AN EVALUATION OF THE AND UPLAND HABITATS

AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE RESOURCES

IN SOUTHERN CANAAN VALLEY

CANAAN VALLEY TASK FORCE

SUBMl'l*IED BY:

EDWIN D. MICHAEL, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF WILDLIFEMANAGEI\fENT DIVISION OF FORESTRY UNIVERSITY MORGANTOWN, WV 26506

December 1993 TABLB OP' CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 6 OBJECTIVES 6 PROCEDURES 6 THE STUDY AREA Canaan Valley ...... 7 Southern Canaan Valley .... 8 Development and Land Use 8 Existing Environment Hydrology ...... 9 Communities .... 11 1. Northern hardwoods . 11 2. ... 11 3. Aspen groves . 11 4. Alder thickets 12 5. Ecotone 12 6. Shrub savannah 12 7. Spiraea 13 8. Krummholz 13 9. ..... 13 10. ponds 13 11. Agriculture . l4 Vegetation of Southern Canaan Valley 14 Rare and Endangered Plant Species 16

Vertebrate 16 1. Fishes .. 16 2. Amphibians 18 3. Reptiles 19 4. Birds 20 5. Mammals 24 Rare and Endangered Species 25 Game Animals 27

Cultural Values 28

Aesthetic Values 31 1. Landform contrast 31 2. Land-use contrast 31 3. Wetland-type diversity 32 4. Internal wetland contrast 32 5. Wetland size ... 32 6. Landform diversity .... 32 DISCUSSION Streams 32 Springs and Spring Seeps 34 Lakes . 35 Wetland Habitats 35

ii Wildlife 36

Management Potential 38

Off-road Vehicle Use 42

Fragmentation . 42

Cultural Values 44 Educational Values

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AREA OF CONCERN FOR FULFILLMENT OF THE CANAAN VALLEY 1979 EIS OBJECTIVES 46

CONCLUSIONS .. 47 LITERATURE CITED 52

TABLES 54 FIGURES 88

iii LIST OF TABLES

1. Property ownerships of Canaan Valley ...... 8 2. Land use ('in acres) within the acquisition boundaries of the ncrthern and southern ends of Canaan Valley, which are being considered for inclusion within the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge 9 3. A comparison of land cover classifications in the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley ...... 55 4. Comparisons of acreages of habitat types among 4 areas of Canaan Valley ...... 56 S. Comparisons of number of stands of each habitat type occurring within 4 areas of Canaan Valley 58

6. Herbaceous of southern Canaan Valley wetlands 60 7. Shrubs of southern Canaan Valley wetlands 66 8. Trees of southern Canaan Valley wetlands . 68 9. Species of Special Concern known to occur or likely to occur in the Area of Concern ...... 69 10. Preferred habitats of plant Species of Special Concern known to occur in the Area of Concern ...... •••.•.••••••70 11. Species of fishes kuown to occur or likely to occur in the Area of Concern ...... 71 12. Fish species composition in Freeland Run, collected by backpack electrofishing ...... •..72 13. Species of amphibians known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern ...... 73 14. Species of reptiles known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of concern .. • . 74 15. Preferred habitats of amphibians known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern •••• 75 16. Preferred habitats of reptiles known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern ••75 17. Distribution of amphibians and reptiles at 3 locations in the Area of Concern; based on surveys and habitat evaluation ...... 76 18. Species of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern ...... 77 19. Preferred habitats of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern ..80

iv 20. Birds characteristic of the Allegheny Mountain Avifaunal region that nest in the Area of Concern . . 83 21. Species of mammals known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern . 84 22. Preferred habitats of mammals known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern 85 23. Vertebrate species on the u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened and Endangered or WVDNR Special Concern, Scientific Interest, or Status Undetermined lists and that are likely to occur in the Area of Concern ...... 86 24. Game animals known to occur or e.xpected to occur in the Area of Concern . 87

V LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Geographic location of the project area (Southern Canaan Valley) in relation to Canaan Valley State Park, Timberline, and northern Canaan Valley 89

2. Composition by habitat within the Area of Concern 90 3. Relative abundance of each habitat type in the Area of Concern as a percentage of the total acreage of that habitat type in Canaan Valley .. ... 91 4. Map showing the locations of intensive vegetation surveys in the Area of Concern ..... 92 5. Map showing the locations of intensive amphibian-reptiles surveys in the Area of Concern ...... 93 6. Number of bird species by habitat type in Canaan Valley .... 94 7. Average density of breeding birds by habitat type in Canaan Valley . 95

vi This report was compiled and edited by Dr. Edwin D. Michael and various sections were prepared by the following individuals: Robert Behling, Ph.D.: Professor of Geology, West Virginia University. Section prepared: Hydrology Steve Bolar: Superintendent, Canaan Valley State Park Section prepared: Hydrology and Fishes Sandra Brown, M.S.: Research Associate, Wildlife Consulting Services. Sections prepared: Birds and Habitats William Grafton, M.S.: Wildlife Extension Specialist, West Virginia University. Section prepared: Plants and Plant Communities Steve Hollenhorst, Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Recreation, West Virginia University. Section prepared: Recreation Edwin Michael, Ph.D.: Professor of Wildlife Management, West Virginia University. Sections prepared: Mammals and Game Animals Thomas Pauley, Ph.D.: Professor of Biological Sciences, Marshall University. Sections prepared: Amphibians and Reptiles William Perry, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor Fisheries, West Virginia University. Section prepared: Fishes Linda Smith: Research Associate, Wildlife Consulting Services. Sections prepared: Aesthetic, Educational, and cultural Values

vii BXBCUTIVE SUMMARY AN BVALUATION OP' THE WETLAND AND UPLAND HABITATS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIPB RBSOURCBS IN SOUTHERN CANA.AN VALLEY SUBMITTED TO: Canaan Valley Task Force through the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service SUBMITTED BY: Edwin D. Michael Professor of Wildlife Management West Virginia University December 31, 1993 The Canaan Valley Task Force was created in July, 1990, to resolve various issues involving Canaan Valley, Tucker County, WV. The primary goal of the Task Force was to ensure long-term environmental protection of Canaan Valley while allowing for economic growth. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local government; business interests; environmental and recreational interests; landowner groups; and the public. Wildlife and wildlife habitats are major components of the natural environment, and these resources have been key issues in many discussions involving protection of Canaan Valley. Protection and management of wildlife and their habitats must begin with identification of the existing resources and their distribution within Canaan Valley. The primary goal of this report is to evaluate wetland and upland habitats and associated wildlife values in the southern end of Canaan Valley. This report will describe the ecology and hydrology of southern Canaan Valley. PROCEDURES All existing information on the ecology and hydrology of Canaan Valley was reviewed, and this compendium of information formed the foundation for subsequent evaluations and comparisons. Field surveys were limited to those necessary to confirm or refute existing information. The individuals responsible for preparing this report have all conducted extensive field studies in Canaan Valley. AREA OF CONCERN

Canaan Valley (approximately 35,000 acres} is situated in Tucker County, WV, and the Area of Concern (approximately 6,140 acres) discussed in this report is located in the southeastern end of Canaan Valley. The term "southern Canaan Valley" will be used to indicate the Area of Concern, Canaan Valley State Park, Timberline Association, Inc., and the developed portions of Timberline Four­ Seasons Resort plus the commercial development along Rt. 32 and the southern portion of Cortland Road. Although adjacent to both state-owned and federally­ owned land, all of the Area of Concern is privately owned. WV State Route 32 forms the western boundary of the Area of Concern and Freeland Run Road (State Road 37) forms a portion of the southern boundary. Land use within the Area of Concern includes agriculture, forestry, recreation, urban-developed, ucilities, and undeveloped natural habitats such as old field, hawthorn savannah, alder thicket, spirea thicket, aspen grove, wet meadow/, forest, northern hardwood forest, and beaver pond complex. Habitat types are similar for the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley, but the interspersion and acreages of each major type are different. The diversity of plant communities in the Area of Concern supports equally. diverse wildlife populations. At least 275 species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are known to occur or are expected to occur in the Area of Concern.

1 DISCUSSION Most areas of Canaan Valley contain a variety of hydrological features, including springs, streams, and wetlands. The springs of southern Canaan valley are not totally unlike those of the northern end, but do have different ecological values. Large springs that flow year-round and do not freeze in winter occur at only a few sites in Canaan Valley. Two of these occur in the southern end of Canaan Valley and one of these is within the Area of Concern. They are extremely important to overwintering waterfowl (primarily black ducks and ). Although a few large springs are present in the northern end of Canaan Valley, they are not large enough to support the total population of 100- 150 black ducks and 150-200 mallards which typically winter in the Valley. The numerous tributaries of the Blackwater River within Canaan Valley are somewhat different from each other. Each has its own attributes and each makes a significant contribution to the unique hydrology and ecology of Canaan Valley. The degradation of any one of the tributaries will result in a change in the hydrology and ultimately the ecology of the wetlands located downstream. Freeland Run and its adjacent habitats are unlike any other in Canaan Valley. It is an exemplary Appalachian Mountain plateau trout stream, having both high value fisheries and high value aesthetics. Although all of the southern Canaan Valley tributaries of the Blackwater River are relatively small flows, the overall influence on the well-being of the Blackwater River is significant. The slow-moving Blackwater River is stabilized by the more highly oxygenated and cooler waters of these small streams which originate on the cool, wooded mountainsides. Approximately 25 t of the entire Canaan Valley is comprised of wetland habitats, thus it is essential that these areas remain intact and not be degraded. The largest conifer swamp stand (37 acres) outside of Canaan Valley State Park is located in the Area of Concern. Large blocks of (119 acres) are also found in the Area of Concern. The Area of Concern also contains one of the largest Sphagnum/Polytrichum bogs (28 acres) in Canaan Valley. The large agricultural fields (545 acres, 293 acres, 201 acres, and 198 acres) are unique to the Area of Concern. Theae fields offer breeding and feeding areas to several unconnon bird species such as bobolinks and rough-legged hawks. The existing habitat types of southern Canaan Valley, both upland and wetland, are an integral part of the biodiversity of Canaan Valley and are essential to maintain the genetic diversity of wildlife populations and the ecosystem stability. To retain the diversity of wildlife, it is necessary to maintain a diversity of habitats. Although every major habitat type in the Area of concern also occurs in the northern end, 4 of these habitats (balsam fir stand, hawthorne savannah, hayfields, and pastureland) are distinctive in regard to size and interspersion. With only a few exceptions, those species of wildlife which occur in the Area of Concern also occur in the northern end. However, these exceptions are quite important since they involve species listed as threatened or endangered by the u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The salamander is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There are 4 known populations on the slopes and ridges of Cabin Mountain in the southern end of Canaan Valley. The Virginia northern flying squirrel, listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has not been recorded in the Area of Concern, although optimum habitat does occur on Cabin Mountain above Freeland Run. Northern flying squirrels occur in the northwestern end of Canaan Valley and at 2 nearby sites, 0.8 miles northeast of the Freeland Run watershed and 1.2 miles northwest of

2 Canaan Valley. To increase the size of northern flying squirrel populations, it may be necessary to reintroduce these squirrels into suitable sites. The upper Freeland Run watershed along the rim of Cabin Mountain and the balsam fir-red spruce stand in the lower Freeland Run watershed meet all criteria for prime reintroduction sites if provided with federal protection. No game animals are restricted in distribution to the Area of Concern but a few, such as geese and common snipe, are significantly more abundant in the Area of Concern than in the northern end. CONCLUSIONS That portion of southern Canaan Valley referred to as the Area of Concern is an integral component of the Canaan Valley ecosystem. Following are conclusions regarding the value of the Area of Concern: 1) Freeland Run and its adjacent habitats are unlike any other in Canaan Valley and certainly unlike any other stream system in West Virginia. Freeland Run originates from a complex of springs and seeps in a high mountain bog at an elevation of 3,650 feet. 2) The small waterfalls and accompanying pools that characterize the upper reaches of Freeland Run create near-optimum habitat for several species of invertebrates and vertebrates, the most obyious of which is the . The lower reaches of Freeland Run are also unique for Canaan Valley. 3) The slow-moving Blackwater River is stabilized by the more highly oxygenated and cooler waters of Freeland Run and other streams that originate on the cool, wooded mountainsides. 4) Freeland Run and other tributaries of the Blackwater River and their associated wetlands assist in the purification of groundwater supplies. 5) The Freeland Run watershed portion of Cabin Mountain provides a natural continuum from the wetlands of the Valley floor to the area for both humans and wildlife. 6) The Area of Concern is essential to the unique Canaan Valley wetland complex, because it provides a continuum of wetlands, wildlife travel corridors, and genetic flow from northern Canaan Valley to Canaan Valley State Park. 7) The agricultural fields of the Area of Concern act as a wetland buffer zone of low human interference. The southern Canaan Valley wetland complex is nearly surrounded by agricultural fields and old-field communities which increase habitat diversity and visual diversity through landform and landuse contrast. 8) The balsam fir bog at the head of Freeland Run (Stonecoal Flats) is the best example of this community type in West Virginia. Conifer swamps support high densities of many wildlife species, but are in short supply in Canaan Valley. 9) Two large springs in the southern end of Canaan Valley provide open water and vegetation during periods of drought and freezing temperatures for black ducks. One of these springs is within the Area of Concern. 10) Wetlands in the Area of Concern provide the best opportunity for biodiversity management to protect at least 8 rare West Virginia plant species that do not occur elsewhere in Canaan Valley or are present only in small threatened populations. 11) The diversity of habitats in the southern end of Canaan Valley supports equally diverse wildlife populations.

3 12) The southern end of Canaan Valley contains the only documented habitat for the Cheat Mountain salamander (listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) in Canaan Valley. Three of the southern Canaan Valley populations are within the Area of Concern. 13) The southern end of Canaan Valley contains established habitat for the Virginia northern flying squirrel, listed as an endangered species by the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service. Northern flying squirrels are known to occur in the northwestern end of Canaan Valley and 0.8 miles from the Freeland Run watershed which is within the Area of Concern. 14) The New England cottontail, southern rock vole, eastern woodrat, and northern water shrew (listed as Category 2 Species, proposed for listing as threatened or endangered), occur in the Area of Concern. 15) Forty-eight species of mammals occur in the Area of Concern in southern Canaan Valley. All are year-round residents except possibly some species of bats. 16) The Area of Concern is an important component of the feeding, nesting, and resting habitat for most birds that use Canaan Valley. 17) Conifer swamps and ecotonal areas, both quite common in the Area of Concern, contain the greatest number of avian species. Conifer swamps are critical habitat for the many northern species of birds found here, i.e. northern water thrush, magnolia warbler, red-breasted nuthatch, winter wren, Canada warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, and long-eared owl. 18) Populations of Canada geese and conmon snipe are significantly larger in the southern end of Canaan Valley than in the northern end. 19) Viewing and listening opportunities for secretive species such as woodcock, snipe, bobolinks, and rough-legged hawk• are much greater in the Area of Concern than in the northern end. 20) Several birds listed as Species of Concern by the WVDNR are known to occur in the Area of Concern. These include the Cooper's hawk, golden-winged warbler, American bittern, northern harrier, and oaprey. 21) Canaan Valley is near the southern limit of the range of many breeding birds. The unique vegetation and habitat that the birds require are not comnon throughout West Virginia, therefore the habitat available in the Area of Concern is even more valuable. 22) Rough-legged hawks are more coirrnon in the Area of Concern than in the northern end, and can be predictably sighted in or near the agricultural fields of the Area of Concern. 23) Off-Road-Vehicle damage has not been inflicted upon wetlands in the southern end of Canaan Valley, in contrast to the site-intensive damage to wetlands in the northern end. 24) The Area of Concern has a greater potential, through habitat manipulation, to support a large population of nesting and migrating waterfowl than does the northern end. 25) Access for habitat manipulation to benefit migratory birds is considerably better in the Area of Concern than in the northern end. 26) Woodcock management through mowing and livestock grazing would be more successful in the Area of Concern than in the northern end because of existing land-use practices.

4 27) The Area of Concern would be an appropriate area for certain visitor facilities and services that would be an infringement in the undeveloped areas of the northern end. 28) The Area of Concern provides easy access to most of the wetland and upland habita� types of the Canaan Valley. 29) The Area of Concern should be an integral part of any interagency, natural resources plan to provide recreational opportunities, educational services, and interpretive facilities in Canaan Valley. 30) The upland mountainsides in the Area of Concern provide some of tne most important scenic resources in the Valley. They provide numerous opportunities for viewing the ecological diversity of Canaan Valley and for interpreting its ecology and geology. 31) The Area of Concern could provide excellent educational opportunities for off-campus, college-level courses because of easy access. 32) The Area of Concern provides an excellent site for a wetland and/or biodiversity research center. 3 3) Protection of the Area of Concern would reduce the danger of fragmentation of the unique Canaan Valley ecosystem.

5 r------·-· --·

AN EVALUATION OP THB WBTLAND AND UPLAND HABITATS AND ASSOCIATBD WILDLIPB RBSOURCBS IN SOUTHBRN CANAAN VALLBY INTRODUCTION Canaan Valley Task Force The Canaan Valley Task Force was created in July 1990 to resolve issues involving Canaan Valley, Tucker County, West Virginia. The primary issue involved the potential adverse impact of various land-use practices to the natural resources of the Valley. The principal goal of the Task Force was to ensure environmental protection of Canaan Valley while allowing for economfc growth. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local government; business and development in.terests; environmental and recreational interests; landowners and landowner groups; and concerned citizens. The Canaan Valley Task Force has conducted numerous meetings, which encouraged dialogue among all interests in Canaan Valley. This dialogue has facilitated the resolution of several controversial and sensitive issues involving habitat protection, economic growth, and property rights. The northern 8 miles of Canaan Valley was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974 by the Secretary of the Interior. The evaluation for that designation stated that: " ... the total Valley is a thing to be experienced... it ranks with Yosemite and Yellowstone Valleys, though not, of course, quite their size. In the east, however, there are very few areas of its grandeur and magnificence." This report was requested by the Canaan Valley Task Force to determine the role of the southern end of Canaan Valley in maintaining the total Canaan Valley ecosystem.

Background The u. s. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Department of Interior, proposed in 1978 to acquire approximately 28,000 acres of wetlands and adjacent upland habitats in the Canaan Valley of Tucker County, West Virginia, for the purpose of creating the Canaan Valley Rational Wildlife Refuge. In 1979, the USFWS issued a final environmental impact statement (BIS) that addressed acquisition of lands for a refuge in Canaan Valley (hereafter referred to as the "Valley"). The EIS was released following all necessary environmental studies and completion of public and agency reviews. To date, the USFWS has not acquired any property in the Valley. The USFWS first considered developing a refuge in the Valley in the early 1960's: however, funding priorities of the service at that time emphasized acquisition of primary migratory bird-use areas (primarily for waterfowl). The USFWS proposed in.1991 to modify the acquisition boundary to exclude approximately 4,100 acres of residential developments as well as resort and conunercial developments in the southern end of Canaan Valley. OB.,.CTIVBS The goal of this report is to evaluate upland and wetland habitats and associated wildlife values in the southern end of Canaan Valley. This report will describe the ecology and hydrology of southern Canaan Valley and compare this area with the northern end of Canaan Valley. The primary objective is to analyze the role of the southern end in maintaining the total Canaan Valley ecosystem. PROCBDURBS

6 All existing information on the ecology and hydrology of Canaan Valley was · reviewed and this compendium of information formed the foundation for subsequent evaluations and comparisons. Field surveys were limited to those necessary to confirm or refute existing scientific information. The individuals responsible for preparing the various sections of this report are intimately familiar with Canaan Valley, and all have conducted field studies in the Valley to obtain data related to their specialty areas. The amount of experience each specialist has with the resources of Canaan Valley is extensive. Most individuals have at least 15 years experience, and 2 individuals have been involved with scientific studies in Canaan Valley for over 20 year�. THE STUDY AREA CANAAN VALLEY Canaan Valley is situated in Tucker County, West Virginia, approximately 5 miles south of Davis, West Virginia. Elkins is located 20 miles to the southwest, and Petersburg is 20 miles to the east. Canaan Valley is a high­ elevation, anticline valley encircled by mountain ridges as high as 1,000 feet above the valley floor, which lies at an average elevation of 3,200 feet. Low, rolling hills are situated on the floor of the valley and commonly lie on a southwest to northeast axis. Existing topographic variation on the valley floor is due to geologic uplifting, erosion, and weathering. Differential erodability of sandstone and limestone formations has created the mosaic of plateaus, ridges, and streams which now exist. Canaan Valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides and, as a result, precipitation and cloudiness are prevalent throughout the year. Climate is cold , and humid, with a growing season of 92-93 days. The climate is similar to that of areas along the Canada- border (Weedfall and Dickerson 1965). Mean average daily temperature for the last 10 years is 47°P, with a mean monthly range from 21° in January to 65° in July. Daily temperatures range from a low of -25° to a high of 95° . Mean annual precipitation for the last 10 years is 54 inches, with September the driest month (3.0 inches) and May, June, and July the wettest months (5.5 inches per month). Total snowfall averaged 140 inches per year for the past 10 years, with the most snow falling in January (mean • 43 inches) .. Snow does not remain on the ground all winter, but an average of 76 days per year will have 1 inch or more of snow present. The Blackwater River and its major tributaries, Glade Run, Little Blackwater, and North Branch drain Canaan Valley. Stream gradients are low on the Valley floor and numerous wetlands are associated with the river and all streams. The Blackwater River flows northward through the valley before exiting through a cut in the mountains along the northwestern side of the Valley. Several habitat types occur in Canaan Valley, with the primary types being: northern hardwood forest, fir-hemlock conifer forest, spruce forest, alder thicket, spiraea thicket, aspen grove, agricultural field, old-field community, wet meadow-marsh, beaver-pond complex, and Sphagnum-Polytrichµm bog. The diversity of habitats in Canaan Valley supports an equally diverse wildlife population. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1979) reported that 286 species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are known to occur or expected to occur in Canaan Valley.

7 SOUTHERN CANAAN VALLEY

Developme�t and Land Use That ·portion of southern Canaan Valley referred to as the "Area of Concern" throughout this report, is a 6,140-acre area located in the southeast end of Canaan Valley. The term "southern Canaan Valley" will be used to indicate the Area of Concern, Canaan Valley State Park, Timberline·Association, Inc., and the developed portions of Timberline Four-Seasons Resort plus the commercial development along Rt. 32 and the southern portion of Cortland Road. The Area of Concern is bordered on the west by State Route 32, on the south by Canaan Valley State Park, on the southeast by Monongahela National Forest, on the northeast by Timberline Four-Seasons Resort and Timberline Association, Inc. (a residential community) and on the northwest by various privately-owned properties. Although the Area of Concern is adjacent to both state-owned and federally-owned land, all of the area which is the subject of this report is privately owned (Fig. 1). The Area of Concern occupies approximately 16 tof the 35,000-acre Canaan Valley, as compared to 5 tin Monongahela National Forest, 5 \ in Timberline Four-Seasons Resort ('including undeveloped land), 8 tin Timberline Association, Inc., 10 tin Western Pocahontas Properties properties, 17 \ in Canaan Valley State Park, and 44 tin Monongahela Power properties (Table 1).

The Area of Concern is bordered by several state-maintained roads, and is traversed by several others. State Route 32 forms the western boundary of this area and Freeland Run Road (State Road 37) forms a portion of the· southern boundary. Other roads within this area are the Timberline Road (State Route 32/16) and Cortland Road (State Route 35).

Table 1. Property ownerships of the 35,000-acre Canaan Valley. acres tof total Timberline Four-Seasons Resort developed land 210 0.6 undeveloped land 1,672 4.8 Monongahela National Forest 1,904 5.4 Timberline Aasociat.ion, Inc. 2,656 7.6 Western Pocahontas 3,422 9.8 Other (private property) 3,803 10.8 Canaan Valley State Park 6,015 17.l Monongahela Power 15,400 43.9

Land use within the Area of Concern includes agriculture (pasture and hayfield), forestry (plantations), recreation, urban developed, utilities, and undeveloped, unmanaged habitats such as old field, hawthorn savannah, alder thicket, spiraea thicket, aspen grove, wet meadow/bog, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, and beaver pond complex. Land uses are similar for the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley, but the acreages and percentages of each major type are different (Table 2).

