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Efforts to save the Cheat River chart clearer course forward | News & Observer
by Duane via CLEAR 29 Nov '16

29 Nov '16

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article117648958.html Efforts to save the Cheat River chart clearer course forward By Michael Virtanen, Preston County News & Observer, Nov. 29, 2016 <Associated Press> The Cheat River flows pale green and slate gray, glistening in the sunshine as it gathers speed, turns to whitewater and drops between rocks on the way toward the Monongahela River. From there it makes its way to the Ohio River and the drinking water of millions of people. As West Virginia pushes toward an uncertain economic future, a river that once flowed bright orange charts a course out of mining's toxic legacies. The state recently joined conservationists to protect the Cheat's eight-mile whitewater canyon, collectively buying 3,800 acres from timber investors for $7 million. A new $8 million water treatment plant next year should help alleviate ongoing acid drainage from an abandoned underground coal mine that blew out in 1994, spewing acid and metals. "In the East, it's a rare opportunity where you get to protect eight river miles along an area that not only has tremendous biodiversity but also has a lot of recreational opportunities available," said the Nature Conservancy's Keith Fisher, a biologist. Even with President-elect Donald Trump promising a coal industry comeback, most West Virginians have adapted to a world in which other economic engines are needed to revive one of the nation's poorest states. The two-decade effort to reclaim the Cheat River and its tributaries fits into a broader push to grow tourism in West Virginia, where visitors already spend about $4.5 billion annually. "Our tourism possibilities in this state are limitless," Governor-elect Jim Justice said during the campaign. An outdoorsman and mine owner, he told The Associated Press after winning that he wants to protect the state's air, water and natural beauty, saying it can co-exist with coal. The Cheat also has a more tangible connection to West Virginia's coal legacy. Like many waterways in coal-producing states, it remains threatened by mine drainage that turns water acidic. The state Department of Environmental Protection calls the acidification of waterways coal's "biggest environmental problem," affecting hundreds of miles of West Virginia rivers and streams, usually from abandoned mines where those who caused it are long gone. The agency says the Monongahela, Tug Fork, North Branch of the Potomac and several other rivers have all been affected. The Cheat is clear to the bottom and shallow in November, unlike the spring surge that rises above boulders and draws peak-season rafters and kayakers down the canyon. Its steep walls are lined with hardwoods, oaks, hickories and maples still dropping amber leaves. The water remains high enough to carry small boats. Part of the 330-mile Allegheny Trail runs parallel for eight miles, high on the river's east rim. The narrow, grassy former logging tract was once designated for a rail line. Now it's reopened to hikers, fishermen and hunters and closed to all-terrain vehicles. Commercial rafters never stopped using their rights to a navigable waterway, though they lost business after the blowout. "Cheat River is so much better than it used to be," said Doug Wood, a retired state biologist. "As a drinking water source it's much better than it was before." Downstream drinking water systems all have to treat their intake from the rivers for bacteria and other contaminants, some more extensively. Its acidity was toxic to virtually all aquatic life after the 1994 mine blowout released massive drainage outflows into a tributary, Muddy Creek. "The Cheat was already a pretty severely polluted river," said Randy Robinson, then a rafting guide who was on it shortly after the blowout and remembers the nasty, sulfurous smell. "It was like orange paint had been dumped in the river in a way." The orange coating on the rocks from iron hydroxide, which persisted for years, has disappeared. The acid levels have been sharply reduced through dozens of water-treatment projects, proven by both testing and the abundance of freshwater fish in Cheat Lake, a downstream river impoundment that has attracted an enclave of upscale homes and townhouses outside Morgantown. According to Wood, acid drainage is a fairly predictable matter of coal geology, where the nearby rock also contains iron disulfide. With mining, it will produce iron hydroxide and sulfuric acid when combined with oxygen and water that eventually finds a path down and out. "The problems with the Cheat should have educated our permitting agencies, a long time ago, to prevent them from issuing permits that are going to result in perpetual acid mine drainage," Wood said. He said that hasn't happened. Restoring an affected waterway afterward requires costly, active treatment, he said. The state permitting agency said it does consider geology among many factors. Permits aren't approved unless an operation is deemed to meet all federal and state legal requirements, spokeswoman Kelley Gillenwater said. Amanda Pitzer, executive director of Friends of the Cheat, volunteers who monitor and work on its restoration, said the pH level, which is neutral at 7, dropped to toxic 3 and 4 after the blowout. The Muddy Creek tributary looks milky green now, still showing effects of drainage that also includes aluminum. The creek, though improved, still has no fish. David McCoy, a state engineer, said 3.4 miles of Muddy Creek still usually test acidic, and the Cheat itself now tests neutral. The new filtration system will use two 80-foot clarifiers, a 100-ton silo and hydrated lime to counter the acidity and capture the sludge of metals that settle out. That sludge will be piped to an injection well underground at a higher elevation. The Nature Conservancy emphasizes a "pragmatic" approach, working with businesses to promote best practices for limiting environmental impact. The economics of the transition from West Virginia's post-mining economy can't be ignored, said Fisher, the state chapter's director of conservation, and should include recreation and land and water restoration. All of that brings him back to the big question he and others are trying to answer. Standing on the trail, high above the softly rumbling river, he said it's about the transition from a coal-dependent economy to something else: "How do you make conservation and economic diversity work together?" Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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State road crews working on late fall projects, Cheat River Road slide, road resurfacing happening all month | News | theet.com
by Duane via CLEAR 04 Nov '16

04 Nov '16

http://www.theet.com/content/tncms/live/ State road crews working on late fall projects, Cheat River Road slide, road resurfacing happening all month By Theresa Marthey, Preston County News & Journal, November 4, 2016 KINGWOOD — Major traffic delays on Cheat River Road may soon be coming to an end. Local road crews are nearly finished repairing a road slide that has caused major problems for motorists the last few weeks. A section of Cheat River Road, approximately one mile from the intersection of W.Va. 7 and W.Va. 72, on the Cheat River side has slipped and is being shored up. The section of road has been indicated by “uneven pavement” signs. “The project is approximately 50 percent complete and includes 212 feet of piling wall to stabilize the road and paving to even out the road,” Division of Highways Communications Specialist Carrie E. Jones said. “Guardrails will be installed also.” Bilco Construction Co. Inc. of Newton was awarded the $400,726 project, and it is expected to be completed by mid-November. Once the repairs on Cheat River Road are complete, DOH crews will then begin a handful of late fall projects. Those projects include repaving 2.55 miles of Mountaineer Highway (W.Va. 92). The contract was awarded to Dodd General Contractors of Bridgeport for $421,999.56 and should be completed by Nov. 16. The second road project, which has not been awarded but is set to begin on Nov. 15, is .79 miles of thin overlay on West Virginia Route 7 in Masontown. Finished paving projects include 3.38 miles of Interstate 68 from Coopers Rock to Laurel Run, 3.15 miles of George Washington Highway (U.S. 50), 1.9 miles of Gladesville Road, 1.6 miles of Clifton Mills Road, 2.7 miles of Caddell Mountain, 3.31 miles of Saltlick Road, 1.42 miles of W.Va. 26, and 2.03 miles of Interstate 68 (Maryland Road). On Monday, Oct. 31, county commissioners received a Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) from the state Division on Highways listing amendments to a five-year road repair and construction plan for Preston County. The list contains four road projects for fiscal year 2017 that are required to have a “public review and comment period” because they show Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration expenditures. According to the letter from Deputy State Highway Engineer Robert Pennington, “additions or deletions to the STIP and certain changes to projects currently in the STIP must meet this requirement before federal funds can be obtained.” Included in the list are resurfacing projects on Brandonville Pike, Cranesville Road and Macomber-Hardesty Road (W.Va. 50). Mileage and specific locations for the projects are not given in the list. “While 2017 is marked beside these projects in the list, we have not received funding for next year yet,” Jones said. “We are waiting for our funding.” According to Jones, so far this year, the DOH has invested more than $7 million on resurfacing 19.49 miles of county roads during the recent spring and summer. See also: www.FrackCheckWV.net

