Cheat Friends Receive Award
Morgantown Dominion Post
14 December 2010
Submitted to The Dominion Post
Friends of the Cheat (FOC) has been recognized by the West Virginia
Watershed Network for their accomplishments in improving watershed
health through their partnership building efforts.
FOC received a Partnership Award during the recent 12th annual
Watershed Celebration Day.
Since its inception, FOC has been an example of how partner
collaboration can bring success. FOC formed the River of Promise (ROP)
in 1995 as a task force dedicated to encouraging collaboration with
other stakeholders on improving the water quality of the Cheat
watershed.
The partners include the WVU Water research Institute, West Virginia
DEP’s 319 Program and Special Reclamation, U.S. Office of Surface
Mining, EPA Targeted Watershed Initiative Program, West Virginia
Department of Natural Resources, Friends of Deckers Creek, Trout
Unlimited, and a variety of engineering firms and energy companies.
“The FOC claim their success is directly linked to the dedicated
partners who spend their time advocating for funding for project
implementation, treatment design, professional guidance and out of the
box mentality for stream restoration.” said Jennifer Pauer, WV
Watershed Network member. “The proof is in the success of the
organization and the cleaner streams. FOC does an outstanding job.”
FOC has implemented 19 acid mine drainage passive treatment systems in
the lower Cheat watershed and continues to develop and execute numerous
new projects. The team is now working to remove Sovern Run from the
303(d) list of impaired streams.
Info: http://www.cheat.org,
304-329-3621 or info@cheat.org