DOCSLIB.ORG

The Blackwater, It's Ours to Lose by Dave Saville (304) 594-2276 Background

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Blackwater, It's Ours to Lose by Dave Saville (304) 594-2276 Background NON-PROm ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 2831 CHAS .• WV 25301 Published by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Vol. 30, No. 3 - May/June/July 1997 There is no question in my mind that, as You see, from all the things I've heard, I'm Who would destroy such a grand cathedral? "Voice" editor, the West Virginia Highlands convinced that in its own way, the If anyone can provide me with an answer to Conservancy should provide me with an all­ Blackwater region is sister to Yellowstone, this, please send it along for the next expenses-paid experience with the Yosemite and Glacier. So why in the world "Voice" issue. Blackwater Canyon. Throw in the Falls, are we now in such a struggle to save it too, while I'm there. Of course, I should from narrow and shortsighted exploitation. Since your editor lacks the experience from have my own personal naturalist and my I'm not one who generally fails to grapple that personal, all-expenses-paid tour, he will own personal ecologist that they might perceptively with differing points of view need to leave the verbal defense of the heighten my awareness of all the on profound matters of existence, but this Blackwater Canyon to persons with that manifestations of nature's Grand Design, situation really does stop me cold. Who are more intimate experience. It will be up to Blackwater Canyon style, and to ensure that these folks who would consider depriving them to pick up the cudgels of eloquence in my consciousness gets raised to a frenzy of the citizens of our Earth Mother of the the defense of the sanctity of, and the biophilia. The inevitable outcome would be complete Blackwater experience for a arguments for. the continuing integrity of a document of deep perspicacity in the style temporary expedient And what might that the Blackwater region. Hence, I submit the ~ -~--~lbe~~---- expedient be to proceed with the destruction words of others as follows. of an area so vital and so meaningful (in a spiritual sense) to so many human beings? The Blackwater, It's Ours to Lose By Dave Saville (304) 594-2276 Background Approximately 3,000 acres of the Blackwater Canyon area, a private property "inholding" within the boundary of the Monongahela National Forest, has been purchased by Allegheny Wood Products of Petersburg WV. They plan to log the area. It is unclear if the previous owner (Canyonlands Corporation of WV, who owned the property approximately 24 hours before reselling it) has retained an area along the rim of the canyon as possible vacation home sites. One boundary of the area is a railroad grade. The Forest Service owns one half of the grade, to the centerline. The new owners own the other half, on the river side of the grade. They have stated their plans to use the grade to access their property and to haul timber out. At both ends of the canyon the grade crosses land owned in fee simple by the FS. On the other side of the canyon the tract. is bordered by Forest Road 13, Canaan Loop Road. This road is partially on FS land and partially on a ROW dating back to 1918. If home development occurs it is likely that use of this road would be sought. It is also possible that the lumber company would want to use that road for timber removal. A narrow strip of the property (236 acres) lies between the railroad grade and the Blackwater River, with the majority of the property being between the river and FR 13. The Forest would need to do an Envirorunental Assessment (EA) at a minimum to address use of the Federal land, and possibly an Envirorunentallmpact Statement if concerns are significant. There