WV NRCS Projects Showcased

West Virginia welcomed Richard Coombe (Regional Assistant Chief – East) and Bruce Julian (Chief of Staff) during a tour of several projects on July 24-25, 2007. Kevin Wickey, Louis Aspey, and Dick Judy hosted the visit, which showcased the diverse ways NRCS in West Virginia is helping people help the land.

After speaking at the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts quarterly meeting, Mr. Coombe began the tour with a visit to the Little Whitestick Creek construction site in Raleigh County. The channel modification project will lessen flood damages for several commercial structures when completed in 2008. The group was met on site by local sponsors and lead through the work area during a presentation by Loren Rice, who is overseeing construction.

The group proceeded north to Clay County, where District Conservationist John Cox guided a farm visit to discuss some of the Farm Bill programs active in the state. A local cooperator participating in EQIP, AMA, and CSP discussed contract-based assistance from a customer perspective.

The Elkwater Fork Water Supply Dam was the final stop on the tour. When completed in 2008, the 54-acre reservoir retained by the 123-feet tall roller-compacted concrete dam will be the dedicated water supply source for approximately 22,000 Randolph County residents. The project is one of the largest contracts ever administered by NRCS.
 

	This is a view of the top of the dam from the left abutment. Construction crews work two shifts per day to prepare and place roller-compacted concrete.
	Richard Coombe and Bruce Julian observed the evening concrete placement and returned the next morning to see the upstream side of the dam.
	Richard Coombe watches construction from the downstream right abutment.

Go to http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=27589 for WBOY TV story and video of the dam.

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