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Duane Nichols passing
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 17 Jun '24

17 Jun '24

Sadly, I was contacted by the daughter of Duane Nichols that he passed away Friday morning (June 14, 2024). Here is information about his funeral this Wednesday: Furbee Williams Funeral home Alma WV on Wednesday June 19: 1-2 pm viewing 2 pm memorial service Immediately followed by a burial at Beechwood Cemetary There is an obituary on the Furbee website and likely soon in the Morgantown Paper. Those attending the services are encouraged to wear something orange to honor Duane and his favorite color. Thank you, Tracy Hancock Duane's daughter Obit: https://www.furbeefuneralhome.com/obituary/duane-nichols

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Cheat Lake History is Abundant
by Duane Nichols 12 Jan '24

12 Jan '24

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Mon County officials invite FERC to Cheat Lake for boat ride, second public hearing on Lake Lynn Dam re-licensing
by Duane Nichols 12 Jan '24

12 Jan '24

From: Don Strimbeck <dcsoinks(a)comcast.net> > Date: December 19, 2023 at 10:16:16 AM EST > To: Duane Nichols <Duane330(a)aol.com> > Subject: Mon County officials invite FERC to Cheat Lake for boat ride, second public hearing on Lake Lynn Dam re-licensing > > > SEE ATTACHED > > Donald C. Strimbeck, 49 Broad Street, P. O. Box 519, Granville WV 26534-0519 > 304-599-7585 fax 4131 ~ dcsoinks(a)comcast.net >

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Wait ‘til you see this …. Mon County Commission Meeting
by Duane Nichols 25 Oct '23

25 Oct '23

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Cheat Lake Relicense Hearing Transcript ~ Document Service in P-2459-279
by Duane Nichols 12 Oct '23

12 Oct '23

From: eService(a)ferc.gov > Date: October 12, 2023 at 9:04:59 AM EDT > Subject: Document Service in P-2459-279 > > On 10/12/2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., published the following issuance: > > Docket(s): P-2459-279 > Description: Transcript of the September 25, 2023 public scoping meeting re the Lake Lynn Hydroelectric Project under P-2459. > > You can view the issuance at: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20231012-4000 > > >

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Cheat Lake Hearing ~ Some Were Calm, Many Jammed With Standing Room Only
by Duane Nichols 26 Sep '23

26 Sep '23

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Fate of 300 acres at Cheat Lake is unclear after dam proposal
by Duane Nichols 20 Sep '23

20 Sep '23

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Historic Mt. Chateau on Cheat Lake
by Duane Nichols 02 Jul '23

02 Jul '23

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West Virginia officials break ground on section of US-48 expressway - West Virginia Explorer
by Duane Nichols 12 Jun '23

12 Jun '23

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West Virginia Land Trust · Shavers Fork Float Trip
by Duane Nichols 16 May '23

16 May '23

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Fire departments remove SUV from middle of Cheat Lake
by Duane Nichols 15 May '23

15 May '23

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Trailhead Stewards Training
by Duane Nichols 14 May '23

14 May '23

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Ohio River named Second Most Endangered River
by Duane Nichols 12 May '23

12 May '23

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DEP touts $26 million in funds heading toward economic development projects - WV MetroNews
by Duane Nichols 09 May '23

