditorium. Call (508) 842-1739, email Info@CY2KR.com, or see web site: http://www.y2krecovery.com "Working Together to Revitalize the Greater Washington Region" Sept. 28, 7:00 pm A volunteer initiative, sponsored by Renew America to connect people, ideas, issues, and action for improving quality of life in the region. Regional Action Groups are forming. Call 202-721-1545. Transportation Advocates Workshop, Saturday, October 3rd, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Sierra Club Richmond Office. In preparation for the 1999 VA Legislative Assembly Session, the workshop will focus on environmental goals, current laws, VDOT and VDRPT projects, and needed legislation. Our goal is to put together a plan that will assure that the General Assembly hears the citizens environmental voice in transportation planning. A $10 fee includes a light breakfast at 9 AM. and a working lunch. Mail, E-mail or call Jim Wamsley at 309 Yoakum Pkwy #1809, Alexandria, VA 22304, jwams@erols.com, or 703-751-6086 to register. Piedmont Futures: Strategies of Change Monday, Oct. 26th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Leadership and Design for a Sustaining Future, Newcomb Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA A symposium around sustainable planning for Virginia's Piedmont. For info. call 804-924-6454. Sponsored by the Institute for Sustainable Design. Partners for Smart Growth December 15-17 Break the mold, jump the fence, dispel the myth, and join the Smart Growth discussion. Sponsored by the Urban Land Institute, EPA, and the City of Austin. To be held at the Ausin Convention Center in Austin, TX. Call 1-800-321-5011 for information. WRN Forum "Split Rate Tax For DC" Monday, November 9th, 6:30 pm DC can have more affordable housing and promote sustainable economic development without expensive government programs. This forum will explain how much DC has to gain by adopting the split rate tax. Back to Contents Back to Virginians Against Sprawl