CLEAR October 2015

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CHEAT LAKE -- thanks to Mary Wimmer et al.
by Duane330＠aol.com 23 Oct '15

23 Oct '15

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WV Rivers Film Festival, October 22nd, Metropolitan Theater, Morgantown
by Duane 20 Oct '15

20 Oct '15

West Virginia Rivers Coalition is headed back to Morgantown to host our 6th Annual Film Festival at the beautiful Metropolitan Theater. The WV Rivers' film festival has become an annual event forMorgantown and this year we're doing something special. We're hosting our very own homegrown film festival. We're featuring West Virginia and Appalachian filmmakers, films, adventures, and conservation issues. In addition to wild and wonderful films, the Halftime String Band will be preforming before the films begin and during the intermission. It's all about telling the story of the people, rivers, mountains and issues of our region. Doors open and music with the Halftime String Band starts at 6:00 p.m. and films start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $8.00 each in advance online. Tickets will be on sale at the door for $10.00, $8.00 with a valid student ID. For more information contact WV Rivers, (304) 637-7201. If you have a film that helps tell West Virginia's story click here. If you'd like to learn about festival sponsorship opportunities click here. Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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SkyTruth. Mapping Abandoned Coal Mines
by Duane Nichols 17 Oct '15

17 Oct '15

> > SkyTruth > Mapping Abandoned Coal Mines > Posted: 16 Oct 2015 03:14 PM PDT > Did you know there are 48,529 abandoned coal mines in the United States which are known to pose a threat to the public and/or the environment? This number is not exhaustive but it comes from the most comprehensive federal database that we know of – the enhanced Abandoned Mine Lands Inventory System (eAMLIS) maintained by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM). > > Of the 48,529 abandoned mine sites in the map below, 36,191 are categorized "Priority 1" or "Priority 2", meaning they pose a "threat to health, safety and general welfare of people." The remaining 12,408 mines are classified as "Priority 3", that is, sites which pose a threat to the environment. However, because this map only includes mines that are truly abandoned AND which have been catalogued by the federal government, all we can say with certainty is that this map is not an exhaustive inventory of abandoned and inactive mines in the US. In fact, it is probably just the tip of the iceberg. > > > Click here or above to explore the interactive map. > > Back in August the Animas River in southwestern Colorado turned orange for miles after millions of gallons of mine waste erupted from an inactive gold mine. The dayglo color of the river, coupled with the fact that the spill was trigged by contractors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) trying to fix the problem, captured national attention for weeks. In response to that spill we took it upon ourselves to map nearly 65,000 inactive metal mines using the most extensive federal database that we could find. The spill from the Gold King Mine was not the first of its kind, and it most likely will not be the last, but it revived discussion about the challenge and cost of reclaiming an estimated 500,000 abandoned and inactive mines (gold, coal, and otherwise) that litter the landscape. > > According to OSM definitions this database of problematic coal mines includes 1,167 "Dangerous Impoundments", 1,298 sites with polluted groundwater ("Polluted Water: Agricultural & Industrial" and "Polluted Water: Human Consumption"), and 276 "Underground Mine Fires" like the kind which still burn beneath the ghost town of Centralia. But again, we have to add a caveat. Just because a mine was classified abandoned does not mean that there hasn't at least been some effort made at reclamation. "Abandoned" in this context means that the responsible party (the mining company) has reneged on their responsibility for reclamation, leaving the taxpayers (you and I) stuck with the bill to clean it up. > > > > > Above: The Cheat River in Preston County, WV still has rocks stained orange by acid mine drainage from an abandoned mine which first blew out in 1994. Read the history of that mine blowout and the efforts which have restored the Cheat River to a thriving, life-sustaining waterway. > > This database primarily covers abandoned coal mines, but while there are a few non-coal mines in the database we did our best to exclude any non-coal mines based on the federal funding source assigned to their cleanup. With some guidance from a GIS specialist at OSM we believe this map provides a decent overview of the known high-priority abandoned coal mines > > Much like our previous map of abandoned and inactive metal mines, this map is only part of the story. There are many flaws within the data itself, including contradictory descriptions of what the various fields mean. But while we know this doesn't show every abandoned coal mine the country, and some sites may have been expertly reclaimed by state, federal, and non-profit initiatives, this map also underscores the alarming lack of good data about sites which could still cause disastrous releases of toxic wastes for decades to come. > ........................................+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.....................................

