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<Lake Lynn Update> March 5th, 6:30 pm. Lakeview Resort.
by Duane330＠aol.com 25 Feb '15

25 Feb '15

Subject: Lake Lynn/Cheat Lake Recreation Plan Public Meeting The public meeting to receive comments on the 2015 Lake Lynn/Cheat Lake Recreation Plan has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 6:30 pm at the Lakeview Golf Resort, One Lakeview Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508. Note: The originally scheduled meeting, on February 19th at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall was canceled due to weather and the want for a key.

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<CLEAR> Public Meeting: Lake Recreation Plan Update 2/19/15 Cheat Lake Fire Hall
by Duane330＠aol.com 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

Lake Lynn Recreation Plan Update <2015> Please attend a public meeting at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall on this coming Thursday, February 19th from at 6:30 to 9 pm. This meeting is being hosted by Lake Lynn Generation, LLC, the company that purchased the Lake Lynn Hydro project exactly one year ago. The draft "recreation plan update" for 2015 is attached as a "pdf" document, as prepared by Lake Lynn Generation, LLC. Background information is available on the FERC web site under FERC Project Number 2459. The 2015 update is License Article 417. The recreation plan for the hydro project and the surrounding lands and lake is up for review every three years, as mandated by and monitored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Comments will be received by Lake Lynn Generation on 2/19/15 at the Fire Hall. And, written comments will be received for 30 days, until 3/19/15 at the following address: ATTN: Kim Johnson, Lake Lynn Generation, LLC, P. O. Box 77, 130 Schenley Marina Drive, Schenley, PA, 15682 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Please also email questions and comments to: Duane Nichols, CLEAR, 330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508, or via email: _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com) Attachment: 2015 Lake Lynn Recreation Update, pdf (1.1 MB)

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ALEXANDER, PATRICK SIGNED ORDER.pdf
by Duane 29 Jan '15

29 Jan '15

http://www.dep.wv.gov/pio/Documents/Settlements%20and%20Orders/ALEXANDER%2c… WV-DEP. PROPOSED SETTLEMENT. Patrick Alexander, Monongalia County =========================================================== Thursday, January 29, 2015 @ 3:33 PM =========================================================== The WV Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and Patrick Alexander have proposed a settlement of Administrative Consent Order No. MM-15-05 which resolves violation(s) of the WV Water Pollution Control Act which occurred in Monongalia County, WV. In accordance with the proposed Consent Order, Patrick Alexander has agreed to pay administrative penalties and to comply with the Act. Final settlement is subject to comments received during the thirty (30) day period ending March 2, 2015. Further information about this Administrative Consent Order is available by contacting the Chief Inspector, WVDEP/Environmental Enforcement, 601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304, (304) 926-0470 or by accessing WV Department of Environmental Protection’s website at http://www.dep.wv.gov/pio/Pages/Settlements,Ordersouttopublicnotice.aspx

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Petition · Reclaim the Trail System at Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area · Change.org
by Duane 24 Dec '14

24 Dec '14

https://www.change.org/p/wv-governor-earl-ray-tomblin-reclaim-the-trail-sys… Reclaim the Trail System at Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area Petitioning WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and 3 others The Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area (SHWMA) is an important public recreational asset enjoyed by residents of Monongalia County and visitors. It is popular with hunters and is also enjoyed year-round by outdoor recreationists including hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and birders. Three magnificent scenic views of the Cheat River canyon are achieved with a short hike. The SHWMA is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). A 115 acre timber project was initiated in February, 2014 to create habitat for wildlife. The logging activity has destroyed and disrupted significant parts of the established trail system, a system that is essential to the enjoyment of all permitted activities, including hunting. WV Code 20-2-1 states that it is public policy to protect the state's wildlife resources for the use and enjoyment of all citizens of the state, particularly for hunting, fishing and other diversified uses, economic contributions, and scientific and educational uses. Thus we ask the following: We ask that the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Division quickly reclaim roads and trails and that they do so in a way that promotes hiking. In particular, we request that the DNR refrain from using large (3”) gravel in reclaiming any significant section of these trails and roads, as this large gravel makes hiking extremely difficult. We request that the WVDNR relocate habitat designed for rattlesnake away from popular access points. We urge the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Division to develop channels of communication and work cooperatively in the future with local residents, recreational experts from WVU, and local nonprofit groups to develop and implement a plan for maintenance and improvement of the hiking trails at the SHWMA using local volunteer and donated labor and materials. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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URGENT: Forest Service Seeking Comments
by Duane330＠aol.com 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

