Highlands Conservancy, Friends of Blackwater Celebrate Blackwater Land Purchase
By Judy Rodd
The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and the Friends of Blackwater Canyon are celebrating the purchase and protection of 500 acres adjoining Blackwater Falls State Park. The new state land will buffer the State Park, protect the Blackwater River and provide a hiking and biking path between the City of Davis and the Park. The valuable river corridor will improve access for trout fishing, and protect habitat for the northern Virginia flying squirrel. Part of the land will be donated by Allegheny Power, and part will be purchased by the State using federal Land and Water Conservation Fund money.
Governor Wise announced the land purchase in his State of the State speech on Wednesday, January 9th, 2002. Wise said,
"Stewardship of the land is one of our responsibilities as citizens and as leaders of government. One of our goals must be the protection of the special places held dear by our citizens. For generations, we have enjoyed the beauty of the Blackwater Canyon.
Earlier today, the president of Allegheny Power, Jay Pifer, signed an agreement to sell 250 acres in the Blackwater Canyon to the state of West Virginia and donate an adjacent 250 acres. The land includes the last mile of unprotected river between the town of Davis and the Blackwater Canyon. We have permanently guaranteed public access to this land for recreation."
The Highlands Conservancy and the Friends of Blackwater Canyon have worked hard to facilitate this purchase. Judy Rodd, Senior Vice President of the Conservancy and Director of Friends of Blackwater said, "This is the first step in protecting the Canyon, but it is an important one. But we can’t stop now! The remaining 2,750 acres of the Canyon must be moved into public ownership."
Friends of Blackwater will continue their campaign of cards and e-mails to Governor Wise, to let him know how important this scenic area is to the people of West Virginia. To make your nomination for the Blackwater Canyon as West Virginia’s top "Special Place" go to the Friends of Blackwater website
www.saveblackwater.org or the Conservancy website www.wvhighlands.org. Call the Friends of Blackwater at 1-877-WVA-LAND, or write to the Friends of Blackwater at 501 Elizabeth St., Charleston, WV 25311 for nomination postcards for the Governor.