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Into the Canyon Summer 2022 Newsletter of Friends of the Cheat

Tour the watershed with us this summer at one of our many snorkel events!

Into the Canyon - Newsletter of Friends of the Cheat Summer 2022

Board of Directors and Key Personnel

Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director; Owen Mulkeen, Associate Director; Madison Ball, Conservation Program Director; Garrett Richardson, Monitoring Technician; Valorie Dixon, Bookkeeper; Beth Warnick, Media and Outreach Specialist; Lisa Maraffa, Program Assistant and Events Producer

Board Members

Interim Chair: Charlie Walbridge, Treasurer: Miranda Peddicord, Secretary: Rich Dennis, Sarah Hinnant, Connie Miller, Ben Hogan, Rick Chaney, Zach Fowler, Michael Strager, Dani Martin, Chris Wade, Justin Reedy

Funds from ASF and PEW address culvert issues for Tucker County Brook Trout

FOC AWARDED FUNDS FROM APPALACHIAN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION AND THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

TO RESTORE FISH PASSAGE FOR BROOK TROUT IN TUCKER COUNTY

by Madison Ball, FOC Conservation Program Director

This June, FOC received awards from the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts to identify and replace undersized and perched culverts that disconnect Brook Trout streams in Tucker County. When stream crossings have large drops on the outlet or are “perched,” it can disconnect fish populations or block them from accessing habitat further upstream.

In recent years, FOC’s Conservation Program has grown to include new forms of restoration activities, namely reconnecting healthy headwater tributaries to mainstem streams. The funds awarded by the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts are critical to transforming this goal into a reality, and will help fund our first project in Indian Creek of Clover Run on private lands. The project will replace a double culvert crossing with a bridge, allowing the stream to flow naturally underneath the structure and allowing all life stages of Brook Trout and other fish species to swim upstream and downstream throughout the year. Converting the crossing to a bridge will also reduce the risk of a crossing failure in flood conditions.

This work is important to building resilience to our coldwater ecosystems. The NASA DEVELOP study conducted in partnership with FOC in 2021 found that temperature has risen 1.5°C and precipitation has increased by 4.2 inches between 1970 and 2020, while monthly river flow has become more variable in Tucker and Preston Counties. Additionally, recent water temperature data in Tucker County shows that among 14 long term stream sites, 12 are sub-optimal for their maximum 24 hour temperatures and the other two are borderline sub-optimal for Brook Trout species (United States Forest Service, Monongahela National Forest, Upper Cheat River Project Presentation, December 2020).

Brook Trout - photo by Sarah Lilly, allegedly caught by Sarah Lilly, but disputed by Garrett Richardson

If Brook Trout and the coldwater ecosystems present in Tucker County are to survive and thrive given these changes, it will require upgrades to the crossings that can act as barriers. For this first project, replacing this culvert crossing with a bridge will reconnect the entire Indian Run stream system with Clover Run, allowing trout to move freely through the entire stream system seasonally to seek the best habitat, which will include cold water conditions present in the headwaters.

The funds provided by the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts will also allow FOC to monitor streams restored from acid mine drainage, such as Beaver Creek, in Preston County and to improve communications and awareness around river conservation and connectivity.

Thank you ASF and Pew for investing in the future of our coldwater streams!

A Huge Thank You to our Donors!

Cheat Watershed Sponsors: Walbridge Family Foundation, Charlie Walbridge, Eliza Walbridge, Patrick & Lisa Ward, Thomas & Hope Covey, Sunrise Sanitation, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, Robert Uram

Cheat River Sponsors: Vince Luzentales & Michelle Salter, The Reed Foundation, the Szilagyi Family Foundation. Richard Volkman

Stream Stewards: Susan & Don Sauter, David Brisell, Toddi Steelman & Joe Sinsheimer, John & Emy Hinnant, Paul & Betty Connelly, Healthberry Farm, Jen Sass & Michael Graham, Robert Moore, The Oakland Foundation, Megan & Bill Carlson, Meredith Pavlick, Giles Wright, Stratford Douglas & Jodie Jackson, Newton Gorrell, Hoffman Construction Company, John Guilfoose

