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Cheat Canyon Preservation --- Public Announcement Today
by Duane 13 Apr '14

13 Apr '14

Cheat Canyon Preserved for Future Generations, April 13, 2014 By REBECCA OLSAVSKY - Staff Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register Tucked away in the rocks of north-central West Virginia is the secret to a multi-million dollar conservation effort - a "threetooth" snail that actually has just one tooth. Cheat Canyon, the only place on Earth the Cheat threetooth snail calls home, will be protected for future generations by a conservation partnership that includes The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The snail is federally listed as a threatened species. The groups announced the partnership on Thursday. When the $7 million project is completed, it will conserve most of the canyon not already included in Cooper's Rock State Forest and Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Article Photos Photo by Rebecca Olsavsky --- Rodney Bartgis, West Virginia director for The Nature Conservancy, overlooks Cheat River from the Allegheny Trail. The canyon, a deep gorge through which the Cheat River flows between Rowlesburg in Preston County to Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, is a popular whitewater rafting destination and home to diverse wildlife such as the endangered Indiana bat. Within the Cheat, the threatened threetooth snail lives in deep, cool rocky habitats often identifiable by their coverage from rhododendrons. WVDNR Wildlife Specialist Craig Stihler said the snail's name can be misleading - it has one tooth on its shell, not three. The tooth keeps snail-eating beetles from pulling the creature out of its protective flat shell. Stihler said the quarter-sized Cheat threetooth snail never ventures more than a meter - a little more than 3 feet - from its habitat. Acquiring a 7-mile stretch of one of West Virginia's most iconic landscapes turned out to be no small feat, as there have been various conservation efforts under way since 1976. This particular effort has been in the works for the past five years. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund acquired 3,800 acres along the Cheat River. The Conservation Fund negotiated the purchase from The Forestland Group, a timber investment firm that currently owns the property. The Nature Conservancy is providing $3 million in private funding and is acquiring 2,300 acres of the property, and will retain 1,300 acres as the new Charlotte Ryde Nature Preserve, funded from a bequest from the estate of Charlotte Ryde. The DNR will acquire the remaining acreage - about 2,500 acres - to complement existing public recreation lands on the lower Cheat River. Additional funding comes from money dedicated for land conservation from the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund, a $1.5 million grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, and $400,000 from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. "Private, state and federal funds used for conservation not only leverage each other; they also reflect the national significance of the state's land, water and wildlife resources, the commitment of West Virginia's citizens through our public investment in our 'Wild and Wonderful' outdoors, and the creativity to bring together various partners to go the distance and reach this milestone," said Reggie Hall, West Virginia state director for The Conservation Fund. Hall thanked Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin for recognizing the value of the landscape to West Virginians. "We are very lucky that a lot of things came together," added Rodney Bartgis, state director of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia. Bartgis believes without the Cheat threetooth snail's need for protection, gathering the proper funding for the project would have proven near impossible. Curtis Taylor, chief of the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section, said every management decision the group makes moving forward will center on the question, "Is this good or bad for the snail?" Along with working to protect the snail's habitat, the groups also are considering a plan to re-open a section of the Allegheny Trail that had been turned into a logging road. "It's not a matter of opening a gate," Bartgis said, citing trail uses, safety regulations and funding terms as items to consider beyond maintaining the snail's habitat. In terms of connecting the trail to the Cheat River, the groups are treading carefully on the idea of developing additional put-ins or take-outs for fishermen and whitewater rafters to have increased access to the water. Steve Brown, stream restoration program administrator for the DNR, said there are limited places for such access. One possible spot, located between the rapids of Big Nasty and Even Nastier, already shows the remains of a path to the river. Plus, the access point doesn't feature a prime snail habitat. The river, having dealt with mine drainage over the years, is steadily recovering because of the decades of work and millions of dollars in investments by local people, state agencies, and groups such as Friends of the Cheat. Friends of the Cheat Executive Director Amanda Pitzer believes the true sign of success is when visitors can walk down to the river and catch a fish. As a population of smallmouth bass is growing as a result of investments to improve water quality, Pitzer's vision of success is becoming a reality. "Over 20 years we've worked with many partners. We're seeing the Cheat River come back," Pitzer said about efforts to mitigate the acid mining drainage problem. "The water quality is only going to get better." Although Bartgis emphasized "there's a fair amount of work to go," the Cheat Canyon conservation partnership is ready to progress carefully with projects that will conserve the area for wildlife to live and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy - even if it moves at a snail's pace. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTE: CLEAR has been one of the leaders over the past 10 or more years to preserve the Cheat snail and Indiana bat in the Cheat Canyon. And, CLEAR has been an active participant in efforts to bring this Canyon into the public domain, including a routing there for the Allegheny Trail.

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Historic News - Cheat Canyon Preserved!
by Duane 13 Apr '14

13 Apr '14

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7645dc68a8b480ac656568dea&id=ab2af6bc8d… CHEAT CANYON PRESERVED! Some 3,836 acres of the iconic Cheat River Canyon have been purchased by The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy for preservation, and ultimately, public use and enjoyment. Their action will protect a seven-mile stretch of the Cheat River, and most of the Canyon not already included in Cooper’s Rock State Forest and Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Finally, after 20 years and a few unsuccessful attempts, the land will now be protected forever! The Canyon has been a target for conservation since 1976. The Nature Conservancy has identified the Cheat River as one of the most ecologically intact rivers in the Central Appalachians. There are no dams in the Cheat River main stem and none of the watershed’s major tributaries are dammed. The river is connected to a well-forested floodplain, and the vast majority of the watershed’s headwaters are part of the Monongahela National Forest complex. Improvements in water quality over the past 20 years have resulted in a recovered fishery and fish can once again be found throughout the entire Cheat Canyon. Hopefully, this is a step towards reviving interest in the Canyon’s world-class whitewater, and re-opening the section of the Allegheny Trail that runs through the Canyon. The Allegheny Trail is 330 mile north-south trail through WV, which connects to the Appalachian Trail at the VA-WV border. When complete, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will manage all 3,800 acres as a component of its Wildlife Management Area system and as a complement to the complex of public recreation lands on the lower Cheat River. This accomplishment is a landmark event for all parties involved over the last two decades. Important staff at The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy include Rodney Bartgis and Beth Wheatley. Press on this historic sale The Charleston Gazette article includes a really neat flyover of the property. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTE: It is time to acknowledge the longstanding work of Ken Hotopp, conservation biologist, for his studies and advocacy to protect the Cheat Canyon and its natural habitat in the 1990’s. And, of great importance was the work of Charlie Wallbridge and many others in 2002 to promote public access and public ownership in the Cheat Canyon. The Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation Association (CLEAR) has been one of the leaders over the past 10 or more years to preserve the Cheat snail and Indiana bat in the Cheat Canyon, including the legal action filed on April 6, 2005 shown below. And, CLEAR has been an active participant in efforts to bring this Canyon into the public domain, including a routing there for the Allegheny Trail. PROTECTING NATURAL HABITAT: CLEAR et al. v. Allegheny Wood Products, Inc. Case Number: 1:2005cv00061, April 6, 2005 Court: U.S. Northern WV District Court Presiding Judge: Frederick P. Stamp The Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association, the Friends of Blackwater, and the Sierra Club of WV brought suit against Allegheny Wood Products, a timber company, concerning the company’s logging activities in Cheat River Canyon, West Virginia, which harm the endangered Indiana bat and the threatened flat-spired three toothed-land snail — an extremely rare species known to occur in the Cheat River Canyon — in violation of Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act. The parties entered into a settlement agreement in February 2007, under which AWP agreed to set aside permanent reserve areas as habitat for the snail; to engage in a collaborative scientific process to identify and protect additional snail habitat; and to adopt measures for minimizing impacts on the Indiana bat.

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CHEAT FEST, MAY 3, 2014
by Duane 12 Apr '14

12 Apr '14

From: Amanda Pitzer [mailto:amanda@cheat.org] Sent: Friday, April 11, 2014 To: Cc: Cheat River Festival Subject: Non-profits, agencies, advocacy groups presence at the Cheat River Festival Please share this announcement with partners and colleagues: Friends of the Cheat's 20th Cheat River Festival is set for Saturday, May 3rd. Last year we welcomed over 3,300 music lovers, paddlers, trail users, green thinkers, and community members of all ages (including hundreds of kids!) through our gates. Join us for a very special Cheat Fest and promote your work, group, or cause! Each year, Friends of the Cheat invites non-profit organizations who share FOC’s vision to participate in Cheat Fest as part of our non-profit tent. We wish to inform the public about the progress being made to restore the watershed, and introduce them to other groups working to restore the environment, preserve green space, foster community development, and revitalize the region. Interested in representing your organization at the 20th Annual Cheat Fest? Please complete and return our registration form: 2014 Cheat Fest Non-Profit Tent Registration We ask that participating non-profits donate $10 to Friends of the Cheat to help cover the expense of the tent. Alternatively, we welcome (and encourage!) donations to our silent auction. Each registered non-profit group receives two free festival passes and the privilege of onsite camping. Full details are outlined in the registration form. Questions? Please contact Emma Donovan at cheatfest(a)cheat.org or 304.441.1670. We look forward to having you at the festival! -- Amanda J. Pitzer, Executive Director, Friends of the Cheat, www.cheat.org Working to restore, preserve, and protect the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat River watershed since 1994. CLEAR was formed in 1990. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Hikers Rescued by W.Va. Responders - Firehouse
by Duane 09 Apr '14

