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More than 100 miles of acid-impaired West Virginia streams will benefit from the
settlement of a multi-state air pollution suit against a Virginia-based power utility
for
alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection announced the $2
million settlement
with Dominion Resources, Inc. at a ceremony today along the Right Fork of the
Buckhannon River
in Pickens.
DEP Cabinet Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer and DNR Director Ed Hamrick
traveled to Pickens
to place the first in a series of limestone sand treatments in the stream.
"This is just the beginning of restoring acid precipitation-impaired streams in
West
Virginia," said Timmermeyer. "The $2 million will fund our restoration efforts on
at least 10
streams annually. Since we estimate that 25 percent of our high elevation cold
water streams
suffer from acid precipitation damage, this fund will help us make headway in
restoring and
protecting some of our most scenic streams."
The Little Kanawha River, including the Right Fork of the Little Kanawha and
the Left Fork of Right Fork of Little Kanawha are scheduled for treatment by
2006.
Over the next three years, more than 100 miles of West Virginia streams impaired
by acid
precipitation will be treated with limestone sand to restore them to viable trout
fisheries.
The money from the settlement will be placed in the West Virginia Aquatic
Habitat Restoration
account within the West Virginia Wildlife Endowment Fund. The money will
remain in the
account in perpetuity. Only the income from the investment of the $2 million will
be spent on
stream treatment. At least 20 streams over the next three years will benefit from
the
application of limestone sand. DNR is responsible for planning the limestone
application.
DEP will follow up the treatment with water quality monitoring in the restored
streams.
DNR Director Ed Hamrick touted not only the environmental benefits of the
project, but also
the recreational benefits as well.
"The average mile of trout stream brings about $40,000 annually to the state's
economy," said
Hamrick. "Anglers buy equipment, spend money to travel, and have other
expenses that have
about an $800,000 impact on the state's economy through this project
alone."
Other streams slated for restoration through 2006 include:
Left Fork Buckhannon
Marsh Fork
South Fork Cherry
Laurel Creek (Cherry)
South Fork Red Creek
Laurel Run (Cheat)
Second Fork
Tea Creek
Craig Run
Fall Run
Turkey Creek
Right Fork Turkey Creek
Hills Creek
Glade Run
Meatbox Run
Potatoehole Fork
Red Creek
Little Kanawha
Right Fork Little Kanawha
Left Fork of Right Fork of Little Kanawha
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