09 May '23

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/05/07/dep-touts-26-million-in-funds-heading-to… DEP touts $26 million in funds heading toward economic development projects From an Article by Mike Nolting, WV Metro News, May 7, 2023 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and state DEP Secretary Harold Ward have announced nearly $26 million in federal grants for six Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program projects. DEP spokesman Terry Fletcher said the program is administered by the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation with funds from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. “Great projects all over the state that are reclaiming these abandoned mine lands, putting them to use for our communities, and cleaning up the environment at the same time,” Fletcher said. The projects announced last week for AMLER funding include just more than $3 million for the Cinderella Adventure Resort in Mingo County. The project is on 4,600 acres in the town of Cinderella, which includes 22 miles of Hatfield McCoy Trails. When fully funded, the proposed project will include Cinderella Adventure Lake, a restaurant-store-event center and entertainment venue, a conference center, 15 cabins, 20 RV sites, and a renovation of the historic Cinderella Company. A state-of-the-art trailside campground and up to seven miles of new bike trails for the new Mountain Trail Network in Wood County will receive $2.6 million. Tucker County has been awarded about $727,000 for the Tap Room Coworking Synergy Center and Apartments, which will provide a small business center with support services. Tucker County will also receive $12.5 million for the construction of the Davis Center Headquarters facility, which will be dedicated to mixed use for the community, according to Fletcher. “A dormitory-style building as well as multi-family dwelling units, a STEM programing center, a canine facility, office spaces, a Community Rec Center, and wellness facilities,” Fletcher said. McDowell County was awarded just more than $2 million for the construction of a 900-acre local law enforcement and military training center. That project includes a main operations building, a less-than-lethal training facility, shooting ranges, and a 300-acre land navigation and wilderness survival area. Harrison County has been awarded $5 million for the I-79 Stonewood Development. The area is 393 acres of former strip-mined land on both sides of the interstate. Harrison County Commissioner Patsy Trecost said work is almost complete for the permitting process, and then they’ll focus on developing the infrastructure for the future. “With the permits in place, Katie bar the door,” Trecost said. “But with the property we’re talking about, it’s going to be easy to attract whatever we want to attract.” Trecost said they would like to bring commercial and industrial partners that would bring good-paying jobs to the community, but the immediate focus is on expanding residential offerings. The growing North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) and AeroTech Business Park continue to create jobs, adding to the estimated $1 billion economic impact on the region each year. “And more and more people are working from home, so when we say residential living, we’re not just talking about where they live; often we’re talking about where they make their living,” Trecost said. Companies located at CKB like Aurora Flight Sciences and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have current openings for high-paying aircraft-related jobs. Training for these jobs is available on the airport grounds through the FAA-certified Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School through Pierpont Community & Technical College and FAA-certified Part 141 Professional Flight programs through Fairmont State University. “There is so much opportunity for you that you have a job the day you earn your certificate, and you don’t have to worry about anything and these are not minimum wage jobs; these are jobs where you can provide for your family and there is health care,” Trecost said. xxx

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TURNING WASTE WATER INTO PROFIT ~ Research @ WVU on YouTube
by Duane Nichols 01 May '23

01 May '23

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West Virginia Ramp Dinners & Festivals - West Virginia Explorer
by Duane Nichols 23 Apr '23

23 Apr '23

https://wvexplorer.com/recreation/agritourism/ramp-dinners-festivals/

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Activities Underway in West Virginia to Address the PFAS Issues ~ Traces are Toxic
by Duane Nichols 16 Mar '23

16 Mar '23

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When and how to watch WV bald eagle eggs hatch
by Duane Nichols 10 Mar '23

10 Mar '23

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West Virginia Wild: Crews Carve Out Corridor H Through the Appalachian Mountains | Engineering News-Record
by Duane Nichols 02 Mar '23

02 Mar '23

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Timber Controversy | The Intermountain Newspaper, November 15, 2022
by Duane Nichols 15 Nov '22

15 Nov '22

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2022/11/timber-controversy/ Timber Controversy ~ Protesters met by counter-protesters in Elkins Local News by Edgar Kelley, Staff Writer, The Intermountain Newspaper, 11/15/22 The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley A group of activists and community members were joined by several organizations Monday at the Monongahela National Forest Headquarters in Elkins for a protest against a planned project at the Upper Cheat River Project Area. ELKINS — A group that gathered to protest a planned project for the Upper Cheat River Project Area Monday at the Monongahela National Forest Headquarters on Sycamore Street were met by a group of counter-protesters. The 86,138-acre project area is located north of Parsons and encompasses 33,991 acres of National Forest System land within the Upper Cheat River watershed. According to U.S. Forest Service documents, the purpose of the project is to improve forest health and age class diversity, improve wildlife and fish habitat, restore soils and riparian corridors, and provide a network of sustainable roads. As part of the project, commercial regeneration harvests (clear cuts) have been proposed for 3,647 acres dispersed among about 140 separate units throughout the project area. Activists and community members joined the West Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club, Speak For the Trees Too, Friends of Blackwater, West Virginia Highland Conservancy, and West Virginia Environmental Council Monday to voice their opposition against the project Monday in Elkins. “This year West Virginia has suffered the effects of flooding from extreme weather — a trend that will only get worse as climate change intensifies in the decades ahead,” said Sierra Club member Jim Kotcon. “Clear-cuts planned on the Upper Cheat Headwaters would remove trees on steep slopes, which increases the risks of flooding. “Cutting down these trees makes no sense, especially because they are the best at fighting climate change by sequestering carbon. The answer is literally standing right in front of us — we need to preserve these trees.” The group of counter-protesters, however, support the planned project. Eric Carlson, executive director for West Virginia Forestry Association, rallied a group to come together and show support for the proposed project at the Forestry Headquarters Monday. “The reason we are here today is because this forest for the last several decades has not had the kind of attention in needed in order to improve and make it a healthy forest,” Carlson told The Inter-Mountain. “In this latest project that has been proposed, it is an area where they are going in and try to restore some upper highland spruce forests, restore the old forest that has been there, and to regenerate the forest in a good condition to try an deal with some of the non-native species. It’s a very light treatment, they’re are only going to treat about 3% of the project area that is under consideration.” Carlson, who represents forest owners, loggers and manufacturers that produce wood for product of all types, said companies are going to spend millions of dollars for the right to work with the Forest Service to acquire the timber harvesting of the wood. “Up to 25 % of the money comes back to our counties for schools and roads to educate out children here, so we think that’s really an important connection to the community,” Carlson said. “Just look around Elkins. a lot of the jobs here are with the flooring plant, the saw mills and the cabinet factories.” For more information on the proposed project, visit www.fs.usda.gov.

