April 15, 2008
West Virginia DEP
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Pocahontas County Public Service District
HC 63 Box 122
Frank, WV 24920
Snowshoe Water & Sewer
PO Box 10 C/O Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, WV 26209
Re: Comprehensive Watershed Plan
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the Pocahontas County Commission meeting on April 15, 2008 there was an open discussion on the development of a Comprehensive Watershed Plan involving the Commissioners, homeowners and representatives of the Elk Headwaters Association. At the conclusion of the discussion the County Commission voted unanimously to participate as a stakeholder in a process to develop a watershed plan for the Elk Headwaters. The Commissioners know that much is at stake and that no single entity can itself drive the process to a reasonable conclusion.
In order to give this new process and planning a chance to resolve the many issues the community and stakeholders have experienced, the Commission is asking that each of you self-impose a delay or halt to all pending litigation, court and administrative proceedings pending a full and robust community discussion to formulate a cooperative and comprehensive plan for the Elk River Watershed and its environs.
This represents an attempt by all parties involved to work together to find a more acceptable to everyone and the community without repercussion for past differences. A first meeting is scheduled at the Slatyfork Community Center at 7pm on April 3O, 2008 where it is hoped that the anxieties and emotions of the past will be replaced by a fresh view of the future of Slatyfork's valuable watershed and that a renewed and vital partnership of all stakeholders will be created.
We still have time to get the right solution to this very complex problem and ask that you participate with us. Your agreement to delay further pending actions will give all participants, yourself included, time to allow this process a chance.
Sincerely,
James W. Carpenter, President
Reta J. Griffith, Commissioner
Martin V. Saffer, Commissioner
cc: Honorable Joe Manchin III, Governor, Public Service Commission, Elk Headwaters Association, Snowshoe Property Owners Council, Tom Michael, Region IV Planning & Development Council, Thrasher Engineering
