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Cheat Winery event..........
by Duane330＠aol.com 30 Jul '06

30 Jul '06

ANNOUNCEMENT The Hillbilly Gypsies will perform during the Cheat Canyon Preservation Fund Raiser, on Thursday, August 3rd, at the Forks of Cheat Winery. This event has been organized by the Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR), the WV Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Friends of Blackwater. For further information, contact: Duane Nichols, CLEAR President, at 304-599-8040 or _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com) . A $25.00 donation is suggested. "Y'all ain't nutin but a bunch of Hillbilly Gypsies...." The Hillbilly Gypsies are a West Virginia native string band who specialize in playing their own homegrown style of Appalachian old time music, mixed with a hard drivin' bluegrass sound. In addition to their original material, The Hillbilly Gypsies play an eclectic mix of traditional and quite often, not-so-traditional bluegrass standards and catchy old fiddle tunes. They choose to perform live, in the old fashioned way, around one or two vintage style large diaphragm microphones. This "Old Timey" approach really adds the high energy barn party atmosphere to their show. Watching the whole band work around the mics can be like taking a trip back in time. It'll sure make you want to get up and move! The Hillbilly Gypsies were recently featured in a musical documentary called "The Music Culture of the Appalachian". This film was produced and narrated by Steven Brady. The film recently got it's debut at the New York Film Festival. The band is made up of Trae Buckner, guitar & banjo, Jamie Lynn Buckner, vocals, Jason Teel, bass fiddle & banjo, Dave Asti, banjo & guitar, and Ty Jaquay, fiddle & vocals. An added treat for the evening will be an appearance by Lindsey Clear, to sing a couple of her songs. See also the web site: _www.thehillbillygypsies.com_ (http://www.thehillbillygypsies.com/) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ANNOUNCEMENT You are cordially invited to attend a Cheat Canyon Preservation Fundraiser “Great Music, Great Food, Great Wine” Forks of Cheat Winery (On Old Stewartstown Road, north of Morgantown) Thursday August 3, 2006 from 6 - 9 pm A $25.00 donation is suggested. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> We must raise funds to pay for a snail habitat study in the Cheat Canyon and to cover legal fees for our court case this coming September. Through these efforts we seek (a) to protect endangered species including the Cheat three-tooth snail and the Indiana bat (b) protect the natural and scenic character of the Cheat Canyon, and (c) maintain or improve the water quality of the entire Cheat watershed, down to and including Cheat Lake. Background: On September 4, 2004 a Coalition of Conservation Groups called for halt to illegal logging that threatens Cheat Canyon Wildlife. The Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of Blackwater, Sierra Club (West Virginia Chapter), the Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR), the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and Coopers Rock Foundation notified Allegheny Wood Products (AWP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) of AWP’s violations of the Endangered Species Act in an attempt to save the critically imperiled Indiana bat and Cheat three-toothed snail from AWP’s logging and roadbuilding in Cheat River Canyon. The Cheat River Canyon encases a 16-mile stretch of the Cheat River, the largest undammed river east of the Mississippi River, as it runs northwest from Albright in Preston County to Cheat Lake in Monongalia County. Throughout the canyon, the Cheat River is bordered by steep, sandstone walls and is forested by a variety of tree stands, including oak, red maple, mountain laurel, and sourwood. The portion of canyon impacted by AWP’’s activities provides crucial habitat for the Indiana bat and the Cheat three-toothed snail, both protected species under the Endangered Species Act. The Indiana bat is migratory, with a range extending throughout the eastern half of the United States. The bat hibernates in limestone caves and abandoned mines in West Virginia an spends the summer in the forest feeding and raising its young. During the swarming fall period they gather near these caves to mate and forage to put on fat for the winter. The Service has recognized a five mile radius around Indiana bat caves as a zone of concern. Both male and female bats are believed to have a strong fidelity to particular summer colony, foraging, and winter hibernating habitat. One of the bat’s key breeding and hibernating areas, Cornwell Cave, is in close proximity to AWP’s road building, tree-removal and habitat disturbance. The Cheat three-toothed snail is a land snail found only in Cheat River Canyon. It is found in sheltered, wooded areas typically associated with sandstone boulders or cliffs, and is often hidden in crevices or cave-like structures. AWP’s property in Cheat River Canyon comprises approximately one- third of the three-toothed snail’s habitat in the entire world. Although the Service informed AWP after it acquired the land that it contained Indiana bat and three-toothed snail habitat, AWP has initiated road building and logging activities in Cheat River Canyon without conducting adequate surveys for the species or even applying for a permit to harm the Indiana bat and Cheat three-toothed snail in conjunction with preparing a detailed Habitat Conservation Plan (“HCP”) to minimize and mitigate these impacts on federally protected species. AWP has converted the narrow hiking trail into a haul road near the town of Albright in Preston County, West Virginia and has logged a significant portion of the Canyon. Through their notice letter, the conservation groups have warned AWP that it is in current violation of the Endangered Species Act and must cease all of its offending activities. The Service is also on notice that it must enforce the law. Like the Blackwater Canyon, the Cheat Canyon is one of West Virginia’s unique ecological treasures and also a recreation destination. AWP has ignored Fish and Wildlife’s request for endangered species’ surveys in their rush to get out the cut. Now the Service must stop this dangerous project. Sandy Cress of the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club said, “The Sierra Club believes that preservation of wildlife is of paramount importance, particularly the protection of endangered species." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For more information contact: Duane Nichols, President, Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association, 330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508. Email or phone: _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com) , or 304-599-8040. Contributions should be sent to: Donna Weems, CLEAR Treasurer, 320 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508, or bring them to the Fund Raiser.