____________________________________ From: elise(a)greenbrier.org Sent: 12/17/2014 5:49:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: URGENT: Forest Service Seeking Comments December 17, 2014 The Forest Service is seeking comments on whether to allow surveys on a 12.6 mile segment of the George Washington National Forest for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Highland and Augusta counties in Virginia. The Forest Service will use public comments and an environmental review to decide whether to issue a permit for surveys on the forest. Comments are being accepted through Friday, January 9, 2015. Comments may be submitted by: Email: comments-southern-georgewashington-jefferson(a)fs.fed.us FAX: 540-265-5145 Mail or Hand Deliver: USDA Forest Service Atlantic Coast Pipeline Survey Comments 5162 Valleypointe Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019 We are trying to focus our comments on a few main points: We are asking the Forest Service to make sure Dominion collects the kinds of data necessary to make a decision about the construction of the proposed pipeline. Now is the time to collect the data needed to document environmental conditions. Data collected should allow the Forest Service to do a comparative analysis of all three proposed pipelines that would impact the national forests in Virginia and West Virginia. Data should also reflect a correct and detailed assessment of the impact on habitat, wildlife and plants. The potential for slope failure should also be considered since certain soils and rocks are susceptible to failure - and because Dominion has a track record of slope failure and stream sedimentation at other pipelines projects. Dominion should also conduct an assessment of both water quality and quantity for all springs, wells, and streams within and adjacent to the forest and decide how water resources will be monitored if construction is approved. For more information please contact elise(a)greenbrier.org 304-647-4792 Greenbrier River Watershed Association | 120 W. Washington St. Suite #4 | Lewisburg | WV | 24901

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Growing Shiitake Mushrooms
by Duane 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

http://ahc.wvu.edu/remository/func-download/489/chk,ab4c0845afb9f103dbe65d9… Growing Shiitake Mushrooms Dave McGill, WVU Extension Specialist – Forestry WVU Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Tiffany Fegel, Forest Stewardship Outreach Education Coordinator WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design This fact sheet explains how to prepare, inoculate, and propagate shiitake mushrooms. About Shiitake Cultivation Shiitake mushrooms are part of the shiitake fungus, a species that consumes wood for energy. Cultivating shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) can be an integral part of forest farming. These gourmet mushrooms are a non-timber forest product that can be grown in the understory of woodlands as an added money-maker resource or in a backyard for personal use. See the link above for the details ......

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Successful tree planting
by Duane 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL TREE PLANTING BY DAN MAGILL Well it is the Autumn Season again with winter just around the corner and now is a good time to start planning woodland improvement activities such as planting trees in the upcoming Spring Season. Although this may seem too far ahead of time to get things rolling for Spring-time tree planting, there are several steps to accomplish successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Choosing the right site in woodlands or fields is important because different tree species require distinct site conditions like aspect, soil type and moisture, shade and sunlight conditions, terrain (bottom land, ridge-top, stream-sides) etc. Conducting a soil test for type, pH, moisture and nutrient levels is also one of the most crucial activities that should be conducted to insure successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Additionally, newly planted trees will need to be protected from damage from deer and rabbit browsing, and even bears that will often break off the trees either from curiosity or the bears are trying to get food such as nuts or fruits, or trying to get insects from the tree roots. It is likewise a good idea to order trees well ahead of time such as in autumn to insure the desired tree species to plant can be obtained for the Spring-time planting season. In WV, the Clements State Tree Nursery is currently taking tree orders for the autumn 2014 or spring-time 2015 planting season and the online store-front at:http://www.wvcommerce.org/ClementsNursery, allows customers to shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deliveries start the week of Thanksgiving. The Clements State Tree Nursery can also be reached at 304-675-1820 Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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'Bat-nav' system enables three-dimensional manoeuvres : Nature News & Comment
by Duane 04 Dec '14

