BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE
PO Box 88 ~ Glendale Springs, North Carolina 28629 ~ Phone (336) 982-2691 ~ Fax (336) 982-2954 ~ Email: BREDL@skybest.com

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 16, 1996 

CONTACT:
Mary Kelly, Rob Kelley (704) 656-8208
Janet Marsh Zeller (910) 982-2691

A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM BLUFF MOUNTAIN

Today at Tanyard Gap near Hot Springs, Madison County residents decorated Bluff Mountain for Christmas and sent a dramatic message of continued opposition to the US Forest Service timber sale. The demonstrators hung wreathes, unfurled ribbons, and displayed a colorful Christmas banner which read: "Peace On Bluff."

The demonstration marked the first anniversary of the citizens' campaign to preserve Bluff. Since the December 8, 1995 announcement by the US Forest Service about road-building and timber-cutting, the federal agency has been besieged with letters of opposition from area merchants, environmental groups, bear hunters, and elected officials.

309 formal comments have been received about the Bluff plan with only 22 in favor.

 "Today we are sending a message of thanks to all those who have helped this year in the campaign to save Bluff Mountain," said Rob Kelly of Shelton Laurel. "1997 will begin renewed efforts to get the Forest Service to make an exception for this exceptional place."
 
With the mountain in the background framing the holiday message, Mary Kelly, chair of the Bluff Mountain Defense Coalition, added simply, "The mountain speaks for itself."

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Bluff Mountain Campaign