October 2018 Friends of Blackwater

ROUGH AND WILD, DOLLY SODS SCENIC AREA,MNF, WV © KENT MASON Working to protect ’s High Alleghenies, Blackwater River & . 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. Coal trains coming up from Parsons irst stopped in Hendricks, Map of Douglas, WV, circa 1906 to add helper engines. During the seven-mile trip (which took 40 min- utes), sand was blown under the wheels to give the engines a better grip. Passenger cars came by four times a day. Douglas today is on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, which can be accessed on Forest Road 18 on the edge of town, or on the old railroad grade from Thomas to Hen- dricks. We will feature Douglas in our 2019 historic signage project. Thanks to Rachelle Davis, Jim Bac- zuk and Mr Crawford for help with this article, and to FOB supporters who make this work possible.

Page 2 October 2018 Fabulous Speakers at Morgantown Climate Change Conference On December 1, 2018, Friends of Blackwater and the West Virginia University Center for Energy and Sustainable Development will present a free day-long conference on energy and climate issues. Thanks to all the FOB supporters who have helped make this unique program possible. We are very excited to have Emily Calandrelli, a Morgantown native and Emmy-nominated science TV host, as the keynote speaker! Calandrelli is featured as a correspondent on the Netl ix series “Bill Nye Saves the World”, and Executive Producer and host of FOX’s “Xploration Outer Space”, which airs in 100 million households each week. She is also the Emily Calandrelli author of the popular children’s book networking luncheon from 12:00 noon series, “Ada Lace Adventures” which to 1:00 PM. Free parking is onsite. promotes STEM literacy among young Cathy Norton from the West Virginia children. Health Sciences and Technology More than 15 experts will speak about Academy (HSTA), will give welcoming Cathy Norton recent climate change developments and remarks. HSTA encourages West issues. Topics include climate change Virginian students to pursue careers page/ by November 16, 2018. And communication, controlling methane in science and technology. Friends of please share this information with others emissions, solar opportunities and Blackwater has been presenting fun you know who are concerned about obstacles, and putting a price on carbon. “Kitchen Klimate Science” programs to climate change. We want to see them, The program will be held from 9:00 AM hundreds of West Virginia students in too! to 5:00 PM at the West Virginia University HSTA clubs. For more information, contact Logan College of Law Event Hall, Evansdale Please save your place and RSVP at Thorne at [email protected], Campus, Morgantown, WV. Conference https://saveblackwater.org/conference- or FOB at 304-345-7663. registration is free and includes a buffet Friends of Blackwater Comments on Forest Service Projects Friends of Blackwater recently submitted WVULAW comments on two proposed timbering proj- ects in the Monongahela National Forest, the Center for Energy and Spruce Mountain Grouse Management Area Sustainable Development Project and the Big Rock Project. The Spruce Mountain GMA proposes timbering 82 acres of West Virginia northern l ying squirrel habitat. We asked them to drop this proposal to pro- Ginny tect “Ginny’s” mountain home and high moun- tain streams at Spruce Knob and the . New roads, skid roads and log landings associated with Big Rock Project would also cause soil erosion and sedimentation of streams. This could impact the can- dy darter and the hellbender in the Monongahela National Forest’s high mountain streams near the . Friends of Blackwater commented that these projects should be withdrawn and re-evaluated. Thanks so much to the Center for Biological Diversity and their staff at- torney Jason Totoiu for collaborating with FOB on these comments. Page 3 October 2018 Commercial Timbering Controversy in In early August, we got a call from ered to be rare one of our members who was concerned and of conser- about proposed commercial logging in vation concern Canaan Valley National Wildlife Ref- in West Vir- uge. That was the i rst we heard giniaabout plus 22 the proposal, which had a two-week watchlist spe- (!) comment period. Thank goodness cies has been we got notice in time to take action – coni rmed in thanks to the FOB supporters who keep the Valley.” us on the job! (Rare Plants of The Refuge is a special place, home Canaan Valley, to the largest high elevation wetland in Southeast Nat- the region, and numerous rare plants. uralist 2015, salamanders, West Vir- Bartgis, Byers et al, 2015) ginia northern l ying squirrels, and In- The area of the Refuge was originally diana bats can all be found on the Ref- covered with dense spruce/conifer for- uge, which was established in 1994 to ests, and rhododendron thickets so im- protect and restore this unique ecology. penetrable that they nearly prevented The headwaters of the Blackwater River early settlers from crossing the Valley. are also in Canaan Valley, making it an Logging in the late 1800s and subse- important area for water quality. “The quent wildi res caused environmental presence of 54 species of plants consid- devastation, the effects of which are still visible today. The area could have been l ooded by a proposed hydroelec- tric dam in the 1970s, but that project An illustration by Porte Crayon depicts early explorers struggling to get through a thicket in Canaan Valley. was eventually defeated and the Valley was preserved. cost the Refuge $12,000 a year beyond Given the unique ecology and dramat- the costs offset by timber receipts. ic history of the area, we were surprised After requests from Friends of Black- at the speed with which the commercial water and members of the public, the logging proposal seemed to be moving Refuge extended the comment period to forward. At the time of the public meet- a full month. In that time, an impressive ing, Refuge staff seemed to think that 300 comments were submitted. Thank timbering could begin as early as this you to everyone who submitted com- winter, but in a more recent conversa- ments! We would also like to thank the tion they amended that to say that it West Virginia Highlands Conservancy would take signii cantly longer to getand West Virginia Sierra Club, who co- started. Commercial logging is pro- signed comments drafted by Friends of posed for 30 to 40 acres a year, with Blackwater, and Defenders of Wildlife, 10% of the Refuge (roughly 1600 acres) who submitted their own comments. eligible for commercial logging. A simi- Refuge staff are taking the comments lar portion of the Refuge will be eligible submitted seriously, and are expected for non-commercial thinning. to release their response to comments The i rst proposed cut would involve a later this month. If you want to stay temporary closure of Middle Valley trail up to date with this ongoing story, fol- and restricted use of A-Frame Road, low us on facebook, visit our website but many of the details of future timber at https://saveblackwater.org or email sales have yet to be i nalized. An early kate@saveblackwater to get added to Friends of Blackwater staff visits the area where the i rst estimate projected that administering our email list. round of timbering would take place. the commercial timbering program will