09 Apr '14

http://www.firehouse.com/news/11385743/hikers-rescued-by-wva-responders Hikers Rescued by W.Va. Responders Conor Griffith, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, WV, April 8, 2014 Crews used vertical rescue equipment during the operation. April 08--Firefighters rescued three hikers Monday morning in Coopers Rock State Forest. They had been unable to make it out of the forest for 11 hours. Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jason Christopher said five people from Kentucky were visiting the park and three of them decided to hike from the main overlook to Cheat River below. Rescuers were called to help in the search at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. All the hikers had been rescued by 8 a.m. Monday. "At some point going down, they just got exhausted and couldn't get back up," Christopher said. "It's about a mile down there." One of the group who stayed back flagged down a park ranger and said her friends had been gone for too long, Christopher said, adding the hikers were unfamiliar with the area. Firefighters from Morgantown, Brookhaven and Masontown were called, along with Mon EMS. "In the end, we decided it was easier to take them down to the river than try and go back up. It was really steep," Christopher said. Vertical rescue equipment -- rappel ropes, harnesses and rescue baskets -- was used during the rescue. Masontown and Morgantown fire crews launched rescue boats, which brought the hikers to the marina at Mont Chateau Road. Dan Luzier, chief of the Masontown VFD, said all three were accounted for by 8 a.m., when crews began to clear the scene. "They were a lot farther out than anybody realized," Luzier said. "There were a lot of hazards with the cliffs and rocks rolling down as we worked through the night." Luzier said his department got the call at 9:42 p.m. Sunday. The names of the hikers were not released Monday, but Morgantown Fire Department Chief Mark Caravasos said one of them was a juvenile. "They were definitely not dressed appropriately," he said, adding the juvenile hiker was wearing flip-flops. He said the rescue took so long due to the nature of the task -- getting enough ropes down the steep hill to reach the hikers. They were found between 400 to 600 yards below the overlook. All three were exposed to the cold through the night, but did not say if any suffered hypothermia. Christopher said one of them suffered a shoulder injury as a result of a fall.

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<CLEAR> Recovery of Cheat Lake . .. ...
by Duane330＠aol.com 08 Apr '14

08 Apr '14

Recovery of Cheat Lake By Frank Jernejcic and Dave Wellman A Success Story For most people, their first and only view of Cheat Lake occurs while crossing the Interstate 68 bridge east of Morgantown. Most interstate travelers do not realize that the majority of the picturesque lake’s 1,730 acres lie out of sight north of the bridge. Only four other lakes in the Mountain State are larger. The maximum depth is about 90 feet near the dam, while the depth under the I-68 bridge is eight to 20 feet. Historically, water quality throughout the Cheat River watershed has been negatively impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) and Cheat Lake has served as a catch basin for highly acidic water. Cheat Lake is recovering from 80 years of AMD impacts, and anglers are experiencing the rebirth of a fishery. Acid mine pollution has reduced the productivity of the lake and its fish populations ever since this man-made impoundment was created. Various fishery surveys in the lake throughout the years revealed a meager fish population characteristic of waters severely impacted by AMD. As a result, biologists did not attempt fishery management activities in the lake until the early 1990s. Concerned citizens formed The Friends of the Cheat (FOC) watershed group in the spring of 1994 in response to a significant AMD blowout from an underground coal mine that had been closed recently. The founders immediately recognized that the scope of the AMD problem in the watershed extended far beyond this single catastrophe, and that all available resources would need to be coordinated to achieve a solution. Consequently, their efforts led to the formation in 1995 of the River of Promise (ROP) task force composed of local, state and federal government agencies, private industry, academia, and conservation organizations. Meeting quarterly and chaired by FOC members, the ROP task force initiates, monitors and coordinates AMD remediation projects throughout the watershed. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< see the main article for the full article here >>>>>>>>>>> Unfortunately, events in May 2009, and to a lesser extent in November 2009, illustrate Cheat Lake’s continued vulnerability to AMD inflows. The pH throughout Cheat Lake fell below 6.0 while Cheat River entering the lake experienced pH values less than 6.0 for almost the entire month of May. The pH depressions indicated that acid sources from mine drainage and/or acid precipitation still negatively impact Cheat Lake. Fortunately, no dead fish were observed during these events, nor was fishing obviously affected. The lake’s large volume of good quality water was able to dilute the lower quality inflow during those events. The continued recovery of Cheat Lake fish populations and the development of a new tailwater fishery are dependent upon the maintenance of good water quality in the lake. The recent water quality improvements are related to a reduction of acid mine drainage entering the lake. The cause of such a reduction has not been documented, so it is not certain if the situation is permanent. Fish populations and water quality will be monitored in the lake and in the Cheat River above and below the lake to determine the future of fishing in these waters. West Virginia’s anglers are optimistic that the future of fishing in Cheat Lake will remain positive. Frank Jernejcic is the District Fisheries Biologist and Dave Wellman is the Assistant District Fisheries Biologist stationed in the WV-DNR Farmington office. SOURCE: http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/magazine/archive/11Spring/Recovery%20of%20Che…

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Improved Debris Management Implemented at Lake Lynn Dam
by Duane 07 Apr '14