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$4 million Rowlesburg water project expected to serve 150 held up, Developers granted 3 week extension | News | theet.com
by Duane via CLEAR 04 Nov '16

04 Nov '16

http://www.theet.com/content/tncms/live/ $4 million Rowlesburg water project expected to serve 150 held up, Developers granted 3 week extension By Therese Matheny, Preston County News & Journal, November 3, 2016 ROWLESBURG — The 150 customers of a water-extension project in Rowlesburg will have to wait an additional three weeks while developers from Region VI Planning and Development complete appraisals and right-of-way work. Rowlesburg’s town council approved the extension at its Oct. 24 meeting. Prior to the appraisals being completed, certified letters are required to be sent to the property owners setting a time when the appraiser would be on the subject property. There was a 45-day time frame set for the appraisals to be done, and the information submitted by Oct. 15. “The appraiser hired for the project did not get the letters sent out to the people in order to submit the appraisals by the deadline,” Region VI Planning and Development Council Excutive Director Sheena Hunt told the Rowlesburg Town Council on Oct. 24. “The attorney for the project was on vacation and not able to prepare the letters for the appraiser.” Rowlesburg attorney Sheila Williams said she had prepared the required letters before leaving for vacation. “All that needed to be done was adding the name, phone and date the appraiser was going to be in Rowlesburg,” Williams said. “The letters could have been sent out.” Bobby Grimm, who lives eight-tenths of a mile outside of Rowlesburg and is the first person in line to receive water with the project, said he spoke with Williams after the Oct. 24 meeting. “The appraiser was hired by the town on Sept. 15,” Grimm said. “That was three weeks prior to Sheila going on vacation. “If someone had contacted Sheila right after the appraiser was hired and gave her information, this work would be done already,” Grimm continued. Hunt asked the town council for a three-week extension in having the appraisal get the work complete and submit it to the town. “Hopefully we will have those taken care of by the second meeting of next month (November),” Hunt said at the meeting. “Once we get the appraiser reports, we can begin negotiations with the property owners.” Grimm is worried the town will lose the grant and loan it worked so hard to get for the project if something is started soon. “I am just hoping we get the ball rolling soon,” Grimm said. “Rowlesburg cannot afford to lose the money for the project. “If they would lose the money, anything that was already drawn down on the grant and loan would have to be repaid,” Grimm shared. “Rowlesburg just cannot afford to pay any of that money down.” The amount drawn down for the project already was not available. Grimm said the town has a lot of problems right now, and he isn’t sure if the council understands the hardships of the project not moving along at a better pace. “I was expecting to see water at my home in fall of 2015,” Grimm said. “I hope to have water soon, but dirt is definitely not going to fly before spring of 2017. “I haul a lot of water,” Grimm said. “And I know the people who have signed up for water are also tired of waiting. We all started working on this project five years ago.” The $4 million project is set to serve an additional 150 customers on the south end of Rowlesburg. The project begins on West Virginia Route 72, where it leaves Rowlesburg, to U.S. 50 to the Tucker County line. The project also includes a portion on U.S. 50 West to Laurel Mountain and east to the Cheat River Bridge. See also: www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Rowlesburg council questioned about illegal sewage discharge into the Cheat River | News | theet.com
by Duane via CLEAR 30 Oct '16

30 Oct '16

Rowlesburg council questioned about illegal sewage discharge into the Cheat River From an Article by Thresea Marthley, Preston County News & Journal, October 30, 2016 Rowlesburg, WV — Rowlesburg residents and Friends of the Cheat (FOC) executive director Amanda Pitzer questioned town council on Monday about what the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) said was an “illicit” sewage discharge into the Cheat River. The Preston County News & Journal first reported the Town of Rowlesburg and the WVDEP had entered into a Consent Order agreement over the town exceeding its sewage discharge limitations into the Cheat River from the town’s wastewater collection system. “This pipe is discharging a storm water and wastewater mix and is currently unpermitted,” WVDEP Environmental Inspector Mary Sanders told the Preston County News & Journal on Friday, Oct. 21. “This unpermitted discharge has already been addressed as part of Consent Order 8432.” Pitzer told council she wouldn’t characterize the issue as “little.” “This is more of a problem than I originally thought,” Pitzer said. “I am here to help, and one way I can help is by having all the information.” Pitzer said in the consent order, it was reported there was 12 million gallons of water a day going through the system. “We are seeing 6,000 times that at different points,” Pitzer said. “This concerns me. That is an amazing amount of water, and I can’t believe that number is correct.” Mayor Barbara Banister contradicted Pitzer during the meeting, telling her the data she was presenting was incorrect. Pitzer then asked Banister and council if she could see the Corrective Plan of Action that was required by the WVDEP as part of the consent order. Banister said they were not required to submit one. “We were not asked about that,” Banister said. “It was not on the consent order that I signed to my knowledge.” Pitzer told Banister her signature is on page five of the consent order, and on page three under “Order for Compliance,” number 5 states a proposed plan of corrective action was to be submitted within 30 days of the effective date of the order for approval. “That would have been in May,” Pitzer said. “I would really like to see it instead to having to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to get it.” Banister continued to deny the town had agreed to submit such a plan. A Corrective Action Plan, according to the WVDEP, outlines action items and completion dates. The Preston County News & Journal has learned from the WVDEP that the town did indeed submit plan. “Rowlesburg submitted one, and it was denied for being insufficient,” Sanders wrote in an email. “To the best of my knowledge, WVDEP has not received another one.” Resident Phil Wotring asked town council if the sign that states “sewage discharges into the Cheat River every time it rains” can be removed. “It looks bad on the town to have that sign in our park,” Wotring said. “And has the problem been corrected, and was it required by the West Virginia DEP?” Banister said with the town having backwash from the storm/sewage system going into the river, she wanted to let people know what was happening and had the sign put up. “That sign was put up approximately six months ago,” Banister said. “It (the sign) was not required by the DEP.” Banister said she thought the “problem” was fixed when a contractor, Beitzel Corporation, was hired to put in catch basin at the site where the mixed water was pouring into the river. The pipe is located near the Rowlesburg Park. The work Beitzel Corporation completed was paid for by Mayor Banister and her husband without council approval. Banister did receive council’s blessing however, after the work had been completed. Early this month, the issue was investigated by the state Ethics Commission, which ultimately granted Baniser and the town a contract exemption. The town was ordered to pay Banister and her husband back the $54,637.94 they spent on the project. Details of the payback have not been released. However, Banister admitted the illicit drainage pipe will never be completely resolved until the town’s waste and stormwater are separated. Rowlesburg has what the WVDEP calls an unpermitted combined sewage overflow or CSO. “Because of the combined sewer and storm water lines, it has been doing this for years. After you get so much, it has to go somewhere because it is all the same lines,” Banister said.

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Sept. 24 - Citizen Science Gathering in Morgantown
by Jonathan Rosenbaum via CLEAR 14 Sep '16

14 Sep '16

The following was sent to you because you are a Member of the DEP News List mailing list. ============================================================ Wednesday, September 14, 2016 @ 2:11 PM ============================================================ Sept. 14, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Reminder: Registrations Still Being Accepted for Sept. 24 Citizen Science Gathering MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It’s not too late to sign up to attend the Sept. 24 Citizen Science Gathering in Morgantown. Registrations for the event will be taken through Sunday, Sept. 18. The event was organized by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Environmental Advocate’s Office, in conjunction with West Virginia University, Trout Unlimited, and several other groups. The gathering will be at the WVU College of Law from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include presentations and roundtable discussions about the applications of citizen science. Citizen science, or “citsci,” involves the collection of environmental data by concerned citizens. This data can sometimes be used to shape environmental policy, but often there is confusion on the part of the citizens about best practices for collection and presentation of that data. The purpose of this gathering is to help eliminate some of that confusion. Renowned coal mine safety expert Davitt McAteer will speak on the legal applications of citizen science, and there will be presentations from WVU’s Michael McCawley, Gretchen Gehrke of PublicLab.org, and Ryan Grode of the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project. The registration fee is $20. To sign up, or to obtain more information, email Diana Smith atdiana.k.smith(a)wv.gov by the end of the day on the 18th. You can also leave a phone message for Diana at 304-926-0499, ext. 1329. For more DEP news and information, go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, be sure to connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.” For specific information about our REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan), West Virginia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), West Virginia Watershed Improvement Branch, Youth Environmental Program and Human Resources initiatives, connect on Facebook. ###