are a number of potential concerns. The rail line is regarded as a highly desirable rails-to-trails link in the area. The canyon is considered prime recreation area. Cultural resources are known to exist along the line, and Threatened and Endangered species are believed to be in the area. The State has invested considerable resources recently in mitigating acid mine drainage in the canyon and in improving the fisheries resources of the river. The land is quite steep, especially in the narrow strip between the railroad grade and the river. There is local opposition to this private land being logged. The Tucker County Development Authority has stated their opposition. The Chamber of Commerce is split. Continued on page 3 The Highlands Voice, May/June 1997 - Page 2 Roster ofOtilcen,... Board Memben -- -ftom ~ ~ ~ ~ {dateaet--- Committee Chain by John McFerrin BOAitDOJ' DIRICI'ORS State Watchdogs Asleep at the Wheel Again PRESIDENT: 1o1m McPariD I 14 Beckley Ave.. Bectley. WV 2580125U733 Taxpayers Ripped Off SENIOR VICB PRESIDENT: Frmk Yoaaa Rt. 1. Box 108. Ripley. wv 25271. (304) 31'l-9329 Although the acid mine drainage will last for centuries, we are VlCJ?..PRESIDENr FOR STAlE AFFAIRS: Nmn Steeatba 1001 ValJey Rd.,~. WV 25302 W- 346-S891 H- ~ approaching a legal denouement for the underground coal mines VICE-PRESIDENT FOR FEDERAL APFAIRS: Veamt previously operated by T & T Mining, Inc. near Albright in Preston SECRETARY: JKqOdiDc A HttJjMn County. Paul Thomas, one of the principals in T & T Mining, has pled 1120 SVr'mR.d, Cbadatal, WV25314 34S-3718 guilty to a criminal violation of the federal Clean Water Act The 1lmASURER: Tcm MicMd Rt 2. Box 217, Lost Creek, wv 26385. 623-3447 Probation Office of the United States District Court is currently PAST PRESIDENT: CiDdy RIDk preparing a pre-sentencing report in preparation for a sentencing HC 78. Box 227, R«t Cave. WV 26234, 924-5802 sometime in the near future. DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE On the state front, the West Virginia Supreme Court is (Terms expire October 1998) currently considering whether the law would require that Kingwood William P. McNeel. 1118 Secoad Ave.. Marimatoa. WV 249~, 799-4369 Coal Company bear responsibility for cleanup costs. Kingwood Coal ADdrew Maier. Rt 1. Box 27, HiDim. WV 25952. 466-3864 Company bought the coal from T & T Mining, Inc. and had various Mary Pat Peck, 36 Meade St., Bnckbennnn. wv 26201,472-3049 Joe Mmba1l. 108 3ni Street. ElkiDa, WV 26241 636-9555 other ties to T & T. Whether these ties are such as would require that Hugh Roga:s. Moon Rua. Kaaaa. wv 26276, 636-2662 Kingwood bear the responsibility of the cleanup costs is the question before the Court. If it decides that Kingwood bears some of the DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE {Terms expire October 1?97) responsibility, then Kingwood wiU be blocked from getting future Sayre Rodman, 32 Crystal Dr, Oakmont, PA 15139. (412) 828-8983 permits so long as the violations at the T & T mine continue. Carroll Jen. Rt. 1, Box 22, Sherman, WV 26173, 273·5247 The sums involved are substantial. The Division of Don Garvin, PO Box 436, Buckhannon, WV 26201 472·8716 Environmental Protection estimates past and future treatment costs at Carter Zerbe. 16 Arlington Coun. Olarleston. WV 25301 343-3175 $36 million. T & T Mining is not going to pay. It has filed Bob Marshall, 201 Virginia St. West, Olarleston, WV 25302 345-5518 bankruptcy; its owner is headed for prison. The only question ORGANIZA'I'IONALDIUCTOI remaining is whether Kingwood Coal Company or the state of West NATIONAL SPELEOLOOtCAL socmTY: V"qinia Rqiclo- Judy Filla Virginia is left holding the $36 million bag. P.O. Box 276, Berkeley SpiDp, WV 25411 258-4974 PITTSBURG CLIMBERS: Jean R.odmiiD Does this all sound disturbingly familiar? Aren't we always 32 Cryllal.Dr.llelreqpt, PA 1Sl39, 121-1913 sitting around figuring out how to fix an environmenta1 mess? Aren't WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN tmtJ!AMI«JNNTTRS: 1acm Huber we always spending a lot of effort trying to get someone to take MSM office: 264 High St., Mcrpntown. WV 26505. 