For the period April 16 through July 5, 2022

Canyon Contributors: Mark Gavin & Jodi Goodman, Purple Lizard Publishing LLC, Mike Plevich in loving memory of Jake Pitzer, Darren Tanner, Peter Bernstein

Narrows Navigators: Andrew & Louisa Miller, Michael Miller & Kelly Pack and Family, Kathrin Allen, Lea Chidlow, Vicky Shears, Bobbie Arbogast, Janet Graul & Matt Moore, Michael Russell, Eileen Paquette, Jenny & Andrew Woodworth, The Revetta Crime Family, Glen Schermerhorn, High Ground Brewing, Bruce & Cynthia Wiles, Kenneth Gfroerer, Dave Bassage, Giles Wright, John & Sandy Greer, Tarrell & Monica Ries

Confluence Crew: Delbert Royce, Henry Otto, Ethan Kay, Chris Felton, Friends of Lynette Scott Shahan, Anna Withrow, Rick & Stephanie Chaney, Tom & Darinda Westbrook, Sarah Cunningham, Mike Strager, Adam Webster, Johnathan Myers, Creighton Benham, Steven Grund

Five Forks Friends: Jane & Steve Andraka, Nico Dunbar, Janice Hogrefe, William Murray, Rexell Phares, Pamela Moe, Cheryl Brown & Corky Kershner, Joseph Martin, Kelli Geswein, Thos Halmi, Jeanne & George Bell, Annie & Josh Parenti, David Gravatt, John Jeffries

Good ‘Ole Friends: Tyler Bowie, Miles Hannah, Kathryn Hannah, Michaela Collins, Mitchell Gruver, Molly Kestner, Peggy Pings, Keith McManus, Dylan Willis, Jodi & Bert Davis, Emily Carlson, Nori Onishi, Mike Strager, Barry Welling, Boyce McCoy, Georgainne Huzinec, Jesse Groves, Cory Murphy, Jill Shook, Kate Leary, Brendan Gibat, Aliana Abascal & Anthony Mesa, Michael Michalski, Chelsi Baker, Larry Findley, Ellesa High, Jasmine Alison & Nathaniel Mohney, Cat Volkmann, John Williams, Giabrielle Creevy, Michelle Paquette, Adam Wells, Brent Carmnati, Rich & Beth Cichoski, Pat Blosser, Cindy McDavid, William Kurilko, Nathaniel Polson, Sarah Friend, Theo, Colette, Sera & Nico Zegre, Lynette & Troy Shahan, Lee Maddex, Frank Williams, Keith Koury, Fred Jacoby, Paul Cline, Richard Koonse, Sharon Sunderland, Daniel Twardus

Whitewater Access Campaign Donors (after 4/19): William Durr, Owen Dugger, Jennifer Damon, Brandon Thompson, David Hough, Barbara Brown, Christina Kossis, Bonnie Wisdom, Christopher Duck, Mike Bailey, Matthew Hanlon, Peter Lusardi, Zach Yomboro, Frank Lukacs, Russell Bounds, Michael Cole, Donna Morgan, Chris Roberts, Jason Bates, David Montemurro, Carolyn DeVenney, Nori Onishi, Karen Krause, Jim Murtha, James Humble, James McClave, Sara Henrickson, Paul Potochniak, Robert Pfannenstiel, Patty Snow, Barry Adams, Eric Hendrickson, Cara Giannone, Rebecca Renner, David Maribo, Kurt Williams, Rosa Mastrogiacoma, Brandon Borish, Dan Ott, Philip Kowalski, Elizabeth Stearns, Adam Webster, Richard L Hopley, Ryan Radtka, Yough Vacation Rentals, Larry Krall, Martin Lackovic, Fern Abrams, David Smith, Susan Forish, Christopher Niemeyer, William Connelly, Chris Kirkman