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Fwd: DEP Public Notice - WV NPDES Water Pollution Control Permit - Monongalia County - Morgantown Utility Board
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 07 Sep '16

07 Sep '16

> From: <dep.online(a)wv.gov> > Date: September 7, 2016 at 10:28:51 AM EDT > Subject: DEP Public Notice - WV NPDES Water Pollution Control Permit - Monongalia County - Morgantown Utility Board > ====================================================== > Wednesday, September 7, 2016 > ====================================================== > > STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA > DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION > DIVISION OF WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT > > PUBLIC NOTICE > > WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S, PUBLIC INFORMATION > OFFICE, 601 57TH STREET, CHARLESTON SE, WEST VIRGINIA 25304-2345 TELEPHONE: > (304) 926-0440. > > APPLICATION FOR A WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM > WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT > > Public Notice No.: L-77-16 Public Notice Date: September > 14, 2016 > > Paper: Dominion Post > > The following has applied for a WV NPDES Water Pollution Control Permit for > this facility or activity: > > Appl. No.: WV0083071 > > Applicant: MORGANTOWN UTILITY BD > 278 GREENBAG RD > PO BOX 852 > MORGANTOWN, WV 26507-0852 > > Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY > > Latitude: 39:40:51 Longitude: 79:52:03 > > Receiving Stream: > CHEAT RIVER > > Activity: To operate and maintain an existing 750,000 gallons per day sewage collection and treatment system. The system is designed to serve approximately 10,000 persons or equivalents in the Cheat Lake and surrounding environs and discharge treated wastewater, via Outlet 001, to the Cheat River (Lake), approximately 9.4 miles from its mouth of the Monongahela River. Sewage sludge generated and/or processed at the Cheat Lake wastewater treatment facility shall be pumped and transported to the Morgantown Utility Board's main treatment facility for ultimate treatment and disposal. An antidegradation review has been conducted and Tier 1 protection is provided for the uses specified in Title 47, Series 2, Section 6. > > Business conducted: > Municipality > > On the basis of review of the application, the "Water Pollution Control Act (Chapter 22, Article 11-8(a))," and the "West Virginia Legislative Rules," the State of West Virginia will act on the above application. > > Any interested person may submit written comments on the draft permit and may request a public hearing by addressing such to the Director of the Division of Water and Waste Management within 30 days of the date of the public notice. Such comments or requests should be addressed to: > > Director, Division of Water and Waste Management, DEP > ATTN: Lori Devereux, Permitting Section > 601 57th Street SE > Charleston, WV 25304-2345 > > The public comment period begins September 14, 2016 and ends October 14, 2016. > > Comments received within this period will be considered prior to acting on the permit application. Correspondence should include the name, address and the telephone number of the writer and a concise statement of the nature of the > issues raised. The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever a finding is made, on the basis of requests, that there is a significant degree of public interest on issues relevant to the Draft Permit(s). Interested persons may contact the public information office to obtain further information. > > The application, draft permit and any required fact sheet may be > inspected, by appointment, at the Division of Water and Waste Management Public Information Office, at 601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304-2345, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on business days. Copies of the documents may be obtained from the Division at a nominal cost. Calls must be made 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. > ===================================================== > >

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WVU's freshman community service
by Duane via CLEAR 20 Aug '16

20 Aug '16

WVU's freshman community service in Preston County was great success From an Article by John Dahlia, Preston County News & Review,August 19, 2016 This year’s incoming freshman class at West Virginia University represents one of the largest ever at WVU — around 5,400. According to WVU enrollment officials, that number is up 7.6 percent from last year. More often than not, those first-time Mountaineers do not know or have any desire of visiting or learning about the area, including neighboring Preston County. But thanks to a new university initiative, all first-year students will have an opportunity to participate in area community service projects — some of which took place right here. Dozens of students spent many hours working on two projects. The first was at Coopers Rock. Students began working on various projects on Sunday, August 7th, through this past Tuesday, August 16th. The work was coordinated by the Coopers Rock Foundation, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Adventure WV. The work accomplished included general repair and clean-up efforts at the park. Adventure WV is mainly an Outdoor Orientation Program for incoming WVU first-year students that has expanded to include an outdoor recreation center, climbing wall, outdoor education center, challenge course, zip canopy tour, international study abroad programs, leadership training opportunities, and many other outdoor and experiential education programs. Adventure WV provides new Mountaineers a comprehensive development of adventure education programming for students of all levels, supporting adjustment to college life, retention, and career success by assisting student development in self-knowledge, teamwork, and leadership skills. The second and much more ambitious community service effort was with the Friends of the Cheat organization and its continuing effort to protect the waters in and around the Cheat River. On Tuesday, August 16, 25 WVU students helped the Friends of the Cheat with its stream monitoring effort. The student volunteers were broken into five groups who traveled to different sampling sites in the Sovern Run watershed. The Sovern Run watershed is a sub-watershed of the Big Sandy Creek watershed, which is part of the Cheat River watershed. Because acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines has impaired the Sovern Run watershed, it needs to be consistently monitored. According to FOC Director Amanda Pitzer, each group paddled the Cheat Narrows with Cheat River Outfitters and worked with FOC staff. The restoration of Sovern Run has been one of the FOC’s biggest successes. Both service projects were certainly a giant help to the folks who work and support Coopers Rock State Park and, of course, the exceptional staff with the Friends of the Cheat. The initiative also gave a good number of WVU’s newest and brightest the chance to learn a little about Preston County and at the same time meet some great people. We commend WVU for this outstanding community-centric initiative and sincerely hope those students who spent some time here decide to head back to enjoy the sights, events, tastes and people that make our beloved Preston County such a wonderful place. See also: www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Rebirth of the Cheat River (in the news)
by Duane330＠aol.com 14 Aug '16

14 Aug '16

Subject: FW: Cheat River Blog access Rebirth of the Cheat River - https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/07/rebirth-of-the-cheat-river/ An EPA Region III blog

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Snails Are Going Extinct: Here's Why That Matters - Scientific American Blog Network
by Duane 13 Aug '16