07 Apr '14

Hydro Review: Improving Debris Management at Lake Lynn Dam, 04/01/2013 Personnel safety, cost, efficiency and effectiveness were all determining factors when the operators of Lake Lynn Dam and its associated 51.2-MW powerhouse sought a solution to improve debris management practices. The new solution has prevented mechanical failures and reduction in spillway capacity. By Stefan Schadinger, Bryce Mochrie, Andrew Datsko and Jacob Vozel Lake Lynn Dam in West Virginia has a history of debris buildup around the spillway gates dating back to initial operation. A particularly telling incident was a 1985 flood, when almost all of the 26 spillway gates were partially blocked by debris. The significant amount of large debris reduced the spillway capacity, raised the reservoir level and flooded the powerhouse. The accumulation of debris during high flows is a potential failure mode for this facility, reducing spillway capacity and leading to higher flood elevations, potentially causing stability problems for the dam. Lake Lynn Dam is a 125-foot-high, 1,000-foot-long concrete structure located on the Cheat River in West Virginia that consists of an integral intake/powerhouse, a gated spillway, and two concrete bulkheads. The dam is presently owned and operated by FirstEnergy Generation Corporation and has been generating hydroelectric power since construction was completed in 1926. As a result of the 1985 flood, Allegheny Energy (now FirstEnergy) determined that improved debris management was required. The existing practice was to let debris buildup behind the dam and pass it after the high water event. This practice resulted in the flood gates being partially plugged during high water and debris flows events. In addition plant personnel had to manually guide large debris through the existing debris gates due to the small size of these gates. Several potential debris management options were studied by the team of PB Power/Allegheny Energy (now FirstEnergy) engineering and Lake Lynn station operating personnel using the Six Sigma format, including installing debris control measures upstream of the project and revising gate operation procedures to redirect debris. This article discusses the results of these studies. The two existing trash gates were replaced by a single larger hydraulically operated hinged crest gate (supplied by SteelFab Inc. of Charlotte, N.C.), with an increased ability to flush trash and increased spillway capacity. A 1,000-foot-long Tuffboom log boom (supplied by Worthington Products Inc. of Canton, Ohio) was installed to direct debris to the new trash gate. The improved trash gate and installation of the log boom will mitigate the potential for upstream flooding due to the accumulation of debris at the spillway. Flood of 1985 The flood of record since the construction of Lake Lynn Dam occurred on Nov. 4-5, 1985, as a result of a significant rainfall event caused by tropical storm Juan passing through the watershed. The maximum headwater elevation associated with that flow was 876 feet, 2 feet above the powerhouse floor at the head gates and about 1 foot below the top of the parapet wall of the east bulkhead. Debris buildup reduced the dam's spillway capacity during this high-water flow period by about 35% from the theoretical flow, and 13 of the 26 tainter gates were almost fully blocked. Even though the dam did not overtop the the forebays, which are at a lower level than the top of the dam and were flooded, the flood still caused significant flood damage to the powerhouse. The entire powerhouse was flooded. Records show that it was out of service for four to six weeks before returning to limited operation, but the debris clean-up effort after the event lasted almost six months. Both the reservoir level and generation from the powerhouse generation were decreased during this time. This flood event at that time triggered Allegheny Energy Supply, now FirstEnergy, to perform a new probable maximum flood (PMF) analysis, which resulted in a higher PMF elevation for the structure. This subsequently required a revised stability analysis of all the structures to ensure that all Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements were met for Lake Lynn Dam, which is classified as a high-hazard-potential project. The 8th Part 12 Safety Inspection Report potential failure mode analysis (PFMA), a dam safety inspection performed every five years that the owners and their independent dam safety consultant submits to FERC, identified failure due to debris reducing spillway capacity as a potential failure mode for the Lake Lynn facility. This potential failure mode is described below: This potential failure mode involves debris, which accumulates during high flows. The debris blocks the gate openings reducing the gate discharges causing a reduced spillway capacity, leading to higher flood elevations (sooner and more severe overtopping), causing stability problems, leading to failure (PFMA report). As a result of the PFMA, it was determined by the Lake Lynn Part 12 review team that the debris management plan at Lake Lynn needed to be improved. Structural stress and damage, mechanical failures, and reduction in spillway capcacity have been avoided at Lake Lynn Dam and the connecting 51.2-MW powerhouse by improving the debris management system. Debris management plan Several debris management options were considered during the Six Sigma evaluation by the review team. The alternatives mostly focused on installing debris control measures upstream of the project and revising gate operation procedures. The proposed debris control measures upstream of the project considered an interceptor boom across the entire width of the reservoir upstream of the dam. The intent of this boom is to capture and retain all debris coming down the river at some upstream location, where it is then removed from the river and properly disposed. The disadvantages to this option were the potential for a concentrated raft of debris to be swept into the dam should a boom failure occur. Also, removing debris trapped upstream of the project at the boom location would be a large maintenance expense (estimated at about $200,000/year). Further, the location of the boom, potential flooding caused by floating debris from the reservoir at upstream locations, state environmental approval needed and public relations issues (since it would impact recreational use of the reservoir) in addition to the location of temporary disposal areas for collected debris were also disadvantages. Continuing to pass trash and debris through Lake Lynn Dam was considered, with alternatives to modify the existing trash gates. These were considered in addition to a wide range of options, including rebuilding the existing trash gates, replacing the trash gates at the present location or relocating the trash gates. The two existing gates are limited in their effectiveness for debris management because debris larger than 12 feet in length (much of the debris and debris rafts being passed is longer than this) which blocks the opening. Furthermore, station personnel cannot pass trash during high water events due to personnel safety hazards (such as being pulled off the work platform into the floating debris and reservoir and carried through the trash gate). Finally, debris often needs assistance to be redirected or guided such that it passes through the gates, and this requires personnel to work just above the water from a walkway on the upstream side of the deck. As you can imagine, this is a significant personnel safety concern. Further, the dam is suffering from the long-term effects of alkali-aggregate reactivity (AAR), meaning the trash gates cannot be lowered for about six months of the year due to binding. This condition, which affects both trash gates, is getting progressively worse with time and is the worst in the warmer summer season. When the trash gates cannot be used as required, plant personnel may have to attempt to pass trash through spillway gates. An extensive AAR evaluation - including available project information, especially recent field observations, measurements, and input from Lake Lynn personnel - was performed by engineering personnel. This evaluation extended to the powerhouse, spillway and abutments. The AAR growth at Lake Lynn results in equipment misalignment problems, including the turbine-generator units and the intake gates and trash gates, as well as significant concrete cracking and movement of the deck/piers and the powerhouse. To remediate some of the trash gate difficulties and inclination of the piers of the spillway, seven expansion joints were re-established by full deck depth slot cutting. Due to the build-up of sediment behind these existing flood gates, the gates became partially clogged during high water and debris flow events. Since this was implemented, significant relaxation (many inches) has been observed at the expansion joints and other monitoring points on the dam and powerhouse. Any new trash gate work was planned to begin at least two years after the expansion joint effort to allow for most of the expected acute relaxation to occur. The location, size and configuration of different trash gate options were considered. Rehabilitating the existing trash gates at the present location was eliminated as an alternative because of the poor condition of the existing gates. Replacing the existing gates with new gates at the present location was a feasible option, with two possibilities for gate configurations. The trash gates could be replaced with the same models, but this would not eliminate issues with the trash gate becoming blocked. This alternative also would not eliminate the personnel safety hazard. A single gate could be used to replace the existing trash gates, which would effectively double the width of the gate. Another option was to relocate the trash gates to the west side of Lake Lynn Dam, which is where the debris is pushed by the prevailing wind. This was the most expensive alternative of those explored. An issue with this alternative was the potential loss of some tainter gate flow-passing capability because two of these gates would be converted to a trash gate. Alternative chosen As a result of the study, the review team determined that the best alternative for debris management at Lake Lynn Dam includes replacing the existing trash gates with a new larger crest gate at the same location and installing a debris boom across the spillway section to help keep the tainter gates free of debris and maximize discharge capacity. The existing gates consist of two leaf slide gates, with the upper portion sliding down behind the lower portion, so at full open only half of the height to the crest allows water to discharge. The crest gate is hinged at the bottom and rotates downstream, allowing water to flow over it. It is operated using a hydraulic power unit that controls one cylinder position at one side of the gate. The gate has the ability to fully open (be positioned horizontally), which maximizes discharge. The construction, which was contracted to the Tarentum, Pennsylvia-based Joseph B. Fay Co., involved removal of the two existing 12-foot-wide trash gates, gate house, 3-foot-wide concrete piers between the gates, and concrete deck spanning between piers one and three. The two trash bays were separated by a center wall running the length of the spillway. An engineering evaluation was performed by the PB Power and the FirstEnergy project team that showed that although its more expensive, it was beneficial to remove the wall over the full length versus a partial removal to ensure that debris did not back up behind it. The two existing trash gates were replaced by a single 27-foot-wide hydraulically operated crest gate fabricated by SteelFab. The wider crest gate has additional capacity to pass trash, can better pass oversized debris than the existing narrower gates, and has additional hydraulic capacity. The new sediment solution included the installation of a single trash gate with an increased ability to flush away debris, resulting in increased spillway capacity. During removal of the existing gates, demolition of the concrete pier, installation of the crest gate, and installation of new stoplogs was required to span the 30-foot center-to-center width between the upstream faces of the piers on either side of the trash bay to dewater the area and provide safe access for construction personnel. In addition, new stoplogs were also required once the crest gate was installed that would span the 27-foot span inside of the piers within the stoplog slot. The stoplogs were designed to be used for both the temporary and permanent conditions and were built to fit within the stop log slots between pier 1 and 3. Temporary stoplog extensions were bolted to the permanent stoplog to seal against the upstream concrete face of the piers. However, the upstream faces of the concrete piers were not aligned, and the concrete bowed upstream by many inches below the crest. This rendered conventional gate seals or compressible rubber problematic due to their inability to contour to the very irregular surface. The project used grout socks, which were installed by divers after the stoplogs were positioned to provide additional sealing surface. This method resulted in stoplogs that sealed well. Steel brackets were installed on the upstream face of the piers on which the stoplogs sit. At the completion of construction, the extensions were removed and the stoplogs stored for permanent use at Lake Lynn Dam. A structural steel storage rack on the deck was designed to support the stoplogs when not in use. A steel structural frame is located on the deck to support two hoists to maneuver the stoplogs from the storage rack into place in the stoplog slots, as well as the storage rack. The storage rack and frame will also support grating to replace the concrete deck that will be removed. The access to the upstream side of the dam will also be revised based on the new structural frame and deck. The frame consists of steel beams beneath columns spanning between the concrete of piers 1 and 3 and steel columns to support the hoists. Because of the known AAR expansion problem at Lake Lynn Dam, the frame was designed with oversized slotted holes at the base plate connection of all beams on the powerhouse side. Thus the frame will be able to accommodate horizontal movement of the concrete piers due to AAR growth. During the demolition effort, the top of pier 1 separated from the powerhouse wall by about ¾ inch as soon as the deck moved due to the relaxation of built-up AAR forces. A 1,000-foot-long Tuffboom trash boom was installed, spanning from the spillway back to the west shoreline. This trash boom was anchored into a massive concrete block supported on a drilled concrete caisson foundation. The trash boom will help deflect debris toward the new trash gate and away from the tainter gates. Based on operating experience learned from the CEATI HPLIG (Hydraulic Plant Life Interest Group), a deflector shield was also included as part of this project, because the trash gate is located directly adjacent to the side wall of the powerhouse, which consists of a brick wall with some windows on the dam spillway side of the new trash gate. The deflector shield protects the powerhouse from the spray of water coming off the trash gate and from the anticipated large trees with limbs that will be passing as part of the debris during high flow events. Similarly, the new upstream walkway, which provides access to the upstream side of the new trash gate, was designed as a debris barrier to protect the deck, stoplogs and hoist frame from large trees and other debris that had previously caused damaged to the former trash gatehouse. Conclusion After a careful study of many options to improve debris management at Lake Lynn Dam, an alternative was chosen based on personnel safety, total life cycle construction and operating cost, effectiveness to pass trash and debris, and licensing and environmental concerns. The chosen alternative reduces the risk of the potential failure mode related to the trash gate and tainter gates becoming blocked by debris and therefore resulting in a reduction in the spillway capacity. The project was completed during the fourth quarter of 2012. Initial operating results have found that all of the objectives of this projects have been achieved. The successful execution of the project required extensive coordination and cooperation among Allegheny Energy Supply (now FirstEnergy), FERC and PB Power. The new gate should reduce the upstream flood potential due to the additional capacity to pass trash and larger debris. The addition of the trash boom also should prevent the tainter gates from becoming blocked. The new trash boom deflects debris towards the trash gate so that it will be passed through the dam. Stefan Schadinger is lead engineer and Bryce Mochrie is senior project engineer at PB Power, which played a role in engineering evaluations. Andrew Datsko is manager and Jacob Vozel is an engineer at FirstEnergy, which owns the 51.2-MW Lake Lynn project.