8 Table 2. Land use (in acres) within the acquisition boundaries of the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley, which are being considered for inclusion within the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Northern end** Southern end** acres ' acres ' Agricultural 361 2.0 2,283 37.2 Forestry 11 0.1 12 0. 2 • Recreational 0 0 411 6.7 Undeveloped 17,294 97.0 2,910 47.4 Urban developed 117 0.7 462 7.5 Utilities 45 0.3 62 1. 0 Total 17,828 100. l* 6,140 100.0* * z does not add to 100 because of rounding error ** = see map, Fig. 1. A few businesses are located adjacent to the Area of Concern along State Route 32, but none are within the Area of Concern except for Whitegrass, a cross­ country ski center. All other businesses are currently excluded from the Area of Concern as a result of the revised acquisition boundaries for the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Blackwater Center, which contains 7 stores, 2 restaurants, and a branch bank, is the largest business complex situated adjacent to the acquisition boundary. Canaan Valley Stores, Big John's Family Restaurant, and Village Inn Motel are also situated near the acquisition boundary. Nine residences are located within the revised acquisition boundary, with the majority along Freeland Run Road. A few other residences are located adjacent to or near the acquisition boundary,. with the majority along Cortland Road. Recreational developments, such as Land of Canaan and Timberline Four­ Seasons Resort, are also located adjacent to the acquisition boundary. These contain condominium complexes and associated restaurants. Existing Environment Hydrology Canaan Valley is a topographic depression created through the erosion of a small, doubly plunging anticline. The anticline is one of a group of anticlines and synclines that comprise the open-fold section of the Appalachian Plateaus in this region. The trend of the axis of the anticline is approximately NE-SW and erosion has effectively breached the resistant caprock (Pennsylvanian age Pottsville Group units) to expose less resistant units of Mississippian age (Mauch Chunk and the underlying Greenbrier). The oldest rock in the Valley is of lower Mississippian age (the Pocono Group). Exposures of the Pocono are found further north in the center of the Valley. These rocks lie 60-150 feet below the surface in the southern end of Canaan Valley. The is dominated by carbonate rocks, and thus there has been a substantial amount of solution weathering. The surface hydrology reflects this as the streams meander with low gradient along the Valley floor. Wetlands are to be expected in this geologic setting because the floor of the Valley is mantled with the insoluble residue of units in the Greenbrier Group. At the present time there is no detailed published work on the status of groundwater quality and quantity in Canaan Valley. Groundwater data (U.S.

9 Geological Survey} and the associated, interpretive report are due to be completed in 1993 and will constitute a Masters Thesis by Mark Kosar for the Department of Geography and Geology, West Virginia University. A surface water project (water analyses} is closer to completion: the data report may be finished in fall, 1993, and the interpretive report may be available 6 months after the release of these data (Mark Kosar, personal correspondence 1992}. When released, these data will provide a wealth of information regarding water chemistry. Additionally, information on pesticide content (if present) and radon water analysis of selected wells will be available. The USGS personnel understandably will not release data until the reports are completed. There are some generalities, however, that can be shared. Most wells in the Valley are shallow because drillers stop before they encounter the Pocono Group rocks. The water quality diminishes in aquifers in the Pocono and thus the Greenbrier aquifers are sought. The depth to water table varies in response to geologic setting. On the Valley floor, the depth is 10-30 feet. Further up the slopes, as in the Canaan Heights area, water table may be 60-100 feet deep (possibly even 120 feet). At higher elevations on the slopes, in the Mauch Chunk bedrock, water table may be 150-200 feet deep (Mark Kosar, personal communication 1992). In general, the prime source of groundwater recharge is the winter snow pack. Precipitation during May-October is countered by substantial user-needs. In November and December, precipitation begins the critical recharge cycle. There will be available within a few year's time, a wealth of both surface and subsurface water data. Until the reports are released, however, there is a critical lack of water data for any part of the Valley. This situation has complicated the decision-making process in response to requests to develop the southern end of the Valley. The Area of Concern contains several streams, including a portion of the Blackwater River which flows directly through this area after leaving Canaan Valley State Park where it originates. Originating in the Area of Concern is Freeland Run, a tributary of the Blackwater River, which begins on a mountainside along the southeastern end of Canaan Valley. Yoakum Run is another tributary of the Blackwater River which flows through the Area of Concern. The headwaters of Yoakum Run originate within Timberline 4-Seasons Resort. The North Branch (of the Blackwater River) originates on the western side of Canaan Valley, then flows eastward before passing under Cortland Road and turning north. It then meanders through a variety of habitat types before joining the Blackwater River in the area owned by Monongahela Power. The southern end of the North Branch is located in the Area of Concern. No lakes are located within the Area of Concern, but 2 lakes within Timberline Association, Inc. are located nearby. Spruce Island Lake (40 acres) is the more southerly of the 3 and drains south directly into Yoakum Run and the Area of Concern. Sand Run Lake (25 acres) is located immediately north of Spruce Island Lake and drains north into Sand Run, outside of the Area of Concern but within the property owned by Monongahela Power. A third lake, Mallow Lake (11 acres), is located on Monongahela Power property in the northern end of Canaan Valley and is within the boundaries of the proposed wildlife refuge.

10 Plant Communities Land cover classifications in the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley, using the abbreviated Cowardin et. al. (1979) system, are presented in Tables 3, 4, and 5. Relative abundance of each major cover type is as follows. Northern end Southern end* acres \' acres \' Palustrine 5,021 28.2 1,506 24.5 Riverine 60 0.3 32 0.5 Upland 12,745 71.5 4,602 75.0

Total 17,826 100.0 6,140 100.0 * Southern end does not include Canaan Valley State Park, developed portions of Timberline 4-Seasons Resort,· or Timberline Association, Inc.

Primary habitat types in southern Canaan Valley include: northern hardwoods, conifers, aspen grove, alder thicket, ecotone, shrub savannah , spiraea thicket, krurranholz, bog, beaver pond, and agriculture. A general description of each primary habitat type (modified from Vogelman 1978) follows. 1. Northern hardwoods These forests are usually located on higher and drier areas above the valley floor. Dominant overstory trees are red maple (� rubrum), sugar maple CA... saccharuml, black cherry (Prunus serotipal, American beech (fasu, qrandifolial, and yellow birch CBetula alleqhanienais). Canadian hemlock (Tsuqa canadensis) and red spruce () are occasionally intermingled with northern hardwoods. understory vegetation consists of rhododendron (Rhodod•pdron maximum), striped maple (A, pensylvanicum), mountain holly <.I!H mont1ne>, and seedlings of canopy trees. Ground cover is quite variable and often conai•t• of such herbaceous species as wood sorrel (Oxalis montepp), spring beauty (Claytonia virqinica), trout lily (Brythronium americanum), partridge berry (Mitcruplla repens), ramps (Allium tricoccum), wood fern ( pryopteris intennedia), andground pine (Lycopodium obscurum). 2. conifers Red spruce stands occur on the upper slopes of Cabin Mountain. These stands may contain a few intermixed hemlocks and hardwoods, such as yellow birch. The dense canopy and undecomposed litter (spruce needles) prevent the growth of understory shrubs and herbaceous plants. Mosses, liverworts, and ferns are commonly scattered throughout spruce forests. Wetland forests comprised of balsam fir (), hemlock, and red spruce have developed where drainage is poor. The water table in these stands may be at or above the surface most of the year, resulting i.n trees with shallow root systems. Windfallen trees and pools of water are common in many wetland forests within the southern end. These present a dense, nearly impenetrable understory, especially when intermixed with rhododendron thickets. Those fir­ hemlock-spruce stands growing where the water table is below the surface usually have deep root systems. This results in a relatively open understory much like that present under red spruce stands found on Cabin Mountain. Mosses and liverworts form the ground cover in most wetland forests. 3. Aspen groves Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and bigtooth aspen (P. qrandidentata) both occur in stands in the southern end. Quaking aspen generally grows on

11 poorly-drained soils while bigtooth aspen is found on somewhat drier hillside sites. Aspen usually occurs as scattered trees or as small isolated stands and is found in several locations throughout the southern end. Most stands are struggling for survival because aspen is an invading species and must compete with species adapted for late succession conditions. Aspen stands are usually associated with old-field conununities and have an understory characterized by goldenrod (Solidaqo spp.), blueberry (Vaccinium spp), club mosses (Lycopodium spp.) , poverty grass (Danthonia spp.), cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), and bracken fern (Pteridium aguilinum). 4. Alder thickets Alder thickets occur along streams and rivers within the Area of Concern. Speckled alder (Alnus rugosa) is the dominant species in these communities, which are often found in association with coniferous wetland forests of balsam fir and hemlock. Alder communities occur where soils are poorly drained and pools of standing water are often scattered throughout. Ground cover is usually dense under alder thickets and may consist of wood fern (Dryopteris spinulosa), mannagrass (Glyceria qrandis), goldenrod, sedges, and smartweeds (Polyqonum spp.) . The herbaceous understory of alder thickets is more diverse than that of any other habitat type in the Area of Concern. Alder . communities are conunon throughout the Area of Concern with one of the most extensive stands being located along Timberline Road. 5. Ecotone This habitat type is a transitional zone between 2 different habitats, with the most common being that created where northern hardwoods meet shrub savannah. Plant species that are present in both adjacent habitats commonly occur in this zone. Seldom are there any plant species present in an ecotone zone that do not occur in other habitats. This habitat type is present throughout the Area of Concern and borders most, if not all, hardwood and conifer forests. 6. Shrub savannah Many lands in the southern end of Canaan Valley were previously used for agriculture, primarily livestock production. Grazing and mowing have been terminated in some of these fields and these abandoned lands are now in various stages of early succession. Common herbaceous plants include goldenrod, bracken fern, white flat-topped aster (� umbellatus), St. Johns-wort (Hypericum ellipticum), mountain oat-grass (Danthonia compressa), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), groundberry (Rubus hispidus), and club mosses. Old-field communities are normally relatively short lived (5-10 years) and are typically replaced by shrub and tree communities. Many old fields in the southern end are being maintained by mowing and by browsing. Deer play a role in ecological succession by eating and controlling the growth of various woody species. Some cultivated fields were abandoned in the 1950's, before deer populations had reached their current levels. Shrubs were thus able to become established in these areas, which are now characterized by a shrub-savannah community. Hawthorn (Crataequs spp.), viburnums (Viburnum spp.), St. Johns-wort, and blueberry are the most conspicuous shrubs occurring in this community in the Area of Concern. Trees such as aspen, black cherry, and serviceberry (Amelanehier spp.) have· also invaded these fields and may be isolated within the fields or form a field­ forest ecotone at the borders. Shrub savannah communities exist in various areas throughout the Area of Concern but are most extensive along Timberline.Road.

12 This community type is one of the most diverse in Canaan Valley and can be divided into 3 basic types: £orb-grass, £orb-shrub, and £orb-deciduous hardwoods. 7. Spiraea thicket Thickets of meadowsweet or spiraea (Spiraea alba) are•common on poorly drained, disturbed soils. This dense-growing shrub at�ains a height of 3-6 feet and has a ground cover that is sparse or nonexistent. Spiraea can grow in standing water and may be found in and around beaver ponds. Spiraea thickets form the densest cover of any habitat type in the southern end and some are almost impenetrable to humans. Dense stands are usually found near ald�r thickets and are common throughout the Area of Concern.. One of the largest stands occurs near the Timberline Road. 8. Krummholz This habitat is typically included with the northern hardwoods community type, but due to its specific location and unique community structure we have identified it as a separate type. This habitat is a mixture qf northern hardwoods and ecotonal species that occur along the rim of Cabin Mountain. The elevation (approximately 4, 000 feet) and freezing winds from the west have resulted in stunted woodland habitat. Striped maple, red maple, American beech, mountain ash (� americana), and deciduous holly are the most common woody species and seldom attain heights greater than 20 feet. Herbaceous groundcover is scarce, although ferns, blackberry, and blueberry are present where the tree canopy is open enough to permit adequate light penetration. 9. �

Bogs are characterized,by hummocks of Polytrichum moss and Sphagnum moss. Hummocks are 6-12 inches high and usually surrounded by standing water. Drainage is seriously impaired fn bogs, with the water table at or near the surface. Polytrichum moss bogs are better drained than are Sphagnum bogs and may be quite dry during dry seasons of the year. Hummocks in Polytrichum bogs commonly support dewberry (Rubus hispidus) and various sedges and rushes as well as the dominant Polytrichunt mosses. Shrub• such as wild raisin (Viburnum ca&sinoides), blueberry, and smooth arrowwood {Viburnum recognitum) grow where moss hU11'1'1\0cks are drier. Sphagnum bogs support fewer woody plants than do Polytrichum bogs, but do support low creeping vines such as creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), and cranberry (Vaccinium spp.). 10. Beaver ponds Beaver pond communities are quite diverse and consist of several interdependent habitats: the ponded water, flooded trees and/or shrubs, and adjacent wet meadow-marsh wetlands. The impoundment portion of a beaver pond usually contains submergent vegetation, emergent vegetation, and open water. Most trees that are flooded when beaver build a new pond are killed within a few months. In contrast, shrubs such as alder, spiraea, and willow usually survive when flooded. The wet meadow-marsh wetlands that are created adjacent to a beaver pond include: sedge meadow, shallow marsh, grass-sedge meadow, natural wet meadow, and wetland mosaic. Under the u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service classification (Cowardin et al 1979) these are all classified as palustrine emergent. For purposes of simplification, the term wet meadow-marsh will be used throughout· most of this report. Wet meadows are characterized by having the water table at or just below

l.3 the surface of the ground throughout most of the year, although they may have standing water during the wet seasons. Marshes typically have standing water up to 3 feet deep and are dominated by emergent wetland plants. Wet meadow communities are characterized by bluejoint grass (Calmaqrostis canadensis), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), mannagrass (Glyceria spp.), tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum), and sedges such as Carex stricta, £..:.. r ostrata, £..:.. vulpinoidea, and c. folliculata. Marshes typically contain wool grass (Scirpus rubrotinctus), conunon rush (Juncus effusus), sedges, cattails (Typha latifolia), bulrush (Scirpus validus)., and marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium). Wet meadows and marshes occur not only around beaver ponds but also along small streams. Several extensive wet meadow-marsh complexes are present in the Area of Concern, with one of the most visible being located west of Timberline Road along an unnamed tributary of the Blackwater River. 11. Agriculture Agricultural fields are actively-farmed areas that are used for haying and/or grazing cattle. No commercial crops (other than hay) are currently grown in Canaan Valley, although they have been in the past. Vegetation in the hayfields/pastures consists primarily of native grasses such as Glyceria spp., rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), oat-grasses (Danthonia spp.), and bromegrass (Bromus spp.) . Hayfields are usually mowed once per year and pastures are usually grazed during all seasons of the year. Several of these agricultural fields have the water table near the surface and contain extensive areas of wet meadow habitat. Agricultural fields are most connon along Freeland Run Road although one is located adjacent to Timberline Road. The most abundant habitat types in the Area of Concern are northern hardwoods (33 I of the Area o� Concern) and herbaceous (31 I of the Area of Concern} {Fig. 4). Northern hardwoods are located primarily on the mountainsides, while herbaceous habitats consist primarily of agricultural fields on the Valley floor. Thickets of alder and spiraea comprise 15 I of the Area of Concern, followed by hawthorne (shrub savannah.a} habitats (8 I} and beaver pond complexes (5 I of the Area of Concern}. Relative abundance 0£ any single habitat type in the Area of Concern is far less important than its percentage of the total acreage for that habitat type in Canaan Valley. For example, 43 \ of all spruce-hemlock conifer forests in Canaan Valley are located in the Area of Concern (Fig. 5}. The majority of these are located-in the Freeland Run watershed. Also, 33 \ of all herbaceous habitats (primarily agricultural fields), 25 \ of all the hawthorne conmnmities (primarily shrub savannah), and 22 \ of the conifer wetlands (primarily balsam fir forests) are located in the Area of Concern. When all balsam fir, hemlock, and red spruce forests are considered together, 65 \ of all conifer forests in Canaan Valley are located in the Area of Concern. . vegetation of southern Canaan valley wetlands A field survey of plant species and. communities present in the Area of Concern was undertaken in the fall of 1991 and continued through the growing season of 1992. Wetlands in Canaan Valley State Park and Timberline Development were not considered a part of the Area of Concern in this survey. The objectives of the field survey were to determine if: 1 -- any-plant species or plant communities occur only in the Area of Concern,· and not in the northern end of Canaan Valley and not in Canaan Valley State Park; 2 - any plant species or plant communities are more abundant in the Area of

14 Concern than in any other portion of Canaan Valley; 3 - any complex of plant species or plant communities is significantly more abundant in the Area of Concern than in any other portion of Canaan Valley; 4 - certain plant speci�s or plant communities are more readily accessible to the public in the Area of Concern than in any other portions of Canaan Valley; and 5 - certain plant species or plant communities can be better protected in the Area of concern than in other portions of Canaan Valley, e.g. overabundance of deer in Canaan Valley State Park threatening certain plants or animals. Most southern Canaan Valley wetlands contain evidence of past and present human activity/development that ha.s negatively impacted wetland values. The more critical activities/developments are as follows: (1) drainage ditches; ( 2 ) cattle grazing; (3) clearing of wetland forests; (4) highway and road rights-of­ way; (5) power line rights-of-way; (6) a gas line right-of-way; and (7) establishment of exotic plants. In addition to human activities, a dense population of white-tailed deer has caused widespread reduction and local elimination of several native plants that are preferred foods of deer. Six areas were surveyed (Fig. 4) and are described below.

Timberline Road Northeast - This area is bordered by Timberline Road on the south and east, the Blackwater River on the west, and Timberline Resort on the north. This large flat area contains several small streams that are lined with thickets of speckled alder and meadowsweet (Spiraea spp.). Other areas are relatively dry, old fields of grasses, sedges, moases, goldenrods and shrubs (predominantly St. John's-wort). The northern section is a large Sphagnum b containing many sedges and rushes and a few small groves of quaking aspen. og

Timberline RoadNorth west - This area is bordered by Timberline Road on the south, the B�ackwater River on the east and a large power line right-of-way on the west. Speckled alder thickets are conmon along the many meanders of the Blackwater River and the several low areas that extend westward toward the power line. Much of this area consists of old fields that are dominated by goldenrods, dewberries, grasses and St. John's-wort. Timberline Road South - This area lies south of Timberline Road and north and west of the Blackwater River. Most of this area is an active pasture adjacent to the river. A small area adjacent to Timberline Road is an old field that consists mostly of sedges, grasses, goldenrods, mosses and St. John's-wort with isolated exposed limestone boulders. Another section is a thicket of speckled alder, meadowsweet, hawthorn and choke- cherry. Blackwater Crossing This area lies along the south banks of the Blackwater River on the eastern side of WV Route 32. The immediate riverbank is primarily dense shrubs. The river and its muddy banks are rich in emergents and aquatics. An open field of 8 acres adjacent to WV Route 32 is owned by The Nature Conservancy and consists of cultivated grasses, some native sedges, and a few wood horsetail (Bguisetum sylvaticum). Between this field and a gas pipeline right-of-way is a remnant second growth swamp forest containing some balsam fir and wood horsetails. On the eastward side of the area is a small spring-fed drain containing small populations of several rare plants. The southern edge encompasses some healthy remnant balsam fir stands that are heavily grazed. Freeland Run - This area is located along Freeland Run near its junction with the Blackwater River. All of this area is grazed by cattle and shows severe negative impacts on native vegetation. Approximately one-third of the area has

15 been severely impacted with drainage ditches and recent clearing of forests to create pasture. The area contains some of the oldest stands of balsam fir in Canaan Valley. One exemplary stand of balsam fir and northern hardwood swamp forest remains in good, though isolated, condition on the western edge of this area. The eastern edge contains a large Sphagnum bog with scattered conifers. The Freeland Run area contains isolated but very significant plants such as dwarf cornel (Cornus canadensis), star-violet (Dalibarda repens), oak fern (Gymnocarpum dryopteris), swamp saxifrage (Saxifraga pensylvanica), black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and several sedges. Stonecoal Flats - This area, located at the headwaters of Freeland Run, was discovered late in the field survey and was visited during late summer of 1992. While no rare plants were located, this high elevation bog and conifer swamp forest is one of the best undisturbed plant communities of this type in West Virginia. For a complete listing of all plant species that were located during 1991 and 1992 field surveys in the various portions of the southern end of Canaan Valley see Tables 6, 7, and 8.

Rare and Endangered Plant Species No plant species listed as threatened or endangered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is known to occur in Canaan Valley. A Category 2, federal­ candidate plant, Darlinton's spurge (Buphorbia purpurea) occurs in wetlands in Canaan Valley, including 3 locations in the Area of Concern. Twenty-five plant species listed as species of special concern by the WVDNR occur in Canaan Valley. Thirteen of these 25 are present in wetlands in the Area of Concern (Tables 9 and 10). Two of these species, wood horsetail (Bguisetum sylvaticum) and northeastern lady fern (Athyrium angustum), occur in the Area of Concern wetlands, but not in any other location in Canaan Valley. The remaining 11 species are present in both the Area of Concern and Ca.rut.an Valley State Park, but the following 6 species have larger and healthier populations in the Area of Concern: American mannagrass (Glyceria grandip), � bromoides, � cane1cens, � rostrata, woolgrass (Scirpus atrocinctus), and nannyberry (Viburnum lentago). Three additional plant species with special concern status, balsam fir (AIU.la bal1tJMA), swamp saxifrage (Saxifraga pen,aylvanica), and cranberry tree (Viburnum trilobum), are threatened by deer browsing. vertebrate Animals The diversity of plant communities in the southern end of Canaan Valley supports equally diverse wildlife populations. The USFWS (EIS 1979) reported that 286 species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and-mammals are known or expected to occur in Canaan Valley. Most of these 286 species occur in the Area of Concern. 1. Fishes At least 28 species of fish occur in the Area of Concern. Eight are game fish (3 trout, 1 bass, 2 sunfish, and 2 catfish) and 20 are nongame or forage fish (Table 11). These nongame fish include suckers, shiners, , daces, darters, stonerollers, sculpins, and stonecats. Fish were collected from Freeland Run in May 1992, using a gas-powered, backpack, electrofishing system. Three collection runs were made to include all habitat types present. A total of 124 fish were collected (Table 12), including dace, sculpin, creek chub, and trout. The most commonly collected fish was blacknose dace, typically found in deeper pools and runs. sculpins were commonly collected in riffle habitats, along with creek chubs, , and brook trout. A brown trout was collected in a pool. Water quality was good (pH of 7. 8 and a conductivity of 30 micromhos).