13 Aug '16

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/snails-going-extin… Snails Are Going Extinct: Here's Why That Matters - Scientific American From John R. Platt, Scientific American, August 10, 2016 Ah, snails. They’re small. They’re slimy. They lack the charisma of a polar bear or a gorilla. And yet just like flora and fauna all over the world, they’re disappearing. In Hawaii, a critically endangered snail called Achatinella fuscobasis has been brought into captivity to help learn how to keep them alive in the wild. In Alabama, conservation groups have petitioned to add the oblong rocksnail (Leptoxis compacta) to the Endangered Species List. In New Zealand, a snail known only as Rhytida oconnori has found itself constrained to a habitat just one square kilometer in size. On Fiji, scientists have expressed an “urgent need” to keep the island’s unique tree snails from going extinct. That fate may have already happened to three snail species in Malaysia after a mining company wiped out their only habitats, a series of limestone hills. That’s just scratching the surface. By my count, nearly 140 scientific papers about endangered snails have been published so far this year. All of which begs the question: why does the extinction of a snail matter? Obviously the answer to that question depends on the exact species, but we can make generalizations. Many birds, fish and other species rely on snails as important parts of their diets. Most land snail species consume fungi and leaf litter, helping with decomposition, and many are carnivores, so they help keep other species in check. Beyond that, there’s actually a lot that we can learn from snails. “From the most practical standpoint, snails have a few pretty interesting characteristics that tell us we should probably pay attention,” says snail researcher Rebecca Rundell, assistant professor at State University of New York. For one thing, their shells—which they carry with them their entire lives (because they’d die without them)—are made of calcium carbonate, which provides a record of their lives. Unlike plant husks or insect exoskeletons, these shells tend to persist after a snail has died, leaving behind a valuable tool for researchers. “We can look in marine sediment and pockets of soil for evidence of past ecological communities, and thus evidence for environmental change in a particular area,” she says. Living snails can also serve as indicators when something is wrong with the environment, something we’re already seeing with ocean acidification. “If snails in the ocean that make their shells, their protection, exclusively from calcium carbonate are having trouble building them, then that means the ocean is in big trouble,” Rundell says. They can provide similar clues on land, where land snails often have particularly narrow habitat requirements. “They need certain levels of moisture, shade, and decaying matter,” Rundell says. “When they don't have this, they start dying off.” That’s just the start: if tiny land snails start to disappear, it’s important to ask what might happen next. “It might give you a chance to change course,” she says, “to detect subtle changes that humans might not otherwise be able to see until it is too late.” Snails also help us to answer bigger questions. “The fact that many of these land snail species have small geographic ranges and that there are many species, make them fascinating subjects for learning about how life on Earth evolved,” Rundell says, adding that “scientists really rely on groups like Pacific island land snails to tell life's story.” That opportunity, however, is at risk. “We are losing snail species at an astronomical rate,” Rundell says, “one that is equivalent to, if not exceeding, the worldwide rate of loss of amphibians.” Most species have extremely limited ranges, making them, as she puts it, “particularly susceptible to human-induced extinction.” Meanwhile, the number of people studying snails remains relatively small. “That means we are at a big disadvantage in not only documenting land snail diversity, particularly in the tropics, but also learning from it in terms of what snails have to tell us about how life on Earth evolved,” Rundell says. Saving snails from extinction is no easy feat. For one thing, their habitats are just too easy to destroy. For another, we don’t even know what it would take to keep most snail species alive in captivity, a function of their narrow microhabitat requirements. “One snail species might be feeding on hundreds of species of fungi that are unique to that particular forest,” Rundell says. “It is very difficult to replicate these diets in the lab.” A handful of captive-breeding efforts have been successful, but Rundell says they are labor-intensive and hard to fund. Rundell’s own work studying Pacific island snails has shown her what it would take to reverse this snail-extinction trend. “Ultimately what is most important for land snails is the human element: people working together to protect what is most unique, precious, and irreplaceable on these islands—native forest,” she says. “This involves documenting what is there using a combination of field work and the study of natural history museum specimens. It also involves learning lessons from the past unchecked development such as agriculture and later urbanization, particularly in lowland tropical forests, and figuring out how we can protect as many pieces left as possible.” This, she says, has the “added benefit of leaving parts of the watershed, storm protection, and forest food and medicinal resources intact for people to survive in these places.” So why does snail extinction matter? Just like everything else, snails are an important piece of the puzzle that makes this planet function. They’re also a way to help us better understand how we got here—and maybe where we’re going. See also: www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Fwd: Film, food, brews, and fun! Film screenings for the documentary "The Stewards of Shavers Fork"
by Duane 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

> From: Canaan Valley Institute <alyssa.hanna(a)canaanvi.org> > Date: July 5, 2016 4:25:54 PM EDT > > Subject: Film, food, brews, and fun! Film screenings for the documentary "The Stewards of Shavers Fork" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Announcing the television premier of "The Stewards of Shavers Fork" on Sunday July 10th at 8:00pm! > > > > Join us for the television premier of > "The Stewards of Shavers Fork!" > > > > CVI is thrilled to announce the television premier of Stewards of Shavers Fork on Sunday July 10th at 8:00pm on West Virginia Public Broadcasting's West Virginia Channel! > > This short documentary film chronicles how primeval spruce forests, century-old steam locomotives and ghost towns all influenced modern restoration efforts to save the river's brook trout, West Virginia's only native trout. CVI's work reconnecting critical tributary habitats with the Shavers Fork mainstem are highlighted. The film was the inspiration of our long-time partners at West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and WVU and we are grateful for the opportunity to share the Shavers Fork story with a wide audience. > > Join members of the cast and crew as well as restoration experts for a watch party at one of these locations around the state at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 10 for the debut. > > * Charleston - B&D GastroPub, 200 35th Street > * Morgantown - Mountain State Brewing Company, 54 Clay Street > * Elkins - Big Timber Brewing, 1210 S. Davis Avenue > * Davis - Stumptown Ales, 390 William Avenue > > "The Stewards of Shavers Fork" will also air on WV PBS at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, July 11; 7 p.m. on Monday, July 25; and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 26. > > For more information on additional show times or to find the West Virginia Channel in your area visit http://wvpublic.org/find-wvpb-television . Also check into the WVPBS website after July 10th to watch the film online! > > > Canaan Valley Institute | (304) 259.4739 | www.canaanvi.org > > > > > > > > Canaan Valley Institute, 494 RiverStone Road, Davis, WV 26260 > > >

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WV MetroNews – Cheat River in middle of a “rebirth”
by Duane 21 Jun '16

21 Jun '16

http://wvmetronews.com/2016/06/20/cheat-river-in-middle-of-a-rebirth/ Cheat River in middle of a “rebirth” Cheat Canyon near High Falls, photo credit Kent Mason MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — More than a decade of efforts, along with federal funding, have contributed to what’s being called a rebirth of the Cheat River. “A lot of folks at the state level and local level in cooperation with the EPA have really focused on the Cheat to turn the story around,” explained Jon Capacasa, Director for Water Protection Division of EPA’s Mid Atlantic Region. “Their efforts are paying off.” Parts of the goals of the non-profit Friends of the Cheat are being met through Clean Water Act funds. “Cheat River restoration efforts have received more than $5.1 million in support. $2.6 million of that is from EPA’s non point source program. It’s a Clean Water Act program that funds projects to reduce pollution from area sources,” Capacasa added. Friends of the Cheat released an update that detailed the toll acid mine drainage took on the river. “The recovery has been dramatic since 1994 when, in the first of two incidents, torrents of polluted water from an illegally-sealed underground mine blew out a hillside and poured into Muddy Creek and then the Cheat River, turning the river orange for 16 miles on the way to Cheat Lake, killing everything in its aquatic path, and bringing greater attention to a history of AMD problems affecting the Cheat.” Capacasa said funding has helped pay for a passive treatment system. “Limestone rocks are used to neutralize the acid coming out of these abandoned mines so that before they hit the stream they are made more minimal to aquatic life and the health of the stream.” Significant changes are noticeable from the work that was underway from 2000 to 2013. “Restoration work there has reduced acid mine drainage related pollution more than 1.7 million pounds,” Capacasa noted. “More neutral water is more amenable wildlife and aquatic life to survive in.” Today, the Cheat is host to bass fishing tournaments, a healthy perch population and even pollution-sensitive walleye, according to Friends of the Cheat. All the while, outdoor enthusiasts are coming back to the Cheat for the thrill of the rapids. “It means a lot of local outfitters are and small businesses are benefitting with huge numbers of recreational users that are coming back to the river, Capacasa said. “It’s a great economic engine not just a clean water story.” Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Bad Roads Slows Firefighter Response to Cheat Canyon Rescue
by Duane 09 May '16

