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Learning to enjoy the journey - - The Intermountain, Elkins, WV
by DUANE NICHOLS 10 Sep '21

10 Sep '21

https://www.theintermountain.com/opinion/columnists/2021/09/learning-to-enj… Learning to enjoy the journey Sep 9, 2021 Chris Wood, Davis & Elkins College President Wispy clouds floated overhead doing very little to block the warm summer sun. The light breeze caused the trees to sway as my tube floated slowly and haphazardly down the cool waters of West Virginia’s Cheat River. More than once I found myself humming the familiar melody of John’s Denver iconic “Country Roads” because the experience really was “almost heaven.” This memory is from a float trip taken with my family during a gathering this summer. As I resume my “Reflections Along the Journey” weekly column following a summer hiatus, this casual float trip down the Cheat River seemed the perfect metaphor to reflect, share and interpret the journey. Somehow on that refreshing summer afternoon, life once again was put into proper perspective. Sometimes, in the busyness of recent days, I return in my mind’s eye to the beauty of the river and listen for the tranquil sound of the splashing water against the smooth river rocks. These are the advantages of West Virginia living! I have two frames on a wall in my office that remind me about the importance of the journey. One reads, “The Joy is in the Journey” and the other reminds me that “Life is a Journey Not a Race.” These pearls of wisdom caused me to ponder the lessons of a lazy summer float trip down the river. A few life lessons that I learned include: Far too often we have little control over where the current takes us. We can fight it, or we can enjoy the journey. It is quite simple to live so distracted that we miss the beauty and tranquility that surrounds us. Closing our mouths, opening our eyes and quieting our souls reveals an amazing world. There are always rocks and bumps along the journey. They are overcome by simply going with the flow. Due to a lack of rain there were occasional spots where the river was unusually shallow, and a member of our group got out and pulled our tubes as we held on to one another. During life’s journey there are times we need to accept the help of others, and we certainly always need to hold on to one another. The tube held me up and kept my head above the water. For those of us who cling to faith, it is reassuring to rest in God’s hands and trust that God’s Spirit will sustain us. Floating down the river with the members of my family was the best part of that memorable day. The company we keep along the journey is the best part of all. With my river adventure now just a spectacular memory, the ebb and flow of life finds the students, faculty and staff back on campus and a new academic year underway at Davis & Elkins College. It means the lazy days of summer are behind us, but the lessons from the river are as relevant today as they were then. May those lessons guide your life and mine in this moment and around the next bend, as the journey continues.

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Isolating and testing for COVID-19 in WV wastewater
by DUANE NICHOLS 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

DOMINION POST 30 AUGUST 2021 WVU Team earns $2.9 million to monitor wastewater statewide for COVID-19 by Submitted to The Dominion Post August 29, 2021 MORANTOWN — Just like the COVID-19 virus itself, the means of monitoring and testing for it in wastewater have evolved into a new beast more than a year later. In 2020, West Virginia University researchers would prop open a manhole cover, dip down a bottle to collect wastewater and then take it to a lab to analyze for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (infected people shed virus particles through their feces). With the new academic year, researchers have resumed on-campus sampling. And these days, they use an egg-shaped robot called an autosampler that lurks in the sewers and collects samples every 20 minutes over a 24-hour period. It’s part of a $2.9 million statewide project geared at developing a testing network throughout West Virginia and identifying communities of concern for COVID-19. The project, supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, will monitor sewage at more than 50 wastewater plants, in addition to high-risk congregant settings like college campuses, around the state. A year ago, Timothy Driscoll, project leader and associate professor of biology, and his team were sampling around 15 sites on campus. Last September, they started testing at a local wastewater treatment plant to see if it was feasible to test and monitor on a larger scale to inform public health officials. It worked, and now those efforts have expanded. “The scope is different now,” Driscoll said. “We’ll still test at the building level but now we’re shifting more toward the communities at-large.” From a lab perspective, the testing process has trimmed down from 16 hours to six hours, he said, thanks to a new pathogen testing laboratory in the biology department. “We’re using a totally new process to concentrate viral particles out of wastewater,” Driscoll said. “It uses magnetic beads that stick to the viral particles. Then you just remove all the liquid, and you are left with just virus stuck to the beads.” This is already proving useful: several sites have shown recent increases in COVID-19, corresponding with the arrival of the delta variant to West Virginia. That information is helping public health officials respond appropriately, Driscoll said. The new process also poses the possibility to test for influenza, RSV, HIV and other viruses. It isn’t limited to infectious diseases, either. Scientists can also use it to watch for signs of antibiotic-resistance genes. “Our team hopes to expand upon the initial wastewater testing infrastructure to include other conditions of importance to West Virginia,” said Brian Hendricks, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the School of Public Health, a project co-investigator. “We strongly believe that wastewater surveillance is a very important part of public health, but it requires tools that often involve complex methods that may not be available in the state laboratories but are available at many universities such as ours,” said Gordon Smith, another team member and the Stuart M. and Joyce N. Robbins Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Health. “The work we are doing is a perfect example of collaboration of a land-grant university — with its mission to serve the state — and the people of the state. We’ve got the scientific expertise to do the testing, interpret the results and work with the state to put it into practice.” Emily Garner, project co-investigator and assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is leading the field sampling. By using the autosamplers, researchers have the ability to program them to collect wastewater at certain intervals, she said. They settled on every 20 minutes. “That gives us a great chance of getting a good distribution of what the wastewater looks like throughout the day,” Garner said. “For many wastewater treatment plants, they already collect samples that might be valuable for this testing, so we can leverage those efforts. But in some cases, plants may not have the right equipment or permitting for frequent sampling. Then we’d send some of these autosamplers out into those communities. The official name of the project is WaTCH-WV (Wastewater Testing for Community Health in West Virginia). Collaborators with Marshall University are also conducting testing in the Huntington area. URL: https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/08/29/team-earns-2-9-million-to-monitor-w…

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Seven Mon National Forest Listening Sessions Scheduled for August and September
by DUANE NICHOLS 23 Aug '21

23 Aug '21

Seven Mon National Forest Listening Sessions Scheduled for August and September, ...... starting Tuesday, August 24th .....your voice is needed! https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/monlisteningaug?wvpId=1484761a-9d09-4d6b-911…

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Morgantown business experiences third flood after heavy rain | WBOY.com
by DUANE NICHOLS 01 Aug '21

01 Aug '21

https://www.wboy.com/news/monongalia/morgantown-business-experiences-third-… Morgantown business experiences third flood after heavy rain Larmie SanyonJul 30, 2021 / 06:35 PM EDT Monongalia Posted: Jul 30, 2021 / 06:32 PM EDT / Updated: MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the third time in about a month, Shorty Anderson’s Auto Service has flooded due to torrential rain in the area on Thursday night, July 29. Travis Rowan, the co-owner of Shorty’s, said the first flood was devastating, the second not too bad and the third has been, hands down, the worst. In total, five of their cars were flooded on Thursday. It took all night and morning to clean the shop. Residue had to be power-washed and further cleaned even into Friday afternoon. A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop “We got a lot of mud and runoff from all the construction behind us,” Rowan said. “It filled the parking lots, I mean three-foot deep. It was — it was insane. We had a foot and a half of water in the shop. Mud, again.” When Rowan said “again”, he referred to the previous floods, which were also a result of the construction site behind Shorty’s. After the first flood in June, he said the construction site built a retention pond to hold in the rainwater, but it was unsuccessful. Shorty’s co-owner said he believes the existing pipes are not big enough to carry the water out of the pond. As a result, the water is coming out of the already-clogged drains and spilling into the auto shop. He said it’s all just “crazy”. Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff “I’d like to see us not flood every single time it rains,” Rowan said. “I mean, this is the second big one that we’ve had, but every single rain we have gotten water in here now. I mean, it could rain for five minutes, and we get water in here now.” Shorty’s has contacted the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), and so far neither of them has been able to help. Rowan said he contacted MUB after the first flood, asking that they come to clean the ditches. Unfortunately, the ditches are still full and getting even more clogged every time it rains. As for the WVDEP, he said, he has talked to them “several times”, sending videos and pictures of the flooding; again, “nothing, really, came from it”. All WVDEP has done is documented the situation and then left the business to its own devices, which is frustrating. “Terribly frustrating,” Rowan said. “I mean, we’re not going to make it if this keeps happening. I mean, Shorty Anderson’s will be a thing of the past if this keeps happening. We can’t keep doing this. We’ve lost entirely too much money.” These losses are not covered by the insurance company, so the business is, really, feeling the brunt of every single storm. For now, Shorty’s will remain closed through the weekend, but the hope is it can open again soon after that. “Hopefully, we’ll be open on Monday to try to figure out where we go from here,” Rowan said. “We can’t get help from insurance. Insurance won’t cover anything, and it’s just extremely frustrating.” Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share this story Sent from my iPad

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WV Travel Team: Coopers Rock, one of West Virginia’s thrilling overlooks | Travel | wvgazettemail.com
by DUANE NICHOLS 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

