Morgantown Dominion Post
11 April 2006
By Evelyn Ryan
Commercial use of the Monongahela River south of Morgantown may have dropped drastically in the last 30 years, but Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, D-W.Va., believes the river is a major plus for the local economy.
"We are blessed with wonderful water assets in West Virginia, and this river that flows through Morgantown is one of the most marvelous river assets in West Virginia," he said Monday dur- ing the Monongahela River Summit 2006 at the Radisson.
This summit brought together people and experts from West Virginia and Pennsylvania to look at problems and issues related to the river, and propose solutions to expand recreational and commercial use.
More than 10 years ago, Mollohan obtained $600,000, used for a major study of the Monongahela River.
"That study of the Mon," he said, "was looking at the river as a physical resource, assessing the river bed, seeing where it was appropriate to do development along the river."
Is it time for a follow-up to that 1995 report?
"Definitely. I think so," he said. "I think when you have a baseline study and a number of years later, you've got a new group looking at the circumstances, it's very appropriate. That would be an easy thing to do."
He said he would be willing to work on getting money for that follow-up study.
One of that study's proposals for recreational development became Morgantown's Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park.
West Virginians and Pennsylvanians alike "have a vested interest in what happens on the river," Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice said. "It's important for the summit to bring people together who have an interest in all uses of the river."
While Morgantown has been industrious in developing McQuain Riverfront Park, "up until five years ago, Morgantown underutilized the river," Justice said. "We still underutilize the river to a degree."
He doesn't believe that will continue in the future. Justice said he believes "you will see development up and down the river. It's the tip of the iceberg now. Everybody's looking at the river as an amenity to latch on to, to be part of."
County Commission President Bob Bell is far more interested in cleaning up the river. He's sought a way to clear up the debris and driftwood that gets trapped behind the dam gates at the three Mon River locks and dams.
"When you look at what it costs to run the river from the Corps of Engineers' perspective, it gives you a new perspective of the uphill battle we face to do what we want to do on the Mon," Bell said.
The Pittsburgh District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers covers 10 river systems in five states, said Lt. Col. Peter Steinig, acting district engineer.
This year, the district has a budget of $136.3 million, with only $58.4 million for operation and maintenance, he said. The increase for next fiscal year is dedicated to lock and dam construction projects.
Clearing the debris (bottles, barrels and tires) and driftwood from the river would be a very expensive proposition, Steinig said. At the Bluestone Dam, the Corps ended up installing a $12 million bypass just to handle the debris and drift. Volunteers clean it out of the river below the dam.
Mollohan described the summit as a "very smart, very strategic move," one allowing the region to examine the river assets that often get overlooked in the state.