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"An Inconvenient Truth" --- here, now!
by Duane330＠aol.com 23 Jul '06

23 Jul '06

The new movie named “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH” is playing at the Warner Theatre on High Street here in Morgantown, at least through Friday of this week. This movie includes a rather comprehensive examination of global warming, its causes and effects--- which are profound. Al Gore adds some humor to this documentary that has been a central issue in his life for perhaps 30 years. Believe it, all showings are $4.00 per seat. The schedule for today (Sunday) is 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:20 and 9:15 pm. The length of the movie is 95 minutes. For Monday thru Friday, the times are 5:15, 7:20 and 9:15 pm.

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Global Warming, Sunday at 9 pm
by Duane330＠aol.com 12 Jul '06

12 Jul '06

Discovery Channel visits global warming tipping points across the planet, talks to the world’s leading experts, and examines the latest evidence about global warming in GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Produced by Discovery Channel, the BBC and NBC News Productions, and hosted by award-winning journalist Tom Brokaw, the two-hour special presents the facts and leaves it up to viewers to determine their own opinion about global warming. GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW premieres Sunday, July 16, at 9 p.m. ET. [http://dsc.discovery.com] The two-hour special will decode the buzzwords and arm viewers with an arsenal of clear definitions and visual depictions to explain the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide emissions, CFCs, effects on weather and rising sea levels. CGI and cutting-edge climate computer models will help viewers see into the future at a world significantly changed by unchecked global warming. GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW will take viewers to global warming hot spots where the planet is most affected by climate change - into rushing subterranean rivers deep in Patagonian glaciers, into the drought-stricken Amazon, on coral reefs ravaged by rising ocean temperatures, into a massive Chinese coal mine, and many more. The international team of experts, including NASA’s top climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, and Princeton University professors Michael Oppenheimer and Stephen Pacala, will discuss the current realities of global warming and predict the future of the planet. Many of the experts will address natural warming and cooling cycles going back 600,000 years, and discuss if the present warming trend is unnatural. GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW will demonstrate how much carbon dioxide the average American family produces and present a graphical timeline of global warming throughout history. Finally, the special will look at technical solutions, both great and small, from giant gas injection rigs in the ocean, to more efficient architecture in cities, to what the average American family can do to slow global warming. Join legendary news anchor Tom Brokaw for a programming event that promises to be thought-provoking, visceral and empowering.

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Fwd: Correction:
by Duane330＠aol.com 10 Jul '06

10 Jul '06

For your information.

