CLEAR

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A lake story for Earth Day....
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Note: "We drink lake water here." Can you find this quote? WHEN THOREAU VISITED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD - David Mraz, East Calhoun News (1994) How few men venture out beyond the last Familiar mark upon the well-known trail! And he who has the courage to go past This sign that cannot in his mission fail. He will have left at least one mark behind To guide some other brave exploring mind. --from "Me Path of Life" by Charles H. Meiers, published in the Hampton Columbian Magazine, January 1912 In 1861, writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau made a journey to Minnesota, It was his longest trip outside Massachusetts. At the urging of his doctor, Thoreau came to our state for a cure of his illness, tuberculosis. In the 1860s, it was a commonly held belief that Minnesota's fresh air could cure tuberculosis. Of his 33 days in Minnesota, the author of Walden spent nine of them in the Lake Calhoun area. Thoreau's traveling companion was a 17-year old naturalist by the name of Horace Mann, Jr. Mann was the son of the famed teacher and educator. Their stay in the Lake Calhoun area was at Mrs. Hamilton's boarding house. In his journal, Thoreau left some notes, mostly focusing on plants and animals. Young Horace Mann wrote more than a dozen letters back to his mother in Massachusetts. This is what he wrote about his experiences . Lake Calhoun Minn. Friday June 7, 1861 Dear Mother, You see by the date of this letter that we are staying at a house on the edge of Lake Calhoun. It is a beautiful sheet of water, perhaps a mile and a half or three quarters the longest way and nearly a mile the other way in breadth; it has an outlet by which it empties itself into Lake Harriet, which lies a little ways to the SE of here, and that again into the Minnehaha and goes over the falls. We are staying at the house of a Mrs. Hamilton, a widow, and one of the first settlers near this lake. The house is surrounded with very thick woods which is full of great big mosquitoes (sic), so when you walk in them, particularly near twilight, they swarm around you in such a cloud that you can hardly see through them. There are also a great many pigeons in the woods, back of the house, (though I should hardly know them from a mosquito here by size) which are breeding, and 1 found the nest of one this afternoon which had but one egg in it which I took. The lake is full of fishes a-rid we have them at every meal almost. I went into St. Anthony this morning where I put some birds and clams in alcohol and got some blotting paper to press flowers with and I have just been putting some away to press under the bed post. The trees around here are not very large ones, and the fires seem to have run through the woods all around here and killed a great many of the trees. The "oak openings" on the prairies consist of small oaks -cattered around at some distance (I to 10 rods) from one another and where the fire has not run for several years the hazel bushes spring up; also little oaks and aspens, and after a little longer basswood trees ... It is pretty wann weather here all the time now. We had a thunder storm last night but I did not know it till I got up this morning. W. Thoreau and I went in sw g this afternoon and then we went to walk and we came to a pond hole near some woods which was full of shells and frogs... Mr. Thoreau continues to get better and I am very well of course. We drink lake water here. I will write more before I send this letter, so Good Night, Your loving son Horace Mann >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Thoreau party later returned to Walden's Pond. A year later, on May 6, 1862, Henry David Thoreau died of tuberculosis at age 44. He left our neighborhood a spiritual gift, the poem, 'A Different Drummer," which he wrote earlier in his career, but which could be describing our neighborhood: "Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? "If a man not keep pace, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. "Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> More information about Thoreau and Mann's travels is in Thoreau's Minnesota Journey: Thoreau's Notes on the Journey West, or The Letters of Horace Mann Jr., edited by Walter Harding, Thoreau Society Booklet #16, 1962. Thoreau's Minnesota Diary June 5 - Lake Calhoun. Hear s@pe, loon and orchard oriole. June 6 - Young eagle eating blue jay over an island in Minnetonka Lake. Alum root in bloom at last, June 7 - Lake Calhoun area. Hoary puccoon in flower. The prevailing goldenrod on these prairies is the Solidago rigida (stiff goldenrod), judging from the rudimentary leaf and withered stem and head. June 11 - Lake Calhoun. Loons said to nest on old muskrat houses. Found a cluster of wild crabapple trees. **************Big savings on Dell XPS Laptops and Desktops! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220433404x1201394533/aol?redir=htt… eclick.net%2Fclk%3B214133109%3B36002181%3Bk)

