He notes: "Citizens demand that we protect the special places that make West Virginia what it is, and preserve our water, our air, and our land for future generations to enjoy. We will protect the places West Virginians hold dear. We cannot afford to have our natural treasures, like the Blackwater Canyon, slip out of our hands. I will, in the near future, announce a Land Conservation Plan for West Virginia that respects both the private landowner and the public interest.

"We do not do this simply out of nostalgia or emotion. It’s an economic investment as well. One of the treasures we have in West Virginia, that is increasingly rare in this country and the world, is the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors just a few miles from the centers of our cities.

"Access to these lands is a prime drawing card for the high-paying jobs of the new economy,...."

His singling out Blackwater Canyon as an example is a very good one.* There are properties near other State Parks and Forests, and even the National Forest that are just marvelous natural features.

Laurel Run between Cal Price and Watoga where trout are stocked needs better access. Another Laurel Run in the head of the North Fork of South Branch of the Potomac, another trout stream, needs access. The North Fork itself needs access below Hopewell Canyon. The Wildlife Division of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can provide this access partly from the "Sportsman Stamp" money and along with other budgeted money.

There are two waterfalls adjacent to Holly River that the DNR tried to buy 10 years ago. There are stream valleys that enter some of the Army Corps of Engineer lakes that could be leased or purchased. The Corps should be consulted, and county commission planners should be asked. Seneca Falls is not even on the Mon National Forest. The US Forest Service feels they must be a "good neighbor," and so will not condemn it. County Foresters, Conservation Officers and the local U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service should have input.

Besides preserving the Blackwater Canyon, a good place to start on preservation might be with a new bill to improve logging practices in West Virginia. A part of such a fund could be the use of such a fund (and others) to buy land-beautifying trees at roadside or streamside before they can be logged. If the logger has to apply for a permit, that includes a map and other specifics of this nature, 30 days prior to logging, the District Forester can confer with Wildlife (Fish and Game) and determine the cost of buying specific trees, then let Charleston (with the coordinated funding) know. The check can be mailed to the rightful owner -- all within the 30 days.

Certainly, though this Conservation Plan is thought of as a land protection plan, it applies to streams as well. In fact, the stream values (if you can separate it from the land conceptually) may be the most significant of the area.

Fair treatment of the landowner, is of course a must -- as the Governor says. Some landowners would like to see this special area of theirs protected for posterity -- relieving their tax burden, as trusts do. The cost should always reflect the true and special value of the site to the state now and in the future.

There are on-going programs to be meshed with this proposed new Conservation Fund. Some have long awaited state participation. There are Greenways, Rails to Trails, Riparia (streamside tree) protection, and leases, easements and trusts, watershed planning grants, etc. We should consult with the West Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

Certainly there are more of these opportunities than money. We are fortunate that we still have so many. A sustained, well working program with priorities can eventually make a difference. Further, if seen to be productive it might get increased funding. This is an exciting, hopeful initiative. Governor Wise was very perceptive to have identified this need. How fortunate we are, to have the opportunity to preserve (as he says) these "special places," these "natural treasures" that "make West Virginia what it is" -- that define our state in our own eyes and those of others as wild, wonderful and beautiful.

* The Blackwater Canyon situation has become more complicated with a potential to become a new National Park. It will require the governor’s prompt effort to make it so -- or to protect it otherwise.