296-8963 responsibility for an existing problem? Aren't we always left trying to BROOKS BIRD CLUB: Mary Moore Ri1fe:obc:rFr R1. 1, Box 253. Elkins. WV 26241, 636-4S59 make the best of a bad situation? MOUNTAINEER CHAPTER TROtrr lJNLIMI'lED: Pllil ~ Such an approach misses the point of the federal Surface R1. 2. Box 375, BI)Ckbarmm. WV 26201 4~2 Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the corresponding state Act WEST VIRGlNlA RIVERS COALITION: Pam Moe-Merritt, Those Acts were supposed to prevent these problems from occurring. 49 w:Main St.. Buckhannon. WV 26201 472-0025 DOWNSTREAM ALLLANCE: ~oan Sim~ They have permitting requirements which mage an evaluation of the . Rt. 5, Box 310 1/2, Morgantown1 WV 26505, 296-8860 hydrological consequences a condition of getting a permit. They have VIRGINIANS FOR WILDERNESS: Bob Mueller, Rt. 1, Box 250 requirements that companies avoid the creation of acid mine drainage. Staunton, VA, Z4401- http.//atlas.comet.net/ ~gus/forestsl They have requirements that mining companies not allow drainage COMMIITEE CHAIRS from acid producing materials into surface or ground water. MINING COMMII1iE: CiDdy i.ak . In the face of these laws, how did we get in our current HC 78. Box 227. R«t Cine. WV 26234. 924-5802 predicament at T & T? How did we manage to have a source of acid PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT COMMlTilm: &lyre Bodman 32 Ctysta1 Dr, o.bnmt, PA 1Sl39, (412) 828-8983 mine drainage which the West Virginia Division of Environmental Bill Ragdte'- 144 Trw:e Fed Rd.. Cu1Joc1ca. WV 25S10, 824-3571 Protection now says is perpetual? PUBUCATIONS COMMlTl'EE: Judy Rodd Part of the answer is in the age of the T & T operation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mountain Memories
    MOUNTAIN MEMORIES WILD, WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA YOU’LL FIND IT HERE. Why just “vacation” when you can travel? Here in the Mountain State, we get real. The best way to dig beyond the attractions and into our rich local culture is, of course, to ask a local. So we covered that for you—and man, did they have a lot to share! Get off the beaten path and onto a real adventure with this one-of-a-kind map that takes you to some of the wildest, wonderful-est and realest places around. Brought To You By KANAWHA COUNTY POPULATION: 191,275 Charleston CLAY CENTER Take in a play or Convention BRIDGE ROAD BISTRO & Visitors stretch your intellect at the Clay Nationally and regionally Bureau Center, which is dedicated to acclaimed for its cuisine and wine Visitor or promoting arts and sciences in selection, Bridge Road Bistro Welcome the Mountain State. Center supports local farmers, producers 79 and communities. HADDAD RIVERFRONT PARK 77 River With an amphitheater that seats COONSKIN PARK 119 Elk up to 2,500 spectators to lovely South Coonskin has over 1,000 acres of Charleston riverfront and downtown views, fun with hiking and biking, disc 64 Haddad Riverfront Park hosts golf and a swimming pool. Don’t 60 a variety of events, including forget to take a trip around the Coal River Live on the Levee, a free concert Charleston skate park and feed a few ducks 119 series every May-September. while you’re there. Kanawha State Forest EAST END EATERIES 60 TIPS FROM The East End is home to an eclectic Kanawha mix of eateries, including Bluegrass 77 64 River THE LOCALS Kitchen, Tricky Fish, Little India, The Red Carpet, The Empty Glass and Starling’s Coffee & Provisions.