Page 4 October 2018

The beginning of Middle Valley Trail

Here are a few of the concerns that have been raised about the Refuge commercial timbering proposal: Planning Process: The Refuge’s is proposed. The West Virginia north- Refuge’s documents note that some of Comprehensive Conservation Plan ern lying squirrel is another sensitive the soils found in CVNWR are particu- (CCP) is the top-level plan that guides species, found on several areas in the larly vulnerable to erosion, which is the management on the Refuge, and it was Refuge including Cabin Mountain and justiication used for not allowing most approved after an analysis and public Snowy Point, and presumed to be pres- visitors to leave the established trails. If comment process. However, the CCP ent throughout the higher elevations the impact of hikers or ishermen walk - doesn’t say that commercial timbering of the Kelly-Elkins Tract. Since some ing off trail is considered too much of a could be done, and it states that only of the areas eligible for logging are in risk to soils, how is timbering accept- 10 to 15 acres would be cut for early between proven lying squirrel habitat, able? successional habitat each year. The cur- we would also like to know whether any Wilderness: At the time the CCP was rent proposal is 30 to 40 acres a year, research has been conducted to prove written, a wilderness review was con- more than twice as much timbering as or disprove the possibility that some of ducted which concluded that there were originally proposed. The CCP also sug- the tracts eligible for timbering might two sections of the Refuge that had po- gested that timbering would be done be wildlife corridors. tential to become wilderness areas. The by hand-carrying in chainsaws, rather Invasive Species: Truck trafic and conclusion of this initial wilderness re- than using heavy equipment, but it is environmental disturbance are often view was that further study was needed not stated in the new plan if this would associated with an increase in invasive on the two potential wilderness areas, be a condition for commercial timber- species. Given the unique and delicate identiied as WIA7 and WIA10. That ing. lora of the Refuge and the dificulty of further study was supposed to be com- Focal Species: Everyone knows that eradicating invasive species once they pleted within 3 years of the CCP being the Refuge is home to many rare and arrive, this amounts to a signiicant risk. inished. We do not know whether or not unique species. Indiana and Northern Erosion: The irst proposed timber that further study took place, or what Long-Eared bats have been document- harvest would use A-Frame Road and it concluded. Based on the maps we ed on the Refuge, and could potentially Middle Valley Trail for access and trans- have, the proposed timbering may fall be present in some of the areas eligi- portation. This will result in a tempo- within the potential study areas, which ble for logging. We would like to know rary loss of public access, but could would mean that the study should be what kind of bat surveys have been also create more long-lasting changes completed before any timbering takes conducted in the areas where logging to the quality of the road and trail. The place. Page 5 October 2018 October 2018 Lecture Illuminates Tucker History Lecture Explores County’s Immigrant Historic Blackwater Canyon Roadside the Legacy of Early WV History Industrialist On July 1st, over 70 people packed Marker installed in Hendricks On August 11th, 55 people gathered at Cot- Cottrill’s Opera House to learn about the On August 4, 2018, we unveiled a trill’s Opera House to learn about Henry Gas- history of immigration in Tucker County. new historic roadside marker sign in saway Davis, the businessman who named The lecture, sponsored by Friends of the town of Hendricks to celebrate many of the towns in this area. Friends of Blackwater, was led by Professor Hal the Blackwater Canyon Rail Grade. Blackwater sponsored the event, which fea- Gorby of West Virginia University, who tured noted historian John Alexander Williams. Local government ofi cials gave has been studying oral history recordings short speeches, including Solena Williams is a native of White Sulphur Springs from north-central West Virginia, including Roberts, the Mayor of Hendricks, in Greenbrier County, and has written about his i rst-hand accounts of the boom days of and County Commissioners Lowell home state for more than 50 years. His books Thomas and the surrounding area. include “West Virginia and the Above: John Alexander Williams Moore and Diane Hinkle. Our direc- Below: A poster from ’ failed run for vice-president The lecture covered Above: Professor Gorby Captains of Industry”; “Ap- Below: Railroad workers outside of Thomas tor Judy Rodd, and Rose Davis of large-scale issues like the Tucker County Historical Society palachia, A History”; and the dangers of early coal also spoke. “West Virginia, A History for mining, the difi culty of The marker explains the history Beginners”. He was the script union organizing in a of the Blackwater Canyon railroad writer for the Public Broad- multilingual immigrant route, once an important route for casting West Virginia Film community, and the the timber and coal industries, as history project. way that an inl ux of well as a major connection between His subject, Henry Gas- Catholic immigrants the mountain and valley towns. The saway Davis, built a railroad, reshaped religious Hendricks resident Merle Nestor, Friends of Blackwater director Judy Rodd, and County Commissioner Diane timber and coal empire in steepness of the grade made this Hinkle life in Tucker County. section of the railroad a “wonder of Tucker County, and the