Blackwater Canyon Story out on National TV

A story about the plight of West Virginia’s "Grand Canyon," the Blackwater Canyon was aired on CBS "Sunday Morning" Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. EST. The Canyon is one of West Virginia’s major tourist attractions and is home to a host of rare, threatened and endangered species.

Blackwater Canyon is currently being logged, and there may be plans for condominium development along its rim. Many areas once open to the public are now posted with "no trespassing" signs.

CBS interviewed John Crites, the owner of Allegheny Wood Products (AWP), the company which claims to own the Canyon and is currently logging it. AWP’s ownership of the Canyon is under question in a case which was heard by the WV Supreme Court on October 7.

CBS also interviewed Judy Rodd and Vivian Stockman from the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, a group working to save the Canyon by getting it into public ownership.

For more information, visit the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy web site: www.wvhighlands.org