Coopers Rock, one of West Virginia’s thrilling overlooks From an Article by Dave Zuchowski, Charleston Gazette Mail, July 30, 2021 https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/travel/wv-travel-team-coopers-rock-one-o… What is it about an overlook that draws people perilously close to the edge? It’s more than spectacular vistas, because many of those can seen from the ground. Maybe it’s the thrill of fear or the death-defying sense of danger. Maybe it’s the stunning landscape that takes the breath away. Either way, whether its Iceland’s Landmannalaugar, South Africa’s Lion’s Head or the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, people get a thrill out of being up high up and surrounded by stupendous natural beauty. Fortunately, there’s a magical spot much closer to home that should give the hairs on the back of your neck a lift. Located in Monongalia and Preston Counties of West Virginia near the Pennsylvania and Maryland border, Coopers Rock juts out over the Cheat River Valley with the same in-your face majesty as Uluru — Ayers Rock — in the Australian Outback. I bonded with the massive sandstone outcrop at an early age, and it became a frequent and favorite family outing. As a boy of seven, I was fascinated by the solid rock hovering precipitously over the steep valley below with only a sturdy wooden railing to keep me from tumbling over. I liked to peer down to the river’s edge, then up the other side of the mountain. The binocular apparatus mounted at the edge of the rock gave me a closer look. Drop a quarter in the slot and enjoy a three-state vista. Later, we made additional forays to astonish an aunt visiting from Brooklyn and amaze a younger generation of visiting nephews. At no time, however, did I realize my goal of hiking to the bottom — although I once took the short and easy trail that wraps around the face of the rock. Early in June, I made my latest return vowing to explore what had been for me uncharted territory, namely Raven Rock. Of course, my pilgrimage started at the main overlook, followed by a stop at the nearby Overlook Trading Post to pick up a hiking trail map and some bottled water. A short drive away, I stopped at what I thought was the entrance to Raven Rock Trail, but I ended up at a popular rock-climbing wall instead where I met an instructor from Seneca Rocks geared up and trying to teach a novice the ropes, so to speak. After a quick inquiry, I got directions to my goal, which was a little more than quarter mile down the road. I grew a little leery about my hike when I saw the unusual rattlesnake warning signs along the road. Thinking ahead, I brought along my walking stick — intending to pound it on the ground to give any sunning snakes a head’s up. After all, supposedly they’re more afraid of you than you are of them, although how anyone would ever figure this out is beyond me. Decked out in my tennis shoes, I started out with my photographer in tow. The path was largely downhill and rocky with dirt in between. The rocks were small and embedded in the soil and made me wish I’d worn hiking boots instead. I tried to avoid stepping on the stones for fear of turning an ankle, and I looked on in envy as a number of joggers wearing similar tennis shoes went whizzing by without a care in the world. The scenery along the way was captivating. Here and there, late blooming mountain laurel added floral interest, but mosquitoes buzzed me here and there, making me wish I’d brought along my insect spray. When I reached the sound of a small waterfall, a fellow hiker told to make a turn to the right, then uphill to Raven Rock overlook, just a few hundred yards away. Bill, my photographer, beat me to the site by a minute or so. When I arrived he said he’d just seen a big hawk perched on a nearby rock that flew off as soon as it saw him. I was thrilled to catch a pair of turkey buzzards making their wavering soars through the air below. Standing as close to the edge as I dared, I gazed at the majesty of the green carpet of trees that ran up and down both sides of the valley and vowed I‘d return again on a sunny autumn day for some dazzling leaf peeping grandeur. Ironically, the nearly 1.75-mile hike back to the car seemed to go faster and easier than the trip down. Again, those darned joggers seemed to mock my attention to the stones in the trail as they raced by in their shorts and sneakers. The entire round trip took maybe an hour and a half at most with pauses to take in the view. Back at the car, there was still time for a stop at the Henry Clay Iron Furnace, which dates back to c. 1834 and is now on the National Register of Historic Place. History buffs take note. The 30-foot-tall pyramidal stone structure was the first steam powered blast furnace in Western Virginia. If you’re wondering about how Coopers Rock gets its name, the unverified account says it derives from a fugitive Cooper who hid from the law among the rocks and made barrels for local residents. Others say it takes its name from the cliffs capping the gorge. Inveterate romantic that I am, I go for the fugitive story. The entire area is part of the 12,747-acre Coopers Rock State Forest. Besides hiking along a choice of 21 trails rated easy to moderate to steep, the area offers biking, cross country skiing, fishing, bird watching and the aforesaid rock climbing. The forest offers two campgrounds. McCollum has 25 sites open to both tents and RVs. It includes a heated bath house and Wi-Fi. Rhododendron has sites for tents only, and both campgrounds are open April 1 to Dec. 15. For cabin lovers, Mountain Creek has eight of them with fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, porches and fireplaces. For more adventures, head over to the Adventure WV Outdoor Education Center for some zip-line fun. It’s just a quick drive across the bridge from Coopers Rock. Water activities on the Cheat River include canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing with Class II white water rafting at the Cheat River Narrows. For more information on the greater area, phone 800-458-7373 or go to www.visitmopuntaineercountry.com. For a handy discount booklet for lodging, dining, activities and shopping, log on to www.MountaineerDeals.com. For a cozy overnight stay, the Morgantown Marriott at 2 Waterfront Place overlooks the Monongahela River. Not only does the hotel have an impressive décor and amenities from Wi-Fi and parking to an indoor pool and fitness center, it also skirts the Mon River Rail Trail. Phone 304-296-1700.

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Elkins man’s body found in river | News, Sports, Jobs - The Intermountain
by DUANE NICHOLS 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2021/07/elkins-mans-body-f… Elkins man’s body found in river From an Article by Edgar Kelley, Staff Writer, Intermountain, July 30, 2021 ELKINS — The body of a 61-year-old Elkins man was found in the water in the Lower Cheat area of Randolph County early Thursday morning. Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon was dispatched to a possible drowning at Rattlesnake Run at approximately 6:30 a.m., according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. Once on scene he met with the woman who made the 911 call. Elbon asked the woman to show him where she last saw the victim, and the sheriff was led down a mowed path through the brush trail for nearly a quarter of a mile to a campsite, the release states. Once on the bank of the Cheat River, Elbon looked downstream and could see something in the water nearly halfway across the stream, the press release reads. The Elkins Fire Department with its Water Rescue Equipment had arrived on the scene at this time and they joined Elbon in the search. The responders were able to clearly see a body floating face down in the water. Police photos were taken of the riverbank, the campsite and of the victim. Elkins Fire Department members waded nearly chest deep in the water to recover the victim’s body, the release states. The victim was transported to Davis Medical Center and an autopsy was requested by the Sheriff’s Office. Elbon was assisted on the scene by Sgt. D. Pennington and Deputy T. Knotts, who collected evidence and statements. No further information is available at the time and the case is still under investigation.

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Ongoing Restoration Key to Improving Cheat River Water Quality / Public News Service, June 30, 2021
by DUANE NICHOLS 01 Jul '21

01 Jul '21

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2021-06-30/water/ongoing-restoration-key-… Ongoing Restoration Key to Improving Cheat River Water Quality West Virginia's Cheat River flows from five major tributaries, known as the "Forks of the Cheat," which originate in the Monongahela National Forest. (Adobe Stock) By Nadia Ramlagan - Producer, Contact. June 30, 2021 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- June has been National Rivers Month, and in West Virginia, conservation groups are celebrating the results of decades-long efforts to clean up acid mine drainage from the Cheat River. Fish can once again be found in the Cheat Canyon, and both Sovern Run and Big Sandy Creek are almost ready to be removed from the state's list of impaired streams. Stephen Toth, general partner at Blue Gold Development, which has helped with the cleanup project, said the Cheat River is recovering, but treatment should be ongoing to ensure the contamination doesn't return. "It's something that you basically have to do every 10 to 20 years," Toth explained. "Even though we did a project this year, in about 10 to 15 or 20 years, that's probably going to have to happen again. So, funding is of major importance for this." In the past two decades, Cheat River restoration efforts have received more than $5 million in support, and research showed between 2000 and 2013, the restoration work reduced acid mine drainage-related pollution in the Cheat watershed by more than one million pounds, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Toth added the river cleanup has also boosted local tourism and brought more dollars to small businesses. "It means so much to the community that lives here, and also tourism, and brings people from out of state," Toth observed. "It's just remarkable what they've done, and I'm very thankful to be a part of this." Laura Delaney, who owns a brewery in Bruceton Mills, agreed. She said she's watched economic development and quality of life improve with river restoration work. "I mean, this is a rural farming community," Delaney remarked. "We depend, you know, in so many ways, on having a clean water supply." Groups like Friends of the Cheat said they next plan to focus on removing the Albright Power Dam on the Cheat River, arguing reconnecting the Cheat will have positive ecological and economic benefits. ###

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Hiking WV: The Allegheny / Davis Trail (From OLLI @ WVU)
by DUANE NICHOLS 11 Jun '21

