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: JANUARY 24, 1997 

CONTACTS:
Rodney Webb (704) 656-2517
Mary Kelly (704) 656-8208
Lou Zeller (704) 656-2773

CAMPERS BRAVE COLD FOR BLUFF MOUNTAIN

Today, defenders of Bluff Mountain began a three-day camp-out on the frigid slopes of the tallest peak in Madison County. Tomorrow, members of the Bluff Mountain Defense Coalition (BMDC) will lead a hike and media tour at Garenflo Gap to view logging roads and forest clearcuts on a portion of Bluff Mountain which the Forest Service previously developed for logging.

Rodney Webb, a Madison County resident with the Native Forest Network, said, "I think if people see the beauty of the undeveloped part of Bluff Mountain and compare it to the logged areas, they will be outraged by the Forest Service's hard-headed determination to cut this mountain."
 
County residents and members of the BMDC pledged a continued and growing campaign to stop the destruction of the crown jewel of Madison County.

"We want people to know that the Bluff Mountain timber sale is far from a done deal," said Mary Kelly, BMDC Chair who will help lead Saturday's hike. "Determined public opposition throughout 1997 can stop the Forest Service's plans for new roads on Bluff."

Opposition to the proposed Bluff Mountain timber sale remains high among local residents, hunters, hikers, business leaders, and many organizations. The camp-out will give participants the chance to enjoy the mountain's winter beauty, to learn about local natural history, and to gain winter camping skills. Campers will also be given an update on the current status of the proposed timber sale.

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Reporters are invited to join a hiking tour of logging roads and clearcuts in Garenflo Gap at 12 noon at the Forest Service gate on Forest Road 3543. The meeting site is located about 20 minutes south of Hot Springs, and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Asheville.

Directions: From Asheville, take highway US 25-70 NW through Marshall to Hot Springs. At Hot Springs bear LEFT at highway NC 209 South and go about 5 miles. Turn RIGHT onto State Road 1173 at green sign for "Bluff." Stay RIGHT at fork; road turns to gravel and becomes Forest Road 3543. Park along road edge at gate (do not block gate).

Bluff Mountain Campaign