Background:

The Cheat River watershed is nestled in the high mountains of eastern West Virginia.  The headwaters are found in Pocahontas County near an elevation of 4,620 ft. and Snowshoe Resort.  Shavers Fork, the tributary of the Cheat, flows 89 miles before reaching its confluence with the Black Fork River near Parsons, WV where the Cheat is formed.  The Cheat then flows northward for an additional 78 miles to its confluence with the Ohio River near Point Marion, PA at an elevation of 760 ft.  Incidentally, the Cheat is noted as the longest undammed stretch of river in the East.

             Friends of the Cheat is based in Kingwood, WV in the heart of the Appalachian coal fields.  As such, the coal industry has played an integral role in the economic development of the area.  However, that industry has largely declined over the last century.  Additionally, the vast forests of the Appalachian Mountains provide seemingly unlimited timber resources that have also been greatly utilized.  Acid mine drainage (AMD) and sedimentation continue to be the largest water quality threats to the Cheat River.

             The role of the OSM/VISTA is to coordinate water quality monitoring efforts, plan and conduct community outreach and education events, grant writing, volunteer management, invasive species control, data entry, and database management. 

Goals and Accomplishments:

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

            Josh was the primary contributor to the development of a partnership with the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct native eastern brook trout (Savlelinus fontinalis) habitat restoration in a sub-watershed of the Cheat River that is impacted by AMD.  In July 2009, we received a $50,000 grant through the EBTJV to help achieve our goal of enhancing local populations of this rapidly declining species.  Additionally, we are working on an Outdoor Classroom project, the annual Cheat River Festival, Rail-trail projects, maintaining public access sites, and reclaiming brownfields sites.  Our primary focus is acid mine drainage remediation and we currently have two projects slated for construction during summer of 2009 and an additional two projects undergoing refurbishment.  Friends of the Cheat conducts all pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring on each of these projects as well as the streams they impact; the OSM/VISTAs are central to the coordination and conduction of these activities.

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

            FOC works with many entities within the local and regional community to generate public awareness about water quality threats and environmental issues.  Local schools, 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, church groups, and other community groups participate in environmental forums led by FOC staff and volunteers.  This year alone we have conducted 11 such forums and are planning more.

            FOC also hosts the annual Cheat River Festival held in the town of Albright, WV.  This event attracts over 2000 patrons and nearly 175 volunteers each year.  The event is focused on generating awareness about environmental issues in the Cheat River however, it also boasts great food, kayaking/whitewater gear vendors, live traditional/folk music, arts and crafts, a children’s center, a climbing wall, and other great activities.  Cheat Fest brings people from far and wide together to celebrate the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Cheat River.

 

CAPACITY BUILDING AND GRANT WRITING

            Josh successfully applied for grants through the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture and the Mountaineer Treeways program.  The EBTJV grant funded $50,000 of on-the-ground brook trout habitat restoration in a sub-watershed of the lower Cheat River.  The Mountaineer Treeways grant funded a tree planting project conducted on Briery Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Preston County. 

 

COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

            FOC is working toward a goal of enhancing economical and recreational opportunities within the local community.  In an effort to revitalize Preston County we are generating and promoting tourism opportunities associated with the Cheat River.  Our activities include development of hiking/biking trails, obtaining and managing public stream access sites, stream litter clean-ups, Adopt-a-Highway clean-ups, Cheat River Festival, tree plantings, invasive species removal, and others.  Long term, we hope to create a community that is conscious of environmental issues and that benefit from its wealth in natural resources without exploiting them beyond repair.  Additionally, we hope to spark interest in economic opportunities that have minimal impacts upon ecosystems.

Partners and Contributors: