2000 RANK, PAUL & CINDY WVHC President HC 78 BOX 227 NON--PROFIT ORG. ROCK CAVE WV 26234 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2831 CHAS., WV 25301

Published by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Vol. 27, No.5- July 1994 NEWLY /\PPOIN I ED O.S.M. DIRECTOR VISITS WV

By Cindy Rank and main Middle Fork for the next 40 miles When Robert Uram, Dt:W Director of the downstream to Audra State Parle. to the U.S. Office of Surface Millin& met with Buckbtmnon and Teomile and DLM where members of the W.V. envirmmental communi­ treatment is the fine liDe between life and death ty in March he promised to retum to see first for the Tygm:t downstream of the mouth of the band some of the acid problems they discussed. Bnckbtmnon, to Sm:iy Creek where community He kept that promise at the beginning of groups farced the state to treat water at the June when he spent a day and a half looking at forfeited F&:M mine sites that ew:ntually flow AMD (acid mine drainage) sites in the northern into the Tygart Lake. part of the state with rqnsentatives ofWVHC The aecond day the group visited Valley and other conservation. sports and community and Omega. both mines in the Morgantown groups. area. Later that day Urarn met with WV DEP The toW' was arranged to lUgblight the 4- (Depertmeot ofEnviroomental Protection) Fs of AMD: the FAlLURE TO PREVENT acid Director Dave Callaghan then attended the by failing to deny pennits where acid is likely Rivers Symposium and appeared on a local to occur, the FAlLURE TO ADJUST BONDS public TV call-in show on June 3rd. when acid does OCC\U' and the cost ofreclama­ Uram retumed to W.V. the following tioo increases, the FAlLURE TO TREAT acid week to join the DEP mine tour of same of tbe water at sites where baads hPe been forfeited bia moomtaia top1'CIIIO'Ial lila iG lbe....., aid 1he lUte is - -

state rdeucs a COIDJI8DY foCUs of CODCCnl. 6tm its rapoa~&'bilitia ilr rerWnetim 1bauab be oft"aed. ~ • - On tbe :fint day. lbc poap TISital car, spoke ltnJaBiy o(~ tbe law. mel Robm Uront ponders how to cros3 the acid water at Kittle Flats without getting his .ew:rai sites iD 1he Typrt Riw:r walcnbed tbat ~ wi1lin& to do tbe riaht 1hin& when it were examples of lbc ~Fa. They bavdled alllleS to tbe 41DIIgic Fs ofAMD. Diredor boots coated with iron, while OSM Inspector and Conservancy members bend his ear from tbe Graay Ran area Where abeudoocd Uram has yet to face down the pesswcs from about the history ofthe site mine lends continue to degrade the mainstem of industry and Iact luster state agc::ocy attitudes. Tygart near Elkins, to the Middle Fork where The final chapter is yet to be written and the the Kittle Flats area bas destroyed Cassity Fork details are always the most difficult + + Kumbrabow - Promises and Lies tf You Build It They Will Come Caperton. Maxey and Martin by Bill Ragett~ the New ClUef meet with the friends of or trail cancer Kumbrabow a year ago. We saw their show, mv inserted language into some bill authorizing the THE CHIEF beard about the excellent job the OOF was by Bill Ragette expenditure of S100,000 for trail heads for the How many ofyou n:member (from one of doing. The Chief said be would form a Last October over 300 ORV ~ from Hatfield-McCoy Recruti.OD Area. the many Kumbrabow articles in the VOICE) committee to address the question ofpublic 14 states came to Mingo County for a two day Moen has been at the Lqialative that our Dt:W Division ofForestry (OOF) chief, input CD State Forest M-utpnmt Nothing off-road ridiDa ew:nt Besides tearing arouud session in Cbarlatoo the last few yan tryina Bill Maxey, pnll1lUed to fmn a committee to bappeDed. We had the baring, tbe postpone­ the counbyside. the ew:nt alao featu:n:d a to get bills passed to Clatc an offroad trail deal with tbe issue of ~lie input CD State ments and the trial - no committee. parade in wm;...... , Oil Saturday, complete system for ~les aod 4 v.hedas. Strq FCJI'CSt Management PlanS? that \MIS after all with fire trucb aod amt..hsnra from surround­ opposition to tbe po ORV bills (fueled by fear )'011 nice people 8allletk:is to the Govemor TBI GOVIRNOR ing areas. The t09r'D a1lo beld a 'Jtreet festival' of trails Oil public Jaods) killed them. Last complainiDa about tbe ~- olthoee The MXl thiDa )'011 bow tbc Governor in after the parade with llb'iaa blad music aod sessiOD Moen d aJ &at a bill puted that giant tna at Kumbrabow State Forest. The his St.te oldie 81* addrest said he \MIS food booths. Jdeues 1aodowuc:n wbo pot aliceD8e, aovemor was actually~ tbe heat, and bad committal to baviua WVs (3U page 8) This evad ... Clle6lDy eogiDecred by ~or lcae to a goveramtatal entity from the Hatfield McCoy Rt.aatiGD Development liability for lfriclrnts OCICUI1'iDg Oil tbeir land Coalition, ··~ heeded up by I!JI)U-lobbyist Moore's De'WSietter abo aD:DOUIKlCd 1bat a Left'Moor'e; wbo abo n:paaa tbe wv feasibility study will be UDda1akal by a Garbqe Haulers aad tbe Motorqde 1Ddusby qualified profasiooaJ c:c.dnctor "to assun: that ~s;i/e Couocilamooa ot1wn. Moore bas dooe his the IJst1idd..}kCoy Rec:ratiaoal Area will be Acid Mining- pg s 1DDewart. ....potiticiaol Oil board His implemented ia ecoa~ct.Dcc with tbe JUabest oewsldt.cr, the llllfidd..Mteoy Update (issue quality ...... ,. 10 that it will always be a Admin Asssistant - pg 3 II) IIIDOUDCed that. MaDoaodum of welcome Uld for tbe QllitiiAQlity,. Dolly Sods Addition - pg 7 lJDdentaodiDa .. w:ry mtJy going to be Rae ac some other iDfae:stioa quota sip:d betweeD IC9'CAI oftbe poups he from Moore's Newsldta... Greenbrier - pg 4 tqxacDts. Minao Coaaty Development "The ~McCoy ReacatiCD Area. a KUmbrabow - pg 3 Authority, the US Bureau ofLand Manap pilot poject which may ultimately provide North Fork Mtn- pg 3 mcot, the Natiooal Park Senice and the US thousands ofmiles of well managed recreation­ Army Corps ofEngineen. US Representative al trails for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, Symposium - pg 4 Map and quotes from Hatfield -McCoy Recreation Ntek Rahall anno'IIIU:ed at the big fete held at horseback riders, bicydists, and others, OD Wtldemess Air - pg 6 ClUefLogan State Park on JUDe 7 that his private land, continues to progress to reality in Development Coalition. Inc .• 205 /st. Avenue. Zebra Mussel - pg 8 subcommittee on Roads and Transportation had southern West Virginia. • (continwd on page J) Nitro, WV 25143 The Highlands Voice, July 1994 - Page 2 Roster of Officen, Board Memben and ~duhod~du~- Committee Chain

by Cindy Rank BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Cindy Rank WY~ CO~ TO W.V. HC 78, Box 'll7, Rock Cave, WV 26234, 924 5802 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: John McFerrin As incredible as it may seem to those of you wbo know bow my flesh crawls 114 Beckley Ave., Beckley, WV 25801 252-8733 when I get within a mile of any source of Acid Mine Drainage, let me tell you bow VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STATE AFFAIRS: Norm Steenstra a maud... appalled... ovenvhelmed. .. repulsed. .. humbled. .. bewildered. .. perplexed... 1001 Valley Rd., Cbar1estoo. WV 25302 W- 346 5891 H- 346 8924 confused. .. sickened. ... angered. .. horrified. ... dismayed I was by the spectre oftbe VICE-PRESIDENT FOR FEDERAL AFFAIRS: Vacant massive mining operations now being conducted in Southern W.V . SECRETARY: Richard diPretoro 264 High St, Morgantown. WV 26505, 296-8963 TREASURER: Tom MichaeJ We routinely acknowledge that there are two major environmc:ntal problems Rt 2, Box 217, Lost Crcet. WV 26385,623-3447 associated with mining in W.V . these days: acid mine drainage (AMD) primarily in PAST PRESIDENT: John Purbaugh the north, and huge mountain top operations with durable rock fills in the south. 6019 49th St., NW, Gig Harber, WA 98335, (208) 572-4343

I've seen AMD in many settings, know bow people and communities have DIRECTORS -AT-LARGE suffered from it, know how difficult it is to convirx:e regulatory agencies to enforce the (fei'1DJ expire October 1994) laws that are meant to prevent such destruction of our water resources. William P. M.:Ned., 11 18 Secood Ave., Marlingtoo.. WV 24954, 799-4369 Andrew Maier, S09 Jeffenoo St, Morgantown, WV 26505 Carol Bradshaw, PO Box 177, Ranson, WV 25438, 728-7281 But nothing could have prepared me for the sights and sounds of the recent Mary Pat Peck, 36 Meade St, Buckbannoo. WV 26201, 472-3049 DEP Office of Mines and Minerals tour through some of our southern counties - not Frank YCJUD& Rt 1, Box 108, Ripley, WV 25271, 372-9329 articles by Paul Nyden in the Gazette, not pictures of the giant draglines out West, not even Bob Gates' film "In Memory of the Land and People". DIRECI'ORS-AT-LARGE (fenu expire October 1995) I venture to say that as recently as ten years ago no one could have imagined, Sayre ROdman. 32 Crystal Dr, OU:mont., PA 15139, (412) 828-8983 or would even have suggested, the enormity of the mines we visited in Nicholas, CanoU lett, R1. 1, Box 22, Sherman, WV 26173,273-5247 Fayette, Kanawha, Boone and Logan on June 7th and 8th. Pcny Bryant, 1544 Lee St East, Charleston. WV 25311, 344-1673 .Jacqud.iDe A HaDinan, 1UO SW111Rd, CharJestco, WV 25314 343-4323 Gary Zuckdt. PO Box 144, Pullman, WV 26421, 659-3193 Emblazoned in my memory are htadlines in the early 1980'1 in Upshur County boasting that the Island Creek Tenmile Complex was to be the "LARGEST ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORS SlJJ'f3ce mine East of the Mississippi". ...As you well know, I have no loYe for the NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY: Vqinia Region- Judy Fisher Tenmile operation or the destruction it bas left in its wake, but it is dwarfed by its P.O. Box 276, Berkeley Sprinp, WV 25411 258-4974 behemoth brothers to the south. Giant drag lines like those used out West are taking PIITSBURG CLIMBERS: Jean Rodman down hills and shifting them into nearby valleys at a rate that must mystify the 32 CeystalDr, Oabnollt. PA 15139, 828-8983 authors of the "IIMII•mpjn tap• JaDOVal ~ ~d&Serflcc ..-.~ • BCii 1 • • Cll' MSM office: 264 High St, Mcrgantown, WV 26505, 296-8963 Standing on the edge of a Grand Canyon like landscape with 18 splits of coal BROOKS BIRD CLUB: Mary Mo«e Ri.tfenberger along a 600 foot wall that extended from high above to far below our level on exposed-.-"" Rt 1, Box 253, Elkins, WV 26241, 636-4559 the canyon ridge, I couldn't help but wonder how these sites comply with the intent or MOUNfAINEER. CHAPTER TROUT UNUMITED: Phil Rossano letter of either the Clean Water Act or any Surface Mine laws. Rt 2, Box 375, Buckbannon, WV 26201 472-0942 WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALmON: Reger Hlirrisoo Everywhere we went tbe scene was similar. Within a 360 degree viewing 49 W. Main St. Bnr.klwmnn WV 26201, 472-0025 range, mountains were being ripped apart and dumped into valleys burying miles of I . headwater streams. These large refuse piles are then molded into hill-like mounds, COMMITI'.Eit CHAIRS I and seed and fertilizer glued on, presumably to fulfill the "approximate original I CANAAN VALLEY COMMITIEE: Linda cooper' contour• (AOC) requirements ofthe law. \ Rt 5, Box 228A, Morgantown. WV 26505, 2~565 MINING COMMITI'EE: Jobn McFerrin J I 114 Bc:rhley Ave., Becb:ley, WV 25801 Ifit was confusing for me to imagine that this might be acceptable as AOC, PUBUC LANDS MANAGEMENT COMMTITEE: Sayre Rodman it really boggled my mind that so little is known about future groundwater supplies 32 Crystal Dr, Oakmont, PA 15139, (412) 828-8983 (especially the shallow or perced pockets that support so many families in rural W.V.) Donna Borders: Apt. 14, 1'll6 20th St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, 428-4746 in these porous refuse mountains, and that such widespread filling of stream beds is PUBliCATIONS COMMITIEE: W.E. •SJcip• Deegans an acceptable impact to the hydrologic regime of the area. Lewisburg. wv 24901 AIR/WATER TOXICS COMMITIEE: Brian H.agenbach I have no doubt that grass will grow. (Remember this is an industry that bas been known to boast that, with enough glue and fertilizer, it could grow grass on RIVERS COMMIITEE: Donna Borders Apt 14,122620tb St., Parkersburg. WV26101, 428-4746 telephone poles.) And trees growing on the older (4 years is the oldest we are areas EDUCATION COMMITIEE: Vacant saw on the tour). But how long or how strong the vegetation will be years from now, WV SOLID WASTE COMMITIEE: Frank Young or bow much of the original ecosystem will reestablish itself is not yet known. Rt 1, Box 108, Ripley, WV 25271, (304) 372-9329 MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Carroll Jett Surely these vast projects are engineering feats to rival the seven wonders of Rt I, Box 22, Shemum, WV 26173,273-5247 the world, but the significant alteration of the earth mass is experimental at best. And this experimentation is not just on one or two sites, but seems to be the wave of the ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES future in southern W. V. (All of course moving fullsteam ahead before the results of Richard diPretoro:Admlnistrative Ass't Bill R.agette': Voice Editor the initial experiments are known.) 264 HigbSt 144 TraceForkRd Morgantown. WV26505 Culloden, WV25510 296-8963 824-3571 Ifthe legalities are questionable, the economics are even more astounding. While it's understandable that the Clean Air Act bas shifted attention to the lower sulfer coal 1Ju Hitikut4t Voice is published by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, P.O. areas of southern W.V., it is still puzzling to think that even 18 splits of coal can yield Box 306, Charleston, WV 25321. Articles, letters to the editor and other information enough money to make it profitable to purchase giant size draglines whose 100 yard for publication should be sent to the editor. Ifpossible, please send a floppy formatted buckets alone cost $500,000 to buy, then every 45 days another $200,000 to refurbish, for IBM Save files as ASCII text. and teeth that must be replaced at $150 apiece every 2 days, and electricity bills that cost anywhere from $80,000-$100,000/monthjust to run the shovel, not to mention all Tile HigiWmds Voice is always printed on Recycled Paper. Our printer uses 100% post consumer recycled paper when available. the regular trucks, shovels, dozers, loaders, and other miscellaneous (see page 5) The Highlands Voice, July 1994 • Page 3 VKountain

1M~ lta.J ftut nceiwd thi3 would nm on the North Fork Mountain Trail requut from 1M Potomac District Rtmgn-for from US Route 33 to a point south ofHish cowlmmu on 1M rue ofNorth ForlcM01111tain Knob, then leave the trail on private lands to Trail for a Motmtain Biu Race. YOft all may County Rt 9. The route then passes through rmtmtMr the acei/Rit article by Bob StowkJ, National Forest lands to the Roy Gap road. in the March lmle ofthe VOICE on North ~of the race cour$e on National Forest Forie M01111tain and iu Old Growth Fon3t., I land is 6.8 miles and is shown on the attached am very nervoru about thi3 intnuion into one map. They anticipate over 100 mountain bike ofthe last wild placu in Wut Virginia. A.f a racers will perticipete, and they would like to mountain bike rider my3elfl know how much repeat or cxp8Dd the race in future years. damage a hiM can do, upecially bmking Before determining whether or not a downhill. PI«Ue notice that over 100 biku are special use permit will be issued. we would expected thi3 year. with the 3JIOIUON wanting appreciate receiving your comments cooceming to repeat and expand the race in fomn )lfJ!Jn. use of the proposed bike race route on National Comment.J an thu by July 10, better write Forest land. Please bave your comments to the )'Olin today. above address (Potomac Ranger District. HC 59, Box 240, Petersburg, WV 26847 304-257- 4488) by July 10, 1994. Additional information Hello, may be received by calling Dick Vandemoot at The Pendlctoo County Visitor's Commit­ the above number. tee has applied for a Special Use Permit Thank you for your interest in the authorizing them to conduct a mountain bike Monongahela National Forest. race on August 21, 1994. The propoecd race NaDcy Feakes, District Ran&er + +

~umbrabow TrJal may B~

The plaintiffs in the Kumbrabow State around and general lists of some classes of Forest lawsuit bave been granted a hearing by species found in the geru:ral area. The director K.ma\\'ba Circuit Judge Charles King, to allow of the section ofDNR tbat Robertson claimed them to present their 81 gUlDtllls on havin8 the did the survey, Brian MacDonald, told me that case reopcocd. The plaintiffs cooteDd that the they hadn't done a survey of the area in the of DNR's Wildlife RaouRc 6fteco )'Oirlltc-... iD dlarze ofthe f:.-,Di9il-. Gedllla:M a t, ~tile lr"dlh seetio.a;Jn bfs letter. includaf in the prospectus ~..__... about the "''ildlife invenlOI)" done (or not done) for the sale, MacDonald states that a St!l'Ve) for the Clay Run Timber Sale on Kuoibrabow Should be done for the sale si1c. State Forest Under oath Robertson bad lbis is just one more incident of responded to a question about the existence of government officials bending to the pressure of an inventory, implying that the DNR's Natural industry to tum over the State's wealfb, before Heritage Program staff had completed one. we are sure what we have and ifit would be in In my humble opinion the bureaucrat just the best interests ofpresent and future West plain lied and tried to deceive the Judge into Virginians to trade it off for a few dollars, Richard diPretoro (new WVHC Administrative Asslsstant) at site oflime drum thinking that the DNR had done a 'o\iJdlife which the Governor will pass on to the next structure being constructed on the Blackwater River above Beaver Creek survey. I have filed two Freedom of Information polluter that asks, in tax credits and loans. Act requests and have only received the nm- The lnal will be held on July 14, at the Juclicial Annex of the Kanawha County Court. WV~C ~ire~ ~ir~t Adrnini~trative A~~i~tant by Bill Ragette' <- ~ by Richard diPretoro in Morgantown on a clipping service. , rd like to take this opportunity to We need other people to clip articles introduce myself as WVHC's first Administra­ from their local newspapers. These articles Here is the job description prepared by a tourist centers, etc.) tive Assistant. This JOb was created to expand should be of possible interest to the VOICE committee ofthe Board: Endowment Fund upon the duties of the membership secretary readership in general Send them directly to Membenmp Use a variety of fund-raising and provide assistance to the President Bill Ragette. Maintain computerized membership techniques to increase endowment fund. As an important part of my job I will I am also the Endovnnent Fund chair. I roll. Send out membership renewals. Administrllti~~ stimulate, encourage, and generally wheedle hereby solicit advice and help with ideas for Deposit membership dues. Prepare Maintain bulk mail permit Pick up articles out of the WVHC committee chairs, increasing and better managing the Endowment monthly reports for Treasurer and and reroute mail (Currently handled out of organizational directors and others for the Fund. Save Our Cumberland Mountains quarterly reports for Board Devise and Charleston). Respond to inquiries, VOICE . To each of the chairs and organiza­ (SOCM) in Tennessee is in the midst of a implement membership development coordinaung W1th Membership Chair tional directors send a special plea: write a $500,000 endowment fund campaign designed ideas, working with Membership (thank-yous to special donors, info piece for the VOICE about your committee or to provide a reliable stream of income for Committee, VOICE editor and board. requests, etc.) Provide mailing labels to organization. Send it. ifpossible, on an ffiM SOCM by the year 2000. lfSOCM can do it., Hiking Guides Committee chairs and board. Maintain formatted disk as ASCII text to Bill Ragette at surely WVHC can set and achieve a substantial Fill Guide orders by mail. Deposit supplies of stationery, membership and the address listed in this issue. lfnot possible goal. Guide receipts. Prepare monthly reports endowment fonns and other items (hats, to send on disk. send it on paper, handwritten In my capacity as membership secretary, for Treasurer and quarterly reports for shirts, decals, patches, etc.) or otherwise, to me and I will prepare and send my goals are to increase membership and to Board. Replenish inventory as needed. Assist Spring and Fall Review it on to Bill. The deadline is generally the next­ spruce up the mailing list, putting it to greater Contact local bookstores to sell Guides, coordinators with mailings. to-last Friday of each month. I will be calling use making connections among existing coordinating larger orders with Bruce Facilitate communication and you all to ask for commitments to write articles. members and between new members and their Sundquist and American Youth Hostels. networking between Committee Chairs I plan to use volunteers as much as I can organization. VOICE and new members with specific interests. to further these goals. Plesse consider where In summary, I see my job as catalyzing Send mailing labels to editor. Assist Maintain official books and records you might help. For example, author Judy Rodd some of the latent energy in WVHC to help it editor by soliciting info/articles/other of the Conservancy. is using her experience and expertise in the achieve more of its very substantial potential. I copy, Assist editor in contacting locations Estimated time: I 5-20 hours per week. publishing industry to help place Guides and invite any and all prodding, ideas, suggestions, which could carry VOICE (libraries, Pay: $500 per month. <• + VOICE. She also will be working with WNPB and help. Thanks for the opportunity. <• <- The Highlands Voice, July 1994 - Page 4 1994 RIVERS SYMPOSIUM AT A GLANCE by Cindy Rank and ... Project, and the WV Department of Branch of the Potomac River. It was what they thought of the river. best trout streams, and world class The First Appalachian Rivers Commerce, Labor, and Environmen­ there during the summers where I led One looked at me and said "' warm water fisheries, West Virginia and Watershed Symposiwn was held tal Resources put on what is a privileged childhood-not privileged did not know there was a place like is beginning to rec:ogn.ize that rivers in Morgantown June 3rd and 4th. It hopefully the first of many such in the sense ofwealth-but privileged trus•! can be the cornerstone of sustainable was a jam packed two days full of symposia. in the sense of having the opportunity He was amazed at the economic development information. discussion and even a ~ ~ ~ ~ (o to fish the waters and scamper the mountain ridges. the uncut stands of As TlDl Palmer bas written •a bit of time for socializing. By Roger Harrison shores in the headwaters of the trees, the energy of a ~flowing mood in the nation is changing. It was timely happenstance Someone once said •rivers are nation's rivers. river. Rivers are now WOI1h something. • that river guide Randy Robinson had the ribbons that tie the people to the Later, I helped finance my I will never forget that day. It's fitting that West Vrrginia is made available a revealing video of land" Nowhere is the tie to rivers college education as a full-time river Through the experience of two young the sight for the first Appalachian the recent Acid Mine Drainage stronger than in Appalachia, and guide on some ofAmerica's famed men from the opposite extreme of Rivers and Watersheds Symposiwn. (AMD) blowout at T&.T coal especially here in the heart ofAppa­ whitewater rivers nestled nght here America, I came to appreciate more West Virgi.rua really is the Mnvers company at Muddy Creek on the lachia, West Vuginia. in West Virginia. For me, it was the rivers of my home. state". Cheat River that highlighted the acid Most people associate moun­ always satisfying to guide people, But rh·en attract use.. Many of the major river problem that plagues over 2400 miles tains with Appalachia, but rushing literally from around the world down Many of tl1e byproducts of our systems m the Central Appalachians ofWV waterways. But the S}mJ» do\\on those mmmtains, through the rapids of the New, Gauley, and modem industrial world end up ·in have their headwaters in West siwn dealt with a great nwnber of veiled hollows and emerald valleys Cheat Rivers, but I often took for rivers. Virginia and as a result we share a a other threats as well and explored there is a labrynth ofrivers . Not just granted my c:ormection to the rher, to Acid rain. siltation, acid mine great responsibility for the care we ide3s for future use and protection of any rivers- but some of the most feeling a sense of place and beloog­ drainage as one author put it - give our rivers. the rivers of the region. remarkable rivers in the nation. ing. That is until a hot summer day •continue to starve our future gener­ We know that rivers are It would be ludicrous to Cherokee, Seneca, and in 1992. ations from their inheritance•. In unhindered by political boundaries, attempt to summarize the myriad of Shawnee peoples used the bottom­ During the heat of the 1992 West Virginia alone over 2400 miles Many of the problems we face here presentations from the symposium, lands, along the river, for hunting Presidential primary race, candidate ofour streams are degraded by the in West Virginia are common in but rve asked Bill to reprint here the and fishing. The rich river valleys of Jerry Brown seized a photo oppor­ potent witch's brew which is acid many Appalachain States. In the brief but eloquent welcoming Appalachia drew white settlers "'no tun.ity to run the New River with mine drainage rendering streams next two days, we hope to tee\'8.lua.te remarks made by Roger .Harrison, made a living off the land and the conservationists from around the sterile of aquatic life. the past and identify solutions to the Executive Director of the W.V. waters. Later, rivers were the state. And it is quite d.ishearten.i.n ongoing challenge of caring for our Rivers Coalition and member of the corridors along which railroads were Along "'ith Bro\\on were two that many people in West Virginia rivers and watersheds. WVHC Board of Directors Roger's builL Los Angelas gang members who had and other parts ofAppalachia still Through this historic gather­ comments reflect the breadth of From the beginning rinn never ventured out of the inner city, must drive miles for clean drinking ing, it ismyhopeand thehopeofthe concerns and depth of feelings that attracted use. One was a member of the Cf}pts water. West Virginia Rivers Coali-tion. that pervaded the entire two days. Today, rivers are refuges of gang, the other a member of the This symposiwn is about the people from everywhere including Thanks to Roger and the many recreation and sources ofdrinking Bloods. You11 remember this was challenge to people that rivers south-central Los Angelas. continue other people who helped the Rivers water. just after the LA riots. present to be amazed at om rivers. (• Coalition, the WVU Division of My connection to rivers goes After a typical beautiful day on As home to some ofAmerica's Forestry- Wildlands Heritage back to childhood days alq the S. the river, I turned to them and as.Ked somcofthe Community Still Divided on Greenbrier Dam Possibilities By Rick Steelhammer Community sentiment seems to remain from The Charleston Gaze«e, Saturday, divided as well. navigation project where the benefit-to-cost altematives were consideml infeasible, as were June 18,1994 "We need to develop same plan for flood ratio might be 10-1.~ he said. "It's not like the fiood walls and levees to protect the towns of Nine years after floodwaters rose out of protection. • said Joe Holt of the Greenbrier Winfield lock chamber. where there's a lot of Alderson, Marlinton and Rooceverte. the Greenbrier River and caused $70 million Valley Improvement Association. "If we bad a pressure to get the job done fast • 'Dry' dams, which would retain water worth of damage to Marlinton. Alderson and project that had the added benefits of solving Handouts from the Corps feasibility only in times offlooding, were considered other downstream communities, a dam is once our low-flow problems in summer, of maybe srudy given to those attending recent meetings marginally feasible at best. posting benefit-to­ more being discussed for the state's last free­ producing hydro power, or creating a recre­ indicated that tributary and bead.... -ater dam cost ratios below 1:1. Channelization ~work was flowing river. ational lake, those would he plusses, too. • In recent months, US. Amly Corps of "Trying to revive this dam is like trying Engineers officials have met with representa­ to pump air back into a Oat tire," said Pocahon­ tives of state and federal agencies and private tas County Commissioner Mike M:,nuk. "It was environmental groups to discuss feasibility a bad idea after the '8S flood and it's a bad idea plans for a dam. along with a battery of now. It would take too many homes and too alternative flood control possibilities for the much fannland and too much money, and it Greenbrier. would destroy an established tourist attraction. Congress first authorized a flood control the Greenbrier River Trail. • study for the Greenbrier in 1962, and a variety Mynuk. said Marlinton could be of proposes bad been studied before the state's protected from flooding at much less cost worst ever flooding took place in 198S, causing through channelization work, rather than a $40 million damage in Pocahontas County main-stem dam, estimated to cost more than alone. i70 million back in 1986. Interest in a dam peaked during the year Possibilities ranging from channelization following the flood - the same year new on up to a main-stem dam a few miles regulations took effect requiring state or local upstream from Marlinton are being considered governments to contribute up to SO percent of in the Corps of Engineers feasibility study. the cost. But for any flood control proposal to The increased local cost and a communi­ move forward, its benefits must exceed costs in ty that was divided into pro-dam and anti-dam a formula calculated by Corps planners factions chilled the post-flood dam-building MRight now, the benefit to cost ratio is fervor. right on the edge, maybe just slightly positive" The local cost share snag still exists, for a main-stem dam, Wright said. In addition with the state having to contribute 2S percent to to requiring at least a 1-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio SO percent of the cost of the project, but only and a hefty state or local contribution in about S pe:cent in cash. The rest can come in constrnction costs, the Corps expects a new the form ofland, easements, rights ofway, soil fiood control project's benefits to more than disposal sites and the like, according to equal the cost of construction within 100 years. Huntington District COIJlS spokesman Steve The low benefit-to-<:ost ratio could be a Wright. major stwnbling block, Wright said. "'t's not a The Highlands Voice. July 1994 - Page 5 Why We ghouldn•t Mine Acid-Producing Coal

