Annual Report Of
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The West Virginia Save Our Streams (WVSOS) program would like to express its extreme gratitude to all of the volunteer monitoring groups throughout the state. These groups have contributed greatly to the understanding of our streams and rivers ecology, and have acted as guardians of our watersheds. It is more important then ever before that we recognize their contribution by providing as much state support as possible, and by listening to their concerns regarding the health of our streams and rivers. The streams of our state are resilient to a degree; however, they cannot withstand the continuing encroachment of human development, unless we provide them with some reprieve. Together, we must look towards the future and plan carefully to preserve our state’s rivers and streams. We must carefully weigh our decisions and make sure they benefit both our society and our environment. Below are some simple “Smart Growth” recommendations from WVSOS. 1. Plan for growth with protection of the watershed in mind - Keep hard, impervious surfaces to a minimum. Expert’s recommend no more than 15% of an area should have impervious surfaces (like driveways, parking lots and roads). 2. Establish buffer zones along our streams and rivers - Make sure there is plenty native vegetation to trap sediment and reduce nonpoint source pollutant loads to our streams. Maintain a buffer zone of at least 60 feet from our stream banks. 3. Detain stormwater runoff through the use of stormwater retention ponds and other buffering measures - The ponds collect the runoff water and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the ground. Additional buffering measures and the appropriate best management practices help to further slow down the sediment-laden water. 4. Protect Our Most Sensitive Resources - Land trusts are being used around the country to purchase sensitive areas and keep them protected. These can be used in our area too! 5. Education - Understanding the impacts of stormwater can be a good first step. You can monitor the water quality in your river or stream using simple biological and physical techniques. Take the time to learn about your local rivers and streams and then teach others! 6. Cooperation - Work together with your local conservation groups, governments and developers to thoughtfully plan and develop your community. By working together, we can achieve development using environmentally responsible approaches. West Virginia Save Our Streams 1201 Greenbrier Street Charleston, WV 2531 E-mail: [email protected] This year’s WVSOS annual report takes a slightly different approach than in previous years. The report includes information collected from WVSOS certified volunteer monitors, information submitted by other citizens groups not certified by WVSOS, information from academic groups, information from personal knowledge, and information from websites and other local sources. The reports time period is January 2001 through December 2001; however, in some cases, it may also include information outside this time period. Finally, the report includes program updates and other events that have occurred over the past year. The standard WVSOS stream survey relies heavily on descriptive terms to help characterize the stream’s physical conditions. For the purposes of this report, simple numerical rating scales have been devised so that the information is consistent throughout the report. This scale applies to the physical descriptions of sedimentation, embeddedness, bank coverage and buffer zone width. The tables throughout this document list information that was submitted by volunteer stream monitors. The conditions that are considered either marginal or poor are highlighted. Table of Contents POTOMAC DIRECT DRAINS.....................................................................................................................5 The Blue Heron Environmental Network ............................................................................................. 5 Jefferson County Watershed Coalition ................................................................................................ 6 Institute for Environmental Studies .................................................................................................... 9 Sleepy Creek and Friends of the Cacapon .........................................................................................10 CACAPON BASIN.....................................................................................................................................10 Cacapon Institute............................................................................................................................ 11 Girl Scout Troop 43 ......................................................................................................................... 11 NORTH AND SOUTH BRANCH OF THE POTOMAC..............................................................................12 Pendleton County High School ......................................................................................................... 12 TYGART VALLEY RIVER BASIN.............................................................................................................13 Friends of Laurel Mountain .............................................................................................................. 13 Buckhannon River Watershed Association ......................................................................................... 13 Elkins Middle School ........................................................................................................................ 13 IWLA – Mountaineer Chapter ........................................................................................................... 13 THE WEST VIRGINIA SAVE OUR STREAMS INAUGURAL ROUNDTABLE ......................................14 GREENBRIER BASIN ..............................................................................................................................14 White Sulphur Springs Elementary ................................................................................................... 15 Lewisburg Elementary ..................................................................................................................... 15 Seneca Trails Christian Academy...................................................................................................... 15 Greenbrier River Watershed Association ........................................................................................... 15 NEW RIVER BASIN .................................................................................................................................16 Shady Springs High School (Envirothon Team).................................................................................. 16 Woodrow Wilson Environmental Club ...............................................................................................16 Monroe County High School Advanced Biology Class.......................................................................... 16 JULY FLOODING......................................................................................................................................17 3 WEST FORK BASIN .................................................................................................................................18 Guardians of the West Fork ............................................................................................................. 18 Lower West Fork Watershed Association...........................................................................................18 Salem International University ......................................................................................................... 18 MONONGAHELA BASIN..........................................................................................................................19 Allegheny Conservation Alliance ....................................................................................................... 20 Downstream Alliance....................................................................................................................... 20 DUNKARD CREEK BASIN .......................................................................................................................20 CHEAT BASIN...........................................................................................................................................21 Friends of the Cheat........................................................................................................................ 21 Friends of Laurel Mountain .............................................................................................................. 21 KANAWHA BASIN ...................................................................................................................................22 Davis Creek Watershed Association .................................................................................................. 23 Kelly’s Creek Community Association ................................................................................................ 23 Heizer-Manila Watershed Organization ............................................................................................. 23 West Virginia Trails Coalition............................................................................................................ 23 DEP – Stream Restoration & National Hummer Association