COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN AGENCIES OVER WOLF CREEK
Highlands Conservancy members watchdog local watersheds
FAYETTEVELLE - A multi-government and citizen group cooperative agreement entitled the "Wolf Creek Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" was adopted in a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. Dec. 3, 2001 at the New River Gorge Canyon Rim visitors center in Fayetteville.
The MOU ensures cooperation of federal, state and local agencies and the Plateau Action Network (PAN), a local watershed association [and Highlands Conservancy organizational Member], in improving water quality and recreational uses of Wolf Creek and the surrounding area.
Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV participated on behalf of the federal agencies in the signing at the New River Gorge overlook. Speakers included Rahall; Callaghan, Cabinet secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection; Allyn. Turner, director of the Division of Water Resources; Charlie Stover, acting director of the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands; Meredith Gregg, Plateau Action Network chairperson, and Randy Boyd, PAN's Wolf Creek Restoration Project Chair.
The MOU is designed to:
The state government and PAN plan to use $375,000 received by the state in a pollution lawsuit to help Wolf Creek recover from damage it suffered as a result of mining activities, said senior DEP counsel Mark J. Rudolph.
In addition to DEP, Fayetteville and the Plateau Action Network, those participating in the memorandum of understanding include: the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, both of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, U.S. Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Geologic Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Soil Conservation Agency, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Southern Soil Conservation District and Fayette County.
address by P.A.N.'s Randy Boyd at the Wolf Creek M.O.U. signing ceremony
I would like to provide some background information on Wolf Creek and why we think this project is important. Wolf Creek, a tributary of the New River Gorge National River, begins in the mining community of Summerlee. It then flows through residential and light industrial developments before crossing US Route 19. It then flows several miles through agricultural lands and cascades down through the National Park Service property. Wolf Creek then empties into the New River at the base of the Fayette Station Bridge, one of the main takeout areas for the rafting industry. It is here, at it's lower end that Wolf Creek is known for it's scenic beauty. It was once a stocked trout stream and serves as the water supply for the town of Fayetteville.
Wolf Creek also has cultural significance. It once provided an array of recreational opportunities for the residents of Fayetteville. As a young boy growing up in the town of Fayetteville, I remember my grandmother and uncles telling stories about hunting, fishing, swimming and picnicking along Wolf Creek. These stories stirred a life long love of the outdoors for me personally. Yet recreational opportunities have diminished over time due to degradation of water quality from acid mine drainage and other sources.
Mountain Laurel Resources operated a mine and coal processing plant at the headwaters of Wolf Creek known as the Summerlee Site. In the early 1980's Mountain Laurel Resources went bankrupt. This set off a chain of events which led to Wolf Creek being taken off the trout stocking list due to acid mine drainage. These events also made it necessary for the town of Fayetteville to drill, at great expense, a well which served as a temporary water supply.
A lengthy 20 year battle ensued over environmental liability at this site. Finally a settlement was brokered by DEP lawyer Mark Rudolph. This settlement awarded the town of Fayetteville $375,000 for expenses incurred in developing a secondary water supply. An additional $375,000 was received by the state to help Wolf Creek recover from damage it suffered as a result of the mining activities. Those settlement funds have now grown to over $430,000.
Prior to settlement, the office of Abandoned Mine Lands was prevented by court order from treating the acid mine water. However they were allowed to reclaim the land. During the summer of 1999, through grants provided by the OSM, WV Stream Partners Program, and the Canaan Valley Institute, The Plateau Action Network enlisted the services of hydro-geologist Rick Eades and student intern Clayton Scott. The data they collected documented that while the reclamation project had reduced the acid load into Wolf Creek it was still in need of further treatment. They also found that the wetlands below the mine site had filtered out the majority of the pollution almost to the point that the stream could once again support trout. These wetlands, which provide free water treatment are threatened by a lack of enforcement of existing laws that protect them. Replacing them with man-made water treatment would cost millions.
This brings us to the adoption of this agreement between the various government agencies and citizens. Our goal is to implement a watershed restoration and clean-up project which will treat the acid mine water. Additional projects from this agreement may extend wastewater treatment, flood mitigation and enhance water holding capacity and recreational opportunities at Fayetteville's water reservoir.
On the surface this may seem like a project which only benefits the environment. Yet a closer look reveals that treating the acid mine water will have a significant economic impact. Reducing metals and acid loads will significantly reduce treatment costs for Fayetteville's water supply. The return of Wolf Creek to the trout stocking list will enhance recreational opportunities. This is no small accomplishment in an area that relies on a diverse tourist economy. According to DEP director Callaghan, every mile of trout stream in West Virginia generates on average $40,000 to the state's economy.
Tourism is the second leading and fastest growing industry in the state. Last year West Virginia's economy grew less than 2% while tourism grew almost 7%. Tourism may not be the answer to all of our economic problems; it's importance cannot be overlooked. Tourism may have the added benefit of being a welcoming mat to attract new businesses to our beautiful state.
Several years ago, President Clinton signed into law the American Heritage Rivers Program. This program was designed to provide government support for community projects that involved educational, economic, environmental, and cultural issues centered around Rivers. Congressman Rahall was instrumental in getting the New River added to the list. The Wolf Creek Restoration Project as I have mentioned, touches on all these issues. In our audience today are students from several schools. For the past 2 years, the Plateau Action Network has supported educational activities in our schools to teach students about our local watersheds, the science of water chemistry and the career opportunities available in these fields. I want to thank Congressman Rahall for his recognition of the importance of these programs, for his fight to keep the AML program funded, and for his help in securing this agreement. Thanks also to Congressman Rahall's staff, especially Jim Zoia, Rick Eades, our hydro-geologist, Clayton Scott and Josh Weese, our OSM interns, the entire PAN Board, The County Commission and everyone else involved in this endeavor. Thank you very much.