Friends Of Blackwater Inc

Public lands: fob is writing a guidebook with maps and tours of the public lands in the blackwater watershed. Additionally, fob is improving the rail trail from thomas to douglas falls by removing invasive species of plants whicj will lead to eco tours of the area. The trail is maintained so that it can be open to hikers and bikers. The organization also partners with other organizations to advocate against the cutting of older growth trees which diminishes the forest carbon sink which is a hedge against the negative effects of climate change.

Blackwater/northfork watershed: the organization received multiple grants from the west virginia department of environmental protection to plan a water treatment plant on the north fork of the blackwater next to the rail trail and one at beaver creek. The project consultant, bio most, analyzed the level of acid mine drain pollution, the sources of water pollution and the flow or volume of water from key sites and designed the piping to the plant. In addition bio most engineered the processing and the removal of the waste product from the treatment site and worked on permitting and land owners agreements for both sites. We have also continued to monitor water monthly along the north fork and along beaver creek of the blackwater. Additionally, new historic signage was planned for the north fork by working with consultants.

River trail projects: the organization is planning and designing the wv railroad heritage trail from thomas, wv to cumberland, md. Also, a consultant is planning and designing an 8.5 mile the blackwater river loop trail. The trail follows the mon national forest's historic rail trail and joins trails in blackwater falls state park at douglas falls. The trail will connect to the state park with a pedestrian bridge over the north fork of the blackwater. History:the organization researches, writes and produces public meetings and a dramatic reading of coal miners in tucker county. The script was taken from recordings made in the 1970's. The vent was free and open to the public at blackwater falls state park. Additionally, the organization created a traveling exhibit of their historic signage taken from the thomas rail trail, downtown davis, davis city park and blackwater falls state park and is studying and documenting historic african american sites in the west virginia highlands.