04 Dec '14

http://www.nature.com/news/bat-nav-system-enables-three-dimensional-manoeuv… 'Bat-nav' system enables three-dimensional manoeuvres The brains of bats have a neuronal 'compass' that enables them to navigate in three dimensions. The discovery, published in Nature on 3 December, explains the long-standing mystery of how bats — and perhaps other mammals such as monkeys, which do not fly but swing between branches — manage to orient themselves in the air as well as on the ground. The ‘bat-nav’ system is “surprising — but also surprising in its beauty”, says May-Britt Moser, a neuroscientist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, who shared this year’s Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of a two-dimensional navigation system in the brains of rats. Computational neuroscientist Andreas Herz, from the University of Munich in Germany, adds that the simple elegance of the neural coding that makes up the compass has wider implications for how the brain computes. These systems are not 'compasses' in the sense that they detect the geomagnetic north, and in fact they are not sensory organs at all but simply systems for keeping track of information that the brain has integrated from the senses. Smart cells In her work, Moser and her collaborators had found that rats have specialized neural cells for navigation. In particular, the researchers found, the rodents have 'head-direction' cells, contained in a brain area called the presubiculum. Different cells in the head-direction system fire depending on which direction on the horizontal plane the animal points its head. Now, Nachum Ulanovsky and his colleagues at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, have discovered that the head-direction cells in the Egyptian fruit bats that they studied are more complex than those in rats. In addition to cells that fire depending on horizontal direction, the bats also have some that fire only when the creatures move their heads up and down (change pitch) or rotate in the roll axis. To find these cells, they implanted electrodes into the presubiculum area of the bats’ brains and recorded single neurons firing. They also mounted a special head-monitoring device comprising four differently coloured light-emitting diodes arranged in a pyramid onto the bats’ heads. By comparing the neuronal firings with head movement, the researchers could determine the particular head orientation — horizontal, vertical or a combination — at which each neuron fired when the bats were crawling or flying. They found that most neurons were tuned to horizontal directions, but more than one-fifth were tuned to head pitch. This established that the bats' navigation system is fully 3-D. Only a few of the neurons correlated to head roll, however. This may be because bats do not roll their bodies much in flight, says Ulanovsky. Flipping bats The team's findings included one additional surprise, which came when the researchers observed bats performing an upside-down flip to land hanging upside down (see figure below). As expected, the firings of the pitch neurons reflected the full 180° rotation. But even though the head ended up pointing in the opposite horizontal direction than it was during flight, the horizontal-direction neurons did not reflect the flip — something that would have required them to suddenly change from, say “east” to “west”. Ulanovsky says that he stared at his data for three months before he understood that this was happening. Once the penny dropped, the scientists worked out that the bat brain was computing the signals not as latitude–longitude coordinates on a sphere — as Ulanovsky intuitively imagined three-dimensional space would be represented — but as coordinates on a torus, a figure shaped like the surface of a bagel. Jasiek Krzysztofiak/Nature As on the sphere, on the bagel surface, the longitude (green circles in the picture) still represents horizontal direction, and the latitude (red circle) pitch. But the bagel representation allows the flip to be represented without a sudden change in longitude. “It has been a humbling experience,” says Ulanovsky, laughing. It may have taken him months to understand, but now when he explains the mechanism to other people, they get it in seconds. In a related News & Views article, Moser and her Trondheim colleague David Rowland speculate that the animals' skills may be reflected in their anatomy. In rats, the head-direction cells can be imagined as a network of neurons arranged in a circle, describing the full 360° of possible directions. But in bats, Moser and Rowland write, the head-direction cells “may have connections between cells that follow a toroidal arrangement“. Scientists are divided in their expectation about whether bat nav will show up in animals such as humans, who do not fly or enjoy spending time upside down. Some, including Herz, suspect that it will not, arguing that such creatures may not need it, and that the toroidal model in any case works only for animals with little rolling movement. But Moser says that she has a feeling that it will, maybe to explain feelings of vertigo when we lose our sense of up and down, or the disorientation we sometimes feel on emerging from an underground train. “Well, we just have to find out by getting the data,” she says. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Fwd: December 6 Cheat Lake Waterfowl trip
by Duane 03 Dec '14

03 Dec '14

> From: Ella Belling > Date: December 3, 2014 7:56:02 AM EST > > Subject: Re: December 6 Cheat Lake Waterfowl trip > > I just received a call that there are hundreds of Tundra Swan at Cheat Lake this morning. Ella > >

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Winter Birding Activities.
by Duane Nichols 10 Nov '14

10 Nov '14

> Subject: Winter Birding Activities. > > Sent: Sunday, November 9, 2014 11:24:23 AM > Subject: Winter Birding Activities. > > Want to know your winter birds around Morgantown, WV? Check out these > events that are open to any interested person. > > November 11: Doren Burrell will present our Tuesday program on Winter > Birds. This will be an excellent way to prepare for the Christmas Bird > Count. The 7:00 program is at the Spruce Street United Methodist Church, > 348 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV. > > December 6: Cheat Lake Waterfowl trip. 8:00 am at Ruby and Ketchy’s > Restaurant on Route 857 east of Cheat Lake. If you’d like breakfast > first, meet at 7:00 am. LeJay Graffious, leader, lejaygraffious(a)gmail.com. > > December 20: Morgantown Christmas Bird Count. Contact LeJay Graffious, > compiler, to volunteer at lejaygraffious(a)gmail.com. >

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Wild Ginseng, Wood Thrushes, and Climate Change: A Survival Story | West Virginia Public Broadcasting
by Duane 22 Oct '14

22 Oct '14

http://wvpublic.org/post/wild-ginseng-wood-thrushes-and-climate-change-surv… Wild Ginseng, Wood Thrushes, and Climate Change: A Survival Story By Glynis Board, WV Public Broadcasting, October 21, 2014 Some researchers at West Virginia University have discovered that wild ginseng—a native and valuable medicinal plant—could be using specific birds to catch a ride into climates for which it’s better suited. Eberly Professor of Biology at WVU, Jim McGraw, has been studying ginseng from every angle for 18 years. A simple question lead McGraw and researchers Amy Hruska and Sara Souther to ask other questions, which is lead them to discover an ecological survival story. STUDY 1: Fruit Why does ginseng bear bright red berries? “When a plant evolves fleshy fruit like that, it usually means there’s some kind of animal interaction going on, but we had no idea what that was,” said McGraw. So all around wild fruiting ginseng cameras were set, and for three years tripped by the occasional raccoon, opossum, mouse, or turkey. But there was one pretty regular visitor: the Wood Thrush, (a cousin of the Robin, actually, but with superior vocal abilities on account of a double-set of vocal chords!). McGraw says after analyzing some 900 photos, they discovered the thrushes were in fact seduced by the bright red ginseng berries. STUDY 2: A Seed Study How do seeds survive the thrushes, or do they? McGraw and researcher Amy Hruska found out there were captive thrushes living at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, and convinced the good folks there to let them feed ginseng berries to the birds. Video actually shows regurgitation of seed. The researchers observed that the birds would eat the whole berry but 5 to 30 minutes later… “They would actually sit on a branch and start flipping their bills together and a seed would pop out,” McGraw said, “And they were completely viable seeds.” So the research team found ginseng’s wild seed dispensers! STUDY 3: Thrush Tracking Where and how far do the thrushes wander? …This study is underway… Understanding thrush activity is the latest query commanding attention in the larger effort to study a threatened and valuable plant. Wild populations are increasingly rare. We know overharvesting, deer browsing, and loss of habitat are major reasons for declines. But McGraw thinks this thrush research might shed light on another threat to wild ginseng populations. “Wood thrushes, as common as they are, have actually declined by 50 percent over the last fifty years,” McGraw said. “They’re one of the poster children for major songbird decline in the Eastern deciduous forest.” Losing so many birds is very troubling because ginseng populations may well rely on thrushes not only to help disperse their seeds, but also to help them adapt to a changing climate. Wild ginseng’s range stretches from eastern Canada south through the eastern United States. But genetically, those ginseng populations vary and over ages have adapted to their specific regions. McGaw suspect thrushes will play an important role in helping ginseng survive by helping it migrate from their warming regions into cooler climates. If the birds themselves can survive. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Acquire 2 New Wildli - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather
by Duane 09 Oct '14