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Seasonal Cheat Lake MESSAGE from Lake Lynn Generation
by Duane 14 Oct '15

14 Oct '15

Attention Cheat Lake Property Owners and Boaters Starting at 12:00 am on Sunday November 1, 2015 winter lake level limits will go into effect on Cheat Lake. At that time minimum reservoir levels will decrease from 868’ to 857’. Winter lake levels will remain in effect until 1159 pm on March 31, 2016. At this time Lake Lynn Generation has no plans to pull the lake down for maintenance but normal plant operations will draw the reservoir down below the summer minimum level of 868’ during this period. Cheat Lake Property owners and boaters are reminded that if these lower minimum lake levels affect them they should make adjustments prior to November 1, 2015. The winter boat launch ramp at the Cheat Lake Park will be open from November 1, 2015 until May 1, 2016 to accommodate boaters who wish to launch a boat on Cheat Lake. As a reminder, Lake Lynn Generation maintains the following water levels at Cheat Lake in accordance with our federal license. Cheat Lake Level Limits: •Winter (November - March): 857' - 870' •Spring (April): 863' - 870' •Summer(May - October): 868' - 870' ################################### MESSAGE forwarded by Duane Nichols, CLEAR, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Preston, Tucker highest elevations have best color, Cheat River on Route 72/Route 26 foliage is 70% peak
by Duane 07 Oct '15

07 Oct '15

Preston, Tucker highest elevations have best color, Cheat River on Route 72/Route 26 foliage is 70% peak -- West Virginia’s state foresters reported the first week in October will be a colorful one in the state’s higher elevations. The Davis-Thomas area of Tucker County and Dolly Sods are again recommended destinations. Foliage in the Davis-Thomas area is estimated to be 70 percent peak. Color is much more advanced this week at Dolly Sods than it was last week and is well worth a trip. Reports from Preston County recommend a drive along the Cheat River on Route 72/Route 26, where foliage is at 70 percent peak. Foresters recommend a trip to Cathedral State Park ,which they report is already spectacular with 50 percent peak color. Foresters also recommend a visit to Spruce Knob, where foliage is expected to be approximately 60 percent peak the first full week of October. Leaf peepers can take U.S. Route 33 to Spruce Knob Road, which has been paved in the past few years and is in good shape. Climb the stairs to the 30-foot platform for the breathtaking view from the state’s highest point. Lower elevations of Pendleton County are still quite green, with only 25-30 percent of their foliage changing color. Foliage at elevations above 3,000 feet in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster counties should peak this weekend. A long list of recommended points of interest includes the Sinks of Gandy and Dry Fork, Cheat Mountain, Shavers Mountain, the headwaters of the Tygart Valley River, the headwaters of both the Forks of the Greenbrier River, Kennison Mountain and Elk Mountain. Leaves at higher elevations to the east of the Richwood area of Nicholas County are at or near peak, while those to the west remain green. Although color within Elkins will be limited, the mountains surrounding the town should present colorful viewing opportunities. Take Little Kanawha Parkway or Parkersburg Road from Spencer to Elizabeth. Although foliage is reported to be only 30 percent peak, both drives are highly recommended. In scenic Ritchie County, take the Staunton Turnpike to see 30 percent peak foliage this weekend. Although a long way from peak, Ohio County hosts Oglebay Festival/Ohio County Fair this weekend. DOF personnel and Smokey Bear will be there so stop by and say hello. Foliage in the Davis-Thomas area of Tucker County was estimated to be at 70 percent peak earlier in the week and may peak during the first week of October. Forestry officials encourage leaf peepers who post 2015 West Virginia fall foliage photos to tag them with #fallinwv. Photos may be featured on the DOF’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/wvforestry. Check the Facebook page throughout the week for foliage updates.

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CLEAR October 2015