Woman in green takes cause to heart
When 64-year-old Angie Thusius formed the Grandmothers and Friends in Green group, she had a simple goal in mind.
"We're grateful for Ashland's precious clean water, and the precious ecosystem that sustains it," begins Thusius's mission statement. "We wish to celebrate and conserve our watershed, especially the headwaters area."
At issue is the controversy over Mt. Ashland Association plans to expand its ski area into the Middle Branch of the Ashland Creek Eastern Fork headwaters.
The expansion plan approved by the U.S. Forest Service in 2004 including 71 acres of logging, much of it through old-growth timber.
Thusius became involved in the fight after she read a newspaper article in June about proposed clear cutting in the watershed area.
When she was at this year's annual gathering of the Living Earth Circles Grandmothers Council she lobbied for the proactive stance women should take. Along with the help of some friends and "young people," the spin-off Grandmothers and Friends in Green group was born.
"Some people don't realize that [the watershed] is where we get our drinking water," Thusius said. "I know that 8 percent of the community are skiers but all of us benefit from pure drinking water."
To take action, Thusius and company circulated a petition around town. The petition requests that the Mt. Ashland Ski Association allow a full court process to happen including appeals prior to logging.
"We have signatures from all kinds of people," Thusius said. "We have dancers, doctors, ministers, publishers, mothers the list goes on."
The Ashland City Council last week rejected issuing such a statement to the Mt. Ashland Association.
While the proposed expansion has its local detractors, supporters ardently believe the Forest Service's record of decision proved the expansion will not harm the environment.
In a previous lawsuit against Mt. Ashland Association, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Odell, representing the Forest Service, wrote, "People feel expansion is critical to the viability of the ski area. There's limited terrain for most skiers there. Without these new runs, you really don't have any novice skiing."
Odell cited research and experimentation conducted by the Forest Service supporting the expansion and minimizing potential environmental fallout should 'speak for itself in its validity and extensiveness.'
Some, like Thusius, remain unconvinced. In addition to petitioning, the Grandmothers and Friends in Green have hosted events to raise public awareness in issues of water conservation. On July 25 they held an "Honoring Ashland Creek" celebration in Lithia Park with Nancy Bloom, singers from the Rogue Peace Choir and Group Seraphim.
The group supports Vanessa Nowizky's recent performances of her creek singdances in Lithia Park.
All of this is hoped to raise community awareness and concern to the expansion issues at hand.
"I can imagine the city of Ashland being an inspiration to other communities," Thusius said.
For more information on Grandmothers and Friends in Green, e-mail greengf@fastmail.fm
