Greetings to CLEAR members and friends.........
Today, the activities under our Stream Partners grant come
to a close, after seeing quite a number of sampling campaigns
on Cheat Lake and its feeder streams........ a report and
summary are in preparation.
We have permission to spend the remaining $470 on a portable
turbidity meter that can be used to monitor the Lake at various
locations during the coming months and years. We will need
to dip into our regular CLEAR bank account of …
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$2500 to cost share the cost of this instrument in the amount
of $450.
In addition, it is proposed that we purchase a portable (hand-
held) meter that will simultaneously do the pH, conductivity,
and either temperature or dissolved oxygen. This will cost
approximately $500.
That would reduce our regular account balance to around $1500.
Then, our annual allocation from the Monongalia County Commission
is $2000 this budget year; this is money we can claim now via a letter
of request. This will bring our regular account balance to $3,500.
PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AND/OR IF YOU APPROVE OF THE ABOVE
RECOMMENDED PURCHASES.
ALSO, IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS OF PROJECTS FOR THE COMING THREE
MONTHS OF 2006, OR FOR THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 2007, PLEASE
LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSILE.
Best wishes for a most colorful autumn, Duane Nichols
CHEAT LAKE ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
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Colleagues:
Please note that the MPO has several important upcoming meetings. The
TAC and CAC meetings are open to the public and are held at the
Morgantown Airport. The master transportation plan for the region has
significant implications for us all.
FYI: There has been a date set for the final big public meeting, so
pass the word! The meeting will be an open house to present the entire
process to the public and will be held at the location below. We will
be advertising over the next …
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peeled.
Erickson Alumni Center (http://alumni.wvu.edu/eac/)
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
6:30 pm until 8:30 pm
parking is open after 5:00
WV Walks - 30 minutes or more daily
Feel the power of half an hour!
Bill Reger-Nash, Ed.D
Professor of Community Medicine
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Morgantown WV 26506-9190
Phone: 304/293-0763
Fax: 304/293-6685
Dept. web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed
BRN's web page: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/cmed/wreger/
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NOTE: Please let me have any questions or comments regarding the following
letter. The deadline for letters is September 12th. See the following web
site:
_http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/or/or-f/public_notice.htm_
(http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/or/or-f/public_notice.htm)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>…
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CHEAT LAKE ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
September 7, 2006
Attn: Scott A. Hans, Regulatory Branch
US Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4186
RE: CELRP-OP-F 200601190, Manning Run of Monongalia County, WV
The Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association (CLEAR) has been
active in Monongalia County, West Virginia, for over ten years; and, we seek to
promote diverse recreational opportunities on and round Cheat Lake while
protecting and enhancing the environment. Both public health and environmental
impacts are important in this mission, as a non-profit entity in the public
interest.
We are concerned about the Blackwater Properties project that has been
proposed for the Manning Run area very near to Cheat Lake. We call for a public
hearing so CLEAR and the general public can learn more about the project and
provide needed comment to those who are making decisions about it. There are
a number of concerns that can be identified at this time, and perhaps more
that will become known at the public hearing.
1. Cheat Lake, also known as Lake Lynn, was formed by the Lake Lynn
hydrodam, constructed in 1926. It is a federally licensed project, so the Lake
is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The
Cheat Lake Park and Trail has been chartered by FERC, and needs to be
protected as a federal recreational and environmental conservation area. The
proposed project may interfere.
1. Cheat Lake is a part of the Cheat River and its watershed, and as
such it is protected by the State of West Virginia for water use, water
quality, fishing, recreation, etc. The Manning Run Backwater, Manning Run and its
tributaries are all part of this system. The proposed project may interfere.
1. The Manning Run Backwater, Manning Run and its tributaries are clean
streams that are generally free of acid mine water, heavy metals, organic
compounds, other dissolved solids and sediments. The proposed project would
add some of these materials in unknown quantities.
1. The Manning Run Backwater provides fish, fishing, and natural
habitat for diverse life support to the Cheat Lake and the Cheat Lake Park and
Trail. These will be disturbed, perhaps substantially, by the proposed project.
1. Rare species, potential wetlands, and possible historic remains
could be disturbed by the proposed project. The Cheat three-tooth snail is
known to the Cheat Canyon area, exclusively. Indiana bats are known to this area;
and, other species are suspected. The Cheat Mountain iron works are known
to have existed all around this area, and some remains may be found here.
1. Sediments are prevalent in this area from disturbed land. The soils
here are prone to instability resulting in severe stream impacts. Consider
the extensive disturbances already described by the proposed project to see
the large potential for substantial levels of sediment pollution for Manning
Run, the Manning Run Backwater and Cheat Lake. [Swimming and water skiing
are extensive in Cheat Lake, near the mouth of the Manning Run Backwater from
boats and other water craft.] This project will add sediments to the
streams, backwater, and Lake.
1. Landslides are very common around Cheat Lake. The Cheat Lake
Trails are frequently closed during periods of varying length so as to clean up
the soil, rocks and debris from landslides. We submit that the proposed
project will increase the landslide potential of a significant length of the Cheat
Lake Trail, the full extent of which is unknown at this time. The proposed
project should be reconsidered in view of these problems.
It is therefore essential that a public hearing be held to consider all the
various real and potential problems associated with the proposed project.
This hearing should be held in Morgantown, perhaps at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall,
where reasonable access can be provided to all those that may be directly
affected or have a substantial interest in the outcome.
Thank you for your help in this matter. And, please mail me any additional
or new information that may be available at your office on this project.
Respectfully submitted,
Duane G. Nichols, President
Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association
330 Dream Catcher Circle
Morgantown, WV 26508
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH--- PICNIC AT MT. CHATEAU ON CHEAT LAKE.
The Mt. Chateau property, owned by the State of West Virginia, is a public
access point to Cheat Lake and to the Cooper's Rock trail system. The Sierra
Club is working with CLEAR to let the Governor know that we want it to remain
in public ownership, with public access.
The Monongahela Group of the Sierra Club has made arrangements to use the
grounds Saturday from 1-4 PM. A potluck picnic will be followed by a
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[View More]discussion of the proposed sale of the property. The public is invited to attend.
Questions, contact Jim Kotcon at _jkotcon(a)wvu.edu_ (mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu)
This is a great opportunity to come out, see the grounds, see the Lake,
see some old and new friends, talk it over, and help in this worthy cause!
Duane Nichols, CLEAR
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