16 Freeland Run contains a healthy population of brown trout with successful spawning being observed by WVDNR fish biologists (Don Gasper, WVDNR, Fish Biologist). Fry survival is probably low due to heavy predation by the large creek chub population in the lower pools. In the fall spawning season, brown trout have been observed in the upper reaches of Freeland Run on the western slope of Cabin Mountain. Brown trout up to 16 inches long have been caught and released in the upper sections of this stream. Although relatively little research has been conducted in recent years on the fisheries in the southern end of Canaan Valley, informal surveys of local anglers does provide some useful information. These anglers report fair number.s of brook trout in Freeland Run, but these numbers have been declining over the last few years. This reported decline is probably due to a combination of factors including competition by brown trout and chubs, overfishing by limit­ exceeding anglers, and increased sedimentation in the lower two-thirds of the stream. Sedimentation from cattle-caused stream bank disturbances constitutes a serious threat to the lower two-thirds of Freeland Run. During a field survey in September 1992, a heavy rain resulted in the immediate muddying of lower Freeland Run. A thermometer placed on the stream bottom just prior to the rain was completely coated with fine sediments within 1 hour. The small left fork of Freeland Run, which is fenced to eliminate cattle, remained clear during and after the rainfall. Off-road-vehicle (ORV) use of the southern end of Canaan Valley is relatively light, as compared to the serious destruction caused in the northern end (Stout 1992). Water quality, streamside vegetation cover, and stream structure are of relatively high quality. A backpack electrofishing survey was performed on the Blackwater River just west of State Route 32 in September 1992. Six species of fish were collected in one 100-yard station which is immediately west of the Area of Concern. The predominant species was the white sucker. Rock bass, largemouth bass, stoneroller, blunt-nose , and bluegill were also common. No trout were captured even though fingerling and catchable (>10 inch) brown and rainbow trout have been heavily stocked near this section of stream for several years. canaan Valley State Park officials have observed several adult largemouth bass and stocked trout caught by fishermen in the beaver ponds just above the State Route 32 bridge crossing over the Blackwater River. Flat Run, which emanates from a fairly large wetland located along the Canaan Loop Road (U.S. Forest Service Road 13), flows eastward through the Mirror Lake development before entering the Area of Concern. Although not regarded as a productive fishery, brown trout exist in the lower sections near the confluence with the North Branch of the Blackwater. A stocking of hatchery-raised brook trout by a local resident was made in 1990. These trout survived through the surmner before being extirpated by overfishing. The North Branch of the Blackwater drainage has experienced fairly extensive development by both businesses and private residences on its upper section along Cortland Road. Deerfield Village and Canaan Village are the largest businesses that discharge treated effluent into the North Branch drainage, but numerous septic systems from single family residences are also significant factors in this stream's water qua�ity. Although once known as a fine native brook trout stream, brook trout reports from the North Branch are now rare and undocumented. A good brown trout fishery does exist, however, especially downstream from the Roscoe Beall farm where a high quality spring adds to the North Branch flow. overhanging alders and thick brushy banks make this stream difficult to fish, but provide good cover for gamefish.

17 Yoakum Run and Mill Run, although outside the proposed acquisition boundary, should be given attention to determine the potential impacts of future recreational housing developments on the fish populations of these streams. Both Yoakum and Mill Run have been seriously impacted by the development of ski facilities. Both streams once contained healthy brook trout populations, but now only a remnant population exists in Yoakum Run and none have been reported from Mill Run in recent years. Ski slope construction resulted in heavy sediment loads being deposited in both streams. After approximately 20 years of "healing", the heavy run-off from the man-made snows during spring thaws and spring rains produce turbid conditions in Mill Run. Flows from Mill Run are diverted into two 5,000,000-gallon snowmaking ponds, resulting in probable wate,r temperature increases during the summer months. overflow water from snowmaking ponds is channeled through a third pond located near the State Park maintenance facility before re-entering Mill Run. As both streams enter the Valley floor and encounter lower gradients, sediment deposits may be observed in the deeper pools. Weekly stream surveys with the use of minnow seines are conducted by the Canaan Valley State Park naturalist as part of the Park interpretive program. Although rough and forage fish are the predominant species collected, fingerling bass and small brown trout have been collected in Mill Run. Both of these gamefish have been stocked in Mill Run each year for the last 4 years (1987- 1991). Brook trout in Yoakum Run were severely impacted by the construction of the Timberline ski slopes. Local anglers now report catching native brook trout in only a few sections of Yoakum Run. Expansion of building sites or additional ski slopes may result in the elimination of these remnant populations from Yoakum Run.

2. Amphibians Twenty-one species of amphibians, known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern, include 15 salamanders, 5 frogs, and 1 toad {Table 13). Although quite common, most amphibians are seldom observed because of their secretive habits and nocturnal behavior. Wetlands provide breeding, egg-laying, and feeding habitats for several amphibian species {Table 15). The 2 species of mole salamanders {Ambystoma .llm..,..) that occur in the Area of Concern are usually abundant during their breeding season(late March) when they migrate from their underground refugia to breed and lay eggs in various wetlands. In addition to these 2 species, wetlands provid.e habitats for the red-spotted newt {Notophthalmus v. viridescens), northern red salamander {Pseudotriton !:...:.. �), eastern American toad {Bufo h americanus), northern spring peeper {Pseudacris £.:.. crucifer), green frog {Rana clamitans melanota), wood frog(&.:.. sylvatica), and the pickerel frog {R. palustris). The four-toed salamander(Hemidactylium scutatum) lays its eggs in sphagnum moss at the edge of bogs. Seeps, springs, and small streams throughout the Area of Concern are habitat sites for the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus L fuscus), mountain dusky salamander (D. ochrophaeus), seal salamander 02..:... monticola), northern spring salamander {Gyrinophilus 12...:... porphyriticus), northern red salamander {Pseudotriton L. ruber), northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata), and the longtail salamander (E. longicauda). Four species of woodland salamanders, redback(Plethodon cinereus), slimy CE.:. glutinosus), Wehrle's (g_._ wehrlei), and Cheat Mountain(Plethodon nettingi) inhabit the hardwood forest. In addition, the terrestrial form of the red­ spotted newt(red eft), the mountain dusky salamander, four-toed salamander, and the northern two-lined salamander inhabit the hardwood forest during parts of their life cycles. The spring peeper, wood frog, pickerel frog, and American toad migrate to the forest or forest-ecotone to forage after the breeding season.

18 3. Reptiles Nine species of reptiles known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern include 1 turtle, 7 snakes, and 1 lizard (Table 14). The only turtle, the common snapping turtle {Chelydra s. serpentina), occurs in the Blackwater River, all major tributaries, and the larger beaver ponds. No lizards has been reported from Canaan Valley to the various museums of natural history in the eastern United States, although the northern coal skink (Eumeces � anthracinus) is expected to occur. The 7 species of snakes known to occur or expected to occur in the Area-of Concern are found throughout most of West Virginia. The northern water snake (Nerodia � sipedon) occupies most permanent wetlands, beaver ponds, and streams large enough to support a food supply of fishes and amphibians {Table 16). The remaining species, the northern redbelly snake (2..:_ o. occipitomaculata), eastern garter snake (Thamnophis .§..... sirtalis), northern ringneck snake {Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) I eastern smooth green snake (Opheodrys :lL,_ vernalis) I mountain earth snake (Virginia valeriae pulchra), and timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) are most frequently found in the old-field and forest ecotone habitats. The northern ringneck snake may also occur in the hardwood forest. Field surveys were conducted during spring 1992 to document the presence of those amphibians and reptiles expected to occur in Canaan Valley and to document the habitats and locations in the Area of Concern where they are likely to occur (Table 17). Three separate areas were surveyed: (1) Blackwater River north-to-Cortland Road; (2) Blackwater River wetlands-to-Freeland Run; and (3) Stonecoal Flats on Cabin Mountain (Fig. 5). The Blackwater River north-to-Cortland Road area includes the North Branch, Flat Run, and the area between the North Branch and Cortland Road. The North Branch at this location is bordered on both sides by bog-like wetlands; alder, Spiraea, and Sphagnum moss being most dominant. There are a few small, "open water" areas th.at are good potential breeding sites for salamanders, frogs, and toads. Two species were observed at this location, the spotted salamander and the green frog. There are also several dry, grassy areas with a few scattered trees adjacent to the North Branch. Larvae of the spotted salamander and American toad were found in road puddles in this habitat. Flat Run has several interesting habitats between Rt. 32 and Cortland Road. There are several small permanent and vernal pools, small oxbows, small bog areas, and mud flats. Alder, Spiraea, and Sphagnum moss are the dominant plants. Spiraea is so thick in many places that access is possible only by walking atop plants. American toads, wood frogs, green frogs, .and spotted salamanders were observed at this location. A mixed coniferous-deciduous forest borders the southwestern edge of the area between Rt. 32 and Cortland Road. No amphibians or reptiles were found during field surveys at this location. The Blackwater River wetlands-to-Freeland Run area included Freeland Run from Freeland Run Road to Timberline Road. In addition to Freeland Run, 3 intermittent streams are present within the area. Several bog areas, permanent and vernal pools, stands of red spruce, and mixed deciduous stands were also surveyed. Species observed at this location included: spotted ealamander, red­ spotted newt, northern dusky salamander, northern two-lined salamander, northern spring peeper, and green frog. The Timberline Road-to-Cortland Road location . was characterized by a variety of potential habitats for amphibians, including: the Blackwater River, 2 intermittent streams, several pennanent and vernal pools, oxbows, Sphagnum moss bogs, abandoned beaver ponds, old field communities, spring seeps, and small

19 wetlands. Spotted salamanders, northern spring peepers, green frogs, and wood frogs were observed during surveys in this area. The Stonecoal Flats area is located at the southeastern end of Canaan Valley, at the rim of Cabin Mountain. The main area of interest where surveys were concentrated was a bog, saddled between Bald Knob and Cabin Knob. This bog is typical of the unique conifer bogs which are found in and around Canaan Valley with Sphagnum moss, cranberry, and scattered red spruce dominating. This particular bog contains no large open areas of surface water, but there are a few small pools (less than 1 square meter) that provide habitat for amphibians. No amphibians or reptiles were observed during our survey at this site. A large population of Cheat Mountain salamanders (Plethodon nettingi), listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened species, occurs approximately 50 feet in elevation above this bog. This population has one of the largest vertical distributions of all known populations of £..... nettingi. This population was intensively and extensively surveyed in 1991 by Dr. T. K. Pauley for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

4.� Birds are the most common vertebrates in the Area of Concern, with over 150 species (Table 18). These include numerous species of waterfowl, upland gamebirds, shorebirds and marsh birds, raptors, and a variety of songbirds .. Preferred habitats for these species are presented in Table 19. Shorebirds, marsh birds, wading birds, and other wetland birds commonly migrate through the southern end, but most do not nest in the Area of Concern. common snipe (Capella gallinago), green-backed heron (Butorides striatus), killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia) regularly nest in the Area of Concern and American bittern (Botaurua lentiqinosus) possibly nest there. Hawks are common in the Area of Concern and several species nest there, including the sharp-shinned (Accipiter striatu1), Coopers (� cooperii), red­ shouldered (� lineatus), broad-winged Cb platypterus), and American kestrel <� sparyeriua). The bald eagle (Haliaeetua leucocepbalus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and osprey (Pandionhaliaetua) are occasional visitors, but do not nest in the southern end or in any part of Canaan Valley. Barred owls (� varia), great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus), screech owls (Otus asio), and northern saw-whet owls (Aegolius acadicus) are all year­ round residents and all nest in the Area of Concern. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) also nest in the Area of concern, but usually migrate. Nearly 50 species of songbirds nest in the Area of Concern, including woodpeckers, ravens, crows, flycatchers, warblers, sparrows, and numerous others. Many migrating birds pass through Canaan Valley each spring and fall. The Valley is particularly important as a feeding and res.ting area for migrating waterfowl, herons and shorebirds since it is the largest single wetland complex in the mountains of West Virginia. The abundant beaver ponds are especially important to migrating birds because of the food, cover, perch sites, and open water for resting that they provide. The use of the Valley by migrating birds would be significantly lower if there were no beaver ponds. Helicopter surveys of waterfowl conducted over the last 13 years during August and November reported roughly 5 times more mallards (&lll platyrhynchue)and black ducks (� rubripee) in November than in August. Large flights of migrating woodcock landing in Canaan Valley have been well-documented (Hall 1983).

20 A few species of birds that are not year-round residents winter in Canaan Valley. Nota.bly, tht:!se are birds that breed in the northern United States and/or Canada. Rough-legged hawks (Buteo laqopus) and evening grosbeaks (Hesperiphona vespertina) are regular winter visitors. Short-eared owls (Asia flammeus), common redpolls (Carduelis flanunea), and pine siskins (Spinus pinus) occasionally winter in Canaan Valley. Hall (1983) recognizes 3 avifaunal regions occurring within West Virginia: the Region; the Western Hills Region; and the Ridges and Valleys Region. Canaan Valley lies within the northern portion of the Allegheny Mountains Avifaunal Region, which occupies north central West Virginia. Ha�l lists 40 species of birds that are characteristic of the region. In general, these are species found in cool, moist areas of the northern United States and Canada. Thirty-three of the 40 species have been known to nest in Canaan Valley, 19 of the 40 (47.St) do not occur outside of the Allegheny Mountains Region of the state (Table 20). Of these 40, 8 reach the southern extremity of their range in this mountain region of West Virginia. Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and swamp sparrows {Melospiza georgiana) also reach the southern limit of their range in the state but are found in other avifaunal regions as well. All species in Table 20 have been recorded in the Area of Concern in the southern portion of Canaan Valley. All habitat types found in the Valley are also represented in the Area of Concern, albeit in varying proportions. Following is a description of breedi.ng bird communities that inhabit each of the major habitat types occurring in the Area of Concern. Alder thicket. Alder thicket is included in the palustrine broad-leaved deciduous scrub/shrub habitat type in Tables 3 and 4. Swamp sparrows, common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas), and alder flycatchers (Bmpidonax alnorum) are the most common occupants of this moist and· dense habitat type. The gray catbird (Duffletella carolinensis), chestnut-sided warbler (Pffprlr9ica penaylvanica), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), and northern waterthrush (Seiurua noyeborac•p•i•) are also frequently found nesting here. The long-eared owl and golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) also nest in this habitat type. Alder thickets that are grazed are particularly valuable feeding and nesting areas for woodcock.

Conifer. This habitat type corresponds to the palustrine needle-leaved evergreen forest type in Tables 3 and 4. The most common birds breeding in this boreal swamp forest are the northern waterthruah, common yellowthroat, house wren (Troglodytes aedon) and magnolia warbler (Dendroica magnolia). Other species commonly found in this type are black-capped chickadee (� atricapillua) , blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), song sparrow, swamp sparrow, cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), and Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis). Birds typical of more northern geographic areas that nest in this habitat type are red-breasted nuthatch (� canadensis), black-capped chickadee, magnolia warbler, Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla), winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), swamp sparrow, Canada warbler, yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata), long-eared owl, and northern saw-whet owl. Agricultural. This habitat type is included in the palustrine emergent and upland herbaceous types presented in Tables 3 and 4. Agricultural areas in Canaan Valley consist primarily of hayfields and pastureland and are almost exclusively found in the southern end of the Valley, mainly in the Area of Concern. Dominant bird species nesting in these areas are savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), bobolink, red-winged blackbird (Agelaiue phoeniceus), and eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna). These areas also offer valuable feeding habitat for birds of prey, such as American kestrels, red­ shouldered hawks, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks, northern harriers, long­ eared owls, northern saw-whet owls, eastern screech owls, and great-horned owls.

�- This habitat type includes the palustrine moss\lichen type and is part of the palustrine broad-leaved deciduous scrub\shrub type presented in

21 Tables 3 and 4. By far, the most common bird species nesting in the Sphagnum and Polytrichum bog of Canaan Valley is the savannah sparrow. Other species commonly nesting in this type, particularly when more shrubs are present, are the common yellowthroat, swamp sparrow, and the song sparrow. Birds that traditionally breed in more northern geographic areas but also utilize the Valley bog areas as breeding grounds are the common snipe and the . Indeed, Canaan Valley may be the southern extent of the snipe's breeding range (U.S. Department of Interior 1979). Spiraea thicket. This habitat type is included in the palustrine broad­ leaved deciduous scrub/shrub type in Tables 3 and 4. The swamp sparrow, common yellowthroat, and alder flycatcher are the most common species nesting in the moist and almost impenetrable spiraea thickets. Other species conunonly breeding in this type include the gray catbird, red-winged blackbird, chestnut-sided warbler, and song sparrow. Spiraea thickets are the most densely avian-inhabited areas in Canaan Valley, although fewer bird species are found there than in most other types. Shrub savannah. This habitat type is primarily included in the upland herbaceous habitat type presented in Tables 3 and 4. The most common breeding birds populating these extensive open areas punctuated by small trees and shrubs, are song sparrows, field sparrows, common yellowthroats, and savannah sparrows. These areas also offer valuable hunting areas for raptors including American kestrels, red-shouldered hawks, northern harriers, long-eared owls, northern saw­ whet owls, eastern screech owls, and great-horned owls.

Aspen. This habitat type is included in both the palustrine and upland broad-leaved deciduous forest types in Tables 3 and 4. Aspen occurs in a variety of situations throughout Canaan Valley: upland and wetland; in small woodland openings or in large, open areas; and along streams or beaver ponds. Bird species nesting in this habitat type vary accordingly. Common yellowthroat, red­ eyed vireo {Vireo oliyaceu,), indigo bunting {Pa11•rtP1 cyanea), song sparrow, and field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) are the moat cOlllmlOn breeding birds found in aspen stands. Since both aspen species (bigtooth and quaking) in Canaan Valley are typically short-lived, woodpeckers and other cavity-nesters such as eastern bluebirds (Sialis sialis), house wrens, white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis), great-crested flycatchers (Myiarsbuecri nitua) andeastern screech owls benefit greatly from the many standing dead trees that are usually found in mature aspen stands. Aspen stands are frequently used by golden-winged warblers and this habitat appears to be one of their preferred nesting sites. Grazed aspen areas are valuable nesting and feeding cover for woodcock. Young, regenerating stands of aspen are especially important for woodcock as brood habitat during late spring and early summer. Northern hardwoods. This habitat type is a major portion of the upland broad-leaved deciduous forest type presented in Tables 3 and 4. Birds most commonly nesting in the northern hardwoods are red-eyed vireos, black-throated green warblers (Dendroica virens), and ovenbirds (Seiurus au.rocapillus). The veery (Catharus fuscescens), and rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheusticus ludovicianus), both typically northern species, are also fairly common in this habitat type. Other northern species found here are the (Accipiter gentilis) (Species of Concern, WVDNR), Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, black-capped chickadee, American brown creeper (Certhis familiaris), winter wren, least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus), solitary vireo (Vireo solitarius), and dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis).

Krummholz. This habitat type is included in the upland broad-leaved deciduous forest type in Tables 3 and 4. A mixture of woodland and ecotonal species occurs in this stunted, woodland habitat. Dark-eyed junco, indigo bunting, red-eyed vireo, and rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) are the most common species breeding in these areas. Other common nesting birds include field sparrow, common yellowthroat, and rose-breasted grosbeak.

22 Ecotone. This habitat type is a transitional zone between several different habitat types presented in Tables 3 and 4. The most common species breeding in these forest edge areas are red-eyed vireo, field sparrow, indigo bunting, common yellowthroat, song sparrow, rufous-sided towhee, and black­ capped chickadee. Typically northern species found in this habitat are Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla)., and swamp sparrow. The golden-winged warbler also nests in these areas. Beaver pond. This habitat type is included in the palustrine emergent and unconsolidated bottom and shore types presented in Tables 3 and 4. Beaver ponds are surrounded by a variety of habitat types, so birds found breeding near them vary accordingly. Some birds such as waterfowl, herons, and fish-eaters need these open water areas to survive. Swamp sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, common yellowthroats, and song sparrows are the most common species nesting near beaver ponds. Other birds likely to be found breeding in the vicinity are green-backed herons, alder flycatchers, common grackles (Ouiscalus guiscula), mallards, and Canada geese. Great blue herons (Ardea herodias) have commonly been observed feeding in beaver ponds during the summer but no nests have been recorded in Canaan Valley. The Area of Concern is an important component of the feeding, nesting, and resting habitat for most birds that use Canaan Valley. It contains 32 \ (23 acres) of the riverine (stream and river) habitat in Canaan Valley, 141 (23 acres) of the beaver pond (unconsolidated bottom and shore) habitat in Canaan Valley, and 20\ (336 acres) of the palustrine emergent (wet meadow and flooded woody vegetation) habitat in Canaan Valley, even though it accounts for only 201 of the total land area of the Canaan Valley watershed (Table 4). Few ornithological studies have taken place in Canaan Valley. Overall results of Allegheny Power System's breeding bird surveys (APS unpublished) are presented in Figs. 6 and 7 These results apply to southern Canaan Valley as well as the whole valley. Fig. 6 shows that conifer swamps and ecotonal areas contain the greatest number of avian species. These habitat types are structurally and vegetatively diverse, so it is not surprising that more species inhabit these areas. Conifer swamps in the Area of Concern account for 21.6 t of the conifer swamps found in Canaan Valley as a whole (Pig. 2). However, conifer swamps occupy only 1.5 I (Table 4) of the total area of the watershed. This is indeed critical habitat for the many northern species of birds found here, i. e. northern waterthrush, magnolia warbler, red-breasted nuthatch, winter wren, Canada warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, and l.ong-eared owl (Species of Concern, WVDNR). By definition, an ecotone is an area " ... where 2 or more different communities meet and integrate." (Smith 1974). The ecotone contains species common to each community type as well as adaptable species that tend to colonize transitional areas. Individual communities, with distinct boundaries, are identified as stands in this report. The average stand size is smaller in the Area of Concern (11.7 acres) than in either northern Canaan Valley (13.6 acres) or Timberline (12.9 acres) {Table 5). A "stand" can be interpreted as a habitat type. Smaller stand size indicates that more valuable ecotone or edge is found in the Area of Concern than in either of the other 2 areas. Only Canaan Valley State Park has more ecotone. The highest bird densities are found in the conifer, alder, and Spiraea habitat types (Fig. 7) which are generally dense areas that can support more breeding pairs. As discussed above, conifer swamp is a very valuable habitat that is in short su�ply in Canaan Valley. r:t supports many species as well as high densities. Alder and Spiraea types (broad-leaved deciduous scrub/shrub in Table 4)

23 make up 14.9 \ of the acreage in the Canaan Valley watershed: 19.9 \ of that is fow:id in the Area �f Concern. . The ald.er flycatcher and swamp sparrow are typically nort�ern birds that dominate this type of ha.bitat. The golden-winged warbl7r (Species of Special Concern, WVDNR) nests in this habitat type, especially when there are a few tall trees that can be used as singing perches. A small colony of golden-winged warblers has occupied the aspen/alder/spiraea thicket near the Blackwater River in the Area of Concern for over 10 years. American woodcock use alder thickets and aspen stands for nesting and brood-rearing, provided these areas are relatively open at ground level allowing ease of movement and feeding (Kletzly 1976). Agricultural areas (included in upland herbaceous type, Table 4) are mainly restricted to the Area of Concern. This is reflected in the fact that 33\' of the upland herbaceous habitat type of the total valley watershed is found in the Area of Concern. The upland herbaceous type makes up only 19\' of Canaan Valley as a whole. Although agricultural areas (grassland) have lower densities and fewer breeding birds (Figs. 6 and 7), species using these areas are worth noting. The bobolink, a typically northern bird of agricultural fields, is mainly found in the Area of Concern. The red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, and eastern screech owl that nest in the woodlands of the Area of Concern benefit from the close proximity of agricultural feeding areas to their nesting and roosting sites. Agricultural fields are quite important to woodcock during spring as singing grounds and during summer as night-feeding sites. The juxtaposition of open meadows with conifer swamp forest habitat is ideal for northern saw-whet owls that nest and roost in conifers or mixed conifer/hardwoods and feed in fields. This is also true for long-eared owls (Species of Concern, WVDNR) that hunt over open areas and nest in old hawk, squirrel, or heron nests in dense conifers (Terres 1980). The largest single stand of conifer swamp forest (37 acres) outside of Canaan Valley State Park is located along Freeland Run in the Area of Concern, and the pasture and hayfields surrounding it make it especially valuable for the above, unconmon avian species. Development of these fields would virtually eliminate habitat for those species, and ultimately the presence of the species themselves. Most resident birds are not territorial in the winter and many exhibit flocking behavior which allows them to take advantage of several different habitat types. Of the birds that are strictly winter visitors, the rough-legged hawk and the short-eared owl are territorial (Terres 1980). The rough-legged hawk is a bird that hunts in open areas, often from a perch. These large hawks have been regular visitors to Canaan Valley, particularly the Area of Concern, for at least the last 13 years. The short-eared owl winters in open fields and marshes, sometimes roosting in conifers (Terreg 1980). It has been seen sporadically in the Area of Concern for many years, especially during years of harsh winters further north. Any development of the agricultural areas in the Area of Concern will discourage rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls from using these areas in winter. s. Mammals Forty-eight species of mammals occur in the Area of Concern in southern Canaan Valley (Table 21). All are year-round residents except possibly some migratory bats. Preferred habitats of these species are given in Table 22. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and woodchucks (Marmota �) are the most visible mammals in the Area of Concern, although not necessarily the

