The DEP reports, in a recent press release:
Work has begun on another major restoration project on
the Little Coal River. The river continues to benefit from the strong
commitment of state agencies, environmental groups, businesses and concerned
citizens to improve its water quality, fish habitat and recreational
opportunities.
The latest restoration effort, sponsored by the West
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, will enhance water quality on
a 15-mile stretch of the river from Danville downstream to McCorkle. Work
recently began on a section of the river at Julian in Boone County.
The entire project involves placing 198 restoration
structures (boulders and logs) in the river to increase its flow velocity.
Rapidly moving water better carries sediment through the river, flushes out
sand and silt from the bottom and improves habitat for fish and insects. The
project also will help reduce stream bank erosion on the Little Coal. The
placement of the restoration structures allows fish passage at all flows and
will not hinder current recreational boating opportunities.
R.E.I. Consulting designed the work and Stantec Inc. is
engineering the $3 million project, which is targeted for completion in
December 2014. Partial funding was provided by American Electric Power, whose
utility subsidiary, Appalachian Power, serves a portion of West Virginia. AEP’s
$1.45 million contribution was provided through a consent
decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act.
DEP Stream Restoration Fund money is covering the remainder of the project’s
costs.
Efforts to improve water quality on the Little Coal have
been ongoing for close to 30 years. The state Division of Highways first began
placing restoration structures in the river during construction of Corridor G.
Since then, state agencies and others have continued the work to reduce
sediment in the river, a problem brought on by pre-law mining, timbering and
road construction. The latest project is being supported by the West Virginia
Conservation Agency.
Local schools have joined the effort, as well. Madison
Middle School science students in Boone County wrote about how they hoped to
assist agencies in the Little Coal restoration and entered those plans in a
national science contest, “Solve for Tomorrow,” sponsored by Samsung.
Madison Middle is now among 15 finalists nationwide to
win up to $110,000 in technology and software for the school. A Samsung judging
panel will select four grand prize winners.
A fifth winner -- called the Community Choice winner --
will be selected based on on-line voting by the public. To vote for Madison
Middle School and to view a video about their efforts, go to www.samsung.com/solvefortomorrow.