Swim Guide Donors: Adam Webster, Theo, Colette, Sera, & Nico Zegre

In Loving Memory of Greg Green: Charles Walbridge, Mykl Messer, Mark McCarty, Adam Webster, Garrett Taylor

In Memoriam: Greg Green

Gregory Bruce Green was born in New York City, Manhattan Borough on July 14th, 1945. At a young age he and his older brother went to live in Newport News, Virginia where he spent most of his days in the woods with his dog hunting and fishing – providing meat for the table, of which he was very proud. His Uncle was a janitor and his Aunt was a cook at the nearby white school where he was not allowed to attend but instead walked a good distance to the black school. His Aunt had to go in the back door of the dress shop when purchasing clothing.

Despite the discrimination he had a comfortable life in VA enjoying the woods, river, fruit trees, good food and his mother, Gretchen, sent money (and a TV). He spent summers in New York and Long Island visiting family. His Uncle Manny worked at the Prospect Park stables and he rode horse there often with his brother and cousins.

At age 16 he moved to Brooklyn, several years later he found a job selling high-end men’s clothing. His mother encouraged him to enroll in a trade school and he chose the Delehanty School of Electronics and became proficient in radio and TV repair. After which he enrolled in the Manpower Development Program to further his knowledge of electronics. Greg enjoyed taking photographs as a hobby.

He spent some time in Massachusetts where he worked as an engineer assistant at E.W. Pew building circuit boards and sub-assemblies for guided missile firing systems. Returning to NYC in 1966 at age 21 he was hired by Polarad Electronics in Long Island City to run quality control for Bulova radios assembly line testing, where after 7 months he received a letter of referral highly recommending him as a very energetic, conscientious, and innovative employee.

In the late fall of 1966, he decided to drive to the west coast. His car broke down in Cleveland and he took jobs at Cleveland Electronics, Centerline Inc., and Ohio-Nuclear where he ran quality control/environmental testing of speakers, checked out x-ray machines, and was the assistant head engineer building prototype radio isotope scanners. His last job in Ohio was with Cedar-Lee Radio and TV repair. He moved to Pittsburgh and worked there servicing small appliances.

In pursuit of his passion for fishing while working in Cleveland he learned to canoe and joined a paddling club where he was exposed to kayaking. He was a natural and in 1969 spent the summer as a safety boater for MST on the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle - taking pictures as a sideline. The photos were a hit and the following summer he started Wild Rivers Photo Service. Over the course of 35 years, he learned and helped many of his employees learn how to photograph, process film and print images from tiny proofs to 24”x 36” in two hours.

He designed and set up over 7 different labs (in his basement, campers, a chicken coup, a trailer, and the back corner of WWA’s hotel) where he processed b&w/color film, digital, color prints, slides, duratrans, and employed over 100 people. He modified his print processor to produce photographs in 15 minutes. In 1987 he began whitewater videoing on the Gauley. He photographed the manufacturing process of tool making, handmade knives, skiers, car races, portraits, and string band festivals. His photographs were featured in brochures and magazines and on the walls of resorts. He experimented with transporting film using pigeons.

During all of this he trained for and entered the Nationals in 1973. He traveled to Peru to attempt some first descents. He paddled the Colorado three times, the Green (bringing home a mule deer on his dory), Verde, Penobscot, Kennebec, Youghiogheny, Cheat, Gauley, New Rivers and many tributaries. Green’s Hole on the Cheat River was named after him. In 2014 he attended SUP classes and received his instructor license.

He hunted duck, geese, pheasant and chuckers with his dogs Mon, Spike and Moose. In Florida, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania he hunted wild boar, deer, turkey and small game. He fished everywhere he could find water.

