CLEAR

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Banner Year for CLEAR
by Donna Weems 05 Nov '11

05 Nov '11

Dear Friends, The Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR) works to promote recreational and environmental improvements on Cheat Lake. This has been a year for the completion of several initiatives that have been the works for many years. Under the capable direction of Duane Nichols, and the dedication of hardworking and longstanding members, CLEAR: • developed a beautiful new beach at Mill Stone Point for swimming (at your own risk) • opened a first rate new hiking trail in Cheat Haven wild life viewing area • dedicated a CLEAR dock for public use near the Cheat Haven hiking trailhead • the South portion of the hiking/biking trail will be open for use all year • cleaned up debris from Millstone point and other areas • monitored the water quality of Cheat Lake. There is still work to be done: • address the high rate of erosion and sedimentation in the Cheat Lake area • deal with the debris that continuously floats down Cheat Lake • clear the lake large snags that are dangerous to boaters. • enforce guidelines for new dock construction on Cheat Lake • continue to monitor the water quality of Cheat Lake to make sure the quality is sufficient for dedicated uses • communicate the location and recreational opportunities at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail. Who else does this work? Help us continue our work on Cheat Lake. Please support this effort by renewing your CLEAR membership. Annual Dues: $15 individual $25 family Make your checks out to CLEAR and send your annual membership dues to; Donna Weems Treasurer, CLEAR 320 Dream Catcher Circle Morgantown, WV 26508 For more information, contact CLEAR at: CLEAR1Lake(a)aol.com Lake user information at: www.cheatlaketoday.com

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Report on Sept. 21st Meeting on Proposed Preston Landfill
by Duane 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Hello Everyone! Last evening a successful meeting took place at the Bruceton School cafeteria! Working groups were established and individual members and groups are now beginning to work toward the organization's major goals. Our current working mission is, "The group supports responsible management of Preston County land and resources as a component of economic development and wants to equip residents, elected officials, and legislators with accurate information." We are still looking to get more community members involved. If you know of anyone interested please have them email: prestoncares2011(a)yahoo.com with their contact information. We are working toward a call down/phone tree to contanct members who do not have access to email but, this is not in place yet. If you know of someone without email access who would like to be included please email their phone number to prestoncares2011(a)yahoo.com If you missed last night's meeting and would like to take a role in the organization regardless of how big or small please contact us via email. The Buckwheat Festival is just around the corner! Preston CARES is taking great strides to coordinate the first-ever recycling effort during this event. Come and support our efforts! While you are out, please stop by the Preston CARES booth in the commericial/business area. We have two important petition to sign. The first petition is to oppose the landfill at the confluence of the Big Sandy and Little Sandy. The second petition is to support the designation of our streams and rivers as National Recreation Areas-this petition will protect our water resources for recreation. Both are excellent causes and both need your support and the support of your friends and neighbors. Please pass the word along and encourage those you know to stop by and sign both petitions! Preston CARES will hold another meeting in October 2011 the time and location will soon be announced. We look forward to seeing you and working with you to promote and protect our pristine Preston County. Please contact us if you have questions, ideas, and/or concerns! Cheers, Jen Short

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MON RIVER TRAIL
by Duane 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

