PEC would like to bring your attention to the newly submitted Special Use Permit for a 749+ acre rural resort, proposed by Crystallis LLC. Crescere Rural Resort would be located on Route 231 and the Rapidan River in Madison County, just northwest of Montpelier. Read More

I wanted to let you know that earlier this year the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) intervened in the application process for a proposed telecommunications tower (tower) in Madison County. Community Wireless Structures (CWS) documented their intent for a 199-foot tower via public notice in December 2019. The tower would be located at 950 S. Blue Ridge Turnpike in Somerset, just north of the Rapidan River along Route 231. Read More

Madison County declared a local state of emergency on March 13. According to the Madison Department of Planning and Zoning, the March 26 Budget Work Session was conducted via teleconference. The upcoming Planning Commission meeting on April 1 is tentatively scheduled to continue as planned. The status of subsequent county meetings will be determined after the April 1 Planning Commission meeting. Read More

This coming Wednesday, April 3rd at 7pm, the Madison County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will hold a joint public hearing to consider a change to its zoning ordinance. If adopted, the change would allow “rural resorts” as a special use in agriculturally zoned areas. Update: the proposal was tabled at the April 3 meeting and there is time to weigh in prior to May 1, 2019. Read More

On April 16, 2016, Piedmont Environmental Council hosted our fifth annual mountain heritage celebration at Graves Chapel in Graves Mill, Virginia. Nearly 300 attended over the course of the day - visitors learned about the rich culture and traditions of the families that once called these mountains home. Many even walked the trails through Shenandoah National Park to see some of these former home sites in person. It was a wonderful day, filled with music, memories, and a renewed appreciation for the Blue Ridge Mountain heritage. Thank you to all who took part! Event brochure >> Graves Mill historic sites map >> Please consider becoming a PEC member or renewing your membership to help make events like this one possible! Read More

Text from our Dec 2014 Member Newsletter: In partnership with local landowners and Trout Unlimited, PEC recently completed a survey of 124 road crossings along several high quality trout streams that flow out of Shenandoah National Park into the Piedmont region. Madi­son County waterways surveyed in the study were funded by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and include the Conway River, Rose River, Strothers Run, Garth Run, Kinsey Run, Rob­inson River and the Hughes River. Read More

As part of the Commemoration of the Battle of Jack's Shop, Madison High School juniors competed in an essay writing contest, describing Madison County during the Civil War. We would like to congratulate Samantha Camilletti for submitting the winning essay. She was presented with a cash scholarship award donated by Virginia National Bank. You can read her essay below. Read More

On September 21, 1863, the largest Civil War battle in Madison County took place. Known today as “The Battle of Jack’s Shop,” it was one of the largest cavalry engagements of the entire war. Madison County historian Harold Woodward, Jr. often quips that “it was the biggest cavalry battle you’ve never heard of.” To recognize the impact it had on the County and the war, The Piedmont Environmental Council, the Madison County Historical Society and the Madison Chamber of Commerce & Tourism have planned a number of activities at Madison County High School and Hoover Ridge Park. This email alert was sent out on August 29, 2013: Read More