09 May '16

http://www.firehouse.com/news/12205018/bad-road-slows-firefighter-response-… Bad Roads Slows WV Rescue in the Cheat River Canyon By Kathy Plum, Morgantown Dominion Post, May 9, 2016 Masontown, WV -- The condition of the road to the Jenkinsburg bridge slowed firefighters as they worked Sunday to rescue an injured rafter. The Masontown Volunteer Fire Department was called at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, when a man fell from a raft on a trip by a licensed river rafting company. Guides pulled the man from the river and brought him to the riverbank on a raft, Masontown Fire Chief Dan Luzier said. The problem was getting him to medical care quickly and safely, the chief said. KAMP Ambulance brought an ambulance to the top of the steep, single-lane dirt road, County Route 14/4, that leads from the Masontown side of the bridge to the river. Because of the deteriorating condition of the road, neither the ambulance or fire department trucks were able to go down it. Firefighters took a side-by-side, a type of ATV, to the river. Normally it's a 15-minute trip from the river to where the ambulance was parked, Luzier said. "Because of his condition -- with broken bones and we felt he had some internal injuries -- it would have done him more harm," to go on the rough road up to the Masontown side, Luzier said. Had the trip been attempted, he estimated it would have taken 45 minutes to get up the hill, with the patient in a Stokes basket on the all-terrain vehicle. Instead, firefighters went out by the Bruceton side of the bridge and met Bruceton Ambulance on the Hudson Road, about a 10-minute trip. The ambulance then took the patient to Valley Point, where Bruceton-Brandonville volunteer firefighters set up a landing zone for HealthNet medical helicopter. The man was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital. Luzier did not know his condition Sunday afternoon. The area at the Jenkinsburg Bridge or High Bridge, also known as the Blue Hole, is a popular spot for summer entertainment. It is also where rafters put into the Cheat. Firefighters aren't the only ones to express concerns about the condition of the road. At a recent Preston County Commission meeting, Friends of the Cheat Executive Director Amanda Pitzer and representatives of American Whitewater and Cheat River Outfitters asked county commissioners for help getting it fixed. She noted that emergency vehicles would have problems with access, as well as the potential economic impact. The last two miles before the river are the worse, Pitzer told commissioners, She said one culvert is especially bad and rock needs to be jackhammered out to make the road passable. The road is single lane most of the way, with a hillside on one side and a sheer drop to the river on the other. "It's the exact scenario we were worried about," Commission President Craig Jennings said Sunday. "We've got enough situations around here with weather and things that can't be fixed," he said, but this could be. Friends of the Cheat collected donations of $11,000 in 2014 and $8,000 last year to pay for work on the road, and is collecting them again. Any work they fund must be approved by the State Division of Highways (DOH). The DOH was on the road last month but spokeswoman Carrie Bly told The Dominion Post then that, "We're just doing the basic stuff because in our eyes we have to walk a fine line, because it is a very low-traffic roadway most of the time." "The Bruceton side's not too bad," Luzier said. "But it's our territory. We're the closest." Bruceton-Brandonville VFD (BBVFD) Assistant Chief John Vincent said while his department didn't have any part in the actual rescue Sunday, water rescues take a lot of manpower. BBVFD firefighters aren't trained in swift water rescues. That would take 20-40 hours' training by the volunteers and the expense for the department. They rely on the county dive team for any rescues involving diving, but the department does have a six-by-six Polaris Ranger it can use for rescues. But Bruceton-Brandonville already covers the largest territory of any volunteer fire department in Preston County, Vincent noted. It's 156 square miles, roughly the top one-third of the county. "It would definitely put a strain on our guys if we had to add that territory, especially such a remote and hard to access area," Vincent said. Luzier said firefighters have talked to legislators about getting help for the road, without success. "We don't want a highway, we just want a way to get there and back," he said. "It's just starting," he said of the summer recreation on the river. "Here it is in May and it's started already. Usually that means it's going to be a long season." Preston County Commissioners asked Friends of the Cheat and businesses to return to them with estimates of the economic impact of the road use.

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Fwd: WVU Woodlot Rec Management Plan--Open House invitation
by Duane Nichols 20 Apr '16

20 Apr '16

> From: Chad Pierskalla <cpierska(a)wvu.edu> > Date: April 20, 2016 at 11:38:34 AM EDT > > Subject: WVU Woodlot Rec Management Plan--Open House invitation > > Invitation to provide input to direct the future management of the WVU WOODLOT/BAKERS RIDGE TRAILS (off West Run Rd.) > > OPEN HOUSE > > When: April 28 (Thursday) 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm > Where: Black Bear restaurant, Evansdale, University Ave. > Format: Drop-in anytime during event. > Purpose: To share student management ideas for the WVU Woodlot. Also, to encourage public input into future plans for the Woodlot. > > For more information, please contact Chad.Pierskalla(a)mail.wvu.edu. > > The event is being organized by WVU graduate students with support from Drs. Selin and Pierskalla. We hope to see you at the event! >

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Preston County Journal - Cheat River is stocked with trout for the first time this season | News | theet.com
by Duane 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

http://www.theet.com/content/tncms/live/ Preston County Journal - By Thresea Marthey, March 22, 2016 Cheat River is stocked with trout for the first time this season ROWLESBURG — The Cheat River is once again stocked and ready for fishing season again. Rain greeted Trout for Cheat, Inc. volunteers who stocked the Cheat River with 1,700 pounds of trout on Tuesday, Mar. 15. “This is our 16th year, and the first of four stockings for this year,” Trout for Cheat President Art George said. “We make 18 stops along the Cheat River.” The trout range from two to eight pounds each, and the Trout for Cheat committee members as well as cadets from the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy join together to put the fish into the river. To make stocking a little easier, volunteers and cadets created a bucket brigade type chain, handing giant buckets of fish and water to one another until they reached the banks of the Cheat River, where the fish were gently set free. Indian Lake Fisheries of Elkview have been providing the trout for the stockings for 13 years. “It is awesome doing this,” Indian Lake Fisheries Wholesale Manager Chris Veltri said. “We pride ourselves on long term business. The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy Cadets have been helping for many years also. “We have 28 cadets here today,” Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy Program Coordinator Kim Keene said. “We have been doing this for many years.” “We also knew it would be raining, so we made sure they had rain coats today,” Keene said. The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy uses the trout stocking program as part of its 40 hours of community service each cadet is required to have in order to graduate. “Groups call us when they have an event where they need help or volunteers,” Keene said. “Or if I know there is an event coming up where volunteers may be needed, I will call the group so the cadets can get their community service hours.” Trout for Cheat is accepts donations for the stocking program. They can be sent to 200 View Street, Kingwood, W.Va. 26537. Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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The East Coast’s undiscovered whitewater gem - Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
by Duane 07 Mar '16

07 Mar '16

http://gotowv.com/the-east-coasts-whitewater-gem/ The East Coast’s undiscovered whitewater gem The Cheat River ranks among the best for whitewater paddling in the region. Northeastern West Virginia is chock-full of creeks and rivers for boaters. At the center of it all is the Cheat River, which is excellent for all levels of paddlers. The Cheat River is a remote, scenic waterway tucked into the hills. It carves a big-volume course through a tight canyon as inaccessible as any in the Pacific Northwest. While accessing the Cheat can be challenging, in terms of its quality, the Cheat is unbeaten. At its most difficult (in normal flows), the Cheat is a solid Class IV. There are 9.5 miles of river with 13 rapids. The most popular section of the Cheat River is the beginner- and intermediate-friendly Narrows, a 5-mile fun-fest that builds in difficulty from beginning to end. The Narrows never goes past Class III rapids, and, it (almost) always gives you room to deal with any challenges you may encounter along the way. The best section is the Canyon, a Class-IV wonderland of boulders, chutes and, in high water, massive waves and swirling holes. Even advanced paddlers should be aware of Coliseum and Pete Morgan. These 2 back-to-back rapids stretch close to .25-mile, and will, no doubt give you a wild ride. Veterans even need to bring their A-games when the water gets above 16 feet on the new gauge. At that point, beginner and intermediate paddlers might want to rethink running the Cheat. Discover more WV whitewater > Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Deep Creek Lake -- TODAY, January 28 at 6:00PM
by Duane 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