arti- However, Professor The following is the text of the his- facts of that era are part of engineering” when it was i rst built. Gorby also picked out toric marker: today’s cultural heritage in Today the grade is a recreational Blackwater Canyon Grade stories of individual trail used by residents and tourists the region. The Davis Coal immigrants, and highlighted original documents like certii cates In 1888, Henry Gassaway Davis and Coke Company attracted for hiking and biking. began a railroad expansion from of citizenship, union l yers, and letters from important Alli ofgures the speakersof emphasized workers to settle here, and the era. Thomas to Hendricks. The Black created an economic boom that put Tucker County on the map in the late 1800s. the importance of remembering the Fork grade is a prime example of The historic space of the Opera House added to the lecture, past, and expressed a hope that However, Henry Gassaway Davis also manipulated the political system to ad- and when Gorby discussed immigrant-owned small businesses, 19th-century railway engineering, vance his business, and helped ensure that family members like son-in-law Ste- the sign, and other projects like it, with grades reaching 3.75% to drop examples like the former DePollo’s General Store (now the Purple would encourage people to visit Hen- phen B. Elkins ended up in positions of power. Williams did not shy away from the Fiddle) were right down the street. Many people in the crowd 1,236 feet in 10 miles of moun- elements of corruption in this piece of history, and helped to explain the tangled dricks. Although there hasn’t been tainous terrain. Bought by Western had stories about their own ancestors’ immigrant experiences, a train running between Hendricks web of business interests, patronage, and political appointments that supported and the conversation continued after the lecture was i nished. Maryland Railway in 1905, the line Davis’ empire. and Thomas since the 1980s, Hinkle was abandoned by its successor, noted that the rail Earlier that week Williams gave a lecture at West Virginia University in Morgan- CSX, in 1983. It now is a recreation- town, focused on how the natural resource economy has driven politics throughout grade still has po- al rail-trail. Re-enactment Brings History to Life tential to connect West Virginia’s history. Both talks were sponsored by Friends of Blackwater, with At right: The new historic marker assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council. On September 2nd, a little bit of the 1600s came to life in Thomas City Park, at a the towns. historical presentation sponsored by Friends of Blackwater. Doug Wood interpreted The Tucker Coun- early West Virginia history for the audience, portraying Gabriel Arthur, who was ty Landmarks Com- Fun at Run For It and other Mountain Festivals mission also con- the i rst white explorer to reach the Valley. tributed to the On September 29th, team Friends of Blackwater competed in Run For It, Tucker County’s fa- When Gabriel Arthur set out marker project, vorite community fundraiser. Although we weren’t the fastest team, with costumes, live music, on his exploratory expedition in which is an and ofigreat team- spirit, we may have been one of the most fun. 1674, West Virginia was still a cial West Virginia The Leaf Peepers Festival also took place in Davis the same weekend, and we had a booth set wild frontier with few white set- Highway Historical up. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello! We had a good time talking with visitors tlements. It was far from empty Marker. After the and enjoying the festival atmosphere. however, and Arthur’s visit to the marker was un- Forest Festival Kanawha River Valley was possi- veiled, everyone Friends of Blackwater had a booth at the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins again this ble because of guidance from lo- went to the Hen- year. Despite some rainy weather that left the park muddy, turnout and spirits were both still cal tribal peoples. dricks Town Hall for high. Kids day, on October 4th, was particularly great, with lots of students stopping by to take The presentation took place in refreshments. activity pages, play with our stuffed bats and l ying squirrel puppet, and learn a little about local the afternoon, and ran late be- wildlife. cause so many people had ques- tions about the presentation. From left to right: Judy Rodd (dressed as a black bear), Tom Rodd, Kate Leary, Doug Wood as Gabriel Arthur Ian Smith (dressed as a salamander) man the booth at the Leaf Peepers Festival Page 6 Page 7 October 2018 Nature Walk Celebrates Old Growth Forests Volunteers Spruce Up On July 15th, 20 nature lovers met at that survived Blackwater Falls State Park to learn about may be in Historic Blackwater the characteristics of old growth forest in more remote an event presented by Friends of Blackwa- areas. Wood Canyon Site ter. The event was led by naturalist Doug emphasized Wood, who gave practical lessons on how that it is im- On September 22, 2018, Friends of to identify old growth, as well as some portant to Blackwater volunteers partnered with information on the ways that these eco- respect park the U.S. Forest Service to improve systems benei t wildlife and water quality. rules when the historic railroad roundhouse/ Wood mentioned the recent controversy searching for machine shop foundation located over timbering in state parks, and how old growth, along the Blackwater Canyon Rail that debate had prompted people to learn and when in Trail near the town of Thomas. more about state park forests and start doubt, check The roundhouse was used to turn inventorying existing old growth. with the park trains arriving in Thomas