09 Oct '14

http://www.wboy.com/story/26745321/west-virginia-division-of-natural-resour… West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Acquire 2 New Wildlife Management Areas >Thursday, October 9, 2014 The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has acquired two new wildlife management areas in Preston County. “These new public lands will provide outdoor enthusiasts with additional opportunities for hunting, trapping, fishing and other wildlife-related activities. In addition, these WMAs contain important habitat types and unique wildlife species which, under the management of the Wildlife Resources Section, can be responsibly conserved into the future,” said Curtis Taylor, chief of the DNR Wildlife Resource Section in a news release. Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management Area and Fairfax Pond - Rehe Wildlife Management Area are the two areas. The Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management area can be accessed by Beech Run Road from the south and by County Route 14/4 from the north. The Fairfax Pond - Rehe near Reedsville can be accessed by State Route 92 on Arthur Road (County Route 92/1) and Dogtown Road (County Route 56/2). Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Firefighters Fight Blaze at Bio Diesel Refinery on Old Stewartst - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather
by Duane 09 Oct '14

09 Oct '14

http://www.wboy.com/story/26683600/firefighters-fight-blaze-at-bio-diesel-r… Firefighters Fight Blaze at Bio Diesel Refinery on Old Stewartstown Road >Thursday, October 2, 2014 Fire crews responded to a fire at a bio diesel refinery Wednesday in Monongalia County. According to Mecca 911 dispatchers, it happened around 8:30 p.m. on Old Stewartstown Road. The fire closed down the road for a little more than three hours as crews battled the blaze. The owner was processing a batch of bio diesel when the fire ignited. The owner said he saw a fire ball, ran out and began turning off propane tanks. There was approximately 800 to 900 gallons of cooking oils and bio diesel in the fire, said the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters were able to control the fire from approaching an adjacent building which contained approximately 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of unprocessed oil. The refinery generates approximately 300 gallons of bio diesel every 12 hours, said the Cheat Lake VFD. The DEP was notified about the fire. The Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department is investigating. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Blackwater River of the Cheat Watershed
by Duane 22 Sep '14

22 Sep '14

Friday, September 19, 2014 About 23,000 fish killed in Blackwater mistake DAVIS, W.Va. — An estimated 23,000 fish were killed when an automated pollution control system dumped too much hydrated lime into the Blackwater River in Tucker county, state officials said Friday. “It is a lot of fish,” said Bret Preston, fisheries chief with the state Division of Natural Resources. “It would be in the moderate to severe range.” Preston said DNR officials are still investigating exactly what went wrong with the automated system that controls the liming station, which is just upstream from Davis and is used to reduce acid pollution in the river. According to Preston, DNR officials set up four sampling stations on a nearly two-mile stretch of the river down to Blackwater Falls. They found 1,917 dead fish, mostly minnows and darters, but also several trout and smallmouth bass. “That’s not uncommon, to have most of those killed be small, nongame fish,” Preston said. Using common expansion factors, DNR officials estimated that their sample indicated about 23,000 fish in all were killed. Preston said DNR officials did find live fish, and that the pH levels in the river were going back to normal. For now, though, the liming station is shut down until DNR finishes its investigation of the incident, Preston said. - See more at:http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140919/GZ01/140919148/1419#sthash.Rbm…

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Warburg Pincus and Antero Resources back Cheat Canyon Conservation
by Duane 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