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SB-461 does not protect WV streams
by duane330＠aol.com 08 Apr '09

08 Apr '09

West Virginia Environmental Council Action Alert April 8, 2009 WVEC Alerts Archive Bad Bill Passes out of committee – goes to House Floor – please help! SB 461 – (Selenium bill) Passed out of the House Judiciary Committee today! It now will move to the House floor for the full body to vote for or against. Please contact your representatives in the House of Delegates. Anyone and everyone! Tell them to vote against this awful piece of legislation. SB 461 is a terrible bill that gives the coal industry a more than two-year extension to comply with water quality standards for the toxic selenium they discharge from their mining operations. Capitol Phone: 1 877-565-3447 – you can leave a message for any member of the House of Delegates. Capitol web-site: www.legis.state.wv.us - find your Delegate(s) and leave message there. Talking Points / Facts: This is a change in water quality standards. The federal Clean Water Act, administered by the EPA, requires public notice and a 45-day comment period for any change proposed to a state’s water quality standards. West Virginia regulations also require public notice and a 45-day comment period for any change proposed to a state’s water quality standards. The water quality standard change proposed in SB 461 did not have public notice, did not have a 45-day public comment period, did not go through the Legislature’s regular rule-making20process, and was never considered by the Joint Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. The extension proposed in SB 461 will NOT be approved by EPA. Randy Huffman, Secretary of the WV Department of Environmental Protection, has stated publicly that he opposes SB 461 and expects the coal industry “to meet the deadline of April 2010.” Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element that is found is many rocks and soils. In very tiny amounts, it is an antioxidant and is needed for good health. But in only slightly greater amounts, selenium is highly toxic. In humans, it can cause hair loss, nail brittleness and neurological problems such as numbness. In aquatic life, very small amounts of selenium have been found to cause reproductive failure.” In 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists found “troubling” amounts of selenium in fish downstream from mountaintop removal mine sites. Dennis Lemly, the nation’s foremost authority on selenium, has warned that pollution from a Magnum coal operation in West Virginia is dangerously poisoning Mud River fish, leaving some with serious deformities. Fish samples taken by state officials showed some specimens with two eyes on one side of the head, and others with curved spines, according to Lemly’s report.

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HR 1682. Cap and Dividend Bill now in US Congress
by duane330＠aol.com 08 Apr '09

08 Apr '09

The climate answer: cut carbon, get money, save Earth To:? MVCAC & CLEAR.?? From:? Mike Tidwell, USCEC.??? Date:? April 7, 2009 Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, one of the highest ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced the Cap and Dividend Act of 2009 on April 1st. Read more about H.R. 1682 here.?The proposal will help solve the climate crisis, help our economy grow and help working families prosper. It is simple, transparent and fair. Contact your local Congressional representative to ask him or her?to sign on as a co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation. Take action>> Climate leader Bill McKibben supports this bill: "Simplicity is its own virtue sometimes, and this is one of them. Van Hollen's bill sets out a straightforward mechanism for reducing carbon in the atmosphere in a way that will actually be popular with voters. It's the most innovative, yet obvious, piece of climate legislation in the 20 years I've been following this battle." Van Hollen, Co-Chair of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, explained his initiative in this way: "The strength of cap and dividend lies in its simplicity and durability. All permits are sold at auction, and all proceeds are given back to the American people. As the price of energy rises, the monthly dividends will keep American consumers whole. "At its core, any successful climate change bill cannot just reduce carbon emissions. It must attract and retain the long-term, popular support of the American people. I believe the cap and dividend approach offers the best chance to get the job done." The legislation will cut carbon pollution to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, the strongest?target proposed in federal legislation so far (although CCAN believes that target should be strengthened). It auctions 100% of the carbon permits--instead of giving them away to large polluters--and allows for no potentially complex "carbon offsets" of any kind. It will spur economic investment and innovation and create millions of jobs in clean energy. It returns every penny of higher carbon prices to citizens on a monthly, per capita basis. Every American, every month, will receive an "Energy Security Dividend." This is the kind of bill we need to break through the political logjam on Capitol Hill. Please contact your Congressperson now. ? See Also:? http://www.capanddividend.org/ Sincerely, Mike Tidwell Director, USCEC