around, and After an introductory slideshow that doc- staff to see Doug Wood and a volunteer demonstrate the correct way to measure a tree’s send them back down the Canyon. umented old growth forests throughout which ar- diameter. the state, the group headed out into the eas you are All that is left today is its massive park to look for real-world examples and allowed to access. For the event on the foundation, which shows today’s practice measuring trees. West Virginia’s 25th there was no question, since the visitors the huge scale of industrial State Parks are a great place to see mature group was joined by park naturalist Pau- operations in the area. and old growth forest, although in parks lita Cousins for the outdoor portion of the The foundations were overgrown that were logged in the past the remnants event. and difi cult to see from the new historic signs that Friends of Blackwater had installed in June to Otter Creek Volunteer Day a Success interpret the site. Volunteers Lucy Duff, Moriah On October 6th, Friends of Blackwater the heart Munsch, Angie Lipscomb, Tom partnered with the Forest Service for of the Rodd, and Ira Rodd worked to clear a volunteer day in the Otter Creek Area. While we didn’t get wilderness vegetation and make the structure the massive workforce we were hoping and visible from the trail(map available for, we partnered with the Southern traverses on our website). Forest Service Appalachian Wilderness Stewards the ridge archaeologists Gavin Hale and Jesse to work on 1.6 miles of the Shavers of 3740 Morton were on hand to help with the Mountain Trail down in the Otter Creek foot high work and provide historic information Wilderness area. In total we were able Shavers about the site. Friends of Blackwater to cut-out about a dozen fallen trees, Mountain, director Judy Rodd and staffer Kate drain and de-berm a pair of switchbacks offering Leary also took part in clearing the and drainage seeps, and re-bench a 30 some great old train maintenance area. foot long stretch of degraded trail. views of the Volunteers at work in Otter Creek The Trail is 10 miles Otter Creek valley below. As the leaves Film makers David and Melissa long and rated as strenuous. It runs fall of the trees, the views and solitude Rohm of Wild Excellence are working from Route 33 at the Alpena Gap, into should only get better and better. on a short i lm about the Blackwater area, and they i lmed the beginning of the volunteer event. Thanks to Friends of Blackwater Featured at WVNPA Panel everyone! On September 25th and 26th, non- For her portion of the presentation, proi ts from around the state met Judy at talked about the range of volunteer Canaan Valley Resort for the West opportunities available with Friends Virginia Non-Proi t Association’sof Blackwater, the value of partnering annual leadership summit. There were with other organizations for volunteer panels and workshops throughout recruitment, and methods of getting the the gathering, including one featuring word out about events. In the last few Friends of Blackwater. minutes, staffer Kate Leary talked about The “New Approaches to Volunteerism” the new Friends of Blackwater website panel included Kelly Stadelman of the and digital communications. Tucker Community Foundation, Danny The panels were well-attended, and Swan of Grow Ohio Valley, Callie Cronin- the feedback we received was very Sams of the City of Buckhannon, Bill positive. Thank you to the West Virginia Pictured from left to right: Lucy Duff, Gavin Hale (Forest Kuhn of Generation West Virginia, and Non-Proi t Association for including us in Service), Tom Rodd, Judy Rodd, Jesse Morton (Forest Judy Rodd of Friends of Blackwater. this great event. Service), Ira Rodd Page 8 October 2018 North Fork and Beaver Creek Restoration – the Next Steps In September, Friends of Blackwater hired tling ponds. Friends of Blackwater initially Langan, Inc. and Hedin Environmental to de- proposed a series of limestone leach beds, sign a replacement for the wetland anoxic but were convinced that drainable limestone limestone drain (WALD) mine drainage treat- beds offered superior performance and lower ment system, just downstream of the FOB long-term costs. ofi ce, on the North Fork of the Blackwater. Months of design work lie ahead, and navi- The WALD was an experimental system that gating the labyrinth of regulations and per- was installed to treat acid mine drainage en- mits needed to bring such a project into tering the North Fork back in the ‘90s. The existence is no easy task. But we, the Monon- original WALD failed within a few years of gahela National Forest and our engineering being built, but our replacement system will partners are excited about the potential of deliver more lasting benei ts. the project. While it won’t solve all the North Both companies have multiple years of ex- Fork’s problems, this treatment system is a perience in the realm of acid mine drainage promising i rst step on the road to recovery treatment, with truly innovative projects in for the North Fork. their portfolios. Check out the Pittsburgh Bo- The illustration below demonstrates how tanic Garden’s website “A Reclamation Story” water will circulate through the system. Pe- for an amazing example of one such project. riodically l ushing and draining the limestone The pictures above are from the The basic design of the new North Fork bed will prevent the limestone from becom- construction of the original WALD system. Although the construction process for the system is two to four drainable limestone ing plated with minerals. replacement WALD will be different, these beds installed in parallel, plus a pair of set- photos still illustrate the large scale of this type of project.

