West Virginia Highlands Voice

West Fork Greenbrier Rail-Trail Gets Facelift and more
In 1986 the Forest Service purchased the right-of-way of the abandoned CSX Railroad from Greenbrier Junction at the Shaver’s Fork to the Town of Durbin on the West Fork of the Greenbrier River. Since then, all rails and ties have been removed, trestles restored, gates installed and a gravel base applied.

It is the premier trail on the Greenbrier Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest. The Rail-trail is currently open for 22 miles along the banks of the West Fork.

In 2008, a Congressional Earmark was approved for $450,000 to do a variety of projects associated with the trail. Unfortunately, the funds got diverted to fight western forest fires last Fall, so much of the work is yet to be done. The good news is that it looks like the funding will be restored in the 2009 budget so the effort can go on.

An engineering study is being conducted to determine the structural integrity of the Tunnel at Glady. A restoration and stabilization plan and cost estimate will be developed. Currently
the trail is closed in both directions at the tunnel. In addition, the trail’s right-of way boundaries are being surveyed.

With the help from West Virginia University, an interpretive plan is being developed, and the Forest Service is undertaking $80,000 worth of on-the-ground improvements to the trail. Culverts will be replaced, trailhead parking will be improved, poorly drained areas will be improved, rock slides removed, improving gates to prevent unauthorized motorized vehicular traffic on the trail, maintain access trails, add mile marker posts, and hardening the surface in soft areas are all projects slated to be done.

Thanks to our Congressional Delegation in Washington for procuring the funds to undertake these important recreational infrastructure improvements on our National Forest.

Improvements at the Horseshoe Recreation Area
Horseshoe Campground was constructed by the CCC in the 1930s. It provides an array of developed recreational opportunities including camping, picnicking, fishing, horseshoes, field sports and other group uses. The area is in need of modernization and upgrading.

Funding has been applied for to undertake a variety of projects;

• Paving parts of the campground’s roads, improving access and parking and upgrading of the camp site spurs.
• Replace toilet buildings with handicapped accessible units.
• Replace existing water system and seal three existing wells.
• Replace wastewater collection and treatment system.
• Install electrical hook-ups at some campsites.
• Plant native trees and shrubs to provide shade and landscaping.
• Update signing, replace grills and improve volleyball, horseshoe and other recreational facilities.

Spruce Knob Communications Tower
Did you know that the unsightly tower on Spruce Knob is on Forest Service property? YUP! One of the grandest vistas in the state, at our highest point, where almost no other signs of man can bee seen, north, south, east or west, is marred by the sight of this communication tower on lands leased by the Forest Service.

The Spruce Knob Communication Site was first developed for communications purposes during the time the property was in private ownership. The property was acquired by the USDA Forest Service in 1981. At the time of acquisition, the site held one 10 ft x 12 ft metal building and one 300 ft guy tower, both of which were privately owned. These facilities housed equipment that was owned by the local company who owned the tower and building; a ham radio operator; the USDA Forest Service; and the WV Department of Public Safety. The ham radio operator, USDA Forest Service, and the WVDPS continue to use the site, as does Homeland Security, who was authorized to install a small resource monitoring facility at the site.

Over time, the privately owned building has deteriorated, resulting in water leaks and damage to equipment. To avoid equipment damage and to meet the need to maintain a separate and secure building solely for government use, the Forest installed a new 12 ft x 22 ft prefabricated building next to the base of the tower.

The WV Department of Public Safety already has moved its equipment to the new building. The Forest hopes to move its equipment this spring.

The private users of the tower are currently seeking permission to replace the existing, privately owned building, to make it possible to accommodate additional use at the site. Replacement of the building would also prevent damage to the equipment currently housed in the privately owned building.

While the Forest Service’s new management plan specifically allows for this communications site, it seems that such an inappropriate obtrusion to such a special place should be phased out, and certainly its use should not be allowed to proliferate, making its eventual removal that much more difficult. The current lease on the tower expires in 2018, the goal should be to see it’s use phased out as much as possible until it can be decommissioned and removed at the end of the lease contract period.

Grazing Allotments
The Forest Service is proposing to re-authorize 8 different grazing Allotments in the Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest. Totaling 1,075 acres, the Agency is proposing to establish new grazing capacities and more appropriate grazing systems. They will be applying lime and fertilizer to some areas and controlling brush and non-native invasive species. They will be constructing, repairing and replacing existing facilities such as fence, gates and holding areas to protect sensitive areas, streams, riparian areas and cultural locations. Water and access improvements and will also be undertaken.

Grazing was one of the uses of National Forests specifically accommodated and allowed for in the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act (MUSY) of 1960. This important legislation, still in effect today, is one of the principle laws guiding the management of National Forests