INTERESTING TIMES

Paddlers all know that WV has great rivers. The Cheat River has seven free flowing tributaries and many whitewater sections, including the famous Cheat River Canyon where the downriver Nationals were just held. Once a year, in May, boaters and environmentalists from all over the region converge at the Cheat Fest to celebrate the progress we've made in restoring the Cheat and her tributaries to their former wild glory. There are bands and activities and educational booths and a general feeling of joy in the air, each year, when the festival happens beside the Cheat River.

What happened to the Cheat? Coal mining happened. The coal of the region is embedded in sulfur rich rock that causes Acid Mine Drainage to spill into streams and kill all the fish. It takes very careful management to prevent spills and remediate acid leaks where they do occur. Thanks to Friends of the Cheat, this has happened. Friends of the Cheat has taken a gentle but active approach to building consensus among all those who hold a stake in having clean water and healthy fish in the Cheat. They deserve many congratulations for work well done.

Friends of the Cheat, Inc., a non-profit watershed group based in Kingwood, West Virginia is seeking a Project Manager (PM) to coordinate water quality monitoring and associated database in our service area. The PM will be responsible for identifying acid mine drainage (AMD) discharges, water sample collection and analytical data interpretation, stream monitoring (flow, pH, etc.), data analyses for remediation system design, implementation of AMD treatment systems, and evaluating project performance. Additional responsibilities include: working with landowners, collaboratively developing engineering/construction bid documents, contract procurement, and construction oversight.

The position requires, at minimum, a BS degree with a science focus and two years of experience in a related field, preferably watershed focused. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and intermediate GIS skills are ideal. Experience with benthic macroinvertebrate collection and identification is preferred, but not required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are a must as the PM will work with the Executive Director to research and draft grant applications and complete reports to satisfy funding requirements.

The position requires intermediate GIS skills to map pollutant sources and spatially analyze water quality data; as well as water sampling, stream flow measurements. The successful candidate will enjoy being outside and working in a team atmosphere, but also have the ability to work independently and make informed decisions.

This is a full-time salaried position with a pay range of $32,500 to $35,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include paid vacation, health insurance, and a flexible work schedule.

To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Friends of the Cheat by December 2, 2011. E-mail submissions are preferred and can be sent to Amanda at Cheat dot org. Hard copy applications can be mailed or dropped off to: Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director, Friends of the Cheat, 119 South Price Street, Suite 206, Kingwood, WV 26537.

Shit can only pile so high before it falls over.
--Anorah's Aunt Sarah in WV, speaking of outhouses...and life

Here is Colleen Laffey's recent piece on the Gauley River in West Virginia. Colleen is a professional videographer, and a paddler, so she has collected a lot of amazing clips on this river over the years. Her profile of the Gauley really captures the playful and international flavor of the boating gathering that occurs there each fall, and it has some great footage of rad whitewater kayaking and lots of rafts flipping. =-]

He's gone, dead at the age of 92. We will miss him. While it is impossible to agree with every decision, his work revealed a man of great integrity, strength and resolve. May we soon begin to elect more senators and congressmen with spines and morals, in his honor.

The news is saying that he cast more votes than anybody, ever, in the senate, perhaps because he was elected in the 60's and served until today. He carried a copy of the constitution in his pocket and brandished it at people. He was a democrat, but the party did not rule him.

SOURCE
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-byrd-20100628,0,3523904.story