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Earth Hour. Saturday @ 8:30 pm
by Duane330＠aol.com 24 Mar '09

24 Mar '09

Turn out. Take action. Be part of this historic event. March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, local time World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For more information, see the following web-site..... _http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php_ (http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220085203x1201389322/aol?redir=htt… %3D62%26bcd%3DMarchfooterNO62)

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Report on Triennial Review meeting
by duane330＠aol.com 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

? To:? Members and Friends of the Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation Association...... Peggy Pings has done a rather good job of summarizing the meeting of last Wednesday. Duane >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From:? Peggy Pings......................... I went to the meeting on 3/11, but there were only 4 of us who were not part of AP or contractors. The good news is that AP will do a trial year of keeping the trail open 12 months, starting now.? It is open now, the entire 4.5 miles. They will also build the hiking trail in the 140-acre woods at the end, with interp panels & bike rack & shelter. They will also build a small boat dock at the far end by the point, so paddlers can tie up & use the trail, also for?AP's own emergency needs.? ? If the county or DOH will hang directional signs, AP will have them made.? Not sure who will follow up on that.? I think the DNR would like a road sign showing the river access ramp also, so maybe Frank Jernecjic will lead. ? They also agreed a number of years ago to make the "at grade" link to the Sheepskin, once the Sheepskin is built... at least past the power station to the road.? Getting a big bridge or two rebuilt is not likely, unless Fayette County includes it in their contract for the other 6 bridges along Grassy Run.? ? Spread the word. ? Peggy

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Water Network meeting Tuesday
by Duane330＠aol.com 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

ANNOUNCEMENT ~PLEASE PASS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ALONG TO OTHERS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING! The West Virginia Watershed Network (WVWN) is planning to hold its semi-annual meeting in Morgantown on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The meeting will be conducted as a forum where speakers from multiple agencies will provide information about ongoing statewide water sampling programs with emphasis on purpose, data collection process, data storage and access. The Forum agenda is available on the WVWN web site at: _http://www.wvca.us/wvwn/wvwn_events.cfm_ (http://www.wvca.us/wvwn/wvwn_events.cfm) . (Note…..notification of changes to or cancellation of the forum will be posted on this website, so please check for updates before traveling to the event.) The meeting is open to all interested persons at no cost. The meeting will be held at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) on Evansdale Campus at West Virginia University in room 101 AB. For directions to the NRCCE go to: _http://www.nrcce.wvu.edu/directions.cfm_ (http://www.nrcce.wvu.edu/directions.cfm) *Note… Lunch is brown bag. Free parking is available at the WVU Coliseum, where a shuttle bus runs every ten minutes. See the above website for the location of paid parking near the NRCCE building, however it is our understanding, if your vehicle has state or federal license you can park anywhere at no cost. *Contacts: Rick Buckley OSM 304-347-7162 x3019 Jim Laine WVDEP/DWWM 304-926-0499 x1061 Clairene Bailey OSM 304-347-7158 The West Virginia Watershed Network is an informal group of state and federal agencies, as well as nonprofit groups, committed to providing resources for watershed management in West Virginia. The West Virginia Watershed Network has a mission to collaboratively support efforts necessary to empower local residents to make decisions for sustainable management of their resources. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> “West Virginia Forum on Statewide Water Sampling Programs” Tuesday, March 17, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) Room 101 AB Evansdale Campus at West Virginia University, Morgantown WV Open to the Public and No Cost to Attend Sponsored by the West Virginia Watershed Network AGENDA 10:00 am Welcome and Logistics – Jim Laine (WV DEP) 10:05 am Water Monitoring Data Uses and Current Issues – Patrick Campbell (WV DEP) TMDL update, Marcellus Shale, Selenium 10:15 am USGS Flow Gauges/USGS databases – Doug Chambers 10:35 am EPA Region III Water Quality Exchange (WQX) database – Lou Reynolds 10:55 am Ohio River Sanitization Commission (ORSANCO) Ohio River Program – Sam Dinkins 11:15 am WV DEP Watershed Assessments – John Wirts 11:35 am WV Department of Agriculture – Matt Monroe 11:55 am Lunch (Brown Bag) 1:00 pm WV DEP Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) – Shelia Vukovich 1:10 pm WV DEP Special Reclamation (Bond Forfeiture) – Alyce Lee 1:20 pm WV DEP Division of Water & Waste Management - NPDES – Bob Bates 1:35 pm WV DEP Division of Mining and Reclamation - NPDES Article 11 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Article 3 Mining & Trend Network Information – Ken Politan 2:00 pm WV Division of Natural Resources (TBA) 2:15 pm Friends of Cheat – Keith Pitzer 2:30 pm Break 2:40 pm WV Department of Health & Human Resources – Rick Shaver 2:55 pm WV Save Our Streams (WV SOS) Program – Tim Craddock 3:10 pm WV DEP GIS information – Larry Evans 3:30 pm Wrap-up/Comments Presenter Speaking Points Introduction to the Agency including Agency mission Sampling Plans- purpose for sampling with brief explanation (regulatory, research, program mandate, trends, etc) Locations – How are locations determined? How are locations recorded (GPS)? Collection – Type of collection (grab, composite or continuous) Parameters sampled – water chemistry (pH, dissolved oxygen, fecal, etc) Is flow monitoring included? Does the organization do macroinvertebrate sampling? Frequency of Sampling – how often are samples collected? Analysis - Field or laboratory Agency or contract laboratory Analytical methods reference Data Storage – Paper or electronic Agency database or stand alone Is GIS data available? (Type and date of coverage) Contact for GIS files or questions Data Availability - Is it available to the public Web based system or must it be requested (Is a Freedom of Information Act request required?) Overview of future monitoring plans – brief and concise Final Points Any website links you would like to provide? Identify any reports generated based on sampling program and how reports are accessed (electronic / hard copy) Identify contacts in your organization for follow-up questions or additional information. ~PLEASE PASS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ALONG TO OTHERS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING! **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusye…)