by Richard diPretoro use long before it could all be mined. combined. No land is improved by and because. once created. acid mine George. He lost his job as commis­ Those issues are: coal mining, unless it bas already drainage is a very long-lasting and sioner of the then Department of The following is based upon a 1) Global climate change previously been damaged by mining. expensive problem to address . Energy in part because he denied one talk Richard gave at the Appalachian Coal is the worst of the fossil Most coal mining causes increased Chemical treatment is only the permit in Preston County on the Rivers and WaJershed Symposium fuels in terms of carbon dioxide erosion and sedimentation while a lesser of evils after acid is created, grounds of acid potential June 3, 1994, in Morgantown as a produced per unitofuseful energy. small fraction produces serious because the treatment itself adds So what are the answers? 1 representative ofWVHC. Coal produces 80 percent more than chemical pollution. IDlwanted chemicals to receiving don't have them all. But hc:r:e are natural gas, for instance. Coal mining To summarize these environ- streams. And even the best. most some ideas. In this brief article, I hope to is the third leading source of mental effects, coal will exhaust conscientiously run, well-financed We need continued research present a broad perspective on coal atmospheric methane which. poWld sinks for its wastes long before we treatment systems fail. Failure is the on prediction and prevention of acid mining and use. Maybe because I'm a for poiDld. is 20 times as powerful a exhaust the coal itself. The most rule, not the exception. mine drainage geologist. I take a long and global greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide. recent Worldwatch Institute data Demonstrable prevention of We need to muster the view of these issues. I want to help 2) Acid deposition shows that world coal production acid. or permit denial. are the only political will to deny permits where provide a basis for formulating coal Even "low" sulfur coal contains shrank again in I 993, as it has every two acceptable options for sites likely operators cannot demonstrate needed development policy as it relates to copious amounts of sulfur. For year since its peak in 1989. For to produce acid. And demonstrable acid prevention. the creation of new acid mine example, there is about one ton of environmental and other reasons we prevention is not here yet And 'vve need continued citizen drainage sources, right here at home. sulfur in each railroad car you see may already have seen the historic Why have we resisted denying activism The tenacious presence of Unfortunately. we stilll!ave to going by. Sulfur is relatively easily maximum in worldwide coal use. mining in acid-producing seams? groups such as WVHC bas been mine coal. We failed to make the removed from oil, and natural gas Only a small fraction or our Luckily, few applications are essential to date in focusing attention decision in the past to get away from has little or none to start with. coal produces stream-killing acid made today. But we still hesitate to on sevc:r:e problem of acid mine coal so we're still stuck with it for the 3) Toxic deposition when mined. overtly declare areas off-limits to drainage, as well in providing foreseeable future. Most naturally occurring All coal is not created equal. mining because we fear rendering stiffuess to the state backbone when But my message today 1S elements are found in coal. The peat Only a small fraction of our coal reserves sterile (to use industry's it wanted to do the right thing. simple: we don't have to mine acid swamps. where coal was laid down. produces stream-killing acid when word). That would be like telling Conc1Msio11 producing coal and therefore we served as excellent organic filters for mined. Data for I 993 shows that in a people they can't take their money To conclude, we should shouldn't. the water passing through. As a nine-county area of north-«n.tral out of the bank. The owners of the discourage acid mine drainage prone result coal burning emits small but WV, production ofacid-producing coal don't want its value diminished. mining because all mining will end We don't have to mine acid­ significant amounts of such potent coals above drainage accounted for So hopes and panaceas. just over the in the not-too-distant future, long producing coal toxins as mercmy. Such toxins have less than 71'~ of state production. WV horizon. are always maintained. befor-e all the coal could possibly be Why do I say we don't have to been shown to bioaccumulate can maintain high levels of produc- Denying permits can have severe mined. mine acid producing coal? Two downwind ofcoal power plants. tion without mining any of these political repercussions. Just ask reasons: we will never even come Coal mining, burning. and coals. Ifall our coal were equally former WVHC president, Latty close to mining all of our coal. And v..'Bste disposal are sources ofexcess damaging, it v.'OU}d make no only a small fraction of our coal radioactivity, meaning levels greater diLference in which order they were produces stream-killing acid when than background. For example. mined. niined. researchers have found radon gas in So we've covered the first How can I u.y ~11 DOVOJ • • ....,...... rl:dliallr--,&il:w~~ aci'cJ; come close to mining aD ofour cOal? tions over mined areas compared to producmg coal. All our statistics tell us that we have nearby unmined areas. at least 200 years worth at present 4) Damage to land and watu.J when We sltoJilibJ't mining rates. milling occvn Now what about the second In my judgment. at least four Land disturbances for mining point: we shouldn't? We shouldn't issues, relating to the environmental coal dwarf all other mining­ because we can lc:no..i·in ad\'8Dce effects of coal use, will restrict its connected land disturbances which sites ""ill produce serious acid.