He loved the blues – Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Rait – and rock – Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin. He could dance to Jazz, Swing, and Bluegrass music. When he lived in Brooklyn in 2006 he drummed in the jam sessions of Central Park. He traded a bull for a banjo at the Camp Carver String Band Festival and had several harmonicas. He skied, sailboarded, hang-glided, dirt biked, four wheeled and reveled in riding his Harley on the WV/PA curves and hills.

Greg excelled during crisis. He came to the rescue for many of us during times of need – even in his last month. His desire for life was to live well and fully…not necessarily long. He did accomplish that.

Recreation Program Updates

Cheat River Trailhead and Rail-Trail

by Owen Mulkeen, Associate Director

It's almost construction season for the first major project on the Cheat River Rail-Trail. We are excited to soon award the contract for the development of the Cheat River Trailhead. A pre-bid meeting was held on June 15th with many local and regional contractors attending to learn more about the detailed plan for the former Patriot Coal Preparation Plant, located along the scenic route of 72 between Rowlesburg and Kingwood. All bids were due July 13th, with the award going to the lowest bidder, with construction starting in August. Barring any delays due to materials and unforeseen site conditions, the site should be completed before the new year. This will be FOC’s biggest construction project to date in the organization’s storied history. Excitement looms for this high level of recreation infrastructure coming to the Cheat River.

This project blends two grants, the first of which is a WVDOH Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant. Funds were awarded this June to Romtec, a pre-fab building supplier based in Oregon, to supply all the materials for the Keith Pitzer Pavilion and restroom. These materials will be erected by the funds from the second grant, the WVDEP AMLER grant. The AMLER grant will also be used to sculpt the once industrious site into a green space with improved access from Rt 72, water and electric utilities, parking lot paving, improved river access, and landscaping. This is a unique project and we would like to thank the tireless and competent teams at Potesta & Associates and The Mills Group for their dedication to creating FOC’s vision for the site. FOC also thanks Phillip Avis and Joshua Vincent at WVDOH for their help in crafting the best use of the RTP funds.

The Cheat River Rail-Trail received some exciting news from a great partner in late spring. The WV Army National Guard at Camp Dawson has officially secured funding for the design and construction of a 4000ft section of the rail-trail from the Morgan Run Bridge to the northern extent of the Volkstone Training Facility. This section will be designed with a security fence for the facility, along with replacement of all culverts and trail surfacing. This will be the first completed section of trail with construction slated to begin in October 2022. FOC would like to thank the persistence of Deputy Branch Chief Jonathan Neal and his team for their coordination in this partnership. Stay tuned for more details and media posts about this section of trail.

The remaining sections of the Cheat River Rail-Trail also wait patiently for their day to shine again moving new found freight, people. FOC and the WV State Rail Authority are currently strategizing on the 8 bridges that span the length of the 8 miles of the planned trail. Some require additional engineering and maintenance to withstand construction and emergency vehicle loads. We are assessing the best use of funds and contractors to fulfill the needs of restoring these bridges. We hope to find a solution this summer with the required fixes being completed before next year when we anticipate the actual rail-trail construction beginning. The rail-trail is fully designed and has just passed a crucial step in the WVDEP Voluntary Remediation Program. Our Human Health Risk Assessment was approved, paving the way for our Certificate of Completion following the trail construction. Stay tuned for developments as the project is chugging right along, reminiscent of The Little Train That Could: “I think I can, I think I can.” We are well on our way to the top of the mountain.

Slow down summertime! After two dud Covid summers, my weekends are booked and I am running on fumes from event to event.

Cheat Fest was an exhausting dream. Personal highlights include: a surprise visit from the West Virginia State Police, which turned out to be a former student of mine, Trooper Nuce, stopping by to say hello; witnessing the pure joy of a certain FOC staff foodie holding a pickle chimichanga in the air with the pride one would ooze if carrying the Olympic torch; the surprise waterfowl release in the fest lake; and, breaking away from the madness to do the Muck boot mud dance to “The Emergency Band”:

"The Emergency Band"
Just when you think it can’t get no better than it does. It’s always so much better than it ever was. It seems like all the good things come at once. Just when you think it can’t get no better than it does.