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11 Amazing Women Who Made Wilderness Conservation History | EcoWatch
by Duane 30 Mar '14

30 Mar '14

http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/26/women-made-wilderness-conservation-history/ 11 Amazing Women Who Made Wilderness Conservation History The Wilderness Society, March 26, 2014 Often working in the shadows of better-known male conservationists, female conservation leaders helped drive the twentieth century conservation movement. In celebration of Women’s History Month, here are 11 of those women who have made a difference to America’s wild lands: 1. Margaret “Mardy” Murie (1902—2003) Mardy Murie worked hand-in-hand with her husband Olaus Murie to accomplish important wilderness victories like the establishment and expansion of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Mardy Murie witnessed first-hand the signing of the Wilderness Act fifty years ago. She continued to fight for wilderness until her death at age 101 in 2003. Mardy and Olaus Murie at their home, Grand Tetons, 1953. Photo credit: Wikimedia commons “I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by, or so poor she cannot afford to keep them,” Murie once said. 2. Celia Hunter (1910—2001) Celia Hunter fought alongside Mardy and Olaus Murie to safeguard the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and became the first female president of a national conservation organization—The Wilderness Society. She played a major role in the passage of legislation that protected over 100 million acres in Alaska. On her dying day she wrote a letter to Congress urging the protection of the Arctic Refuge from oil drilling. 3. Rachel Carson (1907—1964) Rachel Carson was employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1943, and resigned to continue her writing career in 1952. Her bestselling book Silent Spring remains a environmental classic for it raised public health concerns and highlighted the need for regulation, inspiring grassroots movements that led to the development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is a wildlife refuge named for her in Maine. Rachel Carson and Bob Hines conducting research, Atlantic coast, 1952. Photo credit: USFWS “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” 4. Terry Tempest Williams (1955— ) Terry Tempest Williams is a contemporary author who writes about wilderness. She received The Wilderness Society’s Robert Marshall Award in 2006, our highest honor given to citizens. When President Clinton dedicated Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah in 1996, he held up a book she’d edited—Testimony: Writers Speak On Behalf of Utah Wilderness—and said, “This made a difference.” 5. Hallie M. Daggett Hallie Daggett learned how to hunt, fish, ride, trap and shoot early in life, skills which served her well as the first woman employed by the Forest Service. She worked as a lookout for 15 years beginning in 1913 at Eddy’s Gulch Lookout Station atop Klamath Peak in California’s Klamath National Forest. It was almost a hundred years later before the Forest Service appointed their first female chief Abigail R. Kimbell in 2007. Hallie M. Daggett. Photo credit: USFS 6. Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890—1998) Marjory Douglas worked to protect the Everglades and wrote the iconic book The Everglades: River of Grass in 1947—the year Everglades National Park was established. The park contains a wilderness areas named for her legacy. Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Florida, 1985. Photo credit: Wikimedia commons “It is a woman’s business to be interested in the environment,” said Douglas. “It’s an extended form of housekeeping.” 7. Herma Albertson Baggley (1896—1981) Herma Baggley was the first female naturalist who worked for the National Park Service. She was a pioneer in botany and natural education at Yellowstone National Park starting in 1929. She paved the way for Fran P. Mainella, who became the first woman director of the National Park Service in 2001. 8. Bethine Church (1923—2013) Bethine Church was as politically active as her husband U.S. Senator Frank Church—no small feat. Her husband sponsored the passage of the Wilderness Act 50 years ago, and she also supported the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act four years later. In their home state of Idaho, they worked for the protection of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Sawtooth Wilderness, and the now-named Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. 9. Rosalie Barrow Edge (1877—1962) Rosalie Edge was a suffragist and advocate for the preservation of birds. In 1934 she founded the first preserve for birds of prey at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in the Appalachian Mountains and she led campaigns to protect Olympic and Kings Canyon National Parks. Rosalie Barrow Edge. Photo credit: HawkMountain.org “The time to protect a species is while it is still common.” 10. Anne LaBastille (1935—2011) Anne LaBastille was an ecologist who authored scientific papers, popular articles and books like the Woodswoman series and Women of the Wilderness. She led backpacking and canoe trips in the Adirondacks as well as wilderness workshops and lectures. She also photographed the outdoors as part of the EPA’s Documerica project in the 1970s. 11. Mollie H. Beattie (1947—1996) Mollie Beattie was the first female director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In her short term there from 1993 to 1996, she oversaw the reintroduction of the gray wolf into the northern Rocky Mountains and the addition of 15 national wildlife refuges. A wilderness area is named for her in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Mollie Beattie. Photo credit: USFWS “In the long term, the economy and the environment are the same thing. If it’s unenvironmental it is uneconomical. That is the rule of nature.” Also, several federal lands preserve the legacies of American women and their lasting contributions, such as: Adams National Historic Site, MA (Abigail Adams), Clara Barton National Historic Site, Washington, D.C., Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, NY, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, VA, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, Washington, D.C., Sewall-Belmont House National Historic Site, Washington, D.C. (Alice Paul), Whitman Mission National Historic Site, WA (Narcissa Prentiss Whitman). ——— Related Content: 10 Wilderness Protection Bills Stalled by Congress 10 National Parks You’ve Never Heard Of Wild Places Destroyed in the Name of Progresss

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Top 10 Ways to Help Birds This Spring | EcoWatch
by Duane 22 Mar '14

22 Mar '14

http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/20/10-ways-to-help-birds-this-spring/ Top 10 Ways to Help Birds This Spring American Bird Conservancy, EcoWatch.com, March 20, 2014 Despite persistent late-occurring snowstorms, average temperatures are starting to climb, soon to be followed by the most deadly period of the year for birds: springtime. Although spring means new life and hope to many people, billions of birds face the tribulations of a perilous migration followed shortly by breeding and the production of scores of newborn birds that will spend several highly vulnerable weeks as they grow and fledge. According to Dr. George Fenwick, president of American Bird Conservancy (ABC), “Spring is a deadly time for birds for three big reasons. Scientists estimate that 300 million to one billion birds die each year from collisions with buildings, many during arduous migrations in unfamiliar environments. Up to 50 million die from encounters with communication towers and up to six million may die each day from attacks by cats left outdoors. These deaths occur year-round, but many occur during spring and fall migration.” Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock “Some studies suggest that perhaps as many as half of all migrating birds do not make it back home,” he said, “succumbing to various threats on either end of the journey.” One in five Americans engage in bird watching, so after months of waiting for migrants to return, many people turn to emails, phone lines and social media to ask ABC a dozen variations on the same question: “How can I help the birds?” Here is our answer to that question, just in time for spring. The top 10 ways to help birds this spring are the following: 1. Keep your cat indoors. This is best for your cat as well as for the birds, as indoor cats live an average of three to seven times longer. Cats are responsible for an estimated 2.4 billion bird deaths each year. In the spring, young birds or nestlings often end up on the ground, attracting the fatal attention of a nearby cat. Ground nesting species that are especially vulnerable include Killdeer and Wood Thrush, but all baby birds—from ducks to warblers—will be on the ground for a critical period of time. 2. Prevent birds from hitting your windows. As many as one billion birds die each year after colliding with glass in buildings. You can reduce this problem at your home by applying a variety of window treatments. For example, ABC BirdTape is a proven solution that is inexpensive and long-lasting. (See a short video here.) Birds most prone to fatal collisions at home windows or glass doors include Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Wood Thrush. 3. Eliminate pesticides from your yard. Even those pesticides that are not directly toxic to birds can pollute waterways and reduce insects that birds rely on for food. For rodent control, seal cracks, remove food sources and use snap and electric traps rather than rodenticides, which can poison raptors such as hawks and owls as well as young children. And be sure not to garden with neonicotinoid-coated seeds, or neonics, which are lethal to songbirds as well as to bees and other invertebrates. Learn more here. 4. Buy organic food and drink Smithsonian-certified Bird Friendly Coffee. Going organic helps to reduce pesticide use on farms and increases the market for produce grown without the use of pesticides, which can be toxic to birds and other animals, and will help to reduce the use of these hazardous chemicals in the U.S. and overseas. Shade coffee farms have been shown to provide far superior habitat for birds than coffee grown in open sun. Buying coffee that is certified Bird Friendly is one of the easiest ways to help migratory birds. 5. Create backyard habitat using native plants. When you garden with plants that evolved in your local habitat, you supply native insects and their larvae with food, which in turn are an irreplaceable food source provided by birds to their nestlings. Yards both large and small can benefit birds and other wildlife. Create a diverse landscape by planting native grasses, flowers and shrubs that attract birds. You will be rewarded by their beauty and song, and will have fewer insect pests as a result. Read more here. 6. Reduce your carbon footprint. While all forms of energy use impact birds, small individual actions can add up and make a difference. Use a hand-pushed or electric lawnmower, carpool and use low-energy bulbs and Energy Star appliances. Less energy used means less habitat destroyed for energy production. 7. Donate old bird-watching equipment. Binoculars or spotting scopes will be appreciated by local bird watching groups—they can get them to schools or biologists in other countries who may not have the resources they need. More people studying birds means more voices for bird conservation! 8. Keep bird feeders and bird baths clean. If you feed the birds, make sure you aren’t accidentally allowing the spread of disease. Disinfect feeders and bird baths, and change water regularly or use a drip system to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. 9. Support bird-friendly legislation. U.S. policy makers frequently make decisions that affect birds. For example, decisions are now being made that will impact the survival of the imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse. By raising your voice, you can help to influence the outcome for birds on this and other important issues. 10. Join two bird conservation groups—a local one and American Bird Conservancy. Your support will provide needed dollars for bird conservation, enabling you to help achieve more than is possible through individual efforts. Membership also enables you to become more informed and involved in the issues you’re concerned about. “Protecting and helping birds is not only the right thing to do,” said Fenwick. “It is also good for the economy and the future of our environment. Birds are invaluable as controllers of insect pests, as pollinators of crops and as dispersers of native plant seeds. They also generate tremendous economic revenues through the pastimes of bird feeding and bird watching.” A federal government study reports that about 20 percent of the U.S. population—47 million people—participates in bird watching. About 30 percent of all people over 55 enjoy this pursuit. About 40 percent of birders (18 million people) actually travel to see birds and spend about $41 billion annually in pursuit of their pastime. The top five birdwatching states by percentage of total population are: Vermont (39 percent), Wisconsin (33 percent), West Virginia (33 percent), Wyoming (31 percent) and Alaska (30 percent). The states with the greatest raw number of birders are: California (4.9 million), New York (3.3 million), Florida (3.0 million), Pennsylvania (2.7 million), and Texas (2.3 million). Visit EcoWatch’s TIPS and BIODIVERSITY pages for more related news on this topic. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Could This Winter’s Harsh Weather Wipe Out Invasive Insects? | EcoWatch
by Duane 04 Mar '14

