WVLSC LAND BANK ACQUIRES FIRST PROPERTY

In November, the WVLSC Land Bank acquired its very first property: a 2.31-acre parcel informally known as the Smokestacks property, located in the Morgantown Industrial Park. The site housed a coal-fired power plant and a water filtration plant that serviced the U.S. government’s ordnance and chemical manufacturing facilities during WW II. Despite its prime location in the center of an active industrial park, the cost of removing the property’s structures and properly handling the environmental issues caused by former operations have thus far rendered its redevelopment economically unfeasible.

This fall the WVLSC used funds from its US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to conduct a Phase II environmental assessment of the property. In early December, we applied for a US EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to address the concerns identified in that report and prepare the property for reuse.

The reuse plan for the Smokestacks property includes the construction of a loading and storage facility that will eliminate the need to transfer commodities multiple times as they enter and leave the Park, thus making the Park more attractive to current and future users. As demand for both rail and barge service increases, Park owners plan to extend the existing rail spur to accommodate a full train of rail cars. Additional infrastructure improvements are in the works for this area that could complement the redevelopment of the Smokestacks property.

WVLSC APPROVED AS LONG-TERM STEWARD FOR WVDEP’S IN LIEU FEE MITIGATION PROJECTS

This fall the US Army Corps of Engineers approved the WVLSC to serve as the long-term steward of all mitigation projects undertaken by the WV Department of Environmental Protection’s In Lieu Fee Program. We will monitor the sites to ensure the long-term viability of the conservation values the projects are designed to protect and provide legal defense if those values are threatened. We will also serve as the holder of the conservation easements that protect those sites.

WVLSC WELCOMES NEW BOARD CHAIR AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

In October, Governor Justice appointed Berkeley Bentley to the position of WVLSC Board Chair. Berkeley currently serves as Deputy General Counsel to the Office of the Governor. At its November meeting, the WVLSC Board approved the formation of an Advisory Board to advise and help guide the WVLSC’s development. Advisory Board Members represent different geographical portions of the state and bring a wide range of experience. They will help guide WVLSC Staff and Board to enhance current programs and develop new projects and resources to achieve the WVLSC’s mission.

RECLAMATION OF BARBOUR COUNTY SLURRY IMPOUNDMENT CONTINUES

Contractors continue to reclaim a large slurry impoundment left behind by mining operations at a site near Century, WV in Barbour County, as part of our continued work with WVDEP’s Office of Special Reclamation. We expect reclamation to be completed in 2020.