Hatfield-McCoy River Watershed Dam Property. within a day's drive. How can we Condemnation of private land. while deny them (and all the SSSS they (from page one) "The area is not the preferred method land supposedly will spend in our area) situated within a day's drive for the acquisition. was mentioned as access to the Monongahela National owners of over one million off­ probably necessary by Lincoln Forest? The riding has begun and no highway motorcycles and ORVs who County Commissioner Paul Duncan. Environmental Impact Study has currently have relatively few good I don't know about you, but I'm been completed. Will the feasibility riding areas available to them." a little nervous about thousands of study proposed by Moore et al be a "Large tracts of private land miles of trails with thousands of Off substitute to an ElS? Will the public all over the country could become Road Vehicles from umpteen have any input into the creation of available for public recreation once different states tearing around them. what amounts to a whole new road the Hatfield-McCoy project shows Who will maintain them? How can system running through the back Mine Site in Southern West Virginia- p noto by the way to make it happen. • we avoid soil erosion, habitat losses, woods ofWest Vuginia? Nick Cindy taken on recent Mine Tour According to the Lincoln dust and noise pollution? What will Rahall, as a major supporter of this Journal (the weekly newspaper of be the effects on wildlife, especially Trail System, needs to hear about Lincoln County). this year's ride Turkey and Bear and all the other your concerns. Write hun today would occur in Lincoln County in species that prefer remote habitat asking that an EIS be done before (from page 2) equipment that are easily accessable good water and I October on private and public lands. undisturbed by hwnans? Once the any more events take place and the needed as well. tried to imagine families on these The public lands mentioned were ball starts rolling(which LetrMoore pressure to continue with them is And future land use? Range­ newly created refuse pile hills Cabawaylingo State Forest. Big Ugly has so ably done). where will it end? irresistible, even ifa negative I.Dlpact land - Hay - Pastureland - Forest - drilling 600 feet to the nearest Public Hunting Area and the Mud Think of it - a million ORV users is unavoidable. + +:- fish and wildlife habitat - and nonporous layer ofrock. that MIGHT development was suggested. support/contain/trap sufficient Breen brier At a couple of stops I ask amount of groundwater. River Trail Association. and operator below 1: 1. Channelization work was abandoned railroad track. That about the people who might want to In a state whose future may of a streamside bed-and-breakfast. considered feasible, although it process could prove extremely costly, live there in the future. The answers well lie not just with tourists but also "The work will finally be done this would not protect against a flood on since the relocated trail must meet were usually predictable and with people from the eastcoast who summer. lt would be a shame to put the scale of the 1985 flood. railroad grade and right-of-way familiar. "Oh, people don't live here are anxious to settle in more rural it an under water. Richard Hartman of the state standards under a federal rail­ anyway" Or, "only old Joe Blow over areas away from the hustle of city life "l think there needs to be some Division ofTourism and Parks said banking agreement on that ridge".... And I couldn't help and public water supplies, it would type of flood protection.• she said. any Greenbrier River dam should "We've spent $3.5 million but think of all the people I know be wise to give more serious "But it's been almost 10 years since require relocating affected portions of fi.xi.ng the trail back to railroad grade who live in the hills and hollows far consideration to what is being done the flood. There are alternatives to a the Greenbrier River Trail, an &&­ standards folloWing the 1985 flood." from town who are perfectly satisfied south ofthe hinge line. Greenbrier River dam that could mile hiking and biking route said Leslie McCarty of Hillsboro~ to be blessed with small amounts of operated by the state along an vice president of the Greenbrier have been built long before now. • ~ The Highlands Voice, July 1994 - Page 6 I Dolly Sods and Otter Creek - ITurther Degradation lntro by Don Gaspar area of previously unglaci.ated the most acidic in the natioo. watershed within the experimental organisms." 'I'bere is a proposal to build a mountains and valleys, in the eastern Precipitation averages 55 inches a forest. It was determined that most of Precipitation data collected coal-fired electric power generating highlands of the Allegheny Plateau. year in Dolly Sods and Otter Creek, this increase was due to accelerating nearby in Parsons. WV by the USDA plant 4 miles south ofCumberland, Both are heavily forested, predomi­ with average aDD.ual pH of4.2, but nitrate and calcium exports over time Forest Service, Northeast Experimen­ MD. This new plant would be "state nantly by an overstory of second­ pH below 4.0 is COIIQllon during These nutrient losses in stream flows tal Station. documents that precipita­ of the art", reducing environmental growth northern hardwoods and summer months. were originating in the terrestrial tion in this area is among the most impacts maximally. Still the 180 Allegheny mixed hardwoods, with Of primary coocem is that system, so they represent real losses acidic in the nation. The average megawatt co-generation facility is red spruce in the higher elevations. acidifying substances in atmospheric of soil productivity and nutrients for aDD.ual pH of Precipitation is 4.2, and predicted to liberate into high air These wildemesses area home to a deposition are contributing to terrestrial vegetation commonly falls below pH 4.0 in the sheds 1,419 tons of sulfur dioxides wide variety of gamier and non-game acidification of soil!~ and surface In soils like the very acidic summer months. The wildernesses (S02) every year. The US Forest wildlife. The Virginia northern flying waters. by nutrient and aluminum ones in Dolly Sods and Otter Creek, are in a region ofhigh precipitation. Service as 'Federal Land Manager' of squirrel and Cheat Mountain and nutrient leaching. Sulfate (from base cations will be in a limited which averages 55 inches per year. the Class I air quality area of Dolly salamander are two special species. sulfur in coal burnt in electricity supply. Continued nitrate and sulfate The combination ofhigh precipita­ Sods and Otter Creek Wilderness Aquatic peremrial streams in these generating plants) is the ion of deposition will result in fewer base tion, which averages 55 inches per Areas, just over 50 miles away trom wildernesses area acidic and greatest coru:e:m because it is present cations remaining on site due to year. The combination ofhigh this Warrior Run Proposed Plant, has unproductive, with little or no acid in greater coocentrations in deposi- leaching losses by the same mec.bani- precipitation and high acidity means opposed any further amount of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), and tion, but nitrate (from coal fired zations described above, although the that these wildernesses are exposed deposition on these sensitive areas. many have elevated aluminum plants and vehicles) in deposition process should be faster due to the to a very heavy loadings of the They conclude that emission concentrations. Most of these streams also is important in the acidification lower base cation supply. The very acidifying pollutants, primarily increases within the region would do not support. or only seasooally processes. acidic stream waters throughout most sulfur. contribute to existing adverse support. native brook trout The West The accumulation of large of the wilderness tributaries show Water quality data collected impacts on water and aquatic, Virginia DNR maintains a stream amounts ofanions (sulfate and evidence that the buffering capacity recently in Dolly Sods and Otter terrestrial and visual resources. liming facility on Otter Creek in its nitrate) from deposition over time in of the terrestrial system already has Creek demonstrate that aquatic The regional office of the headwaters to maintain trout and the terrestrial ecosystem means that been exceeded. The streams already resources are being severely stressed USFS has strongly supported this other fish populations e\'tntually the anion adsorption have extremely low ANC and high by acid water conditions. Water position, The Monongahela National The Pennsylvania-age bedrock capacity will be reached. Additional dissolved aluminum concentrations, monitoring conducted between 1991 Forest in March I 994 had prepared a is the overwhelmingly dominant sulfate and nitrate ions cannot be especially during high spring flows. and 1993 demonstrated that aU difficult paper justifying their bedrock type within these wilder­ retained in the soil, and they leach As more and more aluminum is lost, streams located primarily in the courageous position. The USFS is to nesses. It occupies the upper through the soil, carrying cations soil becomes increasingly acidic Pottsville Group (Pennsylvanian-age be congratulated. This paper has far elevations and most of the watershed (various soil nutrients) with them. In because hydrogen 1ons are released bedrock) are highly acid. pH is reaching implications for aU sulfur area of both (more than 85 percent of these soils, calcium losses typically when aluminum is dissolved. routinely below 5, and ANC is emissions. This is the way the system Otter Creek Wilderness, and more accelerate first. but eventually other Aluminum analysis in spring extremely low or negative. Even the is supposed to work, and it all begins than 90% of Dolly Sods.) Streams cations will be lost as more sulfate baseflow conditions showed that main Red Creek which drains Dolly with the silent Monongahela that arise and flow through the Lower and nitrate are added and not dissolved aluminum and monomeric Sods, and flows through some of the spealo.ng up in defense of its (our) Pennsylvanian rocks tend to be too retained. Thus, base cations aluminum are very high in these Mississippian-age Mauch Chunk wilderness areas. We must be sure acidic to support fish, while streams necessary for foil productivity are streams. In most of these wilderness bedrock. mamtains acidic water this voice is heard. influenced by Mississippian-age being lost When a large percentage streams during the spring, dissolved conditions (pH 4.8 to 5.7) during TM[ollowin& reporl Juu rocks have improYed P.'ater.qualitj' o!blsc c;a~--~· oii-~-A~~~-...~ -~~~~· -ccwrotri'¥Paml00 doaDID1 acu:m. md pH falls below been excerpted.from a paper by and are more suitiibte for aquatic life. (hydrogen and aluminum) replace the micrograms per Liter or higher. At 6.0 during summer episodes. Where Some of the AlJegheny and Pottsville base cations as the pairing cation four sites the aluminum exceeded Red Creek leaves Dolly Sods the staffof th e Monongahela strata contain pyrite, which produces (pairing with the sulfate and nitrates 300 micrograms. Inorganic mono- Wilderness, after mixing with poorer National Forest, adapted by Don sulfate and acid as it oxidizes. Acid­ in acid rain). Aluminum becomes merle aluminum is considered to be quality tributaries, pH is even lower. Gasptu. forming materials in the bedrock of available for leaching when the soil the most toxic form of aluminum for Smaller tributaries remain highly The Dolly Sods Wilderness these watersheds are a source of becomes very acidic, because Al aquatic biological effects, the acid year round. Yellow Creek in the and Otter Creek Wilderness are natural acidity in the streams of these becomes soluble when soil pH drops threshold of toxicity being 200 Otter Creek Wilderness is routinel)· Class I air quality areas located in two wildernesses. below 4 to 4.5. micrograms for brook trout and even below pH 4.0 The evidence indicates Randolph and Tucker Counties, in In addition to natural sources At the Parsons WV experi- lower for other organisms. Many of that aquatic resources in DOlly Sods eastern West Virginia. These of acidity, both wildernesses receive mental station, USFS researchers the wilderness streams already and Otter Creek are presently under are wildernesses administrated by the the highest acid load from abno­ Edwards and Helvey documented in exceed that level for the inorganic considerable stress from acidity, and USDA Forest Service, and located spheric deposition of all Class I 1991 a trend of increasing electrical aluminum. concentrations of acidifying substanc­ within the Monongahela National wildernesses in the northeaster conductivity in stream water since One researcher reported that es, are among the highest in the Forest. Both areas are located in an United States. Precipitation is among about 1970, in a control (untreated) indications ofacidity of streams in nation. The water resources of these Dolly Sods and Otter Creek already wildernesses are showing signs of exist, due to acid deposition West theses stresses. Most water in both WVHC's Virginia DNR data show a long-term wildernesses are extremely low pH trend of increasing stream acidity and and ANC, and springtime aluminum Hiking fish population effects in poorly­ levels are above the toxicity Guide, buffered mountain streams. Some of threshold for some aquatic species, 6th these streams show a recent loss of including eastern brook trout fish due to acidification processes. n is the cumnlative impact of edition, The pH and ANC of Red sulfur and rutrogen pollutants trom in its Creek and its tributaries area aU contributing sources that is natural presently below both the chronic and responsible for the deposition­ episodic red line values, as are most derived acidity impacts that are sur­ tributaries of Otter Creek. Without occurring. Though the added acid round­ the State's liming facility, the pH and deposition by the proposed power ings ANC of Otter Creek would be below plant in Dolly Sods and Otter Creek the red line values. As stated in the is admittedly small, this incremental­ some­ Forest Service Eastern Region's ly small increase within the region where screening document, "The aquatic will contribute to an aquatic deep in ecosystems of the Otter Creek and ecosystem that is already suffering Dolly Sods Wilderness are under from the adverse effects of deposi­ the considerable stress from a combina­ tion-derived acidity. Monon­ tion of natural and deposition-derived We have concluded that the acidity. Additional acidic loadings cumulative impact of sulfur and gahela from S and N deposition will further nitrogen deposition to the aquatic National stress the aquatic ecosystems, and resources of Dolly Sods and Otter Forest. will jeopardize the existing popula­ Creek Wilderness Class I areas is tions of fish and other aquatic adverse. We cannot at this time

