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Fayette County gets $906K to extend trail along Cheat River | TribLIVE
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 09 May '18

09 May '18

http://triblive.com/local/regional/13625593-74/fayette-county-gets-906k-to-… Fayette County gets $906K to extend trail along Cheat River | TribLIVE Officials in Fayette County Monday broke ground for a 1.7-mile section of the Sheepskin Trail in Point Marion and Springhill Township. They also announced funding has been approved to develop another 2-mile segment extending farther east into the township. The Point Marion segment is the southernmost section of the bicycle trail and is slated for completion this year, to connect with the 48-mile Mon River Trail System in West Virginia. Fayette County Commissioner Dave Lohr noted the trail's interstate connection should provide economic as well as recreational benefits for the area. “We're only 9 miles from the economic hub of Morgantown, and more investments will be made to provide services to trail users and visitors alike,” he said. The county also has secured a $906,360 grant, through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, to construct the adjoining 2-mile Nilan Road trail segment. Running parallel with Nilan Road, that section will follow an abandoned Baltimore & Ohio rail corridor. It will offer trail users scenic views of the Cheat River and a glimpse into history, via remnants of the Cheat River Coke Works that once was a vital part of the local economy. “It's an amazingly beautiful meander of the river,” said Donna Holdorf of the National Road Heritage Corridor, which is partnering with the county and other entities to develop the trail. Design and engineering of the Nilan Road project have been funded through a previous $96,000 grant from the SPC. Planners have yet to negotiate some right-of-way agreements and easements for that segment, Holdorf said. Holdorf is seeking grants from two state funding sources that, together with some money in hand, would provide $840,000 to extend the trail nearly two additional miles east and north and through Springhill. A 34-mile route has been proposed for the Sheepskin Trail, which would connect the West Virginia biking paths to the Great Allegheny Passage trail, near Dunbar. South Union Township last year completed a 2.2-mile trail section from Pennsylvania Avenue to Hutchinson Park, incorporating part of a pedestrian bridge that used to cross Interstate 70 in New Stanton. Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6622, jhimler(a)tribweb.com or via Twitter @jhimler_news.

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Community concerns expressed at Leadmine roundtable event
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 02 May '18

02 May '18

https://www.parsonsadvocate.com/community-concerns-expressed-at-leadmine-ro… Community concerns expressed at Leadmine roundtable event From Matt Cloak, Parsons Advocate, April 30, 2018 The community of Leadmine hosted the Tucker County Commission’s fourth roundtable event. The event was held at the Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall. The county roundtable provided a forum for different entities in the area to express challenges, opportunities, and items of interest. The last roundtable was held at the Hendricks Town Hall on November 13. This roundtable hosted a different batch of community actors. Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Kevin White provided an update on the ongoing debris removal project from the branch of the Cheat River that runs through Leadmine. The Human Resource Development Foundation is managing the project. The goal is to remove debris in order to clear up the stream and reduce the chance of flooding. The project began in response to the flooding of July 2017. Work began in April with a crew of about 10 working Mondays through Thursdays. “Currently, under the funding it will end in September,” White said. “It was started late, so we’re hoping that it may go for a year, we’re hoping for an extension.” “That stream is in the shape it’s in, when a tree falls across the stream, river material piles up,” Commissioner Lowell Moore said. “When you take that material out, Mother Nature will take care of itself by rerouting the stream,” Moore said. “I do think it’s going to help,” White said. “Anytime you remove debris that is deflecting water it’s going to help. We’re going to work hard to get other help, but this is step one,” White said. Community members questioned the effectiveness of the project. A frustration was raised about FEMA assistance being provided to Parsons to elevate three houses, when Leadmine has not received federal funds. “The county commission, all three of us and Kevin, we have done our best, we’ve talked to senators and legislators. We’ve talked to FEMA people, we haven’t forgotten you, we just don’t know where else to go,” Moore said. In July, the Department of Highways will work to fix the baskets on a bridge that spans over Leadmine Run. DOH is providing the manpower and equipment, and the County Commission is supplying the project materials. During that time, DOH will work on a bridge over Wolf Run. Steven Leyh updated the attendees on his progress as newly appointed executive director of the Development Authority. A tenant for the Corridor H industrial park signed a lease for the building. “We are getting ready to put a long term tenant in that building, and it will be announced very soon,” Leyh said. Leyh said expanding existing businesses, especially in Parsons, is one of the Development Authority’s main objectives. The Development Authority is co-hosting an entrepreneurial pitch contest to give away $15,000. “It’s an opportunity, if you have a business idea, it’s a chance to get money for it,” Leyh said. The tentative date is June 18 at the high school. The contest is open to new or existing businesses. Commissioner Patrick Darlington represented Tucker County Parks and Recreation. Plans are developing to erect a 30 by 70 feet multipurpose metal building as a practice facility and to host events such as flea markets. Camp Kidd is receiving revenue from a timbering project. “We plan on using some of the funds for an update to the camp itself,” Darlington said. Parks and Recreation is looking to host baseball tournaments as another prospective revenue generator. Other presenters included Tucker County EMS, Art Spring, Camp Horseshoe, St. George Medical Clinic, Hamrick PSD, and the municipalities of St. George, Parsons, and Davis.

