NOTE: At 10:15 am this coming Wednesday, June 21st, an agenda
item for the Monongalia County Commission is "The Status of the State-Owned
Property at Mt. Chateau". This topic was also discussed in a front
page
story of today's Dominion Post. The State government has
an evaluation underway to determine the future of this and other sites, for
possible economic development.
The following memorandum has been prepared for consideration of the
Commissioners, to outline the importance and potential of the Mt. Chateau
property. It is my hope that the County Commission will adopt a resolution
and write a letter to the Governor in support of the preservation of the Mt.
Chateau property as public property.
YOU CAN HELP. READ THE FOLLOWING WITH A CRITICAL EYE AND TELL
ME HOW TO IMPROVE IT. SEND ME AN EMAIL, AND TELL ME YOU AGREE OR
NOT. SEND THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS. SEND YOUR OWN LETTER TO: Governor
Joe Manchin III, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25305. You
can phone or fax the Governor at 304-558-2000 (phone) or
558-7025 (fax). The email address is:
Send me a copy of your letter. Thank you for your help at
this time, Duane Nichols, CLEAR, 330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV
26508
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To: Governor Joe Manchin III, State of West
Virginia Date: June 21, 2006
Re: Mt. Chateau Property on Cheat Lake,
Monongalia County, WV
Cheat Lake was formed and dedicated in 1926 by
West Penn Power “for recreation and the providing of an essential service
(electricity)”. Yet, access to the full public use of the Lake is severely
limited by the natural terrain, which of course helps to make it “wild and
wonderful”. Some public access is afforded by Allegheny Energy and the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail, where
again access is severely limited, and at the Sunset Beach where public boating
access competes with dock rental usage.
The State of West Virginia can take a major
step toward increased public access at the Mt. Chateau location, given the
existing 13 acres there and the perpetual access to the Lake that remains from
the prior land sales and swaps (that were not in the public interest).
Monongalia County and the whole State would greatly benefit from any combination
of the following uses for the Mt. Chateau property:
1. The continued function of the WV
Geologic & Economic Survey at this site.
2. A museum based upon the
existing geological specimens there with additions of rocks and minerals from
West Virginia.
3. An enhanced information center and environmental
studies office, perhaps featuring a nature center and/or a natural history
museum.
4. This is an ideal location for a public park with a pavilion,
picnic area, playground, dog walk, perhaps with an observation deck, fishing
platform, and/or swim deck.
5. Location for a support facility for use of the
perpetual legal access to Cheat Lake remaining at the old Mt. Chateau beach,
discarded by the State in 1974.
6. There is amble space for public parking
unlike any other location around Cheat Lake, in support of any of the above
activities.
7. Location for access to Lake and Cheat Canyon for search &
rescue operations of stranded or injured hikers, boaters, rafters, hunters,
etc.
8. Location for access to Coopers Rock State Forest, as only practical
public access to hiking trails from the Cheat Lake and River level.
9. Base
station for monitoring of Cheat River water quality, siltation and debris, as
well as acid mine water. This is the one location where a possible scheme
could be devised for removal of substantial quantities of the debris floating
down from the Cheat River watershed, a perennial problem for Lake
usage.
10. Of course, the scenic beauty of this
land and the surroundings are justification in and of themselves for it
preservation and retention as public land.
What remains of the former Mt. Chateau State
Park has significance to our State far beyond any economic value for private
development. Indeed, economic development in Monongalia County is
currently at a peak, and our population growth calls out for the State to
improve access to Cheat Lake for all our people.
Duane Nichols, Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation
Association.