    [Show full text]
  • West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (WVNFS), Glauconzys Sabrinus Fuscus Five Year Status Review Appendix B — Capture Site Summaries
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — West Virginia Field Office West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS), Glauconzys sabrinus fuscus Five Year Status Review Appendix B — Capture Site Summaries Attached are the summaries for the 105 West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS), G.s. fuscus, capture sites l in West Virginia. Although biologists occasionally use live-trapping, nest boxes have been the primary tool for population surveys for the WVNFS. Biologists place transects of nest boxes in a survey area and check the boxes periodically for occupancy, typically twice each year, in fall and spring. Northern flying squirrels are nocturnal, leaving their nests to forage at night and returning during the day, which facilitates daytime nest box monitoring. The success of nest box monitoring relies on the squirrels occupying the boxes during the day of the survey. Menzel (2003) found that no WVNFS in her radio telemetry study used nest boxes (despite their availability) as den sites. All nests were either natural tree cavities (i.e. dens) or dreys (i.e. outside nests constructed of leaves, twigs, lichens, etc.). She also noted WVNFS used multiple den sites, switching nests on average every 3 days in summer, and utilizing up to 12 den sites per month in lesser quality habitat (Menzel 2000, Menzel et al. 2004). Further, the nest box monitoring program conducted by the DNR had a 2% average success rate of squirrel occupancy per box checked. These data confirm the difficulty of capturing squirrels via nest boxes and caution against relying on nest box survey results to determine occupied habitat, i.e., although a captured individual affirms presence, an empty nest box does not necessarily signify absence or unoccupied habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of Blackwater
    Summer 2021 FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER ©Brian Peterman Working to protect West Virginia’s High Alleghenies, Blackwater River, & Blackwater Canyon. PO Box 247 - Thomas, WV 26292 - phone: 304-345-7663 - www.saveblackwater.org - [email protected] Welcoming New Faces and Saying Goodbye to Others Blackwater Watershed Project Updates A big sunny hello to all the Friends of Blackwater Canyon! My name is Jocelyn Phares, and I am a West Virginia native. I was born in Elkins and raised on the rivers of this beautiful place. Ensuring West Virginia’s public lands, waters and all the creatures depending on them are protected is truly my calling. I am thrilled to be back in my beloved home state for the first time in several years. I love our Wild and Wonderful state, and I am eager to help preserve its beauty for generations to come! In 2016, I graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in Interna- tional Studies and a minor in Global Environmental Change. In January 2021, I completed my J.D. in Portland, Oregon at Lewis and Clark Law School with a certificate in Natural Resources Law. In 2018, I externed with the World Wild- Active Treatment Planning life Fund in Wellington, New Zealand. I also clerked for Earthrise, a non-profit environmental law firm. In my final year of law school, I worked as a clerk and The plan for an active water treatment plant on the research assistant for the Global Law Alliance. The Global Law Alliance focuses North Fork is moving along. It will treat the three main on regulating the international trade of endangered species.
    [Show full text]
  • West Virginia Trail Inventory
    West Virginia Trail Inventory Trail report summarized by county, prepared by the West Virginia GIS Technical Center updated 9/24/2014 County Name Trail Name Management Area Managing Organization Length Source (mi.) Date Barbour American Discovery American Discovery Trail 33.7 2009 Trail Society Barbour Brickhouse Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.55 2013 Barbour Brickhouse Spur Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.03 2013 Barbour Conflicted Desire Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 2.73 2013 Barbour Conflicted Desire Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.03 2013 Shortcut Barbour Double Bypass Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 1.46 2013 Barbour Double Bypass Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.02 2013 Connector Barbour Double Dip Trail Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.2 2013 Barbour Hospital Loop Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.29 2013 Barbour Indian Burial Ground Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.72 2013 Barbour Kid's Trail Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.72 2013 Barbour Lower Alum Cave Trail Audra State Park WV Division of Natural 0.4 2011 Resources Barbour Lower Alum Cave Trail Audra State Park WV Division of Natural 0.07 2011 Access Resources Barbour Prologue Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.63 2013 Barbour River Trail Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 1.26 2013 Barbour Rock Cliff Trail Audra State Park WV Division of Natural 0.21 2011 Resources Barbour Rock Pinch Trail Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 1.51 2013 Barbour Short course Bypass Nobusiness Hill Little Moe's Trolls 0.1 2013 Barbour
    [Show full text]
  • October 2020 Newsletter
    October 2020 FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER ©Kent Mason Working to protect West Virginia’s HigH allegHenies, BlackWater riVer & BlackWater canyon. PO Box 247 - Thomas, WV 26292 - phone: 304-345-7663 - www.saveblackwater.org - [email protected] Meet Friends of Blackwaters’ New Heritage Vista Member Alicia Erjavec! Hello, Friends of Blackwater supporters. My name is Alicia Erjavec. I grew up in Clarksburg and graduated from Robert C. Byrd High School in 2015. This past De- cember I graduated from Fairmont State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Folklore Studies. At Fairmont State I worked on the Appalachian Teaching Project (“ATP”), which is an applied research training program for college students in Appalachia to design economic development initiatives for their com- munities. The goal was to design and lead research proj- ects in Appalachian communities in order to address the challenges that are currently going on in their respective region. I worked with supervisors Lynette Swiger of Fair- mont State and Connie Boggs of Monongah Elementary, with two other students, Christina Satterfield and Garret Alicia, our New Vista! Wilson, learning about the coal towns of Marion County and the tri-state area, and about the rail trail that goes The opportunity to work as an Americorps VISTA for through Fairmont. At the end of the course, we traveled Friends of Blackwater came through my old advisor at to Washington D.C. for a press confernce, presenting Fairmont State, and seeing that it was similar to what I our work to other student delegations, the leaders of the did for the ATP, I couldn’t pass up the chance.