RE. MON RIVER TRAIL Hi everyone, An email from Tim Ball with MUB and their plans to reopen the trail very soon- this is temporary until they have hired a company to fix it and they can mobilize. He also has been trying to get WVU work on the PRT resolved to move the equipment that now sits on the trail. Ella Good news! Our consultant tells us that it should now be safe to place gravel to re-level the trail between 6th St and the Arboretum. We are currently working to temporarily reopen the trail with a compacted gravel surface in the area of the slip. We will have to close the trail again, once our permanent work gets underway, but for the next several weeks (including specifically Sun Oct 9), it will be re-opened. This should be accomplished by the end of this week. The only complication that might affect this is that WVU is working on the PRT from the closed portion of the rail trail. We are trying to determine when they will be done. See separate email that I will forward to you. Thanks for your kind patience and cooperation. Best Regards, Tim Ella Belling Executive Director Mon River Trails Conservancy P.O. Box 282 Morgantown, WV 26507 www.montrails.org Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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RAIL TRAIL SYSTEM
by Duane 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Rail-trail extension plan moves forward Commission awards MSES with contract to add 17 more miles BY CHRIS DALE For The Dominion Post Marion County Commissioners moved closer to almost doubling the mileage of the county’s rail-trail system Wednesday. “We’ve been working on this project for five or six years,” Marion County Planning and Development Director Richard Walton said. “CSX wants to donate property, but before they do, CSX and our county want to ensure it meets certain standards,” he said. “Today’s action permits us to go ahead and negotiate a contract and fee with MSES Consulting to conduct environmental testing.” Commissioners awarded a contract for Environmental Engineering Services for the rail-trail. MSES was chosen by a committee comprised of three community members: Walton, Tony Michalski and Kris Cinalli. The committee reviewed 12 proposals before selecting MSES Consulting. The committee will now negotiate a contract and fees with MSES for the work. The contract and fees will then go to the commission for approval. “We expect the environmental review to begin in the next couple of weeks and be finalized sometime in mid-October,” Walton added. “Testing will begin when CSX executes the agreement and we negotiate a contract with MSES.” Michalski, assistant director of Marion County Parks and Recreation, is excited by the prospects the trail provides Marion County residents. “We already have 20 miles of trail within the county, and this will add approximately 17 more miles,” he said. Perhaps more importantly, the trail will extend to the northern part of the county. “This develops a corridor into the northern part of the county, from Barrackville to Dent’s Run,” Michalski said. “We plan on making an across-town link to connect to the West Fork River Trail and the MCTrail. The MCTrail connects to the Mon River Trail, which runs through Morgantown and into Pennsylvania.” Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. P.S. The Sheepskin Trail project has also made some progress this year, to provide an extension of the Mon River Trail in Pennsylvania.

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RALLY THURSDAY AT MORGANTOWN INDUSTRIAL PARK
by Duane 14 Sep '11

