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New River Friends (NRF) is a grassroots coalition of people of the New River Valley in West Virginia.
What is our Objective? To ensure development of a New River Parkway that meets all the following criteria:
 | Protect the rights and interests of all the people of the New River Valley |
| Protect and Preserve the environment of the valley |
| Promote responsible economic development of the New River Valley for the benefit of all the people of the valley and West Virginia. |
What is the New River Parkway?The New River Parkway, a government
initiative whic
h
started in the 1980's, was touted as a project to improve a current road and
build a scenic highway from I-64 near Sandstone, West Virginia to Hinton,
WV. In order to suppress opposition, for years
many people were told by planners they would not have to give up their
homes and lives more than necessary to build/improve the road. - then just before announcing the acquisition of
property in 1999, planners changed their story at the last minute and
announced plans to take an unnecessary and much lager right of way involving
many more homes and properties than necessary to build the road for
economic development. In addition, those being dislocated were only being
compensated for the physical value of the land, not the scenic property and
economic development value for which it was supposedly being taken. And the
government proposed to do all this without revising the environmental impact
statement. And much of the money, influence, and decisions for the project
was being driven by entities outside of West Virginia.
Only a dedicated 4.5 year fight by the citizenry prevented the 1999 plan, which took all the land between the road and the river and in some cases could have forced conservation easements on all remaining landowners, from being implemented.
We fought hard for a revised EIS and to protect our homes, dreams, families, and lives. In April 2004 the Record of Decision was issued by the Parkway Authority which revised the scope of the project more in line with its original intent, and to not take more homes and land than necessary for the road.
Is out fight over? Can we let our guard down? NO! We must remain vigilant that the project won't be rescoped. We must continue to defend our rights, homes, and dreams and to hold our government officials accountable. Some things to watch for:
| MORE TRICKS????? New Environmental Impact Statement? - Part of the Environmental Plan to "protect the river" was to NOT put any bridge piers in the river. At a recent NRPA meeting the Federal Highway department was suggesting ANOTHER EIS to allow bridge piers in the river!!!! NO NO NO! We do not want this. We do not want our pristine river damaged further. FURTHER, if they conduct another EIS then not just the design of the bridge will be up for grabs, but entire PARKWAY CONCEPT could be revisited. We could be right back to where we started 7 years ago. No to a new EIS. Write your representatives and the NRPA and say "NO TO A NEW EIS" for the New River Parkway. |
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Parkway Design - the final design for the road is not complete. We remain concerned that the "final design" could be used to drive people unnecessarily from their places in the valley. |
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Land Management System (LMS) - The Land Management System, currently under development, could also have a great negative impact on our lives, future generations, and our ability to rightfully use our land in a reasonable manner. Please help us voice our concerns and support so that the LMS developed is protects our rights, livelihoods, and dreams! We remain greatly concerned about the LMS! Parkway Authority has been seeking selective public input on the LMS. Please contact the New River Parkway Authority and voice your concerns over the LMS. |
Are we against the concept of the New River Parkway? No, but we have great concerns about the Parkway because the stated goal of the National Park Service, a major player in the Parkway, is to remove all people from the "view shed" (view shed means any location can be seen from anywhere on the parkway) whether or not these people are able or willing to go. In addition, the people being displaced are not being compensated for the scenic and physical value of their property, even though the scenic value is why their land is being seized. We are also concerned that the road could be steered to take out additional landowners, unnecessarily.
Who are we? Ordinary citizens, retirees, seniors, farmers, and others people who have worked, saved, and invested in their homes and land, and raised families. We're just ordinary Americans struggling to protect our land from a predatory, unjust, and unnecessary takeover.
Are we anti-business, anti-government, anti-environment, or anti-progress? No, in fact many of the people in our group are flag waving people proud to be Americans and West Virginians, protectors of nature in all its beauty. Hinton and the surrounding areas do need economic development.
Are we using scare tactics? No. This is a real fight for our property rights, our homes, our hopes, our dreams, and our livelihoods. This web site is how it is and who we are. The truth can be scary though.
DON'T LET OUR LITTLE GREEN VALLEY BECOME A BARREN PLAYGROUND FOR TOURISTS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS !
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"If you lead a good life, when you die you'll go to West Virginia" - author unknown. |
Our struggle is not an isolated one. See people all across the country struggling to protect their homes, lives and dreams!
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Last modified: January 01, 2009