Local News
DEP study illuminates severe Greenbrier River algae problems
The Greenbrier River has the most severe algae problems of all rivers included in a two-year study by the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection.
The Greenbrier River Watershed Association hosted a public meeting Nov. 19 at which the DEP’s James Summers discussed his study.
According to Summers, the algae problems are originating at several sewage treatment discharges along the Greenbrier River. He said algae is thriving where phosphorus from the sewage treatment discharges is dissolved into the water.
The DEP has put Hillsboro and White Sulphur sewage treatment plants on notice that they will have to meet stricter requirements for phosphorus over the next three years.
Other plants, such as Marlinton, Ronceverte and Alderson, will also have to meet stricter limits as their permits come up for review. The DEP’s goal is to have the water quality standard of phosphorus be set at 8-10 ppm for the Greenbrier River.
Hillsboro and White Sulphur have appealed the DEP’s decision to the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board, saying they cannot afford to clean up their effluent to fix the problem.
If the water quality standard is approved by the Environmental Quality Board, updates to the sewer treatment plants along the river would be would be required over several years. These updates would clean up the 50 miles of river currently being affected by the algae problem Over a three-year period the updates would achieve a 60 to 65 percent reduction in the river’s phosphorus levels and the algae problem.
For more information concerning the DEP’s research on the Greenbrier River algae problem go to the Greenbrier River Watershed Association Web site at www.greenbrier.org to read the full report and power point presentation.
Summers has agreed to present his information to any organization that desires it. Contact the Greenbrier River Watershed Association office at 304-647-4792 or e-mail at greenbrierwatershed@yahoo.com for further information.
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Improvements under way to make Bluestone Dam safer
Improvements and repairs planned at Bluestone Dam over the next 10 years will make the structure safer, but new operating procedures could lead to increased flooding in some areas downstream from the dam, officials said Thursday at a public meeting in Hinton.
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DOH to relocate cemeteries for expressway
West Virginia Division of Highways officials will begin relocating cemeteries next week to make room for the next phase of the Coalfields Expressway.
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GVEDC board gets training
Jeff Finkle, president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), spent several hours with local development officials Thursday, giving pointers and leading a discussion on economic strategies.
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Mix-up leads to W.Va. couple on wrong ballot
Stan and Janet Norman are running for office whether they like it or not.
- Calendar — Friday, March 19, 2010
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SCHOOL CLOSINGS and DELAYS
Click HERE to go to the West Virginia Department of Education with up-to-date school closings and delays by county.
- Tentative agreement reached between Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the United Steelworkers of America A tentative collective bargaining agreement between Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the United Steelworkers of America was reached Wednesday for more than 2,300 ARH employees represented by the USW in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.
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Greenbrier to host Fun Fest and Egg Hunt
The Greenbrier will host its first Community Children’s Easter Fun Fest and Egg Hunt for children ages 3-12 March 28.
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Bluestone Wildlife Area cleaning up from flood
Very little flooding was reported along the New River near Bluestone Dam Saturday, but in other locations the river overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage, including in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, officials said.
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W.Va. gets $72 million in school construction bonds
West Virginia is getting more than $72 million in federal bonds for public schools.
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