    [Show full text]
  • WV Rail Trail Brochure 2016
    1-800-CALL WVA 1-800-CALL www.wvtourism.com provided by the Federal Highways Administration. Highways Federal the by provided This brochure was funded in part by Recreational Trail Funds Funds Trail Recreational by part in funded was brochure This Cheat Lake Trail Lake Cheat plus miles, these trails have much to offer. offer. to much have trails these miles, plus State’s rail trails are true getaways. With a combined 300 300 combined a With getaways. true are trails rail State’s Trail with its fishing piers and boat docks, Mountain Mountain docks, boat and piers fishing its with Trail its waterfalls and historic coke ovens to the Cheat Lake Lake Cheat the to ovens coke historic and waterfalls its attractions. From the Blackwater Canyon Rail-Trail with with Rail-Trail Canyon Blackwater the From attractions. in the country, linking people with nature and local local and nature with people linking country, the in state’s rail trails are among the most scenic and unique unique and scenic most the among are trails rail state’s hiking, biking, horseback riding and inline skating. The The skating. inline and riding horseback biking, hiking, perfect for walking, walking, for perfect to multi-use paths paths multi-use to have been converted converted been have West Virginia’s railways railways Virginia’s West travel, a variety of of variety a travel, Once used for train train for used Once Rail Trails Rail Rail Trails of West Virginia West of Trails Rail Mon River Rail Trail System Trail Rail River Mon Hiking Accessibility Appalachian Power Park, Taylor Books, Clay Center Joel McCann for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia, Capitol Memorial Trail Lace up your boots for The rail trails, with their gentle or level grades and Market and the Charleston Civic Center.
    [Show full text]
  • Poster Pitzer Monongahela
    Monongahela River Watershed West Fork, Tygart River Valley, Cheat River, West Fork River Watershed The West Fork River flows north from its headwaters in Upshur and Lewis Counties to Monongahela River Mainstem its confluence with the Tygart Valley River in the City of Fairmont to form the Monon- gahela River. The Monongahela River, also known as “the Mon”, is formed in Fairmont at the confluence of the West Fork and the Tygart Valley Rivers. The Fast facts: Monongahela joins with the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River at Drainage area: 881 square miles Pittsburgh. Length: 103 miles Fast facts: Drainage area in West Virginia: 4.180 square miles The water quality of the West Fork Riverand some of its tributaries is affected by acid mine drainage from active and abandoned underground and surface mines. Length in West Virginia: 37.5. (Total river miles 128.7) ○○○○○○○ Name origin: The Native American word “Monongahela,” means “falling ○○○○○○○○○○○ banks,” in reference to the instability of the river’s banks. Landmarks to show on the map: Tygart Valley River Watershed Blackwater Falls. The falls of the Blackwater River drop about 62 feet at The Tygart Valley River rises near Mingo in Randolph County and flows north, to join the head of the Blackwater Canyon. The River is named for the dark, reddish- the West Fork River in Fairmont to form the Monongahela River. brown water colored by tannic acids that originate from the hemlock and Fast facts: spruce forests that grow in the area. Drainage area: 1,376 square miles Inset graphics or text: Length: 130 miles Navigation and Transportation: A system of nine locks and dams from Fairmont to Pittsburgh make the Monongahela River navigable to Inset graphics or text: accommodate barges transporting steel, coal, and other bulk materials to A 12-mile-long stretch of the river below Buckhannon River is a class III-V and from markets on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of Blackwater Canyon