04 Mar '14

http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/04/winters-weather-wipe-out-invasive-insects/ Could This Winter’s Harsh Weather Wipe Out Invasive Insects? From Yale Environment 360 | March 4, 2014 As a frigid winter takes a toll on the U.S. and Canada, invasive insect populations are also taking a hit. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that up to 80 percent of emerald ash borers, which have been decimating ash tree populations, were killed by long stretches of bitter cold in the the upper Midwest this year. Damage on ash tree from an emerald ash borer. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Several other insect pests, many of which have migrated northward because of milder winters in recent years, also are faring poorly this winter, including corn earworms and gypsy moths. Researchers remain skeptical, however, that the die-offs will have lasting effects on pest populations. Emerald ash borers in Chicago, IL, for example, survived the sub-zero weather because Chicago temperatures fell only to -17 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than Minnesota’s -20 degrees Fahrenheit, which seems to be a critical temperature threshold for the pests. The effects of this winter are “more like a reprieve,” one entomologist told the Washington Post, and an opportunity to study whether large numbers of invasive insects can be killed off to make problems more manageable in the long-run. Visit EcoWatch’s BIODIVERSITY page for more related news on this topic. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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FirstEnergy completes sale of Lake Lynn Hydrodam to LS Power
by Duane330＠aol.com 23 Feb '14

23 Feb '14

FirstEnergy Completes Sale of Eleven Hydroelectric Power Stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings, LLCCL AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has completed the sale of 11 hydroelectric power stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of LS Power Equity Partners II, LP, for approximately $395 million. The two companies originally announced the sales agreement in September 2013. The hydroelectric power stations included in this sale are owned by FirstEnergy Generation, LLC, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and Green Valley Hydro, LLC and have a total capacity of 527 megawatts, which represents less than 3 percent of FirstEnergy's generation fleet output. The sale includes: Seneca Pumped Storage (451 MW) in Warren, Pa.; Allegheny Lock & Dam 5 (6 MW) in Schenley, Pa.; Allegheny Lock & Dam 6 (7 MW) in Ford City, Pa.; Lake Lynn (52 MW) in Lake Lynn, Pa.; Millville (3 MW) in Millville, W. Va.; Dam 4 (2 MW) in Shepherdstown, W. Va.; Dam 5 (1.2 MW) in Falling Waters, W.Va.; Warren (750 kW) in Front Royal, Va.; Luray (1.6 MW) in Luray, Va.; and Shenandoah and Newport (860 kW and 1.4 MW, respectively) in Shenandoah, Va. The 35 current employees at these power stations are being retained by the new owner. FirstEnergy subsidiary Allegheny Generating Company continues to own 1,200 MW of the 3,000 MW Bath County Pumped-Storage Hydro facility in Warm Springs, Va. In addition, FirstEnergy subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) continues to own 200 MW of the 400 MW Yards Creek Pumped-Storage Hydro facility in Blairstown, N.J. FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Its generation subsidiaries currently control more than 17,500 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter _@FirstEnergyCorp_ (http://www.twitter.com/@FirstEnergyCorp) . LS Power, an employee-owned, independent power company with offices in New York, New Jersey, Missouri and California, is a developer, owner, operator and investor in power generation and electric transmission infrastructure throughout the United States. Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1735012#ixzz2uCpOORn9

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Birthplace of Rivers, Monday at 10 PM
by Duane 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

‘Birthplace of Rivers’ will air as part of PBS series02/15/2014 3:22 PM The focus for most southern West Virginians lately has been on snow. But the cameras turn to the state’s rivers, with West Virginia’s PBS 2 set to air “Birthplace of Rivers” Monday at 10 p.m. as part of the “This American Land” series. The episode focuses on the Birthplace of Rivers, an area in the Monongahela National Forest that contains the headwaters of six rivers that are a source of drinking water, recreation and tourism for downstream communities. The six rivers are the Cranberry, Cherry, Gauley, Williams, Greenbrier and Elk. The Birthplace of Rivers area has long been prized by hunters, anglers, hikers, birders and wildlife watchers for its pristine waters, rugged forests and natural beauty. The area is so important to the region’s recreation and tourism industries that a collection of businesses, sportsmen and conservationists joined together to have the Birthplace of Rivers receive special designation as a “national monument.” Since the Elk River chemical spill, interest in the monument ideas has increased. “Now, more than ever, people in West Virginia are thinking about the importance of clean water to their health, well-being, and economic security,” said Angie Rosser, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. “The Birthplace of Rivers represents a recovery for our state on many levels. Protecting our drinking water at the headwaters is an important step toward restoring our confidence now and giving us hope for the future. “The monument,” Rosser said, “would show the world that we are proud of our rivers and our heritage — it would provide a spark to help us be the West Virginia we know in our hearts we can be.” The “Birthplace of Rivers” segment of “This American Land” features stunning footage of waterfalls, trout streams, bogs and forests in and around the Cranberry Wilderness Area, plus generations-old music from a local fiddler and interviews with monument proponents, including a small business owner explaining how a national monument would boost tourism. Share Story

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Re: [CLEAR] Sheepskin Trail: Construction+Up+Ahead.pdf
by Reger-Nash, Bill 14 Feb '14

14 Feb '14

Outstanding Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S®4 -------- Original message -------- From: Duane Date:02/14/2014 3:38 PM (GMT-05:00) To: CLEAR Subject: [CLEAR] Sheepskin Trail: Construction+Up+Ahead.pdf http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1106683796118-5… Construction Up Ahead -- Sheepskin Trail connection to Morgantown Civic and municipal officials in the River Town of Point Marion, Fayette County could not be happier as it appears construction will begin this spring on the 1 1?4 mile Sheepskin Trail connection to Morgantown, West Virginia. Over twenty years has passed since some leading citizens approached Borough officials about connecting to Morgantown with a hike/bike trail. Even back then, Morgantown, the home of West Virginia University, was a growing community, and civic leaders were aware of the possible economic boon to Point Marion if a recreation and commuter trail connection were made to Morgantown. The Point Marion section will connect with the Mon River and Caperton trail and continue a distance of 48 miles to Fairmont, West Virginia. The trail property is owned by Fayette County. In 2012 the County Commissioners by resolution, named the National Road Heritage Corridor with offices in Uniontown, PA. as its development and project manager to work to complete the 34 mile trail and be the liaison with community officials. For the last three years, Executive Director, Donna Holdorf has aggressively sought the funds to complete the trail segment; joined by River Town Program staff, Point Marion residents, civic leaders, business owners and municipal officials. This unified approach has proven successful as a combination of private foundation funding, and grant funds from the Commonwealth's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) were matched with resources allocated for trailhead amenities, parking lot upgrades, and improvements to the contiguous Point Marion Community Park (details of this project can be found in this newsletter as well). Construction on this 1 1?4 mile connection is expected begin late spring /early summer of this year and should be completed by fall, 2014. Stay tuned for a spectacular opening ceremony! Private donations are still being sought to support the Sheepskin Trail / Point Marion construction project. Send your tax deductible contribution check made payable to the NRHC with note in the memo line "For the Point Marion segment" 65 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Keep Our Drinking Water Safe in West Virginia!
by Duane 06 Feb '14