11 Jun '21

JUNE 9, 2021MICHELLE Hiking WV: The Allegheny / Davis Trail To be honest, I haven’t been up to doing much of anything since my father passed away, but this past weekend we went up to Blackwater Falls, and took an easy hike on the Davis Trail, which is an easy–and more important beautiful–hike. Being out in the woods really was helpful, once I made myself get out. I’ve talked about this hike before, but it really is lovely, and one of the trails in the Blackwater Falls area that doesn’t get a ton of use, which means we didn’t see many other people, which is always my preference. This section of trail starts at the Blackwater Falls Petting Zoo (which is still not back up and running, FYI), and goes up the mountain to Canaan Loop Road. We went up to the Plantation trail, and then hiked for awhile along there. The first section of the trail we hiked follows along Engine Run Creek. Engine Creek A creek I managed to fall in, while trying to take a picture. Engine Creek Luckily for me, the weather was warm, all my clothes are quick-drying, and my boots are waterproof, so we we were able to keep hiking. The trail is gorgeous. Not only does it run alongside Engine Creek along the Davis trail. The Plantation trail goes through several open fens. And I was delighted to see lots of future snacks. SOURCE: https://olliatwvu.wpcomstaging.com/archives/3763

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Tonight @ 6PM - Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing
by DUANE NICHOLS 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

> From: Friends of the Cheat <amanda(a)cheat.org> > Date: June 8, 2021 at 3:07:48 PM EDT > Subject: Tonight @ 6PM - Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing > > > > Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing > June 8th, 2021 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm > Meeting ID: 820 8881 8060 > > Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82088818060 > > Dial in: 1 929-205-6099 (Audio only) > > > Tune in to hear FOC's and concerned citizens' comments regarding Waterfront Group WV, LLC’s application for coverage under the WV/NPDES General Water Pollution Permit No. WV0115924 (Registration No. WVR111041, Whitewater Preserve Project). Share your concerns, as well. > FOC submitted the following comments and will be addressing more during the virtual hearing: > > The permit application does not have any tributaries to Laurel Run displayed, symbolized, or labeled in their plans even though they fall within the limit of disturbance and greater project area, which is very misleading in relation to the number of stream crossings proposed. WVDEP should require these tributaries to be included in the plans and review potential impacts on each. > > There were 52 days in 2020 where precipitation over 24 hours equaled 0.25 inches or greater. The signatories and those held liable to enforce the SWPPP, Groundwater Protection Plan (GPP), and requirements affiliated with the NPDES Construction Stormwater permit are addressed to Shepherdstown, WV, an approximate 2 hours and 30 minute drive away from the project site, and Cornelius, North Carolina, an approximate 6 hour drive away from the project site. Who will be on the ground in a daily capacity to administer and enforce the regulations related to the SWPP, GPP, and requirements affiliated with the NPDES Construction Stormwater permit? > > There are already Notices of Violation issued by WVDEP on this project. Miles of road were cleared, graded, and constructed without any permits in place that are required by law. This includes two stream crossings that were built over Laurel Run and a tributary, with no assessments for potential impacts to these streams or review to determine if the crossings are appropriately sized. We are requesting that WVDEP, WVDNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and the WV Department of Transportation review these crossings to determine if they are adequately sized for integrity of water quality, aquatic organism passage, and structural safety. > > As it stands currently, this permit application vastly lacks the appropriate sediment and erosion controls to prevent degradation of water quality to Laurel Run and Big Sandy Creek. The WVDEP should enforce its requirement of additional sediment and erosion controls, such as sediment basins. > > Property owners within the development are responsible for their own construction activities. Will property owners be able to move forward with their individual construction during construction of the activities proposed under Permit Application Number WVR11104? If so, how will inspectors be able to determine sources of erosion and/or sediment if projects are occurring concurrently? > > Based on independent calculations, there is reason to believe there will be a greater than 10% increase in post-development peak discharge due to exaggerations in drainage areas in the permit application. The calculations in the application should be reviewed in detail by the WVDEP to determine their accuracy. > > There is no formal Groundwater Protection Plan (GPP) document attached. Will the Applicant be required to create and submit a signed GPP document that will be held on site at all times? > > There are four endangered species within the project boundary. The NPDES permit process, specifically the Source Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP), requires the applicant to list these species and include documentation regarding authorization under the Endangered Species Act, comprehensive site assessments, and/or Best Management Practices that are protective of listed endangered and threatened species and.or critical habitat. The applicant has only provided the species list, but no further documentation. WVDEP should enforce its requirement for the applicant to provide the above information. > > There are significant cultural resources within the project boundary. A State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) representative or cultural resources consultant should review these resources and determine the best course of action for preservation of these resources. > > FOC also has concerns about public access to one of our most beloved areas, an area that many dreamed would become public land one day. Access will be limited or discontinued to members of the public, such as boaters and Allegheny Trail thru-hikers. FOC will continue to inquire about access developments. > Our mailing address is: > Friends of the Cheat > 1343 North Preston Highway > Kingwood WV, WV 26537 > >

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Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling - ORSANCO
by Duane Nichols 26 Apr '21

26 Apr '21

Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling - ORSANCO The Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling Program is ORSANCO’s long-term water quality monitoring program for the Ohio River. The monitoring program began in 1975 and has a continuous record through the present day at 29 locations: 15 stations on the main stem of the Ohio River and 14 points near the mouth of major tributaries. The program’s six-sample annual design provides long-term trend monitoring of the Ohio River while maintaining an ability to evaluate attainment of water quality criteria. Samples are collected every second month, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Water Quality Parameters Ammonia as Nitrogen Bromide Chloride Hardness (as CaCO3) Nitrate Nitrite pH Specific Conductivity Sulfate Temperature Total Dissolved Solids Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Total Organic Carbon Total Phenolics Total Phosphorus Total Suspended Solids Sample Locations Most samples are collected from United States Army Corps of Engineers Locks and Dams, the remainder are collected from bridge or bank locations. The Bimonthly Sampling Program Monitoring Stations are (Ohio River confluence mile points are given for tributary stations with tributary mile points enclosed in parenthesis): Allegheny River at Pittsburgh, Ohio River Mile 0.0, (-7.4) Monongahela River at South Pittsburgh, Ohio River Mile 0.0, (-4.5) Beaver River at Beaver Falls, Ohio River Mile 25.4, (-5.3) Ohio River at New Cumberland, Mile 54.4 Ohio River at Pike Island, Mile 84.2 Ohio River at Hannibal, Mile 126.4 Ohio River at Willow Island, Mile 161.8 Muskingum River at Marietta, Ohio River Mile 172.2, (-0.8) Ohio River at Belleville, Mile 203.9 Kanawha River at Winfield, Ohio River Mile 265.7, (-31.1) Ohio River at R.C. Byrd, Mile 279.2 Big Sandy River at Louisa, Ohio River Mile 317.1, (-20.3) Ohio River at Greenup, Mile 341 Scioto River at Lucasville, Ohio River Mile 356.5, (-15) Ohio River at Meldahl, Mile 436.2 Little Miami River at Newtown, Ohio River Mile 464.1, (-7.5) Licking River at Covington, Ohio River Mile 470.2, (-4.5) Great Miami River at Elizabethtown, Ohio River Mile 491.1, (-5.2) Ohio River at Markland, Mile 531.5 Ohio River at McAlpine, Mile 606.8 Ohio River at Cannelton, Mile 720.7 Green River at Sebree, Ohio River Mile 784.2, (-41.3) Ohio River at Newburgh, Mile 776 Ohio River at J.T. Myers, Ohio R. Mile 846 Wabash River at Route 62 Bridge, Ohio River Mile 848, (-32.5) Ohio River at Smithland, Mile 918.5 Cumberland River at Pinkneyville, Ohio River Mile 920.4, (-16) Tennessee River at Paducah, Ohio River Mile 934.5, (-6) Ohio River at L&D 52, Mile 938.9 (this location to be phased out during 2018-2019) Ohio River at Olmsted L&D, Mile 964.6 Grab Sample Methods River water samples are collected as near to the centerline of the river as possible from lockchamber guidewalls, bridges, and in some cases from raw water intake lines. To sample from outside structures an acid, distilled, and native water-rinsed bailer, stainless steel bucket, or Kemmerer sampler is used with sufficient nylon rope attached to reach the river surface. Samples are transferred from the collection device to a likewise triple-rinsed ten-liter plastic carboy. The sample water is distributed from the carboy to sample bottles, each containing preservative if required by the analytical methods to be employed. For more information on the Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling Program, please contact Ryan Argo. http://www.orsanco.org/programs/bimonthly-water-quality-sampling/

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‘We have a lot to lose now': FOC water chemistry results cause concern after T&T Mine event
by Duane Nichols 24 Apr '21

