CHEAT LAKE ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
Allegheny
Energy Supply Corporation
800 Cabin
Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
RE: RECREATION PLAN
FOR CHEAT LAKE PARK AND TRAIL
DATE: MAY 15, 2006
1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES-- This proposed recreation plan is
provided as part of the 2006 Triennial Review of the Cheat Lake Park and Trail
Recreation Plan. It is intended to initiate a cooperative effort with the
Allegheny Energy Supply Corporation and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, to bring increased activities, projects, programs and opportunities
to our local region.
2. CURRENT STATUS-- Currently, the Cheat Lake Park and Trail is
owned by Allegheny Energy Supply Corporation and operated by them as a
requirement of the operating license for the Lake Lynn Hydro Dam electricity
generation project. While Allegheny Energy has generally met the strict
requirements of the federal license, this private company is involved in the
generation and distribution of electricity and as such has no dedication to, no
extensive record of, or employees trained in public recreation activities. Thus,
the people of our region may be better served if a new approach is taken for the
recreational programming and operation of the Cheat Lake Park and
Trail.
3. PROPOSED NEW APPROACH-- It is herewith proposed that a new
entity be selected relative to recreation and environmental education on Cheat
Lake, to provide (A) planning and programming, (B) activities and events, (C)
operation and maintenance, and (D) safety and security. One or more of the
following organizations can be enlisted to assist and participate in this
approach, namely: (1) the Monongalia County Commission [Mon Com], (2) the Board
of Parks and Recreation of the City of Morgantown [BoPARC], (3) the Monongahela
River Trails Conservancy [MRTC], (4) the Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation
Association [CLEAR], and/or (5) a new entity formed expressly for the stated
functions, to have strong working relationships with all interested parties.
4. MAJOR ADVANTAGES
A. Increased recreational opportunities-- By
involving recreation professionals and the people who are the current and
potential future users of the Park & Trail, greater use of existing
facilities can be made. It may be desirable to have a gradual transition to new
programs, as the cost and personnel requirements must be matched with available
resources and the growing demand (need) for these activities.
B. Increased educational components-- This can include the
introduction of new educational projects having appeal to both grade school and
high school students. [Already a number of classes at West Virginia University
include activities that interface with the Park and
Trail.]
C. Enhanced safety with security-- To a significant degree, the
considerations of human safety are in some cases, or can be in others, related
to the security of the Park and Trail. Security personnel need to have
capabilities to render help to people who are sick or injured. And, Safety
personnel can assist in maintaining a secure facility. So, given the small size
of the Park and Trail, it would be beneficial to integrate the Security and
Safety components for effective and efficient public
service.
D. Greater coordination with other county programs-- Given that
the Mon Com maintains recreational programs at various locations in the County,
including the Chestnut Ridge Camp (within a few miles of the Park and Trail),
that the BoPARC has extensive recreational facilities and personnel in and near
Morgantown, that the MRTC maintains trails along the Monongahela River and
Deckers Creek, and that great progress is being made on the establishment of a
Sheepskin Trail in Pennsylvania (immediately north of the Park and Trail), a
substantial opportunity exists to coordinate and integrate some activities of
the Cheat Lake Park and Trail with these others.
E. Improved economy of operations (cost savings & economical
activities)-- There are three factors that could benefit the costs of operations
for the Park and Trail that would result from a local operator. (1) The existing
monies from Allegheny Energy could be spent on personnel that provide a
combination of recreational activities, safety and security, i.e. these specific
individuals could readily be trained in all three functions, (2) existing
personnel of the County and City could provide some of their expertise,
programming and operational skills to the Park and Trail, and (3) application
could be made for financial assistance for the Park and Trail from funding
agencies, to include the City, County, State, and federal government as well as
independent sources of financial assistance.
F. Increased information and publicity-- It is desirable that some
promotions of the Park and Trail and its programs is made through press
releases, brochures, flyers, maps, etc. [Already substantial information on the
local region is provided at the Interstate rest stops and at various business
locations throughout the region for local residents.]