    Friends of Blackwater Canyon June 2005 501 Elizabeth St.reet Room 3, Charleston, WV 25311 • 304-345-7663 • www.saveblackwater.org • [email protected] Friends of Blackwater and the Smokey the Bear, don’t cut out the Wilderness Society submit joint scoping letter heart of Blackwater Canyon!! On May 31, Friends of Allegheny Wood Products, a timber Virginia’s Blackwater and The Wilderness Society company owned by John Crites, wants to “”natural submitted extensive comments to the turn the beautiful, world-class Blackwater treasure” (that’s Forest Service on the scope of the Canyon Trail – located on our public how Senator Blackwater Trail study and questioned National Forest land — into a commercial Robert C. Byrd the legal basis of AWP’s request. The logging road and an access road to AWP’s described the letter was also signed by the WV Rivers planned condominiums. Blackwater Can- Coalition, the WV Environmental Our United States Forest Service (yes, yon.) Council, the Ohio Valley Environmental Smokey the Bear and gang) owns the We must demand that our public Coalition, the WV Chapter of the Sierra land that AWP wants for its commercial officials speak out, and tell the Forest Club, and the WV Highlands Conser- logging road. Over ten thousand people Service not to destroy the natural vancy. We told the Forest Service to so far have told the Forest Service that integrity of the Blackwater Canyon. address the following: AWP’s request is a bad idea. Now, the Go to our website, saveblackwater.org, 1. Research on endangered species Forest Service is preparing an Environ- and follow our mailings and e-mails along the Trail and on lands that border mental Impact Statement (EIS) study of throughout the coming summer, to learn the Trail — where a logging road and AWP’s plan; with some results likely in how you can make your voice heard on intended land use changes to develop the fall of 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Douglas, West Virginia: an Historic Town Along the Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade
    October 2018 Friends of Blackwater ROUGH AND WILD, DOLLY SODS SCENIC AREA,MNF, WV © KENT MASON Working to protect West Virginia’s High Alleghenies, Blackwater River & Blackwater Canyon. PO Box 247 - Thomas, WV 26292 - phone: 304-345-7663 - https://saveblackwater.org - [email protected] October 2018 Douglas, West Virginia: An Historic Town along the Blackwater Canyon Railroad Grade The Town of Douglas was founded in 1891 by William and Douglas Gor- man, who ran the Cumberland Coal and Coke Company, a subsidiary of Davis Coal and Coke. The town is lo- cated two miles down the North Fork of the Blackwater from Thomas, and just above Douglas Falls. Douglas was a coal and lumber town, where 175 coke ovens lit up the night sky. At its peak in 1910, Douglas had a population of 900. Coal miners came from Russia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Ireland, England, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, Serbia, and Mexico. From 1891 to 1938, a dozen deep mines operated, the last one closing in 1954. The coal company had its own power plant and company doctor who lived in town. The company store was located along the railroad tracks, as well as a depot, post of- ice, and barber shop run by Frank Colabrese. “Barber Shop Falls” below Douglas is named for his business. A railroad line for lumber climbed the The Douglas company store and post ofice are visible at the far right above the railroad track. steep hillside across from Douglas to Davis, along the brink of the Black- water Canyon. Helper engines bring coal up the Blackwater Canyon Douglas was the irst level spot at the top of the steep Canyon railroad grade.