24 most numerous. Most other mammals are not visible to human visitors because of their nocturnal habits or secretive behavior. Populations of deer and woodchucks are quite high in the Area of Concern and both species are important components of the ecosystem. Overbrowsing by deer impacts many plants and animals. Wetlands support beaver (Castor canadensis), (Ondatra zibethica) mink (Mµstela vison), and (Procyon lotor), while upland forests support long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata), red foxes (Vulpes fulva), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus),. striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginia), fisher (Martes pennanti), (Felis rufus), and black bear (Ursua americanus) . Most of these mammalian species use beaver ponds during certain months because of the variety of foods present. Many wetlands and plants and animals are dependent on beaver for their existence. Rodents euch as deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are the most common mammals in the Area of Concern, but are usually not visible. Deer mice prefer hardwood habitats while meadow voles prefer grassy habitats. Small mammals are quite important to the Canaan Valley ecosystem because they serve as a prey base for many carnivores, including snakes, owls, raptors, foxes, , and others. RARE AND ENDANGERED ANIMAL SPECIES The and Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) are the only species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species list that are known to occur in Canaan Valley (Table 23). Another endangered species, the eastern cougar (Felis concolor) is suspected of occurring in or near the Area of Concern. Sightings of cougars have been reported in recent years in the Canaan Valley-Dolly Sods area, but none have been confirmed. Bald eagles occasionally fly over the Area of Concern and a few feed along Sand Run Lake in the Timberline Association, Inc., especially during winter. The nearest bald eagle nest is 20 air miles to the east, along the South Branch of the . The northern flying squirrel occurs at elevations above 3,200 feet in mature hardwood-coniferous forests. This type of habitat is present on Cabin Mountain along the southeastern end of the Area of Concern. Northern flying squirrels have been confirmed in the northwestern end of Canaan Valley and optimal habitat for them occurs in the southern end. A northern flying squirrel was captured and banded in 1991 only 0.3 miles northeast of an unnamed tributary of the Blackwater River. This site is O. 8 miles north of the Freeland Run watershed, adjacent to the Area of Concern. Proposed studies to determine the presence of the northern flying squirrel in the southern end were thwarted by private land owners. The Cheat Mountain salamander is listed as threatened by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Cheat Mountain salamander occurs in only Tucker, Randolph, Pocahontas, and Pendleton counties of West Virginia. There are 72 known disjunct populations occurring from Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County south to Bald Knob in Pocahontas County. The known range is approximately 52 miles north to south and 20 miles east to west. In the southern part of its range, it has a vertical distribution that extends from 4,860 to 3,400 ft. In the northern part of the range, the vertical distribution is 4,360 to 2,640 ft. The habitat of the existing populations of Cheat Mountain salamanders varies somewhat. While its original habitat was probably predominantly forested areas of red spruce and yellow birch, it is also found in damp deciduous forests that contain few, if any, conifers. The Cheat Mountain salamander occurs on ridges and slopes surrounding the Valley. There are 5 known populations within or near the Area of Concern. Four of these populations are on Cabin Mountain and l is on Canaan Mountain. The 4

25 populations on Cabin Mountain include 2 at the head�-aters of Freeland Run, 1 at the headwaters of Yoakum Run, and 1 on Weiss Knob i1 the extreme southern part of the valley. The populations at the headwaters of Freeland Run are on private land, the one on Yoakum Run is split between privace and U.S. Forest Service land, and the Weiss Knob site is within the bounda1ies of Canaan Valley State Park. The Canaan Mountain population is on Monongahe .a National Forest property near Canaan Valley State Park, northeast of Pointy 1.,1ob. The vertical distribution of these populati.Jns and the existence of additional populations near the Valley floor have not been determined. Cheat Mountain salamander populations in the northern J art of the range extend downslope to 2,640 ft.. (�t Blackwater Falls State Park , well below the elevation of the Valley floor. It is possible, therefore, th�t this threatened species occurs in appropriate habitats at other locations in the southern end of Canaan Valley. No species of };>ats on the federal lists are known to occur in Canaan Valley. The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and Virginia big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii virginianus) , however, are both on the federal endangered list and are known to occur within so miles of Canaan Valley. Two other mammals that occur in Canaan Valley, the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and the northern water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus), are Category 2 candidates for possible future listing as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Federal Register/Vol. 47, No. 251/Thursday, December 30, 1982). The New England cottontail and the northern water shrew have both been reported for Canaan Valley, and both are likely to exist in the Area of Concern. The New England cottontail prefers areas with a dense understory of rhododendron or mountain laurel at elevations above 3,800 feet. The upper watershed of Freeland Run provides optimum habitat for this rabbit, which often occurs in locations occupied by . The New England cottontail is similar in appearance to the eastern cottontail and identification requires examination of their skulls. The New England cottontail occurs at a higher elevation than does the eastern cottontail. The northern water shrew inhabits wetlands in north�rn Canaan Valley, and is probably present in most streams and bogs in the Area of Concern. This mal'l'll\al is rarely seen and extremely difficult to trap because of its aquatic habitat. No fish species on the federal threatened or endangered list occur in Canaan Valley. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established a "Federal Species of Management Concern" category to identify species with declining populations and requiring habitat management. Species present in the Are� of Concern that are listed in this category include .American bittern, least bittern, red-shouldered hawk, short-eared owl, northern harrier, sedge wren, and golden-winged warbler. The black duck has been identified as a priority species under the North .American Waterfowl Management Plan because of its declining populations. West Virginia does not have state legislation relating to endangered species, but has published a list of vertebrate Species of r.oncern (WVDNR 1991). These vertebrate species are classified as: (1) special concern, (2) scientific interest, and (3) undetermined. These classes are defined as follows: Special Concern: "A species which was once more common or widespread in West Virginia and is now thought to be declining, becoming more restricted in range, or possibly extirpated."

26 Scientific Interest: "A species which has a unique scientific value (e.g. endemic, uncertain taxonomic status), or has probably always been uncommon in West Virginia because the state is on the pe ,riphery of its range." Status Undetermined: "Species in this classification are believed to be uncommon in West Virginia, but supportive data are lacking." No fish species on the state list of Species of Concern are known to occur in Canaan Valley. No amphibian or reptile Species of Spe,cial Concern are known to occur in Canaan Valley, but 2 species listed as Status Undetermined by the WVDNR occur in the southern end of Canaan Valley: These include the Jefferson salamander and northern coal skink. Several birds that are listed as Species of Concern by the WVDNR are known to occur in the Area of Concern. The American bittern, northern goshawk, northern harrier, osprey, and sedge wren (Cistothorus platensis) are on the state list as Species of Scientific Interest. The long-eared owl (Mi.Q .o.tJ.1§.) is listed as Statu.s Undetermined, and the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi) and golden­ winged warbler are Species of Special Concern. The northern water shrew, pygmy shrew(� hoyi), and long-tailed shrew (Sorex dispar) are classified as Status undetermined by the WVDNR and all probably occur in the Area of Concern. The pygmy shrew and water shrew have been reported in Canaan Valley and quite likely occur in the Area of Concern. Pygmy shrews prefer damp areas with a shrub or conifer overstory. Alder thickets with a grass ground cover and balsam-hemlock stands having a moss-herb ground cover provide habitats for these species in the Area of Concern. LOng-tailed shrews are more likely to be found in forests in higher elevations. Although not restricted to coniferous stands these species seem to prefer spruce forests such as are found on the mountain ridges along the southeastern end of the Canaan Valley. The star-nosed mole (Condylura criatat4) and meadow jumping mouse (IAm,ut. hudsonius) are listed as Species of Special Interest by the WVDNR. Both of these species have been reported in the Area of Concern. Star-nosed moles are usually near water, thus they probably occur in the wet meadows, marshes, and wooded swamps in the Area of Concern. Meadow jumping mice prefer grasslands or old field vegetation, such as the goldenrod-aster areas located throughout the southern end of Canaan Valley. The New England cottontail is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the WVDNR.

Game Animals over 30 different game animals, both bird and manunal, occur throughout the Area of Concern (Table 24). While no game animal is restricted to the southern end of Canaan Valley, a few are more abundant in the southern end than in the northern end. Two species of upland game birds, and more than 10 species of wetland game birds, are present in the Area of Concern. Many species of waterfowl visit the southern end during both fall and spring migration, but only 4 species nest in the Southern End (or in any part of Canaan Valley). These are the , , black duck, and . Only 2 species of upland game birds occur in the Area of Concern. (Bonasa umbellus) and (Meleagris gallopavo) are both year­ round residents and both nest in the wooded habitats of the Area of Concern.

27 Upland game birds that are widely distributed and numerous enough to hunt include the ruffed grouse and wild turkey. Waterfowl that are numerous enough to hunt include the Canada goose , black duck , mallard , and wood duck. All 4 of these waterfowl species breed in the southern end of Canaan Valley and all except the wood duck and Canada goose are year-round residents. Late summer populations are as follows: 500-525 Canada geese, 70-80 woodducks, 50-60 mallards, and 25-30 black ducks. Several other species of waterfowl use the southern end of Canaan Valley as a feeding and resting stop during both spring and fall migrations. These include buffleheads (Bucephala albeola), blue-winged teal (� discors), green-winged teal (Anas crecca), hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), and scaup (Aythya §PP). Other migratory game birds which are common throughout the southern end and abundant enough to hunt are the common snipe and American woodcock. Woodcock nest in the shrubby old-field habitats , but do not winter in the Valley. Canaan Valley serves as a breeding ground for resident woodcock and snipe and as a feeding and resting stop for those individual birds which breed in Canada and northern United States. Several other wetland game birds are present in the Area of Concern during both spring and fall, with some being quite numerous during the peak of migration. These include the American coot (Fulica americana), sora rail (Porzana carolina), and Virginia rail (Rallus limicola). Several species of mammals present in the Area of Concern are listed as game animals by the WVDNR and thus may be legally bunted or trapped during certain seasons. These include the white-tailed deer, black bear, bobcat, cottontail rabbit (Sylvilaqus floridanus), fisher, fox squirrel (Sciurus nisl.§!:), gray squirrel (Sciu.rus carolinensis), gray fox, , long-tailed weasel, opossum, and woodchuck. Common wetland species include the beaver, mink, muskrat, and . Cultural values Canaan Valley has always been known as a place uniquely wild. Even wh!!Jl the area surrounding it was a vast virgin wilderness, nearby inhabitants and visitors knew it was different. After it had been named Canaan Valley in the late J.Sth or early J.9th century, it was still unofficially called "Canada"' and crude boundary stones existed there with Canada etched on them when Maxwell wrote the History of Tucker County in 1884. Today, in describing the Valley, the comparison with Canada is often made. Nearly 70 years after 4 decades of logging and subsequent forest fires, Canaan Valley remains a unique biological mosaic, not only on a regional but also. on a national scale (Vogelmann 1978). Its high elevation, cool year-round climate and abundant precipitation create the environment for a diverse and unusual assemblage of habitats. There are old fields, wet meadows, bogs, shrub swamps, coniferous swamps, aspen stands, beaver ponda,. beaver meadows where ponds have been abandoned, northern hardwood forests, krununholz thicke�s, mountain ecotone, and cold, dark, mountain streams. Within these various vegetative communities are both relict boreal plant species and plants that are more typical of the region (Fortney 1975). As a result of the high vegetative diversity, wildlife diversity is also high. Visitors to Canaan Valley are able to see much of the ecological diversity of the Valley along the 15 miles of public roadways of southern qanaan Valley. The southern end is the only portion of the Valley most visitors (except hunters and trappers) see today. Access to most of the northern two-thirds of the Valley is via jeep roads and trails only. In an attempt to illustrate the cultural values of the area of southern Canaan Valley under consideration, natural areas will be described as a visitor would view them while driving the existing roads. Beyond the roadways, a more in-depth look will be taken at places of particular interest although it must be

28 remembered that thia ar�a :i..s presently in private ownership. The Route 32 approach to Canaan Valley from the south is particularly interesting in that it emphasizes the high elevation and broad expanse of the Valley. Following Rt. 32 from Red Creek, south of Canaan Valley, there is a continuous 3-mile climb of 1,200 feet until the road crosses Cabin Mountain and enters the Valley, at an elevation of 3, 300 feet. Upon entering the Valley, the road extends through Canaan Valley State Park for 1.5 miles until it reaches the junction of Freeland Road. Canaan Valley State Park continues to border the western side of Rt. 32 for approximately 1 mile. From this point northward until the road climbs Canaan Mountain and leaves Canaan Valley property on both side.e of Route 32 is privately-owned, except for a small area of the Monongahela National Forest at the northwestern end of the Valley. With the exception of a few views from nearby mountaintops, Freeland Road provides one of the most scenic vistas of southern Canaan Valley. From a knoll on this road, visitors can see the landform contrast of meadow and pasture partially encircling a conifer swamp that borders Freeland Run. In the background, Cabin Mountain rims the valley and on the ridge are open, grassy "balds" strewn with large boulders. The Freeland Run area is one of significance to Canaan Valley history in that the first homestead of the Valley was located here in 1800 " ... near an excellent spring a half mile southwest of Freeland Run" in a one-room log cabin with dirt floor and panther skin-covered window (Fansler 1962). Agricultural fields along Freeland Road, as well as those along Rt. 32 and Cortland Road, are maintained as grasslands, lending ecological diversity to the natural environment of the Valley. They add beauty by providing contrast to the hardwood forests, conifer stands, shrub swamps, and beaver ponds they border and they also provide an open area for viewing wildlife such as deer, marsh hawks (harriers), and kestrels. Rough-legged hawks are present in the meadow adjacent to the Freeland Run conifer swamp every winter. In summer, the meadow is occupied by bobolinks, meadowlarks, bluebirds, and other equally interesting birds. Woodcock and snipe frequent the area where the meadow becomes wet.. Several of these birds are not seen frequently in other portions of Canaan Valley, thus the Freeland Run area increases the opportunity for enjoyment by bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts. These fields have the potential to attract even more wildlife if habitat manipulation practices are employed.

If visitors were to enter the boreal coniferous swamp which borders Freeland Run (the largest of its kind in Canaan Valley) they would likely relive the experience, to some degree, of those early explorers to Canaan Valley. This wilderness was described as a wild place so dense with understory and fallen, moss-covered trees that there was not space enough for a man to lie down, and overhead the sun was blocked out by interlocked branches of spruce trees (Brown 1959, Fansler 1962). The understory and canopy that now exist in this coniferous swamp are similar to that which existed 200 years ago. Although not as large or dense as the original forest, the conifer swamp provides a wilderness feeling, with passage slowed by uprooted trees, dense stands of alder and rhododendron, and a general feeling of thick, lush growth. The canopy is predominately red spruce, hemlock, and balsam fir. Balsam fir is usually found in areas much farther north and it grows in only 3 locations in West Virginia. The groun� in this conifer swamp is wet for all but the driest times of the year, and visitors frequently sink to their ankles among mosses, skunk cabbage, and hununocked tree roots. Deer and bear sign are frequently seen throughout this Freeland Run conifer stand as are red-shouldered hawks, crows, and ravens. Mallards, wood ducks, and green-backed herons are present in or near the beaver pond adjacent to the conifer swamp. Visitors to this swamp have the opportunity to observe one of the great engineers of nature, the beaver. These animals are easily seen during the

29 twilight hours as they swim busily about or smack the water with their tails, signaling to other beaver. Although its activities provide much entertainment to visitors, this mammal is a serious habitat manipulator who contributes much to ecological diversity. Beaver ponds, such as those in the Freeland Run area, provide several seral stages in close proximity, including submergent and emergent aquatic vegetation, shrubs, trees, and standing snags. This vegetative diversity provides habitat for many other wildlife spe,cies, such as waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, cavity-nesting birds, , snapping turtles, mink, raccoon, fish-eating birds such as belted kingfisher (Meqoceryle alcon) and green-backed heron, and amphibians and aquatic reptiles. Beaver have also created open wet areas adjacent to the ponds and shrub swamps which provide breeding, nesting, and feeding areas for snipe and woodcock. Habitats along Freeland Run provide an area that is not only unique, visually appealing, and abundant with wildlife species; but ripe with opportunity for human participation, enjoyment, and education. At the end of the pavement on Freeland Road, the road (now private) begins a 2-mile climb up Cabin Mountain until it leaves the boundaries of the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and enters Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. This road leads to open places along the ridge where visitors can view a spectacular overlook of southern Canaan Valley. It has a broader vista than that from the top of the ski area in Canaan Valley State Park or from any other viewing area. This road is used to access Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, for cross­ country skiing, and is near a privately-owned ski touring center on Freeland Road. This road is not currently maintained. Access to the road is not restricted, but it is now nearly impassable to all but. 4-wheel drive and all­ terrain vehicles. Open areas on the top of Cabin Mountain are termed mountain ecotone by scientists investigating the unique plant comnunities present in and near Canaan Valley. Plants present are primarily grasses, ferns, blueberries, and scattered trees such as mountain ash. As one continues north of Freeland Road, State Route 32 crosses the Blackwater River. This crossing and one on the Timberline Road are the only state highway crossings of Blackwater River occurring in Canaan Valley. Both are extensively used by trout fishermen. The Route 32 cros•ing is where Blackwater River enters the Area of Concern. · Upstream of this point, the headwaters of Blackwater River are within Canaan Valley State Park. The Timberline Road begins itrmediately north of the Blackwater River and extends east along the Valley floor. This road offers visitors easy access to another component of ecological diversity that exemplifies Canaan Valley. The road cuts through a dense shrub-swamp community composed primarily of alder and spiraea with a few aspen and hawthorne stands. Alder, which usually grows in wet soils, is the most diverse floristic community in the Valley (Fortney 1975). This public road parallels the Blackwater River for about 1 mile. However, the river is concealed from the driver's view by dense vegetation. A hay field encircles the shrub swamp to the north and west. The viewing area becomes wider as the Timberline Road heads north after crossing the Blackwater River. An alder swamp and a conifer swamp of spruce,· hemlock, and balsam fir are visible to the south. To the west of Timberline Road can be seen clumps of aspen and some small bog areas in the wide, flat, bottom of an old field. The Timberline Road provides opportunities for the enjoyment of wildlife. Along this road, especially on spring evenings, the sounds of wildlife surround visitors. At twilight, the call of Canada geese can be heard. The calls of woodcock can be heard above the chorus of spring peepers and American toads. Visitors can experience the sounds of snipe in aerial display as they dive in spirals overhead during their court;ship flights. The calls of great-horned owls, barred owls, and occasionally a saw-whet owl also greet visitors. The Timberline Road was originally the old G. I. Road built in the l940's.

30 3. Wetland-type diversity

In the Freeland Run area and Yoakum Run area, wetland-type diversity receives a high rating due to the visual distinction of various wetland types within the wetland complex. These areas are composed of micro-landscapes of wooded swamp, shrub swamp, beaver pond, and wet meadow·. The Blackwater River area adjacent to the Timberline Road shows less wetland-type diversity because it is a shrub swamp bordered by an agricultural field and wet meadow. However if it is considered with other wetland types in Freeland Run and Yoakum R� drainages with which it is continuous, the wetland-type diversity is increased considerably. 4. Internal wetland contrast The internal wetland contrast variable rates high for both Freeland Run and Yoakum Run because of the differences in vegetative height and texture and the association of open water, snags, shrubs, and trees. The Blackwater River area does not exhibit a high rating for internal wetland contrast because the vegetation is uniform in height up to the river edge. s. Wetland size The wetland size receives a high rating because all 3 areas are contiguous to each other and to the wetland area in Canaan Valley State Park. Together, they create a large wetland complex consisting of beaver ponds, streams, shrub swamps, bogs, wet meadows, and wet boreal forests or boreal swamps. 6. Landform diversity Due to its agricultural history, all 3 southern Canaan Valley wetland sections are nearly surrounded by agricultural fields and old fields interspersed with conifer and hardwood forests, which contribute to a high rating for 1andform diversity. The open fields allow for viewing of the internal wetland complex, contribute greatly to the visibility of wildlife, and provide habitat diversity and visual diversity. There is little monotony of landscape in southern Canaan Valley and this is reflected by the high rating received for nearly all of the variables developed by Smardon and Fabos. The existing developed areas of southern Canaan Valley generally have a low impact on the visual wetland landscape, being somewhat removed from them by the presence of the agricultural fields. Aside from tourism development and one small business that extracts peat, there is virtually no industry in Canaan Valley. Consequently, air, noise, and light pollution are minimal. Southern Canaan valley and the Area of Concern, although far more developed than northern Canaan valley, still has some undisturbed natural areas of great value for aesthetic and cultural enjoyment. DXSCUSS:ION STREAMS The numerous tributaries of the Blackwater River within Canaan Valley are different and each has its own attributes. Each makes a significant contribution to the unique hydrology and ecology of Canaan Valley. The destruction or degradation of any tributaries will result in a change in the hydrology and ultimately the ecology of the wetlands located downstream. Freeland Run and its adjacent habitats are unlike others in Canaan Valley and or other stream systems in West Virginia. Freeland Run originates from a complex of springs and spring seeps in a high mountain bog at an elevation of 3,650 feet. The high-elevation origin and ·steepness of topography result in Freeland Run having the highest

32 gradient of any stream in the Valley. After a series of cascades and waterfalls, stream gradient is more moderate, consisting of a series of runs, pools, and riffles until it joins the Blackwater River. It is a first and second order stream, with substrate consisting primarily of sand and gravel, with some cobble and bedrock outcropping. The small waterfalls and accompanying pools that characterize the upper reaches of Freeland Run create near-optimum habitat for several species of invertebrates and vertebrates, the most obvious of which is the brook trout. The lower reaches of Freeland Run are also unique for Canaan Valley. Upon reaching the base of Cabin Mountain, following a drop of 350 feet in a linear distance of 2,500 feet, Freeland Run becomes a low-gradient, slightly meandering stream as it weaves through a pasture and eventually through a balsam fir stand, which is the largest in Canaan Valley, outside Canaan Valley State Park. At the base of Cabin Mountain, Freeland Run drops only 8 more feet across a linear distance of 6,000 feet while meandering through a meadow and balsam fir stand before joining the Blackwater River at an elevation of 3,220 feet. Wetland conununities of alder, cattail, Spiraea, and beaver ponds contribute to the priceless aesthetic and biological values of this section of Freeland Run. The fish habitat of Freeland Run is diverse and includes undercut banks, woody debris, and pools. The fish community is also fairly diverse and includes 2 species of trout (brook and brown), both highly prized and part of this valuable fishery resource. Freeland Run is an exemplary Appalachian Mountain plateau trout stream, having both high value fisheries and high value aesthetics. A fairly short stream, Freeland Run has limited assimilative capacity for effluents. It is relatively pristine and sensitive to disturbance. It has high quality water and a diverse stream community, primarily because no development has occurred in its vicinity. Protection and management of the Area of Conce.rn would protect the biological, ecological, and educational values of Freeland Run and thus guarantee the integrity of this native stream and its watershed. Although all of the southern Canaan Valley tributaries of the Blackwater River except for the North Branch are relatively small flows, their overall influence on the well-being of the Blackwater River is significant. The slow­ moving Blackwater River is stabilized by the more highly oxygenated and cooler waters of these small streams which originate on the cool, wooded mountainsides. Observations recorded in September 1992, revealed that Freeland Run was 5° P cooler than the Blackwater River at the point where the 2 flows met. Flat Run was recorded at 57° while the Blackwater River was 64°. Ongoing studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have found that dissolved oxygen levels dip quite low in the Blackwater River during the early morning hours, but return to acceptable ranges of 8-10 ppm later in the day. This occurs in the most southerly portions of the Blackwater River, upstream from any sewage discharge flows. Hydrologists theorize that this is a natural fluctuation due to the photosynthetic processes of algae (Chris Waldron, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Personal Communication). The lower natural nutrient loads and cooler temperatures of the tributaries probably have a stabilizing influence on the Blackwater River and buffer the effects of low oxygen. Final results of the current U.S. Geologic Survey study should improve our understanding of the complexities of the Blackwater drainage within the Area of Concern. The tributaries of the Blackwater River and their associated wetlands assist in the purification of groundwater supplies. While some communities are now building wetlands in convenient locations to filter out pollutants, these artificial wetlands do little to prevent flooding or permit recharging of groundwater supplies as do naturally-occurring wetlands. Protection of these tributaries and their associated wetlands may actually insure adequate groundwater supplies for future development and economic growth in those areas adjacent to the Area of Concern.