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Rally held in Elkins to protect trees within Monongahela National Forest - WV MetroNews
by Duane Nichols 15 Nov '22

15 Nov '22

https://wvmetronews.com/2022/11/14/rally-held-in-elkins-to-protect-trees-wi… Rally held in Elkins to protect trees within Monongahela National Forest From the MetroNews Service, November 14, 2022 ELKINS, W.Va. — Conservation advocates are urging federal officials to protect mature and old-growth trees in the Upper Cheat River within the Monongahela National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a project that would clearcut 3,500 acres of mature, old-growth trees in the area, according to John Coleman with the Horseshoe Run Community group. Coleman told MetroNews the project would log forests on very steep slopes, leading to increased risk of flooding and sediment deposition in the rivers and streams. “Living inside the project boundary, a bunch of us here in the community are concerned about the flooding and a number of other things that would be a result of this project,” Coleman said. Coleman joined advocates with Speak For The Trees Too, West Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club, Friends of Blackwater, West Virginia Environmental Council and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy for an afternoon rally outside the U.S. Forest Service office in Elkins on Monday. “The community here is trying to negotiate with the Forest Service to improve the project in some ways and maybe reduce some of the cutting on the sleep slopes, but we actually haven’t heard back from the Forest Service,” he said. Protecting our mature and old-growth forests is one of the most affordable and effective solutions to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and provide access to clean water at home and demonstrate global leadership. #COP27 — Sierra Club (@SierraClub) November 14, 2022 In addition to flooding concerns, Coleman said he’s also worried about invasive weeds that are coming off the national forest. “Unfortunately, they got planted back in the 1970s and 1980s. The forest service planted a lot of shrubs for wildlife habitat, but unfortunately those have spread across not only the national forest, but off into our farm, others farms and people’s property,” he said. The forest provides clean drinking water and flood protection for communities, wildlife habitat for endangered species and miles of trails to explore the outdoors, Coleman said. “We get our drinking water right off the forest. The national forest is 50-75 feet behind our house and our spring is right there, so I would really like the forest to spend some time figuring out how to protect people’s drinking water supply,” he said. Advocates also fear that opening the canopy will increase temperatures in cold-water streams that native brook trout require for their survival. The move would impact important habitat for other species like long-eared bats and hellbender salamanders. Monday’s rally was part of a nationwide effort to protect trees in national forests. A spokesperson with the U.S. Forest Service wrote in an email to MetroNews on Monday, “We continue working jointly with our colleagues at the Department of Interior to both determine definitions and complete an inventory of old-growth and mature forests on lands managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management by April, 2023, as tasked in Executive Order 14072. Synthesizing old-growth forest information on a national scale is a critical first step to informing further science questions and future management actions.” xxx

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Attention: Cheat Lake Property Owners & Boaters
by Duane Nichols 21 Oct '22

21 Oct '22

(Photo of Labor Day boat party in Ruble Run backwater) Attention: Cheat Lake Property Owners & Boaters Starting at 12:00 a.m. on November 1, 2022, winter lake level limits will go into effect on Cheat Lake. At that time, minimum reservoir levels will decrease from 868 feet above sea level to 857’. Please remove all docks prior to this time. Winter lake levels will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2023. The winter boat launch ramp at the Cheat Lake Park (at the end of Morgan Run Road) will be open from November 1, 2022 until May 1, 2023 to accommodate boaters who wish to launch a boat on Cheat Lake. Lake Lynn Generation maintains levels at Cheat Lake in accordance with the FERC license. [Morgantown Dominion Post, Page A-2, Friday, October 21, 2022].