Looking ahead, FOC has a lot of exciting projects on the horizon. When I started with FOC in 2011, one of my first projects was working with OSM VISTA Andrew Miller to reimagine the classic FOC logo and create an entirely new web presence for the organization. We got a great price from a new web design company based out of Charleston called MESH. Our site was one of their first website design projects. When MESH learned that our 10+ year old website was still (pretty much) fully functional, they were flabbergasted! We are thrilled to be working with MESH again on a new site that will tell the story of our river and our organization through compelling imagery and content. Funded by the WVDEP’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Recovery program and our friends at the Timmermeyer Family Foundation, FOC will be debuting the new site this fall.

The expanded Abandoned Mine Lands funding is expected to hit WV’s bank account by the end of 2022, and FOC is putting together a multi-million dollar proposal. This first proposal will include funding to tackle backlogged maintenance at our 20 acid mine drainage treatment sites, design new treatment systems, construct improvements to our Dream Mountain passive system, and construct an active treatment plant for Lick Run. To get all this accomplished, FOC will be adding a new project manager-level position. It is anticipated that in future years, FOC will add at least one more technician-type position to service all of our treatment sites. Restoring streams creates jobs!

Unfortunately, we are still advocating for a change to allow the new AML funds to be deposited into the state’s AMD set-aside. Set-aside funds pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance needed for long-term treatment of AMD. The STREAM Act seeks to fix this language and allow funds to go into the set-aside. Currently, Senators Manchin and Capito, as well as Congressman McKinley, support this bill. However, more Republican co-sponsors are needed and neither Congressman Mooney or Congresswoman Miller have stepped up to support the STREAM Act.

Many folks wonder how FOC gets so much done with so few resources. Well, I’ll tell you the secret: our passionate and committed staff work their tails off. The rock star of our team is Madison. She is the driving force behind the Albright dam removal project, riparian reforestation efforts, Shavers Fork expansion, and snorkel program. She has accomplished this all in less than 4 years! I am thrilled to share that Madison has been promoted to FOC’s Conservation Program Director. I am honored to work alongside such a bright, hardworking young woman. Community pickle and pierogi buffet for all when the dam goes down!

Conservation Program Director, Madison Ball, and Executive Director, Amanda Pitzer, at the 2020 Preston County Day at the WV Legislature

Meet Clark Jackson

FOC's Summer Intern

Born and raised in a small, rural township right outside of Garrettsville, OH (about 45 minutes southeast of Cleveland), Clark chose to attend WVU due to their excellent Wildlife and Fisheries program. A rising senior with a major in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and a minor in Conservation Ecology, Clark was recently elected Treasurer of the Student Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. In 2021, he was employed by Trout Unlimited as a Stream Technician on the Aquatic Ecological Unit Inventory Crew, where he assessed trout populations and stream habitat across the entirety of the Monongahela National Forest. They electroshocked fish in coldwater streams and conducted a variety of habitat measurements and analyses to create a profile of each individual stream.

What’s your favorite spot in WV?

The Monongahela National Forest - although this is a rather large area to claim as a favorite “spot”, I love it nonetheless. It is truly a glimpse into the dramatic ecological and environmental history of West Virginia. It still holds some of the most mature old growth forests that have never seen axes or saws in the state, and boasts incredible coldwater trout streams. Traveling through this part of the state is reminiscent of trekking back to a time before industrialization and modernization.

What are you passionate about?

I would hope it is obvious that I am passionate about nature and the great outdoors, seeing as how that is the nature of my field, but I do have specialized interests. I am a herpetological nut: meaning, I have a life list for salamanders and thoroughly enjoy going on expeditions in stream beds searching for the little fellers. I am a pretty avid fisherman and as a whole am pretty fond of all animals. I also appreciate friendships and relationships and take special care to develop long-lasting and meaningful ones.