...... •••J .. .,~~.._­ •••"• ...... a..:t.tt..~.•.,_~._~ •I ;.#I'll~~ f •• I. I I I •••• ...... I I I ' ...... The Highlands Voice, July 1994 - Page 7 Dolly gods; Addition???

by Don Gaspar throughout were found to be 80 dqp'ecs in Red Creek ofDry Fork ofCheat heads August. Largemouth Bass were stocbd in some up just north of Dolly Sods Wilderness. It Beaver Ponds about 1964 and they persist and originates at 4,000 feet elevatioo draining have spread slowly in some reaches, but many Dobbin Slasb.i.ngs wetland and Bows south. The ponds are too shallow and 'wintcr-Jcill' from low two forb drain each side ofBlackbird Knob in oxygen. Trout also have been stocked. They 1 a shallow, high basin between Allegheny Front have even higher oxygen requirements, but MO\mtain and the Potomac drainage on the brovm trout stocked just too large to be eateo east. and cabin Mountain and the Canaan by the abundant creek c:bub may be the top Valley and its Blackwater River oo the west. predator and provide a wide distributed, wild, Northward of the divide is the Stooy River very desirable fishery. There is plenty of food headwaters. for chubs and suckers averaged 57 Jbslacre. Red Creek proper drains southward for This is so great a population that some riclmess about six miles, and its Left Fork for four is indicated, and this is born out in chemical miles, through a four mile wide gently-rolling tests. highland between the two mountain ranges to The tt:rrestrial Resources include Bears. their contlucoce having dropped ooJy to 3,.500 Eagles, Hawks - birds of all kinds including feet (about 80 feet per mile). There are about meadow 1aiks. woodcock. snipe, ruffed 35 beaver ponds in these forks, so there are grouse... There are Huckleberries around~ fiattcr strdclles. Bogy, ponded bealdwatcrs bas first ofAugust in some places. The vegct.atioo produced a dark reddish stained oolor that has is similar to Dolly Sods proper, ooly the ground given Red Creek its name. is wetter in gmerally fairly narrow valley This rcoeot ecquisitioo to the Mononga- Doors. There are a Jot of slopes, beocbes and bela Natiooal Forest iDcludes Blackbird Knob in1r:rest:ing terrain that )'Oil can literally and itself that c:an be aeen from red Creek for half figuratively get lost in. its length above l...aDeville Cabin and the There are no roads or structun:s, but Wilderness Boundary. The whole watersbeds of there are over 10 miles of designated trails the Left Fork and Alder RlDl ofRed Creek are joining those in the Man Forest Bllckbird now entirely included in the NatiooaJ Forest. In Knob is the highest point in the wat.c:nbcd at these teD more miles of Red Creek and 4129'. Part of the knob (4091') above Bear tributaries lie 35 beaver poads. Rocb in included abo. From this knob ooe can These so warm the Bows that there are see Stooy River's MT Stoan 3 miles to the Moaongabela National Forest Hiking Guide Now Out no native book trout in upper Red Creek. In north. Abo Harmoo Knob an the cut side of

this "WIIl1IIer' water crctk dnlhlaod COIDIDOD Cabin Moaotain. opposite TimberliDe Dcvel~ Edition Ci of Moaonghela Natjooa) forest ffilsin& Guide is DOW avail- wbif.c.q'e suckers cbnirwte, raiCbin& g• and maJts is DOW public Wllh many views of . · • · b · ever with, 368 . 96.~ 2{ 11". It is too WBim for the BlaclcwatcrU.:;.;aDace~Fto~~~~~~~~~~:'!~~~~'1t'!~~ ~- ···· do well. n-~• 1111p1. 2 miles, a new fUll r presently inhabiting upper Red Creek. About cxwer. West VUginja Highlands Coo.servancy is the publisher. Authors are 1970 a Pearl Dace was collected in ooe statioo Allen de Hart and Bruce Suodquist (same as editioo S). ADen has .hibd all tbe in the very bead of Red Creek. but oot in about trails of tbe Moomga!Wa N.F. over tbe p8st few years. Bruce was the editor 40 other statioo.s. Tcmpc:r81Ure ofstreams for the first four editions: tbe hiking community and tbc U.S. F-orest Service Of:f:er Creek and Dolly gods provided tr.Ut fciports and photographs. Edition 6, 100; editions. a1so provides (from prmmu page) quantitatiYdy demoo­ informationmr-m-toorlng and badcpadcing. ..ill- t experic:ocing damagi"3 effects an vqetatian strate changes in the aquatic COIDIDliDity for the and soils from existing levels of air pollution. ~ ·~· throogs ofvisitors aDd tbe public at large~ ttiO proposed plant (Warrior Run) alca. The The Forest Service analysis doc:nment.s Moooogabe~ ij'atiODal FORSt as a 'Special Place'. ADd indeed it IS. The ~ complexities ofthe aquatic~ in tbeae that there is a strong indicatioo that sulfur and Class I areas may exceed the current state of ~-~and ski-touring oppo~ties it provides~ among the 1 nitrogen pollutants in deposition are c:ausing scientific knowledge for direct and bestin the eastern U.S, '~'he D;IOfC outstandmg areas are becoming koown far • predictinJ undesirable soil chemistry and nutrient indirect effects from a single source. However, availability changes. Tbeae soil impacts are ~-yri~ ~~. Creek WilderneSs, Dolly Sods Wildem,eSs, FJatt:ock. f~. r it is only reasonable to conclude that the very likely having adve:rae impacts oo vegeta­ Canyon. North Fork proposed emission increase will oot serve Ro.aiiuS ·P~ ·Biaclcwat« Sprqce Knob, ~QUDtaln, .. 1: to tion within the wilderness Class I areas. Our benefit a resource which is presently being .Shaver's ~ Laurel Fork Wildemess, Cranbeny Back CoUnti"y; ·· :'; adversely impacted. resource infonnation is not adequate, however, Cranbeity Wilderness, amooa others. · '< · for us make an adverse impect determination Soils with high acidity can have to :. ProfitS ftom sale ofthese a wide variety worthy based on t.euestrial resource effects at this the ~ support of significant vegetative stress. First, the base time. We expect that as our tmde:rstanding and environmental projects in the West Virginia Highlands Cooservancy; cation nutrients are in short supply, and second. data base oftcrrestri.aJ resource conditions and order Edition the excessive soil solution aluminum concentra­ To your copy of 6 of Monongahc.ta Natiooal Forest Hiking effects improves, \\'!: will be able to make a tions inhibit root functions, coating the roots Guide, send $11.45 (this includes $1.50 shipping and handling) to more definitive detenni:natian. However, and inhibiting nutrient uptake. Excessive despite this, \\'!: feel strongly that additional aluminum and hydrogen ions disrupt root West Virginia Highlands Conservancy sulfur and nitrogen pollutant loadings within exchange processes and also disrupt mycorrhi­ PO Box306 this mid-Atlantic Appalachian region should zal functions and c:olonizatioo Increases in Charleston, 25321 - not be pennitted.. wv lichen sulfur and nitrogen content since 1987 It is our belief also that visibility at Dolly are believed to be due to air pollution influenc­ Sods and Otter Creek Wildernesses bas already West Virginia residents must add $.60 sales tax. (total of$12.05) .,,, · es, although there is no noticeable effects on been impaired We believe that these levels the lichen flora or growth rates These lichen are high enough to contribute to degradation of survey results provide an additional piece of 1have included a check or money order for the amount of visibility and reinforce our coocem that evidence that the acidifying substances, sulfur -~------visibility conditions not be further degraded by $ to WVHC for -~ies ofthe Monongahela Natiooal Forest . and nitrogen, are accumulating in the wilder­ emissions of sulfur and nitrogen. ffiking Guide. ness environment, even though they are not We further believe that the only way to specifically impacting the lichen community at improve the air quality situation at Dolly Sods this time. and Otter Creek is to take steps to reduce Vegetation is one of the air quality emissions within the region. Permitting related values of these two wildernesses. The additional source emissions increases within above information and research/survey results the region at this time will not accomplish this. provide evidence of ecosystems unde:r stress ..: -.:<: from air pollution. We believe that we are <· + City, State; Zip:._,__------:--;o-:-- The Highlands Voice, July 1994 - Page 8