33 SPRINGS AND SPRING SEEPS

Most areas of Canaan Valley contain a variety of hydrological features including streams, springs, and bogs. The springs of the southern end of Canaa� Valley are not unl�ke those of the northern end, but do have different ecological values. Large springs that flow year-round and do not freeze in winter occur at only a few sites in Canaan Valley. Two of these occur in the southern end of Canaan Valley and are extremely important to the overwintering waterfowl (primarily black ducks and mallards) of Canaan Valley. Waterfowl habitat is abundant throughout most portions of Canaan Valley, except during winter when the Blackwater River and its tributaries freeze. At these times, waterfowl must find open water that provides aquatic vegetation upon which they can feed. The constant flow of water from these springs is above freezing during all but those prolonged periods of extremely cold temperatures. Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) grow in the small streams below these springs and provide the only food available in Canaan Valley during extended cold periods. Although a few other large springs are present in the northern e.nd of Canaan Valley, they are not large enough to support the total population of 100- 150 black ducks and 150-200 mallards which typically winter in the valley. Black duck populations have been declining throughout most of North America at alarming levels for the past 15 years and available habitat must be protected if this species is to survive. current federal wetland regulations are inadequate to protect springs and associated wetlands, and it is essential that their water quality and the habitat around these be protected. Ducks, and especially black ducks, require isolated areas with a protective zone of screening vegetation around the open water. Federal legislation does not protect the buffer zone around wetlands and thus does not offer the type of protection that is needed if these springs are to remain attractive to black ducks. It is nearly impossible (and not adequate) to identify a particular-width buffer zone around wetlands and springs to protect water quality/ecological integrity, since water for any individual spring originates on the surrounding slopes. Spring seeps differ from springs in that seeps lack a visible flow of water throughout the year. The water "seeps" from an obvious opening in the ground, usually at the base of a bank, and flows into a nearby stream. This water usually seeps during all but the very driest and the very coldest times. As a result of this continual flow, the areas below these seeps are invaluable to several species of aquatic life, both plant and animal. Typical plants found in Canaan Valley wetlands associated with these seeps include skunk cabbage, marsh-marigold, carex folliculata, � scoparia, fowl mannagrass, American mannagras, Glyceria melicaria, nodding ladies' tresses, Sphagnum moss, and Polytrichum moss. The ecological value of these spring seeps is currently unknown, but their uniqueness indicates that a significant ecological loss would occur if they were to be adversely impacted. Most remain open throughout the year and provide a important habitat during periods of drought or extended cold. Seeps provide habitat for several species of amphibians, such as mountain dusky and northern spring salamander. Larger seeps that contain a major moss component are used by the four-toed salamander. Most spring seeps and associated small streams are not large enough. to support more than 4-5 individual ducks, but black ducks use them throughout much of the year. They also provide feeding sites for shorebirds in the spring. As many as 32 snipe, 8 killdeer, and 4 lesser yellowlegs have been observed feeding_ on invertebrates in one of these spring seeps during snowfalls which covered the ground in March and April. Snipe may frequently be observed feeding in SJ?ring seeps in late winter and early spring. Seeps in the Freeland Run area provide a unique opportunity to observe snipe.

34 Several wetland types are available to waterfowl throughout Canaan Valley, including seeps, springs, streams, rivers, marshes, and shrub swamps. However, one wetland type which is in scarce supply is shallow, open-water habitat. This wetland type provides food in the form of invertebrates and , and cover in the form of dense herbaceous vegetation. Beaver ponds provide this type of preferred waterfowl habitat, but most do not have enough dense vegetation and are not large enough to support large numbers of waterfowl. Additional small ponds or lakes, 5-10 acres in size, are needed if the number of waterfowl using Canaan Valley is to be increased. The 3 largest existing lakes in Canaan Valley are Mallow Lake, Sand Run Lake, and Spruce Island Lake. All of these lakes are outside the Area of Concern and have been excluded from the refuge acquisition boundary. These lakes are discussed here because they are quite important to wildlife, especially aquatic birds which move freely within Canaan Valley. Mallow Lake is owned by Monongahela Power and is within the acquisition boundary of the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Sand Run and Spruce Island lakes are located within the Timberline Association Inc. and these lakes are partially protected by current covenants of the Timberline Homeowners Association. Spruce Island Lake is a relatively shallow lake which supports extensive beds of submerged vegetation and associated invertebrates. This lake attracts larger numbers of migrating waterfowl tha..� does any other body of water in Canaan Valley. Tundra swans, Canada geese, mallards, black ducks, blue-winged teal, and several species of diving ducks frequent this lake during spring and. fall migrations, as do conwnon loons, pied-billed grebes, and coots. Sand RunLake does not attract as many migrant birds as does Spruce Island Lake, but it provides better habitat for a variety of resident wetland birds. The beaver ponds, flooded alder thickets, and shallow-water marshes in a relatively isolated location at the upper end of Sand Run Lake create some of the beat waterfowl habitat in the southern end of Canaan Valley. The numerous coniferous trees, both living and dead, around its shoreline provide excellent perch sites for such birds as eastern kingbird& (Tyrannus tyrannus), cedar waxwings, kingfishers, tree swallows, green-backed herons, great blue herons, and ospreys. Rough-legged hawks and even an occasional eagle also use the dead trees around Sand Run Lake as perch sites. Mallow Lake supports fewer wetland birds than do either Sand Run Lake or Spruce Island Lake because of its smaller size. However, a variety of migrating and resident birds are attracted to it. WETLAND HABITATS Approximately 25 t of Canaan Valley is comprised of wetland habitat (including streams and lakes). It is essential that these areas remain intact, and not become degraded. "Large blocks of habitat capable of supporting sub­ populations of many breeding pairs are better than smaller blocks capable of supporting only 1 to a few species". "Unfragmented blocks of relatively homogeneous habitat suitable for a species are generally better than aggregations of smaller blocks of suitable habitat" (Verner 1992). According to the Canaan Valley Habitat Mapping Report, the largest conifer swamp stand (37 acres) outside of Canaan Valley State Park is located in the Area of Concern. Larger blocks (e.g. 87 acres, 71 acres) are found within the park, but only substantially smaller blocks (< 13 acres) are located in Timberline Association Inc. and northern Canaan Valley. Large blocks of shrub swamp (119 acres) are also found in the Area of Concern. Only northern Canaan Valley has larger stands of this type of habitat.

35 The Area of Concern also contains .the largest Sphagnum/ Polythrichum bog (28 acres) in the southern half of the Valley. Most large stands of this type are confined to the northern part. As for upland habitat, the large agricultural fields (545 acres, 293 acres, 201 acres, and 198 acres) are unique to the Area of Concern. They offer breeding and feeding areas to several uncommon bird species that have been dicussed above. Preservation of all of the above large blocks of habitat in the Area of Concern is essential to perpetuating the unique avian communities of Canaan Valley. This area warrants inclusion in the refuge acquisitio� boundary. "Blocks of suitable habitat that are close together are better than· blocks far apart" (Verner 1992). This assures dispersal of juvenile birds into suitable habitat, and availability of unmated birds in the event something happens to one individual of a mated pair. Conifer and shrub swamp habitats in the Area of Concern are near similar habitats in Canaan Valley State Park and Timberline Association, Inc.. This wetland complex in the southern portion of Canaan Valley should be preserved as nearly intact as possible to assure viability of a variety of uncommon avian species. The agricultural fields in the Area of Concern, most of which contain wet meadows, are fairly close together. They offer a substantial block of habitat that should assure stability of avian species dependent upon this habitat type.

. "Habitat separating blocks of suitable breeding habitat should allow dispersal by members of the species in question and especially by juveniles" (Verner 1992). Dispersal of birds in wetland habitats of Canaan Valley most likely takes place along the rivers and streams. Within the Area of Concern, the Blackwater River and the North Branch are probably the main travel and di•persal corridors between Canaan Valley State Park and northern Canaan Valley. Sand Run in Timberline is also probably used as a travel route between the Area of Concern and northern Canaan Valley. These corridors are critical habitat for maintaining viable breeding bird populations. WILDLIFE With only a few exceptions, those species of wildlife which occur in the southern end of Canaan Valley also occu.r in the northern end. However, these exceptions are quite important since they involve species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or as Species of �oncern by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. The Cheat Mountain salamander is listed as a threatened species by the U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service. Although the Cheat Mountain salamander has not yet been found on the lower slopes surrounding the valley, there are 4 known populations on the upper slopes and ridges of Cabin Mountain in or near the Area of Concern. This threatened species probably occurs in other appropriate habitats in the southern end of Canaan Valley. The USFWS recovery plan objectives for de-listing the Cheat Mountain salamander require that (1) 10 populations, representing large and small populations throughout the range, be stable or expanding over a period of 10 years and (2) at least 100 extant populations throughout the range be permanently protected, i.e., occur on land controlled by public agencies. Two populations at the head of Freeland Run ,comprise one of the largest and one of the smallest known. Both of these populations are on private land. The original range and distribution of the Cheat Mountain salamander was probably much �ore extensive, including much of the red spruce forest in West

36 Virginia. Factors such as timber harvesting, wildfires, road developments, ski slopes, utility rights-of-way, and mining activities have reduced the habitat considerably. In instances where the forest has recovered, Cheat Mountain salamanders have not been able to recolonize previously inhabited areas. This is probably due to competitive stress from other salamander species (viz., .f...:.. cinereus and Desmognathu� ochrophaeus). Attempts to transfer Cheat Mountain salamanders and reestablish a new colony have failed. It is, therefore, essential that all existing populations be identified and protected (including all that may occur in Canaan Valley). The Virginia northern flying squirrel, listed as endangered by the USFWS, has not been recorded in the Area of Concern, although optimum habitat does occur on Cabin Mountain above Freeland Run. Conditions preferred by the northern flying squirrel, i.e. mature forests dominated by red spruce at elevations above 3,200 feet, are present in this area of southern Canaan Valley. Unfortunately,... requests to conduct live-trapping or nest-box surveys in the Freeland Run watershed have been denied by private landowners. Such surveys could document the presence of this endangered species. Northern flying squirrels have been located in the northwestern end of Canaan Valley and at 2 nearby sites, all on the Monongahela National Forest. A northern flying squirrel was live-trapped approximately 0.8 miles northeast of the Freeland Run watershed at an elevation of 3, 960 feet in the Red Creek drainage of Dolly Sods during September 1991. Also, a population of northern flying squirrels occurs approximately 1. 2 miles northwest of Canaan Valley. This site is at an elevation of 3,450 feet along U.S. Forest Service Road 13 (the loop road), which extends from W.V. State Route 32 to Blackwater Falls State Park. Protection of an endangered species (or subspecies) from extinction is accomplished by preserving optimum habitat for several populations of the species to ensure adequate reproduction and genetic viability throughout the range of the species or subspecies. The USFWS Recovery Plan for the Virginia northern flying squirrel requires that squirrel populations be stable or expanding in a minimum of 80\ of all Geographic Recovery Areas (GRAB) before down-listing from endangered to threatened can occur. Pive GRAB for the Virginia northern flying squirrel were identified in the recovery plan: (1) Stuart Knob (Randolph County), (2) Cheat Bridge (Pocahontas and Randolph counties), (3) Cranberry (Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph, and Webster Counties), (4) Blackwater Falls. (Tucker County), and (5) Spruce Knob/Laurel Fork (Pendleton and Randolph Counties). To meet the 80\ criterion, squirrel populations within 4 of the 5 GRAB must be stable or expanding. Two populations (Cheat Bridge and Cranberry) appear to be. large enough to meet the criteria of the recovery plan, but adequate documentation on the other 3 populations has not yet been obtained. The Blackwater Falls (Tucker County) population is the potential fourth population, but more data are needed to document its size and stability. Additional studies are needed to determine if the Freeland Run area is ecologically a component of the Blackwater Falls GRA. Adequate and even optimum habitat for the Virginia northern flying squirrel is present at many sites throughout West Virginia which do not currently support northern flying squirrels. Historically, these sites probably supported large, wide-spread populations, but as the glaciers receeded northward and logging removed the mature red spruce forests, habitat of northern flying squirrels was destroyed. Most forests have regenerated since the logging and subsequent fires, and several high-elevation sites are now dominated by mature red spruce but are so isolated and so distant from existing populations that northern flying squirrels cannot reach them. To increase the size of a population, such �s the Blackwater Falls-Tucker County population, it may be necessary to reintroduce northern flying squirrels into these sites. It is essential that the site chosen for reintroduction provide optimum habitat and be protected against future destruction or degradation. The upper Freeland Run watershed along the rim of Cabin Mountain and the balsam fir-red spruce stand in the lower Freeland Run

37 watershed will meet all criteria for prime reintroduction sites (if they are not already present) if they are given federal protection. Several other areas in Canaan Valley and adjacent areas will also qualify as reintroduction sites in the distant future, if protected, but none presently are large enough or have mature enough trees to support northern flying squirrels.

. . Another c:z::iterion to be satis�ied be�ore down-listing and ultimately de­ li.sting of the Virginia. _ northern flying squirrel can occur requires that: "GRAs are managed in perpetuity to ensure: (a) sufficient habitat for population maintenance/expansion and (b) habitat corridors, where appropriate elevations exist, to permit migration among GRAs." The Cabin Mountain portion of the Freeland Run watershed in the southern end of Canaan Valley will play a key role in ensuring that these criteria are satisfied. Suitable habitat in the Blackwater Falls area is scarce, due to the logging and intense forest fires of the early 1900's which destroyed much of the northern flying squirrel habitat. The upper portions of the Freeland Run watershed provide some of the best areas for future expansion of the Blackwater Falls-Tucker County population, but only if the area is given protection, and managed in perpetuity as required in the Recovery Plan. No game animal is restricted to the Area of Concern but a few, such as Canada geese and snipe, are significantly more abundant in the southern end than in the northern end. Two species of upland game birds and more than 14 species of wetland game birds frequent the Area of Concern. Many species of waterfowl visit the Area of Concern during both fall and spring migration, but only 4 species nest in the Area of Concern (or in any portion of Canaan Valley). These are the Canada goose, mallard, black duck, and wood duck. In addition to these, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, snipe, and woodcock also nest in the Area of Concern. Canaan Valley is near the southern limit of the range of many breeding birds (Table 20). The unique vegetation and habitat that the birds require are not common throughout West Virginia. This complicates the tasks of perpetuating the migratory bird resource and preserving the natural diversity and abundance of nonmigratory birds. Animals and plants at the edge of their range are more vulnerable to extirpation due to marginal habitat and lower populations. Verner (1992) maintains that "A conservation strategy should seek to maintain a species' distribution throughout its range." This helps spread the r�sk and offers a " ... key hedge against major catastrophes that could otherwise extinguish the sole remaining population of a once widespread species" {den Boer 1981). MANAGEMENT POTENTIAL One management objective that is being emphasized in many areas is to maintain the maximum biological diversity. Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the diversity of life in all its forms; including populations, subspecies, species, communities, and ecosystems. In its simplest form, biodiversity r.eflP.cts the number of different species. In a more complex concept, it reflects the number of species and the relative abundance of each species within the region under consideration. Biodiversity is considered a basic objective of most refuge management, whether done to provide a variety of animals for refuge visitors to observe and photograph, or to obtain ecosystem stability. All life forms have some value, economic or ecological, realized or potential, and by managing for diversity we manage for all life forms (Hunter 1990). A widely-accepted principle of ecology states that diverse ecosystems are more stable than ecosystems lacking diversity (Elton 1958). --- -- Biodiversity involves a variety of wildlife species and. their habitats .. _ - A variety of habitat types will almost always result in a diversity of wildlife. If one goal of management is to sustain existing biodiversity and eventually increase that feature, then all existing habitat types within Canaan Valley must

38 be protected in any long-range plan. Without the protection of the Area of Concern, the genetic diversity of wildlife populations within Canaan Valley and the ecosystem stability created by the diversity of habitats will be impossible to maintain. The following quote from Aldo Leopold (1949) eloquently explains, in part, why the southern end of Canaan Valley merits protection as an integral part of the unique Canaan Valley ecosytem: "If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering." To retain the maximum diversity of wildlife, it is necessary that an a.rea contains a maximum diversity of habitat types. Although every major habitat type in the Area of Concern also occurs in the northern end, 4 of these habitat types are distinctive in regard to specific features. These 4 uniquely different habitat types are: balsam fir stand, hawthorne savannah, hayfields, and pasture land. Aside from Canaan Valley State Park, the balsam fir stand situated along Freeland Run covers a larger land area and is more ecologically mature than is any other in the Valley. Balsam fir is the dominant species in these stands, but black ash (Fraxinus penneylvanica), red maple, yellow birch, and hemlock are other overstory associates. Common shrubs are rhododendron and mountain maple. A few mountain-ash are also present. The herbaceous layer is ·dominated by skunk cabbage in the wetter areas and ferns and sedges in areas without standing or surface water. Herbaceous plants which are rare. in West Virginia, but present in the balsam fir stand are oak fern, Carex bromoides, swamp saxifrage,. dwarf cornel, Jacob's ladder, glade spurge, and star-violet. Associated herbaceous plants are long beech fern, spinulose shield fern, Indian turnip (Aria&eJM etewardsonii), wild lily-of-the-valley, yellow clintonia, foamflower,. golden saxifrage, white wood sorrel, alpine enchanters-nightshade, and partridgeberry. Hawthorn aavannah� are situated on both sides of the Timberline entrance road and on both sides of Cortland Road. While there are larger hawthorn trees in Canaan Valley State Park and along the Blackwater River in the northe:r;n end, the hawthorn savannahs with their associated St. John's-wort and goldenrod in the Area of Concern provide a habitat type which is attractive to many species of songbirds. Without these savannahs, the numbers of songbirds {song sparrows, indigo buntings, and meadowlarks) would be considerably reduced. The hawthorn trees provide nesting sites for several species of songbirds during the spring breeding season, followed by insects during summer, and finally the mature fruit during fall. The ground below hawthorn trees is quite attractive to woodcock, due to the abundance of earthworms. Much of Canaan Valley was used for agriculture during 1940-1960. These agricultural uses included pasture {cattle, horses, and sheep), hayfield, and cropland {cauliflower). Agricultural fields are still present in several areas of the southern end of Canaan Valley, but are almost nonexistent in the northern end. A few fields in the northern end, grazed or cut for hay many years ago, still retain their identity; this will eventually disappear as ecological succession occurs. As trees, shrubs, and many non­ agricultural herbaceous plants eventually move into these former hayfields and pastures, they will be converted into shrubby-woody habitat similar to that which is so common throughout much of the northern end of Canaan Valley. The Area of Concern offers numerous and immediate wildlife management opportunities, with ease of access and large agricultural fields already present. The Timberline Road, Cortland Road, Freeland Road, and State Route 32 provide easy access to most habitat types. By contrast, the northern end of Canaan Valley allows little access at present, especially from paved roads. While a few wildlife species are dependent upon hayfields, this habitat

39 type does provide supplemental food for several additional species which- spend most of their lives in adjacent habitat types. The bobolink and meadowlark are 2 birds which are dependent upon hayfield habitats. The bobolink is found only in the hayfields and pastures of the southern end of Canaan Valley. If these sites were to be developed or invaded by woody plants then the bobolink and meadowlark would disappear. Other birds, such as barn swallows, would also decline in numbers. Woodcock habitat throughout Canaan Valley is disappearing at an alarming rate as development and ecological succession affect many areas that once supported large numbers of breeding and migrating woodcock. It was estimated that as many as 1,300 woodcock nested in Canaan Valley during the 1960's and 1970's. Although no recent surveys have occurred, the resident population has declined significantly, to an estimated 450 birds. The woodcock population is declining throughout the Atlantic Flyway, but the local population in Canaan Valley appears to be declining more rapidly than the total North American population. Prime woodcock habitat in the alder and aspen stands of the Area of Concern is presently somewhat overgrown at ground level. Woodcock are attracted to shrubby covers with "uninhibited walking room" underneath (Kletzly 1976). This can be accomplished by moderate grazing of cattle or controlled burning in late winter before nesting commences. While somewhat costly, planting alder or aspen in existing agricultural fields would also create more woodcock habitat. These techniques could also be applied to northern Canaan Valley, but with a great deal more difficulty and expense due to limited access. one of the most economical ways to improve woodcock habitat is through the use of cattle grazing. The decline in woodcock habitat in Canaan Valley has occurred in part because cattle numbers have been reduced. Cattle maintain an open understory and ground cover which are needed by woodcock. Cattle sustain the earthworm population through their dropping• (cow piles) and thus increa•e the woodcock's favorite food. Although the white-tailed deer population has increased to the point where the total biomass of deer may exceed that of the cattle which once occurred, they do not have the same beneficial effect on woodcock habitat. They are browsers rather than grazers, and their dropppings are not deposited in large masses as are those of cattle. The Area of Concern has greater potential for managing woodcock than does the northern end. No fences exist in the northern end and it would be quite costly to erect them; and access for tractors and other farm equipment is greatly limited in the northern end. The Area of Concern provides optimum habitat for another game bird, the common snipe .. Populations of snipe are significantly larger in the southern end of Canaan Valley than in the northern end. Three areas of concentration e.xist: Timberline Road, Cortland Road, and Canaan Valley State Park. This wetland species, which nests primarily in Canada, is common in Canaan Valley during spring and fall. Male snipe can be heard each April and May as their distinctive "winnowing" sounds are produced during courtship flights high above the marshes and Spiraea thickets of the southern end of Canaan Valley. Snipe breed in Canaan valley, but nowhere else in West Virginia or the central Appalachians. Both males and females can be flushed from the shallow marshes surrounding beaver ponds during fall migration flights in October and can be observed feeding in the shallow puddles of spring seeps during March and April. The Area of Concern is an excellent area for hearing and observing snipe during their courtship and feeding. It has the added advantage of being easily accessible·to visitors. The creation of specially-located parking areas along_ Cortland Road and Timberline Road would greatly facilitate the ease with which visitors to Canaan Valley could enjoy this rare bird. Visitors to such specially-created observation sites could experience both snipe and woodcock