14 Sep '11

W.Va. Marcellus committee clears permit fee hurdle By Lawrence Messina, Charleston Gazette, September 14, 2011 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Natural gas operators would pay $10,000 to drill a well in West Virginia's share of the Marcellus shale field, and $5,000 for each additional well at the initial site, under a proposal adopted Wednesday by a special legislative committee. The House-Senate panel also approved provisions increasing bonds posted for well projects, enhancing public notice of drilling and compensating the owners of surface land where operators drill their wells. With the committee resuming its work next month, Wednesday's changes move lawmakers closer to a regulatory bill that they hope to propose during a special session before year's end. But the permit fee amendment has been considered a crucial hurdle in the process. Operators now pay just a few hundred dollars for a permit. The resulting revenues have helped to leave the Department of Environmental Protection's Oil and Gas office with a $1 million shortfall in its budget. Tapping the rich Marcellus reserve can involve a horizontal drilling method that differs from the practices followed for vertical wells. Marcellus drillers also employ hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and pump a high-volume, high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand into wells to release the shale's gas. The mile-deep rock formation, stretching beneath several states in the region, is considered one of the world's largest natural gas fields. The resulting push to drill into the shale has spurred concerns about the large amounts of water needed, the potential effects of drilling and fracking on nearby drinking supplies, and what happens to the tainted frackwater afterward. Lawmakers estimate the amended permit fees would provide DEP with $2.5 million annually, enough to cure that shortfall and allow the office to add as many as 15 additional staffers. The office would hire two field inspectors for every office worker it adds, DEP lawyer Kristen Boggs told the committee Wednesday. "I think that this is a very good compromise," said Delegate Tim Manchin, D-Marion and the committee's House co-chair. "This is a very good step forward in terms of trying to meet the needs of the folks in the impact zone and get more feet on the ground and to restore some confidence in the people that the that the state is watching out for them." Senate Co-Chair Doug Facemire said natural gas operators support the amendment. "The industry made it clear to us that they wanted to try to protect the environment and the citizens," the Braxton County Democrat said, adding that "The industry did not try to fight or obstruct this. That's an important thing, also, to bring up." The Legislature proved unable to pass a Marcellus measure during this year's regular session. Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has since ordered DEP to issue emergency regulations. Approved last month, these temporary provisions requires drillers to explain how they'll protect area land, manage the large volumes of water involved and respond to accidents, among other topics. But environmental groups and the West Virginia Surface Owners Rights Organization argue that the emergency rule as falling short in such areas as air pollution and surface owner protections. The special committee expects to consider some of those subjects during October's interim study meetings. Critics of the state's handling of this issue include West Virginia for a Moratorium on Marcellus. They plan to picket Thursday outside a well site at Morgantown Industrial Park. This Marcellus project spurred a Morgantown ordinance banning horizontal drilling-hydraulic fracturing operations within or near city limits. A circuit judge has since blocked that ordinance. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...............................<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Thursday,September,15·at-11:00am-6:00pm Location Near the entrance to Morgantown Industrial Park Created By Candace Jordan For Stop the Fracking in Morgantown Industrial Park More Info RALLY ON THURSDAY! LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD AT MORGANTOWN INDUSTRIAL PARK! HYDRO-FRACKING WILL BEGIN ON THE MARCELLUS WELLS IN MORGANTOWN INDUSTRIAL PARK IN MID-SEPTEMBER. BEFORE WE'RE FRACKED--LET PEOPLE IN MORGANTOWN AND THROUGHOUT WV KNOW THAT WV4MOM AND OTHER CITIZENS ARE WATCHING AND MONITORING GAS COMPANY ACTIVITIES. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. WE ARE NOT GIVING UP THE FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR AIR AND OUR WATER AND THE QUALITY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. COME TO A RALLY AT THE ENTRANCE TO MORGANTOWN INDUSTRIAL PARK! LET'S RALLY AGAINST MARCELLUS DRILLING AND HYDRO-FRACKING! IT'S ABOUT TO BEGIN! WHERE: At the entrance to Morgantown Industrial Park. We have chosen a safe zone that is public space. We are allowed to rally 100 ft. from the intersection before the entrance to the Park. We will demarcate the area. WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 11 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm. NOTE: THERE WILL BE A BREAKFROM 2 PM TO 4 PM. WHY: WV4MOM would like everyone to know that we have not gone away and that we will be watching the activities of the gas companies as they begin horizontal hydro-fracking. We also want our City Council to know that we want an appeal to Judge Tucker’s ruling. WHAT YOU CAN DO: 1. Come to the rally. Stay part of the time or all of the time. 2. Please make signs that say things like: Don't frack with our water/We can't drink money/We are watching you/Fracking is not appealing--is Morgantown?/Regulate fracking now. (Get creative, stay g-rated.) 3. Please tell your friends or others to join us. For parking: Westover Park is 1/3 mile from the intersection. If you turn right at the intersection when you are on River Road, Westover Park is about 1/3 of a mile on the left. For people who cannot walk this distance, we will work together to shuttle everyone from the Westover Park to the Rally. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Calling for a Ban on Hydrofracking
by Duane 07 Sep '11

07 Sep '11

Welcome to when the little guys become the big guys. There are hundreds of local grassroots groups in the USworking on issues related to fracking, clean water, and environmental health. Most of the individuals that make up these groups are, like us, committed unpaid volunteers who are passionate about protecting our water, air and public health. Together all of our groups and organizations make up a profound grassroots movement that carries immense power for positive change. Well, the time has come for these grassroots groups to become the big guys and bring about this change. We've been waiting a long time, and now is our time in the sun. Let’s get together and be the large constituency we are. Take action! The National Grassroots Coalition is partnering with Josh Fox and Gasland, Credo, Democracy for America, Food and Water Watch, United for Action, and several other organizations to push a National Call Day to President Obama on September 13th. We will be calling President Obama and letting him know that we oppose Hydraulic Fracturing. Join us in announcing to your email list, website, and on Facebook and other social media this major national action. Here are the details of the call day: Call the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 between 9 am and 5 pm EDT on September 13th. Say, "Hello my name is ______, I live in (City, State) and I oppose hydraulic fracturing and I want renewable and sustainable energy policy solutions." Feel free to copy this message to anyone that is appropriate in your organization. The important thing is that we let President Obama know that there is a lot of opposition to fracking. If the phone lines get jammed, send an email through the White House Contact page here. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact) This is going to be the first action of many more to come as we, together steer this country to more sane and sustainable energy policies where we don’t have to poison ourselves to power our lives. If you have questions about this event, or would like to be listed on our website, please email nationalgrassrootscoalition(a)yahoo.com or contact your regional coordinator. Thanks so much! Together we can do this! David, Ling, Nona, Diana, Chris, Eric, Rebecca, Kathy, Beth, Mary Ellen, Lynn, Charlie, Kate, Edie, Ellen, Merle, Sharon, Amanda, Alice, Meredith, and the rest of the National Grassroots Coalition Team powered by volunteers from United for Action. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Mon River Trail mudslide south of Morgantown
by Duane 07 Sep '11

