COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12

(By Delegates Campbell, Hartman, Sponaugle, Espinosa, Wagner, P. White, Stansbury, Hamilton and Perry)

Originating in the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources

Requesting the Division of Natural Resources to designate the Cheat Mountain Salamander as the State symbol of environmental stewardship.

Whereas, The 4^th Grade Extended Studies students of Jennings Randolph Elementary School have completed an extensive study of the various West Virginia state symbols. These symbols were used by the students to learn about the history, culture, geography, and ecology of West Virginia which led them to discover that no state, including West Virginia, has a symbol of environmental stewardship. This led to many discussions among the students and resulted in them deciding that West Virginia should have a symbol of environmental stewardship; and

Whereas, From their research, the students learned about the Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon netting), a species of small, woodland salamander found only on Cheat Mountain and a few nearby mountains in the eastern highlands of West Virginia. They also learned that the Cheat Mountain salamander has decreased in population due to the destruction of its original red spruce forest habitat that, in the highest elevations, once covered the mountain tops in portions of Grant, Tucker, Randolph, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Nicholas, and Webster Counties. Other factors such as pollution, drought, forest storm damage, and competition with other salamanders, especially its relative, the red-backed salamander, have also led to the Cheat Mountain salamander population reduction; and

Whereas, The 4^th Grade Extended Studies students believe the story of the Cheat Mountain salamander speaks volumes about the state’s rich history in practicing environmental stewardship and can help teach how important conservation is in designated areas; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Natural Resources is requested to designate the Cheat Mountain salamander as the state symbol of environmental stewardship; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the 4^th Grade Extended Studies students and teachers of Jennings Randolph Elementary School.