06 Feb '14

Hi, As West Virginians, we all support clean and safe drinking water and these strong recommendations will help make sure that we have it! Read the recommendations here: http://www.wvrivers.org/news/wvriverscoalitionreleaseswaterprotectionrecomm… That's why I signed a petition to The West Virginia State House, The West Virginia State Senate, and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, which says: "I want my delegates and senators to know I support real protections for clean water, and that I want them to implement the recommendations of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and the Chemical Safety Board. " Will you sign this petition? Click here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/keep-our-drinking-water?source=s.em.mt&r_b… Thanks! Duane

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Observed vs Forecast Flows for the Monongahela River
by Duane 04 Feb '14

04 Feb '14

Monongahela River at the Pt. Marion Lock and Dam. The current river level is at 15 feet with flood stage at 26 feet. The prediction is for a peak level at 19.5 feet at about 50,000 cfs. Source: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pbz&gage=pmrp1

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The Cheat River at Albright in Preston County
by Duane 04 Feb '14

04 Feb '14

Here is the flow in the Cheat River as measured at Albright, near Kingwood, In Preston County. Albright can be considered to be at the mouth of the Cheat Canyon. At 7:45 am today, the flow was 10,400 cubic feet per second. Source: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?03070260

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The Cheat River
by Duane 04 Feb '14

04 Feb '14

See the Cheat River flow at Parsons in Tucker County. There is lots more water to come as we get rain and melting snow today! This is called a "log - linear" plot because one axis, the discharge in this case, has been calibrated as a logarithm scale. While convenient for displaying large numbers, a log scale does not visually represent the true magnitude of the numerical values.

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Fwd: Can't Make It to the Public Hearing? Send your comments by email and tune in this evening....
by Duane 03 Feb '14

03 Feb '14

> From: "Chuck Wyrostok" <wyro(a)appalight.com> > Date: February 3, 2014 1:58:24 PM EST > To: "Chuck Wyrostok" <wyro(a)appalight.com> > Subject: Can't Make It to the Public Hearing? Send your comments by email and tune in this evening.... > > Please relay to your membership lists…thanks. > > If you can’t make it to the Public Hearing on Water at the Capitol today, here’s four ways you can participate > > 1. You can send your comments by email to members of the House Health Committee (see attachment for email addresses) > > 2. You can send your comments by email before 3:30pm today to either Julie Archer (julie(a)wvcag.org) or Chuck Wyro (outreach(a)marcellus-wv.com) and we will print them and hand deliver them at the hearing. > Please do not send to both of us. > > 3. WV Public Broadcasting will be covering the hearing live. You can tune in by radio, internet or TV. http://wvpublic.org/post/water-crisis-public-hearing-air-live-west-virginia… > > 4. Go to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm , scroll down to the 5:30pm box and listen on online. > > > TAKE ACTION ~ PUBLIC HEARING ON WATER AT THE CAPITOL ~ THIS MONDAY FEB. 3RD, 5:30PM > What: Public Hearing on SB 373 related to water resources protection > When: Monday, February 3rd, 5:30pm > Where: House Chambers, State Capitol Building > Who: Joint Committee on Health & Finance > Why: For legislators to hear citizen input > > > WV House of Delegates to Host Public Hearing on Ongoing Water Crisis > Here’s your chance to speak to your legislators and fellow citizens, from a podium with a P.A. system, about how this chemical spill crisis has affected you. > This public hearing will take place in the House Chambers. House Speaker Tim Miley, D-Harrison said "The House leadership would like to give everyone who wants input in this important legislation to have the opportunity to participate. Legislation of this magnitude should be addressed very methodically and with great care. We want to ensure that the final product takes meaningful steps to truly protect our state's water supply and the health of the public." > > Pat McGinley, an environmental law professor at West Virginia University, said, "The events of the last few weeks have severely damaged West Virginians' confidence in leadership provided by the Legislature, governor, and DEP.” > > Sen. Chris Walters, R-Putnam said, "This should be a deliberate, slow study process. This doesn't need to be a knee-jerk reaction. I have a pregnant wife and a three-year-old daughter -- I'm not consuming the water. I'm not cooking with it. I'm worried about my unborn child. I can't get answers." > > The spill revealed once again that porous legislation and murky assumptions about industry self-policing hinder oversight of dangerous chemicals. U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigators have found that chemical storage tanks at the Elk River site were "very old" and "designed to a very old standard, without leak detection or secondary containment." > > Downstream Strategies consultant Evan Hansen said, “"This is not just about Charleston. This is not just an issue about above-ground storage tanks. This issue affects us all." > > After attempting to take contaminated water from his father's tap to decision-makers in Charleston last Thursday, Dustin White, of Boone County, was told by Capitol police to leave the Statehouse for carrying the "unidentified liquid." Bring your bad water to the Capitol steps for the hearing on Monday—they need to know what we deal with everyday. Then come inside for the Public Hearing. > Our legislators need to face the truth. > Let’s hear what you have to say about this travesty. We urge as many of you as possible to come out as a show of support for stringent water protection law and no-nonsense enforcement. > > After the Public Hearing there will be a Town Hall meeting at First Baptist Church on Shrewsbury St. 7-9pm. > Logistics: > > Easy Parking: Perry Bryant of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care tells us: > > I have confirmed with the Capital Security folks that we can park in the state employees parking lot after 5:00 pm on Monday. So if you get off the Greenbrier exit (Exit 99), go down the hill towards the Capitol building. Turn left at the light on Washington Street, Take an immediate left at the guard shack. There is metered parking (probably don’t have to pay after 5 pm) slightly to the right, and unmetered parking for state employees further to the right. The state employee parking is behind a wrought iron gate. This gate will be closed (and you won’t be able to get out) ½ hour after the end of the public hearing. If you park behind the wrought iron gate, do not dally after the public hearing. > While this parking has some limitations, it is significantly better than parking at the Laidley Field public parking areas on Elizabeth Street. See you Monday evening. > Attached is an information and talking points document, courtesy of Maya Nye and Angie Rosser. Here are some tips. > · Arrive ten minutes (or earlier) to sign up to speak. > > · Each speaker can expect only to have 1-2 minutes to speak. > > · Written comments can be submitted for the record. > > · Below are some suggested talking points as a guide. Citizens are encouraged to give their own perspective, in their words, of how the government needs to better protect drinking water supplies and public health. > > Citizen messaging framework: > · We deserve thorough protection from all contamination threats to our water supplies. > > · The government is failing us and needs to do a better job in regulating and enforcing protections. > > · We deserve to have all available government resources applied to understand and responsibly advise the public on risks and solutions to this health crisis. > > Needed technical improvements to SB 373: > · Close loopholes – there are many exclusions to tanks that are regulated under the new program, these need carefully analyzed. All tanks and all additional sources of potential contamination need adequately regulated. > > · Require individual permits and regular inspections for all potential significant contaminant sources within zones of critical concern for public drinking water systems. > > · Require and fund development of source water protection plans that address all significant contamination threats and include full stakeholder and community involvement. > > Assure that all pollution sources can be enforced via the Clean Water Act with provisions for citizen involvement. > Additional actions needed: > · Implementation of Chemical Safety Board Recommendations. > > · Continuation of bottled water distribution to all affected communities. > > · An environmentally sound and safe mechanism to flush the chemical from the water treatment plant, distribution lines, sewage systems, residences etc. > > · Immediate institution of a medical surveillance program. > > · Immediate studies on the short and long term effects of MCHM and its breakdown chemicals on human health. > > 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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Riverkeepers & Clearwater Leaders Remember Pete Seeger (1919 - 2014)
by Duane 29 Jan '14