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Trout for the Cheat River
by Duane Nichols 20 Oct '22

20 Oct '22

Trout for Cheat begins fall stocking | Preston County News | wvnews.com/10-18-22 https://www.wvnews.com/prestoncountynews/news/trout-for-cheat-begins-fall-s… KINGWOOD — Trout for Cheat is celebrating its 22nd year of stocking the Cheat River. On Friday, members of the group stocked the river from the U.S. 50 bridge to one mile above Pringle Run, according to Jim White, president of the group. White said that with the help of students from the ChalleNGe Academy and members of the Preston County Sheriff’s Department, 1,700 pounds of rainbow trout and a few golden trout were stocked during 22 stops along the river. Cadets carry the fish to the river, and deputies handle traffic control while the caravan of cars stops to let the fish be carried to the river in large tubs. All the people who help stock the river are volunteers. All the fish come from a West Virginia vendor, according to White. He said half of the trout stocked weighted between 1 and 2 pounds, and the other half between 3 and 4 pounds. “We’re saving the big ones for spring,” White said. “We stock eight times a year — four times in spring and four times in fall.” Newly elected members of Trout for Cheat are White, president; Jon Hunter, vice president; Bobby Peddicord, secretary; and Jim Darlington, sergeant at arms. Other board members are Bo Burnside and J.R. Baldwin. White said money to stock the river comes from donations and from a February Gun Bash that’s held at the Craig Civic Center. Donations to Trout for Cheat can be sent to Trout for Cheat, Box 261, Rowlesburg, WV 26435. Staff Writer Jeniffer Graham can be reached at jgraham(a)prestonnj.com

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OP-ED | Invest In The Future, Not A Dirty Deal | CT News Junkie
by Duane Nichols 24 Sep '22

24 Sep '22

https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2022/09/23/op-ed-invest-in-the-future-not-a-dirty-… OP-ED | Invest In The Future, Not A Dirty Deal Article by Anthony Cherolis, CT News Junkie, September 23, 2022 Contributing columnist Anthony Cherolis is bicycling across North America and will be sending us occasional updates on what he’s seeing in other states and cities in terms of better transportation infrastructure and policy. You can follow his journey on Instagram. There has been a lot in the news lately about the “Dirty Deal” struck in Congress by legislators working to get the Inflation Reduction Act passed. The follow on bill was negotiated by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, who had been blocking the passage of the larger bill. The bill would fast-track several fossil-fuel projects including the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia. While bicycle touring through this region and the stunning Ohio River Valley, I was struck by the economic woes of the cities and towns. Extractive oil and coal industries are at the same time surging (fracking for fossil gas) and waning (coal plants shutting down). Finding restaurants, drug stores, and grocery stores was difficult, even though I was passing through once bustling river towns and rail depots. The town of Cheshire, Ohio, in the shadow of the Gavin power plant’s towering chimneys, is a literal ghost town that was bought out by the power company for $20 million to address persistent pollution and future liability. That plant is now facing closure for long violating regulations that coal ash storage ponds be lined to prevent groundwater pollution. Smokestacks and cooling towers can be seen from the ghost town of Cheshire, Ohio. The town was bought out by the nearby coal power plant to address recurring pollution issues. This shift away from fossil fuels is a real and important change happening to regions in Southeast Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Longtime residents are rightfully worried and upset by mandates and environmental laws that reduce employment, shutter power plants, and leave sad shells of once vibrant towns. Those residents are looking for solutions, politically and legislatively, that maintain jobs and bring prosperity (and people) back to their communities. A focus on paying rent, a job to do today, and economic stability for their family and friends often outweighs the less focused and complicated task of maintaining a survivable and productive climate on Earth. These areas are teetering near the edge of viability. State and local leaders, along with representative in Congress, must look for sustainable policy, green energy investments, infrastructure projects, and tourism opportunities that provide the jobs, pride, and quality of life that these communities deserve. As I mentioned, the Ohio River Valley and surrounding hills are beautiful. Riverside hotels, boating tours, hiking trails, and walkable town centers should be jointly marketed to those in nearby cities and land-locked towns looking to get away for a relaxing weekend with a river view. Gallipolis, Ohio seems to have figured out the day trip and tourism market with an inviting town center, riverfront park, nearby trails, and natural areas. Gallipolis, Ohio was one bustling town that seems to have capitalized on a scenic riverfront location, walkable town center, and nearby trails. Bladen Landing is a riverfront restaurant with bed and breakfast cabins overlooking the Ohio River. Rebecca and Chris live onsite and recently added the cabins, finding them to be a good investment. Another near term investment is federal funding for West Virginia and Pennsylvania to close the gaps in the North Bend Rail Trail and Sheepskin Trail, creating a biking, walking, and jogging corridor from Parkersburg, WV all the way to the Great Allegheny Passage. A few segments are missing in what could be an amazing route, including the 5-mile link from the West Virginia University campus to Parkersburg on the Ohio River. That struggling West Virginia city could desperately use the investment and a better, bike-able connection to the young adults at the university. All along the rail trail, rail-stop towns would benefit from restaurant, camp store, bike shop, and bed-and-breakfast customers spending money and keeping local folks employed. Longterm local jobs could be tied to this project if it were identified as a linear National Park, similar to the C&O Canal Trail between Cumberland, MD and Washington, DC. One thing I noticed while cycling through West Virginia was the common smell of fuel from small oil wells and storage tanks visible from the North Bend Rail Trail. If one can smell the fuel from several hundred feet away, there is definitely leakage of methane and evaporation of harmful volatile organic compounds from these small operations. That is concerning both from a health perspective and relative to climate change. Methane is a much more powerful heat trapping greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. West Virginia and rural Pennsylvania small towns would benefit from completing the small remaining gaps in a rail and river trail connecting Parkersburg, WV to the existing and popular Great Allegheny Passage trail. Cycling through the tunnels on the North Bend Rail Trail in West Virginia was magical. Investments in hillside and rooftop solar, ridgetop wind turbines, and geothermal installations would offset the jobs and pride lost in the transition away from fossil fuels and coal power plants. Instead of continuing with a regressive and polluting fossil fuel pipeline deal in Congress, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania legislators should push for a green energy future and home/business energy efficiency programs. The energy grid and power generation has multi-state, global, and federal impacts. The transition away from fossil fuels needs to be at that federal level with significant offsetting investments. Without a just transition, residents and voters are unlikely to support the needed changes. We can take these same lessons back to any state with industries and priorities in transition. For example in Connecticut, building more Cold War era nuclear submarines should be a much lower priority than developing the wind turbine, geothermal, and rooftop solar industries. Investing now in these future technologies and workforce would line Connecticut up to be the technical and manufacturing resource for the wider Northeast and East Coast. Skilled engineers, welders, electricians, and machinists would gladly do that work if it were available. There would be plentiful jobs in those sustainable-future industries for entry-level installation technicians and maintenance workers. Similar to coal-plant mercury pollution that travels to the Northeast in the clouds, the climate emergency does not pay attention to state lines. Something you can do: Reach out to your Congress members with a phone call or email and let them know what their priorities should be for industries, job training, and technology development investments. Pay attention to those topics as you research candidates who are running for election this November. Does your candidate have a platform that invests in a sustainable and less-polluted future, or are they supporting the status quo? ######++++++######++++++###### From: West Virginia Rivers Coalition ...... Don't Sacrifice West Virginia's Rights to Fair and Equal Protections Under Federal Law https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/eisa/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=…