    [Show full text]
  • The Beautiful Blackwater Watershed State of the River Report I
    THE BEAUTIFUL BLACKWATER WATERSHED STATE OF THE RIVER REPORT I September 2014 Produced by: Friends of Blackwater 571 Douglas Road/PO Box 247 Thomas, WV 26292 Contents OVERVIEW 3 HISTORIC BLACKWATER: PIONEERS, EXPLORERS, EARLY INDUSTRY, RAILROADS AND RESTORATION 5 POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN THE BLACKWATER 7 TABLE: AVERAGE pH FOR AREAS OF THE BLACKWATER WATERSHED 7 MAP OF ABANDONED MINE LANDS PROJECTS 8 PAST AND FUTURE TREATMENT 10 STATE INVESTMENT IN THE RIVER 10 TABLE: AML PROJECTS BY WVDEP 10 THE BLACKWATER WATERSHED … A TOURISM MECCA 11 MAP OF BLACKWATER WATERSHED 12 PUBLIC LANDS THE RIVER FLOWS THROUGH 14 FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER 16 OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND GOALS FOR THE RIVER 17 SUPPORT FOR OUR WORK 18 BUSINESS 18 NONPROFITS 18 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 18 FUNDERS 18 OUR AMERICORPS VISTAS 18 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WHO WORK ON WATER QUALITY 19 Photo Credits: Kent Mason Steve Shaluta Ludovic Moore Kathryn Davis Lon Marshall Dave Watson 2 OVERVIEW The high elevation Blackwater River flows through the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County West Virginia. It is a principal tributary of the Cheat River which flows north to the Monongahela forming the Ohio at Pittsburgh. The name “Blackwater” originated from the reddish-brown hue of the River caused by tannic acid from evergreens growing along the river’s banks and iron oxide from the Mauch Chunk shales underlying a large part of Canaan Valley where the river’s main stem originates. At 3,250 The Blackwater River slowly meanders through Canaan Valley the headwaters of the Blackwater River in the Valley wetlands, are placid -- compared to the raging river’s tumultuous descent through the Blackwater Canyon below Blackwater Falls.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Results from Calcium Carbonate Neutralization of Two West Virginia Rivers Acidified by Mine Drainage
    EARLY RESULTS FROM CALCIUM CARBONATE NEUTRALIZATION OF TWO WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS ACIDIFIED BY MINE DRAINAGE Peter E. Zurbuch West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Elkins, WV Presented at the Seventeenth Annual West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium, Morgantown, WV, April 2‐3, 1996. Introduction In 1992 the State of West Virginia initiated a stream restoration program directed to waters affected by acid mine drainage (AMD). The West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) was placed in charge of the program. A technical committee, consisting of representatives from state and federal agencies and the private sector, was charged with developing data on priority streams and recommending methods for their restoration. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WV DNR) has members on the committee because of their experience treating streams acidified by acid deposition. The first two streams selected for restoration are being treated using methods developed by the WV DNR and successfully applied to streams acidified by acid deposition. This paper briefly reviews these methods and their application to the Blackwater River in Tucker County and the Middle Fork River in Randolph, Upshur and Barbour counties. Background The WV DNR began studying methods of treating lightly buffered acid streams in the late 1950's. The early history of this work has been reviewed previously by this author (Zurbuch 1984). One of the first methods tried was the placement of 2‐inch diameter limestone aggregate in the bed of a small stream. The method was abandoned when after a short period of time the stone became coated with precipitates and non‐reactive.
    [Show full text]
  • Walk Across West Virginia Route Descriptions
    WWAALLKK AACCRROOSSSS WWEESSTT VVIIRRGGIINNIIAA RROOUUTTEE DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONNSS Few of us have the time to actually Walk Across West Virginia (WAWV), but we can do a virtual Walk Across West Virginia by walking a distance equal to walking across the state. On the following pages are descriptions of five routes across West Virginia. Two are existing trails, two are hypothetical straight line routes through the geographical center of the state and one is a combination of trails and public roads. The longest route across the state is 281 miles. If you walked 5.5 miles a week or 21.5 miles a month, in your local neighborhood, you would equal the longest distance in less than a year. So why not set a personal goal of Walking Across West Virginia this year! Record the date you reach a specific mileage point on one of the routes to track your progress. You can use the mileage tracking chart found on the WAWV website to track your accumulated miles. Include your family members in your trip. You might enhance the “virtual” experience by actually walking parts of the existing trails nearest you, or by visiting some of the areas traversed by the hypothetical routes. The West to East route across the state also includes “trivia questions” about West Virginia. See how much you know about West Virginia.! Allegheny Trail Milage Listing Date Mileage Elevation Description _____ 0.0 2182 Pennsylvania/West Virginia State Line close to Bruceton Mills on Local Route 4 _____ 8.0 1495 Cross under I-68 _____ 13.3 1693 Mt.
    [Show full text]