WATERSHED PLAN HEARING --- Can't make the hearing?You can join by phone. The Garrett County Commissioners have set up a special public hearing to discuss and review the Deep Creek Watershed Plan. Many individuals in the lake watershed area have followed this plan and helped to develop it over several years. You may be surprised to learn which properties fall within the watershed area. It's not just those homes bordering the lake. If you own property withing the watershed, this issue should be of particular interest to you. Please inform your neighbors and encourage them to attend. The public is invited to submit questions or comments prior to and during the allotted time at the hearing. In order to allow all guests to have a chance to make comments, the commissioners will reserve their responses for a followup meeting, not yet scheduled. This will allow them time to consider each comment or question prior to voicing public responses. It's important to note that the plan has not yet been adopted. This hearing has been requested so public input will be considered prior to any official plan being put into place. NOW is the time to participate and provide valuable input as a citizen of Garrett County. Thursday, January 28 at 6:00PM Garrett College Continuing Education Building, Room 224 687 Mosser Rd McHenry, MD 21541 The location is located in the college auxiliary building between Bumble Bee and Mosser Roads. Dedicated parking is available adjacent to the building and is wheelchair accessible. How to join by phone. Call 1 888 240-2560 When prompted, enter the meeting ID# 103784053 Phone guests will not be able to comment. Read Full Plan Goals The Deep Creek Watershed Plan Steering Committee developed 13 goals. After consultation with members of the sub-committee and stake holders, Goal 12 has been slightly modified. Below is the list of all 13 goals and includes the original language as well as the new language of Goal 12. Goal 1: Improve management, funding, coordination and accountability for the Deep Creek watershed. Goal 2: Nurture and informed and engaged citizenry regarding the Deep Creek watershed. Goal 3: Collect the information needed to make informed management decisions that achieve the desired condition of the Deep Creek Lake and watershed. Goal 4: Managing the existing land uses to achieve the desired condition of the Deep Creek Lake and watershed. Goal 5: Manage SVA in Deep Creek Lake to maintain and improve the ecological stability of the lake, while working with waterfront landowners to minimize the interference of SAV with recreational uses of the lake around docks. Goal 6: Prevent erosion and sedimentation to the greatest extent possible to protect water resources from increased sediment loading and associated water quality problems. Goal 7: Promote policies that balance environmental sustainability and economic viability. Goal 8: Manage stormwater infrastructure to decrease pollution from both existing and proposed development to ensure healthy watershed conditions. Goal 9: Protect the watershed from the adverse effects of impaired septic systems and ensure adequate capacity and management of public sewerage system. Goal 10: Preserve and enhance the quality of recreational opportunities while ensuring that those opportunities are in harmony with environmental stewardship. Goal 11: Maximize the retention of forest cover to protect high-value aquatic and terrestrial natural resources. Goal 12: REPLACED- Assure that the water appropriation analysis and allocation methodology for Deep Creek Lake provides a fair distribution of water for all users, especially during the months of May through September. WITH-To study all Deep Creek Lake water releases and water inputs to determine if there is a different scientific method to maintain lake levels for lake recreation, whitewater boating and temperature enhancement that does not adversely affect any of these stakeholders. Goal 13: Improve access to navigable waters for property owners who typically have shallow water during the summer months. Source: http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4336fa993b16d1176eb1d0e7f&id=4a6346598… Duane Nichols

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Action Alert: Save the Fund That Saved the Gauley, New, Cheat and More!
by Duane 08 Dec '15

08 Dec '15

> > Subject: Action Alert: Save the Fund That Saved the Gauley, New, Cheat and More! > > From: wvrivers(a)wvrivers.org > Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 > > WV Rivers Action Alert > View this email in your browser > > Save the Fund That Saved the Gauley, New, Cheat and More! > > Please help renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund > > Have you paddled the Gauley? Gone down the New? Played in the Cheat? Or enjoyed the view at Blackwater Falls? > > All were made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. For 50 years, it used royalties from offshore drilling to fund access to some of our best lands and rivers—lots of state parks and forests, too! It expired September 30—even though most Senators and Representatives wanted to reauthorize it. > > We want it back and we're on Capitol Hill today to let our congressional members know. Please let them know you back us up! > > Contact your U.S. Representative and click here to sign our petition for reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. > > Tell Congress: Reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund now! > > Find your representative here. > > 1st District - Rep. David McKinley: email, phone: (202) 225-4172 > > 2nd District - Rep. Alex Mooney: email, phone: (202) 225-2711 > > 3rd District - Rep. Evan Jenkins: email, phone: (202) 225-3452 > > > For more information contact West Virginia Rivers Coalition > www.wvrivers.org - (304) 637-7201 - wvrivers(a)wvrivers.org. > Copyright © 2015 West Virginia Rivers Coalition, All rights reserved. > You are receiving this email because you signed up for email notifications. > > Our mailing address is: > West Virginia Rivers Coalition > 3501 MacCorkle Ave. SE #129 > Charleston, WV 25304 > > Add us to your address book >

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Charleston Gazette-Mail | W.Va.’s trout outlook has changed, retired biologist says
by Duane 15 Nov '15

15 Nov '15

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20151114/GZ07/151119712/1118 W.Va.’s trout outlook has changed, retired biologist says From the Charleston Gazette Mail, November 14, 2015 ELKINS — Every fish and wildlife agency has its unsung heroes. One of those, Tom Oldham, retired on October 28th. Oldham, a fisheries biologist, spent more than 39 years’ working in the Division of Natural Resources’ trout program. A lot of his work took place along tiny blue lines on the map, well away from towns, roads and the public’s eye. When a remote headwater stream needed to have its water quality tested, chances are Oldham made the measurements and recorded the results. When all of the Monongahela National Forest’s streams had their fish populations surveyed, Oldham spent countless hours with an electrofishing pack strapped to his back. When other DNR biologists needed help with a fisheries project, Oldham was happy to lend a hand, even if the project didn’t involve trout. Thorough. Meticulous. Professional. A biologist’s biologist. Those are some of the descriptions Oldham’s colleagues used to describe him. It should come as no surprise, then, that Oldham noted a few significant changes take place in the state’s trout program during his four decades’ of service. “When I started with the agency, there were a lot of water-quality issues. We had a lot of issues with acid rain, mine drainage and other forms of water pollution,” Oldham said. “Over the years a lot of those problems have been resolved. Now that the water is in better shape, we can now concentrate on improving the habitat in our trout streams.” He credited former DNR biologist Pete Zurbuch for handling some of the water-quality problems. It was Zurbuch who pioneered the use of finely ground limestone to counteract the effects of acid pollution. Today, literally hundreds of miles of streams benefit from annual applications of limestone sand. “Through Mr. Zurbuch’s and others’ efforts, there’s been a lot of improvement. A lot of [barren] fisheries have been restored. There are a lot of places we can put fish now that we couldn’t before,” Oldham added. He pointed out that almost the entire Cheat River system, which once suffered from acid pollution, has benefited from the DNR’s introduction of limestone sand to the river’s headwater tributaries. Sweetening the tributaries has had the unexpected benefit of sweetening the main river all the way downstream to Cheat Lake. Fishing is better today than it has been since the 1960s. The changes Oldham has seen haven’t all been for the better. When he went to work for the DNR in the 1970s, most of the agency’s trout hatcheries were in good shape. That, he said, is simply not the case today. “We neglected our hatcheries for too long, and now we’re having problems,” he said. “One hatchery that was new in the early years of my career, the Tate Lohr Hatchery, has a spring box that leaks. They’re having trouble keeping enough water [in the facility] to raise trout.” Several other hatcheries are plagued with plumbing leaks, some severe enough to have generated sizable underground voids. Aging vehicles and antiquated equipment can be found just about everywhere in the seven-hatchery system. “We probably maxed out our [fish-producing] capacity 15 to 20 years ago,” Oldham said. “We can’t produce more trout, and at the same time we still have fishermen wanting lots of fish.” A complicating factor, he added, is that West Virginia’s complex state-government purchasing practices make it difficult to make repairs in a timely manner. “There are a lot of impediments to getting things done,” he said. “The idea of making things transparent has actually muddied the issue. The system is overzealous about making sure everyone can bid and making sure everyone can see what’s going on. As a result, things aren’t working as well as they could or should.” But those aren’t Oldham’s problems now. In retirement, he’ll concern himself mainly with spending more time with his wife and kids, and trying to decide where he next wants to go fishing. Looking back, he says he gets “a great deal of satisfaction” knowing that the work he did for the DNR, however unsung, helped to make West Virginia a better place to catch fish.