How do you recharge?

I am a creature of habit and the quickest way for me to recharge is to relax in an air-conditioned room on a cozy chair or bed with a blanket wrapped around me. An ice cold beer also aids in my recharging stages as well. However, taking a few rods down to the river with a camping chair at night and catfishing help me to relax and enter a lackadaisical state.

What drew you to Friends of the Cheat?

I was originally forwarded an email reaching out to Wildlife and Fisheries students at WVU advertising a creel clerk position with the organization. I had heard of Friends of the Cheat and had even done a road clean-up my freshman year during my Adventure WV trip prior to the beginning of school. It wasn’t until I was offered the job and accepted it that I realized the tremendous impact that FOC has had in this region. I researched the Cheat River watershed and realized what it had transformed into at its peak in the early 90s, right around when the organization was created. It was almost unbelievable to witness how significant of a turnaround the Cheat River watershed experienced due to the relentless and efficient work of Friends of the Cheat, and I immediately realized how fortunate I was to be a part of an organization with not only a highly regarded reputation and stigma but with the ability to absolutely fulfill objectives. It seems like anything that FOC places on their radar will eventually be solved and remediated, and this state has already seen extremely valuable results and ramifications because of the work they have done. That is what keeps me excited, energized and proud to be a part of this organization.

What else would you like us to know about you?

When it comes down to it I am a pretty simple individual. I enjoy spending time with my friends, I love being outside, I have nurtured a hobby for retro nintendo family entertainment systems and video games, and I am all for geeking out about animals and nature! Don’t be shy to say hello if you ever see me out in public! I promise you’ll be greeted by a smile.

2022 CHEAT RIVER FESTIVAL REFLECTION

by Lisa Maraffa, Cheat Fest Coordinator

Too often, people attend the Cheat River Festival without the knowledge of its purpose, history, or that it’s connected to Friends of the Cheat. Sure, it's a great event with talented bands, good food, awesome vendors and art, and a welcoming atmosphere of new and old friends. But what is the purpose of Cheat Fest?

Cheat Fest is first and foremost a fundraiser. The funds raised during Cheat Fest are unrestricted, which means that they are able to be distributed throughout our programs and fill in many budget shortages that inevitably occur. These funds are extremely important to the everyday operations at Friends of the Cheat and much appreciated by all.

This year was my first year as fest coordinator, and let me just say that organizing Cheat Fest is a behemoth of a job. There are many logistics and details to initiate, delegate, and implement in order to put on this festival. One thing with Cheat Fest that never fails - our community and the people in it.

The 28th Cheat Fest was not without its mishaps, but in the end it was a successful event. We had an exceptional amount of rain that canceled the Down River Race, made our parking lot unusable, and created the “duck pond” around some of our vendors. Despite the rain, our community showed up - around 2,500 of them - laughing, dancing, making new friends, and greeting old friends. Children running amuck in the mud while all of the parents watched over them collectively. People stepped up (big time) to help out when things went sideways.

Photos by Sarah Jones

In 1994 and 1995, this community stepped up when two large blowouts from illegally sealed underground coal mines further devastated an already long-suffering Cheat River. This is how Friends of the Cheat formed, and I will be forever grateful to that group of people. Without them, the people who showed up, the people who fought for a voiceless river, the people who knew something had to be done, the Cheat River would not be restored and thriving as it is today. The Cheat River Festival celebrates that history, the successes that followed, and the community that made it possible. Those people paved the way for FOC to be the powerhouse organization that it is now.

The first Cheat River Festival in 1995

So next year, when you are dancing in front of the new Cheat Fest Site stage with your friends, remember the higher purpose.

Photos by Sarah Jones

Remember the reason for all of these great times and remember the people who started this, the ones who worked together, and are still working to save the mighty Cheat River.

BIG THANK TO ALL OUR CHEAT FEST VOLUNTEERS! We couldn't do it without you.

