UMRA Granted Award from Army Corps of Engineers
WBOY
2 July 2015
By Nick Farrell
MORGANTOWN - Local leaders who partnered to open the locks on the
Monongahela River this summer have received a prestigious award.
The Army Corps of Engineers presented the Commander's Award for
Public Service to the Upper Mon River Association.
The award recognizes the partnership between UMRA and elected
officials in North Central West Virginia. After two years of
negotiations, the partnership led to the reopening of the locks
this summer.
“In all those locks that the corps has closed across the county,
maybe upwards of 70, this is a model they can replicate elsewhere
to reopen the locks to re-grow commerce and recreation in their
area,” said Barry Pallay, UMRA president.
Contributed funding from this partnership has allowed the Army
Corp of Engineers to open the Hildebrand and Opakiska locks this
summer, making river travel from Morgantown to Fairmont possible.
Video at
http://www.wboy.com/story/29465617/wwwwboycomumra-granted-award-from-army-corps-of-engineers