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The Flood of 1985 remembered - Mountain Messenger | Lewisburg, WV
by Duane 09 Nov '15

09 Nov '15

http://mountainmessenger.com/flood-1985-remembered/ The Flood of 1985 remembered By Sarah Mansheim, with Cheryl Griffith, Mountain Messenger reporter, 1985 It caught almost everyone by surprise. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1985, residents in the low-lying areas of Greenbrier County were flooded out of their homes and businesses. Buildings were lifted from their foundations, trailers and livestock floated down the river, and cars were turned on their roofs. When the waters crested, mud and debris filled houses and businesses, and Ronceverte’s Island Park was virtually destroyed. According to an article in the Nov. 10, 1985 edition of the Mountain Messenger, no lives were lost in Ronceverte, but devastating losses to homes and businesses occurred in the Monroe Avenue and River Oaks areas. The Ronceverte substation of West Virginia Power was destroyed, leaving all of Ronceverte and some Lewisburg and Caldwell residents without power for two days. Caldwell residents were evacuated from areas around Rt. 60 as the swollen Greenbrier backed its way into Howards Creek. In Alderson, streets were blocked by water, including parts of Rt. 3, 12 and 63. Alderson resident Red Nickell, an owner of a grocery store destroyed by the flood, told the Mountain Messenger that the flood took him by such surprise that when he’d left the store, he’d merely moved some stock items to the store’s top shelves and left change in the cash register. He maintained his sense of humor, telling the newspaper, “I do not know if I’ll go back into business. Right at the moment my store is for sale. Quite a few people have wanted to buy it in the past. Now, here’s their chance. It’s real cheap,” he quipped. “If you bring a shovel, you can get a lot of groceries.” Alderson Elementary School, which had just opened that fall, was also damaged in the flood, as over two feet of muddy, oily water washed through its interior. The buildings that housed the kindergarten classes were destroyed. Meanwhile, the community rallied as the Greenbrier County Landfill remained open throughout the weekend to accept flood damaged furniture, clothing, appliances and other debris, and water, food and clothing distribution centers popped up around the county to help flood victims. Some 250 National Guardsmen came to Greenbrier County to assist with cleanup and safety issues. Thursday, Nov. 5 marks the 30-year anniversary of the 1985 flood. Ronceverte resident, historian and grant writer Doug Hylton shared some photographs of downtown Ronceverte during this historic event.

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WV MetroNews – 1985 Flood still haunts those who saw it
by Duane 04 Nov '15

04 Nov '15

http://wvmetronews.com/2015/11/03/1985-flood-still-haunts-those-who-saw-it/ 1985 Flood still haunts those who saw it By Chris Lawrence, WV MetroNews, November 3, 2015 KINGWOOD, W.Va. — November 5, 1985 will forever be remembered as a dark day in the history of West Virginia. The remnants of Hurricane Juan passed through Louisiana and headed north toward the Canadian border. The strength of the storm spawned a separate rain system over the mid-Atlantic.The system parked over Virginia and West Virginia and dumped heavy rain in a brief span of time on much of the region causing widespread flooding. The entire mid-Atlantic region saw flooding, but Virginia and West Virginia endured the worst of the high water. Waterway throughout the Potomac, Cheat, and Monongahela watersheds overflowed their banks. The high water marks were breached at every USGS gauge on every river. The region endured the 100 year flood in a matter of hours. Jim Fields was the chief Deputy of the Preston County Sheriff’s Department at the time and recalled being awakened early in the morning. “About three or four o’clock in the morning and I heard the scanner. I decided to get up and see what all the racket was about,” said Fields, who is now retired. “I got up and listened for a few minutes and it sounded like it was getting to be a mess.” He was quickly out the door and trying to get a handle on the situation. He knew communities along the Cheat River would be the first ones affected, but by then the water was over the roads and too high to get to any of those locations. He contacted a friend who owned a helicopter and they were airborne by the first light of the morning. “We flew from Cheat Lake to the end of Parsons just kind of surveying and trying to get a handle on what was going on,” Fields recalled. “I talked to the sheriff and we both kind of figured we were going to be stuck with bodies everywhere.” Fields saw hundreds of homes floating in the water and knew many of those who lived in the homes had probably been asleep as the water rose. “This was at night and of course we didn’t have the National Weather Service doing the things back then they do now,” he said. “They weren’t capable of predicting like they can now and we didn’t have all of those early warnings.” As it turned out, amazingly, only two residents of Preston County died in the flood. Fields said both victims refused to leave their homes as the waters rose and the local fire departments tried to evacuate them. “The gentleman in the country club area he was found in a couple of days, but the lady who lived in a trailer down in Albright, she was found a couple of weeks later down at the head of Cheat Lake,” said Fields. As news of the disaster spread it became evident the damage and the devastation was spread over a wide area. George Manahan covered the statehouse for MetroNews at the time and was embedded with Gov. Arch Moore who headed toward the flood zone in a helicopter. “Our first stop was Parsons and when you’re looking at it from the air it was as if it was a battleground,” he recalled. “The roadway, I think Route 72, looked like somebody had sliced it with a large knife.” On the ground Manahan said it was even worse than how it appeared from the air. “There was mud everywhere. Cars were upside down. Buildings were off their foundations. To me it looked like a war zone,” he remembered. From one town after another, Gov. Moore was comforting thousands and mustering aid in difficult circumstances. “Moorefield, Petersburg, Philippi, Albright, Marlinton, Parsons, that’s a whole region,” he said. Rowlesburg in Preston County was one of the hardest hit and was literally cut off from the outside world. Fields recalled arriving there and seeing Mayor Margaret Scholar organizing relief efforts and neighbors pulling together. It was the same in all communities. “People did, they just teamed up and helped each other,” said Fields. “The National Guard came in. There was training going on at Camp Dawson and those people came out with their helicopters and rescued a couple of people off an island above Rowlesburg who had spent the night in a tree.” “When I dropped in with the governor, you would see these dazed looks,” said Manahan. “The governor talked about it to, this dazed look in people’s eyes like they’d never experienced anything like it before.” It would be months before things were back to semi-normal and years before the damage was fully cleaned up. Even today, if you know what to look for, there are still signs of what happened on that night 30 years ago. The toll of the flood washed away thousands of trees, rerouted river channels, destroyed or damaged 13,000 homes and businesses and left 38 people dead in West Virginia. The total cost of the West Virginia flood was around $700 million, one of the costliest disasters in state history. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Spotlight on Cheat Lake, West Virginia
by Duane 03 Nov '15