24 Apr '21

> 'We have a lot to lose now': FOC water chemistry results cause concern after T&T Mine event > > https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/04/23/we-have-a-lot-to-lose-now-foc-water… Gabriella Brown, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va. Sat, April 24, 2021, 12:01 AM·5 min read Apr. 24—MORGANTOWN — Chemistry test results collected by Friends of the Cheat has caused the organization concern over the long-term impacts the T &T Mine event may have on aquatic life. "We have a lot to lose now, " said FOC Executive Director Amanda Pitzer. "And we need to fight to protect that." In early March, rainfall and snowmelt caused 6, 200 gallons per minute of highly acidic water to discharge from the former T &T Mine. The site typically treats about 4, 200 gallons of water per minute and can sustain up to 7, 600 gpm ; however, the sudden increase led the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Muddy Creek Pipeline and T &T Treatment Plant to fail. > This allowed more than one million gallons of highly acidic water to bypass the plant over the course of the event. > Terry Fletcher, WVDEP acting communications director, said stream conditions for Muddy Creek and the Cheat River returned to normal a few days later, and the pH of Muddy Creek returned back to preferred water quality limits. > > What the test results conducted by FOC may reveal Although water quality returned to normal, Pitzer said water chemistry results recently retrieved by FOC show the discharge may have had a severe impact on the stream's aquatic life. > > Aluminum and iron are two types of metals found in acid mine drainage to which some aquatic species are highly sensitive. Pitzer said water samples collected during the discharge revealed dissolved aluminum levels reached nearly seven times more than the state water quality standard for aquatic life, and over 50 times the standard for trout. > > Iron levels reached 10 times over the standard for aquatic life as well as for human recreational contact, meaning the waterway was not safe for human contact. > > Downstream, dissolved aluminum levels reached almost nine times higher than the standard for aquatic life, and 74 times greater for trout. Iron was 15 times greater for aquatic life and human recreational contact. These iron conditions reached as far as three-quarters of a mile downstream. > > "If this were to have just been a one-day event, I think that everyone could maybe take a deep breath and say, 'OK, the fish could probably weather that, ' " Pitzer said. "But this went on for several days." > > Fletcher said no impacts to wildlife have been documented and Muddy Creek is in better shape today than it has been for decades. > > Pitzer said one of her main concerns is lack of communication, as the public was not made aware until several days after the discharge began. She said FOC became aware of the incident only after seeing acid mine drainage during a routine check-up March 4. > > Fletcher said this delay in communication occurred because the changes seen March 1 were not alarming. > > "The WVDEP noticed changes in the chemistry of the water coming out of the mine early in the week of the event, " Fletcher said. "But those changes were not alarming because changes in chemistry of water discharging from a former mine site is not uncommon." > > Due to a decrease in water quality from the mine, WVDEP modified treatment at Fickey Run by shutting off the upstream site and treating the stream with in-stream dosers. > > "This is an effective treatment option under normal flow conditions and the downstream monitoring point in Muddy Creek showed the water to be within water quality standards, " Fletcher said. > > Fletcher said there was no indication that flow out of the mine would increase later in the week and the decision to modify treatment had no effect on the conveyance pipe issue that occurred. He said the WVDEP became aware of the damage to the conveyance pipe March 4 and issued a statement the following day. > > Moving towards prevention strategies FOC and the WVDEP are now turning to prevention strategies rather than treating the symptoms of this type of incident. > > "If we can prevent water from getting into that mine pool, we stop the chemical reaction that creates acid mine drainage before it starts, " Pitzer said. "If water continues to get into that mine pool, we're going to produce acid mine drainage forever. That's not an exaggeration." > > Fletcher said the WVDEP is working with the WVU Water Research Institute, experts in the public and private sectors, and FOC to identify causation and develop solutions to prevent future events. He said prevention is not guaranteed, especially since the agency cannot confirm what caused this past event. > > In its newsletter, FOC outlined several action statements discussed during a meeting led by the WVDEP to discuss possible preventative measures: > > — Reactivation of the piezometers, which measure liquid pressure, for measuring water levels in the mine pool and a mapping analysis to determine where additional piezometers could be installed. > > — Use high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging and ground-truthing to look for potential stream loss areas in Sypolt Run (spots where surface water is disappearing through cracks in the stream bed and into the mine pool). > > — Investigate the need and feasibility to treat mine pool on site with chemicals. > > — Use potable water at treatment plant so both clarifiers can be operated at 100 % capacity. > > — Continue work to construct new sludge line to the Ruthbell mine. > > — Construct an iron oxidation bed at Fickey Refuse Abandoned Mine Land site. > > — Increase the frequency of line jetting. > > — Share emergency Standard Operating Procedure with FOC. > > Water quality has given the WVDEP and FOC a snapshot into how aquatic life may have been impacted. Until researchers are able to survey firsthand now and in the fall which species remain in the stream, it is impossible to know what was affected. > > "If I go out and I dip my cup in the water, that's only going to tell me what's happening in the water at that moment, " Pitzer said. "When we are able to go out and see the bugs and the fish—they have to live there, so they give you a more holistic view of long-term what's been happening in that river stream." > > Real-time updates on Muddy Creek water quality from the Friends of the Cheat monitoring station can be found at: > > www.cheat.org /our-work /muddy-creek-gauge-live-data-stream /

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The Fike Family of Preston County
by Duane Nichols 24 Apr '21

24 Apr '21

http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/preston/bios/fike.txt “On two Occasions he reached home frozen to his saddle and had to be helped from the horse, his hands and feet being thawed out in cold water. He paid little attention to swollen streams, fording or swimming them on his horse. Once he tried to urge his horse into Cheat River when it was high, but his faithful animal refused to make the venture, and later he discovered that the stream had washed a new channel ten feet deep at that point.”

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Rowlesburg to receive new tree seedlings near VFD
by Duane Nichols 13 Apr '21

13 Apr '21

https://news.yahoo.com/rowlesburg-receive-tree-seedlings-near-040100066.html Rowlesburg to receive new tree seedlings near VFD Mon, April 12, 2021, 12:01 AM Apr. 12—ROWLESBURG — The bank of the Cheat River near the Rowlesburg Volunteer Fire Department on Chestnut Street will soon be home to 100 seedlings. The seedlings are being planted to help shore up the banks of the river. The seedlings, from the West Virginia State Nursery's Mountaineer Trailways Program, include sycamore, river burch, poplar and red bud. Kelley Burd-Huss, community development coordinator of Preston Trail Towns, said the project is a collaboration between the Friends of the Cheat, the Rowlesburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Rowlesburg. "We're stabilizing the shoreline and choking out some of the invasive plants, " she said. Burd-Huss said one of the invasive plants growing on the bank of the river is Japanese knotweed. Knotweed is a perennial plant with hollow, red-speckled bamboo-like stems. It can grow over 10 feet tall, and pieces of the plant can root themselves if they are discarded. Preston Trail Towns is a project of Friends of the Cheat. The program connects trails to small towns. She said the towns in Preston County they are working with are Albright and Rowlesburg. Burd-Huss said the idea behind the trails to towns program is to use what is already available in the town and turn it into a sustainable economy. She said FOC is looking for projects with which they can partner. "It's not one of those mini-grant things that we provide money and material for, " Burd-Huss said. "It's more like a relationship. We look at the resources we have and what can be done. This project is a good example of what we do." Mitch Klein, secretary and section coordinator for Allegheny Trails, said some trails are not as well known as others. He said adding a kiosk is one way to let people using the trails know what the town has to offer. He said he and Burd-Huss will scout locations to place kiosks. "I hope mountain bikes are allowed on the trails, " Klein said. "If you want a trail, let (mountain bikers) know they are welcome, and they will make you a trail." TWEET @DominionPostWV Sent from my iPad

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How to Find and Eat Ramps
by Duane Nichols 17 Mar '21