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slide show
by Paul Brown 07 Jul '06

07 Jul '06

I've reserved a room that holds up to 85 people, so bring anyone you like. If we like the room, I'll use it for the series of eight public lectures. Title: The Four Horsemen: Overpopulation, Climate Change, Mass Extinctions, and Human Behavior Time: Monday, July 24, 2006, 7 pm. Place: John Jones Conference Center, WVU Health Sciences Center, Rooms 1 - 3. Directions: Come up Medical Center Drive from the traffic light where Patteson becomes Van Voohis, park in the lot at the top of the hill (on the left, opposite the Cancer Center. Take the sidewalk on the downhill side of the Cancer Center (across from the back side of Ruby Hospital), to the first glass doors on your left. Enter, take the first corridor on the right (opposite the newspaper vending machines), then the first glass doors on the right into the Jphn Hones Conference Center. Signs labeled "Four Horsemen" will be taped to the walls to assist you. best regards, Paul Brown Paul Brown Physiology Department West Virginia University Health Sciences Center Morgantown, WV 26506 (304) 293 - 1512

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Meet @ Prete Thurs. 7 pm
by Duane330＠aol.com 04 Jul '06

04 Jul '06

Dear MVCAC participants and friends............ We will meet this Thursday evening at the Prete Building at 7 pm. There are three or four very important agenda items.......... 1. Should we appeal the recent decision of the Public Service Commission which granted Certificates for Siting and Transmission Lines to Longview Power LLC in spite of the fact that the whole operation appears not to be in the public interest? Problems remain regarding unconventional financing, high costs, low taxes, noises, adverse viewshed, threats to historic preservation, and a number of safety and environmental issues (for example, fine particulates and ozone contribute to asthma). If you cannot attend, please send me your comments on this question. 2. Review of plans for public meetings and school related activities to focus on air quality fundamentals, ambient air monitoring, and governmental programs to protect the atmosphere. 3. How and when to transition our organization into a more general and yet goal directed activity to benefit all the people, now and in the future? 4. Should we become involved with carbon dioxide and methane emissions which are the primary "greenhouse gases" responsible for global climate change? [Should we call for some limitations on or guidelines for outside burning which generates carbon dioxide and significant quantities of smoke and fine particulates?] Please tell me of other items you would like to put on the agenda; and, tell me your thoughts on the above agenda should you not be able to attend. Your interest, participation, and/or support are needed and greatly appreciated. Duane

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county commission
by Robert Shumaker 27 Jun '06

27 Jun '06

Hello-this is an inquiry into the possibility of joint action on the makeup of the Mon. County Commission. Do you know if there is any movement afoot, specifically a petition, to increase the size of the Mon. County Commission to make it more representative of the community? Asel K. and Bob Bell have made so many arbitrary decisions not in the interest of a livable environment that I believe the Commission needs to be increased to 5 or 7 members. I originally thought it might be accomplished by petition for placement on the November ballot, but according to the Sec. of State, such a move must be done by petition thru the County Commission. If such a petition has sufficient signatures, then the Con. Commission is required to forward the petition to the State Legislature for action. Ten percent of the registered voters must sign such a petition, which would be about 5000 signatures. It is my understanding that this number could be reached with the proper support from various concerned organizations. Now might be the time to initiate such a drive when we could get commitments from the candidates running for the Legislature to specifically state if they would support or ignore such a petition forwarded to the Legislature from the County Commission. I am not a lawyer, so the above is my interpretation of the appropriate part of the State Constitution that I have copied below. In addition, such a petition needs to be worded properly so that the County Lawyers could not successfully challenge it. I already had a "turn off" from a County Lawyer in attempting to get information about the Commission. I presented this info and suggestion to the WV Interfaith Group. They gave their support to the idea, but they appear to have too much on their agenda to organize such a petition. Here is the appropriate State Code: Art. 9, Sec13 0f the State Constitution entitled "Reformation of County Commissions" The legislature shall, upon application of any county, reform, alter or modify the county commission established by this article in such county, and in lieu thereof, with the assent of a majority of the voters of such county voting at an election, create another tribunal for transactions of the business required to be performed by the county commission created by this article. Whenever a county commission shall receive a petition signed by ten percent of the registered voters of such county requesting reformation, alteration or modification of such county commission, it shall be the mandatory duty of such county commission to request the legislature, at its next regular session thereafter, to enact an act reforming, altering or modifying such county commission and establishing in lieu thereof another tribunal for the transaction of the business required to be performed by such county commission, such act to take effect upon the assent of the voters of such county, as aforesaid. Whenever any such tribunal is established, all of the provisions of this article in relation to the county commission shall be applicable to the tribunal established in lieu of said commission. When such tribunal has been established, it shall continue to act in lieu of the county commission until otherwise provided by law. Acts 1974, S.J.R. 6, ratified Nov. 5, 1974 Are others working on this, and if not, what do you think? Bob Shumaker 304-292-4918