Progress on a Beaver Creek Watershed-Based Plan After 18 months of monitoring and a series liming efforts on Beaver Creek. They have of meetings with state, business and non- been periodically dumping tons of limestone proi t partners, we are closing in on a i rstsands into acid mine drainage seeps and trib- draft of the Beaver Creek watershed-based utary streams to try and raise the pH in the plan. In order to receive grants from the Beaver Creek main stem. Data show that EPA targeting restoration of the waterway, their efforts are proving successful and keep- we have to have a watershed based plan, so ing the pH above 6. There are many aquatic this is the i rst step for any potential future species that won’t tolerate a pH below 6. restoration work. Limestone sands have their limitations. A Along the way we have discovered some in- constant resupply is needed as the sands get teresting things. For example, some of the washed away by the stream, and the liming small and heavily forested tributaries of Bea- does not address metal precipitates. Improv- ver Creek are highly acidic, despite the gen- ing the pH is important, but Beaver Creek eral lack of acidifying chemicals in the water. also has temperature issues which will even- Apparently this is in part due to the Pottsville tually need to be addressed. That said, DNR’s sandstone geology - common to the south- work shows that it won’t take an overwhelm- ern headwaters and upper tributaries areas ing and unrealistic push to bring Beaver of Beaver Creek (between A-Frame Road and Creek back to a more functioning ecosystem. Mt. Storm Power Plant) - having very low That’s good news! buffering capacity, thus providing minimal natural protection against acid rain. We are excited to see the impact of the West Top Right: Volunteer Tim Home monitors water quality in Beaver Creek. Virginia Department of Natural Resources’ Bottom Right: Dumping limestone sands into a tributary. Page 9 October 2018 Gorgeous New Photo Book Celebrates West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains: A Photographic Jour- ney Photos by Kent Mason, Text by Rodney Bartgis. Foreword by Thomas Minney. 210 pp. $39.95 from [email protected] The Allegheny Highlands are one of the most beautiful and diverse natural landscapes on Earth. No one can see these splendid sweeping vistas in person -- in places like the Blackwater Canyon from Lindy Point, or Dolly Sods from the Bear Rocks Preserve -- and not shiver with appreciation. But can this same elevating effect be captured in pictures and words? This new book answers that question with a re- sounding “yes.” As West Virginia Nature Conservancy Director Thomas Min- ney says in his foreword, Bartgis’ science-based descriptions and Mason’s magniicent color photos show the beauty and the global signiicance of West Virginia’s pre-eminent high- country wilderness. From a water snake slowly crossing the golden, waters of Spruce Knob Lake with a ish in it jaws, to a baby toad on ahistory of the region. His clear and compelling words are a bright red mushroom, to a massive moss-clad hemlock tree, perfect complement to Mason’s beautiful photographs. to a snowy waterfall at Blackwater Falls, Mason has an artist’s If you love West Virginia’s natural beauty, and want to bring eye and technique that is unsurpassed in its evocative power. it into your life, and share it with others, you will never do Bartgis, a biologist who formerly directed the Nature Con- better than getting a copy (or two) of this new book. Thank servancy, is a master at explaining the complex ecology and you, Rodney and Kent, for this labor of love!

