WRITE WV GOV. WISE TO SUPPORT LAND ACQUISITION
CHEAT GORGE/BIG SANDY RIVER CORRIDOR
The WV Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is seeking to acquire
approximately 6,500 acres of land in Preston County currently owned by
Allegheny Energy (AE). Approximately 4,700 acres is in Cheat Gorge; the
remaining 1,800 acres are along the Big Sandy. This represents a unique,
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect a significant stretch of wild
land. Your letters to West Virginia Governor Robert Wise are needed to
support this purchase.
The Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers are both famous whitewater runs. They
attract thousands of paddlers from all over the East Coast and support a
modest whitewater rafting industry. The Allegheny Trail, a 330-mile long
footpath running from the Pennsylvania Line near Bruceton Mills to the
Appalachian Trail near Glen Lynn, Virginia, parallels the river
throughout the canyon. A second footpath follows the Big Sandy from
Rockville downstream to Wonder Falls and Big Splat. Both areas offer
moderate hikes that are popular both with tourists and local residents.
The Cheat Canyon is home to the federally threatened flat-spired
three-toothed land snail. With this purchase, most of its habitat will
be protected in public ownership and it should be possible to remove it
from the endangered species list. One cave in the Gorge harbors a
population of federally endangered Indiana bats that hibernate in the
cave each winter. Other land within the Gorge is foraging habitat for
this rare bat. Eighty other caves, most of which have not been surveyed
for biological resources, are documented on these tracts.The area is also
home to a large number of other wildlife species including game animals
white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, etc.), neotropical migratory birds,
and several rare plants and animals such as the green salamander and
the smooth rose. The Big Sandy contains a stocked trout stream, Laurel Run,
that is a significant destination for anglers. The Nature Conservancy
considers the area important as a “matrix block”, an extensive block of
unbroken forest.
AE wants to sell these lands as soon as possible. The company currently
has other buyers for the property, but is willing to donate 25% of the
acreage to WVDNR if the state can purchase 75% of the land. At present,
WVDNR has funds to acquire approximately 13% of the lands. If acquired,
these lands would become WVDNR wildlife management areas, We need your
support to raise the money for the rest. Your letters will make a
difference.
Here’s a letter format that you can use… fill in your own personal
information:
SAMPLE CHEAT CANYON LAND PURCHASE LETTER
Governor Robert Wise
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E
Charleston, WV 25305
Dear Governor Wise,
My name is [ fill in your name and explain your own Cheat and Big Sandy
river corridor experiences].
I recently learned that the West Virginia DNR has been working to
acquire the lands in the area owned by Allegheny Energy for some time.
AE would like to see these lands, which represent roughly 75% of the
Cheat Canyon and a significant part of the Big Sandy Gorge, transferred
to state hands. The DNR would like to buy them, and already has some of
the funding in hand. If successful, this would be a very exciting
development with many positive benefits for the people of West Virginia
and surrounding states.
[Use this paragraph or, pick your own favorite area characteristics to
highlight.]
This is an opportunity to protect a unique area. These lands contain a
vast forest with mature stands of cove hardwoods and abundant spring
wildflowers. It’s home to several rare and endangered species. The
river itself is an important recreational corridor. The Cheat Canyon and
Big Sandy Rivers are both renowned whitewater runs. They attract
thousands of paddlers from all over the East and support a modest
whitewater rafting industry. The Allegheny Trail, a 330-mile long
footpath running from the Pennsylvania Line near Bruceton Mills to the
Appalachian Trail near Glen Lynn, Virginia, parallels the river
throughout the canyon. A second footpath follows the Big Sandy from
Rockville to several magnificent waterfalls. Both areas offer moderate
hikes that are popular both with tourists and local residents.
I believe that this represents a once-on-a-lifetime opportunity to
maintain the quality of life in Northern West Virginia and support the
vital tourist industry. I urge you to do everything in your power to
make this deal succeed.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
And other contact information