29 Jan '14

http://rye.dailyvoice.com/news/riverkeepers-clearwater-leaders-remember-fri… Riverkeepers & Clearwater Leaders Remember Pete Seeger (1919 - 2014) From Danny LoPriore, Rye Daily Voice, January 28, 2014 Beacon, N.Y. -- A true friend of the Hudson River and its valley where he lived for 70 years, legendary folk singer/songwriter and political and social activist Pete Seeger is being remembered for his many contributions to his nation after passing away at age 94. Seeger and his wife Toshi, who died in July 2013, founded Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., and the Great Hudson River Revival, the annual music and environmental festival that takes place at Croton Point Park in Croton. The Seegers lived in Beacon, New York, on the Hudson River for 40 years. The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, the Beacon-based environmental group that shares its name with its sailing vessel, took a leading role in passage of the Clean Water Act, the fight to make General Electric Co. remove PCBs from the river mud and a number of other key chapters in the Hudson’s history. Clearwater Communications Director Julia Church said "Pete planted the seed that started Hudson River SloopClearwater with the belief that a majestic replica of the sloops that sailed the Hudson in the 18th and 19th centuries would bring people to the river where they could experience its beauty and be moved to preserve it." "The sloop Clearwater has become recognized for its role in the environmental movement," Church wrote. "And thanks to Pete Seeger, the over 12,000 school kids who sail each year will never see the river in the same way that they did before their voyage. Perhaps more importantly, they will be moved to protect the river every time they look at it." Leaders of the river’s other influential organizations — the state’s Hudson River Estuary Program, Ossining-based Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson — got their start on board the Clearwater. Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay said the conservation organization is pledged to "carry on his work and make the most of the gifts he left us." "Pete Seeger was unique in that he was a musical genius, and courageous in his beliefs and a generous man with a heart as big as anyone's," Gallay said. "Pete will go on inspiring those who endeavor to heal us humans and our one lonely planet, long after we say our final goodbyes to the man himself." The Riverkeeper group conducts water quality studies aboard the "Riverkeeper" patrol boat. The primary goal of this ongoing project is to characterize and report on the highly variable conditions of the Hudson River Estuary through testing for sewage indicating microorganisms, oxygen and turbidity levels, and other indicators of water quality. - - - > See more at: http://www.riverkeeper.org/water-quality/hudson/#sthash.UTOYZJqo.dpuf "River Of My People" By Pete Seeger There's a river of my people And its flow is swift and strong, Flowing to some mighty ocean, Though its course is deep and long. Flowing to some mighty ocean, Though its course is deep and long. Many rocks and reefs and mountains Seek to bar it from its way. But relentlessly this river Seeks its brothers in the sea. But relentlessly this river Seeks its brothers in the sea. You will find us in the mainstream, Steering surely through the foam, Far beyond the raging waters We can see our certain home. Far beyond the raging waters We can see our certain home. For we have mapped this river And we know its mighty force And the courage that this gives us Will hold us to our course. And the courage that this gives us Will hold us to our course. Oh, river of my people, Together we must go, Hasten onward to that meeting Where my brothers wait I know. Hasten onward to that meeting Where my sisters wait I know.

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Geese can be trouble; how to deal with them? By Dave Milne
by Duane 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Publication: Page Number:8-C The Dominion Post; Date:Jan 26, 2014; Section:Mountain State Outdoors; Geese can be trouble; how to deal with them? WHEN YOU MENTION Canada geese to someone, you’ll usually get one of two reactions: People either love them or hate them. We haven’t always had the huge numbers of geese we do now. In the early 1940s, the Canada goose was nearing extinction due to overhunting. Sound familiar? Remember the buffalo? Hunting is the best wildlife management tool we have, but if it gets out of hand, the wildlife numbers will suffer. It wasn’t until the early ’50s that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began to trap and distribute the geese to states that wanted them. This began as an accident. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was playing golf and stepped in goose dung while wearing his white golf shoes. He asked one of his aids what could be done about this. After a few meetings, the trapping and moving began. The rest is history. There are basically three problems with the Canada goose: The defecation, their feeding habits, and their attitude. The good things are that they are pretty, and it’s nice to see them flying over in a V and honking. I watch them from my office window flying over the Monongahela River. Anyone who plays golf or swims in a lake that has geese living there knows the amount of defecation there is. It’s horrible. Contrary to what some people think, goose dung does not spread any disease that the experts have been able to find. A former director of the Wildlife Research Center Water Fowl Disease USFWS said, “On occasion, we have been wading in that stuff and dead birds up to our elbows and there is not a single documented case of us coming down with any kind of disease problem. We do not have a human health situation in the urban geese, the wild geese, nor the captive geese that we have worked with.” On the other hand, there are those who say that when captive geese are force-fed and slaughtered for their livers, the pate de foie gras made from the liver can cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome, or mad cow disease, in humans. Goose poop in lakes is a large contributing factor to algal blooms and excessive plant growth. One goose will add a half pound of phosphorous to a lake every year. Geese will clip off new grass right down to the root. They love a newly planted field of oats, wheat or rye. When they move in by the hundreds, the crop will suffer. Geese may look pretty, but they can be mean. They’ll hiss and charge you if you invade their territory. Three ways you can get rid of geese are using a repellant, scaring them, or capturing and euthanizing them. I only know of one repellant you can use: Methyl anthranilate. It’s found in Concord grapes and is used to flavor grape chewing gum, but geese hate the taste and won’t eat anything treated with it. It’s available in spray form. Chasing or scaring them can be entertaining both for you and a dog. Border collies or any other herding dog will do. Geese don’t like to be herded and will leave. If you would not mind another type of bird around, get a pair or two of swans. A few geese will stay, but most will leave. Plastic swans will also work. Killing the geese is often very controversial with the public. Capture and euthanasia will get rid of the geese for a while, but more will take their place. This method can be expensive. It’s usually done in the early summer, when the birds molt or lose their flight feathers. They are rounded up and then asphyxiated. Where laws and public sentiment will permit, the geese can be hunted. Keep in mind that geese are federally protected. Only resident geese can be killed when the migratory birds are not present. DAVE MILNE serves on the state Natural Resources Commission.

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FERC approved sale of Cheat Lake Hydrodam in November 2013. (aka Lake Lynn Hydrodam)
by Duane 20 Jan '14

20 Jan '14

FirstEnergy Subsidiaries Apply for Authorization to Sell Eleven Hydroelectric Power Stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings, LLC AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2013 -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiaries have applied for authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to sell 11 hydroelectric power stations in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia to Harbor Hydro Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of LS Power Equity Partners II, LP. A sales agreement was reached on August 23, and if approved, the proposed transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013. The agreement is subject to customary and other closing conditions, including FERC, the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Corporation Commission and various other approvals. The hydroelectric power stations included in this proposed sale are owned by FirstEnergy Generation, LLC, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and Green Valley Hydro, LLC and have a total capacity of 527 megawatts, which represents less than 3 percent of FirstEnergy's generation fleet output. The sale includes: Seneca Pumped Storage (451 MW) in Warren, Pa.; Allegheny Lock & Dam 5 (6 MW) in Schenley, Pa.; Allegheny Lock & Dam 6 (7 MW) in Ford City, Pa.; Lake Lynn (52 MW) in Lake Lynn, Pa.; Millville (3 MW) in Millville, W. Va.; Dam 4 (2 MW) in Shepherdstown, W. Va.; Dam 5 (1.2 MW) in Falling Waters, W.Va.; Warren (750 kW) in Front Royal, Va.; Luray (1.6 MW) in Luray, Va.; and Shenandoah and Newport (860 kW and 1.4 MW, respectively) in Shenandoah, Va. Resolution of a potential competing license application and other claims related to the Seneca facility also is a condition to closing the proposed transaction. The 35 current employees at these power stations are expected to be retained by the new owner. FirstEnergy subsidiary Allegheny Generating Company will continue to own 1,200 MW of the 3,000 MW Bath County Pumped-Storage Hydro facility in Warm Springs, Va. In addition, FirstEnergy subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) will continue to own 200 MW of the 400 MW Yards Creek Pumped-Storage Hydro facility in Blairstown, N.J. FirstEnergy operates one of the nation's largest, cleanest and most diverse generating fleets, with 60 percent coal, 20 percent nuclear, 11 percent hydro and other renewables, and 9 percent gas/oil. FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Its generation subsidiaries currently control more than 20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables. LS Power, an employee-owned, independent power company with offices in New York, New Jersey, Missouri and California, is a developer, owner, operator and investor in power generation and electric transmission infrastructure throughout the United States. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Preserving an Appalachian Treasure: American Ginseng | EcoWatch
by Duane 18 Jan '14

18 Jan '14

http://ecowatch.com/2014/01/16/appalachian-treasure-american-ginseng/ Preserving an Appalachian Treasure: American Ginseng Dr. Randi Pokladnik | January 16, 2014 [Note: This article has been going viral on EcoWatch for days and has been very popular over the last many months. The article is from the 2009 August issue of EcoWatch Journal.] American Ginseng, Panax Quinquefolius, is a long-lived understory herb found in the mesophytic forests of Appalachia. Ginseng was once native to China but over-harvesting of its species, Panax Ginseng, extirpated the populations. The Chinese have used the roots of the plants in medicinal preparations for thousands of years. Soon after the species was discovered in North America in the 1700s, the Chinese relied heavily on exports of American Ginseng. In the late 1700s, residents established a significant trade chain with the Orient and exported tremendous amounts of ginseng roots. More than 750,000 pounds of wild ginseng roots were exported in 1822 and ginseng sold for 42 cents a pound. It still remains an important component of the informal economy in Appalachia and prices of ginseng today range from $200 to a high of $1,500 a dried pound for the wild roots. American Ginseng is still in need of protection in order to prevent over-harvesting and continue the economic value it has for the Appalachian region. In the early 1900s, the ginseng community recognized the need to protect wild populations and enlisted two practices: laws and cultivation. Ginseng can be cultivated under shade cloth or wooded canopies. Northeastern Ohio had several ginseng farms in the early 1900s. The plant was so popular that a national and several state ginseng organizations were created to assist growers. Ohio passed House Bill 9 in 1915 that levied a penalty for the destruction or theft of ginseng. Today, wild ginseng is listed under Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species and ginseng trade is monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Legislation and cultivation have not been totally effective in protecting wild populations. Poaching has become very problematic for both ginseng growers and public land managers trying to secure wild ginseng. Harvesters are urged to abide by sustainable harvesting practices such as taking only mature plants (5 years or older), replanting the ripe berries in the forest, and abiding by harvest seasons. In an effort to protect cultivated ginseng, growers in Ohio have recently begun to seek state certification for Ohio growers. Currently two states have certification—Wisconsin and West Virginia. Certification means that cultivated plants could be distinguished from wild plants and would become exempt from regulations. It may also provide legal means for growers to access crop insurance for roots that are destroyed or stolen. Ultimately, the long-term survival of this economically important and culturally significant Appalachian species and the future of ginseng trade is dependent on teaching harvesters sustainable practices and encouraging continued cultivation of the roots. Certification of growers is an important step. For more information about sustainable harvesting techniques or certification efforts, contact Roots of Appalachia Growers Association.