17 Mar '21

https://www.wildedible.com/blog/foraging-ramps/ Ramps: How to Forage & Eat Wild Leeks From an Article by Eric Orr, Wild Edibles, 3/2/2021 Ramps, ramsons or wild leeks, are one of the earliest wild edibles to emerge, and, for some, they're the holy grail of wild edibles. Historically ramps were regarded as a spring tonic in the Appalachians. Early settlers looked forward to ramp season after long, hungry winters. It would have been one of the first vegetables they had eaten in months. Foragers, foodies, and chefs dream all year about that uniquely pungent garlicky-onion flavor...the same flavor that odiferously permeates your pores to effectively stave off man and beast. Sustainably harvested ramps. Identification & habitat Ramps (Allium tricoccum) occur in Eastern North America from Georgia to Canada. They're easily recognized by their 1, 2, or 3 broad leaves measuring 1 to 2 1/2 inches wide and 4 to 12 inches long. They can have either red or white leaf stems. Red-stemmed ramps tend to have a stronger flavor than white. The leaves appear in early April and last until around mid-May. As May temperatures get warmer, the leaves will turn yellow and die. Look for ramps underneath dense deciduous forest canopy in well-drained soil that's rich with organic matter. They generally like north-facing slopes. There are some dangerous look-alikes so be sure the plants you pick smell like onion or garlic. Do not pick the dangerous Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) or False hellebore (Veratrum genus) by mistake. Again, make sure they smell like onion or garlic. If you're unsure, please let a knowledgeable forager confirm your find or just pass on picking. It may also be helpful to consult multiple references for more positive identification. Sustainability Unfortunately for ramps, they're super-trendy these days. Chefs, foodies, and other ramp-lovers flock to the mountains by the thousands for a chance to bask in their gourmet-ness. "Ramp feeds," known as ramp festivals now, have been taking a toll on ramp populations for years and the added pressure of their recent popularity has really put a hurting on their numbers. The implications affect conservationists and foodies alike. Cindy and I are conservationists first and foragers second. What this means for us is that ramping is not only unsustainable, but it gets more arduous each year as we climb higher and longer to find undiscovered ramp patches. Traditionally, the Cherokee dug, and still dig, ramps by leaving the roots. This is done by cutting off the bottom of the bulb with a pocket knife while it's still in the ground. It's really a simple process. Sustainably harvesting ramps -- the root is cut off and left intact in the ground. Harvesting Here are a few things you'll need to harvest ramps: Time This one is really important. It's way too easy to run up to the ramp patch after work with good intentions of sustainbly digging ramps. You get to the trailhead at 5:30pm and it's 6pm by the time you're digging ramps. The sun's about to slip behind the mountains and you're in a sudden hurry to get your ramps and get out of there. So you abandon your plan and jerk as many roots out of the ground as you can before running out. DON'T DO IT! Sustainably harvesting ramps takes more time, so you really need to make allowance for it. Plus it's a lot more fun to have a leisurely walk into the woods, not worrying about racing the waning light. If you can't give yourself the time to do it, please consider taking only greens and leaving the bulbs undisturbed. You won't need nearly as much time if you only harvest leaves! Sharp hunting knife Make sure it's sharp! A dull knife will do more harm than good--you'll end up mutilating the bulb so it's not useable as food and not viable as a plant. You may even want to touch up the blade as you dig, since the grit of the dirt will take your edge. You'll also want to make sure the blade is at least three or four inches so you can easily reach the root without disturbing the soil. If you insist on digging the root, use a hori hori knife to minimize impact. Backpack or shoulder bag I usually put a few plastic grocery bags in a backpack and then load a bag or two with ramps before putting them in my pack, which helps keeps the dirt out of the pack. The most sustainable way to harvest ramps is to cut only one leaf, leaving the bulb and second leaf to continue growing. This is least impactful on the soil, the plant, and the colony as a whole. The leaves, in my opinion are the best part, anyway, and taking only leaves is the best way to ensure the colony will remain viable. Sustainably harvested ramp. If you insist on taking bulbs, please dig sustainably: Using a digging knife or stick: Then carefully cut away the bottom third of the bulb with roots, leaving them in the ground. Gently pull back the dirt from around the bulb, being careful to leave the roots in the ground. Pull back just enough dirt to expose a little bit of the bulb so you can see where to put your knife. Then re-cover the roots with dirt and leave them to grow next year. That's all there is to digging. Please be judicious and don't take any more than you will use. I find that, when I overzealously harvest, it makes more work for me in the long run, because some ramps will inevitably go bad before I can get to them. There's not much more disgusting than the smell of past-their-prime ramps. And a few ramps go a long way so there's no need to stockpile them. Even though we practice sustainable harvest, I'm afraid the ever-inceasing demand will eclipse the slow procreation. So we've been looking into the possibility of cultivating our own ramps. I've always heard they'll survive almost anywhere in our Southern Appalachian region but will only propagate above 3000 feet here. We've successfully transplanted ramps that come back each year but our little patch hasn't spread (it's below 3000 ft.). According to North Carolina Extension Horticultural Specialist Jeanine M. Davis, ramps can be transplanted and cultivated from seed at much lower elevations. Apparently, it takes some effort to germinate seeds when climes are warmer than ideal, but it can be done. And once a good patch is established, it supposedly requires little maintenance. Jeanine recommends the book Having Your Ramps and Eating Them Too by the "Johnny Appleseed of Ramps" for more info on cultivating ramps. Storing & preserving Ramps are only in season for a month or so, but, for us, getting them is only half the problem. I usually come back from a good ramping trip with several pounds: enough for us to eat fresh before they go bad with a little extra to keep for eating later (I rarely go digging more than once a season unless I come home with a particularly light harvest). Both leaves and bulbs can be eaten and both are delicious. They're best used fresh, but both can be put away for eating later in the year. The easiest way to store ramp bulbs is by freezing: Simply cut off the greens, clean the dirt off the bulbs and cut off the roots (if your ramps still have roots). Then spread the bulbs out on a sheet pan or waxed paper so they are not touching and freeze. This prevents them from sticking together. Once they're frozen, put them in jars or plastic containers, seal tightly and put in the freezer for up to six months. You can also wrap them individually in wax paper and store frozen in sealed jars. They can also be pickled but we don't usually bother. The greens won't last long fresh and deteriorate when frozen. They can be dried, but they lose a lot of their flavor. We've found the best way to preserve them is by making ramp compound butter (see recipe below). A close second is ramp pesto. Either can be stored in the refrigerator in the short term or frozen for use later. For short term storage put ramps in the refrigerator as soon as possible. They should be stored uncleaned. If a refrigerator is not immediately available ramps can be kept with the bulbs submerged in a bucket of water and placed in a cool shaded area. The leaves will start to wilt in the refrigerator after 4 days or so and in the bucket after a day or so depending on temperature. Cooking & eating Ramp bulbs and leaves can be diced and used just as you would use onions, green onions, leeks, chives and garlic, but they are much more potent. They pair well with the following: pasta eggs chanterelles and other wild mushrooms potatoes stir fried and raw greens pork Some folks like to eat ramps raw. I like a little chopped up in a salad, but ramps as a cooked vegetable are a lot more fun. My favorite way to eat them is mixed into venison burgers or in ramp and white cheddar soup. And it's hard to beat ramps and eggs for breakfast. A few years back, Cindy came across this sweet little book from West Virginia called Mom & Ramps Forever! by Barbara Beury McCallum. There's some fun anecdotal history on ramps in there. It's also a collection of old timey recipes and stand-bys like pickled ramps and ramp champ - mashed potatoes with ramps. Here's one of the recipes... quick and easy and sounds tasty: Ramps With Watercress "Fry some bacon until crisp, remove the bacon then drain off part of the bacon drippings. Put washed cress into the pan with the water that clings to it. Cook covered, until tender. Garnish with crumpled bacon, finely chopped ramps, and some chopped hard cooked eggs." Unfortunately, Mom & Ramps Forever! is out of print, but it's a nice one for the collection if you can find it. INGREDIENTS 1 lb. softened butter 1 to 2 cups ramp greens, chopped 2 Tbls freshly squeezed lemon juice INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and pack in small containers. NOTES Use just as you would garlic butter. Sent from my iPad

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T & T Mine blow out in Preston County last Thursday
by Duane Nichols 08 Mar '21

08 Mar '21

Subject: T & T Mine blow out in Preston County > > The last information from DEP and FOC is that the treatment plant will be repaired by tomorrow and the pH at the mouth of Muddy Creek is now approaching 7 (neutral). > > No aquatic kills have been seen, but it would be extremely difficult in Muddy Creek. > > The pH appears not to have the dipped low enough to cause an acute kill in Cheat River or Cheat Lake as pH in Cheat Lake over the weekend was 6-6.5. The WV-DEP has a YSI deployed at the head of Cheat Lake and are expecting to see values perhaps no lower than the high 5s. > > I’m sure more info will emerge. A full article was in the Morgantown Dominion Post recently. .... DEP investigates mine blowout that sends acidic drainage into Muddy Creek, Cheat River .....from The Dominion Post, March 6, 2021 ALBRIGHT — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a blowout from the former T&T Mine Complex that is discharging into the confluence of Muddy Creek and the Cheat River in Preston County. Large amounts of highly acidic water, 10 times that of normal concentrations, and sediment are discharging from the former mine and has caused acid levels in Muddy Creek and the Cheat River to spike. The flow peaked at 6,200 gallons per minute Thursday afternoon, but has since dropped to 3,500 gallons per minute. The incident has since been reported to the agency’s spill line. Thursday’s event overwhelmed the WVDEP’s acid mine drainage treatment system, known as the T&T Treatment Facility, causing a pipeline entering a manhole to rupture. An estimated 300-500 gallons per minute was not going into the treatment facility. Staff from the WVDEP’s Office of Special Reclamation have been on site to investigate and implement a repair plan. “The flow has to decrease to where we can shut off the valves that regulate the water out of the T&T mine,” said the WVDEP’s Acting Communications Director Terry Fletcher. “This would cause water to build up in the mine and allow our staff time to make repairs at the manhole and better assess the situation.” Similar events have happened on three occasions since the initial blowouts at the T&T mine in 1994 and 1995, which overwhelmed previous AMD treatment systems. These events prompted the WVDEP to install the new T&T Treatment Facility, which treats up to 6 million gallons of AMD per day The WVDEP has yet to determine the cause of Thursday’s event, or prior events. There is speculation that periodic roof collapses within the T&T mine is displacing large volumes of highly acidic water at one time, but the agency has not been able to confirm this theory. Additionally, significant amounts of rainfall in recent days likely increased the volume of water in the mine and contributed to the current situation. Friends of the Cheat statement — Nonprofit watershed group Friends of the Cheat released this statement Friday: “It is with heavy hearts that we inform our river community that there has been another blowout related to the T&T mine system, and acidic and metal-laden water is again flowing through Muddy Creek. FOC staff noticed the disturbing hue of the water yesterday and found the pH reading 3.65. pH has dropped in the Canyon at ‘Decision Rapid’ to 5.8, and has stained the river-right extensively. “The WVDEP Muddy Creek Watershed Treatment Plant has not been able to handle the burden of the recent precipitation events. With precipitation projected to occur more often and with greater intensity over the next decade, we are left to wonder how often these events may occur. For the fish documented in Muddy Creek and the canyon, this is a major ecological setback. This is ever more proof that our work is not done, and the risk these abandoned mine lands pose to healthy ecosystems. “We will continue to push for restored water quality, innovation and will not accept this as the status quo for Muddy Creek. Now more than ever, SMCRA AML reauthorization will be critical to address the longstanding ecological damage continually caused by abandoned mine lands. We’re not out of the weeds yet.” URL: https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/03/06/dep-investigates-mine-blowout-that-…

