Inside RLEP, Fall 2006

by Paul Farmer, President

With barely half the year gone, RLEP's accomplishments are already many. Our Biodiversity Task Force put on a peregrine falcon talk, a migratory-bird walk, several wildflower walks, and a butterfly workshop this spring and summer.

The Task Force has also just concluded Rappahannock County's first-ever butterfly survey. Butterflies were identified and counted at several sites across the county. While we see this year's count as more of a training run, we will be using the data here and sharing it with a similar project in Clarke County. Analysis of the results for various habitats over time has the promise of helping to assess the health and diversity of Rappahannock County's flora and fauna. Additional Task Force activities are being planned for the fall.

Our Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo in May was an unqualified success. Hundreds of attendees had the opportunity to educate themselves about practical, cost-effective, renewable-energy resource systems, products, and services from dozens of exhibitors representing cutting-edge technologies. We are currently evaluating whether RLEP should host additional energy expos in future years, and we are looking for additional volunteers with an interest in this activity. If you would like to help, please call Kaye Kohler at 540-675-1373.

RLEP took a position in favor of Cingular's effort to bring more mobile-phone service to Rappahannock County, so long as that service can be provided in an unobtrusive way, with minimal visual impact on the county. We examined the applications in detail and testified during the regulatory process. We believe that Cingular service will benefit Rappahannock citizens, but we want to be sure that the county retains its natural, rural, and agricultural character in accordance with our comprehensive plan.

More good things are headed your way from RLEP this fall. Besides our always-popular annual meeting, we will be sponsoring a showing of the film "An Inconvenient Truth" at The Theatre in Washington.

RLEP also plans to put on a Candidates' Forum, where those running for the Board of Supervisors from Piedmont District (the only BOS race this year) can give their views on county issues in a debate format. This event, historically sponsored by RLEP, is an important one for the county and is always well attended.

RLEP continues to provide our attractive green-and-white "This Land Protected by Conservation Easement" plaques for those who place easements on their property. Contact me if you have land in conservation easement and would like to display this coveted sign. We deliver. You can reach me through mail@RLEP.org. Or see me at the annual meeting.