This is the press release, published by the Morgan Messenger in their Sep 29, 2021 edition

The construction of the US Route Bypass involves major earth disturbances and the removal of 300 acres of trees. Warm Springs Watershed Association (WSWA) and WV Rivers Coalition (WV Rivers) have partnered to monitor potential construction impacts on Warm Springs Run.

State regulations require construction projects to control erosion with silt fences and sediment ponds. Erosion control failures can result in increased runoff and sediment deposits in the stream. Increased runoff and sedimentation in the stream have the potential to erode stream banks, harm aquatic life, and exacerbate flooding issues downstream.

WV Rivers, in partnership with Trout Unlimited, developed a program with funding from the WV Department of Environmental Protection to train citizens to monitor large-scale construction activities. This new partnership will provide WSWA with the tools, equipment, and training needed to monitor construction activities and potential water quality impacts. “Our citizen monitoring program equips residents with the knowledge and tools they need to help protect the stream they care about,” says Autumn Crowe, Staff Scientist and Interim Program Director for WV Rivers.

The monitoring program will include training on the use of WV Stream Watch, an app to help WSWA volunteers report erosion control problems. WV Rivers relays information submitted through the app to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. “In the past, there has been little or late follow-up to reports individuals have made about violations,” said WSWA President Kate Lehman. “We welcome assistance from a larger organization in reporting what we observe.”

WSWA supports the construction of the bypass, but strives to insure that the erosion control measures mandated by the WVDEP are properly installed and maintained to prevent damage to the Run.

Tanner Haid, the Eastern Panhandle Field Coordinator of West Virginia Rivers wrote an exceptional article on our work in the Widmyer Wetlands:

FInding peace in Nature: Widmyer Wetlands

https://wvrivers.org/2021/06/widmyerwetlands/

Enjoy.

West Virginia transportation officials have unveiled several options to improve travel and safety along WV-9 between Berkeley Springs and Martinsburg, with particular emphasis on high-congestion areas around Hedgesville.

Residents can take an online survey about their preferences for different WV-9 improvement options. That survey is found at http://metroquestsurvey.com/eq2n2y and can be found linked off the DOH project website.

"This is likely decades in the future, but the state of West Virginia Highway department has aired plans for a rerouted Route 9 between Berkeley Springs and Berkeley County. All proposed routes would have impact on the Warm Springs Run."

"LuAnn May, Project Manager for Michael Baker International, said Morgan County has “many natural resources” to take into consideration when planning upgrades to WV-9. She said Warm Springs Run and Sleepy Creek Watersheds are on planners’ radar, along with Morgan County Farmland Protection parcels, Spruce Pine Hollow Park and the Tuscarora Trail, which runs through the area. All proposed improvements to WV-9 avoid Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area."

From: https://www.morganmessenger.com/2021/03/10/state-lays-out-possible-upgrades-new-routes-for-wv-9-east/

About the 522 Bypass review request:

 Dear Senator Manchin:

The Warm Springs Watershed Association requests your help in urging the Department of Environmental Protection to hold a public hearing in Berkeley Springs so residents can address issues of concern regarding plans for the 522 bypass.

The Association is not opposed to the construction of the 522 bypass; however, the four-lane highway will pass through a long, narrow watershed with an already large amount of impervious surface area that is increasingly prone to flash flooding. The proposed project adds 36 more acres of impervious road and hard shoulder, which will increase the volume and velocity of runoff.

The Association is concerned about apparent inaccuracies included in the permit. Specifically, it states that sediment basins controlling over 500 acres will be installed in the watershed to capture runoff; however, incorrect land cover and soil characteristics are used to calculate sediment basin capacity. About 90% of the area is comprised of very shallow, fragile soils. Not only will increased erosion be a factor, it will be difficult to re-establish vegetation in these soils. As a result, the proposed flood control basins will be inadequate for handling the amount of runoff they are designed to capture. Further, there is no discussion of long-term maintenance of these basins.

Mitigation of stream and wetland impacts is mandated in the permit; however, there is no information what these mitigations might be or where they might be located.

We have already brought our concerns to the following department:

Division of Water and Management, DEP

Sharon Mullins, Permitting Section

Application No. WVR110602

Since there was no response, we have also reached out to the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District and the Morgan County Commission to address these concerns.

Your attention to this matter, and any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kate Lehman, President

Cacapon Institute is seeking a design contractor to draw plans for the Natural Stream Restoration at Widmyer Elementary and Berkeley Springs High School, Berkeley Springs, WV.

The RFP is available at www.cacaponinstitute.org.

Time is of the essence. Proposals are due February 1st and the completed design must be finished by June 1, 2021.

We anticipate the designs for two segments of steam (~2,000 feet total) to cost $40,000 (+/-) but all proposals will be accepted and considered. Inquiries are welcome.

For more information, contact

Frank F. Rodgers

Executive Director

Cacapon Institute

#10 Rockford Rd

Great Cacapon, WV 25422

304-258-8013 (o) 304-240-2721 (c) 304-258-7657 (h)

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