ADAPT WV and NWVCIL join groups to oppose trail compromise

Nobody’s happy with Allegheny trails proposal

BY KIM ORIOLE

The Dominion Post

Several groups said Wednesday they’re tired of talking and just want Allegheny Power to build the trail along Cheat Lake that won federal approval in 1994.

They said they’ll reject a compromise floated Wednesday, and demand the 4.5-mile trail be laid down along the eastern side of the lake.

The trail became mired in controversy 15 months ago, when some people who live in the affluent Greystone subdivision on the lake complained it would threaten their quiet and safety and make them liable if anyone left the trail and got hurt on their prope rty.

But the trail had already been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as part of a bigger recreation plan for the lake. Under federal law, Allegheny has to build recreational facilities to keep its federal hydroelectric license.

Several groups — including the Greystone owners, hiking groups, environmental associations, and groups pushing for handicapped accessibility — have been meeting with Allegheny to try to settle on a compromise.

Wednesday, Allegheny Power handed out a two-trail compromise plan that angered many of them.

Jan Rieger, of the Center for Independent Living, said it would let the interests of a few take away the benefits for many in Mon County.

“Any compromise made now is a compromise of the public’s right to this resource,” she said. “This is discrimination, and it must be stopped.”

The original trail, on the east shoreline below Greystone, would be changed from a wide paved trail to a 36-inch-wide trail made of natural materials.

The second, on the west side, would be more primitive and would start along the lake almost directly across from the Coopers Rock overlook.

Ken Irvin, of ADAPT, said federal law requires projects like this to be accessible to people in wheelchairs.

“I heard a lot about compromise today,” Irvin said. “I walked out with the feeling that Allegheny Power was knuckling under to the wishes of a few property owners and there’s a federal order that that shouldn’t happen.”

People who worked for years to save the viewshed across from Coopers Rock are angry a trail could be built there without public review of the plan.

“It’s not in the best interest to put a developed trail in an undeveloped area,” said Denise Huggins, of WVU’s Sierra Club chapter. “None of us want to see a parking lot and cars across from the overlook.”

Allen Staggers, Allegheny spokesman, said the company simply wants to settle the dispute.

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