http://www.pehub.com/2014/09/warburg-pincus-and-antero-resources-back-cheat… Warburg Pincus and Antero Resources back Cheat Canyon Conservation From an Article by Angela Sormani, Reuters News Service, September 15, 2014 More than $7 million has been raised to back the conservation of Cheat Canyon in West Virginia. Private funding included $2.6 million from the estate of Charlotte Ryde and a combined gift of $1 million from Warburg Pincus and Antero Resources. PRESS RELEASE The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources – allies in the permanent conservation of West Virginia’s Cheat Canyon – gathered today with funding partners and the community to celebrate this conservation success story and participate in the dedication of the canyon to the people of West Virginia. More than $7 million has been raised to preserve the canyon, an achievement celebrated by the conservationists, whitewater enthusiasts, business leaders, government officials and community members at the event. The public-private partnership that made the project a reality includes: • Private funding provided through generous gifts to The Nature Conservancy, including $2.6 million from the estate of Charlotte Ryde and a combined gift of $1 million from Warburg Pincus and Antero Resources. This $1 million gift from Warburg Pincus and Antero Resources enabled this project to move forward at a critical time. • A package of public grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund and the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund, as well as mitigation dollars. West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin stood high over the canyon at the popular overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest and formally welcomed the public to the Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management Area. Located upstream of Coopers Rock, with more than 3,800 acres of remote canyon forest surrounding seven miles of roaring whitewater, the Mountain State’s newest natural area helps to conserve: • most of the canyon not already included in Coopers Rock State Forest and Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area, and the spectacular view that people enjoy from Coopers Rock; • a section of river that has been called one of the most “ecologically intact” in the Central Appalachians by The Nature Conservancy, due to the absence of dams and the river’s connection to well-forested headwaters; • public access to seven miles of the 330-mile Allegheny Trail, which had been re-routed away from the canyon after it was closed by a previous owner – a resource for hikers, bird-watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts; • nearly all of the Cheat River used for whitewater rafting and kayaking, from put-in to take-out, rim to rim, protecting the water quality and the view for the benefit of users; and • fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, as well as hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, bear and squirrel. “The conservation efforts we celebrate today are a result of the decades of work and millions of dollars in investments from those in our local communities, public agencies and conservation groups,” Gov. Tomblin said. “When we work together to support these public-private partnerships, we are providing further opportunities to create areas for West Virginians to enjoy all of the natural beauty our state has to offer.” Cheat Canyon is a deep gorge through which the Cheat River flows from Rowlesburg in Preston County, on its way to Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, not far from Morgantown. Known mostly as a whitewater hotspot, the Cheat River draws tourists from throughout the Eastern U.S. And a warm water fishery continues to make a remarkable recovery as water quality issues upstream are addressed. Cheat Canyon also is significant because of its rich diversity of plants and animals – from black bear and bobcat in its forests to uncommon bats and green salamanders in its caves to large-flowered Barbara’s buttons along the river. More than ten endangered, threatened, or globally rare species occur in the Canyon, including the flat-spired three-toothed land snail, which exists nowhere else on earth, and the Indiana bat, both protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Conference - Registration Ends August 30th!
by Duane 15 Aug '14

15 Aug '14

http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=caab40630ee041ae7f83e1691&id=22f1b11609… West Virginia Water Research Institute Registration Reminder The Future of Mid-Atlantic Water Infrastructure: Challenges and Solutions September 24 & 25, 2014 National Conservation Training Center Shepherdstown, WV Registration Deadline Approaching The registration deadline for the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Conference is Saturday, August 30, 2014. This year's event will take place at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV on September 24 & 25, 2014. Don't miss this truly exceptional event focused on the region's future water infrastructure challenges and solutions! 2014 Mid-Atlantic Water Conference Registration Rates General Registration - $179.00 Speaker Registration - $149.00 Student Registration - $79.00 Sponsorship Information Why Sponsor the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Conference? The 2014 Mid-Atlantic Water Research Conference is a regional event that will be attended by influential researchers, policy makers, regulators, and agencies. It will be an excellent educational opportunity where the latest information, technologies and research on water resources will be presented. Over the two-day period (September 24-25, 2014), this Conference will host an elite group of environmental professionals seeking knowledge and sharing ideas around water infrastructure in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Sponsorships enable more diverse groups and individuals to participate at the Mid-Atlantic Water Research Conference. Through continued participation in this program, we may continue to offer lower registration fees, while providing a top-notch Conference experience. Sponsorship Levels Platinum Level Sponsorship - $2,500 Evening Reception (1 Available) Gold Level Sponsorships - $2,000 Registration Reception Silver Level Sponsorships - $1,000 Networking Breaks Bronze Level Sponsorships - $500 Scholarship Fund See image below for additional sponsorship level benefits For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to download the sponsorship fact sheet, visit: www.midatlanticwc.org/sponsors/ Conference Program Highlights Keynote Speaker Gerald Kauffman - Director, University of Delaware Water Resources Agency Special Presentation Water Resources Research Institutes' 50th Anniversary Earl Greene - Acting Chief, Office of External Research Coordinator, Hydrologic Networks and Analysis, USGS Plenary Sessions Titles Infrastructure Challenges in the Mid-Atlantic Region: What Water Infrastructure Challenges are You Facing in Your State? (NIWR Center/Institute Directors) Protecting Water Infrastructure from Energy-Related Incidents Concurrent Sessions Titles Infrastructure Protection Through Strategy, Policy, and Legislation Drinking Water Treatment Methodologies Green Infrastructure Management and Design Planning and Response to Climate Change and Flooding Implications for Drinking Water Safety Nationwide: The Elk River (WV) Chemical Spill Tools to Plan, Finance, and Manage Stormwater The Water and Energy Development Conundrum Planning for Our Future Water Supply Water Degradation from Stormwater and Treatment Options To see more information about the session topics, speakers, and abstracts, visit: www.midatlanticwc.org/event-info/conference-agenda/ Lodging Information National Conservation Training Center Special Conference Rate - $83/Night *Rooms are Limited* To make reservations, call the NCTC Hotel Reservation phone number at: (877) 706-6282 (Toll FREE) OR (304) 876-7900 *Also be sure to mention you will be attending the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Water Conference to receive the discounted rate* Other lodging options are available on our Conference Website Hosted By The Mid-Atlantic Water Resources Research Institutes West Virginia Water Research Institute at West Virginia University Virginia Water Resources Research Center at Virginia Tech Water Resources Research Institute at the University of the District of Columbia Delaware Water Resources Center at the University of Delaware Maryland Water Resources Research Center at the University of Maryland New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute at Rutgers University New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center at Pennsylvania State University September 24-25, 2014 National Conservation Training Center Shepherdstown, WV www.MidAtlanticWC.org Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Hop On The Bus to Pittsburgh This Thursday, July 31 EPA Hearing, Rally, Comments
by Duane 29 Jul '14

