The New River controversy

This updated edition of the 1979 original covers the landmark struggle to save the New River from damming in the 1970s. The grassroots movement emphasized the river's cultural and historical value rather than narrow environmental issues and became one of the great victories of the environmental movement. This edition also includes a new epilogue examining the current ecological status of the New River and the ongoing impact of the original conservation efforts in the face of new environmental threats.

The 1979 edition won the Weatherford Award presented by Berea College and the Appalachian Studies Association.

• Acknowledgments (1979) p. vii
• Foreword p. 1 Sam J. Ervin Jr. (1979)
• Preface to the New Edition p. 7
• Introduction from the 1979 Edition p. 11
• 1 The River and the Valley: Geology and Prehistory p. 15
• 2 The New River in the Old West: Conflict and Settlement p. 25
• 3 The Lost Provinces p. 43
• 4 "Progress" Comes to the New River: Phase One of the Blue Ridge Project p. 57
• 5 Another Green Light for Blue Ridge p. 67
• 6 The Scenic River Strategy p. 75
• 7 Counterattack in Court p. 85
• 8 The People Unite p. 105
• 9 False Hopes and a New Defeat p. 119
• 10 The New River Like It Is p. 139
• Epilogue from the 1979 Edition p. 171
• Epilogue to the New Edition: The New River Valley Since 1976 p. 175 R. Seth Woodard
• Notes p. 187
• Bibliography p. 191
• Index p. 197