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WVDEP Biological Assessment Rule Virtual Public Hearing - March 9, 6PM
by Duane Nichols 08 Mar '21

08 Mar '21

WVDEP Biological Assessment Rule Virtual Public Hearing - March 9, 6PM https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/bioassessmentrulehearing?wvpId=1484761a-9d09…

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WVDEP investigating blowout at former Preston Co. mine that has caused acid levels in Cheat River, Muddy Creek to spike | WBOY.com
by Duane Nichols 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

https://www.wboy.com/news/preston/wvdep-investigating-blowout-at-former-pre… WVDEP investigating blowout at former Preston Co. mine that has caused acid levels in Cheat River, Muddy Creek to spike Sam HainesMar 5, 2021 / 05:50 PM EST Preston Posted: Mar 5, 2021 / 05:50 PM EST / Updated: Courtesy: Paul Kinder UPDATE (3/5/21 5:50 p.m.): ALBRIGHT, W.Va. – Friends of the Cheat has released a statement on the mine discharge in Preston County. “It is with heavy hearts that we inform our river community that there has been another blowout related to the T&T mine system, and acidic and metal laden water is again flowing through Muddy Creek. FOC staff noticed the disturbing hue of the water yesterday and found the pH reading 3.65. pH has dropped in the Canyon at “Decision Rapid” to 5.8, and has stained the river right extensively. The WVDEP Muddy Creek Watershed Treatment Plant has not been able to handle the burden of the recent precipitation events. With precipitation projected to occur more often and with greater intensity over the next decade, we are left to wonder how often these events may occur. For the fish documented in Muddy Creek and the Canyon, this is a major ecological setback. This is ever more proof that our work is not done, and the risk these Abandoned Mine Lands pose to healthy ecosystems. We will continue to push for restored water quality, innovation, and will not accept this as the status quo for Muddy Creek. Now more than ever, SMCRA AML reauthorization will be critical to address the longstanding ecological damage continually caused by abandoned mine lands. We’re not out of the weeds yet.” Friends of the Cheat statement Courtesy: Paul Kinder Courtesy: Paul Kinder Courtesy: Paul Kinder Courtesy: Paul Kinder Courtesy: Paul Kinder Courtesy: Paul Kinder ORIGINAL STORY (3/5/21 4:33 p.m.): The West Virginia Department of Environment Protection (WVDEP) is currently investigating a blowout from the former T&T Mine Complex that is discharging into the confluence of Muddy Creek and the Cheat River in Preston County. A press release from the WVDEP that was issued on Friday afternoon stated that large amounts of highly acidic water, 10 times that of normal concentrations, along with sediment are discharging from the former mine and have caused acid levels in Muddy Creek and the Cheat River to spike. Officials said the flow peaked at 6,200 gallons per minute on Thursday afternoon but has since dropped to 3,500 gallons per minute. The incident has since been reported to the agency’s spill line, according to the release. Officials said Thursday’s event overwhelmed the WVDEP’s acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment system, known as the T&T Treatment Facility, causing a pipeline entering a manhole to rupture. An estimated 300-500 gallons per minute were not going into the treatment facility, the release stated. According to the release, staff from the WVDEP’s Office of Special Reclamation are on-site to investigate and implement a repair plan. “The flow has to decrease to where we can shut off the valves that regulate the water out of the T&T mine,” said the WVDEP’s Acting Communications Director Terry Fletcher. “This would cause water to build up in the mine and allow our staff time to make repairs at the manhole and better assess the situation.” The WVDEP said similar events occurred on three occasions since the the initial blowouts at the T&T mine in 1994 and 1995, which overwhelmed previous AMD treatment systems. The release stated that these events prompted the WVDEP to install the new, innovative T&T Treatment Facility, which treats up to 6 million gallons of AMD per day. The release stated that the WVDEP has yet to determine the cause of Thursday’s event, or prior events. Officials said there is speculation that periodic roof collapses within the T&T mine is displacing large volumes of highly acidic water at one time, but the agency has not been able to confirm this theory. Additionally, significant amounts of rainfall in recent days likely increased the volume of water in the mine and contributed to the current situation.

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Rowlesburg flooding could be worst in 25 years | WV News | wvnews.com
by Duane Nichols 28 Feb '21

28 Feb '21

Rowlesburg flooding could be worst in 25 years | WV News | wvnews.com From an Article by Joseph Hauger, Preston News & Journal, February 28, 2021 ROWLESBURG — A Cheat River community is expected to receive some of the worst flooding in 25 years, according to the National Weather Service. Flood warnings remain in place for Preston County towns along the river, as well as those in higher elevations, where overflow from creeks and drains may cover roads and enter buildings. Current projections place the crest of the river in Rowlesburg at 22.3 feet at 7 p.m. Monday. The Cheat is expected to reach the flood stage of 16 feet at around midnight Sunday, if the forecast holds true. That crest would place Rowlesburg into the “major” flood category — which hasn’t been experienced by the town since Jan. 19, 1996, when the river reached 24.2 feet. The water will be nowhere near the devastating flood of Nov. 5, 1985, when the river at 36.9 feet crashed through the town. The last time Rowlesburg officially flooded was July 29, 2017, which was the sixth-worst for the town at 19.75 feet. One-to-three inches of rain is expected through Monday morning, adding to the runoff from the rapidly melting snow upriver. At about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Cheat had reached 12 feet, up from 7 feet at 5:30 a.m., and from 5 feet at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. According to the NWS: — At 16 feet, flooding begins in the Rowlesburg town park. — At 18 feet, W.Va. 72 is closed at the north end of Rowlesburg, and water surrounds houses near the park. — At 20 feet, Water flows under houses in low-lying areas, and will affect homes along Poplar, Elm, Catherine, Diamond, Church, Buffalo and Main streets. Nearly three feet of water will cover ball fields at the park. — At 22 feet, W.Va. 72 (Buffalo Street) is closed near Feltys Hill at the south end of town. Water approaches the intersection of Maple Street and County Route 80/8 at the east end of the Maple Avenue Bridge. Downriver in Albright, which also has suffered from Cheat River flooding through the decades, no flooding predictions are available. However, the community is part of the NWS flood warning in place. Flood stage in Albright is 27 feet, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Cheat was at 19 feet, rising from 15 feet at 4 a.m. Sunday and from 14.5 feet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Towns have been proactive and reactive in the wake of the flood warning. The kitchen building at the Rowlesburg park has been hit several times, even when flooding is minor. It has been readied for another round of river water reaching its doors. Meanwhile, the Shop ‘n Save in Terra Alta was closed due to flooding Sunday afternoon while firefighters helped to remove water from the building and worked to channel water away from W.Va. 7. On Saturday, Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Preparedness in advance of potential flooding in 50 counties — everywhere but the Northern Panhandle. The declaration allows for the mobilization of resources to assist with preparation for any potential flooding or other storm-related damage. Additionally, Justice has activated the state Emergency Operations Center, and has instructed all state agencies to exercise their appropriate authorities. https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/rowlesburg-flooding-could-be-worst-in-25…

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Flood warning issued for area Sunday into Monday
by Duane Nichols 27 Feb '21

27 Feb '21

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/flood-warning-issued-area-sunday-into… Flood warning issued for area Sunday into Monday WPXI.com News Staff, February 27, 2021 The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for several rivers in the area and West Virginia from late Sunday night into Monday evening. The warning specifically names the Monongahela River at Point Marion affecting Greene and Fayette counties; Monongahela River near Charleroi affecting Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties; Monongahela River near Elizabeth affecting Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties; Cheat River at Rowlesburg affecting Preston County, W.Va.; and Cheat River near Parsons affecting Tucker County, W.Va. One to three inches of rain is forecast to fall across portions of West Virginia and far Southwest Pennsylvania through Monday morning. The heaviest rain is expected Sunday and Sunday night. This rainfall along with snow melt will result in significant rises on the Cheat and Monongahela rivers. At 10:15 a.m. Saturday the Monongahela River was at 14.5 feet, with flood stage is 26 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast. It is forecasted that the river will rise to 14.6 feet Saturday afternoon. It will then fall to 14.3 feet and begin rising again Sunday morning. It will rise above flood stage early Monday morning and continue to rise to 27.2 feet early Monday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage Monday afternoon. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