29 Jul '14

> From: "Chuck Wyrostok" <wyro(a)appalight.com> > Date: July 29, 2014 > Subject: Hop On The Bus to Pittsburgh This Thursday, July 31 EPA Hearing, Rally, Comments > > The U.S. EPA needs to hear from you > > They recently proposed a "Clean Power Plan," that goes a long way to cleaning up the nasty emissions from coal-fired power plants. The fossil fools in the coal industry are freaked out and fighting back. Let’s show our elected officials that people in the Appalachian region are serious about moving to cleaner energy sources that will revitalize communities and protect our waters from the devastating impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining and dangerous fossil fuels. > > Every single one of us deserves to have our voices heard on this issue. We are impacted whether we live near a mountaintop removal site or a coal-fired power plant or a Marcellus fracking site. > > While the rules will greatly reduce CO2 emissions, they encourage other dirty energy sources such as fracked gas and nuclear. They don’t address coal exports or the health impacts of mountaintop removal. And, get this… the plan leaves the specifics of compliance up to the individual states, such as West Virginia, where most leaders are stuck in a 20th century mindset. > > EPA is having hearings around the country, including this Thursday in Pittsburgh > Show the EPA you want Climate Action Now! The Sierra Club has Climate Action Buses leaving from towns in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania early on the morning of July 31, this Thursday. The buses will arrive in Pittsburgh while one of the hearings is going on there, delivering you to a noon Climate Action Now rally right near the hearing location. The hearing is at the William S. Moorhead Federal Building, Room #1310, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh (map) > > Unless you have already registered to testify, all the spots are taken. However, you do not have to speak at the hearing to take the bus. Sierra Club will be taking video testimony outside the hearing in order to submit that to the EPA. > > Buses depart from Cleveland OH (stopping in Akron), Columbus OH (the Wheeling, WV stop has been cancelled), WV Bus (Leaving Charleston 6AM stopping in Weston, Clarksburg, and Morgantown WV), Harrisburg PA, State College PA > > If you plan to ride the West Virginia bus originating in Charleston, please call Sierra Club’s Bill Price at 304 389 8822 to reserve your seat. Spots are filling up quickly. > > Here’s the Charleston-Pittsburgh schedule: > > Charleston: 5:15 AM Departure from Kanawha Mall, McCorkle Ave., Kanawha City; please arrive by 5 AM > > Weston: 7 AM Departure from the Market Place Mall/Shopping Center; get there by 6:45 AM > > Clarksburg: 8 AM Departure from the Meadowbrook Mall; get there by 7:45 AM > > Morgantown: 9 AM Departure from the Morgantown Mall; get there by 8:45 AM > > Bus will depart Pittsburgh at approximately 6 PM for return trip. > > Whether you’re going to Pittsburgh or not, please tell the EPA to retain the good parts of the proposal, such as promoting efficiency and renewable energy, drop the dirty fuels support, and put some real teeth in the rules. EPA has already heard from nearly 300,000 people. Please comment online. Written comments are due by October 16. > > Come to Pittsburgh. > > It doesn’t matter where you live, global warming impacts you. And it certainly matters what we do about it as a nation. > > Thanks. > > > Chuck Wyrostok > Outreach Organizer > Sierra Club, WV Chapter > T: 877 252 0257 > E. outreach(a)marcellus-wv.com > www.marcellus-wv.com > > Water is Life...Keep It Clean > > Whenever there is a huge spill of solar energy, it's just called a nice day..... >

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Rodney Bartgis resigns from Nature Conservancy
by Duane330＠aol.com 28 Jul '14

28 Jul '14

Nature Conservancy’s W.Va. director resigns Jul. 21, 2014 @ 09:37 AM _The Associated Press_ (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x298797465/The-Associated-Press) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The longtime director of the Nature Conservancy’ s West Virginia chapter has resigned. Rodney Bartgis had led the state chapter for 12 years. He left his position on Friday. The 54-year-old Bartgis tells The Charleston Gazette that the Nature Conservancy’s West Virginia chapter recently completed two multimillion-dollar conservation projects. He says it’s a good time for him to step back and think about what he wants to do for the rest of his career. The recent projects are the acquisition of a segment of the Cheat Canyon and the acquisition of property in Randolph County.