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Trout for Cheat celebrates 20 years by stocking river - Dominion Post
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 29 Apr '18

29 Apr '18

https://www.dominionpost.com/2018/04/28/trout-for-cheat-celebrates-20-years/ Trout for Cheat celebrates 20 years by stocking river - Dominion Post April 28, 2018 7:00 am Logan Hinebaugh from Mountaineer Challenge Academy, tosses a bucket of trout in the Cheat River near Rowlesburg. 15 thousand pounds of fish went in at 20 stops along the Cheat. KINGWOOD — Trout for Cheat is celebrating it’s 20th year, according to Art George, president of the program. Each year the group stocks the narrow section of the Cheat River from Riverview Lounge on Route 50 to Rowlesburg with trout. “Mr. George started the program,” committee member Bo Burnside said. “He did it to give people a unique place to fish.” He said the Challenge Academy cadets carry the fish to the river and deputies from the Preston County Sheriff’s Department handle traffic control. All of the people who help stock the river are volunteers. George said members of Trout for Cheat stock the river eight times each year. He said 1,800 pounds of trout, ranging in weight from two to 12 pounds are released at each stocking. Indian Lakes Fisheries out of Elkview transports the fish, George said “We’ll have one more spring stocking in May,” George said. He said it cost $5,500 each time the river is stocked. “We have people coming to fish from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Carolinas,” he said. Burnside agreed. “People make a special trip just to fish in the cheat,” he said. “Some have come from as far away as New York.” The distance from New York to Rowlesburg is about 383 miles. Other members of Trout for Cheat who help with stocking the river are Bob Martin, Jim White, Jon Hunter and Buzz Halterman. Sent from my iPad

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Recent rains cause flooding on Shavers Fork & Cheat Rivers
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

https://www.parsonsadvocate.com/recent-rains-cause-flooding/ Recent rains cause flooding in Tucker County From the Parsons Advocate, April 23, 2018 On April 16, 2018 Tucker County experienced river flooding thru out the county but mainly in the western end. Tucker County OEM Director Kevin White said, ” The Shavers Fork and Cheat Rivers were the primary concern. A large rain event that moved across the state producing several inches of rain in a 16 hour period causing rivers and streams to reach dangerous levels.” Tucker County Office of Emergency Management Homeland Security activated its Emergency Operation Center around 0800 on the 16th and at that time ask local fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, WVDOH and Tucker 911 for any assistants they could provide. At approximately 1000 the County Commission signed a Declaration of a State of Emergency. Photo by Teri Cayton Department of Highway workers removing debris backed up against the bridge across the Shavers Fork River after last weeks high waters. Photo by Teri Cayton Department of Highway workers removing debris backed up against the bridge across the Shavers Fork River after last weeks high waters. This home, located in the Pulp Mill Bottom, in Parsons, got water inside the residence. The house is owned by Brandi Kopec. Brett and Ashley Ware work to remove water from a residence in the Pulp Mill Bottom. Photo by Teri Cayton Department of Highway workers removing debris backed up against the bridge across the Shavers Fork River after last weeks high waters. White said “Flooding largely affected roads and city streets but there were a few structures in the county that reported water in them. The bridge across Shavers Fork in Parsons was closed for approximately six hours with a debris pile around its pillars being a concern as it was obstructing the water flow.” The water on the Cheat below Parsons showed a crest of 17 ft. at 1500 and operations concluded at 2000. “Tucker County Office of Emergency Management Homeland Security would like to thank all entities for the help during this event.” White said.

