Grant

[DAVE LEVY]

      Bruce, that's great news.  Thanks to you for
assisting Buffie, too.  I was able to get Bruce
Parker, chairman of the Mt. Vernon Group of
Sierra Club, to fax a letter this pm to Buffie for
the support packet.  It read something like this
since I wrote it as you recommended!  You may
recognize some phrases which were lifted from
the other letters we received.

February 2, 2000

Mr. Robert O. Cassada
Programming and Scheduling Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Mr. Cassada:

	The Mt. Vernon Group of the Sierra Club
supports the Eisenhower Avenue Greenway
Project proposed by the City of Alexandria.  As
you know, the Sierra Club is very concerned
about the continuing sprawl in Northern Virginia
and the impacts on the environment and quality
of life resulting from dependence on automobile
transportation.  We support efforts that
enhance the use of the existing transportation
infrastructure such as mass transit, car and
van pools, and bicycle commuting.  The
Eisenhower Valley is an important bicycle route
for both commuting and recreational uses.  
	The Eisenhower Valley multi-use trail
serves as an access to many of the city's parks
and trails as well as, itself, providing a
greenway in this dense urban area.  As a
multi-use trail it provides recreation for all ages
including walkers, hikers, cyclists,  runners, and
skaters.  Another of its functions is as an
integral link for bicycle commuting.  The
Eisenhower Valley is growing as a major,
regional employment center with the addition of
projects such as the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.  Also,  the Wilson Bridge
interchange improvements for bicycle and
pedestrian accommodation will provide
important bicycle transportation linkages for
both Alexandria and Fairfax County.
	The Sierra Club recommends your
approval of this proposal which will provide a
safer trail and will encourage more use of
alternatives to auto travel for shopping, getting
to recreation facilities, and commuting to work.

                      Sincerely,
                /s/ Bruce Parker
                      Chairman