CONSOL Energy Inc. Leases Property to DNR to Establish Marion
County Wildlife Management Area
WVDNR News release - 16 September 2010
West Virginia Division of Natural
Resources
http://www.wvdnr.gov
News Release: September 16, 2010
Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer, 304-957-9365,
hoy.r.murphy@wv.gov
Contact: Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771
dnr.wildlife@wv.gov
CONSOL Energy Inc. leases property to DNR to establish Marion County
wildlife management area
Dedication Scheduled for Sept. 24
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts in
the northern part of the state soon will have a place to enjoy their
activities closer to home. The Wildlife Resources Section of the West
Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has announced the
establishment of a new wildlife management area in Marion County,
according to Frank Jezioro, director of the WVDNR. “The Dents Run
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been leased to the WVDNR by CONSOL
Energy Inc. for the public’s enjoyment and benefit,” said Jezioro.
Dents Run WMA is the first such publicly accessible area managed for
wildlife-associated recreation to be established in Marion County.
“Because of the large number of hunters and anglers who reside in this
region of the state and the scarcity of public lands in Harrison,
Marion and western Monongalia counties, this lease arrangement will be
an important component of our agency’s wildlife management area
system,” Jezioro said. “The opportunity provided by CONSOL Energy Inc.
for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy this land
through this lease arrangement is commendable.”
“Such a project illustrates that a private/public partnership can be a
showcase for wildlife habitat enhancement and environmental
stewardship," said J. Brett Harvey, CONSOL Energy Chairman, President
and CEO. "CONSOL Energy's involvement in this project with the State of
West Virginia is but another example of the beneficial use of surplus
property for recreational and outdoor sports activity on land that once
supported an underground coal mine. CONSOL is very gratified to be a
part of this and prior such efforts to ensure that our surplus assets
are put to good use and for the benefit of the local community."
The Dents Run WMA lies in western Marion County and consists of 1,226
acres. Access to the Dents Run WMA is by way of County Route 1 (Buffalo
Road) and County Route 5 (Dents Run Road), with the WMA lying
approximately 1.5 miles from Mannington. The WMA, which is primarily
forested, will provide hunting opportunities for deer, wild turkey,
squirrel, waterfowl and other game species. In addition, a 30-acre
impoundment will provide the public with warmwater fishing
opportunities.
A special dedication recognizing this generous lease by CONSOL Energy
Inc. to the State of West Virginia is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 24,
at 10 a.m. The dedication site is located along County Route 5
(Dents Run Road), approximately 1.8 miles from its intersection with
County Route 1 (Buffalo Road). The dedication will be held on the lake
side of the dam, approximately 0.25 miles from Dents Run Road, along
the access road (Hibbs Run Road). A WVDNR vehicle will be parked
along County Route 5 on the morning of September 24th to offer further
directions, if necessary. The public is cordially invited to
attend this event.
To obtain additional information and/or maps of the Dents Run WMA,
contact the WVDNR District 1 Office in Farmington at 304-825-6787.