40 simultaneously. The 2 species perform their courtship rituals at the same time of year and at the same time of night. Al though they do not use the same habitat type, there are several locations along Cortland Road and Timberline Road where the interspersion of habitat types enables visitors to hear both species from the same parking site. Owls, primarily barred and great-horned, could also be heard from these strategically-located and specifically-designed parking areas. Ideal snipe habitat is wetter and more open than woodcock habitat. Wet pastures, meadows, and boggy edges of marshes and streams are preferred snipe breeding areas (Terres 1980). Draining of wetlands is extremely detrimental to snipe. Wet meadows are often protected from ecological succession through the use of mowing, grazing, and/or burning (Sanderson 1977). These management practices could easily be utilized in the Area of Concern, but would be much more difficult in the northern end of Canaan Valley. Protection of the Area of Concern would assure the presence of viable populations of snipe. No habitat manipulation is apparently necessary to maintain the existing snipe habitat, but the marshes and stands of Spiraea must be protected against development and pollution if this species is to remain an integral part of the Canaan Valley ecosystem. Considerable research is needed to understand fully the seasonal habitat requirements of snipe in Canaan Valley. Habitat manipulation practices, such as mowing of existing grassland or old field habitats can be employed to maintain such early-succession habitats. Such management is necessary to prevent the inunediate loss of these habitats through natural ecological succession. A few such areas of early-successional habitat remain in the northern end and portions of tbese areas, if mowed annually, would improve and increase habitat for such species as woodcock, bobolinks, and rough­ legged hawks. If protected and 1naintained/managed as early-succession habitat, the Area of Concern will provide a source of birds from this habitat type for the northern end. Another unusual and uncommon wildlife species dependent upon the agricultural fields and old field habitats of the southern end is the rough­ legged hawk. This large hawk does not breed in Canaan Valley, but 20-30 spend the winter there. This is the largest concentration of rough-legged hawks in west Virginia and possibly one of the largest in the central Appalachians. Rough-legged hawks are much more common in the Area of Concern than in the northern end, and can be predictably located in or near the agricultural fields of the southern end. They perch in trees and hover over fields, searching for the small rodents which comprise the majority of their daily diet. Meadow voles are probably consumed in greater quantities than any other food item, and these are found only in areas dominated by grasses or low shrubs. Although the rough­ legged hawk will tolerate human activity, any further development of the fields throughout the Area of Concern will significantly reduce their numbers because of the loss of their prey base. The dense, sod-type grasses in hay fields are the key to attracting and supporting an overwintering population of rough-legged hawks. If hayfields are not mowed annually they become invaded by shrubs and trees, with a corresponding drop in the numbe,r of meadow voles and significantly fewer rough�legged hawks. The primary reason the Area of Concern supports a substantial populati9n of rough-legged hawks is the large expanse of mowed hay fields not found in the northern end. Four relatively easy practices could produce immediate results and make the Area of Concern the most attractive part of the Valley for migratory and resident waterfowl: (1) construction of artificial nesting structures, (2) planting of grain foods, (3) grazing by cattle, and (4) construction of small impoundments. Artificial nesting structures can provide nest sites where habitat is otherwise good. Wood duck nest boxes placed near streams and in flooded areas

41 increase the availability of nesting sites and the probability of nesting success. Nesting platforms placed in beaver ponds without adequate nest sites attract Canada geese to areas where they do not currently nest. Planting of grains such as corn, wheat, rye, and barley is a sure way to attract waterfowl (Linduska 1964i, especially if grain fields are in the vicinity of open water that can be used for resting. The agricultural fields in the Area of Concern are easily accessible and they could be cultivated in cooperative ventures with local farmers for cost-containment. Moderate grazing by cattle is the preferred management practice fof maintaining fields next to open water (Linduska 1964) . Mowing in the spring may destroy waterfowl nests (mainly of mallard and black ducks in Canaan Valley) , and mowing removes clumps of standing dead vegetation attractive to nesting ducks the following spring. Waterfowl respond to seasonal flooding of feeding areas. When mudflats are exposed in spring, favored plant foods such as smartweed and millet into these areas. When reflooded in the fall, they offer excellent feeding sites. Artificial structures built to manipulate water levels in this way encourage these nutrient-rich plant foods. Linduska (1964) wrote "Natural basins of low gradient, having gently sloping banks, provid.e excellent locations for waterfowl impoundments. 11 With minimum investment, large open water areas with shallow marshy edges pay big dividends in the resultant habitat which is aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sound. There are several excellent sites in the Area of Concern with the potential to become small impoundments. Numerous upland sites along Freeland Run, Flat Run, and the headwaters of the North Branch offer easily accessible places to construct and maintain impoundments with minimal disturbance of the wetlands and surrounding environs. Impoundments must b& kept out of existing wetlands to protect the functioning of the delicate wetland ecoystem which exists within the Canaan Valley watershed. OFF-ROAD-VEHICLE USE Off-road-vehicles (ORV} destroy wildlife habitats and reduce the abundance and diversity of wildlife which are dependent upon those habitats (Stout 1992). Although all habitat types are impacted, the most significant impact involves wetlands. The destruction caused by ORVs through the wetlands in the northern end of Canaan Valley has been well-documented by Stout (1992). ORVs are currently not permitted throughout most of southern Canaan Valley, thus there are no areas where wetlands and wildlife have been seriously affected. In constrast, ORV use is permitted (and actually invited) throughout the majority of the northern end. Allegheny Power Systems (parent company of Monongahela Power) is the predominant landowner (>80t) of the northern end of Canaan Valley, and their property is posted with signs inviting recreational use. Although it is not known if any plant or animal species have been eliminated from the northern end of Canaan Valley because of ORVs, the possibility of such a loss increases the value of the southern end as a wildlife refuge. Future surveys may document that losses or significant reductions in populations of sensitive species have occurred in the northern end. In this case, the southern end would be especially important as refugia for these species and habitats. Protection of the southern end is essential if those species eliminated (or nearly eliminated) from the northern end are to be available to repopulate this area in the future. FRAGMENTATION Many species of plants and animals in Canaan Valley may have developed distinct populations which differ genetically from populations of the same

42 \

species located outside of Canaan Valley. This would be especially true for smaller, non-migratory �pecies such as amphibians, reptiles, and shrews. The surrounding mountains act as a barrier to certain species, and thus prevent the interbreeding with individuals of similar species located outside Canaan Valley. No genetic studies have been conducted in Canaan Valley to document the existence of distinct populations. At the earliest possible opportunity, provisions for such studies should be made. It is important that adequate amounts of suitable habitat be maintained. These must be of adequate size (variable by species) and contiguous with one another to prevent isolating gene flow. It is critical that the major components of Canaan Valley (C.V. State Park, the southern end, and the northern end) not be fragmented into isolated ecological units. Such fragmentation would reduce the existing, unique biological and genetic diversity of Canaan Valley. Biodiversity preserves must be of sufficient size and diversity to protect not only plant and animal species, but also ecosystems. The Canaan Valley ecosystem appears to be unlike any other in North America. This diversity of habitats and the associated plant and animal species can be protected only by the prevention of extensive development and the resulting habitat fragmentation. No one can predict when development will have reached the point where biological and genetic diversity are reduced beyond recovery levels. Ecologists know these levels exist, but they occur at different degrees of development for different species. Some species are much more sensitive to disturbance and fragmentation than others. The Freeland Run region is an essential feature in maintaining the Canaan Valley ecosystem, and if development of this section continues, �cU.laan Valley State Park will become ecologically isolated. The movements of animals between the Park and the northern end will be greatly impeded, if not eliminated. The Blackwater River would continue to provide a corridor by which a few animals could move between the Park and the northern end. One long stretch of the river, however, does not have wetland habitat along its borders. This 1-mile-long stretch occurs where the Blackwater River runs parallel to Timberline Association, Inc. The river is bordered by steep slopes, and upland habitats encroach upon the banks of the river. A major avenue of travel for individuals (and their genes) is through the Freeland Run, Yoakum Run, Sand Run region. This broad belt of aspen, alder, Spiraea, marshes, and Sphagnum bogs provides a much broader continuum of wetland habitats than does the Blackwater River. Prior to the development of Timberline, this belt was much larger and provided a greater thoroughfare for the Canaan Valley wetland ecosystem. The construction of Spruce Island Lake, Sand Run Lake, and the road which crosses this belt of wetlands in 2 places has reduced the movements of wildlife between Canaan Valley State Park and the northern end of Canaan Valley. Two activities will have major adverse impacts on the totality of the Canaan Valley ecosystem: (a) additional roads across these wetlands and (b) construction in th� upland habitats that form the watershed for the wetland corridor. The threat of development is no place more serious than in the Freeland Run watershed. Development in this reg:i,on will negatively impact the functioning of wetland conununities at the lower end of Freeland Run and in so doing will serve to further fragment the northern and southern ends. Water, quality will be adversely affected and plant and animal diversity will be reduced. Surface disturbance resulting from construction, especially for roads that cross streams and tributaries, adversely affects water quality. Water quality of these wetlands may also be adversely impacted by the septic systems necessary for human-occupied structures. The Blackwater River drainage is presently near its maximum limit for septic systems. Upland habitats act as filters to reduce the sediments, chemicals, and other substances that move from hillside locations into the downhill wetlands. The minimum width of the protective filter zone that is needed to protect wetlands has not yet been determined and differs from site to site. Several factors affect the ability of upland habitats to protect their

43 associated wetlands, including topography, soils, and vegetative cover. Although the width of the protective zone has not yet been determined for the Freeland Run wetlands, it is certain that additional development in the watershed will adversely impact the wetland community and subsequently the entire Canaan Valley ecosystem. CULTURAL VALUES Wetlands, with their rich and unique flora and fauna, provide enrichment to the lives of certain individuals who find peace and tranquility in nature. Whether one is a dedicated wilderness explorer or an urban dweller merely seeking contrast from the ordinary experience of home and work, Canaan Valley wetlands and the surrounding mountains, forests, and wildlife provide exposure to the rustic and pristine. Canaan Valley in its entirety is an integral segment of Appalachian natural heritage, but southern Canaan Valley and the Area of Concern with its easy access to unique natural areas and proximity to overnight accomodations is the only portion of Canaan Valley most visitors will ever see. Few visitors are capable of hiking into the remote reaches of the undeveloped northern end of Canaan Valley to experience the unique and vast splendor of this Canadian-like wilderness. Protection of the Area of Concern can result in opportunities for all types of visitors to experience this natural treasure. Walks or even drives through these quiet areas of southern Canaan Valley, with highly visible wildlife, wildlife sign and sound, would enable all visitors to experience the feeling of being a part of the larger natural community. EDUCATIONAL VALUES Historically, Canaan Valley was a unique ecosystem and so it continues today, although the dominant species of the vegetative community has changed with the logging ot red spruce. Canaan Valley is not only one of the most unique ecosystems in the Appalachian Mountain region, but it also contains the largest freshwater wetland in the central and southern Appalachian region; an area untouched by glaciers and therefore exhibiting a scarcity of large natural bodies of water. The many wetlands of Canaan Valley include wet meadows, shrub swamps, bogs, beaver ponds, and wet boreal forests. Uniqueness and diversity of a natural area, along with the corresponding diversity of wildlife, usually increase the educational value to humans. The habitat diversity that exists in the undeveloped northern Canaan Valley exists also in the more highly-developed southern Canaan Valley. Through the road systems and public accomodations of Canaan Valley State Park, the human benefits of the natural environment are much more accessible in southern Canaan Valley than in northern Canaan Valley. With the education of the public regarding the unique biological values of this wild place comes participation, enjoyment, and thus support for preservation of such unique wild areas. Canaan Valley, with its relict boreal ecosystem, has been referred to as a living museum of Pleistocene time in West Virginia (Waggoner 1979). The unique flora and diverse fauna provide abundant material for ecological research and for studies in conjunction with institutions of higher learning. Because Canaan Valley is an excellent example of the region's natural history it provides an outdoor classroom for public environmental education. Southern Canaan Valley has important educational and recreational values due to accessibility to habitats, visibility of wildlife, and proximity to accomodation111. The siting of an educational/research facility in the Area of Concern could take advantage of the educational and recreational values of the Area of Concern. Three excellent sites exist in the Area of Concern for such a "Center for Biodiversity", l along Freeland Run and the other 2 along Cortland Road. Wetlands in Appalachia have not been studied as extensively as wetlands elsewhere, possibly due to their relative scarcity in this geographic region.

44 Canaan Valley, with its large size and diversity in a region much farther south than other areas of its type, could become a national center for scientific studies ranging from ecology to hydrology. As such, it could contribute valuable information toward the understanding of wetland values in Appalachia as well as in the entire eastern U. S .. The study of its wetland hydrology can provide knowledge of valuable functions such as retention of flood waters, reduction of peak flow, groundwater recharge, low flow augmentation, and water quality modification as they apply to wetlands in the Appalachian Mountain region. Other values that could be investigated are wetland productivity and wildlife usage. Monitoring and documenting successional changes would be particularly valuable in this geographic area where normal rates of succession seem to be altered and delayed. Studies by Goudy, et al (1969) and Kletzy (1976) provided large quantities of woodcock data from Canaan Valley and this considerable data base will facilitate future research. An updated study of the woodcock population in this area, added to the previous data base, would provide information for habitat management to maintain or enhance this population and add to the general knowledge of this species nationwide. One factor thought to be responsible for the decline of woodcock populations in the eastern united States is the loss of habitat due to housing and developments. Old field and wet meadow habitats, which are abundant in southern Canaan Valley, provide areas for courtship rituals for this important gamebird. A multi-year research project in Canaan Valley could provide valuable management information and thus contribute to the recovery of this species throughout the eastern united States. Wetlands are considered by some authorities to be the most productive ecosystem in the world. Canaan Valley has a wildlife population consisting of at least 275 species along with indigenous flora. For the teacher and student from elementary school age through college there exist unique outdoor educational opportunities in botany, zoology, hydrology, and the coordinating principles of ecology. Wetlands, without multi-layering of energy pathways, can provide a basis for trophic studies in other syateffl9 •• well . Aspects of chemistry, geological history, and of course hydrology are topics that can be addressed in this outstanding natural area when the public can easily access wetlands in the Area of Concern. Of many possible studies, one could focus on the healthy balsam fir/mixed conifer stands along Yoakum Run and Freeland Run to determine conditions necessary for maintenance of this habitat. Results could enhance the understanding and recovery of other such stands that are dying in several areas of northern Canaan Valley and the central Appalachians. Indians may have lived in Canaan Valley and exploited the diverse mix of animal, plant, and geological resources during the past 10,000-12,000 years. West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office currently has no recorded sites in the study area,.but this may change once a systematic archeological survey is performed. Archeological surveys of the first homestead in the Freeland Run area could provide historical data on pioneer settlement as well. Through the creation of an educational/research facility in the Area of Concern, the general public could be exposed to wetland values, a conscience­ raising experience for individuals who see no reason to love a "swamp". Since wetlands are relatively scarce in the Appalachian region, many individuals are unaware of the value to both wildlife and themselves. In recent years, wetlands have been viewed negatively by landowners who felt their rights to full usage had been denied when they were prohibited from filling in wetlands that they viewed as worthless. Thus, the task of educating the public presents a great challenge. The public must be informed about this valuable and unique wetland ecosystem and guided toward participation in experiencing these natural areas in Canaan Valley. As the opportunity for personal growth and satisfaction is increased so will support for the objectives of the refuge. Each year various groups, such as bird

45 clubs and nature clubs, and special programs, such as the WVDNR-sponsored Nongame Wildlife Weekend, use the more quickly accessible areas of southern Canaan Valley for their field trips and learning experiences. However, if the unique areas of southern Canaan Valley continue to be isolated through indiscriminant development their value as an educational tool for the public will be lost. S:IGNIPICANCJ: OP THB ARBA or CONCBRN TO FULl!'ILLXKNT or THX CANAAN VALLBY NAT:IONAL WILDLIJ'J: UFOGB 1979 BIS OBJBCTIVBS

Objective No. 1: Preserve in perpetuity approximately 28,000 acres of relict �oreal habitat and a unique ecosystem with its diverse flora and fauna. The U.S.F.W.S. proposed in 1991 to modify the original 28,000-acre acquisition boundary, thus the total area of the proposed refuge has been reduced to 24,000. It is still necessary to include the Area of Concern within the approved acquisition boundary under the existing NEPA documentation. However, size is not the critical objective. What is more important is to prevent the fragmentation of this contiguous area to preserve the diverse habitats and wildlife species which are dependent upon a large, unbroken ecosystem. Objective No. 2: Provide a unique educational opportunity by assisting with field studies of environmental interrelationships and stimulating curiosity of living things by offering a variety of first-hand outdoor experiences. This objective can be met only if access to the various habitat types of Canaan Valley s easily available. The southern end of Canaan Valley provides the greatest opportunity for this access to be available to all individuals and groups. A small amount of road construction, trail construction, and parking area construction would provide access into all major habitat types of Canaan Valley. To provide comparable access into the northern end of Canaan Valley, a major road construction effort would be needed. Whether accomodating school groups in buses, small groups in vans, or disabled individuals in specially­ equipped vehicles, the southern end of Canaan Valley provides the most cost­ effective opportunity for easy access.

Obi ecti ve No. 3: Provide for bird watching, photography, nature study, hunting, fishing and other wildlife-oriented activities. To provide the opportunity for most visitors to experience both colffl\On and unusual wildlife, such as bobolinks, rough-legged hawks, and snipe, it is imperative that the Area of Concern be a part of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. These species do not occur in the northern end, or they are so rare, and access would be so difficult, that the general public would rarely be able to observe, photograph, or study them if the Refuge is confined to th� northern end. Hunting would probably be permitted in the northern end of Canaan Valley if it were made a national wildlife refuge and fishing would probably be permitted throughout much of the refuge. Thus, Freeland Run and its premier brook trout fishing would be available to refuge visitors if the Area of Concern were a part of the proposed refuge. Inclusion of Freeland Run and the Area of Concern in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge would provide not only the protection of these high-quality streams and their surrounding watershed, but the on-site management of their native fish populations. Objective No. 4; Establish a Woodcock Research and Management Area. Few other areas of the eastern United States provide the variety of woodcock habitats and the opportunities for research that exist within the Canaan Valley watershed. The findings of such a Research/Management Area would have limited application, however, if the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge included only the northern end of Canaan Valley. A comprehensive evaluation of

46 all factors related to the current woodcock decline throughout the eastern United States necessitates the inclusion of land that is adjacent to developed land and agricultural land within the designated Woodcock Research/Management Area. The encroachment of housing developments into woodcock habitat is a major threat to both nesting and migratory birds. The various condominium, second­ home, and vacation-home developments throughout Canaan Valley have resulted in a decrease of woodcock habitat throughout these areas. Size of building lots, percentage of altered habitat, and other land-use activities certainly impact woodcock, but the specific relationships are not understood. The availability of fenced pastures and agriculture fields and the potential for management of these same lands in the southern end of Canaan Valley are other justifications for including this area in the proposed Woodcock Research and Management Area. Management recommendations resulting from such an area would be incomplete and not applicable to much of the eastern united States if the developed areas and agriculture lands of the southern end were not associated with or included in the research area. Objective No. 5: Provide and develop habitat for waterfowl. Waterfowl habitat in Canaan Valley should provide the essentials for nesting birds, wintering birds, and migrating birds. As many as 15 species of waterfowl spend time in Canaan Valley as they migrate between their nesting and wintering grounds. Only the black duck and mallard commonly winter in the Valley and only the Canada goose, black duck, mallard, and wood duck nest there. Thus, any management plan for waterfowl habitat should provide for nesting, wintering, and migrating birds. Whereas mallard and wood duck populations should be increased throughout Canaan Valley, Canada goose populations in the southern end are approaching the nuisance level. Their numbers should be increased only in the northern end. The first priority of any waterfowl management should involve the black duck. This species, which nests primarily in Canada and the northeastern united States, has experienced an alarming population decline in recent years and its future is uncertain. The wetlands of Canaan Valley provide one of the southernmost breeding sites for black duck• in North America. The habitat requirements of the black duck are not completely understood, and any black duck research and management in the proposed Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge must begin with an intensive study of this species throughout the entirety of the Valley. It is important that all wetlands and their adjacent riparian zones, be totally protected until optimum black duck habitat in Canaan Valley can be defined. Of prime importance are the springs and seeps which provide the only open water with vegetation when extended cold periods cause other waters to freeze over. The springs of the southern end are the most important of all Canaan Valley wetlands in this regard. Although outside the Area of Concern, the 3 lakes in southern Canaan Valley {especially Sand Run Lake with its adjacent wetland habitat) would be very important to study for their contribution to black duck habitat. CONCLUS:IONS The authors, editors, scientists, consultants, and specialists involved with the preparation of this report conclude that the portion of southern Canaan Valley referred to as the Area of Concern includes important and diverse habitats, supports significant wildlife resources, and plays an important role in the Canaan Valley ecosystem and should be protected for the following reasons:

47 Fish and Wildlife Resources l) The southern end of Canaan Valley contains the only documented habitat for the Cheat Mountain salamander (listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species) in Canaan Valley. Two of the sites where they occur are in the headwaters of Freeland Run in the Area of Concern. 2) The Area of Concern c.:ontains established habitat for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (listed by the u. s. Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species) . Northern flying squirrels are known to exist in the northwestern end of Canaan Valley and only O. 8 miles from the Freeland Run watershed in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. 3) The New England cottontail, northern water shrew, southern rock vole, and eastern woodrat are all listed as Category 2 candidates for listing as threatened or endangered by the USFWS and occur in the Area of Concern. 4) The Area of Concern contains several large springs which provide open water and food duzing periods of drought and freezing temperatures for black ducks and mallards. 5) Populations of the fascinating and seldom-observed common snipe are significantly larger in the southern end of Canaan Valley than in the northern end. 6) The Area of Concern is an important component of the feeding, nesting, and resting habitat for many birds that use Canaan Valley. 7) conifer swamps in the Area of Concern provide critical habitat for the many northern species of birds that occur in Canaan Valley. 8) Several birds listed as Species of Concern by the WVDNR are known to occur in the Area of Concern. These include the American bittern, northern goshawk, northern harrier, osprey, Cooper's hawk, sedge wren, and golden-winged warbler. 9) Canada geese, comnon snipe, and rough-legged hawks are more common in the Area of Concern than in the northern end of Canaan Valley. 10) The Area of Concern provides a continuum of wetlands and other wildlife travel corridors that connect northern Canaan Valley to Canaan Valley State Park. 11) Genetic flow (for both plants and animals) throughout the entire Canaan Valley ecosystem from Canaan Valley State Park . to the northern end is made possible by the wetlands and undeveloped habitats of the Area of Concern. 12) The southern end of Canaan Valley has a greater potential, through habitat manipulation, to support a large population of nesting and migrating waterfowl than does the northern end. 13) Access for habitat manipulation to benefit migratory birds is considerably better in the southern end of Canaan Valley than in the northern end. 14) Woodcock management through mowing and livestock grazing will be more feasible in the southern end than in the northern end becaui;e of existing landuse practices. Plant Communities 1) The balsam fir bog at the head of Freeland Run (Stonecoal Flats) is the best example of this community type in West Virginia.