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Study Finds West Virginia Counties Among ‘Worst in Nation’ For Drinking Water Violations | WVPB
by Duane Nichols 12 Jan '21

12 Jan '21

https://www.wvpublic.org/news/2019-09-24/study-finds-west-virginia-counties… Study Finds West Virginia Counties Among ‘Worst in Nation’ For Drinking Water Violations Report for America is a national service program coordinated by The GroundTruth Project.The inivitiative is made possible in rural Appalachia with support from the Galloway Family Foundation. West Virginia Public Broadcasting | By Emily Allen Published September 24, 2019 at 8:12 PM EDT A new study released Tuesday by three environmental groups found more than half of West Virginia counties rank among the worst in the nation for violations of a federal law that protects the quality of drinking water in the U.S. The report, “Watered Down Justice,” ranked 36 of the state’s 55 counties among the top third worst-offending U.S. counties. The analysis found millions of people across the country, including 912,650 people in West Virginia, consumed water from drinking systems that were out of compliance with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), at various points between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2019. According to data from the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of three organizations behind the study, 378 water systems violated the SDWA at least once in those three years. That's out of a reported 448 West Virginian systems total, serving more than 1.5 million people. Small, often rural, community water systems were among the top offenders, along with systems responsibly for serving communities of color and low socioeconomic conditions. In West Virginia, where much of the state’s residents live rurally, many people depend on small community water systems. Systems nationwide serving less than 3,300 people accounted for more than 80 percent of all SDWA violations, according to the study. Even smaller systems, serving less than 500 people, were reportedly responsible for more than 60 percent of all SDWA violations, and for 50 percent of health-based violations. At a press conference at the Capitol in Charleston Tuesday afternoon, a series of speakers, including two state lawmakers and representatives from environmental groups, said the study not only found West Virginia counties violated the SDWA often, but also spent a lot of time not complying with the law in general. According to the report, 42 West Virginia counties are among the top third in the nation for counties who spend the most time out of compliance. What Is The SDWA? Three environmental groups -- the Natural Resources Defense Council, Coming Clean, and the Environmental Justice Health Alliance -- analyzed health-based violations of the SDWA between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2019. The SDWA was established in 1974. This act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate drinking water sources and to protect residents from both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants. The EPA sets legal limits on more than 90 contaminants in drinking water, including chemical contaminants, lead and copper. These contaminants can lead to a large swath of health problems affecting a variety of ages, including cancer and impaired brain development. When it comes to public water systems, the EPA regulates those that provide water to at least 15 service connections, or at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year. Quality Of Life ‘Inseparable’ From Quality Of Water Drinking water faces many threats, including those from chemicals and the improper disposal of human and animal waste. In 2014, a chemical spill near Charleston left more than 300,000 West Virginians without drinking water for a week after a storage tank at Freedom Industries leaked more than 10,000 gallons of toxic materials into the Elk River. In 2000, dangerous levels of perfluorooctanoic acid, or C8, were discovered in water systems, coming from chemical company DuPont’s plant near Parkersburg. Earlier this year, officials discovered chemical water contaminants in Wetzel County. “We all know West Virginia is no stranger to our water contamination,” said Pam Nixon, President of People Concerned About Chemical Safety. Since the 2014 incident, Nixon said she has noticed signs and reactions to the “water crisis” everywhere, including grocery stores. “People in West Virginia realize that our water is contaminated,” she said. “We’ve noticed from 2014 to now, how the section for bottled water has expanded. And when you look, there are, unfortunately, some people who really can’t afford to buy water, they don’t feel comfortable drinking it, so they’re buying bottled water. You can see it in the carts.” Rick Martin, president of the Charleston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said the spill in 2014 was an “unforgettable experience,” and “difficult to forgive, particularly in low-income communities and our communities of color.” According to the report, findings showed a relationship between sociodemographic characteristics at the county level, like race and income, and those counties’ drinking water violations. “Quality of life and quality of water go hand in hand,” Martin said. “They’re inseparable.” Martin said there will be a push next year to reintroduce House Bill 2153 and Senate Bill 573, both of which failed in 2019. These bills would create a minority health advisory team to assist local communities in developing plans to address local public health crises, like water contamination. Democratic West Virginia Dels. Mike Pushkin and Evan Hansen also spoke at the press conference. Pushkin, who lives on the west side of Charleston, referred to his area as “ground zero” for the 2014 spill. He said the report came as “no surprise to those of us who have lived here for a long time.” “Charleston still has not fully recovered,” Pushkin said. “This part of the state still hasn’t fully recovered from that industrial disaster that took place in January 2014.” He described the “amount of people who moved out of the area, some of the businesses that closed up and still haven’t come back.” “Since then ... I have seen the Legislature roll back the Aboveground Storage Tank Act that was passed as a reaction to that chemical spill. … I have seen the weakening of water quality standards every year,” he said. Pushkin said he rejects the narrative that deregulation is needed to attract and retain businesses to West Virginia. “This narrative that we’re being fed is a lie,” he added. “We saw businesses that shut down because of the chemical spill in 2014.” According to the report, there were 170,959 violations of the SDWA in 24,133 community water systems across the U.S. Almost 40 percent of the U.S. population, according to the report, consumed water from drinking systems that violated the SDWA. Researchers found 437 counties, mostly in the southwest part of the country, spent the longest average lengths of time, out of compliance, per drinking system. This story was updated on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, to include additional data on violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in West Virginia. Emily Allen is a Report for America corps member.

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Ground breaks on new reservoir outside Morgantown | State Journal News | wvnews.com, July 20, 2018
by Duane Nichols 12 Jan '21

12 Jan '21

Ground breaks on new reservoir outside Morgantown | State Journal News | wvnews.com From an Article by Connor Griffith, The State Journal, July 20, 2018 MORGANTOWN — A project nearly 60 years in the making recently took another step toward completion with the recent groundbreaking of the dam and reservoir along Cobun Creek off Interstate 68. Members of the Morgantown Utility Board and community signatories traveled to the site for the ritual of planting shovels in the ground and a site tour. Director Tim Ball said this was preceded by a gathering at the Erickson Alumni Center in which the structure’s official name was announced: the George B. Flegal Dam and Reservoir. Flegal was the first engineer for the Morgantown Utility Board’s predecessor, the Morgantown Water Commission, who designed the current reservoir along the creek closer to the Monongahela River. However, he recognized the need for a larger alternate source of water and went so far as to purchase land for it in 1960. “Recognizing his foresight and vision, we thought it appropriate to name it in his honor,” Ball said, adding that Flegal’s purchase 58 years ago only needed a few more acres added to bring it up to its current size. “It was a special day for this event.” The project picked up steam in 2014 following the Freedom Industries chemical spill that disrupted the water supply for more than 300,000 people for a month. The older reservoir, with a capacity of 40 million gallons, would only provide the Morgantown area with three days of water should the Monongahela River become contaminated. Ball said this is due to sediment that gradually builds up in the reservoir and the larger population of Morgantown. The George B. Flegal Dam and Reservoir will hold 370 million gallons of water when full, which is enough to supply Morgantown for 30 days. The dimensions are that of a 74 foot tall earthen dam stretching about 870 feet across the crest of the dam and will be roughly 440 feet wide. Ball said the contractor behind the job is Kanawha Stone based out of the Charleston area, which has a track record in Monongalia County of moving earth for the West Side development off Interstate 79 and the Suncrest Towne Centre. “We’re lucky to work with them. They are a reputable company,” Ball said, adding that all the material needed for this earthen dam is already present on site. He said Kanawha Stone’s contract gives them two years to get the dam built but it could be completed in 12-15 months depending on speed and weather conditions. After that, it’ll take about 12-18 months for the reservoir to fill up with water. According to Morgantown Utility Board, no lights or fencing will surround the reservoir itself and the board has no plans of providing public access. However, the board will permit the Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation to conduct and manage public access opportunities should it choose to do so. “We’re very positive on the reservoir investment,” said Eldon Callen, with the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is the kind of infrastructure development that we need to be focusing on. We’re very much focused on doing things the correct way.” Given the location of the reservoir itself, Callen said it’s in a position to provide water to a majority of Monongalia County. Besides the county’s West End, Callen said he can envision further growth along Grafton Road and Kingwood Pike, both of which are located close to the new reservoir. “We need to diversify our economy with growth and influx of new people that’s been going on,” he said. “Since the last census, we’ve grown significantly. We were averaging about 6 percent in population growth during some of those years.” The older reservoir will still be used as a backup water supply to the new reservoir. Some funds from this $48 million project were set aside to rehabilitate the old pool and clear out some of the sediment. Ball said that Flegal actively monitored the new reservoir project when it started moving again after 2014, directly communicating with the Morgantown Utility Board via letters at times. Ball said he hoped Flegal would be able to attend the groundbreaking but the engineer passed away about four months ago at the age of 90. However, his son, Greg, attended and said his father would’ve been proud of the accomplishment. https://www.wvnews.com/statejournal/news/ground-breaks-on-new-reservoir-out…

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Legislative Rulemaking Committee Votes to Weaken Water Quality Standards – WV Rivers
by Duane Nichols 12 Dec '20

