Fly Fishers Cite Threats to Blackwater River

The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), headquartered in Livingston, Montana, has named the Blackwater River in Tucker County as one of America’s four most endangered fisheries. "For the economic benefit of a select few, we are destroying many of America’s most magnificent resources," said FFF Endangered Fisheries Coordinator Bob Molzahn (610-524-1911). "Protecting our environmental riches is, in economic terms alone, far more important than putting more money into the pockets of a few companies."

The FFF announcement described the Blackwater River as: "...one of the most superb trout fisheries found in the eastern United States." The FFF statement continued: "The 32- mile long river flows through Tucker County in West Virginia’s scenic highlands, beginning in a high mountain wetland and ending in a steep wild canyon. The river flows through the Monongahela National Forest, the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Blackwater Falls State Park, plummeting 1,500 feet over its length and draining 142 square miles. The risks to the Blackwater River are numerous.

Sections of the Upper and Lower Blackwater and nine of its tributaries fail to meet state and federal water quality standards. Past and current mining activities have polluted portions of the river with acid mine drainage. The continued development of golf courses, condominiums and ski resorts in Canaan Valley threatens the river with depleted oxygen levels from sewage flows and increased water consumption. New condos planned for Blackwater Canyon will add to this pollution load as well, and major corporate landowners have recently stepped-up logging in the area. This logging threatens the river with heightened sedimen- tation, increased likelihood of downstream flooding, and further threatens endangered species."

"Lovers of this fragile river system must continue to be watchdogs," said Molzahn. "At stake is their health, and that of their economy. Studies continue to prove that the most competitive economies are those with strong environmental standards. West Virginia ranks near the bottom in both."

In a related development, West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael Callaghan has appealed a ruling by Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Paul Zakaib, that threw out strict pollution limits on the Upper Blackwater River. "The ruling of the circuit court will jeopardize the continued status of the Upper Blackwater River as a trout stream," said Callaghan. DEP Water Resources Chief Allyn Turner said that the DEP standards that Zakaib threw out in May of 2001 were designed to assure sufficient levels of dissolved oxygen for healthy aquatic life. Sewage discharges have been blamed for reducing oxygen levels in the river. The West Virginia Supreme Court will decide in the Fall whether to hear the DEP appeal.

The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy’s Blackwater Canyon Campaign and the Friends of Blackwater strongly support the DEP pollution limits for the Blackwater River. The health of this fishery is closely tied to the long-term property values and economic well-being of the Northern West Virginia Highlands – as well as the health and well-being of the creatures that live in and use this magnificent river.

Thanks to the Federation of Fly Fishers and the WVDEP for taking a strong and proactive stance to protect this important resource and beloved part of the creation!

Judy Rodd is Senior Vice-President of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and co-chair of the Blackwater Canyon Committee