48 2) The Area of Concern contains more ecotone or edge habitat than does the northern end of Canaan Valley. Ecotone typically supports a greater diversity of wildlife than does any other habitat type. 3) The agricultural fields of southern Canaan Valley act as a wetland buffer zone of low human interference. The southern Canaan Valley wetland complex is nearly surrounded by agricultural fields and old-field communities which increase habitat diversity and visual diversity through landform and land­ use contrasts. 4) Southern Canaan Valley wetlands in the Area of Concern provide the best opportunity for biodiversity management to protect at least 8 rare West Virginia plant species that either do not occur elsewhere in Canaan Valley or are present only in small, threatened populations. 5) Off-road-vehicle damage has not been inflicted upon wetlands in the southern end of Canaan Valley, in contrast to the site-intensive damage to wetlands in the northern end. The Area of Concern is important as a refugia for those species and habitats which have been significantly degradated by off-road­ vehicle damage in the northern end of Canaan Valley. 6) Protection of the Area of Concern will reduce the danger of fragmentation of the unique Canaan Valley ecosystem. Recreational Opportunities 1) The Area of Concern currently affords access to the wetlands in the southern and eastcentral part of Canaan Valley. 2) The Area of Concern provides easy access to most of the wetland and upland habitat types of the Valley and it is near food and lodging acconwnodations. 3) The Area of Concern is essential for proposed trail development that would link U. s. Forest Service and w. V. state park trail systems on the west with Dolly Sods/Roaring Plains systems on the east. 4) Viewing and listening opportunities for woodcock, snipe, bobolinks, and rough-legged hawks are much greater in the southern end of Canaan Val;ley t.han in the northern end. 5) Protection of the Area of Concern would create an unbroken complex of west Virginia state park, U. s. Forest Service, and u. s. Fish and wildlife Service lands not possible elsewhere in the Valley. Formal protection of the Area of Concern maximizes the potential for interagency cooperation to provide recreational opportunities, educational services, and interpretive facilities. 6) Protection of the Area of Concern would buffer the undeveloped, natural areas of Canaan Valley State Park from the continued condominium and second-home developments which could disturb the ecology and aesthetics of state park lands. 7) The Area of Concern at present provides visitors a unique contrast to the visual monotony of urban conununities with their malls, fast food restaurants, vast parking lots, and large condominium complexes suited for areas with less valuable ecological significance. 8) The Area of Concern provides an important buffer for the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, located to the east. The wilderness characteristics of Dolly sods are already compromised by downhill ski runs and housing developments. 9) The open fields of southern Canaan Valley provide wide vistas of the wetland areas, mountains, wildlife, and natural beauty of Canaan Valley. If

49 these areas are not protected and building construction occurs the views of natural areas from roadways will be blocked or otherwise compromised. 10) The upland mountainsides in southern Canaan Valley provide some of the most important scenic resources in the Valley. These slopes are visible from nearly everywhere in the Valley. Protection would preserve both the biological and scenic qualities of the vistas in the southern end of the Valley. Educational Opportunities 1) The Area of Concern could support the development of educational facilities and services that would be inappropriate in the more remote areas in· the northern end of the Valley. 2) The upland mountainsides in southern Canaan Valley provide numerous opportunities for viewing the ecological diversity of the Canaan Valley ecosystem and for interpreting the ecology and geology of Canaan Valley. 3) Development of educational and recreational opportunities in the southern end of Canaan Valley would lessen tourism pressures in the undeveloped northern end. 4) Vehicle tour routes of Canaan Valley, if deemed desirable to meet educational objectives, would be best located in the southern end of the Valley where a road system already exists. 5) Development of an educational/research facility in the Area of Concern would create excellent educational opportunities for off-campus, college-level courses because of existing overnight acconunodations and easy access. 6) The Area of Concern provides an excellent site for a biodiversity and wetland research center that would be quite compatible with recreational uses and would greatly increase the educational benefits of Canaan Valley. 7) Protection of the Area of Concern would greatly increase the educational value of Canaan Valley because the public would have the freedom to explore and enjoy unique ecological areas that were heretofore off-limits because of private ownership. Hydrology and Wetlands 1) The formal protection of southern Canaan Valley wetlands would demonstrate to the general public wise use and conservation of our remaining wetland resources. 2) Protection of the Freeland Run portion of southern Canaan Valley would prevent development along the stream and throughout its watershed, thus protecting its unique biological, ecological, and aesthetic values. 3) Freeland Run and its adjacent habitats are unlike any other in Canaan Valley and any other stream system in West Virginia. 4) The maintenance and monitoring of water quality for the Blackwater drainage of Canaan Valley would be better controlled if Freeland Run and its associated tributaries were given formal protection. 5) Protection of undeveloped land in southern Canaan Valley will assist present economic development by providing a measure of protection for groundwater supplies and will alleviate further pressure from wastewater loads on the Blackwater River.

50 6) Protection of the Freeland Run watershed portion of Cabin Mountain would provide a natural continuum from Canaan Valley State Park to the Dolly Sods Wilderness area for both humans and wildlife.

51 LITBRATURB CITED Brown, S. E. 1959. Land of Canaan and the annals of Blackwater. Virginia Book Co., Berrysville, VA. Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. FWS/OBS-79/31. 103 pp. denBoer, P.J. 1981. On the survival of populations in a heterogeneous and variable environment. Oecologia 50:39-53. Elton, C. S. 1958. The ecology of invasions by animals and plants. Methuen, London. Environmental Protection Agency. 1992. Canaan Valley habitat mapping report. Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center. Warrenton, Virginia. Fansler, H. F. 1962. History of Tucker County, West Virginia. McClain Printing Company, Parsons. WV. Fortney, R. H. 1975. The vegetation of Canaan Valley, West Virginia; a taxonomic and ecological study. Ph.D. Dissertation,· West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. Goudy, w. H., R. c. Kletzly, and J. C. Rieffenberger. 1969. Characteristics associated with "resident" woodcock populations in Canaan Valley of West Virginia. Trans. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference 26:123-139. Hall, G.A. 1983. West Virginia birds. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication, Pittsburgh. 180 pp. Hunter, M. L. Jr., 1990. Wildlife, forests, and forestry. Prentice Hall, Bnglwood Cliffs, N. J. Kletzly, R.C. 1976. American Woodcock in West Virginia. Bulletin No. 8. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Kosar, Mark. 1992. Hydrogeologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Charleston, WV. Personal Communication. Leopold, Aldo. 1949. A Sand County almanac and sketches here and there. Oxford university Press, New York. Linduska, J.P. 1964. Waterfowl tomorrow. U.S.Government Printing Office, Waspington, D.C. 770 pp. Maxwell, Hu. 1884. History of Tucker County. Preston Publishing Co., Kingwood, WV. Sanderson, G.C. 1977. Management of migratory shore and upland game birds. International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, D.C. 358 pp. Smardon, R. C. and J. G. Fabos. 1976. Visual-cultural submodel. Pages 35-51 in J. S. Larson, ed. Models for assessment of freshwater wetlands. Water Resource Research Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Publ. #32.

52 Smith, R.L. 1974. Ecology and field biology. Harper and Row, New York. 850 pp. Stout, B. 1992. Impacts of off road vehicle use on vegetative communities of northern Canaan Valley, West Virginia. Unpub. report, submitted to The Canaan Valley Task Force. 24 pp. Terres, J.K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 1,109 pp. United States Department of Interior. 1976. Final environmental impact statement of the operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System. U.S. Governmen..t Printing Office, Washington, D.C. U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1979. Final environmental impact statement­ Acquisition of lands for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia. U. S. Dept. of Interior. 157 pp + Appendix.. Verner, J. 1992. Data needs for avian conservation biology: have we avoided critical research? The Condor 94:301-304. Vogelmann, H. w. 1978. Evaluation of the Canaan Valley-Cabin Mountain wetland, Tucker County, West Virginia. Prepared for the Department of Army, Pittsburgh District. Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh, Pa. Waggoner, G. 1979. Pages 6-7 in Final Environmental Impact Statement for Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. U. s. Fish and Wildlife Service. Weedfall, R. O. and W. H. Dickerson. 1965. Climate of Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia. West Virginia Agr. Exp. Station, Report #43. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. 1991. Vertebrate Species of Special Concern in West Virginia. Nongame Program, Wildlife Resou.rces Division, WVDNR, Elkins.

53 TABLES

54 Table 3. A comparison of land cover classifications in the northern and southern ends of Canaan Valley.

Northern end Southern end* acres t acres t Palustrine

Moss/lichen 412 0.2 40 0.7 Emergent persistent 979 5.5 336 0.5 Broad-leaved deciduous 3,272 18.4 979 15.9 scrub/shrub Broad-leaved deciduous 110 0.6 18 0.3 forest Needle-leaved evergreen 141 0.8 110 1.8 forest Dead forest 4 <.1 0 0 unconsolidated bottom & 103 0.6 23 0.4 shore

Riv�rine Lower perennial 42 0.2 14 0.2 unconsolidated bottom Upper perennial rock 17 <.l 18 0.3 Intermittent streambed 1 <.l 0 0

Upland Un vegetated 7 <.l 0 0 Artificial 0 0 10 0.2 Herbaceous 2,361 13.2 2,082 33.9 Broad-leaved deciduous 1,277 7.2 560 9.1 scrub/shrub Needle-leaved evergreen

55 Table 4. Comparison of acreages of habitat types among 4 areas of Canaan Valley. Canaan Northern Southern Timberli Total Valley Canaan Canaan ne•• State Valley Valley• Park HABITAT TYPE PALUSTRINE Moss/lichen 0 412 40 3 456 Emergent 388 979 336 8 1,711 Broad-leaved deciduous 503 3,272: 979 171 4,925 scrub/shrub Broad-leaved evergreen 0 0 l 0 1. scrub/shrub Needle-leaved evergreen 5 l l 0 7 scrub/shrub Dead scrub/shrub 27 0 0 0 27 Broad-leaved deciduous 12 110 18 l 141 forest Needle-leaved evergreen 242 141 110 14 507 forest Dead forest 5 4 0 0 9 unconsolidated bottom & 35 103 23 10 171 shore Subtotal 1,217 5,022 1,508 207 7,954 *• includes the undeveloped portions of Timberline 4-Seasons Resort ** • includes the developed portions of Timberline 4-Seasons Resort and Timberline Association, Inc.

56 Table 4. Comparison of acreages of habitat types among 4 areas of Canaan Valley (con't). Canaan Northern Southern Timberli Total Valley Canaan Canaan ne** State Valley Valley* Park HABITAT TYPE RIVERINE Lower perennial 10 42 14 0 66 unconsolidated bottom Upper perennial rock 0 17 18 0 35 bottom Intermittent streambed 1 1 0 0 2 Subtotal 11 60 32 0 103 LACUSIRINE Limnetic unconsolidated 0 0 1 65 66 bottom Subtotal 0 0 1 65 66 YfLAND Artificial cover 16 0 10 0 26 Unvegetated 0 7 0 3 10 Herbaceous 1,382 2,361 2,082 426 6,247 Broad-leaved deciduous 117 1,277 560 237 2,191 scrub/shrub Broad-leaved evergreen 2 0 0 0 2 scrub/shrub Needle-leaved evergreen 0 0 8 1 9 scrub/shrub HABITAT TYfE Broad-leaved deciduous 2,366 8,968 1,685 2,051 15,070 forest 72 Needle-leaved evergreen 34 39 22 167 forest Mixed forest 809 93 185 16 1103 Subtotal 4,726 12,745 4,602 2,756 24,829 TOTAL 5,953 17,828 6,140 3,028 32,951

57 Table 5. Comparison of number of stands of each habitat types occurring within 4 areas of Canaan Valley. Canaan Northern Southern Timberl Total Valley Canaan Canaan ine** State Valley Valley* Park HABITAT TYPE PALUSTRINE Moss/lichen 0 60 (6. 9) • 8(5.0) 5(0.7) 73(6.2) Emergent 70(5.5) 205(4.8) 74(4.5) 14(0.6) 363(4.7) Broad-leaved 53(9.5) 170(19.2) 104(9.4) 26(6.6) 353(13.9) deciduous scrub/shrub Broad-leaved 0 1(0.1) 4(0.2) 0 5(0.2) evergreen scrub/shrub Needle-leaved 3 (1.5) 2 (0. 6) 1(0.7) 1(0.2) 7(0.8) evergreen scrub/shrub Dead scrub/shrub 4(6.7) 0 0 0 4 (6. 7) Broad-leaved 8(1. 5) 72(1. 5) 25(0.7) 4(0.3) 109(1.3) deciduous forest Needle-leaved 48(5.0) 86(1.6) 29(3.8) 13(1.0) 176(2.9) evergreen forest Dead forest 3 (1. 6) 1(4.4) 0 1(0.3) 5 (1.9) unconsolidated bottom 65(0.5) 217(0.5) 56(0.4) 28(0.3) 366(0.5) re shore * = includes the undeveloped portions of Timberline 4-Seasons Resort ** • includes the developed portions of Timberline 4-Seasons Resort and Timberline Association, Inc. • Number in parenthesis indicates mean number of acres per stand.

58 Table s. Comparison of number of stands of each habitat type occurring among 4 areas of Canaan Valley (can't). Canaan Northern Southern Timberli Total Valley Canaan Canaan ne** State Valley Valley* Park HABITAT TYPE RIVERINE Lower perennial 6(1.6) 16(2.6) 6 (2. 4) 1(0.2) 29(2.2) unconsolidated bottom Upper perennial rock 0 2(8. 6) 1(18.0) 1(0.3) 4 (8. 9) bottom Intermittent streambed 0 1(0.8) 0 0 1(0.8) LACUSTRINB Limnetic unconsolidated 0 0 1(0.6) 2(32.6) 3 (21.9) bottom UPLAND Artificial cover 4 (4 .1) 0 2(5.0) 0 6(4.4) unvegetated 0 11(0.6) 0 5(0.6) 16(0.6) Herbaceous 48 (28.8) 176(13.4) 51(40.8) 48(8.8) 323(19.3) Broad-leaved deciduous 14(83.0) 75(17.0) 35(16.0) 24(9.9) 148(14.8) scrub/shrub Broad-leaved evergreen 2(1. O) 0 0 0 2(1.0) scrub/shrub Needle-leaved evergreen 0 4(<0.1) 1(7.9) 2(0.4) 7(1.3) scrub/shrub Broad-leaved deciduous 96(24.6) 96(88.4) 83(26.1) 29(70.1) 304(49.6) forest Needle-leaved evergreen 42(0.8) 38 (1. O) 43(1.7) 19(1.l) 142(1.2) forest Mixed forest 78(10.4) 44(2.l) 41(4.5) ·17(1.0) 180(6.1) TOT� 544(10.9)1277(13.6) 565(11.7) 240(12.9)2626(12.5) Percent of Total Watershed 18.1 52.6 20.l 9.2

59 ------·· .

Table 6. Herbaceous plants of southern Canaan Valley wetlands.

Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Wood Horsetail - Eguisetum sylvaticum X Common Horsetail - E. arvense X X X Bog Clubmoss - Lycopodium innundatum X Groundpine - L. obscurum X X X Common Clubmoss - L. clavatum X Cinnamon Fern - O smunda cinnamomea X X Interrupted Fern - O. claytoniana X X X Sensitive Fern - Onoclea sensibilis X X X Oak Fern - Gymnocarpum dryopteris X Long Beech Fern - Phegopteris X connectilis Broad Beech Fern - P. hexagonoptera X New York Fern - Thelypteris X X X X noveboracensis Crested Shield Fern - pryopteris X X X X cristata Spinulose Shield Fern - D. spinulosa X X X X Intermediate Wood Fern - D. intermedia X Northeastern Lady Fern - Athyrium X anqustum Hay-scented Fern - Dennstaedtia X punctilobula Broad-leaved Cattail - Typha latifolia X X American Burreed - Sparqanium X americanum Small Burreed - S. chlorocarpum X Small Pondweed - Potamogeton pusillus X Muskie Weed - P. amplifolius X X X Lophotocarpus calycinus X Eelgrass - Vallisneria americana X X Deertongue - Panicum clandestinum x Barnyard Grass - Echinochloa crusqalli x Rice CUtgrass - Leersia oryzoides X X Sweet Vernal Grass - Anthoxanthum X X odor a tum

60 Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Redtop - Agrostis alba X X Bluejoint - Calmagrostis canadensis X X c. cinnoides X X X X Wood Reed-grass - Cinna arundinacea X X X Purple Lovegrass - Eragrostis X spectabilis Fowl Bluegrass - Poa palustris X Glyceria melicaria X X X Rattlesnake Mannagras -G. canadensis X X Fowl Mannagrass - G. striata X X X American Mannagrass - G. grandis X X X X X Canada Bromegrass - Bromus purgans X Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus X Spikerush -Eleocharis obtusa X Kill Cow - E, Tepuis X X American Bulrush - Scirpus americanus X Great Bulrush - s. validus X X X X s . polyphvllus X Woolgrass - s. rubricosus X X X X woolgrass - s. atrocinctus X X Cottongrass - Eriophorum virginicum X X carex retroflexa Foxtail Sedge - c. vulpinoidea X X X X X X c. stipata X X X X c. trisperrna C. brunnesscens X X X X X c. canescens C, interior X X c. incomperta X X X X c. bromoides X X c. scoparia X C. straminea X c. proiecta X X X c. leptalea 61 Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stone coal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so

C. pol�2mha X

C. ler1tonervia X X

C. gracillima X !: :Qra§ina X X

C. flexuosa X X X

C. scabrata X

C. !i!tricta X X X X

C. Q'Vl'landra X X X C. crinita X X C. folliculata X X X X X C. r2sti;:ata X X X X C. l!n:ida X X X C. �ile�i X !: . lm;!:1,11inA X �- intl!m�gs;;eng X X X - X X X Indian Turnip &:iH�l'!HI 1t�!!1l'.g12nH X - X X X X Skunk Cabbage §�:l!!1il.22slD2iUI t:Q�t!mi.1 X Juns;;u§ ,ilifQm;is X - X X X Common Rush !I- �tt::YIY.I X X X J. }21,:�ViQs!:1,!9$!!,;U§ X X X - X X X White Hellebore ver1trum v;irid� X Yellow Clintonia - �lintonia bor�s!li§ X - Wild Lily of the Valley Maianthemum X X 2ans1dense Blue-eyed Grass - Sis:a;:in2hium X angystifolium - Small Green Wood Orchid Habenaria X clavells!ta Nodding Ladies' Tresses - s12iranthes X cernuj! Stinging Nettle - Q.rtica dioica X curly Dock - Rumex cri§J2YS X Sheep Sorrel - R. acetosella X Common Smartweed - Pol�onum h�dror1ir1er X X Mild Water Pepper - P. hwropiperoides X X

62 Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Arrowleaf Tearthumb - P. sagittatum X X X X Lesser Stitchwort - graminea X Longleaf Stitchwort - s. lonqifolia X Northern Swamp Buttercup - Ranunculus X X X aeptentrionalis Creeping Buttercup - R. repens X X Tall Buttercup - R. acria X X Virgin's Bower Clematis virginiana X X Marsh-Marigold - X X Goldthread - Coptis groenlandicum X May-apple - Podophyllum peltatum X X X Marsh Yellow Cress - Rorippa islandica X Two-leaved Toothwort - Dentaria X X diphvlla Bulbous Cress - Cardamine bulbosa X X X X Pensylvania Bittercress - � X X X pensylvanica Swamp Saxifrage - Saxifraqa X pensylvanica Foamflower - Tiarella cordifolia X X Golden Saxifrage - Chrysoplenium X X X X americanum Dwarf Red Bramble - Rubus pubescens X X X Red Raspberry - R. atriqosus Groundberry - R. hispidus X X X X X X Star-Violet - Dalibarda repens White Wood Sorrel - Oxalis montana X Glade Spurge - purpurea X X Austin's Water Starwort - Callitriche X X X X deflexa X Large Water Starwort - C. heterophylla Elliptic-leaf St. John's-wort - X X X X Hypericum ellipticum Small-flowered St. John's-wort - H..... X X X mutilum Marsh St. John's-wort - H. vi·rginicum X X X X X Marsh Blue Violet - Viola cucullata X X X

63 Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Common Blue Violet - V. papilionacea X X Northern White Violet - v. pallens X X X Appalachian Blue Violet - y. X appalachiensis Marsh Purslane - Ludwiqia palustris X X X Purple-leaved Willow-herb - Epilobium X coloratum Northern Willow-herb - E. qlandulosum X X Narrow-leaved Sundrops - Oenothera X X fruticosa Alpine Enchanter's-Nightshade - Circaea X alpina Wild Sarsaparilla - Aralia nudicaulis X Dwarf Ginseng - Panax trifolius X American Water-Pennywort - Hydrocotyle X X americana X Poison Hemlock - conium maculatum X Golden Alexanders - Zizia trifoliata X Dwarf camel - Camus canadensis X Indian Pipe - Monotropa uniflora X Narrowleaf Gentian - Gentifpf linearis X X swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata X X Jacob's Ladder - P olemonium van­ bruntiae X X Smaller Forget-Me-Not - Myosotis laxa X X X Blue vervain - verbena hastata X X X X Mad-dog Skullcap·- Scutellaria lateriflora X Meehania - Meehania cordata X European Selfheal - Prunella vulqaris X Field Basil - Satureja vulgaris X X Bugleweed - Lycopus virqinicus Northern Bugleweed - L. uniflorus X X X X X Peppermint - Mentha piperita X Bittersweet - Solanum dulcamara X X X X Common Monkeyflower - Mimulus rinqens

64 Timberline Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Road Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Clammy Hedge-Hyssop - Gratiola neglecta x x Marsh Speedwell - Veronica scutellata X American Brooklime - V. americana X X Clayton's Bedstraw -Galium tinctorium X X X X X Stiff Bedstraw - G. obtusum X Shining Bedstraw - G. concinnum X Partridge Berry - Mitchella repens X X Bluets - Houstonia caerulea X X X X Thyme-leaved Bluets - H. serpyllifolia X Marsh Bellflower - Campanula X aparinoides X Boneset - Eupatorium perfoliatum Bog Goldenrod - Solidago uliginosa X X X Elm-leaf Goldenrod - s. ulmifolia X X X Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod - S. rugosa Grass-leaved Goldenrod - £... X graminifolia Crooked-stem Aster - Aster X prenanthoides Bushy Aster - A. dwnosus X X X Mountain Aster - A. acuminatus Flat-top White Aster - A. umbellatus X X Bidens frondosa X B. cernua Yellow Sneezeweed - Helenium autumnale X X X Ox-eye Daisy - Chrysanthemum X leucanthemum Sweet-scented Indian Plantain - Cacalia X X suaveolens X Golden Ragwort·- Senecio aureus X X X Orange Hawkweed - Hieracium auranticum x

65 Table 7. Shrubs of southern Canaan Valley wetlands.

Timberline Road Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Crossing Run Flats NE NW so American Yew - Taxus canadensis R Silky Willow Salix sericea C C F Hop Hornbeam - Ostrya virginiana F American Hornbeam - Carpinus F F F caroliniana Speckled Alder - Alnus rugosa C C C C C Japanese Barberry - Barberis R thuml;>erqii Smooth Gooseberry - Ribes R rotundifolium Skunk currant - R, glandulosum R Witch-hazel -Hamamelis R virginiana Red Chokeberry -� arbutifolia R F Ninebark - Physocarpus C F opulifolius Meadowsweet - Spiraea alba C C C C C Wild Crabapple - Pyrus coronaria F Mountain-ash - Pyrus americana R Connon serviceberry - Amelanchier p F F F arborea Smooth Serviceberry - A. laevis p Cockspur Hawthorn crataequs F F F F crus-galli Variable Hawthorn - � C C C F F macrosperma Multiflora Rose - Rosa multiflora F Choke Cherry - Prunus virginiana F F Winterberry - Ilex verticillata C C Mountain Maple - Acer spicatum F Striped Maple - A, pensylvanicum R Glade St. John's wort - Hypericum C C C densiflorum Great Laurel - Rhododendron C C maximum Mountain Laurel - Kalmia R latifolia

66 Timberline Road Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Sourtop - Vaccinium myrtilloides F F F C Early Low Blueberry - � C anqustifolium Southern Mountain Cranberry - � R ervthrocarpum Wild Raisin - Viburnum F F F cassinoides Nannyberry - v. lentago R F R R Smooth Arrowwood - V. recognitum C C F C Cranberrytree - v. trilobum R Black Elderberry - Sambucus R R R canadensis F = frequent, C • conunon, and R • rare.

67 Table 8. Trees of southern Canaan Valley wetlands.

Timberline Road Blackwater Freeland Stonecoal ------Crossing Run Flats NE NW so Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea C R R C C F Hemlock - Tsuqa canadensis R F F C F Red Spruce - Picea rubens R F F F C C Quaking Aspen - Populus F F qrandidentata Yellow Birch - Betµla R R C F alleqhaniensis American Beech - � R qrandifolia Wild Black Cherry - Prunue F C F serotina Sugar Maple - Acer R sac charum p Red Maple - A. rubrum F F p C F White Basswood - Tilia R heterophylla White Ash - Fraxinus R americana Black Ash - F, niqra R R C F s frequent, C • common, and R = rare.

68 Table 9. Vascular plant Species of Special Concern known to occur or likely to occur in the Area of Concern. --=z-=------·---���======c==:======:= VULN LOCAL -----RSTR------SWVS------RARE ------Eguisetum sylvaticum X Gymnocarpium dryopteris X X Athyrium anqustum X Abies balsamea x X � angustifolia X X X Glyceria grandis fu..� X Schizachne purpurascens X X Carex aestivalus X £.:.. atherodes X £.:.. bromoides X X £.:.. canescens X £.:.. rostrata X .Q..,. trichocarpa X scirpus atrocinctus X X Aconitum reclinatum X X 2....r rub otinctus X X Saxifraga pensylvanica X vale X � ri X X fi.... strictum us X � russe X Vib m tago X urnu len X L trilobum X Bupatorium pilosum Cypripedium reginae x X Buphorbia purpurea X X veronica scutellata x X X

*WLN Species especially vulnerable to depletion from collecting and/or habitat destruction. RSTR - Restricted range. Species whose total range is small but not endemic to West Virginia. swvs - Single West Virginia station. RARE - Usually occurring as a very few individuals per population. LOCAL - A species which occurs in relatively few places in West Virginia, although populations may be large where they occur.

