Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1925-08-26

/ Washington. ID. C, August 18.-
That people living in the vicinity Of
Cheat River and other streams in
West Virginia where large hydro
electric dams are contemplated in the
near future, may be denied access to
many Of their fayorite resorts for
fishing, boating or swimming. is in
4 dicated by the results Of an investi-
/ cation being made into conditions
along this stream and its environs by
Congressman Frank L. Bowman, of
the Second District
Mr.. Bowman announced recently
that with the cooperation of the
Bureau Of Fisheries, biologists and
other instructors in West Virginia
University, the State Fish and Game
Commission. and interested sports
men of his district, he would en-
deavor to investigate conditions in
Cheat River and environs with view
to determining to what extent they
might be restocked with fish. After
making successful progress for a
time, however. it was learned that
any effort to determine the extent
of fish life in Cheat River. the abun-
dance of food. and the amount of
pollution, would be useless at this
time, inasmuch as future hydro-elec-
trio dam projects would alter all
present conditions.
Interested in what might be the
result of the erection of these dams.
Congressman Bowman conferred
with the Chief Engineer of the Fed
eral Power Commission here, and
found that along Cheat River in par
ticular, the West Virginia Power and
Transmission Company has acquired
ground estimated to be enough to
extend some distance above the pros
pective water level at each of sew
eral large dams this company plans
to build. Under the law. the owner
of the land extending above the
water level at each dam, could pre-
vent trespassing and thereby keep
people from reaching the stream to
use it in whatever manner they might
desire Control of the land in reali-
ty means control of the water, it was
pointed out.
Confronted with the fact that on
at least one large dam project in
Maryland, people had been denied
the right to boat, fish or swim in the
water for some distance above the
structure, Congressman Bowman
then sought to determine what might
be done should similar cases develop
along Cheat River. Engineers in the
Commission advised that the Com
mission could, in case of necessity,
provide for locks in each of the dams
which would throw the streams open
to commerce. This action, however.
was not contemplated by the Com
mission, since only the larger inland
streams are used for this purpose.
Later the Chief Engineer of the
Commission conferred with power
company officials and found them
willing to discuss the matter although
confronted with the difficulty of
making any arrangements by which
they would be entirely released of all
responsibility for accidents if per-
mission to use waters at the dam
were granted. Negotiations are now
in progress to this end. and much int
crest is being aroused in the develop
ments
In making public his activities in
this connection, Congressman Bow
man made it clear that he was not
opposed to the hydro-electric dam
projects. He recognizes them as
modern need to business, and a great
boon to utilizing the water power in
West Virginia which is now going to
waste. But he does feel that if
people are denied the right to use
streams at points where dams are
built, many beautiful, natural resorts
will be destroyed. and hundreds of
people will unnecessarily have to sac
rifice many of their native haunts.
Gone large dam project now in
progress" the Congressman said, ais
that few miles above the Pennsyl-
vania-West Virginia boundary line,
near Point Marion. It is estimated
that water will be raised for some
distance above this point, and that
beautiful summer resort at Rocklev.
near Morgantown, will be affected,
or, in case the company does not
grant access to the water-almost
entirely eliminated. Whether the com
pany controlling this dam will fol-
low the policy adopted in MARYLAND
to prohibit access to the water. is a
matter of opinion; but it has been of
sufficient import to arouse wide
spread interest in many sections of
the state"