03 Nov '15

http://www.lakelubbers.com/cheat-lake-676/ Cheat Lake, West Virginia, USA Monongalia County, WV Minimum Elevation is 857 feet above sea level, very rarely useful in practice. Normal summer recreational pool height is 868 to 870, i. e. a two foot variation. Surface Area: 1,730 acres Shoreline Length: 30 miles Normal Elevation: 868 feet Minimum Elevation: 857 feet Maximum Elevation: 870 feet Water Volume: 72,300 acre-feet Completion Year: 1925 Cheat Lake Photo Gallery A dam built across the Cheat River in 1925 created the scenic reservoir of Cheat Lake. Originally called Lake Lynn, the dam sits nearly at the border between West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Located in West Virginia's Mountaineer Country region, the reservoir meanders amid scenic green mountains and beneath canyon walls. Built for hydroelectric power generation, Lake Lynn was renamed Cheat Lake in 1976, but the power generation project still retains the Lake Lynn designation. Located only about ten miles east of Morgantown, WV, Cheat Lake is gaining in popularity both as a recreational resource and as a bedroom community. A number of large homes enjoy secluded views from the cliffs overlooking the lake. As a colonial surveyor, George Washington envisioned using the Cheat River as a transportation system. It wasn't until 1910 that work began on the Lake Lynn Dam, and obstacles created by World War I delayed the project until 1925. The Lake Lynn Project was dedicated in 1927 with the placement of a bronze plaque proclaiming the lake and power generation as dedicated to the public 'in lasting beauty for recreation and the supplying of essential service'. At one time, cottages could be rented by employees of the long-defunct railway that ran along the eastern bank of the lake. Now, the lake boasts three marinas, a golf and spa resort, a number of trails and one at-your-own-risk swimming beach at Cheat Lake Park. The community of Cheat Lake along the eastern shoreline offers food, supplies and services to residents and visitors. Much of the main part of the lake is popular with pleasure boaters and water sports enthusiasts: water skiing, tubing, windsurfing and wakeboarding. Several quiet backwater embayments are particularly popular with those who enjoy canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats. Little Cheat Lake Park along the eastern shoreline is well-positioned for those who enjoy quiet waters and a wealth of wildlife. Located in a no-wake portion of the lake, the 4.5-mile Cheat Lake Trail bisects the park with an unpaved trail along the old former railway and its causeways across two embayments. A playground, rest rooms, and the swim beach separate several somewhat secluded picnic areas with picnic tables and grills. The name, Mill Stone Beach, derives from old millstones scattered around the area, remnants of old grist mills once common along the river. The parking area on Morgan's Run Road is a distance from the lakefront, so some walking is required. A driveway down to the lake allows for handicapped access, but the parking isn't very close to the shoreline. Currently, no camping is available. Fishing is a favored sport at Cheat Lake. In years past, acid mine runoff killed fish and endangered water quality. Several years of concentrated efforts by such groups as Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR) and the Cheat Lake Advisory Council have monitored water quality and worked to improve recreational opportunities at the reservoir. They have succeeded to the point that Cheat Lake is one of the better lakes in the region for largemouth bass fishing and the location of regular bass tournaments. Channel catfish, crappies, sunfish and walleye round out the angling selection. A fishing dock at Cheat Lake Park allows even the littlest anglers to try their luck. A boat ramp lets visitors launch small hand-carried boats. Larger craft will need to use the commercial marinas where they will find boat gas, boat rentals, snacks, supplies, restaurant, fishing equipment and rental slips available. The area near Cheat Lake is a trail-lover's dream. The Cheat Lake Trail intersects the Cheat Haven Trail. Plans are in the works to expand the trail into Pennsylvania to connect with the Mon River trail that becomes the Caperton Trail along the riverfront in Morgantown. Just upstream (south) from Cheat Lake, Cooper's Rock State Forest holds over 20 trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. Many of the trails skirt the bluffs of Cheat River Gorge and offer excellent overlooks among the trees. In June, the trails are ablaze with azalea and rhododendron. Deer, fox, owls, songbirds, squirrels and other forest denizens can often be seen. Coopers Rock State Forest offers the closest campground to Cheat Lake, a 25-site campground with electricity, hot showers, water and even wifi to registered campers. Several small streams cross the state forest, and a small six-acre impoundment is stocked with trout for fishing. Farther upstream, some of the East Coast's best whitewater rafting can be found in the Cheat River Gorge. Cheat Lake has been under the management of several hydroelectric companies, beginning with Allegheny Energy, First Energy and most recently Harbor Hydro Holdings LLC. Rapidly multiplying environmental restrictions have caused many smaller hydroelectric projects to close in recent years, and the Lake Lynn Power Station is not large. However, Harbor Hydro recently invested in several improvements at the dam to solve a years-old problem of debris clogging the dam outflows and causing flooding. Apparently Harbor Holdings has every intention to keep Lake Lynn Power Station in operation for the foreseeable future. Lodgings in the area are provided by the golf resort, campgrounds and RV resorts nearby, and a few private home rentals. The entire area along the river is a popular vacation destination, so there are guest cottages and campgrounds not far away. Morgantown, home of West Virginia University, is located only ten miles west. The city provides hotels, guest cottages and bed & breakfasts, along with multiple restaurants, entertainment venues and shopping. If your idea of an ideal vacation includes water sports, fishing, great scenic vistas and quiet wooded trails, then Cheat Lake is the perfect spot to spend your time. Toss the kayak on the rood-top carrier, pack the tent or RV, and head over to Cheat Lake to enjoy a scenic vacations in the West Virginia mountains.

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Cheat Lake Level now down
by Duane 03 Nov '15

03 Nov '15

Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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CHEAT LAKE -- thanks to Mary Wimmer et al.
by Duane330＠aol.com 23 Oct '15

23 Oct '15

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WV Rivers Film Festival, October 22nd, Metropolitan Theater, Morgantown
by Duane 20 Oct '15

20 Oct '15

West Virginia Rivers Coalition is headed back to Morgantown to host our 6th Annual Film Festival at the beautiful Metropolitan Theater. The WV Rivers' film festival has become an annual event forMorgantown and this year we're doing something special. We're hosting our very own homegrown film festival. We're featuring West Virginia and Appalachian filmmakers, films, adventures, and conservation issues. In addition to wild and wonderful films, the Halftime String Band will be preforming before the films begin and during the intermission. It's all about telling the story of the people, rivers, mountains and issues of our region. Doors open and music with the Halftime String Band starts at 6:00 p.m. and films start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $8.00 each in advance online. Tickets will be on sale at the door for $10.00, $8.00 with a valid student ID. For more information contact WV Rivers, (304) 637-7201. If you have a film that helps tell West Virginia's story click here. If you'd like to learn about festival sponsorship opportunities click here. Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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SkyTruth. Mapping Abandoned Coal Mines
by Duane Nichols 17 Oct '15

17 Oct '15

> > SkyTruth > Mapping Abandoned Coal Mines > Posted: 16 Oct 2015 03:14 PM PDT > Did you know there are 48,529 abandoned coal mines in the United States which are known to pose a threat to the public and/or the environment? This number is not exhaustive but it comes from the most comprehensive federal database that we know of – the enhanced Abandoned Mine Lands Inventory System (eAMLIS) maintained by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM). > > Of the 48,529 abandoned mine sites in the map below, 36,191 are categorized "Priority 1" or "Priority 2", meaning they pose a "threat to health, safety and general welfare of people." The remaining 12,408 mines are classified as "Priority 3", that is, sites which pose a threat to the environment. However, because this map only includes mines that are truly abandoned AND which have been catalogued by the federal government, all we can say with certainty is that this map is not an exhaustive inventory of abandoned and inactive mines in the US. In fact, it is probably just the tip of the iceberg. > > > Click here or above to explore the interactive map. > > Back in August the Animas River in southwestern Colorado turned orange for miles after millions of gallons of mine waste erupted from an inactive gold mine. The dayglo color of the river, coupled with the fact that the spill was trigged by contractors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) trying to fix the problem, captured national attention for weeks. In response to that spill we took it upon ourselves to map nearly 65,000 inactive metal mines using the most extensive federal database that we could find. The spill from the Gold King Mine was not the first of its kind, and it most likely will not be the last, but it revived discussion about the challenge and cost of reclaiming an estimated 500,000 abandoned and inactive mines (gold, coal, and otherwise) that litter the landscape. > > According to OSM definitions this database of problematic coal mines includes 1,167 "Dangerous Impoundments", 1,298 sites with polluted groundwater ("Polluted Water: Agricultural & Industrial" and "Polluted Water: Human Consumption"), and 276 "Underground Mine Fires" like the kind which still burn beneath the ghost town of Centralia. But again, we have to add a caveat. Just because a mine was classified abandoned does not mean that there hasn't at least been some effort made at reclamation. "Abandoned" in this context means that the responsible party (the mining company) has reneged on their responsibility for reclamation, leaving the taxpayers (you and I) stuck with the bill to clean it up. > > > > > Above: The Cheat River in Preston County, WV still has rocks stained orange by acid mine drainage from an abandoned mine which first blew out in 1994. Read the history of that mine blowout and the efforts which have restored the Cheat River to a thriving, life-sustaining waterway. > > This database primarily covers abandoned coal mines, but while there are a few non-coal mines in the database we did our best to exclude any non-coal mines based on the federal funding source assigned to their cleanup. With some guidance from a GIS specialist at OSM we believe this map provides a decent overview of the known high-priority abandoned coal mines > > Much like our previous map of abandoned and inactive metal mines, this map is only part of the story. There are many flaws within the data itself, including contradictory descriptions of what the various fields mean. But while we know this doesn't show every abandoned coal mine the country, and some sites may have been expertly reclaimed by state, federal, and non-profit initiatives, this map also underscores the alarming lack of good data about sites which could still cause disastrous releases of toxic wastes for decades to come. > ........................................+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.....................................

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