12 Dec '20

https://wvrivers.org/2020/12/wqsupdate-2/?fbclid=IwAR1dxDQjwjrGOFzgYa9a97m9… Legislative Rulemaking Committee Votes to Weaken Water Quality Standards – WV Rivers Yesterday, the Joint Legislative Rulemaking Review Committee met to debate updates to the human health criteria in our water quality standards. This committee meets before the regular session to review, amend and vote on recommended rules for the full Legislature’s consideration. Sadly, even after 494 of you reached out to members of the committee in support of protective water quality standards, they decided to support less stringent limits for 13 toxins in our water quality standards. Fortunately, there were a few Legislators who stood up for protective water quality standards. During the committee meeting, Delegates Barbara Fleischauer (D-Monongalia) and Larry Rowe (D-Kanawha) led the charge to fight against weakened standards. They spent over an hour questioning WVDEP on why they only chose a small subset of the recommended criteria to update and for information about the harms and risks these toxins pose to our residents. Delegates Fleischauer and Rowe and Senators Baldwin and Jeffries sponsored an amendment to strip out the updates that would weaken human health criteria. That amendment was defeated 4-7, with Fleischauer, Rowe, Baldwin, Jeffries voting for the amendment and Foster, Sypolt, Butler, Martin, Steele, Rucker and Weld voting against it on a roll call vote. In the final vote to pass the rule, Fleischauer and Rowe spoke against the rule as it would weaken water quality standards. The rule passed 7-4 along the same lines that the amendment failed. So what now? The full West Virginia Legislature will consider and vote on water quality standards rule when they commence in February. WV Rivers will be there to keep you informed and be your voice throughout the session. The fight for protective water quality standards is going to be an uphill battle, and every one of you will be essential to keeping the pressure on the Legislature. We’re going to have to work hard to ensure health and waters are adequately protected – get ready!

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WVU Davis College Receives Grant to Help Lift Up West Virginia Communities - The Independent Herald
by Duane Nichols 05 Dec '20

05 Dec '20

WVU Davis College Receives Grant to Help Lift Up West Virginia Communities Plans in Kingwood include assessing baseline economic development for the RECREATE program and Cheat River Trail initiative. Aspects of this project will be community-based with focus groups, gauging outdoor recreation interest in Preston County, and strategically planning community and economic development in participating trail towns. https://www.independentherald.com/2020/12/03/wvu-davis-college-receives-gra…

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Living on Earth: Midtown Coyote. We now have coyotes in the Cheat area ....
by Duane Nichols 14 Nov '20

14 Nov '20

http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=20-P13-00046&segmentID=4 Midtown Coyote Air Date: Week of November 13, 2020 stream/download this segment as an MP3 file The coyote darts across a street in Sacramento. In an era of remote learning and spotty Zoom meetings, we humans still have it easier than many animals trying to raise their young. Writer Jennifer Berry Junghans on how a mother coyote manages to eke out a living in the heart of California’s capitol. Transcript BASCOMB: The pandemic has put a spotlight on the challenges of parenting in the absence of childcare. But even in an era of remote learning and spotty Zoom meetings we humans probably still have it easier than many animals trying to successfully raise their young. Here’s writer Jennifer Berry Junghans on how a mother coyote manages to eke out a living in the heart of California’s capitol. JUNGHANS: She dug her den in the dense ivy butting up against the sidewalk in a residential neighborhood of midtown Sacramento. A fresh mound of dirt at the entrance of her 10-foot burrow gave it away, behind caution tape that warned passersby to keep out. The mother coyote dug her den in dense ivy along a midtown sidewalk. I meet up with a friend. Within minutes we see her in the parking lot behind us. She rests under a southern magnolia but looks tense. She glances left, right, forward, back, like hands on a clock gone mad. I wonder if she wonders where her two pups are. They’re 11 weeks old now, still small and cuddly to the eye but independent enough to roam the city without her. I think of the possibilities of what could go wrong. I think of her natural habitat along the riparian corridor of the American River, where pups play and tumble on golden knolls as moms watch nearby. A land she knows, rules even. A land where she is at home. The mother coyote and one of her two pups. But here in the city, it isn’t long before a man barrels into the parking lot and chases the coyote with his car. It’s distressing to see and it brings to life the tension of this scene. Some people are thrilled to share space with her and her pups. Others want them eradicated, like the man in the car. Some are fearful, some are fearful for them, and others pour bags of cat food on the ground, unintentionally habituating her to this booby-trapped urban setting. She’s agitated now, jumpy and uncertain as she bolts across the street and wanders through lanes with the swift leggy gait of a moving target. She locks eyes with me as she moves and I swear she can see through me. Moving through the intersection, she boomerangs back across the street, darts through parked cars, then down the sidewalk and heads my way. She sees me, and ducks into overgrown landscaping. I spot her again about 20 minutes later, grabbing a few mouthfuls of cat food. Something startles her. She jumps straight up in the air and lands a few feet away in the street. “I swear she can see through me,” Junghans writes of the mother coyote. I think about my choice to come see her. To bear witness to her experience, but my good intention is stripped down naked. I am just one more encounter she must gauge and respond to in this calamity of human activity. State laws say she can’t be relocated. Even if she could, she may not find adequate food or water. And if she’s moved to a dominant coyote’s territory, he may attack her and kill her pups. So the plan is to keep the peace between man and beast, discourage her presence and hope she returns to wilder land. It’s unlikely this will be the last time a coyote makes her den in midtown. We see them more and more, comingling in the spaces we call home. I wonder if one day we’ll mirror London, where wild red foxes that live among the urban neighborhoods are as common as cats lounging outdoors and people walking their dogs. Both mother and pup are always on the lookout for danger. But for now, we have no unity among our understanding of these animals or in our ability to live in harmony with them. Eventually, I go home. And her struggle continues on.

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Register Now: Virtual Watershed Symposium, Nov 5-6
by Duane Nichols 29 Oct '20

29 Oct '20

From: West Virginia Rivers Coalition <acrowe(a)wvrivers.org> > Date: October 29, 2020 at 2:02:22 PM EDT > > Subject: Register Now: Virtual Watershed Symposium, Nov 5-6 > > > > > Register for the Virtual Watershed Symposium, November 5-6 > > > If you are a member of a watershed organization, or are interested in protecting your local watershed, then you won’t want to miss the Virtual Watershed Symposium, November 5-6, 2020. > > This virtual networking and learning event will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to be an advocate for your community’s watershed! Learn more and register. > > Schedule of Events > > Thursday, November 5 > > > 7:00-8:30pm: Welcome, Water Advocacy 101, & Legislative Update, Watershed Award > > WV Rivers Coalition's executive director, Angie Rosser, will provide an overview of how watersheds can advocate for strong water policy as a 501c (3) non-profit organization and give an update on what’s to come in the 2021 Legislative Session. The evening activities will close with the announcement of the 2020 Watershed Awards. > > Friday, November 6 > > > 10:00-11:00am: Celebrating the Great River with a Plan for the Ohio River Basin - 2020-2025, Dr. Harry Stone, Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA) > > After ten years of ORBA collaborative Summits and a 17-month period to gather stakeholder input, the Plan for the Ohio River Basin was released by the US Army Corps of Engineers on September 28, 2020, and accepted for implementation by the ORBA Steering Committee. The Plan provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a multi-billion-dollar federal investment in the Basin - including ecological restoration in West Virginia. The presentation will discuss the six goals of the plan, next steps in the implementation process, and how watershed organizations can get engaged - it will take all of us working together to make this happen. > > > > > 11:00am-12:00pm: Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification Refresher > > Get a macroinvertebrate Identification refresher – Learn expert tips and tricks to help you identify “Benthic macroinvertebrates” in the field, and what they can tell us about the health of our rivers and streams. Participate in an activity following the presentation to be eligible for benthic prizes! > > > > > 1:00-2:00pm: Marketing Your Watershed Group: Danny Forinash, Charles Ryan Associates > > In a digital world, finding an effective marketing approach can be daunting. But by identifying audiences, figuring out where they go for info and defining your goals, organizations have blueprints from which to choose. Whether groups have money to invest in marketing or not, they have proven options. Danny Forinash will give you tips of the trade on how to effectively market your watershed group on social media to recruit new members, communicate with your members and build support for your projects. > > > 2:00-3:00pm Educational Opportunities: Morris Creek Project, WVDEP Youth Environmental Program, WV Rivers/Trout Unlimited Mobile Monitoring Application > > Learn how Morris Creek Watershed worked with students at Malden Elementary School to track fireflies, collect water quality data, and increase the bat population at Morris Creek. You’ll also hear about WVDEP Environmental Program and learn about the new initiative of WV Rivers and Trout Unlimited to develop a mobile phone watershed monitoring application. > > All presentations will be recorded. If you can't attend at the specified time, register anyway to receive a copy of the recording. > > Register for the Watershed Symposium > > WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALITION > 3501 MacCorkle Ave SE #129 | Charleston, West Virginia 25304 > 304-637-7201 | wvrivers(a)wvrivers.org > > Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser > > Unsubscribe

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