SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37
(By Senators Tomblin, Mr. President, Jackson and Plymale)
Requesting the Division of Natural Resources study the feasibility
of making the Upper Mud River Watershed Project in Lincoln
County a state park or other designated area, as may be
appropriate.
Whereas, The Upper Mud River Wildlife Management and
Recreation Area is part of the Upper Mud River Site 2-A
Multipurpose Flood Control Recreation Project built by the United
States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service, the Soil Conservation Agency and the Division of Natural
Resources; and
Whereas, Project sponsors include the following entities: Soil
Conservation Agency, Guyan Soil Conservation District, Lincoln
County Commission and the Division of Natural Resources; and
Whereas, The total area comprises 1,600 acres, including a
307-acre lake and requires 25 years to complete at a cost of $25
million; and
Whereas, The Upper Mud River Dam is a 75-foot dam that creates a 307-acre lake that can store 8,850 acre-feet of flood water,
temporarily storing runoff water during periods of high rainfall
and protecting the town of Hamlin from the risk of flood damage;
and
Whereas, The recreational facilities of the project were
completed and opened to the public in July, 1999; and
Whereas, The recreation and support facilities of the project
include the following: Access roads, boat launch ramp, fishing
access for physically challenged anglers, hiking trails, swimming,
beach, playground equipment, picnic shelters, softball field,
restrooms, picnic tables, sewage treatment system, water treatment
system, superintendent's residence, office and storage facility and
fuel storage facility; and
Whereas, The Division of Natural Resources signed a lease
agreement in February, 1996, with the Lincoln County Commission to
manage 1,425 acres of the project area as a wildlife management
area for the benefit and enjoyment of Lincoln County residents and
other visitors; and
Whereas, The Wildlife Management Area activities include:
Forty acres of wildlife clearings, 18 wood duck nest boxes,
management and stocking of fish, the release of black bears in the
area and hunting opportunities; and
Whereas, During 2000, an estimated 11,705 anglers, 351 hunters
and 14,350 other outdoor enthusiasts utilized the Wildlife
Management and Recreation Area; and
Whereas, The residents of the area served by the Upper Mud
River Wildlife Management and Recreation Area and other visitors
utilize and enjoy the facilities on a regular basis; and
Whereas, Several area residents have voiced the opinion that
they would like to see the area developed into a state park or
other designated area, as may be appropriate, to broaden the
opportunities for the project; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Natural Resources is hereby requested to
study the feasibility of making the Upper Mud River Wildlife
Management and Recreation Area into a state park or other
designated area, as may be appropriate; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Natural Resources shall
prepare a comprehensive plan for the development and utilization of
the area with timelines and budget projections; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Natural Resources
report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on its
findings, conclusions, recommendations and its comprehensive plan,
together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations, on or before the first day of December, 2001.