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PUBLIC NOTICE. PN 13-47 Cheat Canyon.pdf
by Duane 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Portals/72/docs/regulatory/Public%20Notices-2… U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Notice No. 13-47 In Reply Refer to Notice No. below US Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4186 Public Notice Application No. 2013-1793 Date: October 29, 2013 Closing Date: November 29, 2013 1. TO ALL WHOM IT MAY 1. 1. CONCERN: The following Cheat Canyon stream preservation project has been submitted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) for approval under the West Virginia In-Lieu Fee Program (WVILFP). APPLICANT: Glenn McLernon WV In-Lieu Fee Coordinator (Stream and Wetland Mitigation) West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection 601 57th Street, SE Charleston, WV 25304 LOCATION: The Cheat Canyon stream preservation project is located within the 8-digit Cheat River HUC (05020004), located in Albright, Preston County, West Virginia. 4. PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The WVDEP proposes to purchase and permanently protect 228.5 acres of riparian buffer along the Cheat River as an ILF stream preservation project. The West Virginia Stream and Wetland Valuation Metric was not used for this project because the impacts were previously expressed in acres of stream impact, not stream credit. Therefore, the project will generate 46.8 acres of preserved stream (not including the riparian buffer), which is intended to off-set 3.78 acres of stream impact; therefore, the impact is being mitigated at a 12:1 ratio. Please see attached mitigation site plan. http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Portals/72/docs/regulatory/Public%20Notices-2… Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Fwd: Holiday Happenings: FOC Gift Ideas, Fundraising Dinner at Madeleine's, and Craft Fair this Saturday
by Duane 15 Nov '13

15 Nov '13

> From: Friends of the Cheat <amanda(a)cheat.org> > Date: November 15, 2013 > > Subject: Holiday Happenings: FOC Gift Ideas, Fundraising Dinner at Madeleine's, and Craft Fair this Saturday > > > Don't forget to include Friends of the Cheat on your holiday gift list! We have been very good this year...DONATE TODAY! > View this email in your browser > > Holiday Happenings > Make your dollar go further--give two gifts at once > When you purchase merchandise from Friends of the Cheat we turn sale proceeds into grant dollars. In 2013, FOC brought in $850,000 in grant dollars geared towards river restoration--twenty times the amount of our fundraising contributions! Where else can you score a unique gift for someone special AND contribute to the ongoing restoration of the mighty Cheat River (not any big box store!). > We have new t-shirt styles and colors, and this will be the last batch of our classic map shirt ever as we are planning a new design in celebration of FOC's 20th anniversary in 2014. FOC koozies, hillbilly wineglasses, long sleeve tees, and hats are also available. All 2013 festival tees are $5 off. > > FOC was the grateful recipient of a donation of watercolor prints by the late Hoyt Reel. We have a limited supply of a variety of prints (average size 22"X18") available for $30 each. > > To purchase FOC swag, visit our office at 119 South Price Street in Kingwood any weekday between the hours of 9am and 4pm (we do recommend calling first 304-329-3621). You can also visit our table at this Saturday's Holiday Craft Fair at the Preston Community Arts Center at 123 South Price Street in Kingwood from 9am-4pm. Over 20 vendors will be participating selling everything from locally-made treenware and pottery to music CDs and apparel. Local authors will also be on hand signing books and homemade food available for purchase. > > Watershed=Foodshed Dinner Tickets Going Fast > We have less than 25 seats remaining for the Watershed=Foodshed benefit dinner at Madeleine's Restaurant in Morgantown on Thursday, December 5th. The meal will feature food grown in the Preston County watershed by farmers depending on its healthy land and water. All proceeds from the dinner benefit the CAPABLE monitoring program. For more information and to buy tickets visit: http://www.cheat.org/events/watershed-foodshed-benefit-dinner/ > > > Select FOC swag, including the new Upper Cheat River Water Trail tees. > > One of several watercolor prints by the late Hoyt Reel--only $30 each. > Copyright © 2013 Friends of the Cheat, All rights reserved. > You are a friend of the Cheat! > > Our mailing address is: > Friends of the Cheat > 119 South Price St. Suite #206 > Kingwood WV, WV 26537-1478 > > Add us to your address book > > > unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences > >

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Bats Dying in Unprecedented Numbers | EcoWatch
by Duane 01 Nov '13

01 Nov '13

http://ecowatch.com/2013/10/31/bats-dying-in-unprecedented-numbers/ Bats Dying in Unprecedented Numbers (.. We have this problem in the Cheat Canyon and elsewhere ..) Article by Beyond Pesticides, EcoWatch.org, October 31, 2013 Bats get a bad rap on Halloween with their image synonymous with blood-sucking vampires; however, the real scary thing about bats is that they are disappearing due to a myriad of threats, including pesticides, habitat destruction and the horrible white-nose syndrome (WNS)—a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus (Geomyces) destructans. Researchers are reporting an even bleaker picture, finding very little evidence of what might stop the disease from spreading further and persisting indefinitely in bat caves. The new study, from researchers at the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois, found that the fungus can make a meal out of just about any carbon source likely to be found in caves, said graduate student Daniel Raudabaugh, who led the research under the direction of survey mycologist Andrew Miller, Ph.D. The study, “Nutritional Capability of and Substrate Suitability for Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Causal Agent of Bat White-Nose Syndrome” is published in PLOS One. “It can basically live on any complex carbon source, which encompasses insects, undigested insect parts in guano, wood, dead fungi and cave fish,” Raudabaugh said. “We looked at all the different nitrogen sources and found that basically it can grow on all of them. It can grow over a very wide range of pH; it doesn’t have trouble in any pH unless it’s extremely acidic.” In 2006, around the same time that honey bees started disappearing from their hives, a hibernating bat in a New York cave was discovered with a strange white fungus growing on its muzzle and wings. Since that first detection, WNS has spread across the U.S. Like colony collapse disorder in honeybees, the direct cause of WNS is poorly understood. There has not been much research on role of pesticides in WNS, however there has been much research linking pesticides to immunosuppression in bats, which may make them more susceptible to WNS. An extensive article by William Quarles, Ph.D., was published this summer by The IPM Practitioner, which lays out much of the research that has been done on bats, pesticides and white nose syndrome. Another study, “Bats at risk? Bat activity and insecticide residue analysis of food items in an apple orchard,” published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, shows that bats, due to their long life span and tendency to only have one offspring at a time, are particularly sensitive to reproductive effects from pesticides. The study details the health effects of bats foraging on insects in an apple orchard after it was sprayed with the insecticides fenoxycarb and chlorpyrifos. Researchers conclude that bats should be given greater consideration in risk-assessments for pesticide products. Not only can bats be exposed through their diet, but they can also encounter pesticides through drift and inhalation, as farmers often spray their fields at night to avoid harming honey bees. Bats are a crucial indicator species, interacting with many elements of the ecosystem. They are one of the only nocturnal pollinators and the only nocturnal insect predator in the U.S., playing a key role both for plants and for farmers. Organic farmers in particular, are reliant on bat pollinators as a pest management tool: one brown bat can kill between 3,000 and 7,000 insects per night. A study published in 2011 in the journal Science estimated that bats provide $3.7 billion to $53 billion per year worth of pest control services to agricultural operations, and that number does not include pollination services. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. destructans has killed more than 5.5 million bats in the U.S. and Canada. The fungus thrives at low temperatures, and spreads to bats whose body temperature drops below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) when they are hibernating in infected caves. Previous research has shown that the fungus persists in caves even after the bats are gone. “…(We) found that P. destructans can live perfectly happily off the remains of most organisms that co-inhabit the caves with the bats,” Dr. Miller said. “This means that whether the bats are there or not, it’s going to be in the caves for a very long time.” Beyond Pesticides called on Congress back in 2011 to stop the spread of WNS, which has killed more than 5.7 to 6.7 million bats in North America. Bats with WNS exhibit uncharacteristic behavior during cold winter months, including flying outside in the day and clustering near the entrances of hibernacula. Bats have been found sick and dying in unprecedented numbers in and around caves and mines. In some caves 90 to 100 percent of hibernating bats succumb to the virus. Visit EcoWatch’s BIODIVERSITY page for more related news on this topic. ——— Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Cheat Lake Summer Pool Height End at Midnight October 31st
by Duane 23 Oct '13

23 Oct '13

FROM Andy Datsko, Lake Lynn HydroStation (Cheat Lake Dam) Can you please remind your members and friends on Cheat Lake that November 1 is fast approaching and our minimum lake level will be 857'. At this time we are NOT planning a draw down but if the current dry weather continues the lake level could fall to those levels with normal operations of the hydro plant. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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