Tuesday, July 25, 2006

In the NEWS: Monday, 17 July 2006 DCWA Meeting

In the NEWS……..Monday, 17 July 2006 DCWA Meeting

Dunloup Creek Watershed Association held their 5th meeting of 2006 with 101 community residents in attendance.

Chairman Ernie Wickline opened the meeting with a roll call of the watershed officers and board members.

Betty Lilly gave an update of her efforts to locate the responsible agency with jurisdiction over the ponds in Price Hill / Kilsyth. Dunloup Creek Watershed received a letter dated 5 June 2006 from the WV Dept of Environmental Protection Agency (WVDEP) in Charleston stating the ponds are designated WV PA Site# 5648 and were added to the National Abandoned Mine Lands inventory in 2002. The WVDEP intends to obtain Abandoned Mine Lands funds in the future for some level of reclamation. DCWA has drafted a letter back to the WVDEP signed by all association officers and board members voicing the concerns of all residents along Dunloup Creek requesting prompt action to reclaim this site.

Mayor Michael Martin gave a brief update on progress toward construction of the Kilsyth Sewer Extension project. The City of Mount Hope has sent in their certificate of Convenience & Necessity to the Public Service Commission in Charleston for approval which must be granted before the city can post a contract for bid to perform the work. The City’s certificate was dated 27 June 2006. Their will be an important meeting on 3 August 2006 with all the agency players involved in this project. Those being the City of Mount Hope; Army Corps of Engineers; Region 4 Planning & Development Council; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Fayette County Commission; and Dunloup Creek Watershed Association. Issues around this meeting are funding and project coordination around the sewer extension and the NRCS buyout program.

Ms Pam Yost gave the NRCS presentation by announcing the review of the Dunloup Creek Watershed Plan had been completed by the National Water Management Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. In fact, the three (3) member team from Arkansas toured the watershed on 14 June ’06 and NRCS Morgantown is now in receipt of their report. One major change was the requirement to provide a Environmental Impact Statement vice a Environmental Assessment. NRCS is close to having the DRAFT Watershed Plan for distribution at a public hearing to be announced soon. Its anticipated that September ’06 will be the expected date for such a public hearing. Announcement of such will appear in local newspapers; radio & TV; and the Dunloup Creek Watershed “NEWSLETTER” and website.

Their will be an organization meeting of Dunloup Creek Watershed on Monday, 21 August 2006 at the National Park Service conference room in Glen Jean. All officers and board members are expected to attend this planning and strategy session.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

In the NEWS - DCWA Announces Mtg Date

DATE: MONDAY, 17 July ‘06 TIME: 7:00pm

LOCATION: NATL GUARD ARMORY in GLEN JEAN

TOPIC: -STATUS OF HOME BUYOUT PROGRAM-

-STATUS OF WATERSHED ASSESSMENT PLAN-

-KILSYTH PONDS & CONCERNS-

Since our last meeting on 15 May when we had approximately 100 members and guests in attendance, much has taken place and will be discussed at this upcoming meeting. As you may know by now, the Governor sent two representatives from his Homeland Security & Emergency Services Department to our May meeting. The fact that our efforts have been briefed to the Governor’s staff is very important as the process continues to move forward. You may have seen a number of folks touring our watershed back on 14 June from the National Water Management Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. NRCS Morgantown folks were their hosts and its all a part of the ongoing process to get to the final version of the Watershed Plan & Environmental Assessment. We look forward to seeing you ALL at our meeting so everyone can stay informed.

NRCS will be briefing the Fayette County Commissioners at 10:30am on Friday 14 July ’06 at the County Courthouse. You may want to attend this session to offer support to our cause.

Don’t forget or miss this meeting”

17 July ’06 @ 7:00p.m. Natl Guard Armory in Glen Jean

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Latest Dunloup Creek Meeting

Pam Yost from the NRCS office in Morgantown addresses the Dunloup Creek Watershed and community homeowners over the status of the Watershed Plan and Voluntary Home Buyout Program. This meeting took place on 15 May 2006 and was attended by approximately 100 people.

Dunloup Creek Signs Installed

DCWA installs three new roadside signs marking the boundaries of support for Dunloup Creek communities and homeowners.

2001 Dunloup Creek Flooding

2001 Dunloup Creek flood overruns Glen Jean and makes the New River Gorge National River HQ facilities an island surrounded by raging flood waters.