J.R. Clifford Project Celebrates Larry Starcher and Kitty Dooley Way back in 2003, two “Blackwater Heroes,” Attorney Kit- ty Dooley and Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher, part- nered with FOB Board member Tom Rodd to launch the J.R. Clifford Project. The goal was to celebrate and publicize the story of John Robert Clifford (1848-1933), West Virginia’s irst African American attorney. In the 1890s, Clifford represented the Tucker County schoolteacher Carrie Willams, who taught in the “Colored School” in the Town of Coketon at the head of the Black- water Canyon, which is where the Friends of Blackwater ofice is located today. Clifford won a landmark court case that protected the school terms and teacher pay for African American students in post-Civil War West Virginia. Over the years, Dooley and Starcher and Rodd have Left to right, Richard Ford, Kitty Dooley, Larry Starcher, Justice Margaret Workman, criscrossed West Virginia, doing dozens of programs that tell Tom Rodd, and Alan Karlin the Clifford/Williams story and celebrating them as “Black- This year Friends of Blackwater celebrated the Clifford water heroes.” They are all volunteers, and their service to Project at Kitty Dooley’s 60th birthday party and at a “roast” the cause of racial justice is something to be proud of. for Larry Starcher. We love Larry and Kitty, and we thank They have helped Friends of Blackwater create many great them for their selless dedication to the cause of human publications about Clifford (and we have a lot of our color- betterment and justice! ing books for folks who are interested!) – as well as several cool historical markers.

