Background

As one of the largest tributaries in the New River Gorge National River Area, Piney Creek and its watershed are important features in the Southern West Virginia landscape. The watershed encompasses 138 square miles in Raleigh County, including the city of Beckley. The Piney Creek Watershed Association, founded in 2004, is dedicated to the protection and restoration of Piney Creek and its tributaries. PCWA’s goal of promoting sustainable use of the land and waters for community development is derived from a long history of natural resource use in the region. Rich in resources such as coal and timber, this area has historically been the industrial and economic center of Southern West Virginia. When coal industries left the area they took with them economic stability, leaving behind abandoned structures and communities with high levels of poverty. This took its toll on the natural environment as well. Many local tributaries continue to suffer from legacy acid mine drainage and inadequate waste water treatment facilities, in addition to urban run-off from Beckley.

 

Goals and Accomplishments:

PCWA has been active since its inception in 2004. The Piney Creek Watershed Watch recruits and trains volunteers to assist in water quality monitoring throughout the county, helping PCWA compile an annual State of the Watershed report. In 2007, the organization received a Project FLOW Learn and Serve grant from the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service, allowing PCWA to conduct the Watershed Academy, a two-day camp for area high school students. The students learned about water quality issues facing the area and had the opportunity to use some technology common in field work to do some sampling themselves. Despite the loss of the aforementioned grant, we aim to continue these successful public education efforts towards youth in the coming years. To do so, we have sought funding and assistance in creating a youth advisory board.

PCWA is working now to build its capacity to achieve its goals, and is developing a new green community program to further impact the watershed. On the capacity building front, PCWA is developing its database to better connect with its members, and this spring will utilize this connection in redoubling its efforts to conduct water monitoring throughout the watershed. PCWA has also sought to increase its influence through its recently created green community program. We hope to cosponsor a sustainable business fair this May, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Show. Finally, PCWA plans to continue and expand its current projects, including rain barrel workshops, rain gardens, pet waste stations, storm drain marking, etc.

 

Partners and Contributors:

• Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team
• Beckley Area Foundation
• Beckley Art Group
• Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce
• Beckley Sanitary Board
• Concord University
• Human Resources Development Foundation
• Natural Capital Investment Fund
• Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority
• Region 1 Work Force West Virginia
• WV Department of Environmental Protection
• WV Department of Natural Resources