07 Sep '11

>> Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org> 9/6/2011 2:26 PM >>> Hi everyone The Mon River Trail south near mile 12 (between Morgantown city limits and Uffington) is closed due to a massive mudslide. The Mon River Trails Conservancy will let you know when it is cleared enough to be passable but clean up may take up to 2 weeks due to the forecast of rain all week. Thanks for your patience and please help spread the word, Ella Ella Belling Executive Director Mon River Trails Conservancy P.O. Box 282 Morgantown, WV 26507 www.montrails.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. Also, we have been informed that the water level in Cheat Lake did not need to be lowered below 868 feet above sea level after all. See also: www.cheatlaketoday.com

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Fwd: Cheat Lake Today Update
by Duane 06 Sep '11

06 Sep '11

> Date: September 6, 2011 9:12:47 AM EDT > To: <Duane330(a)aol.com>, "Michael Strager" <mstrager(a)wvu.edu> > Subject: Cheat Lake Today Update > > Due to high flows we will be pulling the lake below the 868 minimum level later today. At this time we will not go below 867.00’ unless conditions change. Fyi. acd > > > A thought to ponder- > > "Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising e very time we fall" > > Confucius > > > A.C. Datsko > > Manager Consolidated Hydros > > FirstEnergy Generation Corp. > > Lake Lynn Hydroelectric Power Station > > PO Box 97 > > Lake Lynn, Pa 15451 > > SEE ALSO www.cheatlaketoday.com >

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Significant Earthquake Jars Region
by Duane330＠aol.com 24 Aug '11

24 Aug '11

_http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html) Magnitude 5.9 - VIRGINIA 2011 August 23 17:51:03 UTC * _Details_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html#d…) * _Summary_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html#s…) * _Maps_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html#m…) * _Scientific & Technical_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005ild.html#s…) Earthquake Details * This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. _Magnitude_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#magnitude) 5.9 _Date-Time_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#date) * Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 17:51:03 UTC * Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 01:51:03 PM at epicenter _Location_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#location) 37.975°N, 77.969°W _Depth_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#depth) 1 km (~0.6 mile) (poorly constrained) _Region_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#region) VIRGINIA _Distances_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#distances) 45 km (27 miles) E of Charlottesville, Virginia 55 km (34 miles) SW of Fredericksburg, Virginia 64 km (39 miles) NW of RICHMOND, Virginia 82 km (50 miles) NNE of Farmville, Virginia _Location Uncertainty_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#uncertainty) horizontal +/- 10.9 km (6.8 miles); depth +/- 7.4 km (4.6 miles) _Parameters_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#parameters) NST=390, Nph=390, Dmin=57.9 km, Rmss=1.17 sec, Gp= 47°, M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6 _Source_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#source) * Magnitude: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) Location: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) _Event ID_ (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/glossary.php#eventid) usc0005ild

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WV DEP TO INSPECT ALL CLASS C COAL RELATED IMPOUNDMENTS
by Duane 23 Aug '11

23 Aug '11

======================================================== Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @ 5:18 PM ============================================================ In response to today’s earthquake, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Mining and Reclamation plans to inspect all Class C coal-related impoundments in the state by tonight, DMR Director Tom Clarke said. Class C impoundments have high hazard potential. Inspections will be done in consultation with the DMR’s regional dam engineer. All other impounding structures and embankments should be examined within 72 hours, Clarke said. All of the DMR’s inspection staff and engineers were certified or re-certified in impoundment inspection earlier this month. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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