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Meet @Prete--July 6th
by Duane330＠aol.com 24 Jun '06

24 Jun '06

An important meeting of MVCAC will be held at 7 pm on Thursday July 6th at the Prete Building to discuss the status of the Longview applications at the PSC. We will also conduct priority planning activities for the balance of 2006............. Please attend if possible, or submit activities that you are willing and/or interested to perform yet in 2006............ Best wishes, Duane

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HBO Special on Power Plants, Asthma, Children, and Sports
by Paula (Pj) Hunt 23 Jun '06

23 Jun '06

Hi All, Someone told me this HBO special on asthma, power plants, etc. (see below) is really, really good. If any of you have HBO and can record it for me, I would really appreciate it! Apparently it has been and will be showing a few times. I am not sure how accurate this info is: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday June 24; 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26. For HBO ON DEMAND subscribers, it can be seen 24 hours a day from Monday, June 26 to Monday, July 24 Thanks, Paula ........................................................ LIFE | Tuesday, June, 20, 2006 TV: HBO spotlights Cheshire, Ohio, athletes "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" will shine a light on the area at 10 p.m. today with a two-part expose about the impact of pollution from coal-fired power plants on young athletes The HBO show, which has received 17 Sports Emmy Awards in its 11 years, takes an in-depth look at children growing up in the shadow of coal-fired power plants, athletic participation is contingent on the state of their asthma and their ability to deal with pollutants generated by the plants. Correspondent Jon Frankel talked to athletes near the Gallia County, Ohio, town of Cheshire, just north of Gallipolis on the Ohio River, according to Rabia Ahmad, HBO's Media Relations. That town was nearly vacated after homeowners living in the shadow of an American Electric Power coal-fired plant were bought out because of re-occurring problems with emissions. Frankel takes a look at towns across the eastern United States where power plants lacking adequate pollution controls are spewing emissions. He explores the impact of the pollution on children's developing lungs and also looks into the power companies' resistance to the government's call to curb pollution, speaking with two former Environmental Protection Agency investigators and former EPA head Christine Whitman on why federal laws seem to have been enforced laxly and why the application of pollution controls has not been a top priority. The story goes deeper, connecting wealthy business executives and their sizable political endorsements, leading all the way to Washington Other HBO playdates include: 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday, June 22; 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24; 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26. For more dates, go online at <http://www.hbo.com>www.hbo.com. FROM HBO.com: Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel presents a two part expose on the effects of pollution from coal-fired power plants on young athletes, profiles the baseball-playing inmates of San Quentin prison, and revisits tennis great Martina Navratalova. The June edition of Real Sports will be available to HBO ON DEMAND subscribers 24 hours a day from Monday, June 26 to Monday, July 24.

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Select next meeting date..........
by Duane330＠aol.com 19 Jun '06

19 Jun '06

RE: Next meeting of MVCAC. As you may know, the Public Service Commission must rule on the Longview applications for Siting Certificate and Transmission Certificate on or before Tuesday, June 27th. So, we should meet shortly thereafter. I'll be in Delaware until Thursday, June 29th, and so I could meet that evening at 7 pm at the Prete Building. The other options, June 28th (I could not attend, but a meeting could still be held), or Thursday, July 6th. Please tell me your preference: June 28th, June 29th, or July 6th. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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: _Governor(a)WVGov.org_ (mailto:Governor@WVGov.org) 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 _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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 ample 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 is justification in and of themselves for its 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.

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