SENATE RESOLUTION 15

(By Senators Sypolt, Smith, Plymale, Baldwin, Stollings, Unger, Beach, Jeffries, and Swope)

[Introduced January 22, 2019]

Designating January 22, 2019, as Preston County Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, The Cheat River is a mighty river borne from a small stream on Cheat Mountain and comprised of five notable forks, which join and flow north through Preston County to its confluence with the Monongahela River; and

Whereas, The Cheat River watershed is one of the most ecologically intact river systems in the eastern United States; and

Whereas, The Cheat River was West Virginia’s first commercially rafted river; and

Whereas, The Cheat River was named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers due to toxic acid mine drainage pollution that left the lower section of the river completely void of any life; and

Whereas, In 1994, Friends of the Cheat formed in Preston County to address the long-standing issues of the polluted Cheat River; and

Whereas, Friends of the Cheat established its mission to restore, preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat River watershed; and

Whereas, The Cheat River has been reborn, maintaining good water chemistry and a healthy fishery from headwaters to mouth; and

Whereas, The community is working together to boost economic opportunities in Preston County through new and improved outdoor recreation, emphasis on water quality, and access to public lands; and

Whereas, Friends of the Cheat maintain five public accesses to the Cheat River. They also supported the creation of the Cheat River Water Trail, which maintains nine more public accesses; and

Whereas, Friends of the Cheat host multiple outreach events yearly, the largest being the Cheat River Festival, with over 3,000 attendees travelling from all over to support and celebrate successful restoration and recreation on the Cheat River; and

Whereas, Friends of the Cheat was named 2018 Watershed of the Year by the West Virginia Watershed Network; and

Whereas, Friends of the Cheat is a 2018 recipient of an Abandoned Mine Land pilot grant for the Re-Create Project, which will construct the 8.5-mile Cheat River Rail-Trail, an acid mine drainage learning park, and support “trail town” modeling in Kingwood, Tunnelton, Albright, and Rowlesburg; and

Whereas, Preston County is proud to help lead the state in recognizing the value of outdoor recreation, public lands, and water quality control, and their importance in the future economic health of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The citizens of Preston County travel to the state capitol on an annual basis during the legislative session to share their accomplishments, aspirations, and concerns with lawmakers; and

Whereas, It is fitting to recognize Preston County for its contributions to the economic success and future development in the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates January 22, 2019, as Preston County Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives from Preston County.