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Cheat Lake drawdown in progress .. .
by Duane330＠aol.com 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

NOTICE. The following ad was on Page 2-A of today's Dominion Post. This indicates that the Lake is being drawn down some 11.5 feet from the 870 elevation. This is necessary to permit maintenance work on the Lake Lynn Dam itself. This drawdown provides an opportunity for dock owners to perform maintenance work around the Lake. Duane Nichols, Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation Association. See also the following web site: _www.cheatlaketoday.com_ (http://www.cheatlaketoday.com) **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusye…)

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7pm Wed. Cheat Lake Fire Hall
by Duane330＠aol.com 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Note. The Triennial Review meeting for the Cheat Lake Park and Trail is this coming Wednesday evening, March 11th, at 7 pm at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall. This is an important meeting. Competing events are the Big East basketball tournament, WVU vs. Notre Dame; and, there is a protest in Morgantown regarding the Darwin series speakers. I'll be at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall at 7pm the catch what is left of the other two. Duane Nichols. p.s. If you cannot attend, but have comments or wish to support the position of CLEAR, please send me an email so that I can be vocal about the important topics. Thank you very much. duane330(a)aol.com **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusye…)

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DRAFT-Recreation Plan Update comments
by Duane330＠aol.com 27 Feb '09

27 Feb '09

CHEAT LAKE ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION DRAFT—please comment a.s.a.p. Date: March 2, 2009 [see _www.cheatlaketoday.com_ (http://www.cheatlaketoday.com) ] Charles L. Simons, Recreation & Environmental Affairs Allegheny Energy Supply Company 4350 Northern Pike Monroeville, PA 15146-2841 Subject: Lake Lynn Hydro Station FERC Project No. 2459, License Article 417. 2009 RECREATION PLAN UPDATE CLEAR agrees with the conclusion that the “winter boat launch facility” near the Park headquarters, on the peninsula, should be open for usage only after the “summer pool height” season has passed. That is when it is needed, and that is when it’s usage will not interfere with the users of the Park and Trail. CLEAR believes that significant upgrades are needed at the end of the South Trail, for year-round support of trail users. First, the “observation deck” formerly located there should be re-established with a floating platform in the Lake to permit temporary tie-ups for small boats, as canoes or small motor craft, so as to provide access from the Lake to the end of the trail. This would also serve security, law-enforcement and recreation activities. Secondly, a bicycle rack and a picnic table should be located at the end of the trail to serve the recreational activities already present. If trail users were able to lock their bicycles to a rack, this would free the individual(s) for walking into the Cheat Haven Wildlife Viewing Area. CLEAR is supportive of a “primitive walking trail” in the Cheat Haven Wildlife Viewing Area. We have had some involvement with the on-going effort to establish this trail, which would benefit from appropriate signage and/or postings. CLEAR believes that the “privileged permit sites” should be administered via a set of rules that are known to the public and that annual statistics should be reported on the exact number of sites, the number of years each site has been leased by the same individual or family (with a limit of 5 years in the future for each site), and the charge made by AE for each site. Procedures which are fair and just to the public would involve a