Monongahela River Recreational Users, Corps of Engineers Discuss
Water Quality
The groups discussed ways to improve the quality of the river.
The State Journal
27 September 2010
By Mike Krafcik
MORGANTOWN -- A panel of water quality experts along with the
Pittsburgh District Corps of engineers discussed recent water quality
issues affecting the 128 mile long Monongahela River.
It was discussed Monday night as part of the CERRUS (Corps of Engineers
and River Recreational Users Summit)
"The whole watershed is all interconnected, so when you change water
quality from one area or have a drought in a particular area- you
affect all aspects of the system," said Barry Pallay, of the Upper Mon
River Association.
Many of the issues on the docket concerned the river's Total Dissolved
Solids, or TDS levels, as well as Maintenance of the river's locks and
dams The lack of commercial traffic between the Hildebrand and Opelika
lock and dams worries some watershed groups.
"The locks and damns between Hildebrand and Opikeska as well as
Morgantown are invaluable infrastructure that West Virginia needs as we
look towards the future," said Pallay.
The Army Corps of Engineers says without any commercial use of the two
dams. The less it will get for its budget and less resources it will
have to maintain the river.
"Without that use up here we're looking for other mechanisms to
continue to build up the industry or look at other revenue engines this
industry has," said Col. Butch Graham, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
One of those revenue sources is Marcellus Shale Drilling. Experts say
it would require a lot of water and would need to dispose of large
amounts of it.
It has billions of dollars of potential, but the environmental effects
need to be watched carefully.
"It's a challenge to everyone, huge demands, very great difficult with
sediment and erosion control," said Pallay.
With the river providing an economic engine, as well as drinking water
to more than 1 million residents. Organizers say collaboration between
both watershed and governmental groups is paramount.
"We are going to have to work together if we're going to have a win-win
in this area to support the industries we need, and the recreation we
need and the drinking water," said Pallay.