CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Harrison County Commission has officially received a sales agreement from the Clarksburg Water Board that would give them possession of three dams along the West Fork, but will look it over before making a decision.
“It’s like playing chess,” Commission President Ron Watson said. “They move, now it’s our move. You don’t just arbitrarily grab a pawn or something and start moving. You look at it. You think about it. We don’t have a time frame.”
The commissioners will look over the agreement approved by the Water Board to be sent over at their last meeting and will allow their legal counsel to look it over as well.
For Watson, he said his main concern was doing right by the taxpayer.
While some have expressed concern that the cost of maintaining the dams to a safety standard –as demanded in the sales agreement would be burdensome, Watson would like to see the numbers.
“Prior to 2003, how much money was spent by whoever had ownership of those dams on maintenance, upkeep and anything else that dealt with the dams,” he asked. “I think what we’re going to find is that it was minimal, if anything.”
Should both parties sign the agreement, the county would receive ownership of the
They would also receive the contract the Water Board previously signed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the dams as part of a river restoration project.
The county commission has indicated it is in favor of saving the dams, based on vocal opposition they have received from residents along the river and from a group known as the Guardians of the West Fork.
However, it is unclear at this time if they would be able to get out of the contract, as it must be done mutually and U.S. Fish and Wildlife has indicated they intend to continue with the demolition.
“The key to this whole thing is whether or not the federal government is going to get out of the issue,” Commissioner Frank “Chunki” Angotti said. “If they don’t get out of the issue, it doesn’t matter what Clarksburg does or what we do, they’re going to take the dams out anyway. But I think the people need to speak first.”
An educational forum was proposed during a recent meeting between the Commission and U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito’s Office while a representative was in town for a mobile office.
Commissioner Bernie Fazzini said he was in favor of the idea because it would allow him to see the issue from both sides.
“Let the people speak, let the U.S. Fish and Wildlife speak, let everyone have input and then I’m ready to make a decision after that.”
No such forum has been scheduled at this time, but representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife were open to the opportunity.