rotational procedure that provided an opportunity to the public to participate in these sites. At present, we suspect that a family can hold a site indefinitely passing it down from one generation to another. The current condition of many sites is “poor ”. That is, there is substantial debris on a number of the sites, there are permanent structures on a number of them, and there appears to be no common standard for their maintenance. CLEAR believes that the gate at Manning Run which limits access to the South Trail during the winter months could be opened during the daylight hours so as to permit hiking or cross-country ski access. There is little or no demonstrated security risk that justifies excluding hikers or skiers during the winter months. The primary facilities that need to be protected are north of the Manning Run gate. CLEAR believes that the Lake level should be reduced by one or two feet during the summer boating season, particularly on week-ends and holidays, to reduce the shore-line erosion from boat wake, given that the current level of strong waves during these periods is substantially eroding the shoreline at many locations. CLEAR recommends and is supportive of a study of the “carrying capacity” of Cheat Lake for boating (various types), fishing (various types), hiking, camping, docking, etc. The 19 picnic sites on the hillside loop are rarely used, so this area could be restructured to permit overnight camping for individual families, with a limit of three days stay, for example. AE admits that “ the least used facility is the picnic tables located in the picnic loop and near the Lake.” [See page 7 of the AE Recreation Plan Update, dated February 2009.] CLEAR believes that it is important to note that swimming is occurring in Cheat Lake, at a number of locations. This is primarily off boats moored in the Ruble Run and Morgan Run backwaters, at the Emma Kaufmann Camp, and off many of the various docks around the Lake. Swimming is not uncommon at the Old Iron Bridge, under the Interstate Bridge, and off the old piers of the former bridge over the Manning Run backwater. It would be reasonable to authorize CLEAR to establish a limited swimming area for children at the Mill Stone Point, which is adjacent to the “day-use boat docks” and the “fish cleaning station”. CLEAR believes that a Ranger should be hired to work five days each week during the summer months in support of recreation, health and safety, and security at the Park and Trail. This ranger would be knowledgeable in the fields of recreation and the environment as well as the history of the region. The ranger would also be authorized to provide security functions for the Park and Trail. Given current level of usage of the Park and Trail as well as the level of boating and fishing involved with the Lake, this is an overdue feature for the facilities involved. CLEAR is supportive of the establishment of a “Sheepskin Trail” that would extend from north of the area, to interface with the Cheat Lake Park and Trail at the Dam, that would extend over to and through Pt. Marion, PA, and then south along the Monongahela River to the WV State Line. We are submitting these “initial comments” by the published deadline of March 2, 2009 and intend to participate in the Public Meeting at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. We reserve the opportunity to extend or clarify our comments for two weeks after the Public Meeting. Duane G. Nichols Duane G. Nichols, President Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation Association 330 Dream Catcher Circle Morgantown, WV 26508 **************Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your neighborhood today. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=Tax+Return+Preparation+%26+Filing&n…)

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Cheat Lake Park/Trail - comments due Feb 29!
by Peggy Pings 15 Feb '09