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Outdoor recreation rental facility opens in Morgantown | 104.5 FM & 1440 AM | The Voice of Morgantown | Morgantown, WV
by Duane Nichols 03 Sep '22

03 Sep '22

https://wajr.com/outdoor-recreation-rental-facility-opens-in-morgantown/?fb… Outdoor recreation rental facility opens in Morgantown mikenoltingSeptember 2, 2022 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Adventure WV is now operating the newly constructed outdoor recreation rental facility at the Walnut Street Landing. Residents can now expect expanded recreation opportunities along the Monongalia River. Residents can rent kayaks, paddleboards, PFDs, bicycles, helmets and more. Youth Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) are available, and additional child- and family-friendly equipment will be added this spring. Labor Day weekend hours of operation are 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The future schedule will be adjusted to meet the needs of users. Rental rates start at $10.00 per hour for comfort bikes and kayaks for community members, discounts will be offered for WVU affiliates and students. A valid driver’s license or WVU ID is required for renting equipment, and only cashless payments are accepted. “We’re thrilled to bring another unique recreational opportunity to Morgantown,” said Emily Muzzarelli, assistant city manager for the City of Morgantown. “Expanding the use of the Monongalia River and rail-trail system allows Morgantown to better serve its residents and visitors. Adventure WV has the expertise when it comes to outdoor recreation, so we are incredibly excited to be partnering with them on this project. It’s a really great addition to Walnut Street Landing and the improvements made at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park.” Adventure WV is a West Virginia University program that encourages personal growth, leadership development and social responsibility through participation in outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, climbing, ziplining and more. “Morgantown is fortunate to have two great recreational assets in the Mon River and the Rail Trail system. Now, with the opening of a rental service, more residents, students and visitors can take advantage of both,” said Nathan Harlan, executive director of the Office of Student Wellness. “WVU is excited to partner with the City of Morgantown to bring their experience with outdoor recreation (through Adventure WV) to help provide boats, bikes and other rec equipment for rental right on the river and trail.”

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