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Fwd: Rodney Bartgis retiring from The Nature Conservancy
by Duane 08 Jul '14

08 Jul '14

> From: Rodney Bartgis <rbartgis(a)TNC.ORG> > Date: July 8, 2014 4:54:16 PM EDT > To: <Duane330(a)aol.com>, >roddj(a)hotmail.com>, <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>, <achester(a)hsc.wvu.edu> > Cc: Beth Wheatley <ewheatley(a)TNC.ORG> > Subject: Transition > > After working so closely with all of you on the Cheat Canyon project, I wanted to let you all know that after more than 20 years with The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia (which is so hard for me to believe!) and 12 as state director, I am stepping down July 18th. I will stay involved in land conservation in WV as the (volunteer) chair of the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund, the state program that helped fund Cheat Canyon. I am going to take time to step back and reflect upon what I want to do next in my career – perhaps take on another role with TNC or maybe head in a different conservation direction. Regardless, I have had a most rewarding career and a wonderful journey so far. Completing the protection of Cheat Canyon has been a huge part of that and I want to thank all of you for what you have done to help save the canyon. > > While my office phone and email will change, my cell (below) will stay the same. West Virginia Nature Conservancy has a terrific staff and its future is in great hands. Should you have any Conservancy questions, please feel free to reach out to Beth Wheatley (copied) and always feel free to reach out to me directly whenever! Warmest regards, Rodney > Please consider the environment before printing this email > Rodney Bartgis > Director > > rbartgis(a)tnc.org > (304) 637-0160 Ext. 103 (Phone) > (304) 704-6455 cell > nature.org > > The Nature Conservancy > West Virginia Field Office > 194 Airport Road > Elkins, WV 26241 > > > > >

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Industrial park on Cheat Lake serves oil and gas industry
by Duane330＠aol.com 24 May '14

24 May '14

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 WV-DEP files case against area developer DAVID BEARD TheDPost.com MORGANTOWN — The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is asking Monongalia County Circuit Court to assess $25,000 per day penalties against a Morgantown developer for alleged environmental violations at a Cheat Lake-area industrial park. DEP’s Division of Water and Waste Management filed the “complaint for enforcement” Thursday, May 22. It issued 12 notices of violation (NOVs) from Sept. 16, 2010, through May 9, 2013, to defendant LPG Land & Development Corp., based on Fairchance Road (Monongalia County 857). Paul Panson is LPG’s president. The 18-acre industrial park is sited between Fairchance and the Mon-Fayette Expressway, just north of the Interstate 68 and Mon-Fayette interchange. An LPG representative said Thursday that management hadn’t seen the complaint yet and couldn’t comment.

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Cheat River at Parsons, WV
by Duane 15 May '14

15 May '14

Over five (5) inches of rain has fallen in five days. More on the way. The Lake Lynn Dam should be busy making power and passing water. See also: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?03069500 Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Cheat Canyon deal more than a conservation win
by Duane 30 Apr '14

30 Apr '14

The State Journal (opinion): Cheat Canyon deal more than a conservation win Posted: Apr 25, 2014 10:32 AM EST Updated: Apr 25, 2014 10:38 AM EST Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, is a member of The Nature Conservancy — West Virginia Board of Directors. He is managing member and broker of West Virginia Commercial LLC. He has been involved in commercial and investment real estate for more than 30 years, and he also is general partner of McCabe Land Co. LP. He has served in the West Virginia Senate since 1998, and is a special project consultant to The State Journal. The recent announcement in the newspapers across West Virginia that seven miles of the Cheat River Canyon had been acquired by conservation groups, all of which would be managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, made headlines. The sheer magnitude of the acquisition is hard to imagine in today’s age. The common mindset is that conservation groups, environmental organizations, state and federal agencies and large private land owners must somehow fight over everything and default to win-lose scenarios. This Cheat Canyon acquisition illustrates that combativeness does not have to be the primary approach taken in solving key issues facing West Virginia. With the private sector working in earnest along with key nonprofits and appropriate state and federal agencies, all with a common goal, one of the state’s most iconic natural areas has been preserved for future generations. An editorial from The Intelligencer of Wheeling recently observed, “The (Nature) Conservancy is successful in large measure because of a philosophy of working with landowners, not treating them as adversaries.” This point should not be underestimated. This is exactly how the Cheat Canyon was able to be preserved. The owner, The Forestland Group LLC, was able to negotiate in private and work through myriad details to accomplish both its business objectives and its community obligation to help preserve this pristine and irreplaceable natural wonder. The Conservation Fund, along with The Nature Conservancy, did much of the heavy lifting in identifying financial resources, negotiating through the concerns of the state and federal agencies, clarifying land title issues and putting in place the necessary management and oversight of the wildlife management area and nature preserve. The details of this highly complex transaction do not need to be covered here as the newspaper reporters from the major state newspapers did a fine job with the specifics. What is important is seeing how, with the right perspective, the ability to negotiate in strictest confidence, the maintenance of trust between the parties, and the reliance on experts in the necessary areas of expertise can accomplish what many might believe are unattainable goals. This, of course, needs to be accompanied by the financial wherewithal to fund the project. The cobbling together of multiple funding sources was no small part of the equation. Saving the threatened threetooth snail, which has as its only habitat the Cheat River, allowed for funding to come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund. West Virginia’s relatively new Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund played an important role as well as West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection funding. Of major significance was $3 million in private funding from the estate of Charlotte Rude which was provided through The Nature Conservancy. The Sunday Gazette-Mail of Charleston headlined the transaction as the “New River Gorge of Northern West Virginia.” It is an apt description signifying the importance of this accomplishment. When these seven miles of the Cheat River are joined with the Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area and Coopers Rock State Park, the DNR will provide wildlife management for most of the length of the Cheat River Canyon. This is every bit as significant as the careful management of the New River Gorge. If West Virginia is forever to be “wild and wonderful,” these areas must be preserved. A recent editorial from The Dominion Post of Morgantown stated “the transfer of this property overlooking the Cheat River to the DNR will truly benefit the public. Not to mention the flora and fauna that inhabit these 3,800 acres.” The significance of this most important transaction is not just what was accomplished, it was how it was accomplished. We must find ways to take our disparate interests and work together, expand the trust equation within the working groups and find ways to enlarge our financial base so working capital is more readily available for those projects which are truly important to the long term viability our state. We have much to be proud of with the sale and purchase of the 3,800 acres in the Cheat River Canyon. Thank you for a job well done to The Forestland Group, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the DNR and all the other interested parties that made this happen. You have set an example we can follow for years to come. Thank you for showing us how to create a future in which our children can be proud. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTE: In my opinion, there is a continuing need for public concern regarding the policies and practices of the WV Division of Natural Resources in the Cheat Canyon, including the Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area and the Coopers Rock State Forest. See the recent petition on Change.org: "WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin: Reclaim the Trail System at Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area." View the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/wv-governor-earl-ray-tomblin-reclaim-the-tr… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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OOps ...... FOC J-Burg Project web-site
by Duane 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

