FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 20, 1996

CONTACTS:
Lou Zeller (910) 982-2691
Rodney Sutton (704) 649-2484
Mary Kelly (704) 656-8208

GROUPS HANG TOUGH ON BLUFF

Amid growing opposition to the Bluff Mountain timber sale, citizens' groups hailed today's US Forest Service decision as a step toward victory. The groups see Robert Joslin's call for more study of sedimentation, archeology, and financial cost of the proposed road-building and timber-cutting as a vindication of their criticisms of the proposal.

Mary Kelly, a volunteer with the Madison County Forest Watch, looks forward to a lengthy public debate as the US Forest Service issues new reports.  She said,  "They've been trying to fool people about the true cost of this sale--both to the environment and to the taxpayers." 

Rodney Sutton, President of the Madison Environmental Alliance, denounced the US Forest Service for their failure to address the concerns of the citizens of Madison County.  He predicted,  "This decision will unite the individuals and groups opposed to the sale and strengthen our determination to stop the destruction of Bluff Mountain."

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and other groups are hearing from citizens from across the southeast and donations are pouring in to the Bluff Mountain campaign.

On November 26 people will gather at the Hot Springs Community Center to celebrate winning the first battle and to plan the next steps in the campaign.

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Madison Environmental Alliance is a chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

Bluff Mountain Campaign