The goal of this report is to synthesize the existing scientific literature on the effectiveness of riparian buffers to improve water quality through their inherent ability to process and remove excess anthropogenic nitrogen from surface and ground waters. Due to this ability, riparian buffers often are employed as an environmental management tool by resource management agencies. Despite significant research effort toward understanding the ecological functions of riparian buffers, there remains no consensus for what constitutes optimal riparian buffer design or proper buffer width to achieve maximum nitrogen removal effectiveness. This report does not provide a one-size-fits- all recommendation for such a design or width but rather attempts to identify generalizations and trends extracted from published literature that will aid managers in making decisions about establishing, maintaining, or restoring riparian buffers in watersheds of concern. (EPA, 2006)

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org

J Henry Fair has an amazing gallery of coalfield pictures, including Marsh Fork and Kayford Mountin

Appalachian Voices has an MTR photo gallery as well.

The pictures will make you cry, but there is nothing like the real thing.

The Costa Rican payment for ecosystem services program leverages public-private partnerships to protect and restore forest land. In most instances, private water users contribute one-quarter of the total amount paid to landowners with the other three-quarters coming from the Costa Rican National Forestry Fund that acts as an intermediary between the buyers and sellers. The Costa Rican Payment for Ecosystem Services (PSA) program has been in operation for nearly a decade and is primarily motivated by forest conservation efforts. Indeed, the Forestry Law of 1996, on which the national program for the payment of ecosystem services is based, defines these services as “those offered by the forests and forest plantations for the protection and enhancement of the environment.” Through the PSA program, FONAFIFO recognize 4 major types of ecosystem services that are offered by the country ‘ s tropical forests: greenhouse gas mitigation, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of scenic beauty. These four services create a single bundle which reflects the aggregate ecological value of a given forested area.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org

Ed has been telling us from day one, that when he makes it to Sheperdstown he will know in his mind that he will have made it.
Well we are here, and it definitely feels as though we have accomplished something great, just by making it here. Frank Salzano and the Sheperdstown crew have shown us an incredible welcome. From the moment we arrived we have been welcomed with meals, places to stay, and much needed rest and relaxation. Ed has been hitting the street with incredible results for his efforts. Professors have offered their classrooms for Ed to speak in, and donations are rolling in. It seems as though the entire town is behind us, and it feels great. We are way ahead of schedule and we intend to hang out in Sheperdstown until our September 4th town hosted party for Ed. Which of course I will be sharing stories about when we get to the event.
Later Days,
Austin Hall

An exciting new piece in the Charleston-Gazette:
At Marsh Fork Elementary federal inspectors claim to have found both coal dust AAAAANNNNDD… asbestos?

Two parts to this story are telling…

As long as it doesn’t crumble or get into the air, asbestos is not harmful, [ Tony Turner, assistant director of the state’s indoor-air-quality program ] said.

And…

…no asbestos was found in air-quality samples.

So…there is no problem with asbestos at Marsh Fork Elementary.

They DID however, find coal dust:

Based on what we found, somebody may need to go out and do further work, but right now, we are focused on what are the effects of coal dust,” he said.

How about effects like silicosis and black lung disease? Have ya not realzied that yet?

There is a problem with the chemically treated coal dust the children are inhaling on a daily basis.

If they have to blame asbestos to get these kids out from under 2.8 billion gallons of toxic mountaintop removal waste, then that’s fine. But it’s a façade.

Call Governor Manchin and ask him for some truth. Ask him for the truth on why Marsh Fork is a dangerous learning environment for children.

Call Governor Manchin:
1-888-438-2731 or 1-304-558-6000

See if he’ll deny this…

It is now urgent that you contact the Governor.

1-888-438-2731 or 1-304-558-6000

Tell WV Governor Joe Manchin…
… that you stand with Ed Wiley,
…support his walk,
…support the building of a New Marsh Fork Elementary School,
…and that we CAN NOT ALLOW COAL DUST TO POISON THE CHILDREN!

1-888-438-2731 or 1-304-558-6000

Not in West Virginia will we allow coal dust to poison our children
Not in North Carolina will we allow coal dust to poison our children
Not in California will we allow coal dust to poison our children
Not in the United States of America will we allow coal dust to poison our children, or make kids attend schools under faulty sludge impoundments holding 2.8 billion gallons of mountaintop removal waste.

Please take two minutes to tell the governor what you think.

1-888-438-2731 or 1-304-558-6000

Let him know that there is scientific certainty that these children are being poisoned by chemically treated coal dust, and that this shouldn’t go on a day longer!

[Vermont] the science of “ecosystem services” has bloomed. This young discipline studies how nature ”through climate regulation, soil formation, crop pollination, flood protection, and so on” supports human welfare, and estimates its value in economic terms. Now, Costanza and his colleagues at UVM’s Gund Institute for Ecological Economics have launched a project to solve a central problem that this young science faces: creating a fast way for policy-makers to understand the specific ecosystem services in their area ”and the impacts of different land use decisions” whether looking at a local watershed or whole continent. Over the next year, with an $813,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Costanza and his team will create a set of computer models and tools that will give a sophisticated portrait of the ecosystem dynamics and value for any spot on earth.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org

[Georgia] When a non-native plant appears on the scene, resource managers sometimes suggest introducing one of the non-native plant’s non-native predators to control it. New research by John D. Parker of the Georgia Institute of Technology, however, suggests this may not be the wisest course of action. In a review of 63 studies of the effects of native and non-native vertebrate herbivores on exotic plant invasions, Parker and his colleagues discovered that native herbivores are much more likely to suppress exotics, while introduced herbivores may even facilitate exotic plant invasions. Indeed, according to Parker, bringing in exotic predators to control exotic plants may actually facilitate the establishment and spread of even more exotic plants, because exotic predators, too, are interested in fresh fare: they indulge in the novel taste of native plants that have no natural defenses, thus opening habitat for even more exotic opportunists.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org

Jordan’s film-making and Ed’s resolve are only getting stronger!

Judy Bonds says it best over at Pennies of Promise:

I just want to tell you again how much I admire you for standing up against forces that have beaten our people down and poisoned us for over 120 years.

Enough is enough!!!!

I am so very proud to call you a friend.
It is people like you that our children will put on the Wall of Fame.

Way to go Ed!

We’re getting close!

If you can, please contribute to the cause.

Ed is just 120 miles from Washington DC. This is the home stretch.

But he can’t do it without your support. Pledge just .10/mile for this man who has trekked through record-breaking heat, torrential rain, and dangerous roads to spread the message for the children of Marsh Fork Elementary. Please show your support in the home stretch at Pennies of Promise

Make a Secure Donation to Support the Children

HELP ED finish the journey