OOps! I left something out! Here's the link to the FOC's J-Burg donate page that I left it out of the first email: http://www.cheat.org/recreation/river-access/jenkinsburg-river-access/jenki… You can also send checks to: Friends of the Cheat, Jenkinsburg Project, 119 S. Price Street, Suite 206 Kingwood, WV 26537 Or you can call them: 304-329-3621 Thanks! See you all May 3rd at the 20th Annual Cheat Festival! Charlie Walbridge, Preston County. Stoned in the Cheat Canyon? Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Access Road in Cheat Canyon
by Duane330＠aol.com 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

Help FOC Improve the Jenkinsburg Access Road to the Cheat and Big Sandy! Everyone who paddles the Cheat Canyon and Lower Big Sandy Creek knows about the poor condition of the Jenkinsburg Access Road. This road has continued to deteriorate each year causing real problems for paddlers and outfitters running shuttle. Large potholes, muddy ruts, washouts, clogged culverts, steep drop-offs and high rocks are hard on vehicles, especially the smaller cars most of us are driving. Although Bull Run Road is a county road and should be maintained by the state, recent budget cuts combined with severe winter weather damage to primary roads make it unlikely that hard-pressed highway crews will give it much attention. Friends of the Cheat has received permission from the Highway Department to repair the road ourselves. They offered to contribute 100 tons of stone fill if Friends of the Cheat pays for the labor. Kevin Ryan, Friends of the Cheat’s project manager, completed a GIS inventory of road conditions and lined up a contractor to do the work well before Cheat Festival Weekend. We will use a jackhammer to knock down the most troublesome rocks and fill in the worst ruts with stone. The road will still be rough, but more easily passable by ordinary vehicles. Friends of the Cheat borrowed $5,000 so we could get this work done fast. We’re depending on you pay off this debt and to send a message to the State of West Virginia that the river and road are valued by the paddling public. Your donations will matter when we approach the Governor and Legislature to appropriate funding for more extensive improvements. Anyone who donates $100 or more will get a FREE friends of the Cheat membership or have their current membership extended one year. Please forward this to any interested friends. Thanks, everyone!! Charlie Walbridge Friends of the Cheat Road Fund 119 S Price St, Kingwood, WV 26537 (304) 329-3621

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Endless opportunities for education, fun, excitement - Opinion - The Daily Athenaeum
by Duane 15 Apr '14

15 Apr '14

Boaters rescued from Cheat River Canyon A group of boaters were rescued from Cheat Canyon after spending a night on the banks of the Cheat River. Officials retrieved the five boaters Monday morning. Officials say four people were in a raft and one in a kayak Sunday afternoon when they went through a stretch of class 5 rapids known as the Coliseum. The group had been having issues with their raft before the rapids and decided it was best to get off the river and paddled to shore. The group stopped on a stretch of river between Masontown and Albright and built a fire along the banks. One of the boaters climbed up the canyon far enough to get a cell phone signal and call 911. Officials got the call around 8:10 Sunday evening but it was already getting too dark to attempt a vertical rescue. The boaters spent the night on the river bank and firefighters repelled down the canyon Monday morning and found the stranded group. One man was treated for an injured wrist and a woman was treated for hypothermia. All five were co-workers and EMT's and paramedics. See also: http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/article_b75e5a96-c463-11e3-a377-001a4bcf… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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