Dave Bassage, Ellie Bell, Jeff Berry, Sheila Berry, Lydia Darrow, Allen Davis, Erica Edmiston, Amy Estep, Kelli Geswin, Lauren Greco, Mary Helen Hannah, Erin Hartman, Jim Meckley, Rachel Meininger, Taryn Moser, Adam Payne, Heather Rau, Dustin Smith, John Victor, Nico Zegre, Katherine Adase, Ash Agler, Timmy Allen, Misty Arbogast, Kristi Arbogast, Phillip Avis, Ben Badger, Chris Barbot, Francesca Basil, Christopher Bauer, Alijah Bayer-Harding, Nina Berryman, Adam Besonson, Robin Besonson, Amiee Bicanich, Nick Blevins, Brett Bliss, Ciara Boggs, Katie Bonnett, Tyler Bowie, Jennifer Brachman, Holly Bradley, Joseph Buchite, Roger Calhoun, Cole Campbell, Brent Carminati, Harrison Case, Michele Champeau, Dennis Chaney, Riley Chaney, Hau (Robin) Cheung, Rachel Chidlow, Melody Chopin, Beth Cichoski, Rich Cichoski, Abbie Clasgens, Madeline Cohen, Mollie Craven, Tracy Cutlip, Allen Davis, Joseph Davis, Robin Dean, Pete Deisroth, Danny Delanty, Richard Dennis, Stratford Douglas, Laura Drew, Domenico Dunbar, Amylynn Ephraim, Benja Escobar, Amy Estep, Phyllis Evans, Olaf Fedak, Chris Felton, Caroline Flynn, Andrea Funyak-Fedak, Terezia Galikova, Vanessa Gallo, Ben Glasser, Olivia Gonzalez, Lauren Greco, Sandra Greer, Terry Griner, Sam Grinstead, Jake Grothoff, Leslie Groves, Mitchell Gruver, Sha Hamilton, Caroline Hamrick, Kathryn Hannah, Brianna Hardinger, Mark Hare, Sabrina Hartley, Clint Harvey, Birdie Hawkins, Lillian Hebel, Hannah Hedrick, Carolyn Helenski, Brian Hinegardner, John Hinnant, Sara Hinnant, Ben Hogan, Butch Hoppe, Dave Hough, Christina Howdershelt, Chris Hull, Skye Hunt, Jordan Hyde, Brianna Jackson, Clark Jackson, Michal Jarnik, Ali Jeney, Frank Jernejcic, Alyssa Johl, Derik Jones, Robyn Jones, Will Keel, Molly Kestner, V Konopka, Ankur Kumar, Chris Kyle, Jazelle Lanie, Chris Lazzell, Josiah Leisher, Anna Leisher, Marieke Lemmen, Janet Lenox, Jonathan Leonard, Sarah Lilly, Cindi Lindstrom, Dan Loeb, Sarah Mann, Douglas Manning, Andy Maraffa, Isabelle Mari, Natalie Marquart, Eleanor Marshall, Morgan Martin, Cheryl Martin, Joseph Martin, Larissa Martins, Ryan Mayer, Manda Mayer, Marlyn McClendon, William McConahy, Boyce McCoy, Kristie McDonald, Edgar Mercer, Anna Metter, Michael Michalski, Jackie Michalski, Timothy (Daniel) Miller, Marcedes Minana, Christa Miriashtiani, Joseph Molina, Katie Moran, Taryn Moser, Becca Myers, Jeremy Noret, Olivia Olivito, Michelle Paquette, Annie Parenti, Christina Parrish, Alan Parsons, Jay Paxton, Miranda Peddicord, Stephanie Pennacchio, Bill Pennington, David Petry, Brooke Pingley, Carly Pingley, Peggy Pings, Todd Post, Kyle Price, Amara Pugens, Justin Reedy, Kelli Reedy, Nick Revetta, Mitch Revetta, Sara Revetta, Donnie Riggs, Adam Roh, Melissa Rollins, Richard Rudisill, Chris Rynd, Greg Selasky, Melissa Shafer, Maher Shammaa, Bill Shick, Matthew Shreve, Allie Smith, Sarah Smith, Tara Smith, Jennie Smith-Peers, Kaitlyn Snyder, Selena Spittal, Chris Steiding, David Stephens, Allison Stickel, Mike Strager, Toni Sullivan, Autumn Summers, Will Sutherland, Emily Sutton, Jason Sutton, Scottie Sypolt, Meadow Sypolt, Danielle Thomas, Stephanie Thomas, Makena Thomas, Nick Thompson, David Tincher, Emily Tingler, Garrett Tomblin, Ian Umstead, Rachel Utz, Nathan Utzman, Chad VanDenLangenberg, Charlie Walbridge, Matt Walker, Laken Walker, Garrett Weigel, Barry Welling, Meghan Williams, Leigh Williams, Tim Williams, Stewart Williams, Dylan Willis, Charles Wisser, Pennie Wotring, Nico Zegre, Suhil Zia, Tyler Stubbs