15 Feb '09

All, Friends of Cheat Lake Trail, the rail-trail community, the Mon County/Morgantown bike-ped boards, and WV State Trails Coordinator Bill Robinson, Spread the word.... Please read the attached 1.5 MB file. It is the Cheat Lake Park/Trail Recreation Update, found at: http://www.cheatlaketoday.com/ Have you been to the Cheat Lake Park & Trail before? Opened in June 2000, it is a 4.5 mile rail-trail, and 263 acre park, that includes the "140-acre Cheat Haven Peninsula nature viewing area". It is all owned & managed by Allegheny Power, as part of their hydropower license with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). They are undergoing their Triennial Review requirements, to prove that they are meeting the public need. It is my personal opinion that they have a lot more they could be doing to better meet the public need. Feb 29. Written comments are due. Chuck Simon's email is csimons(a)alleghenyenergy.com Mar 11. Public meeting, 7pm, Cheat Lake VFD. ( mailto:csimons@alleghenyenergy.com ) Read on..... ------------- Here's a couple quick thoughts, and yes, I think letters are in order from whoever wants the Cheat Lake Park/Trail improved: Proposed Changes Page 8. Sec 3.4. "As previously stated, the recreational facilities provided are meeting the demonstrated demand for the general use for this area. Based on an evaluation of the usage figures the facilities are adequate for non-peak period demand. AE will continue to monitor usage to determine if any changes are warranted; however, at this time, no changes to the type, access and operation of facilities is proposed in this update." Hiking Trail. Yes, we should support the trail system, but we (the group) are suggesting a single-track dirt trail, nothing more. I would like to see this trail system link up into the Greystone community, slipping in from the wooded edge of the golf course to the roads, so the neighborhood that is not adjacent will have better bike/ped access. Need interpretive & directional signs, a little trailhead to park bikes safely while you walk the trail, and control of invasive species mentioned. Page 4. Sec 2.4. "The 140 acre Cheat Haven Peninsula area was designed to allow hikers to leave the hiking/biking trail and hike through the woods. AE is currently working with several individuals in the development of a primitive walking trail in this area. If an agreement can be reached, AE will include this new trail as part of this Plan Update and will file for an amendment with the FERC, if required. AE believes that a developed walking trail will help eliminate the possible destruction of habitat because individuals will be directed through the viewing area." Public Access Docks. Did you notice all 5 docks have been removed? Now, the visiting public has even worse access to the water. The map on page 26 shows where they used to be (as if they are still there). Page 3. Sec 2.2. "The five public access decks have been removed due to safety concerns. Over the last several years, vandalism of the locking pins and general horseplay on the access docks has lead to their removal. Also, in several locations with the shoreline shifting, several of the stairways were rendered unsafe and have been removed.The five public access decks have been removed due to safety concerns. Over the last several years, vandalism of the locking pins and general horseplay on the access docks has lead to their removal. Also, in several locations with the shoreline shifting, several of the stairways were rendered unsafe and have been removed." Trail Closure. The southern 3.1 miles is still closed to the public 4 months of the year (Nov1-Mar1). This has always been Totally Unacceptable to everyone, except a few adjacent Greystone landowners up high on the hill! Folks, winter conditions are not a problem for rail-trails, as they have repeatedly suggested! No other rail-trails that I know of close down for the winter. It looks like perhaps Page 3. Sec 2.2. "After the previous Recreation Plan Update (RPU) in 2006, AE did agree to open the the Southern Trail two additional months each year. This section of trail is now open from March 1 through October 31st." Management. Nothing on proposed/improved management changes (Bruce Miller's written proposal), nor changes made over the years -- this has been very secretive - not transparent at all. It should be managed as a community park, and it is not. For the amount of money AP spends on security and maintenance, we could have a very nicely managed regional park. The security guy is nice enough, but not welcoming. In fact, he has told me that "this is private property" when I stopped into his office one afternoon, making me feel unwelcome (but I knew better... that it was free & open to the public). There is no promotion of the Park/Trail, except word of mouth, and a really bad website that hardly anyone knows about. Directional Signs are missing along Rt 857. The map at the parking area has bad water/sun damage & cannot be read. There are no decent maps/brochures available. There are no events / activities. The park/trail is over 50% underutilized -- I can guess why. Page 7. Sec 3.1. "Most of the facilities at Cheat Lake Park and Trail are currently being used at less than 50% capacity for off-peak weekend days." I have plenty more ideas for improvement. What can you come up with? Peggy Pings 304-879-5622 home mpings(a)wvu.edu

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