G. Additional research surveys to elicit public input-- It is
desirable to perform update evaluations and research surveys, e.g.
questionnaires, to determine the needs and desires of the greater community
relative to the services provided at the Park and Trail. This then can be
followed by planning and programming to meet those needs, to the full extent
feasible. Unless this is done on a periodic or on-going basis, there will be no
timely service to the public relative to the full potential of Cheat Lake in
service to the common good.
5. IMPROVED ACTIVITIES
A. Hiking, jogging, and biking-- It is
almost certain that the use of the Cheat Lake Trail could be enhanced with input
from the various recreational entities in the Monongalia County
area.
B. Canoes and kayaks-- If a small inventory of canoes and kayaks
were kept on site near the Park and Trail, this would be a great benefit to the
people of the region. Demonstrations on their usage could be scheduled and
events could be planned to bring in others interested in using the backwaters
for canoe and kayak enjoyment.
C. Jet skiis and motor boats-- These are already very popular on
Cheat Lake. An annual event could be planned and implemented with emphasis on
optional models available, their safety considerations, Q and A sessions on
operation and maintenance; and, help could be provided on where to by gear and
where to get fuel, maintenance, and upgrades.
D. Shoreline and boat fishing-- Now that fishing has become a
major activity on Cheat Lake, there needs to be two or three events each year
planned as educational sessions dealing with the fish themselves (their habits
and where to find time), with fishing gear options, with handling fish when
caught, etc.
E. Water skiing & boat swimming--- Safety regarding water skis
and boat swimmers should include considerations of power and speed, proper gear,
and respect for others in addition to water quality and water quality warnings
(fecal coliforms, etc.)
F. Shoreline swimming -- Over the coming three year period, a
comprehensive study can be completed to evaluate various alternatives for
"guarded beach swimming" and/or "swim at your own risk beach swimming". Costs
and safety considerations need to be fully examined so that all concerned are
fully aware of the various conditions that prevail.
G. Picnicing-- Picnic tables are available at a few locations
along the Trail, at the Millstone Point, in the shelters on the two bridges over
the Morgan Run and Rubles Run backwaters, as well as within the day-use picnic
area (above overflow parking area). Some of these are used from time to time,
but a great opportunity exists to provide programming in support of the usage of
the picnic areas.
6. NEW PROJECTS OR RENOVATIONS
A. Environmental educational
programs-- Naturalists, biologists, scientists and engineers can all help to
provide environmental education programs at four or more locations around Cheat
Lake. A number of topics are already available for presentation by employees of
the State of West Virginia, West Virginia University, and other existing
agencies and organizations.
B. Boating safety programs-- The WV Department of Natural
Resources is prepared to offer boating safety programs; and, other interested
parties and individuals can be scheduled to provide important information,
provide Q and A sessions, and help to influence boaters of the need for an
understand of and observance of proper safety rules and
guidelines.
C. Events and activities at the Park-- Family day events that have
been held in the past by CLEAR have been quite successful. This provides an
opportunity for more frequent and more extensive family activities on Cheat
Lake. Activities that are attractive to young children represent a grand
opportunity to orient them into an interest in and respect for lakes and
streams and their preservation and use.
D. Concessions may be a useful addition to the Park and Trail, if
the anticipated usage level is achieved within the next few years. Healthful
food concessions could be offered as an additional incentive to visit the Park
and Trail; and, rental gear (canoes and kayaks) would be a popular addition as
soon as this can be arranged.
More detail is being provided in a separate mailing as one
approach. The personnel needs have
been examined, and described. A proposed budget for many of the categories of
expense has been developed. And, brief descriptions of the budget categories are
given. We consider this a positive
approach that will need to be examined and discussed.
We appreciate this opportunity to provide positive input. And, we hope that constructive outcomes
can be devised in the best interest of the people of this region while achieving
a good working relationship among the various organizations concerned with the
Park and Trail, i.e. Allegheny Energy, the representatives of the State, County
and City, as well as CLEAR and the other interested local
organizations.
Respectfully submitted,
Duane G, Nichols,
President of CLEAR
cc: FERC