Local Advocates Honored
George Santucci, Executive Director National Committee for New River (NCNR) - Jefferson, NC

PAN Member, National Parks Group and Congressman Recognized for Outstanding Conservation Efforts at New River Gorge

More than one hundred supporters of the National Committee for the New River (NCNR) gathered on Saturday, July 26, to present their annual Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Awards. The awards honor the spirit, dedication, and perseverance that former Winston-Salem Journal publisher and editor Wallace Carroll, and his wife Peggy, brought to the battle to save the New River from a massive dam project in the 1970s. The Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Awards recognize the efforts of individuals and citizen groups whose outstanding dedication and work protects and preserves the New River.

In West Virginia, NCNR recognized Eric Autenreith as a Wallace and Peggy Carroll Volunteer of the Year. Eric serves as the Secretary of the Board of the Plateau Action Network and is a one-man New River advocate and expert. He works tirelessly holding local government accountable for important river-related issues and serves as an important source of information for policy makers, office holders, and land stakeholders in the New River watershed.

Also in West Virginia, the Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Award Advocacy Group of the Year recognized the National Parks Conservation Association. Erin Haddix-St. John accepted the award on behalf of NPCA. She coordinates a quarterly roundtable discussion with New River Gorge stakeholders, serves as a spokesperson for conservation easements, and promotes alternatives to subdivision and development in the New River Gorge National River and surrounding area.

NCNR selected WV Congressman Nick Rahall as Legislator of the Year. Santucci noted, “Congressman Rahall had the vision, more than thirty years ago, to spearhead the creation of the New River Gorge National River. As chairman of the House’s Committee on Natural Resources and WV’s Third District representative, he continues to work for issues vital to the future health of the New River.”

For more information, visit: http://www.ncnr.org/.

OSM/VISTA Recognized
Meredith Gregg Enriches PAN and Fayette County Communities
By, Eric Autenreith

In September, PAN honored Meredith’s two years of amazing service as an OSM/VISTA (Office of Surface Mining/Volunteer in Service to America). She was also awarded a certificate of commendation by the Fayette County Commissioners for her volunteer service to Fayette County and its citizens.
The progress made these past two years would have been impossible without her. Below is an excerpt from Meredith’s final report to OSM and VISTA.

“My overall experience as an OSM/VISTA has been extremely valuable and educational for me. This position gave me an opportunity to help and truly focus in on this organization that I have been involved with over the past decade in one way or another. The biggest challenges I faced were issues of community misperception of our organization. I overcame hurdles with the help of others in and outside the organization. New members to PAN and the community were very important. At the beginning of my 1st term, they were able to see “more” of what PAN could be to the community. They were not present when rifts between PAN active vocal members and local government occurred on local issues of responsible economic development and sustainable environmental management. The most important lessons I learned were that with fresh eyes you can move beyond the past and build a brighter tomorrow.

These new, active members wanted to expand the organization's focus, looking to the local children for making a positive impact on protecting and improving our community’s natural resources. With this kind of focus, I found that funding and partnerships are more forthcoming and available. Starting from the “bottom” up (with kids) seemed less threatening to the membership and community. We began to broaden our appeal to the community.

Overall, the experience filled me with appreciation of the need and effectiveness of steady work in developing good relations and good programs. I have witnessed the community, over time, gaining awareness, interest and a willingness to participate in what we were offering to the community.

I believe all that PAN is doing is important to enhancing the overall quality of life here in the New River Gorge area, educationally and politically. Not every faction of our community sees that, but doors have been, and I believe will continue opening with the programs that are in place, through PAN volunteers and my initiatives.”

The entire OSM/VISTA program has been a benefit to PAN with its vision, education, resources and by setting an amazing example of how to be an effective organization. Our organization and the community have been enriched by the presence of the ACCWT (Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team) staff and OSM/VISTAs that have worked here. Meredith is a past chair of PAN and as an active member has agreed to supervise our new OSM/VISTA. Thank You Meredith!

And Lest We Forget
M Ehrnschwender
We are all winners. Our actions are our beliefs and as such they are noble and though not always appreciated by all in content they are in time appreciate for the simple fact that we pursued our beliefs.

Win or lose, good and bad are not valid measuring vessels. It is the effort of trying to do “the right thing” that matters. It is the act of trying to make a difference that makes the difference.
I would find it hard to say what was the greatest award over the past year. So much to choose from ranging from Watershed of the year to Rachel’s letter.