VIRGINIA 9TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN RICK BOUCHER HAS ANNOUNCED AN INITIATIVE TO REBUILD THE OBSERVATION TOWER AT HIGH KNOB. ARSONISTS SET FIRE TO THE TOWER ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT. BOUCHER SAID HIS OFFICE WILL ORGANIZE A TASK FORCE TO COORDINATE FUND-RAISING AND PLANNING EFFORST TO REBUILD THE LANDMARK STRUCTURE THAT HAD ONCE GRACED THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE CLINCH RANGER DISTRICT. IN ADDITION, BOUCHER ANNOUNCED PLANS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 24 MILE CHIEF BENGE’S SCOUT TRAIL USING 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS AND TO UTILIZE 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FEDERAL APPROPRIATION TO DEVELOP NEW HORSE RIDING TRAILS IN THE HIGH KNOB AREA.