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Coal River Flood Remediation

Ending Coal River Flooding

Objectives

I. Ensure safe, reliable drinking water for area communities that depend on Coal River.

II. Protect residents from the ravages of flooding.
    A. Achieve flood remediation on Coal River.
      1. Prevent flood water from routinely blocking Coal River Road.
        a. Eliminate isolation of residents during periods of flooding.
          aa. Mitigate the danger posed by the inability of emergency responders to reach residents.
          bb. Alleviate hardship caused by the inability to get to work, school, health care appointments, et al.
    B. Achieve flood remediation in Upper Falls.
      1. Eliminate flooding in the village of Upper Falls caused by backwater behind the dam on Falls Creek.
        a. Mitigate the resulting property damage.
        b. Alleviate the health risk posed by contaminated flood water.

III. Shelter the environment from the harmful effects of development.
    A. Optimize the flow of Coal River.
      1. Reduce siltation.
        a. Improve habitat.
          aa. For aquatic life.
          bb. For wildlife dependent on the river.
      2. Reduce concentrations of pathogenic organisms.
        a. Allay health hazards to humans and wildlife.
      3. Improve aesthetics.
        a. Enhance the recreational value of the river.

IV. Eliminate the drowning hazard at Upper Falls that has claimed so many innocent lives!

Methodology

I. Achieve United States Army Corps of Engineers operation of Coal River.

II. The Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over Coal River.
A. Coal River is designated as a navigable waterway by the Corps of Engineers.
B. If the Corps of Engineers had a role in the design or construction of a dam, they are responsible for its operation.
1. The Corps of Engineers had such a role in the building of the dams on Coal River.

Procedure

I. Reconnaissance study.
    A. Identifies water resources problems.
      1. Flood damage reduction.
      2. Environmental enhancement.
        a. Ecosystem restoration.
          aa. A requirement for all projects receiving federal funding.
          bb. Is a Corps of Engineers priority mission.
    B. Determines that a federal interest exists and feasibility studies are warranted.
    C. General in scope.
    D. Encompasses the entire Coal River Basin.
      1. Includes Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam, Raleigh and Wyoming Counties.
      2. Contains over 1000 square miles of land.
      3. Affects the communities of Alum Creek, Danville, Julian, Logan, Madison, Racine, Saint Albans, Sylvester, Upper Falls and Whitesville.

II. Feasibility study.
    A. Investigates the causes of water resources problems and defines solutions.
    B. Recommends federal participation.

III. Preconstruction engineering.
    A. A design with plans and specifications is prepared.

IV. Construction.
    A. The engineering plan is implemented.

V. Operations.
    A. Includes ongoing maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation of the site.
    B. Funded by the federal government.

Coal River