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Chest Canyon Incident
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

West Virginia News Report By Joe Hauger, Preston News Journal, April 25, 2018 KINGWOOD — The Preston County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Morgantown man on charges of felony strangulation for an incident that allegedly happened, April 14 in the Cheat Canyon. According to the criminal complaint, Gilbert Bruce Bueno, 33, allegedly assaulted the victim while camping there. The complaint reads Bueno had been drinking and became violent and began to punch, choke and strangle the victim. Bueno would not permit the victim to leave the area, taking a cell phone, car keys and other items. Bueno allegedly continued to punch and assault the victim until he went to sleep, and the victim was able to get away. The victim went to Monongalia General Hospital for treatment. Visible bruising could be seen on the victim’s face, chin and right ear area, the complaint states. The victim said there was a nasal bone fracture, as well as injuries to the throat. Deputies photographed the injuries. Bueno had been arrested in Monongalia County for felony strangulation against the victim March 31, and deputies reported he has a history of domestic assault and battery. Bueno was being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. https://www.wvnews.com/prestoncountynews/records/for-the-record/article_464…

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Sheepskin Trail remains to be developed
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 21 Apr '18

21 Apr '18

CHARLESTON GAZETTE 20 APRIL 2018 Parkersburg to Pittsburgh rail trail could become reality within a decade • By Rick Steelhammer Staff writer Rick Steelhammer Recreation Reporter Apr 19, 2018 Bicyclists along the Mon River Trail, in Monongalia County, which would be part of the proposed Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Trail. Much of the larger trail’s route is already complete, and advocates hope it could be finished within a decade. • STEVE SHALUTA | Rails to Trails Conservancy Several smaller trail systems in West Virginia would be part of the proposed Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Trail, including the North Bend Rail Trail near Cairo in Ritchie County. • Rails to Trails Conservancy | Courtesy photo The West Fork Rail Trail, in Marion and Harrison counties, would be part of the 238-mile Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Trail. • Rails to Trails Conservancy | Courtesy photo Biking on a 238-mile rail trail from Parkersburg to Pittsburgh could become a reality in the next 10 years under a plan to link existing rail trails coordinated by the national Rails to Trails Conservancy. The Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Trail, known as the P2P by those involved in its planning, is already about 80 percent complete, thanks to existing rail trails along its corridor. From Parkersburg to the Pennsylvania border, only 22 miles of the 155-mile trail— nearly all of it along abandoned railroad tracks — have yet to be connected. Once the P2P is completed as far north as Connellsville, Pennsylvania, bicyclists can connect with the existing Great Allegheny Passage trail and ride to Cumberland, Maryland, for a link to the C&O Towpath Trail, which ends in Washington, D.C., or continue north to Pittsburgh on the completed GAP. But links to Pittsburgh and Washington will just be the start of destinations for long-haul bicyclists 20 years from now. The P2P Trail is one of eight “mega-corridors” in the planned 1,500-mile Industrial Heartland Trails system of linked rail-trail routes stretching through 51 counties in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and the southwestern corner of New York. “Of all the mega-corridors, the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh corridor is most likely to be completed first,” with completion of the West Virginia segment leading the way, said Kelly Pack, director of trail development for the Rails to Trails Conservancy and a West Virginia University grad. “The biggest challenge for this corridor will be making the connection from the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border to the Great Allegheny Passage trail,” a gap of 27 miles, said Pack. The Sheepskin Trail extending north from Point Marion to Connellsville and now under development, would fill that gap. West Virginia’s missing gaps on the P2P include a 4.6 mile section through Fairmont, which will depart from an abandoned rail bed and loop through the city, connecting with the completed Mon River Trail and Marion County trails to the north and the West Fork River Trail to the south. Between the completed West Fork River Trail and the Harrison North Rail Trail, a six-mile gap remains between the Harrison County communities of Spelter and Shinnston. Seven miles south of Shinnston, a 5.9-mile gap exists between the Harrison North Rail Trail and the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail. At the southern terminus of the North Bend, a 5.2 mile gap remains to be linked to Point Park along the Ohio River in downtown Parkersburg. Once complete, the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh trail will be the fourth-longest rail trail in the nation and is expected to attract riders from across the country, including many of the 800,000 bicyclists and hikers who travel the Great Allegheny Passage annually. The GAP has an economic impact of $40 million annually on the communities through which it passes, Pack said. In coming months and years, the Rails to Trails Conservancy will be “working with communities along the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh corridor to help them capture economic opportunities” and encourage exploration off the trail and into the towns along it, Pack said. The trail should also prove popular with West Virginians, one-third of whom live within a few miles of the trail, “wanting to stay active and feel safe,” Pack said. A presentation on the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Rail Trail and the results of a new study on the processes needed to complete it will take place Tuesday, starting at 10 a.m., in the Steptoe & Johnson law office at 400 White Oaks Boulevard in Bridgeport. Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelhammer(a)wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5169 or follow @rsteelhammer on Twitter. URL: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/outdoors/recreation/parkersburg-to-pittsburgh…

