Organization: FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT INC
Mission: TO RESTORE, PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE OUTSTANDING NATURAL QUALITIES OF THE CHEAT RIVER WATERSHED.
Activities: CHEAT WATERSHED RESTORATION - RESTORATION OF STREAMS CONTAMINATED BY ACID MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION IS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY FOCUS. IN 2013, FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT EXPANDED ITS SCOPE TO INCLUDE DIRECTLY MONITORING AND MAINTAINING ACID MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AT BOND FORFEITURE SITES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO REMEDIATE POLLUTION FROM ABANDONED MINE LANDS. THIS WORK INCLUDES STREAM MONITORING AND POLLUTION PRIORITIZATION, CONTRACT PROCUREMENT FOR ENGINEER PLANS OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND CONSTRUCTION OF SYSTEMS, PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION AND POST-CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND STREAM MONITORING.ENGINEERING PLANS FOR SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE UPPER MUDDY CREEK, THE SOVERN TICHNELL SITE AND THE NORTH FORK OF GREENS RUN RAILROAD REFUSE SITE. PROGRESS WAS ALSO MADE ON NON-CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDING WATERSHED BASED PLANNING AND TREATMENT SYSTEM EVALUATION PROJECTS.
RECREATION AND RIVER ACCESS - FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT MAINTAINS MANY WHITEWATER RIVER ACCESSES AND WORKS TO IMPLEMENT NON-MOTORIZED RAIL TRAILS IN PRESTON COUNTY. FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT ASSESSED WATER TRAIL ACCESS SITE NEEDS, EXECUTED SMALL IMPROVEMENTS AT SEVERAL SITES AND DEVELOPED INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS.
NTEE category: Environment
Secondary category: Recreation & Sports