flhe <_Rise of the Zebra ~wsel 1>olly Sods crrees

Swan Song for Native Clams? The Zebra Mussel can, Spruce By Norman Kilpatrick according to some sources, produce Jutting from the rock up to 1 million eggs per season. With backs to icy wind. West Vugi.nia's waters are When they reach a certain age, the home to a good D1IIJlber ofnative tiny larvae drop to the bottom of their Stark water body and fasten to hard mussel ~ies, including the pink Evergreen soldiers mucket mussel. tbe fansbell mussel, surfaces, un1.ilce fresh water clams the clubsbdl mussel. the northern that prefer soft or muddy bottoms. Surviving winter's cruelty. rifileshell and the rubercled-blossom The Zebra has tiny' very pearly mussel. powerful, bu.ssal threads This allows Strong them to hold on to the shells of The pink muclcet mussel lives Clinging to life in at least the lower Elk River, the native mussels, power plant and upper Kanawha River and in some water plant intake pipes, and boat For unknown reasons. "pools" of the Ohio River, according hulls. to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. By this means, Zebras have Dwarf The Service is still developing passed through the Chicago barge Lovers of higb-oountiy information on the different species Canal to the illinois River (from found on or near the Ohio River Lake Michigan). From that tributary Through ice bound seasons. islands it was deeded several years of the Mississippi they have ended ago by the NattR Conservancy, they up in the Mississippi, the Ohio and One side say. the Kanawha River, acoording to the A sacrifice made These fresh water clams are Corps, and tow company staff I have To bitter winter cold all at risk due to man-made pollution. talked with. ranging from mine drainage to Zebra mussels use their huge but is not, at this time. human waste, still discharged into numbers. once they reach a critic:al Arkansas is trying to keep the PrOITllses and lies Flattened Mountain State Streams in some mass in a body ofwater , to remove so Zebra out of its Arkansas River and (from page one) State Forests Strangely, you endure. locations. much food; so that they may starve tributary streams. However, no such managed for All West Virginians. Still small, you are old However, a major ~t to native mussels. 1bq also attach in campaign is being attcinpted by West About that time the Governor !Weed their continuation in West Virginia large colonies to the larger local Vugi.ni.a as c:oncerns the Mon River one of his supersecretaries to get a waters has come from the fOI'lllU clams, thus reducing their ability to and our lakes. committee together to deal with this Nourished Soviet Union. by wsy of the Great move and otherwise messing up their Natural foes, chemicals that problem. The session comes and goes By the briefest of sun:uners, Lakes and the inland river system. life cycle. kill the larva, physical removal from - no committee-, here comes SlliilJllf:f, It has been enough. The US Corps of Engineers Lake Erie has seen large the boat hulls, changing water at bait still no committee. All these calls it possibly the "greatest threat" "kills" ofnative mussel types due to shops and safe disposal of the promises... why did I believe them in to the inland rivers ofAmerica in this the Zebra. Their numbers in the imported water, are all ways to the first placem For you are here. century. It was first found in western part of that large boy of combat ihe Zebra. THE TIMBER SCION-IN-LAW Growing foolishly lopsided, American waters around 1985, in water are so great it is believed the A Fish & Wildlife official told Wellthe~no ~ttee Standing stunted and proud us c...... _ .. ~e St.Ciair. ·=-'"'~""'c1 ~~· rl..akcf;jB~ ~lie ti1ueberries . .. '"'TheltGeatatlwldiStbeZebra 1""cnm~ sum ar Ohio River mussels form death at the cutting trees that are worth far more Mussel, a ve:ry small fresh water places is due to the intake activities hands of the zebra is to remove them in tourist/recreation dollars than as import. that spread from eastern of the Zebra, which eats plant and from the rivers and raise some of lumber, the reason citizens will have Craig Sims Europe to western Europe durin& the animal materials that generally make tbem in Man-made holding areas. no say on how our State Forests are December93 1800's, likely by attaching itself to lake water cloudy. Surely, this tiny (less then 2 managed is Delegate Joe Martin. the bottoms of tup and barges that To date, the zebra is not inches long). striped, import needs to Take a bow, Joe. Applaud all you moved COil1JJlCrCial soods through the known in the Mcmongahela River or have a progr8Jl! established to combat who are more concerned with short highly developed c:anal system of the major lakes of West Virginia, its invasion. tem profit then long term health of Europe. such as Bluestone, Stonewall, Sutton It seems that the Highlands our state. WVHCSummer Some believe that fresh water or Summersville. Conservancy is the most likely You see, Joe is Chainnan of picked up in Europe for ballast Zebras have thin shells, and candidate to push the State and the the House Government Organization Board Meeting will purposes contained Zebra Mussel are eate:n by some fish, such as the pivate ccmmerciaJ and pleasure Committee. Joe is also Co<.hair of be held at Kum­ larvae. When discharged in the Lake fresh water drum (slw;pbtad), ~interests into and aWIII'CDeSS the Legislative Forest Management brabow State Forest St. Clair area, it produced adults that c:atfish, and certain types of ducks. ofthis tbrea1 to our waters. Review Commission. ADd Joe is a«aclvd to COIJJIJ1C:rcial shipping The fresh water drum c:ould be Better to prepare than to try to married to timber mooey. Joe doesn't on July 16 at 10 am. bottoms. Thus. the Zebra is Dl1W stocbd and rdeased by the West play ·catch-up·~ u bas been the case want any citizens studying about the Everyone Welcome. found in all the Great Lakes. Vqinia Dqll ofNatural Resoun:es, in Lake Erie, to tbe great det:rimeut sweet deal industry bas with the A tour of the Clay State Forests and the Governor wants ofthe native Run Sale Site will be 1 · Joio tile West Virginia Highlands Conservancy 1 mussels of that his bills to sail through the Commit­ ·------· body of water. tee. offered after the I I And we're sill waiting for the meeting. ladividual Family • • ·ses to be fulfilled. + +

s ll Membership Benefits 15 $25 SSG 30 so 100 so 100 • 1 year subscription to the Highlands Voice \ 100 l08 .... 200 300 - I • Special meetings with workshops and speakers \ Name: - ~ • Representation through WVHC efforts to monitor legis!~ and Address: \ ~------~------agency activity City/State/Zip: • The WVHC, at age 27, is the oldest environmental group in West Vuginia. The Conservancy has been influential in protecting and Make cbcc:b payable to: West Vuginia Highlands Conscmmcy preserving WVs natmal heritage. Your support will help WVHC to Mail to: P.O. Box 306, Charleston, WV 25321 continue its efforts. ·------· ., .