CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Harrison County Commission is sending out letters seeking help in acquiring a series of dams along the West Fork River.
“We’ve asked the [Clarksburg] Water Board to transfer the properties over to the Harrison County Commission,” Commission President Ron Watson said. “Simple as that.”
Back in March, the water board voted 2-1 to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to utilize federal funding in order to remove the Highland, Two Lick and West Milford Dams.
At the time of the vote, members Al Cox and Charles Thayer cited the liability of the dams as the main reason to get rid of them. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service promoted the move by stating it would help the flow of the river, as well as improve fishing and the water quality.
A faction of residents living near the dams, as well as the county commission, opposed the move. They claim the removal of the dams will hurt tourism and recreation currently enjoyed with the water slowly moving and deep.
Since the water board’s vote, municipal elections took place in Clarksburg putting in new member Jon Calvert to replace Thayer, who decided not to run again.
Calvert has shown interest in keeping the dams as long as they do not breach the contract with U.S. Wish and Wildlife.
“Now we have a new board member and his concern is the water board should not have an interest in dams and recreation and all that. They should be something dealing with water,” Watson said. “All we’re saying is ‘We’re willing to take them. We’re not going to fight.’ If you don’t want us to have them and they vote, then it is what it is.”
After being approached by a contingency of locals wishing the commission would intervene in the demolition, they looked into acquiring them through eminent domain, but found it would not be feasible.
“I wouldn’t want to jeopardize taxpayer dollars in the millions, which it could come out to in years of trying to get it to happen,” Watson said.
The commission is hoping that the water board will turn over the dams at no cost to the county, but even then there could be several associated expense.
Beyond the county assuming the liability, it was estimated that a project to modify the dams to allow for the recreation locals are hoping to create would be up to $500,000.
Also, U.S. Fish and Wildlife has estimated an amount of $200,000 has been spent in the initial evaluations of demolishing the dams. If the agency agrees to back out of the contract –which it will take both parties agreeing to do so– it has been reported they will seek reimbursement for the costs.
The commission has reached out seeking help in dealing with the agency.
“We sent a letter to our congressional people with regard to our interest in the dams and the aggressiveness of the Fish and Wildlife,” Watson said. “What we’re saying is, get them to back off.”
The water board will consider the commission’s letter and request for the dams with Calvert serving in his new position for the first time on July 14.