69 Table 10. Preferred habitats of plant Species of Special Concern that are known to occur in the Area of Concern. Fir­ Wet Hard­ Spruce Meadow ------woods Hemlock ------Alder Marsh Bog ---- Egyisetum sylvaticym X X X X Gvmnocamium dr:x::012teris Athyrium angystum X X X X Abies balsamea � angystif2lia X X Glyceria grandis X X Q... laxa X X 12umurascens X Schizachne X carex aestivalus � X X ather2des X � br2m2i,des X X � cam�scens X X � r2st1:ata X X � trichocarpa X X Scirpus atrocinctus � X X X rubz;:otinctus X Ac2n;i.t:i,am reg!i,natum �ax;:i.h:aga X X 12ensJi!lv�ica X X � riv1le X Q.... §trictum eus X RubusRha!!!nU§ russ X 1lnH2Ua X X go Y:..Vi,Ql,!Dl!alll! trU2l2mn lenta X X iu�tQi;:il.!!!! 12il2!!!:!!!! X X CVDr;i.�sUum req;bW!,e X X Euob52rbia J2urDl,ll'.ea X v-----eronic------a scutella------ta ------

70 Table 11. Species of fishes that are known to occur or likely to occur in the Area of Concern.

Game Fish Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis Brown trout Salmo trutta Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Bluegill Lepomis gibbosus Rock bass Ambloplites rupestris Black bullhead Ictalurus � Brown bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus

Nongame Fish White sucker Catostomus conunersoni Northern hog sucker Hypentelium nigricans Creek chub semotilus atromaculatus Hybopsis micropogon Central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Rosyface shiner Notropis rubellus Bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus Fathead minnow Pimephales pomelas Silverjaw minnow Ericvmba buccata Longnose dace Rhinic hthys cataractae Blacknose dace atratulus Redside dace Clinostomus elongatus Banded darter Btheostoma zonale Greenside darter Etheostoma blennioides Fantail darter Btheostoma fla.bellare Johnny darter Btheostoma niqrum Blackside darter Percina maculata Mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi Stonecat Noturus flavus

71 Table 12. Fish species composition in Freeland Run, collected by backpack electrofishing. Three samples were taken May 9, 1992, from reaches 30-50 feet long each. ----Conunon------Name ------Habitat------\ Composition------

Blacknose dace pool/run 57.2 Mottled sculpin riffle 27.4 Creek chub run/riffle 4.0 Rock bass pool 3.2 Central stoneroller riffle 1.8 Longnose dace riffle 1.6 White sucker run 1. 6 Brook trout run/riffle 1.6 Brown trout pool 1.6

72 r Table 13. Species of amphibians known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. ======z======•==a======

Jefferson salamander Ambystoma ieffersonianum Spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum Red-spotted newt Notophthalmus Y..:.. viridescens Northern dusky s�lamander Desmoqnathus .t.... fuscus Mountain dusky salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus Seal salamander Desmognathus monticola Redback salamander Pletbodon cinereus Slimy salamander Plethodon qlutinosus Cheat Mountain salamander Plethodon n ettinqi Wehrle's salamander Plethodon wehrlei Four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Northern spring salamander Gyrinophilus 12..,.. porphyritcus Northern red salamander Pseudotriton L:.. � Northern two-lined salamander Eurycea bislineata Long-tailed salamander Eurycea .L. lonqicauda Eastern American toad Bufo b americanus Northern spring peeper Pseudacris £.... crucifer Gray treefrog HYlA chrysoscelis/versicolor Green frog � clamitans melanota Wood frog RAnA sylvatica Pickerel frog � palustris

73 Table 14. Species of reptiles known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern.

Common snapping turtle Chelydra 1L.. serpentina Northern water snake Nerodia 1L.. sipedon Northern redbelly snake Storeria 2.... occipitomaculata Eastern garter snake Thamnophis 1L..ir s talis Northern ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus edwardsii Eastern smooth green snake Opheodrys � vernalis Mountain earth snake Virginia valeriae pµlchra Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Northern coal skink Eµmeces a.. anthracinus

74 Table 15. Preferred br-eed.ing habitats of amphibians known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. Fir­ Wet­ Spring Hard­ spruce meadow seeps­ woods hemlock Spirea Marsh Bog creeks Salamanders Jefferson X spotted X Red-spotted newt X Northern dusky X Mountain dusky X Seal X Redback X X Slimy X X Cheat mountain X X Wehrle's X X Four-toed X X Northern spring X X Northern red X X Northern two-lined X Long-tail X Frogs and Toads X X Baste:r:n Am. toad X X N. spring peeper X X Gray treefrog X X Green frog X X Wood frog X Pickerel frog X

Table 16 . Preferred habitats of reptiles known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. Wet Spring Hard­ Old meadow seeps­ ·woods field Spirea Marsh Bog creeks

Turtles X snakesCommon snapping X X X N. water X X N. redbelly X X X E. garter X X X N. ringneck X X X E. smooth green X X Mountain earth X Timber rattlesnake X Lizards N. coal skink X

75 <

Table 17. Distribution of amphibians and reptiles at 3 locations in the Area of Concern; based on surveys and habitat evaluation. Location Blackwater- Blackwater- Stonecoal Cortland Freeland Flats

S l e emans!!i!rs X X X Jefferson X X X Spotted X X X Red-spotted newt X X X Northern dusky X X X Mountain dusky X X Seal X X Redback X X Slimy X X Cheat Mountain X X Wehrle's X X X Four-toed Northern spring X X X Northern red X X X Northern two-lined X X X Longtail X X Fi:29:1 Gs;i I2Asil Baatern Am toad X X X N. spring peeper X X X Gray treefrog Green frog X X X Wood frog X X X Pickerel frog X X X Ilu;:tl!U! COCIIDOn snapping X X 0 ana1c•1 N. water X X 0 N. redbelly X X X B. garter X X X N. ringneck X X X E. smooth green X X X Mountain earth Timber rattlesnake- 0 Liz1,i:g§ N.-----coal--- skink------0 X = occurrence documented or optimum habitat is present - • occurrence not documented, but could occur O. probably does not occur

76 Table 18. Species of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. -�----z-s---=----szac--z=------======-====- Common loon Gavia inuner Horned grebe Podiceps auritus Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps Ardea herodias Green-backed heron Butorides virescens Least bittern. Ixobrychus exilis American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Canada goose Branta canadensis Mallard Anas platyrhynchos American black duck Anas rubripes Gadwall Anas strepera Pintail Anas � Green-winged teal Anas crecca Blue-winged teal Anas discors American widgeon Mareca americana Wood duck Aix sponsa Redhead Aythya americana Canvasback Aythya valisneria Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris Greater scaup Aythya marila Lesser scaup Aythya affinis Consnon goldeneye Bucephala clangula Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Hooded Merganser Lophodvtes cucullatus Common merganser Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser Mergµs serrator Turkey vulture Cathartes rn Osprey Pandion haliaetus Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis Sharp-ahinned hawk Accipiter 1triatus Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperi Red-tailed hawk � i•wicensis Red-shouldered hawk � lineatus Broad-winged hawk � platypterus Rough-legged hawk llltSl2 lagopUf Golden eagle Aguila chrysaetos Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Northern Harrier circus cvaneus American kestrel Falco sparyerius Ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus Wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo Virginia rail Rallus limicola Black rail Laterallus Jamaicensis Sora Porzana carolina Yellow rail Coturnicops noveboracensis American coot Fulica americana Semipalmated plover Charadrius semipalmatus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus American woodcock Philohela minor Common snipe Capella gallinago Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularia Solitary sandpiper Tringa solitaria Greater yellowlegs Totanus melanoleucus Lesser yellowlegs Tetanus Flavipes Pectoral sandpiper Erolia melanotos Least sandpiper Erolia minutilla Short-billed dowitcher Limodromus griseus Semipalmated sandpiper Ereunetes pusillus Ring-billed gull Larus delawarensis Herring gull Larue argentatus

77 Table 18. Species of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern {Con't}. ====-=====-===s=-===--==z---===--====-====-=====-======-======s•====

Common tern Sterna hirundo Mourning dove Zenaida macroura Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyuzus americanus Black-billed cuckoo Coccyuzus erythrophthalmus Screech owl � asio Great horned owl Bubo virginianus Barred owl Strix varia Long-eared owl Asio otus Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Northern saw-whet owl Aegolius acadicus Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor Chimney swift Chaetura pelagica Ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris Belted kingfisher Meqoceryle alcon Northern flicker Colaptes auratus Pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Red-bellied woodpecker Centurus carolinus Yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyapicus varius Hairy woodpecker Dendrocopos villosus Downy woodpecker' Dendrocopos pubescens Eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern phoebe Sayornis phoebe Great crested flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus Acadian flycatcher Bmpidonax virescens Willow flycatcher Empidonax trailli Alder flycatcher Bmpidonax alnorum Least flycatcher Bmpidonax minimus Ba.stern wood pewee contopus virens Horned lark Bremophila alpestris Tree swallow Iridoprocne bicolor Barn swallow Hirundo rustica Cliff swallow Petrochelidon pvrrhonota Blue jay cvanocitta cristata Conmen raven corvus � Cot'l'II\On crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Black-capped chickadee � atricapillus Tufted titmouse � bicolor White-breasted nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Red-breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis Brown creeper Certhia familiaris House wren Troglodytes aedon Winter wren Troglodytes troglodytes Sedge wren Cistothorus platensis Gray catbird Dumetella carolinensis Brown thrasher Toxostoma � American robin Turdus migratorius Wood thrush Hylocichla mustelina Hermit thrush Catharus guttata Swainson's thrush catharus ustulata Gray-cheeked thrush catharus minima Veery Catharus fuscescens Eastern bluebird Sialia sialis Blue-grey gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Starling Sturnus vulgaris Solitary vireo Vireo solitarius

78 Table 18. Species of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern (Con't). ======•=�====�•u======-======- ======-======-= Red-eyed vireo Vireo olivaceus Black and white warbler Mniotilta � Golden-winged warbler Vermivora chrysoptera Tennessee warbler Vermivora pereqrina Nashville warbler Vermivora ruficapilla Northern Parula warbler Parula americana Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia Magnolia warbler Dendroica magnolia Cape May warbler Dendroica tiqrina Black-throated blue warbler Dendroica caerulescens Yellow-rumped warbler Dendroica coronata Black-throated green warbler Dendroica virens Chestnut-sided warbler Dendroica pensylvanica Blackburnian warbler Dendroica fusca Bay-breasted warbler Dendroica castanea Blackpoll warbler Dendroica striata Prairie warbler Dendroica discolor ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus Northern waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Canada warbler Wilsonia canadensis Hooded warbler wilsonia citrini American redstart setophaga ruticilla Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Eastern meadowlark sturnella Ia™ Red-winged blackbird Aqelaius phoeniceus Northern oriole Icterus qalbula Connon grackle ouiscalus auiscula Brown-headed cowbird Molothrus � Scarlet tanager Piranga olivacea Rose-breasted grosbeak Pheusticus ludovicianus :Indigo bunting Passerina cvanea Bvening grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina Common redpoll carduelis flammea Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus Pine siskin Spinus 1?i.mU!. American goldfinch Spinus tristis Red crossbill � curvirostra Rufous-sided towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Chipping sparrow Spizella passerina Field sparrow Spizella pusilla White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys White-throated sparrow zonotrichia albicollis American tree sparrow Melospiza arborea Song sparrow Melospiza melodia swamp sparrow Melospiza qeorqiana ------

79 Table 19. Preferred habitats of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. ==•••======�======s======m==s••••z======2=====c===�••c=====2•===•== Fir- Wet Hard- Spruce Old Meadow woods Hemlock Aspen Field Alder Spirea Marsh Bog

Common loon X Horned grebe X Pied-billed grebe X Great blue heron X Green-backed heron X X X Least bittern X American bittern X Canada goose X Mallard x Black duck X Gadwall X Pintail X Green-winged teal X Blue-winged teal X American widgeon X Wood duck X Redhead X Canvasback X Ring-necked duck X Greater scaup X Lesser scaup X Comnon goldeneye X Bufflehead X Hooded merganser X R. b. merganser X Turkey vulture X Northern Goshawk X Sharp-shinned hawk X Cooper's hawk X Red-tailed hawk X Red-shouldered hawk X Broad-winged hawk X Rough-legged hawk X X X X X X X Northern harrier X Osprey X X Golden eagle X Bald eagle X American kestrel X X Ruffed grouse X Wild turkey X Virginia rail X Sora X Yellow rail X Black rail X American coot X Semipalmated plover X Killdeer X X American woodcock X X X Common snipe X Spotted sandpiper X Solitary sandpiper Greater yellowlegs X Lesser yellowlegs X Pectoral sandpiper X

80 Table 19. Preferred habitats of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. (Cont'd) ==•======•=••======z=====•======m•s=•=�=••�==••z====••••===•a••===•3ma••••••• Fir- Wet Hard- Spruce Old Meadow woods Hemlock A.spen Field Alder Spirea Marsh Bog Least sandpiper X Short-billed dowitcher X Semipalmated sandpiper X Ring-billed gull X Herring gull X Common tern X Mourning dove X Y. billed cuckoo X X X B. billed cuckoo X X Screech owl X X Great horned owl X Barred owl X X Long-eared owl X X Short-eared owl X Saw-whet owl X X Common nighthawk X X Chinmey swift X Ruby th. hummingbird X X Belted kingfisher X X Northern flicker X X X Pileated woodpecker X X R. b. woodpecker X X Y. b. sapsucker X X Hairy woodpecker X X Downy woodpecker X X Eastern phoebe X Eastern kingbird X Gt. c. flycatcher X X Acadian flycatcher X Willow flycatcher X Alder flycatcher X Least flycatcher X Eastern wood pewee X X Horned lark X Tree swallow Barn swallow X Cliff swallow X Blue jay X X X Common raven X X Common crow X B. c. chickadee X Tufted titmouse X w. b. nuthatch X R. b. nuthatch X creeper X X X Brown X X X House wren X Winter wren X Sedge wren X X Gray catbird X Brown thrasher X X X X American robin X Wood thrush X X Hermit thrush Veery X Eastern bluebird X X

81 Table 19. Preferred habitats of birds known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. {Cont'd) ----=------� ----=- -=----=-=--=====----===-======-======-� == Fir- Wet = Hard- Spruce Old Meadow woods Hemlock Aspen Field Alder Spirea Marsh Bog B. g. gnatcatcher X G. c. kinglet X R. c. kinglet x Cedar waxwing X X Starling X X Solitary vireo X Red-eyed vireo X B. & w.warbler X G-winged warbler X X Tennessee warbler X Nashville warbler X N. parula warbler X Magnolia warbler X Cape may warbler X Bl-th. blue warbler X Y.-rumped warbler X Bl-th. green warbler X X Ch.-sided warbler X Blackburn. warbler X Prairie warbler X ovenbird X X N. waterthrush X C. Yellowthroat X X Canada warbler X American redatart X Bobolink X Eastern meadowlark X R.winged blackbird X X COtmlOn grackle X B.headed cowbird X X X Scarlet tanayer X R.b. grosbeak X X Indigo bunting X X X E. grosbeak X Purple finch X Pine siskin X A. goldfinch X Red crossbill X R.s.towhee X X Dark-eyed junco X Savannah sparrow X X Vesper sparrow X Chipping sparrow X X Field sparrow X X W. crowned sparrow X X w. throated sparrow X X song sparrow X X Swamp sparrow X X

82 Table 20. Birds characteristic of the Allegheny Mou.ntain avifaunal region that nest in the Area of Concern (Hall 1983).

Northern harrier• Northern goshawk* Common snipe* Alder Flycatcher• Tree swallow Black-capped chickadee Red-breasted nuthatch Winter wren Golden-crowned kinglet Veery Hermit thrush• Nashville warbler• Magnolia warbler• Black-throated blue warbler Yellow-rumped warbler Northern waterthrush* Canada warbler Dark-eyed junco Purple finch*

* Species that reach the southern limit of their range in the Allegheny ------Mountains------Region of West Virginia. ------

83 Table 21. Species of mammals known to occur or expected to occur------in --the------Area-- -of----- Concern.------Opossum Didelphis virqiniana Masked shrew Sorex cinereus Smoky shrew Sorex fumeus Pygmy shrew Sorex hoyi Northern water shrew Sorex palustris Long-tailed shrew � dispar Short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda Star-nosed mole Condylura cristata Hairy-tailed mole Parascalops breweri Little brown bat Myotis lucifuqus Keen myotis Myotis keenii Small-footed myotis Myotis subulatus Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivaqans Eastern pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus Red bat Lasiurus borealis Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus Evening bat Nycticeius humeralis Black bear Ursua americanus Raccoon Procyon lotor Fisher Martes pennanti Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata Mink Mustela vison Striped sk\lllk Mephitis mephitis Red fox vulpes � Gray fox Urocyon cinereoarqenteus Bobcat �� Woodchuck Marmota m2DM Chipmunk Tanu.as striatus Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans Northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Gray squirrel sciurus carolinensia Eastern fox squirrel sciurua � Deer mouse PerQ111Y1cus maniculatus Eastern woodrat Neotoma floridana Southern bog lenvning svnaptomys cooperi Southern red-backed vole clethrionomys qapperi Meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Rock vole Microtus chrotorrh inus Muskrat Ondatra zibethica Meadow jumping mouse Zapus hubsonius Woodland jumping mouse Napaeozapus insignia Beaver castor canadensis Snowshoe hare Lepus americanus Eastern cottontail Sylvilaqus floridanus New England cottontail Sylvilaqus transitionalis White-tailed deer Odocoileus virqinianus

84 Table 22. Preferred habitats of mammals known to occur or expected to occur in the Area of Concern. ------==------=----=-==--2=====-:-==-==------=------z=:-z2:: Fir- Wet Hard- Spruce Old Meadow woods Hemlock Aspen Field Alder Spirea Marsh Bog Virginia opossum X Masked shrew X X X X Smoky shrew X X Pygmy shrew X X N. water shrew X X Short-tailed shrew X X X X X Long-tailed shrew X Star-nosed mole X Hairy-tailed mole X X Little brown bat X X X Keen myotis X X X Small-footed bat X X X Silver-haired bat X E. pipistrel bat X X X Big brown bat · X X X Red bat X Hoary bat X Evening Bat X X X Black bear X X Raccoon X X X X Fisher X Long-tailed weasel X X Mink X Striped skunk X X X Red fox X X Gray fox X X Bobcat X X X Woodchuck X Chipmunk X s. flying squirrel X N. flying squirrel X Red squirrel X Gray squirrel X E. fox squirrel X Deer mouse X X Eastern woodrat X S. bog lerraning X X S. red-backed vole X X Meadow vole X X X Rock vole X Muskrat X M. jumping mouse X X X W. jumping mouse X X Beaver Snowshoe hare X X Eastern cottontail X N. England cottontail X White-tailed deer X X X

85 Table 23. Vertebrate species on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service threatened and endangered or WVDNR special concern, scientific interest, or status undetermined lists that are likely to occur in the Area of Concern. ===mz======-- · ======--======�z======•••== u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened Cheat Mountain salamander Endangered Southern bald eagle Virginia northern flying squirrel category 2 (proposed for listing) Northern water shrew Eastern woodrat Southern rock vole New England cottontail

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources species of special concern Jefferson salamander Cooper's hawk Golden-winged warbler New England cottontail species of special Interest American bittern Least bittern Northern goshawk Northern harrier Osprey Sedge wren Star-nosed mole Meadow jumping mouse

status undetermined Redside dace Cheat minnow Northern coal skink Long eared owl Northern water shrew Pygmy shrew Long tailed shrew

86 Table 24. Game animals that are known to occur or likely to occur in the Area of Concern.

Upland Game Birds Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) waterfowl Black duck (Anas rubripes) Canada goose (Branta canadensis) Mallard (bll.ll playtryhnchos) Woodduck (Aix sponsa) Marsh and Shor�Jli!:c;,l.§. American coot (Fulica americana) Virginia rail (Rallus limicola) Sora (Porzana c arolina) American woodcock (Philohela !!lin21:) Conwnon snipe (Capella qallinaqo) Upland Game Mammals Black bear (Ursua americanus) Bobcat (Pelis c anadensis) Eastern cottontail csvlvilagus flori4fpus) Fisher (Martes oennantil Fox squirrel Gray squirrel csciurus carolinen,is> Gray fox Long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata> Red fox Woodchuck (Ma;,nota �> wetland Game Maqpals Beaver (Castor £1PIMPfif) Mink CMuetela :l!i..lsm> Muskrat (Qndatra zibethica> Raccoon < Procyon l2.t21;:) ------

87 FIGURES

88 [ I r f northern l

• A, . � ,A .,. � Area of Concern

Fig. 1. Geographic location of the Area of Concern in relation to Canaan Valley State Park, Timberline, and northern Canaan Valley.

89 60o/o

50°/o

40°10

% of Total 32.7% Acreage 30 01 within Area 0 of Concern

I.O 0 20°10

10°10

0010 � �o � �C:, � 0 c;* �o -�0 0 o' 0 o 0� 0 �o � 0' e:,�" �-$' 6 0� « 0' '' fl>.c; x- i � X'� 00 <¢0� 0 X'q} o' � �� x- � v0 'v e:,� Wetland Upland HABITAT TYPE

Fig. 2. Composition by habitat within the Area of Concern 60°/o

50°10

43.4% 40°/o - % of Each Habitat 30°10 Type Found in Area of Concern 20°/o

10°/o

Q O � /o 0 � ':> �<::- 00 ':> O� -�0 ov o 0 q_ � �o �' o� . �-.;; � 0'' � .... ° � 0 ·v:- 0 '1:i- v:-'l:i- 4.. 0 0 v:-11} 0 � � c,0 �� ..:;j C:,�\. Wetland Upland Open Water HABITAT TYPE Fig. 3. Relative abundance of each habitat type in the Area of Concern as a percentage of the total acreage of that habitat type in Canaan Valley

" '' I I I I ,I 1 Cortland ' Rt. 32 I 4" ,a-' / Road ' / ' I \ I \ I I ' I TIMBERLINE I \ I ''

, �� ,, .,'cl-- Freeland ., Road ' l - Tt.berli.De bacl llortbeaet ' 2 - Timberlille bad llorthweat I' I I 3 - Timberline bad South 4 - Blackwater Croesillg

5 - Freeland 'Run

6 - Stouecoal Flats

Fig. 4. Map showing the locations of intensive vegetation surveys in the Area of Concern.

92

l l

I I

_, - _, 1-- I I I I l I I I l / I ' I l I I TIMBERLINE I I J'lf1.....Cortland I --- -� l Road '' 'a� Rt. 32 l ,,_/ ... .,,,,,. --�-� -- � Timberline Road / .,/ //

l - 11.ac... ter - Cortland

2 - 11.acltvater - Freeland

3 - Stonecoal Flats

Fig. 5, Map showing the locations of intensive amphibian-reptile , surveys in the Area of Concern.

93 80 75

60 1 54 56 49 Number 41 44 of Bird Species 40 36

·

20

0 0� 0� t'§' 0\ �0� 0 ��0 -� c;-"' �0 � o� e,<:::- � ?f � qO � 00 � e::,�" .,:j � �� 0� �o �� � � 0\ �'If �o� tr-4� vO <3' �v � c; (c; q,0 <:::-� �'If o' .�,.�-$'

Fig. 6. Number of bird species by habitat type in Canaan Valley 1982 - 1990 1,400 1,284 I 1,200 1, 139 1 ,077 1,000

Pairs/100 800 Acres 600

\0 472 u, 450 400 366

200

�1, 0 b 0 0A> �b � o 0<::- (;:>b .�0� .�0� � �'lf �� �o(;:> �o q_O �:l C"::, c-::, �� 9t-":,q � c:§�" E' �'lf cP �lS cP� -"'-:> ,,,.":, .;$-' "" ((; �0� e:, �'lf 'lf �- & � 0 o�<::- � �� �'lf Fig. 7. Average density of breeding birds by habitat type in Canaan Valley 1978 - 1991