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EARTH DAY: 1970 to Today, Let’s Now End Plastic Pollution
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 21 Apr '18

21 Apr '18

http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2018/04/21/earth-day-1970-to-today-lets-now-end… Sent from my iPad

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Cheat Lake Debris Collects in Backwater Areas
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 18 Apr '18

18 Apr '18

High water debris accumulated in Emma Kaufman Cove. Sent from my iPhone

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Sheepskin Trail being improved into Pt. Marion
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 18 Apr '18

18 Apr '18

Sediment liner in place for further work on Mon River Trail system.

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WV MetroNews – Preston County officials optimistic, but waiting for river to crest Monday night
by Duane Nichols via CLEAR 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

http://wvmetronews.com/2018/04/16/preston-county-officials-optimistic-but-w… Preston County officials optimistic, but waiting for river to crest Monday night KINGWOOD, W.Va. — High water is expected in Preston County, but the threat isn’t reported to be widespread. “What they’re predicting is that the Cheat is going to crest at 17.9 feet, which is just almost two foot above flood stage,” said Preston County OEM Director Duane Hamilton. “It’s going to effect like the Rowlesburg Park and stuff, but we don’t anticipate any structures being damaged.” In addition to the park, Hamilton said those who use campers on the river and some parts of Rt. 72 might be impacted. “We’ve put out warnings to people with campers and stuff along the river already,” he said. “Rt. 72 would close at 18 feet, which is going to be right with where they’re predicting it’s going to crest. That would be right there at that margin. We’re not really predicting any kind of major problems right now.” Though Hamilton feels better about the chances of avoiding a major flood event in Preston County, he said they are watching what’s happening in the Tucker County town of Parsons closely. “Anything that happens there is going to eventually happen there,” he said. “And they’re saying they should be cresting any time now.” The Cheat River is expected to crest around 7 or 8 p.m. Monday night. “It may get into it a little bit, but for the most part traveling shouldn’t be bad,” Hamilton said. “Rt. 72 would be the only one I know that would be affected by it.” A flood warning is in effect for the Rowlesburg area until 3:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. A mixture of rain and snow showers are expected Monday evening. Sent from my iPad

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