SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 12
(By Senators Helmick, Ross, Schoonover,
Love, Anderson, Whitlow, Scott, Dittmar and Buckalew)
Requesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a dam
on the Greenbrier River to help with the prevention of
flooding.
Whereas, The Greenbrier River is formed in the northern part
of Pocahontas County by junctions of the East Fork and West Fork.
The mouth is in junction with the New River south of Hinton in
Summers County; and
Whereas, The citizens of Summers, Greenbrier and Pocahontas
Counties have been greatly affected by the inundation of the
Greenbrier River and its impact on the communities situated along
its banks; and
Whereas, Two five hundred-year level floods have occurred in
a ten-year period; and
Whereas, Over fifty million dollars in property has been
lost; and
Whereas, The state of West Virginia has contributed fifteen
million dollars out of its lean budget; and
Whereas, Lives have been lost; and
Whereas, Individual families have exhausted their family
savings; and
Whereas, Businesses still owe loans received due to the
flood of 1985; and
Whereas, Individuals and families living near the Greenbrier
River live in fear of river flooding; and
Whereas, Water and sewage plants are destroyed when flooding
occurs causing major environmental problems for extended periods
of time; and
Whereas, Fuel supply tanks are destroyed causing toxic
material to spew into the river and flow into homes causing
environmental problems; and
Whereas, Property values decreased thus reducing the budgets
of county commissions and school boards; and
Whereas, The potential for extensive loss of lives exists
for the entire Greenbrier River corridor; and
Whereas, The farming community has experienced more than one
million dollars in lost farm land; animals being drowned; and
feed, equipment and machinery being destroyed; and
Whereas, The citizens of Summers, Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties desire the protection of its government
for the preservation of life and prosperity; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby requests the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to take action on the Greenbrier River by providing
protection to the citizens of Summers, Greenbrier and Pocahontas
Counties by the construction of a dam, dams or other measures in
order to control the inundation of floodwaters along the banks of
the Greenbrier River; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Congressman Nick Rahall, Senator John D. Rockefeller
and Senator Robert C. Byrd.