Page 10 October 2018 Celebrate the Holidays with Friends of Blackwater

Holiday Order Form Name: ______Address: ______City/State/Zip: ______Phone: ______Email: ______Write the quantity on the line next to the item. For t-shirts, also indicate a size. Item Price Size Quantity Flying Squirrel Puppet $20 Stuffed Bat Toy $15 Purple Lizard Map of the Northern Monongahela $15 National Forest Cheat Mountain Salamander T-Shirt $20 Ginny the Flying Squirrel T-Shirt $20 Indiana Bat T-Shirt $15 Kayaking Ginny T-Shirt $15 Rock Climbing Ginny $15 Biking Ginny T-Shirt $15 Skiing Ginny T-Shirt $15 Rock Climbing Ginny T-Shirt $15 Fishin’ Blackwater T-Shirt $20 Friends of Blackwater Canvas Tote Bag $20 West Virginia’s Civil Rights History Book $12.50 Tucker County History Book $20 Square Lindy Point Sticker $1.50 Rectangular “I Love Blackwater Canyon” Sticker $2 with Ginny The Eckards: From the Rhine to $30 Limerock book $35 for 1, Membership (Sale!) or $50 for 2 *All shirts are available in size S through XXL Mail to PO Box 247, Thomas WV 26292 Or order on-line at https://saveblackwater.org/shop/

Page 11 October 2018 NON-PROFIT ORG U. S. POSTAGE P A I D PERMIT NO. 1409 CHAS WV 25301 Electronic Service Requested

PO Box 247 - Thomas, WV 26292 CONTENTS

DOUGLAS, WEST VIRGINIA, A HISTORY 2 MORGANTOWN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 3 COMMERCIAL TIMBERING CONTROVERSY IN CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 4-5 FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER EVENTS 6, 7 & 8 NORTH FORK AND BEAVER CREEK RESTORATION 9 NEW BOOK FROM KENT MASON & JR CLIFFORD VOLUNTEERS 10 HOLIDAY ORDER FORM 11 NEW BUSINESS IN TUCKER COUNTY 12

New Business in Tucker County Looking for a ride in Tucker County? Digger Adventures is a new shuttle service that Order provides tours, transportation for special events, and more. Based in Parsons, the business is Holiday operated by the husband and wife team of Mark and Stephanie Burns, making it locally owned and operated. They offer a Tucker County history Gifts tour put together in cooperation with the Tucker County Landmark Commission. Participants visit historic locations in Thomas, Davis, Parsons, Inside! and Saint George over the course of three hours. We were happy to see that the Davis Coal and Coke Company engineering building, located right across from our ofi ce, made the list of history tour stops. Learn more at https:// diggeradventures.com