HUGE THANK YOU to all the staff and volunteers who turned our Cheat Fest stage roof dreams into reality! Thank you Jim Meckley, Jeff Mitchell, Derrick Stark, James Rossi, Shane McManus, Mike Blackburn, Dave Stephens, Andy Maraffa, Bill Pennington, Robin Dean, and Josh Palencar.

SUMMER OUTREACH EVENTS RECAP

After two years of reduced outreach due the pandemic, FOC has been making up for lost time with many Education & Outreach events this summer - with more to come!

FOC staff was excited to be back at Delfest over Memorial Day! Our acid mine drainage (AMD) tie dye and macro-benthic workshops have become beloved traditions for children (and parents!) attending this family-friendly festival in Cumberland, MD.

Delfest Kids learning about benthic macro invertabrates

On June 4th, FOC and the West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) hosted the first Paddler Appreciation Day Cookout at the fest site pavilion for roughly 60-70 boaters. Staff grilled burgers and hot dogs with all the fixins, and a grand time was had by all. Big thanks to WVLT and Screech Owl Brewing for sponsoring this event - and to all the whitewater paddlers who support our work maintaining access points to the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy rivers. Mark your calendars for June 3, 2023 for the next get-together!

After a two year hiatus, we were back on the water for Meet the Cheat - Tucker County! On Sunday, June 12th, The Upper Cheat River Water Trail (CRWT) Committee, Blackwater Outdoor Adventures (BOA), and FOC hosted over 100 paddlers on the Holly Meadows to St. George section, a beautiful 8 mile stretch of lazy flat water. The fun began at 10:00am, and padders arrived back to the alluring smell of the Bar-B-Qued Beast food truck, where brisket, loaded fries, and tacos were on the menu. The attending dogs were the real winners, as chef Craig Frazee, in an attempt to protect his cooking space, sacrificed plates of pork to appease the frenzied packs. Big thanks to Patrick McCann and the BOA staff for herding paddlers and pups on and off the river, and everyone who lended a hand. We’ll see you again next summer!

Paddlers and pups at Meet the Cheat - Tucker County

We had a great turnout at the Albright Power Dam Removal Open House event in Albright, WV on June 14th. FOC staff, WVDNR, and guest specialists representing hydrology and energy sectors were ready with informative displays to answer community member questions and concerns. Big thanks to the Albright United Methodist Church for allowing us the use of their community building, and to all who volunteered and attended!

Albright Power Dam Removal Open House

On June 25th, FOC traveled to the Upper Cheat watershed for the Shaver’s Fork Meet & Greet event at the Stuart Recreation Area in Elkins. Guests enjoyed a small picnic, yard games, and snorkel workshop in the nearby swimming area of the Shaver’s Fork. FOC adopted the former Shaver’s Fork Coalition earlier in the year.

Shaver's Fork Meet and Greet